#I'm blaming hozier to be honest | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ghoulelegy · 2 months ago

Text

In the Breeze of the Autumn Leaves - Chapter 4 - Run Until You Feel Your Lungs Bleeding

Read here or on AO3.Thank you @jimothybarnes, @em0bussy, @creatura-theanarchist, and @everybodyshusband for all the support and love you have shown <3 (if you don't wanna be tagged just let me know <3333)

Summary: After a torrential rainstorm, you and Copia find yourselves drawn to an abandoned hospital, its eerie presence igniting a mix of curiosity and dread. With Juno leading the way, you venture inside, only to uncover secrets tied to Copia’s enigmatic family. As a confrontation unfolds with his brother, Terzo, and a sinister creature lurking in the shadows, the atmosphere thickens with tension and unease. As past horrors come to light, you must navigate a labyrinth of fear and uncertainty, all while grappling with the mounting anxiety that threatens to consume you…

Word count: 8134

I'm gonna be honest this took a much darker turn than I anticipated. I was originally going for a more lighthearted theme but this sort of took a bit of a psychological horror direction. Anyways, I think it fits with the gothic themes I have set up, and will continue to be set up. Other than that, massive trigger warning for panic attacks and supernatural horror. I think I'm gonna tone it down for the next chapter though. But....I have plans :) hehehehehe Song this was inspired from was Run by Hozier - it's SUCH a good song and vibe for this whole chapter honestly.

As the rain slowly subsided, you and Copia left the café, the scent of petrichor lingering in the air. The earthy fragrance filled your senses, a refreshing reminder of nature's resilience after the downpour.

With each step, the damp pavement glistened under the streetlights, casting a soft glow on the deserted streets. The air was cool and crisp, the remnants of the storm washed away by the gentle breeze.

As you crossed next to an abandoned hospital, the wail of sirens pierced the calm night air, sending a shiver down your spine. The eerie sound seemed to echo off the walls of the derelict building, adding to the sense of unease that hung in the atmosphere.

Juno ran off towards the rustic scene.

You exchanged a glance with Copia, both of you silently acknowledging the ominous presence of the abandoned hospital. Despite the unsettling feeling in the pit of your stomach, curiosity tugged at you, urging you to explore the mysteries that lay within its crumbling walls.

The old, weathered building stood in stark contrast to the modern surroundings, its crumbling façade hinting at a forgotten past. Juno disappeared around a corner, her barks echoing off the worn walls of the structure.

With a sense of urgency, you and Copia quickened your pace, your footsteps echoing in the quiet night. As you rounded the corner, you found Juno standing in front of an open doorway, her tail wagging excitedly.

Peering inside, you were met with a scene straight out of a bygone era. The interior of the building was filled with relics of the past—rusty machinery, crumbling furniture, and faded photographs lined the walls, each one a testament to the passage of time.

Juno barked again, her enthusiasm undiminished by the eerie surroundings. With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, you and Copia followed her inside, the air thick with the weight of history.

As Juno dashed off towards the abandoned hospital, your heart raced with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Juno! Get back here!" you called out, your voice echoing in the quiet night. "I'm sorry, Copia, she's not usually like this."

Copia's response was understanding, his gaze following Juno's movements with keen interest. "No, I don't blame her," he sighed, his attention lingering on the labrador.

"What do you mean?" you asked, eager to understand the significance of Juno's behaviour.

Copia's next words sent a chill down your spine. "She sensed them. Good job on her," he explained cryptically, his eyes darting towards Juno before returning to you.

"Sensed who?" you pressed, your voice trembling slightly

"My brother and his ghouls," Copia revealed, his expression serious yet tinged with a hint of apprehension. With those words hanging in the air, you felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through your veins.

With a sense of determination, you and Copia followed Juno into the depths of the derelict building, the weight of its history pressing down on you like a heavy blanket. As you ventured further into the unknown, the true extent of the darkness lurking within the abandoned hospital began to reveal itself, and you couldn't shake the feeling that you were about to embark on a journey that would change everything.

“Ti Dispiace?” a heavy voice spoke, his accent thick, like Copia’s though lacking in nasality.

"What are you doing here, Terzo?" Copia demanded, his voice edged with suspicion.

A man’s lips curled into a cold smile, his gaze flickering between you and Copia. "I could ask you the same question," he replied cryptically. "But it seems we're both drawn to this place for our own reasons."

“You just wanted to get away with Omega didn’t you…” Copia’s face broke into a smile to the man in front of him. He had a similar stature to his brother, though half his size. He had the same alabastor-white and emerald-green heterochromatic eyes that signatured the cardinal. Though unlike Copia, his face was covered in black and white skull makeup.

Terzo's smile faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing at Copia's mention of Omega. The tension in the air thickened, and you couldn't help but feel like an outsider caught in the middle of a family feud.

