Thomas & Keys-: Godspawn Part 2

collab/ PART 1)) [https://www.paperdemon.com/app/writing/view/67809/1#chapter-top]

Thomas trailed behind Keys quietly. Stealing daunting glances at the door that rudely closed behind them, unable to shake the odd feeling he received just moments before. Following the sound of gravel and twigs crunching and snapping under Keys’ feet up ahead, he wiped the hand he used to gasp that woman's wrist, on his shirt. Giving his hand a quick look of disgust before catching up with Keys. They continued walking side by side without a word for a couple of moments, wind brushing through their hair. 

“You okay?” Thomas finally brought himself to ask. Breaking the silence, 

“Huh?- yeah. Yeah.” Keys’ head snapped up to meet Thomas’s worried gaze. He seemed distracted. Though there wasn’t much of a need to pry.

“So… We have a lead huh?” He glanced away, attempting to change the subject. 

“Yeah, an odd one at that.” He motioned towards his bag. 

“She gave you a book.” Keys nods tiredly.

“I want Lock to take a closer look at it when we get back.”

“I wouldn’t mind taking a look.” Thomas interjected.

“Yep.” Keys says in the same tired tone, no longer energized enough to keep the exhaustion from his voice. Thomas waits, bidding on Keys to hand him the book, but he never does.

“Let me see it.” He asked after a moment with a raised eyebrow, and an extended hand. 

“I think we should save this for later Thomas.” Keys said exasperatedly, continuing to shoot down Thomas’s attempts to acquire the book; especially after just escaping reading for hours in that poorly lit library. His head sank backwards, becoming increasingly tired at the thought of touching another book. No, not any book. That book in particular. He felt the similar but faint sensation of burning fingertips again as the Black leather bound book came to his mind. As if it weren’t off putting enough.

 

“Why not?” Thomas asked, his voice becoming an octave higher than he meant it to. Keys sighed.

“Because Thomas, I’m tired and did enough reading for an entire year; all in one day today. I’d rather look into this tomorrow.” He pleaded with Thomas silently.

“I just wanted to see it. I wasn’t gonna ask you to do anything,” he mumbled and crossed his arms like a child who was just told “no”. Though he remained unaware. Keys sighed.

“Fine, here-“

“-Are you sure this is the right way?” Thomas asked, making them pause in the middle of the path. Keys hand stopped reaching into his bag.

“Yeah, this was the way we came. Wasn't it?” He asked, beginning to doubt himself.

“The landmarks aren't looking familiar.” Thomas said, scanning the area.

“Yeah because it’s dark-“ Keys said defensively. He knew Thomas was right, but he was keen he’d been going the right way.

“Well yeah it’s dark- wouldn’t that mean u can’t see either? We have two eyes between the both of us Keys.” He let out a short breathy laugh, Keys let out a snort. “The two of us probably shouldn't be traveling in the woods at night anyway…”

“Yeah well someone kept saying ‘just a couple more minutes.’ ‘Keys there could be something in here that will help us figure out what happened to us'.” He mimicked Thomas.

“First of all, I do not sound like that-“ Thomas said seriously, missing the playful tone in his voice.

“-Okay man! I’m just tired.” He said with his hands out. “I must've led us the wrong way without realizing.” He walks through a small partition in the trees, pushing leafs and branches away from their heads they stumble into a clearing; one that holds a large house. “… I definitely led us the wrong way.” He says in a long sigh to Thomas who just finished fighting the foliage. They both stare up at the incredibly large house, with its door shining in the moonlight and reflecting its colden color onto the steps that lead up to them.

 

“I’ll lead this time.” Thomas says, being the first to look away from the looming architecture. They return to the path after ogling at the house a moment longer.

 

“Sorry I made you do all that reading earlier.” Thomas says, rekindling the conversation they were having earlier.

Keys flashed him a confused look momentarily, before saying “well the reading itself isn’t what I have a problem with. I’m not only doing it for you after all. Making me stay for a couple extra hours is something you can apologize for though.” He joked.

Thomas smirked and rolled his eyes as he fought a smile.

 “Sorry for that too.”

“I’m just surprised you're not on the brink of passing out. The gods know I am.” He huffed.

“Oh, no, I’m absolutely exhausted.” Keys’ narrowed eyes shot darts at Thomas, “Then why’d we stay for so long!?”

“I…”Thomas paused before exhaling. “I, don't know actually .” His mouth curled into a weak half smile. “I do that a lot though. Search tirelessly until I crash, then start again in the morning. I just forgot that I have someone searching with me now.” He smiled at Keys, elbowing him softly. “ I didn't mean to impose that on you though, I'll make sure to leave you out of my midnight research next time.”

“Next time? You're intending on doing that again?”

“Yeah? Why not.” 

“I mean, you just said it. You got someone searching with you now. And that’s some weird torture to keep subjecting yourself too.”

“The time I spend not knowing who I am hurts infinitely more than being a little sleep deprived. So...” He trailed off, his weak smile becoming strained. Keys' steps fell out of sync with Thomas’s. Strides falling shorter;he was a little behind Thomas now. Staring at the back of head. 

Just like himself, Thomas wasn’t a man of many words, though slowly coming out of his shell around him and Lock. Something that was inevitable seeing as they are working together now. He was caught off guard by the sudden information just revealed to him. A new piece of information on Thomas to add to his head. Keys’ mouth opened to speak but he hesitated. Lock is better at this kind of thing.

He notices Thomas pause in front of him. “What’s wrong?” Keys asked before meeting Thomas at his side and seeing it for himself.

 

They stand before the house again. 

 

“Youve got to be kidding me.” Keys said. Thomas stared ahead silently, a mix of confusion and embarrassment crept along his face.

“I- I swear we walked in a completely different direction… maybe we can ask for directions-“

 *Snap*

 Thomas and Keys’ heads turn abruptly to the sound of a snapping twig in the distance. Exchanging a look, an eerie windchill creeped in. A strong breeze swept past as thick clouds rolled in overhead.

“Great.” Keys said, holding his arms to defend from the sudden cold.

“Is it going to rain?” 

“I dont know!” He yelled, as the winds became a loud audible whirlwind of breath-like howls.

As they walk up cobblestone steps, engravings on the pale walls of the house become more evident. Strange creatures decorate the walls, and unfamiliar symbols cover the large golden-bronze doors of the estate. Muffled singing is heard behind the doors. Keys glances up at Thomas before taking his fist to the door, knocking 3 times. “Hello?” He called out.

There was no reply. After a moment though, the left door loudly creaked open, startling the two. Keys leaned his head near the open doorway.

“There's no one there?” For a moment Thomas and Keys unspokenly argue against entering. Hesitating only made their discomfort grow, as the breeze grew along with it. They decided to escape the sudden worsening conditions and step inside. 

Stepping inside they are met with an unusually long hallway dimly lit with sparsely sconce lined walls. They stared down the long hallway, the end of it being consumed by darkness. 

“You first.” Thomas said.