*screams and hits head on brick*

I AM LAZY BUT IMMA FORCE MY LAZY BEHIND TO WRIIITTTEEEE CUZ I GOT NO OTHER THINGS TO DOOOO.

Let's continue thisssss

Eh that song above is Whispers In The Dark by Skillet. Don mind it, I was listening to it while writing... you can listen to it if ya want, idk if it would fit to what I'm gonna write. The lyrics got me tho.

Ah, and warning *inhales while leaning close and shouts* IT CONTAINS TORTURE. THAT KIND OF ANGST. YOU CAN SKIP THAT PART IF YOU WANT TO OR IS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT TOPIC. I WILL JUST TELL YOU WHICH PART IS IT.

××××××××××××××××××××

Mono tried to look for the figure that had given him the ladle and the cloak which had so many stuff inside - Mono didn't snoop, but after he put back the note a fork and some random empty bottle fell off the small pockets (somehow it managed to fit in the pockets) - yet he stopped when he noticed he was getting father from the campsite.

Mono sighed in defeat and walked back to the campsite, the sticks, the ladle and the cloak in hand. He pushed past the bushes and saw Twenty-Three just watching the flame of her oil lamp. Slightly smiling at the comfortable warm glow it gave off while fiddling the buttons of Mono's trenchcoat.

She turned to Mono and titled her head to the side in a confused manner once her eyes landed on the ladle and the cloak, "Where did you find those?"

Mono shrugged while resting the ladle on the ground and placed the sticks into the firepit, "I don't really know, I just... saw them on the ground," he said.

"On the ground?" Twenty-Three repeated and Mono nodded, "Yup. There was some figure, I tried to look for them but they disappeared, and I saw these two on the ground," he explained while motioning to the ladle and the cloak.

Twenty-Three blinked, "Well, that's just... interesting," she mumbled while looking over her cloak and widened her eyes, "That just looks like that cloak I wore," she said while walking up to Mono.

"I think so it is that cloak," Mono said while handing it over to her, "Do you still feel cold?"

Twenty-Three smiled lighty while accepting the cloak, "Not that much anymore," she said while taking off Mono's trenchcoat and handing it to him, "Thanks for letting me use it," she said while slightly blushing bashfully.

Mono smiled, "No problem," he said while accepting his trenchcoat and wearing it. They looked at each other for a good few minutes in utter silence before Twenty-Three walked back to where she sat down and wore the cloak.

Mono mentally huffed from that weird awkward silence and he started the fire, fortunately when your father drags you to camping for some good ol' father son bonding, you get to learn how to make fire from scratch.

Soon there was a fire in the firepit and Mono warmed his hands, the cold breeze continued to blow but thanks to the fire it warmed. Twenty-Three sighed out and turned off her oil lamp, then started warming herself from the fire.

As she reached out her hand to the fire, there was something that fell with a clink.

Mono turned to her, "What was that?"

Twenty-Three pushed her cloak and saw a key, she picked it up, "It's a key," she said while observing it. Mono got curious and sat closer to Twenty-Three, "A key?"

Twenty-Three nodded, "Must've fell from the pockets, dang I love these pockets, even this key fits," she said while handing the key to Mono. Mono held it and inspected the key. The key was a bit big and thick, it was made of brass and looked old.

"What can it possibly open?" Mono wondered and Twenty-Three shrugged, "We can only wonder what can it do," she said and Mono handed back the key. Twenty-Three put it back in the inside pockets of the cloak, she sighed and streched her arms, "I'm gonna get some sleep, goodnight Mon," she mumbled while lying down.

Mono fixated at Twenty-Three, "Goodnight," he said and turned back to the fire silently crackling, the flames dancing and dark smoke rose up to the sky, which had stars shining brightly above.

It might've looked beautiful if only there wasn't anything scary about the Forest.

Mono relaxed his shoulders while taking off his paperbag, taking a deep breath and inhaling the musky scent of the Forest that he somehow liked. His eyelids slowly felt heavy and he closed it, welcoming the sleep he wanted.

==================

.: Twenty-Three's P.o.V. :.

