Chapter Text
There were heavy footsteps and some clattering of weapons behind him, they were probably swords or axes maybe even a dagger.
Their footsteps drew closer, which didn't make Theseus flinch as he had leapt into a near by alleyway, twisting and turning even confusing himself at times but Theseus needed to be lost not found.
So he kept at it for a few dozen turns until he ran into a-
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A droplet of impure water drops from the black dark damp ceiling. The grey bloody floors are stained with more grime in the room then before which lay Theseus kneeling on in the most utmost fear.
The room is bare with no furniture or windows , no light seeped through ever. Not even a faint glow to vividly see the dry blood splattered across the walls, some turned brown through the work of time and some recently brightly shone opaque red, and the puddles which stain the grounds crimson-red, is all hidden away in the dark abyss.
Sweat rolls down his forehead travelling onto the ground which mimics the moist dripping from the ceiling and onto the floors, yet he is not warm, quite the very opposite, shivering from the lack of warmth.
He scrunches his eyes shut, when a copper taste lingers on his tongue, the taste so familiar yet so frightening, swallowing the taste with a heavy gulp before he turns his head to face him.
A shiver runs down his spinal cord with a wave of terror washing over him, soaking him to his feet, when he takes a step forward towards him.
''Let this be a Lesson Theseus'' before he walks off in the opposite direction, with his dark cape draping over his shoulders.
He can't see the colour of his cape so he assumed it was black in the ink like darkness, but he wasn't too sure, it always felt it had a tinge of a lighter colour then black but he wasn't too sure. he wouldn't dwell upon it, knowing soon hed see it himself when he would escape.
huh? escaping would be impossible, he can't do it alone anyways.
Theseus is in pain, he is alone and hopeless, wishing he could return to his past vigilante duties, even if it meant risking his life, anything is better then to be taken and tortured.
wait what?
no, he couldn't he mustn't flee, not yet atleast.
if theseus fled then it would be a risk to his identity, the reasoning for it be his mysterious disappearance for.. a month? months? then his suspicious appearance with no explanation, which would most definitely raise questions, goodness he doesnt even know the time let alone the date, what is he still doing here?
he could've escaped with a plan long ago, but ..he didn't.
why?
Could it be due to his obedience that was drilled into him? Maybe it could be his driven fear of returning to the harsh world and it's loneliness. Theseus wouldn't know. but he did know that when he- if he escaped, he'd do it without being solo.
so he stayed.
He stayed kneeled on the ground as he wheezes for few gasps of air, trembling.
The air stills for a moment when he speaks ''Tommy understand im doing this for your own good-'', A blunt lie Thes-Tommy thinks ''it's for the best''
Th-Tommy's voice croaks when he asks ''h-how did you know..?'' his voice hoarse when he speaks again ''i never told you..'' he breathes allowing the air to refill his lungs again.
''my my, Theseus you finally talk.'' he smirks , the joy and satisfaction practically radiating off of him ''was it the name?'' he asks letting his smug tone show, when he turns to his peripheral to glare at Tommy.
Theseus could say he was a bit dumb, if he really asked a question, it would be reasonably used to an advantage point. especially when someone you've been keen on making talk, wasting the opportunity by asking an absolutely foolish question wouldn't be his first decision.
Tommy may have made a mistake but he's had enough of those already, and he couldn't be bothered to really care unless it was huge, maybe like with one though it's not that huge.
Tommy doesn't let his voice slip this time.
''it ring any bells ,Tommy?'' he slurs the name deliberately.
waiting for a change of expression, a flinch or any change of movement to read off of, however when he didnt get any he simply left with a slight disappointment spread on his face.
stomps of mostly likely brown leather boots could be heard when he takes his leave in a slow manner relishing in Tommy's distaste of the man.
The door creaks shut, allowing the darkness to consume the room, pitch black as the night sky can get only if a bit more darker, not even a shadow is left to remain.
Only a void to fill in his reality.
Letting his heart beat thump hard to fill the painful silence.
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A wall. A gate? half-wall?