"Ah! Cazzo! You always did have a knack for stating the obvious," Terzo retorted, his tone laced with bitterness, before bracing the taller man in a hug. “Well…not only, I came here to write, my dear brother.”

Copia's expression remained guarded, his eyes darting between Terzo and the dilapidated surroundings. "Writing, huh? What kind of stories do you find in a place like this?" he inquired, his tone tinged with skepticism.

Terzo chuckled darkly, a sound that sent a shiver down your spine. "Oh, the stories here are unlike anything you've ever heard," he mused cryptically, his gaze wandering over the decaying walls as if searching for inspiration.

Copia's skepticism intensified, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room for any sign of danger. "What stories do you speak of, Terzo?" he demanded, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

Terzo's smile widened, though it held a sinister edge. "Stories of forgotten souls and lost dreams," he began, his voice echoing off the walls like a haunting melody. "Stories of those who sought refuge within these walls, only to meet a fate far darker than they could have imagined."

As Terzo spoke, the atmosphere seemed to thicken with each passing moment, as if the very air was alive with the whispers of the past. You couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to his words, something hidden beneath the surface waiting to be uncovered.

Suddenly, Juno let out a low growl, her fur bristling as she stared intently at a shadowy corner of the room. The hairs on the back of your neck stood on end as you followed her gaze, your heart pounding in your chest.

Without warning, the shadowy figure emerged once more, his features obscured by the shifting darkness. He moved with a predatory grace, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.

“What the actual fuck?! Who - what are you?!” you felt yourself belt out, your voice steady despite the rising tension. Juno curled herself in front of you as she growled.

“You didn’t tell me that we have human guests, Terzo” You hear an ominous chuckle.

Human?

As the figure stepped further into the dim light, you could finally make out its features. Its skin was a sickly shade of grey, stretched taut over a skeletal frame. Horns protruded from its forehead, curling upwards like twisted branches, and its toothy grin revealed rows of sharp, jagged teeth.

Your breath caught in your throat as you met its gaze, feeling as though it was peering directly into your soul. The creature's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly light, filled with a malevolent intelligence that sent shivers down your spine. You felt your breath quickening.

As the creature's gaze locks onto yours, a wave of terror crashes over you, sending your mind spiralling into chaos. Your breath catches in your throat, feeling like it's constricting with every inhale. The air around you feel-thick and suffocating, as if it's closing in on you. Your chest tightened, each heartbeat reverberating through your body like a drumbeat of impending doom.

Your thoughts raced at a dizzying pace, a whirlwind of irrational fears and worst-case scenarios. You felt an overwhelming sense of dread coursing through your veins, as if you're teetering on the edge of a bottomless abyss with no way to escape.

Your vision blurred as tears well up in your eyes, distorting the world into a nightmarish haze. Every sound echoed in your ears like a cacophony of discordant notes, adding to the overwhelming sensory overload that threatened to engulf you.

You instinctively reached out for something to anchor yourself but find only emptiness as your surroundings blur into a disorienting blur of shapes and colours. You're trapped in a suffocating bubble of fear, unable to escape its relentless grip.

Your mind raced with frantic thoughts, each one echoing like a relentless drumbeat of impending doom.

“I’m going to die. I’m going to die. This is it. This is it.”

The words pounded through your skull like a war drum, echoing louder with every beat, suffocating all reason. There was no room for anything else—no thought, no logic, just pure, raw terror, consuming you from the inside out. It crushed you, smothering your breath until your chest felt like it would explode. Your vision blurred. Time warped, distorting everything as the panic surged like a tidal wave, swallowing you whole.

You felt a pressure against your feet—a distant sensation, almost unreal—before it vanished beneath the flood.

“Hey! Hey!”

A voice ripped through the chaos like a blade, cutting deep enough to jolt you from the abyss. It wasn’t a soft nudge; it was a yank—a desperate pull that wrenched your mind back from the brink. You didn’t want to look, couldn’t focus, but something in that voice forced you. You snapped your head up, and there he was—Copia—his face inches from yours, eyes burning into yours with an intensity that broke through the storm. His gaze was like iron, an anchor you couldn’t shake off, and for a split second, the world felt real again.

“Breathe.” His voice was low but urgent, threaded with steel. “With me.”

You tried. God, you tried. But it felt like breathing through broken glass, every inhalation shredding your lungs. Your chest tightened further, ribs straining, suffocating. The panic was still there, snarling, gnashing, refusing to let go. You sucked in a breath, but it was shallow, jagged, more a gasp than anything else.

“Look at me.” His words were a command now, unrelenting. You couldn’t disobey. His eyes locked onto yours, a lifeline in the churning blackness. “Now—breathe.”