Twenty-Three opened her eyes to see yet another completely dark void. The coldness hung in the air and Twenty-Three felt the metal floor peircing the soles of her feet. Like some of her nightmares, Twenty-Three couldn't see herself and she frowned as she walked on, ready to what horrors her subconsious would give to her.

Not even a few steps Twenty-Three was jerked back, she gasped in shock and felt something around her wrists, actually, there was something around her wrists. Twenty-Three patted to feel she had cuffs around her wrists, and she felt the chain that restrained Twenty-Three from walking on.

Twenty-Three felt the chain and followed it blindly in the dark. She kept on walking until she bumped into something hard and wide. Twenty-Three patted to feel a metal wall, icy and cold.

Being here actually makes Twenty-Three feel like she's in a freezer. She didn't even have anything thick to warm herself, she could feel that she wasn't wearing the cloak or the hoodie. It was like any minute now she could just freeze to death.

Twenty-Three once again tried to walk away from the chains, it would always jerk her back that Twenty-Three could feel the cold cuffs gripping her wrists, either making it wound or frostbitten, or both.

There was footsteps echoing infront of Twenty-Three, she gulped, standing frozen as she prepared herself to see whom that footsteps belong to. They continued until it stopped right in front of Twenty-Three, she heard something click, like a key unlocking a door.

And there was a door that swung open, Twenty-Three blinked, ajusting her eyes once the dim glow of the light filled in the cold metal room. Now that there was light, Twenty-Three could see that it was a cell, and her restrains went up to the wall.

She looked back to the door and saw a set of doll children glaring at her. Twenty-Three whimpered and stepped back, their emotionless faces were too creepy and their eyes peirced into her soul. The one doll child infront walked into the room, Twenty-Three inched back seeing the doll child had a pole.

The doll child swung and hit her stomach, Twenty-Three gasped while stumbling back. It hurt, so badly. The doll child hit her hard that she felt sick.

The doll child smirked sadistically upon seeing Twenty-Three's quickly weakened state, they turned to their friends, "C'mon, let's get over with this."

Get over with what? Twenty-Three wondered, wobbly pushing herself up but the doll child punched her cheek and kicked her stomach. Twenty-Three yelped as she fell down back to the ground. She felt the pain flare off her cheek and stomach. She coughed as tears stung her eyes, god that doll child had one dang punch.

"Stay down, you filthy monster," the doll child spat and Twenty-Three bit her lip, sniffling silently. She wasn't going to let them have the satisfaction she was already hurt. She was strong.

"W-what... what do you... want... from... m-me," Twenty-Three spat and the doll rolled their eyes, "Still even after many times we did this, you still ask that stupid question. Of course you know what we want!" They growled while slamming the pole onto Twenty-Three's side.

Twenty-Three gasped while getting tossed to the other side of the room, her chains restrained her from getting farther and the cuffs bruised her wrists. Twenty-Three whimpered, the pain agonizingly crawling under her skin... In this cold room, she felt vulnerable and alone.

Why? Why are they doing this? What does these stupid demons want? What is it that caused them to do this?

"I-I... I don't... I don't know... what... y-you're t-talking... about," Twenty-Three stuttered and the doll child scoffed before walking up to her and grabbing her chin, forcing her to look at them, "Of course you don't. You don't even have your touch to reality anymore. But let me tell you this one more time; the chest is conjured not to be open by any means but with its key, now tell us where you hid that bloody key, and we'll let you go."

Twenty-Three furrowed her eyebrows, were they talking about that rusty brass key in her cloak?

"I... I don't k-know," Twenty-Three mumbled. Truely she didn't, there was tons of keys in the world, they had to be more specific on what kind of key.

The doll child growled and harshly let go of Twenty-Three's chin before punching her again. Twenty-Three braced from the pain and her head turned to the side.

The doll scoffed, "I knew you'd say that so," they said while walking to their friends, replacing the pole with something one of the other dolls handed out. The doll child walked back infront of Twenty-Three and she faced them. The doll grinned sadistically as a sharp knife glinted in front of them dangerously, Twenty-Three felt her legs get clammy and weak in fear.

"We're going to have to make you spill it out."

*LOUD SIREN BLARING NOISE*

TORTURE AHEAD, I REPEAT TORTURE AHEAD. DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT THIS TOPIC.