His heart thumped against the scarce time he had left while he couldn't comprehend any racing thoughts, his erratic breathing wasn't going to aid him in his escape anytime soon either so he needed a plan.
..
He couldn't think.
Sweat pooled down his forehead as he struggled to breathe, he was panicking which wasn't so abnormal when your a vigilante but its even complicated when your being chased and your life is on the line.
His lungs were starting to ache from disuse but he can't help it if he couldn't take in any oxygen.
He couldn't think!
A clatter and hasty footsteps broke him out of his stupor.
The wall towered over him intimidating him to go hide in a burrow and never come out. The gangly structure was overbearing and not built very well almost as it was roughly piled on cement and stuck to eachother, which is quite expected in District 18 as its state of poverty isn't any better.
There were rocks poking out on the edges that he could stand on enough to propel him into the air which could work, however he's unsure of whats on the otherside.
It wasn't fool proof but it was a plan. A plan and that's what Theseus needed.
Maybe if he hopes just a little he wont be reminded of all the times hes failed to escape.
Maybe ..he'll be free.
Such was a foolish thought.
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Hot damp tears stroked his cheeks almost burning his frigid cheeks.
Moving his calloused hands carefully to not open any poorly cared for wounds, interlocking them firmly around his knees before resting his head onto his knees.
he sobs, forcing his eyes shut, knowing if he opens them up in this endless abyss he would start to see memories of his past but either option would end him in the same sorrowful situation
Hallucinations of a woman with luscious blond curls hanging below her shoulders would accompany him. Long and goldly shining, sometimes tied in a pony tail swinging tall behind her when she tells a funny story about her work. At times she would hum a calming melody to help soothe his anxious thoughts, other times she would smile down at him with the most mesmerising smile, something so contagious that you couldn't help but smile back.
Once she sat with him in his hallucinations, listening to his sobs, holding his cheek in her hand and hushed him when she spoke about a life outside here, so liberating and amazing. At some point Tommy did believe in that dream, only because her bright blue orbs, lighting the entire night sky leaving the stars with only envy, would pull him into them.
Days went by and she stopped seeing him, although he knew she was a mere hallucination, he missed her kind words, her soft lulling and her kind demeanor with her bold and confident personality, he likes to think he got his similar personality from her.
He doesnt know whether she was real or just in his mind.
He knew she was a hallucination but there was something more to that, otherwise he wouldn't be seeing a lady (everyday from being captured) he never new existed, but maybe he knew she did exist but he couldn't quite remember.
she does come back sometimes, but something is wrong..
She has the same beautiful hair but with dark red smudges painted upon it, same freckly skin but only if a bit paler, the same blue crystals but it keeps heavy dark eye bags rested there, the same lighted eyes but it's a dull grey, losing all it's charming light, the same charismatic smiler but glum and much peaceful, filled with an acceptance and empty silence.
she never sings to him. she doesn't laugh with him. she won't talk to him. she simply glares at him, knowingly with all due regret.
His breathing shifts to calm, and he falls asleep sobbing, alone in the dark.
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Thump
Their behind him again but he hopes just for a moment maybe this could be the last time those ropes and straps hugged him tight when needles prodded into him.
Without a second to reason with his conscience he quickly scaled the dark grey bricks and threw him self over almost frazzled.
A gasp escaped his scratchy dry throat as he coughed up the remains of nothings in his stomach. Each retch led to nothing to spill except saliva, however his stomach wrenched in distaste, erupting into another series of gags.
after a few minutes his stomach finally settled from a reacting towards running on mere adrenaline when he hasn't exercised or stretched his muscles in years due to the ropes that tied him down but being a prodigy could do that, though he was still feeling nauseous.
He shakily stood up an greedily sucked air through his mouth, The cool frosty air fresh on his tongue and relieving another panic attack.
By the time he stood up on two legs he disappeared leaving his chasers to only guess where he could've gone.
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He awakes when a lock on the door to the room clicks open. He wasn't sure if he actually heard it but when the door creaked open, emitting only scarce light into the room, he realised heard a low grumble of a voice, a real voice after days being locked in the dark, although he wasn't quite fond of who the voice came from, he was relieved he wasn't the only person in the pitch black room.