You dragged in another breath, shaking, uneven, but it was air. It was something. You latched onto it, forced your mind to focus on the rhythm of his breathing. Slow. Steady. Each exhale like the ticking of a clock, pulling you back from the edge inch by inch.

The pressure against your feet grew stronger, more insistent. You could feel the floor now—solid, real. The world wasn’t gone; it was there. You were here, not lost in the void.

Copia’s voice stayed steady, grounding you with every syllable. “Keep breathing. Focus on me.”

But it was a battle—a brutal one. Your body still fought against you, every muscle screaming with panic, every nerve on fire. The fear didn’t let go; it dug in. But with Copia’s voice guiding you, his eyes refusing to let you slip, you fought back. You matched his breaths, barely at first, but then more, deeper, dragging in air like it was the only thing keeping you alive. And maybe it was.

With each breath, the suffocating terror eased just enough. You could feel your body again—feel the pounding of your heart, the tension in your limbs—and you fought harder. Juno was there too, a silent sentinel by your side, her presence a constant, unwavering force. Together, they kept you grounded, pulling you through the storm.

The fear still clawed at you, lurking just beneath the surface, waiting for its moment to drag you down again. But you weren’t drowning anymore. You were fighting. You were alive. You’d clawed your way back from the edge of the void, and you weren’t going to let it swallow you—not now, not ever. Each breath came easier, and slowly but surely, the panic loosened its grip. The fog in your mind lifted, and the room started to come into focus again.

But as clarity returned, so did the heat in your face. You could feel their eyes on you, and the realization hit like a punch to the gut: you’d just made a spectacle of yourself in front of Copia—and his brother.

Omega’s laugh erupted through the room, a low, rumbling sound that seemed to reverberate in your chest. You flinched, pulling yourself into a tighter ball, willing the floor to swallow you up.

“Omega, enough,” Terzo interjected, sounding half-annoyed. “They look like they’re about to pass out.”

You risked a glance at him, expecting a smirk, but his face had softened. He sighed, turning his attention back to you. “He means no harm, amico,” he said, his voice gentler now. “Just a bit too much enthusiasm, SÌ?”

A wave of relief washed over you, loosening the tightness in your chest. Until -

“S-sorry,” you muttered, feeling your face burn.

“You’re not the first one, my dear.”

That voice—it was the ghoul. You glanced up, and your heart stuttered. He was tall, towering over Terzo and Copia like some otherworldly giant. His presence felt big in a way that was hard to describe, almost too much to take in. The room seemed smaller with him in it, his height overwhelming everything. You felt the fear rising again, sharp and hot, making your mind buzz with static. But you forced yourself to breathe, gripping onto that one thread of control.

Juno pressed her weight against your legs, steady and grounding, keeping you tethered to the present. The warmth of her body against yours, her unwavering presence, reminded you that you weren’t alone. You weren’t lost in fear. With each slow breath, you leaned into that sense of security she offered, letting it pull you back from the edge.

“It’s okay. You’re safe.”

Copia’s voice was a calm, soothing current, easing the fear that still clung to the corners of your mind. His words wrapped around you like a blanket, softening the edges of your panic. You latched onto that, letting his voice wash over you, easing the tension from your muscles.

“Terzo, next time you bring a human around us, let me know so I can keep my glamour on,” Omega rumbled, his voice like distant thunder.

Glamour? The word struck you, sharp and strange, making your head spin with confusion. Everything about this day had been a whirlwind, and now this.

You looked at Omega, your mind reeling with the weight of what he’d just revealed. Ghouls. The term hung in the air between you all, carrying the weight of stories and myths you thought were only fantasy. But here he was—Omega—a living, breathing embodiment of those tales, standing just a few feet away. The world felt surreal, like you were slipping into some dark, twisted fairytale.

Shock mixed with curiosity, weaving itself into the fear that still lingered in the pit of your stomach. But despite everything, there was a spark of intrigue. Ghouls? Glamour? And how much more did you not know? His eyes, filled with a depth of emotion you hadn't expected from such a formidable figure, betray a concern that surprises you. Despite his monstrous appearance, there's an undeniable humanity in his gaze, a sense of understanding that transcends his intimidating exterior.

You find yourself captivated by Omega's presence, the air around him tinged with an aura of mystery and power. There's so much you want to ask, so much you want to understand about him and the world he inhabits.

But for now, you focus on processing this new information, letting it sink in slowly as you come to terms with the reality of the situation. Whatever Omega's true nature may be, one thing is certain: he's here to help, and his concern for you is genuine.

With Copia's steady gaze anchoring you and Juno's comforting presence grounding you, you gathered every ounce of courage to address Omega, your voice trembling but carrying a note of curiosity that cut through the fear. “Omega, it's... it's nice to meet you,” you managed, the words stumbling out, shaky but sincere. “I’ve never met a ghoul before. Can you... can you tell me more about what you are and why you're here?”

