Adrien's POV

I show Wayhem the texts. He reads them and nods. I turn my phone off.

How long do we have to wait?

I've felt fear before, the urge to run and hide. Wayhem's caused it once, but I forgive him now. In fact, he's the only thing keeping me from full-on panicking at the moment. I don't think I've ever been this scared in my life...

"Adrien..." Wayhem whispers.

And that's when I feel the stinging in my eyes, the wetness on my cheeks. It started as I was texting Marinette for help. Although I trust her, I'm worried there will be a mistake along the way and I won't get rescued in time. Not her fault - Marinette always tries her best to help - but some other circumstance might arise.

As time passes, my stomach feels sick and heavy as my head feels hot and lightweight. I can feel sweat soaking through my clothes. Wayhem scoots out of the way as I tremble. I keep telling myself to stay calm. Now is not the time to be anxious.

In the dim light, Wayhem gestures to his chest and mouth, reminding me to breathe. Inhale, exhale. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths.

A loud crash interrupts my deep breathing. My heart jumps with fear.

"Adrien, I know you're in here!" Luka's voice booms.

"Hiding is futile!" Nathanael's voice yells.

They start opening and closing drawers and smashing furniture. I pull my knees closer to my chest.

The door to the cabinet opens, and Wayhem steps out. No! What is he doing?

"Adrien's not in here!" he yells. "Just me!"

"How did you move all that furniture by yourself, then?" Luka-villain demands.

"I-I'm very strong!"

Nathanael-villain cackles. "Why are we supposed to believe anything you say?"

"Because I..."

"You're Adrien's biggest fan! You'd do anything for him! Which in this case makes you a liar!" Luka-villain bellows. In only a matter of seconds, the cabinet doors are ripped open.

"Wayhem, run!" I scream.

But when giant hands pull me out of the cabinet, I see that he's frozen in place.

"Wayhem!" I scream again. "Get out of here!"

But all he can do is stare at me, the situation I'm in. No, no, no...

"I failed you," he whispers.

A black butterfly flutters behind his head.

"Wayhem, no!"

I look away as I hear the sound of my last friend turning against me.

Luka-villain throws me to the floor. My whole body aches.

"The miraculous, now!" he demands.

They've found out. No, Hawk Moth has found out! How?

Wayhem-villain towers over me. "Don't hesitate!"

I press my right hand to my chest and roll away from them, under the half-broken bed, careful to lay on my stomach.

Two of the villains pick up the bed and throw it against the wall.

"We are not afraid to kill you if need be," someone says.

"Please, no..." I find myself pleading weakly.

Someone kicks me hard. My breath goes out in a scream, and I wheeze to get it back.

That's it.

My side still in pain, I pull myself up, sliding my right hand into my pocket. I run up to Nathanael-villain and punch him as hard as I can with my left hand. He stumbles backward, covering his face.

Then someone slams into me. I tumble down again.

"You found him!"

I hear more thundering footsteps enter the room. As fear grows within me, I start kicking whoever I can.

"Look at him try to fight. He's pathetic."

Someone grabs my left leg. Then another grabs my right. I wriggle. Hands reach for my arms, but I fold them across my chest, shielding the ring.

"You don't seem to realize how much stronger we are than you!"

A hand grabs my left arm and pulls. The pain makes me shriek. "Stop it now!"

Before I can do anything, someone has my right arm. No! I twist and growl in an attempt to intimidate them. I should have known it wouldn't work.

Cool metal slides off my finger. It feels like I'm being stabbed in the chest. I feel the urge to scream. The best thing in my life has just been taken from me, and I had no control over it.

"We're done here."

With no regard for my well-being, I'm dropped onto the floor and left in my father's destroyed room.

I feel so bad for him rn.  Why do I write things like this?!?

Song:  Air Catcher by Twenty-One Pilots

I do not own the song or the video.