Lost (A Ticci-Toby Love Story)

What was that Thing?

Toby went home after everything that happened. He was beaming, he went to his room and stood by the window and looked out at the street. He could have sworn he saw something out of the corner of his eye, but quickly blamed it on the meds he was on.

When dinnertime had come and his mother called up to him, Toby came down the stairs and hesitantly sat down at the table across from his father, and in between his mother and an empty chair. It was quiet as his parents picked at their food but Toby refused to eat. Instead, he just watched his dad with a blank stare. His mother caught on to his staring and elbowed him slightly. Toby looked over at her slightly and then down at his uneaten food, which he still didn’t touch. 

He went to his room and laid in bed, he pulled his covers over his head and stared at the window. He was tired but there was no way he would fall asleep. He couldn’t, there was too much to think about. He had been debating on whether or not to follow his mother’s directions and forgive his father, or continue holding a grudge with his boiling hatred. He heard his door creak open and his mother padded into the room and sat on the bed next to him. She reached over and rubbed his back, which had been turned to her.

“I know it’s hard Toby, trust me, I understand, but I promise you it will get better,” she said softly.

“When is he going to leave?” Toby said with an innocent tone in his shaky voice.

Connie let her gaze fall down to her feet. ” I don’t know honey, he’s staying as far as I know,” she replied.

Toby didn’t respond. He just continued to look forward at the wall, holding his damaged arm hugged to his chest.

After a few minutes of silence, his mother sighed before she leaned in to kiss his cheek and stood up to walk out of the room. “Good night, sweetheart.” she said as she closed the door.

The hours passed slowly, and Toby couldn’t quit tossing and turning. Every time he let his imagination take over, he heard the screeching of tires, the screaming of his sister, and he would uncontrollably jerk in bed. He threw off his cover, and lying on his back, he pulled his pillow over his face and cried into it. He could hear his own pitiful weeping. He would have been screaming and crying if he didn’t press his pillow over his face.

After a few seconds, he threw the pillow off his face and sat up, hunched over, holding his head and breathing roughly, tears streaming from his eyes. He couldn’t help but cry. He tried to keep it in, but he couldn’t stop the whining and whimpering as he sat there shaking. He inhaled before he stood up and walked around his bed to the window and peered out, taking deep breathes trying to calm down. He rubbed his eyes and looked out at the group of tall pine trees across the street.

He stopped suddenly, and his gaze slowly centered on something standing under the street light. He heard ringing in his ears and couldn’t look away. The figure stood beside the streetlight, about two feet shorter than it did, long arms draped at its sides as it stared up at him with non-existing eyes. The figure had no facial features to speak of. No eyes, no mouth, no nose, yet it held Toby’s hypnotized stare, seemingly peering into his very being. The ringing in his ears grew louder and louder each second he stared before suddenly it all went black.

***

I texted Toby five times last night. 

Me- Hey Toby... I want to ask you a question...

Five minutes later...

Me- You awake?

Five minutes later...

Me- Toby?

Five minutes later...

Me- Toby??

Ten minutes later...

Me- Well, I guess you're asleep considering the fact it's a weekend.. But, I love you goodnight! 

I go to my window and check Toby's bedroom window and I see the light off. "He's asleep.." I say to myself and I suddenly see the tall, faceless figure again. My ears start ringing, louder and louder until I finally blacked out. I wake up the next day at one and see my phone was blew up with texts from Toby. 

Toby- Becca, you awake?

10 minutes later..

Toby- Hey?? Becca?

10 minutes later..

Toby- Rebecca?

10 minutes later

Toby- I Love You, too. But...

2 minutes later

Toby- I guess your asleep, we can talk when you wake up. 

Toby- I love you, butterfly.

I see that but and I panic so I message him. 

Me- Toby? Is everything ok? I saw something weird!!

Toby- What did you see cause I saw something weird too! I saw this very tall, faceless... thing, I don't know how describe it... It was tall and it wore a business  suit, I looked at it and I suddenly heard this high pitched ringing and it didn't stop until I blacked out!

Me- That's exactly what happened to me! I don't know what that thing is! I knew the feeling in my stomach was horrible! I've been seeing that thing for the past few days!

Toby- And how come you didn't tell me? 

Me- I don't know... You have so much to worry about, I didn't want you to worry about me.. 

Toby- I'm always worried about you! Look out your window..

I get up and look at my window with Toby standing there. He smiles and blows me a kiss. I giggle and blow one back. Suddenly I hear a male talking down stairs and I panic. 

Toby- Becca!? What's wrong?

Me- My dad's here! Him and mom are arguing again!

Toby- Find a way out the house and come to mine! 