The doll child kicked Twenty-Three in her stomach, muliple times. Twenty-Three gasped as tears threatened to stream down, her body shook from the pain but she tried to stand up and squirm away even if her bounds restrained her, hide into a corner and hope they'd leave her alone.

Before she could even stand up, the doll held on her arm, grinning wickedly. This was the whole reason she hated dolls and her fear took in, causing her to shiver and panic. She tried making the doll let go of her grip but it just made her other wrist burn in pain from the shackles.

Twenty-Three watched as the doll started trailing the knife down her upper arm, simply brushing it on her skin until they noticed the bandaged wound. They smirked evilly before deeply stabbing the wound with the tip of the knife, then slowly opening it up. Twenty-Three screamed in pain, it was agonzing.

"Tell us where is the key!" The doll shouted.

She looked to see her wound bleeding quickly. Twenty-Three whimpered and tried to squirm away. The cold wasn't helping, nothing was helping and she was being slowly tortured only for some key that she isn't sure if its the key she has.

And if it was, like hell Twenty-Three will tell them about it.

The doll growled and punched her wound, making Twenty-Three cry out. Their hands scratched on the flesh and peirced onto it as they tossed Twenty-Three to the wall.

Twenty-Three's back hit the wall hard and her vision blacked out a little, coming in and out of focus. She slammed down onto the cold floor, coughing out a liquid that tasted... disgusting and metallic. She looked down focused to see blood, her blood on the floor. Twenty-Three's eyes went in a haze again as she coughed some more out, blood dripping down her mouth, tears streamed down and her head pounded badly.

'Save me!...'

"The Puppeteer told us to make her suffer without dying! But she looks she's about to die!" One of the dolls pointed out. The doll holding the knife clicked their tounge, "She's just appearing weak, but she's strong willed. Now hold her up, if she won't spill, her blood will be the one spilling out."

Twenty-Three forced herself to avoid her attackers, yet two dolls held both her up to the wall by the wrists of her cuffs, making the cold metal burn her skin. Twenty-Three tried kicking them off but she was in too much pain to do such work, and the cold stinged her skin, making movements much worse.

The doll child with the knife stood infront of her, they placed the knife near her neck, "Tell us where is the key," the doll growled. Twenty-Three closed her eyes as the tears streamed down, hoping that it would end.

The doll clicked their tongue in annoyance and Twenty-Three felt the knife on her arm, they digged it down once again and slowly made the knife cut Twenty-Three's skin. Twenty-Three wailed, her body shook in pain and fear.

'Help me!...'

The doll cackled as Twenty-Three tried to break free from the grasp of the other two dolls. She thrashed violently but nothing worked, only made the knife digging her skin deeper. She felt more of it working their way down to her wrists, where the cold cuffs burned her skin. Her body shook, her head throbbed, and her vision would get out of focus most of the time.

"One more time," the doll child growled, "Where. Is. The. Key?"

Twenty-Three panted, gasping for breath before her vision danced with black spots. She shook her head and glared at the doll infront of her, even with her hair covering most of her face now.

"I d.... don't... k-know...." she mumbled, the doll child yelled, raising their hand with the knife, aiming for her abdomen. They stabbed it and slowly scratched the skin in that horrible torment. Twenty-Three screamed once again, tears streaming down her face.

The doll wasn't done there, they then punched her abdomen, straight to where the wound was. Blood spilled out and pain fired up like an alarm inside Twenty-Three's body. She bucked and tried to get her arms free, to get free from the doll demons.

The dolls only laughed at her attempt to escape. It was clearly stupid, she was weak and bounded. Twenty-Three knew she is like a cornered animal, but she still hoped to slip away.

'Let it stop! Someone please!...'

YOU CAN CONTINUE READING HERE

And since you skipped that part, nothing much happened. Just Twenty-Three getting hurt and the doll trying to tell her where the key was, even if Twenty-Three doesn't know which or what the goddang key is it but she bets its the key she saw in the cloak. I am foreshadowing something there but I won't spoil :D

.: Third Person :.

