AN: Ink's taller now, roll with it.

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Chapter 38: Cornered

Third POV

Darkness looms over his head and chilled air surrounds him. A wide vast of nothingness with no signs of life for miles and miles in every direction.

Geno found himself, once again, standing in the familiar empty dark space echoing with haunting silence. The suffocating loneliness gripping his poor soul in its tight, merciless grasp and squeezing it hard enough to make each breath hurt like knives in his ribs.

He gasps for air, answering his lungs' plea for relief but it was caught in his throat and never reached its destination. His soul beating wildly in his chest and pulse pounding loud in his ears.

He couldn't breathe. He couldn't hear.

Panic began settling in.

His breath came in fast and heavy, desperate to ease the burning in his chest yet no matter how much air he inhales, it was never enough to reach his 'lungs'. His eye darting back and forth, searching for something, anything other than the eternal darkness surrounding him.

A light, perhaps? A glint of hope? An exit?

He found nothing. He couldn't see anything. There's nobody here. He's all alone.

His blood running cold as his fingertips went numb. Terror seeped into his mind, rapidly spreading throughout his body and weighing him down until his knees gave out underneath him.

He's trapped, came his mind's deafening scream, taking over every rational thought and throwing him straight into a spiraling fit of panic. There's no way out!

He wants to leave. He has to leave! He needs to get out of this place. He needs to find a way out!

The burning in his chest grew worse, setting his lungs on fire and his soul beating too fast that it felt as if it might explode at any moment. Stop! Stop! Stop!

Let me out!

The hollow silence only made it more obvious that there's nobody else there.

Don't leave me alone! He pleaded.

"Geno!"

A deafening voice penetrated through the darkness and a blinding light filled Geno's vision before his eyes snapped open. He found himself back at Reaper's house, sitting on the cold floor and staring right into Reaper's wide, worry-filled eyes.

"Deep breath. Just take a deep breath." Reaper said. His palms pressed against Geno's wet cheeks, cupping his face and cradling it gently in his hands. Brushing his thumbs over the smaller one's eyes, wiping away warm liquid seeping from them. Both of his eyes, Geno noticed.

Geno gasped, alarmed, as his hands flew to his supposedly hidden eye.

"No no nonono!" Reaper intercepted the hands midway, holding them into one of his own before reaching out with the other to caress the bleeding eye with his fingers. Sealing the eye with a glitch once more. Then, he gently let go of the smaller's hand, allowing the latter to examine his own face and was mildly relieved to find the glitches were indeed there.

He looked up, finally taking in his surroundings to find that he was back in Reaper's newly built house. It was quiet but not too quiet. It was different from the empty silence in the void. It was peaceful, serene and very very comfortable. He breathes out, feeling his pounding soul slowly subside to a subtle pulsing. "What happened?" he finally spoke, words raspy against his dry throat but paid no mind to it.

Looking back at Reaper, Geno expected an answer but all he got was a wide-eyed stare filled with worry and hesitation. Reaper didn't utter a single word. He didn't answer. Despite the fact that he had acknowledged the question, Geno saw it in his face, Reaper still didn't provide the answer he wanted.

Instead, he whipped his head to face Ink who shared an equally worried expression. The exchange glances, sparing Geno some but not one word was spoken. It was as if they were communicating inside their heads. A secret conversation only the two of them could understand. Geno was further lost in what was happening.

"This was a bad idea," Reaper suddenly spoke as he abruptly stood up. He grabbed Geno's hand and pulled him up to his feet. Wait, when had he sat down? Geno stumbled, having not yet completely regained the feeling on his legs but Reaper was there to assist him.

Only for Ink to step in and blocked their path. "Don't take him outside," he spoke with a tone of authority that almost didn't match his usually cheery personality. The tone was so sharp and cold that it raises Reaper's protective instinct just enough to consider Ink as a threat and shoved Geno behind him as gentle as he could.

"He can't stay in here!" Ink may have been the most reliable friend and an indispensable ally but if it's for Geno's sake, Reaper will stand his ground against him.

Ink's eyes narrowed as an ugly snarl formed on his 'lips'. His hands clenched into fists in vain attempt to hold back his growing irritation. He had already talked to him about this. "Would you rather want Error to find him?!" Ink reminded, his voice rising higher and louder than he had intended, yet he knows it perfectly represents his current temper.

Geno flinched from behind Reaper, caught off guard with the intensity of Ink's voice as he clutches a fistful of Reaper's shirt and he presses himself against the taller's back.

The act didn't go unnoticed by the god of death and he growled protectively. "Didn't you just see what happened?!" He yelled back at Ink, his tone angry yet laced with worry. He himself didn't understand what exactly happened. He had never seen it happened. All he knows was that it looks bad. Really, really bad. "He just glitched out!"

"I know!" Came Ink's instant reply, surprising the grim reaper at the sudden agreement. "I'm just as worried as you are," Ink continued, looking at Reaper straight in the eyes to show that he's being completely honest. "But you gotta understand, it's a much more acceptable risk than letting Error erase his entire existence!"

Reaper met Ink's gaze. He saw irritation and frustration in those big mismatched eyes but there's also an evident trace of deep concern. It was more than enough to tell Reaper that Ink was in a conflict of his own decision, too.

"The barrier is the only thing that's keeping Error from locating us." Ink continued and Reaper can see through Ink's eyes, how it hardened as his resolve strengthened. "Take him outside and you might as well be condemning him to his own death." he spat, glaring at the grim reaper; daring him to talk back.