Me- No, your dad's there too.. I don't particularly like him... 

Toby- He won't do nothing to you! Please get out of there and come over here! 

Me- I got a rope. I'll climb out of my window and come to your front door! Don't ask why I have a rope!

Toby- All right! I'll see ya there! 

I put my phone in my pocket and run to my closet and pull out my rope. I tie it to the door knob and throw the other part out the window. I grab it and slide down and the moment I touched the ground I heard my door open and hear my father calling for me. I let out the breath I was holding in and run towards Toby's house. 

***

I wake up the next morning in my bed. I felt different. I wasn’t tired at all, and when I consciously woke up, it felt like I had been lying there awake for hours. I had no thoughts flowing through my mind. I sat up slowly and stumbled over to the wall, but when I stood up I automatically felt dizzy. I stumbled to the doorway and walked down the stairs. My parents were sitting at the table, my father was tuned in to the small TV that sat on the counter top, and my mother was reading the newspaper. She quickly looked over at me. “Well good morning sleepy head, you’ve been sleeping forever,” she greeted me with a hesitant smile. I slowly looked over at the clock and noticed that it was 12:30 p.m. “I made you breakfast but it got cold, I was going to wake you but I felt you needed sleep,” her expression fell from happy to worried as her son resisted responding to her. “Are you all right?”

I stumbled over and sat by my father. I felt as if I was on idle and had no control over my actions. I reached out to his arm, but my hand ended up getting slapped. He turned to my abruptly and pushed my chair over with his foot.

“Don’t touch me, boy!” he yelled.

My mother stood up, “Alright knock that off! That is the last thing we need!”

I sigh and pulled my phone out to see a couple text from Becca. 

Becca- Hey Toby... I want to ask you a question...

Five minutes later...

Becca- You awake?

Five minutes later...

Becca- Toby?

Five minutes later...

Becca- Toby??

Ten minutes later...

Becca- Well, I guess you're asleep considering the fact it's a weekend.. But, I love you goodnight! 

I smile and my father grabs my phone. "What's this? Toby has a girlfriend I didn't know about," He looks at the messages. "Rebecca, you mean the girl next door?" He asks, with a disapproving frown. Last time he met her, she tried to beat him with the pinata stick.. 

"She isn't my g-girlfriend! Becca's my best f-friend!" I say back, trying to snatch my phone back from him, but only getting smacked again. 

"I love you, goodnight? Definitely sounds like something a best friend would say!" He says and I roll my eyes. 

"Give him back his phone! He deserves some privacy!" My mom says, snatching the phone from him and handing back to me. 

"T-thanks mom!" I say, smiling at her. I look back down and text her.   

Me- Becca, you awake?

5 minutes later..

Me- Hey?? Becca?

5 minutes later..

Me- Rebecca?

5 minutes later

Toby- I Love You, too. But...

10 minutes later

Me- I guess your asleep, we can talk when you're awake! 

Me- I love you, butterfly.

"Did Rebecca message back?" My mom asks me.

"N-not yet, why?" I ask her. 

"I was wondering if she was going to come over again.." She says, looking out the window. 

"W-why?" I ask. 

"Because, her father is pulling up!" She says, pointing. 

"Wait!? This girl is allowed to come over here and be with Toby!?" My father asks. 

"Yes. They are teenagers now and I think I can trust them!" She says, smiling. He just rolls his eyes and watches TV again. 

I get up and head back upstairs. "I'm going to my room." I walk in my room and collapse on my bed. *Ding* I look at my phone and noticed she messaged me back. 

Becca- Toby? Is everything ok? I saw something weird!!

Me- What did you see cause I saw something weird too! I saw this very tall, faceless... thing, I don't know how describe it... It was tall and it wore a business  suit, I looked at it and I suddenly heard this high pitched ringing and it didn't stop until I blacked out!

Becca- That's exactly what happened to me! I don't know what that thing is! I knew the feeling in my stomach was horrible! I've been seeing that thing for the past few days!

Me- And how come you didn't tell me? 

Becca- I don't know... You have so much to worry about, I didn't want you to worry about me.. 

Me- I'm always worried about you! Look out your window..

I walk over to my window and wait her her. She comes into view and I blow her a kiss, smiling at her. She blows one back and then there is a sudden look of panic on her face, making me worry. 

Toby- Becca!? What's wrong?

Becca- My dad's here! Him and mom are arguing again!

Toby- Find a way out the house and come to mine! 

Becca- No, your dad's there too.. I don't particularly like him... 

Toby- He won't do nothing to you! Please get out of there and come over here! 

Becca- I got a rope. I'll climb out of my window and come to your front door! Don't ask why I have a rope!