Omega’s towering frame seemed less menacing for a moment as his gaze softened, meeting yours with an unexpected tenderness. “Of course,” he rumbled in that deep, resonant voice. “I understand my appearance can be... intimidating, but I assure you, I mean no harm.”

Despite his size and his otherworldly presence, there was a sincerity in Omega’s tone that caught you off guard. Beneath his fearsome exterior, there was a warmth, a kind of humanity that defied every monstrous stereotype. He wasn’t just some mythical being; he was something more. Someone more.

“I’ve been summoned as a protector for Terzo,” he continued, a hint of humour flashing across his face. “Now, I serve as his lover too—teehee.”

Your brain stuttered at that, caught somewhere between disbelief and awkward fascination. Copia, sensing your discomfort, offered a reassuring smile before chiming in. “Omega’s always been fiercely loyal to Terzo, in more ways than one,” he added, his tone full of pride and affection for his brother-in-law.

“That’s… so… unconventional and… wow. Awesome,” you found yourself saying, a small smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. For the first time, you felt the ice of your nerves thaw a little.

You hesitated before asking, ““What exactly is this glamour thing?” your curiosity was burning now. The day had been a tempest of chaos, each revelation tearing down everything you thought you knew.

Omega's lips curled into a knowing smile, his eyes dancing with amusement as he watched your growing fascination. "Glamour," he said, his voice laced with a hint of mischief, "is a kind of illusionary magic we use to conceal our true forms from humans. It lets us blend in, keeps us hidden. Just a bit of trickery to keep the balance."

He paused, letting the words hang in the air, as if daring you to question them. His gaze never wavered, the glimmer in his eyes suggesting he enjoyed playing the role of the hidden monster.

You nodded, slowly at first, your mind racing to catch up. A chill ran down your spine, but excitement bubbled up, prickling at the edges of your thoughts. The reality of ghouls—of magic—felt like stepping through a door you hadn't even known existed, a strange thrill sparking in your chest. Encounters like this didn't happen in ordinary life.

“Are all ghouls protectors?” you asked, leaning in slightly, your curiosity outweighing the lingering fear.

Omega’s expression grew thoughtful, his eyes momentarily distant. “Not all ghouls are protectors in the way I am,” he said, his voice carrying a note of quiet wisdom. “But many of us feel a deep sense of duty. Whether to family, friends, or even strangers, we protect those we care about. It’s… part of who we are.”

He paused, as if searching for the right words. “Our abilities, our strengths, they vary. Just like with humans. Some of us are fighters, other healers, and others… well, some of us just do what needs to be done to keep things in balance.”

You listened intently, captivated by the complexity of his world. Despite their intimidating appearances and the myths that surrounded them, these ghouls weren’t all that different from humans in the ways that mattered most. They cared. They protected.

“I was summoned by Terzo to be his protector,” Omega continued, a note of pride entering his voice. “But over time, our bond grew stronger. I’m not just bound by duty anymore. I’m bound by loyalty and love. Just as he is to me.”

The sincerity in Omega’s words struck something deep within you. There was a purity to it, a reminder that true strength wasn’t about power or magic. It was about the bonds that tied people—or ghouls—together. Love, loyalty. Those were the things that mattered.

You smiled softly, feeling a sense of connection. “Just like me and Juno…” you murmured, glancing down at your companion, the realization warming your chest.

Before you could sink deeper into the moment, another question popped into your mind. “So… uh… what were you writing?” You turned to Terzo, unable to hide your curiosity.

Terzo grinned, clearly pleased by your interest. “My latest album,” he declared, eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “Papa Nihil wants it to be big!”

“Papa Nihil?” you asked, the name catching you off guard. “Who’s that?”

“Our… dad,” Copia answered, his tone casual but tinged with something more. Reverence, maybe?

Terzo nodded, his expression suddenly grave, the playful glint in his eyes dimming. “Yes, Papa Nihil is our father,” he said, his voice carrying weight. “He’s the leader of our organization. He guides us, oversees everything we do.”

You blinked, your mind spinning at the thought of a family of ghouls, complete with a patriarch. The world was growing more bizarre and fascinating by the minute.

“Is Papa Nihil… like you?” you ventured carefully, unsure of what to expect. The idea of someone even more powerful, more imposing than Terzo or Omega… it was both exhilarating and a little terrifying.

Terzo’s lips curled into a wry smile, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Oh, Papa Nihil is… unique, to say the least,” he replied cryptically, his tone heavy with a mixture of respect and awe. “He’s a force to be reckoned with. A presence that commands respect wherever he goes. And yes, he wants this next album to be big.”