The door made a shrill noise before it opened wide, allowing a dark hooded silhouette into the room.
The figure stood for a moment taking in the room and the boy, before clearing his throat and speaking in monotone.
'' Theseus, im sure you are aware of your futile escape attempt, which resulted to the consequences of your actions, by now and again you should understand why you had to be punished in the dark room '' they spoke so casually, it was likely they repeated this over multiple times and they did, everytime he was punished.
Tommy sighed into his kneecaps , low enough so the figure couldn't hear, hopefully.
'' Theseus stand up, you will now be taken to your cell '' emphasis on "taken".
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Wind caresses his curled up hair bouncing back in rhythm as he swishes onto rooftops leaping off: it would've been gracious if he wasn't on a time limit and that he was.
His blue eyes scan his dark surrounding that was lit up through the white shine of the moons glow after he halted to a stop, looking for any suspicious or out of place movement.
There was nothing.
And that was all he needed before leaping high into the air and falling swiftly into a shady corner with a door which bright opaque ruby red colours contrasted with the dull gleam of the alleyway walls.
Without another stress-inducing thought he swings the door open hazardly and trudges in by himself.
He stands taking everything in at once which is right where he left it and lets out a relieved breath he didn't know he was holding.
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He is dragged back to his cell, the room this time was blank white, just plain white, nothing filling the space except a glass wall infront of him,Tommy had to admit it had to be messing with him for quite some time, the sudden changes from the dark void to a white blank bright room, it couldn't be good for his mental health, but that wouldn't be changing anytime soon, not if he keeps seeking for freedom, someday he will be rid of this gut-wrenching place. Maybe if he meet his past self and warn him of the future tragedies that will occur and still yet occuring, but a man could only dream.
and Tommy wasn't a man even if he refused to believe it.
Other than that these days have been normal except for today he assumes because this time they didn't mention a need for his powers, which occurred repeatedly especially after his punishments.
Tommy new there was a change, something must have occurred ,which could be a conflict or battle , but it couldn't have been that either, since they would have needed him once again.
so what was it? It just wasn't making much sense to Tommy, so he continued to ponder in hopes of finding an answer.
Something was up, and Tommy just couldn't put his finger on the nail.
There was distinct chatter brewing somewhere almost out of Tommy's earshot, however just enough to hear it increase, although the words weren't very legible, he could make out a few words that were way too vague to understand.
'--'s a -astaken '
'---t? --- --- -hey --re?'
'-- --dea'
'--eam-----needed---to------him'
As the speakers drew closer Tommy stiffened as he noticed they were talking about him, when the talking became much more vivid.
There was a halt of steps, then a swipe of a card, then a beep, and the door sprang open revealing.. 4 men dressed in pristine lab coats, unusually unstained with dried blood from regular surgeries and experiments.
Their stares uncomfortable.
a strained and suppressed smile hiding a look of disgust from 3, while in the front was a tall broad man with ram horns, no fake smiles, just a look of rage (clearly wishing he'd be somewhere else).
Theseus couldn't carless even as he wished the same.
''Theseus. Follow.'' They reluctantly muttered after cuffing him with power dampeners and chains. They seem like they wouldn't hesitate to dash out the cell room only for to Theseus follow them right back. He was faltering in a few steps, However that goes unnoticed as they continue twisting and turning through hallways in which some Theseus can't recall.
The erratic hallways were starting to welcome themselves as more tension grew. Alot more of the hallways started to be unrecognisable for him.
Worry leaked through his eyes, until they stopped infront of another white door albeit this time it was a bit larger. When they turned around gesturing for him to step forward he did obediently.
The doors were opened emitting a harsh shine to glow, which was seemingly more unusual as majority of cells were dull, yet still spotless besides from the bloodstains.
Theseus was shoved into the room carelessly only to be met with a surprising sight.
A woman with bright white curled puffy locks stood waiting nonchalantly without acknowledging theseus yet.
'W-what the f***?'