Praying for a sinner || Ticci Toby x Reader

?? | Chapter 9 | ??

"Y/N! WAKE UP!" I feel the sharp sting as my face falls to one side, a heavy fog over my mind lifting. My throat feels raw, my head pounds, my eyes feel heavy. I blink a few times before seeing him. "Toby?" My voice barely comes out, it's hoarse and broken. Like I had been screaming for hours, and my vocal cords had shredded. His shoulders shake, is he... crying? His hands are planted on either side of my face in a vice-like grip, like if he let go, he would fall backwards into this abyss. This.. deep, terrifying abyss. I can't breathe. A fresh roll of panic overwhelms me as I remember where I am. The deepest pit of hell. It can't possibly be anything else other than hell. "Hey, hey, hey. Look at me." I hear his voice. "Y/n look at me." He gives my head a little shake. "I am not going to leave you in here. Okay? We're getting out." His wide eyes search mine, worry and fear playing across his gaze, and something else.... something a little deeper.. All I can do is nod. I feel a warm tear slide down my ice-cold skin. When did it get so cold? My breath is visible in the abyss, is it getting colder? Toby's teeth chatter slightly, it's definitely getting colder. "Come on." His grip on my face rolls down my arms, and his fingers wrap around my wrists. Not once did he take his skin away from mine. His touch feels like a lifeline, like if I were to let go, I would lose my mind all over again. He pulls me to my feet, and the ground rumbles, something furious and primal radiating from the nothingness.

It took me a moment to blink away the rest of the haze, to get my bearings and focus. There was a nasty pit in my stomach when I finally took notice of Toby's state, there was a lingering black substance on parts of him, mixed with a small amount of blood. My brows knitted together as I took in the full state of him; he looked like hell, like he had been tortured. Why? As my gaze connected with his, I noticed the slight glassy glaze, thinking back to when he spoke, his voice had been hoarse. What the hell happened while I was in here? And why was he standing so close? I went to take a step back, but his grip tightened on my wrists. "Don't" was all he said, I couldn't quite make out his hoarse tone. I nod again, at the moment it seems like all I'm doing is nodding, but... I just don't have words, my mind is still reeling and trying to figure out what the fuck is going on.

Toby takes a step back, slightly pulling me along with him. I follow. Why? I have no idea. It's probably just the haze, but for some reason... I trust him in this moment. He takes slow steps backwards, keeping an intense eye contact with me the entire time. There's a weird feeling deep in my stomach and a lump in my throat. I've never seen that look before, not with anyone. His brows are knitted softly, and his deep brown eyes cling to my soul; his lips are parted ever so slightly. It feels almost enchanting; I copy every slow step he takes. The abyss starts screeching, like the horrible sounds that creature made in the forest, Toby cringes and his hands jolt to my ears, covering them tensely. His teeth grit, his head drops slightly, and his eyes squeeze closed as I hear the now muffled screeching get louder. My hands move instinctively and cover his ears, his eyes open, and he looks at me through his brows, his gaze flicks further down on my face. Is he looking at my lips? He looks back up at me and his eyes flutter... and then the floor opens up.

I hit the mansion floor with a grunt, my ears ringing slightly as I adjust to the change from abyss to real. It feels like I've been winded, I blink several times, the wooden floor beneath me starting to unblur. I feel arms around me in a breathtakingly strong grip, and I gasp as the air finally allows to fills my lungs. "Oh my gods, y/n. Oh, thank the gods." Jane's voice floods my ears, and finally, the room is visible; all my senses come back, and I can finally get a grip on my surroundings. She pulls back from me, and I can see her pale skin is tear stained. My arms wrap around Jane as a shaky breath leaves me. When I look around over her shoulder, I can see the absolute chaos of the area. Floorboards have been pulled up, and Jeff, who is sitting against a wall, has bloody hands; he looks like he hasn't slept. Ej sits with Brian on a chaise near the centre table, with deadpan looks. Had they been here this whole time? How long was I in there? My eyes land on Toby. He's on his knees, his hands clasped atop his head as he catches his own breath. His gaze catches mine, and I can't look away. The way he's breathing is... Jane pulls back again, and my gaze flicks to hers. "I am so glad that you're okay." Her voice his slightly cracked, I hadn't realised before how much she seemed to like me. Like I've been hanging around and following her, but.. I didn't realise that to her, this might be an actual friendship. "I'm okay." My hoarse voice comes out, I want to reassure her, I want her to feel okay.