His smile widened as he spoke, but there was no mistaking the reverence in his tone.

You couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension at the thought of meeting this mysterious figure, Papa Nihil. What kind of person—or ghoul—could hold such power and command so much respect from these beings? The thought sent a shiver down your spine.

“Well, Copia was telling me you were working on an album about the Medieval Era,” you say, hoping to steer the conversation toward something lighter. “He mentioned something about finding good references on plague doctors for you.”

Terzo’s expression brightened at the mention of his work. “Ah, yes! The Dark Ages were fascinating,” he replied, his voice taking on an excited edge. “The symbolism of death, rebirth, faith... there’s so much to explore. Plague doctors? Brilliant aesthetic.” He laughed, the sound low and velvety, as if this macabre subject thrilled him in a way that was both unsettling and magnetic.

As he spoke, you felt a sharp ache flare up, dull at first but slowly crawling through your body. It seemed to cling to your muscles, making it harder to focus on the present. You shifted uncomfortably, trying to shake off the sensation, but it lingered, gnawing at the edges of your mind.

And then –

“Are you down to explore this place?” Omega asked.

Your breath hitched as Omega’s question hung in the air, casting a palpable tension over the group. The eerie silence of the abandoned hospital settled around you like a second skin, making the idea of exploration seem both thrilling and terrifying. You glanced at Copia, searching for any indication of what to do next.

Copia’s eyes were sharp, calculating. He hadn’t let go of your earlier panic attacks, his posture still tense, but the small nod he gave reassured you. He was willing, and with him by your side, the fear gripping your chest loosened ever so slightly.

“Yeah,” you finally managed to say, swallowing the remnants of your anxiety. “Let’s explore.”

Omega’s toothy grin widened, his horns gleaming in the dim light as he stepped forward. Juno pressed closer to your side, her steady presence giving you courage. Terzo let out a soft chuckle as he trailed behind Omega, clearly entertained by your hesitation.

The air grew cooler as you ventured further into the building. Each step echoed ominously through the dilapidated corridors, the sound bouncing off the cracked walls. Rusted wheelchairs and forgotten gurneys lined the halls, remnants of a time when this place had been alive with activity. Now, it was nothing but a hollow shell, a graveyard of memories.

The hospital’s decaying interior loomed around you, every creak and groan of the structure setting your nerves on edge. Broken windows let in slivers of moonlight, casting long, shifting shadows that played tricks on your mind.

“Do you ever wonder what this place was like before it was abandoned?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Omega turned his head slightly, his hulking frame moving with an eerie grace. “It was a place of healing,” he said, his voice low and almost reverent. “But like many places of healing, it has seen its fair share of death. Not all souls who entered here left unscathed.”

You shivered at his words, imagining the countless lives that had passed through these halls. As you walked deeper into the hospital, the oppressive weight of the building’s history seemed to press down on you, thick and suffocating.

Terzo, ever the showman, broke the silence with a low, mischievous laugh. “You can almost hear the whispers, can’t you?” he teased, his voice echoing through the empty corridors. “The stories this place could tell.”

You didn’t answer, too focused on the strange, nagging ache that had settled into your muscles. It was growing more persistent, a dull throb that seemed to seep into your bones. You winced, feeling the pain flare briefly as if something unseen was tugging at your very core.

“Are you okay?” Copia’s voice broke through your discomfort. His gaze was piercing, concerned.

"I'm fine," you said, too quickly, the words escaping before you could stop them. But the tremor in your hands betrayed you. You kept your gaze fixed ahead, determined not to let him see the tight set of your jaw or how your breath hitched with every step. The ache gnawed at you, deeper with each passing moment, sending sharp pulses through your body. No matter how hard you willed yourself forward, your steps slowed. The gap between you and the others widened, your legs growing heavier with every movement. You clenched your fists, forcing yourself onward, praying he wouldn't notice.

Omega, noticing your struggle, slowed his pace, his towering figure casting a protective shadow over you. “The energy in this place is heavy,” he remarked, his voice almost gentle. “It can weigh on those who aren’t used to it.”

You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak. The ache was spreading now, an invisible force gnawing at your insides. Trying to focus on the rhythmic sound of your breathing—Copia’s voice from earlier still echoing in your mind. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

The deeper you ventured, the pull grew stronger, like invisible hands tugging at your very core. Your vision wavered, dark spots creeping at the edges, distorting the hallway before you.

“I think… I need to stop for a moment,” you finally admitted, your voice tight as you leaned heavily against the cold wall. Juno pressed close to your leg, her fur bristling, eyes wide and worried as she looked up at you.

Copia was beside you instantly, his hand resting on your shoulder with a firm, grounding presence. “Take a minute. There’s no rush,” he said, his voice calm but underscored with quiet urgency.