Twenty-Three gasped awake, she looked around and saw the fire slowly dying out. It was still night, probably around twelve. Tears blinded her vision and she could feel her body throbbing and shaking from the pain in that horrid nightmare.

There a figure looking down on her, Twenty-Three felt her heartbeat quicken in panic and she sat upstraight, she took ragged breaths as she tried to crawl away to the person. Twenty-Three felt them hold her wrist and she squeaked while bracing for them to hurt her.

"Twenty-Three! It's okay! It's me, Mono!"

Twenty-Three's eyes widened once the figure cleared and she saw Mono, who had his paperbag off and looked very concered. Twenty-Three choked a sob of relief and she tackled Mono in a tight hug. She nuzzled deep onto the crook of his neck and cried out.

The pain was still there, throbbing her whole body like someone beat her up. But it was all in the dream, her wound still looked fine, and she didn't bled out after she woke up. Everything was fine now... Everything is fine now...

Mono frowned upon seeing Twenty-Three's miserable state. His heart felt heavy... Of course it hurts seeing the one girl he loved crying and nearly back away from him in fear like he was one of her monsters.

Mono furrowed his eyebrows, he didn't like it. Not one bit.

Mono carefully wrapped his arms around Twenty-Three, hoping that small gesture would comfort her. He saw Twenty-Three tense up then she relaxed a bit, still shivering and crying out. Mono carefully let his hand glide through her hair, once again hoping that could comfort her.

Twenty-Three sighed out in relief while wiping her tears away, even if it continued to stream down her face. She wasn't alone anymore, Mono is there, her best friend who cared for her the most.

Twenty-Three mentally winced, why did she disliked it when she thought that small fact? Of course he was her best friend, but her chest felt heavy just thinking about it.

Twenty-Three shook the thought off and tightly wrapped her arms around Mono, him combing her hair carefully was slowly calming her down. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her shoulders sinking as her embrace loosened a bit.

Mono continued to carefully comb Twenty-Three's hair, and he got relieved when he saw her calming down. Obviously he would be wondering what she was dreaming about, but it seemed wrong to ask about it, Twenty-Three might get another breakdown just remembering it.

But, it is better to tell someone than keeping it bottled up to yourself.

Mono felt Twenty-Three shift and he lowered his arms around her, the two of them parted and they stared at each other for a while. Mono blushed while Twenty-Three nervously rubbed the back of her neck, "S-sorry... about that," she rasped. Mono smiled softly while cupping her cheek and wiping her tears away, "It's okay," he said.

Twenty-Three blushed and pursed her lips, she couldn't look away from Mono's gaze. She liked it how Mono was cupping her cheek, and he was smiling softly at her, telling everything was okay.

Twenty-Three shifted again, when did she get so nervous? She cleared her throat and gazed at Mono, "C-Can... Can I hug you again?" She mumbled, feeling her cheeks get hotter and hotter. Mono's eyes widened on how cute that request was and streched out his arms wide, "Of course."

Twenty-Three smiled nervously as wrapped her arms around Mono and Mono pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist and spooning her. Twenty-Three snuggled deep onto Mono's chest, just the feeling of him being there for her make her calm down, her body eased, her head cleared, and the nightmare was far gone to the back of her mind.

Twenty-Three felt Mono pat her back comfortingly, she took a deep breath, taking in Mono's scent. She exhaled, taking in the moment. The cold breeze rustled the leaves and the crickets started singing, together they made a nightly song - making the Forest sound less scary than it actually was.

Mono took a deep breath while resting his chin on top of her head, enjoying the moment too. It's not everyday you get to hug your crush right? Especially when you have made them calmed down after something horrible.

After many minutes later and the Author squealing, Twenty-Three was completely tranquil now... It is probably a good time to ask about it, "Hey Twenty-Three?" Mono said softly, Twenty-Three hummed in response.

"Could... Can you tell me what did you dream about? You don't need to answer if it was that scary," Mono quickly said and Twenty-Three looked up at him. Mono blushed, her face was so close to his, and... he could see those lavender orbs that looked shattered. Mono blinked, they never looked shattered before when he got the chance to gaze on her eyes.

Twenty-Three pursed her lips and took a deep breath, "No, it's okay. I-I think it's best I tell someone," she said while looking away, blushing once she realized their faces were too close. She took a deep breath and told about her nightmare, shivering once she remembered the part she got tortured...