Reaper clenched his jaw and grind his teeth. Ink was right. He has a point but Reaper refused to believe that there's nothing else they can do. "Geno can't stay in here either!" Reaper insists, although his voice differs from earlier; it was less aggressive. It almost sounds like he was pleading.

"Well?! Do you have a much better idea?!" Ink snapped, sending the grim reaper a sharp glare.

Reaper almost flinches and bit back his tongue. Taken aback by the usually-cheery-artist's harsh tone. Nonetheless, he took the suggestion into consideration and tried to think of an alternative solution.

Only to come up blank. The god of death cursed under his breath for his own lack of ideas. He felt Geno tugging the back of his shirt and Reaper turned his head to look over his shoulder but the smaller didn't meet his gaze.

Geno only buried his face on the taller's back. He didn't utter a single word nor even let out a sound. He only presses himself against the other, seeking and providing comfort at the same time. Relaying a secret message that hopefully the other would understand.

It was vague but Reaper got the idea but disapproves of it. If that's what Geno wants, then so be it, but that doesn't mean he's fine with it. He balled his hands into fists and lowered his head in reluctant defeat.

Seeing the look on Reaper's face, Ink let out an exasperated sigh; hastily calming himself since Reaper had finally decided to cooperate. There's no need to be aggressive. He didn't want to cross the line either knowing it would only make things worse. He took a deep breath and ease himself.

"Look," Ink began upon regaining his composure. His tone now calm and sounding much of a leader. "We can't keep the cat-and-mouse game forever. He'll eventually catch up to us and when he does, we'll be at a great disadvantage." the artist said, planting a hand on his hip and shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "If Error will do what I think he'll do, then he'll kill Geno on sight."

Reaper stiffened as his eyes grew wide.

"The best solution I could think of is to hide Geno." Ink continues with his explanation, being uncharacteristically serious but that only indicates the severity of their situation. "At least that way, we can have more time to plan things out and hopefully confront Error. Do you understand?"

There was a short moment of silence and Ink took it as a 'yes'. He shoved Reaper aside, startling Geno as he suddenly found himself face to face with Ink.

Ink immediately noticed the smaller's teary eye, indicating that he had started crying again but the glitches were still present on the other so he's still good. He quickly dismissed the matter in favor of focusing on the more serious one.

"Geno, listen to me," Ink began, grabbing the other by the shoulders and staring at him straight in the eye; trying to convey his honesty and sympathy through the looks. "I'm gonna need you to stay in here for a while, alright?" Ink asks as gentle as he could, accompanied by a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Fear and panic flashed in Geno's wide eye and immediately opens his mouth to protest.

"No no nonono," Ink hushed him before the other could even utter a sound. Re-placing his hands on either side of the smaller's face. cupping Geno's cheeks in his hands and holding his face in place. "I know, I know," Ink soothe. "I'm asking too much especially after all you've been through but this is for your own good."

Geno meekly shook his head, tears welling in his only visible eye as his hands went to clutch Ink's arm. Grasping it in a way that made Ink's figurative heart sank. The touch was soft with a strong sense of longing, pleading to not be left alone again.

Ink's already wavering smile falters but picked it back up almost immediately. "Listen, you're not trapped here," Ink started.

It instantly caught Geno's attention as his teary eye widened.

"You can go outside anytime you want through that door." Ink turns his head to briefly glance at the said door far behind him and Geno followed his line of sight. "But please, please tell me you won't!" Ink quickly added.

Geno found himself staring at the front door. Entranced by the fact that it's the way out. Hope welled in his chest as his breath got caught in his throat. The house suddenly felt so small, so... suffocating, he couldn't breathe. He wanted to get out.

Geno stared at the door. Hypnotized by its mere presence and the fact that it's only a few feet away made his freedom more reachable that he had thought. It was just right there. It was as if there was an invisible force pulling him, urging him to go there, take a step forward, walk, reach out and-

"Geno?"

Geno snapped back to reality for the second time in less than an hour. This time, he was staring at Ink's face and Ink was intentionally blocking his sight of the front door. Geno blinked, momentarily confused until he realized that his hand was reaching out to the direction of the door. Had he been hallucinating?

A deep frown settled on Ink's 'lips' as he turned his head to face Reaper standing beside him. They shared a look of deep worry, internally questioning their decisions wondering if they made the wrong choice. Geno's mental case was a lot worse than they had anticipated. Neither the two of them had expected the effect it would take on Geno.

Ink straightened up, release his hold on the smaller's cheek and planted his hands on the smaller's shoulders instead. Geno had retracted his hands close to his chest and he wouldn't meet either of their gazes.

Geno knew very well those looks on their faces. Pity. Geno didn't like that. He never liked that. The tense silence only made it worse along with their burning stares. It was unbearable. He was tempted to say he's fine just to make them stop staring but he knew that they knew; that's bullsh*t. Why aren't they saying anything?

Curious, Geno lifted his gaze to look at the two, expecting them to be staring back at him but found them looking at the window on the corner of his vision. Frozen on the spot with their eyes wide with horror and mouth hanging open.

Geno turned his head, dread pooling in the pit of his nonexistent guts before he was tackled to the floor.

"Get down!"

To be continued...

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AN: So....

Would you be interested in a Minecraft Fanfiction?