Ahead, Terzo and Omega halted, their gazes flicking back to you. Terzo’s usual flippant air was gone, his expression sobering. “The hospital’s energy can be… overwhelming,” he said, his voice heavier now. “Especially for someone unaccustomed to it.”

You winced as another pulse of pain rippled through you, twisting in your lower back like a vice tightening. “What kind of energy?” you asked, though speaking felt like an effort, each word dredged from beneath the haze of discomfort.

Omega’s eyes darkened as he stepped closer, his face unreadable. “Residual energy,” he said softly. “The souls that passed through here left their mark. Places like this hold onto emotions—grief, fear, rage. It’s soaked into the walls. This place is thick with loss.”

Copia’s hand tightened on your shoulder, his concern palpable. “We should go,” he urged, his voice dropping an octave. “I’m not letting you get hurt.”

But something deeper stirred inside you, cutting through the pain. A pull, like the building itself was calling to you, daring you to step further in. You straightened, ignoring the throb in your spine. “No,” you said, your voice stronger than you felt. “I want to see what’s at the heart of this.”

Omega’s lips curled in approval, a glint of respect in his eyes. “Brave,” he murmured. “But be careful, little one. This place has teeth.”

You tried to mask the strain in your voice as you echoed Omega’s words, glancing toward the crumbling structure. The hospital loomed above, its skeletal windows black and yawning like hungry mouths. Pale moonlight bathed the façade, casting long, twisted shadows that seemed to move on their own. The building felt alive, its gaze heavy on you, watching. Waiting.

Omega’s grin widened, his sharp teeth catching the faint light. “Yes,” he said, his voice velvety and dark. “I think you’ll find it… educational.”

A tightness coiled in your stomach, your instincts screaming that something was wrong, deeply wrong. But before you could speak, Copia’s hand brushed lightly against your arm, the warmth of his touch cutting through the cold dread seeping into your bones. “You don’t have to go in if you’re not ready,” he said, his tone soft, almost tender against the eerie stillness.

Terzo, however, broke the moment with a snicker, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little history,” he teased, his grin sharp and mocking. “This place is dripping with it. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”

You shot him a look, your heart beating a little faster at the dark undercurrent in his words. He might have been joking, but something dangerous flickered behind his eyes—a challenge, maybe, or a warning.

Juno’s low growl rumbled from her throat as she backed away from the hospital entrance, ears flattened, her body tense. Even she could feel the wrongness here, the weight of unseen eyes.

Then the pain struck again—sharp, electric, a bolt slicing through your spine. You sucked in a breath, your knees buckling slightly under the weight of it, nausea rising in your chest. Each step felt impossible, like your body was unraveling from the inside. You clenched your fists, trying to steady yourself, but the edges of your vision blurred again, making you feel lightheaded. If you weren’t careful, you’d collapse before even crossing the threshold.

And yet, through the pain and fear, something deeper called to you. A sick fascination clawed at your mind, demanding you move forward. Maybe it was Terzo’s taunting grin, daring you to prove yourself. Or maybe it was something older, something primal, pulling you toward the heart of this decaying place, whispering promises you couldn’t quite hear.

Before you could stop yourself, you nodded. "Let’s do it."

Copia’s brow furrowed, concern flickering across his face. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice low.

You nodded again, your jaw tight. "I'm fine."

With a reluctant sigh, he stepped aside, allowing Omega to lead the way. The ghoul moved with a predator’s grace, his large form somehow silent as he pushed open the rusted door to the hospital. It groaned loudly, the sound echoing through the empty corridors like a mournful wail. The scent of mildew and decay hit you immediately, thick and suffocating, but you pushed forward, ignoring the way it made your skin crawl.

The interior of the hospital was even worse than the exterior. The walls were lined with peeling paint, the floor strewn with debris—broken glass, rusted medical equipment, tattered old curtains. And the silence. It was deafening, pressing down on you with a weight that felt almost physical.

Your steps faltered as the pain flared again, shooting down your legs like fire. You clenched your fists, forcing yourself to keep moving, but each step sent shockwaves through your body. You could feel Copia’s eyes on you, his quiet worry palpable in the heavy air, but you refused to look at him. You couldn’t let him see how much you were struggling.

As you ventured deeper into the hospital, the atmosphere grew thicker, almost tangible. The air felt wrong, heavy with something you couldn’t name. It wasn’t just the decay or the dust; it was something darker. Something alive. You could feel it in your bones, an ancient presence lurking just beneath the surface.

Juno whimpered at your side, her body pressed close to yours as if she could shield you from whatever was out there.

“Something’s… watching us,” you muttered, your voice barely above a whisper.

Terzo chuckled darkly from up ahead, his voice echoing through the halls. “Of course it is. This place has eyes everywhere.”