Mono was silent the whole time Twenty-Three told about her nightmare. He felt... sad for Twenty-Three and mad at those doll children. Like he would grab his ladle and hit one of them - who am I kidding, he wants to hit all of them - with it.

"I... felt... lonely... and I knew... there.... there was no one there to save me," Twenty-Three sniffed and quickly wiped her tears away, "It's like... telling me... I'll be alone..."

Mono cupped her cheeks with his hands, "You'll never be alone, Twenty-Three," he said very softly, almost near to a whisper. Twenty-Three gazed upon him as he suddenly made a quick peck on her forehead, "I'll always be there for you."

Author: *FANGIRLING INTENSIFIES* *SQUEALS ON SCEAM PROOF PILLOW*

Mono blushed on his words, but that was true. He would always be there, and he would care for Twenty-Three and make her smile, because after all, he loves her.

Twenty-Three blushed on Mono's words and her forehead flared up - especially the place Mono just pecked. It made her think... he maybe meant that as another thing, as being her best *wince* friend after all... Twenty-Three wasn't sure. But whatever he just said made her smile and her heart seemed like thrumming off her chest now, seeming want to run wild with happiness... Like... Like...

Twenty-Three's eyes widened upon realizing it.

Like when one is in love.

Twenty-Three blushed and shook at thought away, impossible! I-It's not like... Mono likes... me... right?! Or... t-that I like him?!

Twenty-Three pursed her lips, But he did kiss my forehead.....

But I kissed his cheeks tons of times! I-It means... nothing... right?... It's just... Mono comforting me... That's it.... r-right?...

Author: just why do I do this to you Twenty-Three? Well u must, cause, the plot *holds up the plot and fans it*

Twenty-Three blushed and looked down, hoping Mono wouldn't see her burning red face. "R-really?..."

Mono smiled while brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear, "Of course."

"So," Twenty-Three mumbled felt her face get so hot on an idea that came into her mind, Mono's embrace felt so safe that she doesn't want to let go, "C-Can you sleep beside me... just for tonight? I feel safer that way," Twenty-Three mumbled and Mono's eyes widened before smiling.

"I can do that."

==================

After an hour or so, Twenty-Three was completely at ease and she slept peacefully. Mono slept beside her just as they agreed on and subconsiously let his arm wrap around her waist and pulled her close, Twenty-Three then rested her head on his arm while nuzzling on his chest.

They be cuddling while sleeping and I am totally fangirling.

A figure stood just a bit far from them in the shadows of the Forest. It was a boy with a small Nome beside him.

The boy held tight on the ladle he used, the girl looked excatly like her... the girl whom he cared for, even up till now; even after she nearly killed him.

If only the boy just knew a little sooner about her problems...

He took a deep breath and exhaled while loosening the grasp of the ladle, he will save her. After all, before she was captured she told him about giving the two the ladle and the cloak with that key in order they could have it for safekeeping, especially now that she was captivated by the dolls.

The Nome looked up at him with pity. The Nome even had problems for himself, like turning back to a kid and saving the girl who turned to a monster. It was too early for them to meet, too early for the real deal to happen. The said four should find each other first before he and the boy can really show up and help either one of them or all of them.

The Nome tugged at the edge of the boy's pants, the boy sighed while looking back at the two humbly sleeping together. He looked over to the girl. He returned his tight grasp on his ladle and took a deep breath.

Determind, he will save her.

"Okay Sev, let's go."

××××××××××××××××××××

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA DIDN'T EXPECT THAT?!

OR DID YOU?

DANG THE SONGGGGG IT'S IN MYYY MIIINNNNDDD AND THEM CUDDLING OSNDENNEKAM

No.

You'll never be alone.

When darkness comes, I'll light the night with stars.

Hear the whispers in the dark.

ALFMWKDNWKDMSKSMSM-- Oh right, Six and Seven is up next! Two chapters to redeem the angst/fluff mix I did here for Monee.

I'm gonna spend my Monee--

yAy!!! *continues listening to Whispers In The Dark*

Wattpad: Publish Finished.