Toby- All right! I'll see ya there! 

I stand there, watching her climb out her window from the rope and I suddenly see her father barge in, looking for her. I sigh in relief as she made it to the ground. I run downstairs and open the door, pulling her into my arms. "Hey Butterfly!" I say, smiling hugely and I hear my father clear his throat. 

"Hey T-tobes!" She says, pushing hair out of her eyes. Looking at my father, now glaring. I grab her hand and go to head upstairs, when he stops us. 

"Aren't you going to introduce me to her?" He asks. I roll my eyes and walk her into the living room. 

"Becca this is my father.. Father, this is Rebecca. My f-friend.." I hesitate to say, wanting to know what me and her are now. 

"Nice to see you again, Rebecca!" He says, smiling and nodding. 

"Yeah.. Same!" She says, with a fake smile. I poke her cheek and she smiles and giggle. 

"Hey sweetheart!" My mom says, hugging her. 

"Hello Mrs. R-rogers!" She says, hugging my mom back. 

"If you two want to go upstairs and hang out, I'll call you two down for some lunch..." Mom says, smiling and walking to the kitchen. 

Becca takes my hand and we head upstairs. I smile as she pushes me against my door and kisses me. I kiss her back and smile. "I m-missed you!" I tell her as I walk to my bed. 

"I've missed you m-more," She giggles and sits next to me. "I got a question for you Toby.."  She says, looking at me seriously. 

"W-what?" I ask her. 

"W-what are we?" She asks and I automatically know what she's inferring to. 

I smile at her and kiss her. "You're mine and I'm yours.. We are now the most inseparable c-couple!"  

She smiles and hugs me. "Y-yay," She says. "Would you want to s-share the news with your p-parents?" She asks. 

"S-sure," I say, holding my hand out to her and twitch. "Let's g-go!" She giggles and grabs my hand and twitches. We head down stairs and walk into the kitchen. 

"Hey sweethearts! Anything wrong?" My mom asks, sitting at the table. 

"No ma'am," I start as I sit down and pull Becca into my lap, making her blush. "W-we want to tell you something!" 

"Well? Has it finally happened?" She asks, getting excited. 

"I beg your p-pardon?" Rebecca asks. 

"Are you two finally dating?!" She exclaims, looking like she's ready to dance. 

I smile and kiss Becca's cheek. "Yes, mom.. Me and B-becca are dating!" Becca smiles and kisses my cheek as she twitches again. 

"FINALLY! I'VE BEEN WAITING ON THIS DAY FOR FOREVER!" She exclaims, dancing around.

My dad walks in. "She's your girlfriend now, huh?" He says, amused. 

"Y-yeah, father! She's my g-girlfriend!" I say, and Rebecca kisses me. 

"Whatever.. Probably won't last.. Anyways, I'm going. Goodbye!" He says, turning and walking out.

I feel her about to jump out my lap and I tighten my grip around her waist. "Not worth it!" I whisper in her ear. She growls lowly and twitches again. 

"I'm sorry about him Becca.. But, I also saw your father come up too, is everyone ok?" She asks, worried. 

"I got out my room j-just in t-time as he came in to get me..." She says, sighing, leaning into me. I wrap my arms around her and put my face in her neck and kisses her neck.

She giggles. "Toby! PDA! Your m-mom is right t-there!" She says, using her hand to push my head away.

I smile. "S-sorry momma!" I say, blushing. 

"It's fine you two! Just don't do any stupid things!" She says, making me and Becca blush. 

"W-we won't," Becca says, getting up. "We'll go sit in the living room to g-get out your way..." 

"Ok darling, you do know you two can still be in Toby's room!" She says, smiling. 

"R-really?" I ask, looking quiet shocked. 

"Yes. I trust you two to do the right thing!" She says, smiling and then shooing us out the kitchen. I chuckle and race Becca upstairs and in my room. She beats me and walks into my bathroom. I sit on my bed and scroll through my phone. Suddenly I'm thrown back on my bed, being straddled, with lips on mine.

I twitch, making us separate, and open my eyes, looking at Rebecca and then kissing her back, pulling her closer. "I. L-love. You." I say, between each kiss. 

"I. Love. You. T-too," She says, pulling back from the kiss. "Now.. We need t-to discuss something..." She says, cuddling up to me. 

"What's wrong baby g-girl?" I ask, wrapping an arm around her. 

"The whole... Creature that's been s-stalking us! I don't know what to c-call it.." She says, twitching. 

"Maybe we can g-google it?" I suggest to her. 

"I did already.. Nothing came up!" She tells me, clearly aggravated. 

"W-want to take that s-stress off on me?" I ask her, smirking. 