You swallowed hard, your mouth dry. The ache in your body was relentless now, a constant burn that threatened to overwhelm you. Your hands trembled, and the shadows in the corners of the room seemed to shift and twist, moving even when nothing else did.

As you rounded a corner, the hallway opened up into what looked like an old operating theatre. The smell here was worse—rotten, thick with the stench of something long dead. Your stomach churned, and you had to fight to keep your balance as the pain in your legs grew unbearable.

Copia placed a hand on your shoulder, his touch grounding. “We can stop,” he said quietly, his voice full of concern.

You wanted to. You felt a tremble against your legs. Juno.

But before you could answer, the temperature in the room plummeted. A cold, unnatural chill swept through the air, and the shadows seemed to deepen, coiling around the edges of the room like living things. The light flickered, dimming for just a second—and in that second, you saw them.

Figures.

Barely visible in the gloom, they lingered at the edges of the room. Their forms were twisted, unnatural, their eyes gleaming with something inhuman. They watched you, silent and still, but their presence was suffocating. A weight on your chest. You couldn’t breathe.

You took a step back, your heart hammering in your chest. Every instinct screamed at you to run, to get out of there, but your legs felt like lead, weighed down by both the fear and the pain that clawed through you.

The figures shifted, moving closer, their faces distorted and grotesque. You couldn’t tell if they were real or a trick of the shadows, but their eyes… those eyes were wrong. They glinted with a cold, malicious hunger that sent a wave of icy dread crashing over you.

Omega, sensing the shift in the air, stepped forward, his massive frame casting a long shadow across the room. “Stay behind me,” he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Juno let out a low growl of her own, her body tense as she positioned herself protectively in front of you. But even her presence wasn’t enough to banish the overwhelming sense of dread that hung in the air.

Your chest tightened painfully, the ache in your body flaring as the shadows closed in. The figures were closer now, their outlines becoming clearer. They had no features—just empty, gaping mouths and hollow, sunken eyes that seemed to devour the light around them.

And then, without warning, one of them moved. It lunged, its skeletal hand reaching for you with impossible speed. You staggered back, gasping as a searing pain shot through your egs, but you couldn’t move fast enough.

Just as its fingers grazed your skin, Copia’s arm shot out, grabbing you and pulling you back, away from it. His eyes were wide, his face pale with fear, but his grip on you was firm, steady.

Omega snarled, stepping in front of you both as the figure retreated into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.

“What the FUCK was that?” you gasped, your voice shaking, your body trembling with both fear and pain. Breathing became a struggle, every gasp more laboured, your legs threatening to give out beneath you. The world spun, narrowing to the unbearable throb in your chest, the echo of the encounter still reverberating in your bones.

Terzo, his face unnervingly calm, tilted his head and smiled that same sinister smile. “That, is the history of this place. Forgotten souls. Lost… but not gone.”

The words sent a chill down your spine, colder than the air around you.

Copia’s grip on you tightened, his jaw clenched. “We’re leaving,” he said firmly, his voice hard. “Now.”

But as he turned to lead you back towards the exit, the door behind you slammed shut with a deafening crash. The sound echoed through the room, reverberating off the walls like a final, mocking laugh.

And then, from the shadows, a voice. Low. Raspy. Close.

The darkness seemed to swallow you whole.

“Hey, are you okay?” Copia’s voice cut through, soft yet laced with concern. You blinked, pulled from your spiraling thoughts by the gentleness in his tone. The mischievous glint usually dancing in his eyes was gone, replaced with something deeper, more sincere. The faint headlights from outside cast a ghostly glow over his face, making his expression even more stark against the room’s oppressive gloom.

“Yeah, why?” you answered, but your voice was tight, betraying the unease you’d tried so hard to hide. Your muscles ached with a dull, relentless throb, and your head felt like it was trapped in a vice. Still, you forced a small smile, hoping to play it off as nothing.

Copia didn’t look convinced. He tilted his head, his brow furrowed slightly as he studied you. “You just seem... a bit off,” he said gently, not wanting to push but clearly unsettled. “Especially earlier, at the hospital. That place was... weird. Freaky, even.”

No shit.

“Oh, haha, yeah,” you forced out a laugh, though it came out stilted, awkward. “I was just... taking it all in, you know? Hospitals, abandoned or not, have a weird energy.”

Did we even experience the same thing? Did he see what I saw?

Copia’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes narrowing in concern. You could tell he wasn’t buying it, but he let it slide—for now. “Alright,” he said, his voice softening again, “but if something’s wrong, you tell me, sì? We’re in this together, remember?”

The weight of his sincerity hit you harder than you expected. For a moment, the tension in your chest loosened, the constant gnawing pain receding just a little. “Thanks, Copia,” you murmured, genuinely touched. “I appreciate it.”