"T-tobias Erin R-rogers," She shouts, popping my shoulder, blushing. "I can't believe y-you've said that!" 

I chuckle and kiss her head. "I'm just p-playing!"

I hold her and she kisses me again. "I k-know you were.. I love you t-though..." She says, playing with the hair that fell in my face. 

"I l-love you too!" I say, kissing her for the millionth time today. 

*** 

I go to fall asleep when my phone goes off. "My mom's c-calling me," I tell Toby, who jumps up in fear. I answer the phone. "Is he g-gone yet?" 

"Yes, sweetheart, he's gone.. But, do me a favor will you?" She says, as I hear the sound of glass being swept up. 

"M-ma'am?" I say. 

"Stop keeping rope in your closet!" She says, giggling. 

"Y-yes ma'am. Are you o-ok?" I ask her. 

"I'm fine sweetheart! He didn't hurt me this time.. He hurt some of the china in the cabinet, but not me!" She tells me as I let out a sigh of relief. 

"O-ok! H-hey mom... I got something to t-tell you!" I say, smiling and grabbing Toby's hand. 

"What is that?" She asks. 

"I got a boyf-friend!" I say smiling. 

"I got to meet him! I just got done cleaning the rest of the mess, bring this dude over!" She says with a hint of 'I know who' in her voice. 

"O-ok mom! We're on our way n-now!" I say, hanging up and getting up. 

"W-what is it?" Toby asks me, sitting up. 

"M-mom wants to meet my boyf-friend!" I say, smiling. 

"Well let's g-go!" He says, getting up and grabbing my hand. 

I giggle and run out. "We're going to my h-house, dad left!" I shout, shutting the door.

I barge in and my mom sits in the living room reading and drinking tea. "Hey Becca! Hey Toby! Where is this boyfriend you told me about?" She asks, smiling. 

"H-he's right here!" I say, pointing at Toby. 

"H-hey Mrs. S-smith.." Toby says twitching and smiling. I kiss his cheek and he loosens up more. 

"Well I can't believe it! My baby girl is all grown up! And I can't believe she finally got the man of her dreams!" She says, giggling.

I smile and roll my eyes. "What you m-mean by that?" Toby asks, smirking. 

"Rebecca had a crush on you for a while! She just wouldn't tell you.." My mom tells him.

"A-alright! E-enough!" I say, interrupting them and sitting on the couch. 

We talked for a while and Toby got a message from his mom. "M-mom messaged me." He says, looking at the message. 

"What d-does it say?" I ask him. 

"She says t-that lunch is d-done." He tells me. 

"Oh, w-well mom.. We'll b-be back! Ok?" I say. 

"Ok, dear! Love you!" She says. 

"L-love you too!" I say back and walk back to Toby's. 

"We're h-home!" Toby shouts, as we walk into the kitchen and see the table set with chicken strips and fries. 

"C-CHICKEN STRIPS!" I shout, running to the table and sitting down. 

"Yass! Chicken strips!" Toby says, chuckling. 

"Eat up! and you can go and do whatever you want!" His mom says, smiling.

The front door opens again with Toby's father walking in. "Hello, Connie dear," He says, smiling at her, then looks at me and Toby. "Toby, Rebecca." He nods and walks into the living room. I glare and go back to eating.  Soon, Toby and I  had finished our food and we decided to go on a walk around the neighborhood. 

The tree's blowing and creating a swirling storm around the two of us, messing up my red hair. "It looks like it's going to storm!" I say, looking up.

A few of the pinkish orange leaves sticking out from multiple angles. "Yeah, it does! Hey, hold still!" Toby says and leaned in towards me, my heart pounding in my chest. Pulling softly, Toby plucked a leaf out of the red mess. His eyes, lowering to my eyes, then lips. I smile and lean into him placing my lips on his, both of our eyes slowly fluttering shut, pushing against his the wind falls and the leaves fall softly around us like that moment was just for us, and us alone. We both smile and begin to head back, looking over Toby's shoulder I see the figure and grab his hand leaning towards his ear.

"Toby, it's him. Run!" I whisper then take of dragging Toby, he glances back and he to breaks into a run, but this time I was the one being dragged, Toby slips his hands around my waist and picking me up and holds me close to his chest. His house coming into contact as we slip through the door, running up the stairs, I burst into tears Toby's shoulder slowly becoming damp. he rubs small circles into my back as he breaths deeply. 'He's trying to be strong for me, but... the truth is that we're both scared.' My voice rings in my pounding head. 

"Kids, time for supper!" Mrs. Rogers shouts from downstairs. We both glance at each other, with wide eyes as one question runs through our mind:

If or how are we gonna tell anyone  about this.