His smile widened, but his eyes remained shadowed with worry. “Anytime,” he said, though you could hear the unspoken *please talk to me* hovering beneath the word. He was trying to stay calm, but you could sense his quiet anxiety, the way his fingers fidgeted slightly at his side as if he wasn’t sure what to do with them.

You sighed, turning away for a moment, trying to shake the creeping unease that had settled over you like a shroud. The ache in your bones felt different tonight—heavier, darker. Like something inside you was shifting, coiling tighter and tighter, waiting to snap. You’d experienced pain before, but not like this. Not this... *alive.*

The hospital. Was it the hospital?

Your mind wandered back to those rotting walls and the eerie silence that had filled every corner. You remembered the way the air had felt thick with something you couldn’t quite name, something that slithered beneath the surface. And yet, despite the fear, there had been a strange pull, an almost magnetic force drawing you deeper into its decayed belly. It was as though the building itself had recognized you.

But now, here in the quiet aftermath, the weight of the evening pressed harder against your chest. The pain surged again, sharper this time, running through your spine like fire, making your breath catch in your throat. You shifted in your seat, trying to ease the discomfort, but it was useless. Your body was betraying you, the aches growing into something worse—something you could no longer ignore.

Copia noticed the subtle shift, the way your shoulders tensed, the wince you tried to hide. His eyes darkened with worry, and he leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper. “Are you sure you’re okay?” There was a crack in his usual calm, a small tremor in his voice that sent a fresh wave of anxiety through you. He was scared. For you.

You clenched your fists, trying to breathe through the pain, through the rising panic that threatened to choke you. It felt like there wasn’t enough air in the room, like everything was closing in. And you could see it in Copia’s eyes—he felt it too. The tension. The fear.

You wanted to say something to reassure him, to tell him you’d be fine. But how could you when you weren’t even sure what was happening to you? When every breath felt like a struggle, when every muscle screamed in protest? You swallowed hard, the words stuck in your throat.

Copia’s hand hovered near yours, like he wanted to reach out but wasn’t sure if he should. “You don’t have to pretend with me,” he said softly, almost pleading now. “If something’s wrong... I can help.”

Can he?

The question echoed in your mind. Could anyone help? You weren’t even sure what was wrong—what had changed in you after that hospital. The thought of trying to explain it, of putting the unexplainable into words, felt impossible. All you knew was that something was shifting inside you, something that wasn’t *you.* And the more you tried to suppress it, the stronger it became.

The ache twisted deeper, and your vision blurred for a split second, dark spots dancing at the edges. You steadied yourself, gripping the arm of the chair, willing the sensation to pass.

Juno pressed her warm body against your leg, her presence a grounding force as you tried to control your spiraling thoughts. You felt Copia’s eyes on you, unwavering, his concern a palpable weight in the room.

“I’m fine,” you whispered, more to yourself than to him. But you knew neither of you believed it. The pain, the unease, the gnawing sense of something creeping up inside you—it was all too real. And it was only getting worse.

Copia’s hand finally found yours, squeezing gently, his warmth contrasting the chill spreading through your body. “You’re not alone, okay?” he said, his voice barely audible, but firm. “Whatever this is... we’ll figure it out.”

You nodded, though the words barely reached you. The shadow of the hospital still clung to you, and deep down, you knew this was only the beginning.Then -

You tried and forced yourself to think of the adventure you embarked in the abandoned hospital that evening, how you found a rusty old swing set that reeked with the potential of poetry.

As you finally made your way home after the night’s harrowing events, your mind was a storm of confusion, fear, and pain. The encounter with Omega, the eerie presence of Terzo, the ghouls—it's all spiralling in your head like a fever dream that refuses to let go. And beneath it all, that unbearable ache gnaws at your core, growing worse by the minute. It isn’t just discomfort now; it’s something darker, more invasive, like it’s burrowing deeper into you.

Once you were alone in your room, the silence pressed down on you, and the walls felt like they’re closing in. It’s as if the shadows are watching, waiting. The pain that had been simmering all night flares now, sharp and visceral, crawling up your spine like fingers made of ice. You can barely breathe. You sink into the nearest chair, clutching your sides, trying to contain the tremor that shakes your body.

You can’t stop thinking about the ghouls. The way they moved, unnatural and fluid, slipping between the cracks of the world like shadows come to life. You had always heard the stories, half-dismissed the legends, but tonight—tonight they were real, too real. And now, in the quiet of your own home, the thin barrier between your world and theirs seems to be crumbling. You could feel it, like something has shifted inside you, as if those hollow, faceless creatures took a piece of you back with them into the dark.

You press a hand to your chest, the skin clammy under your palm, your heartbeat erratic, too fast. It felt wrong. Everything felt wrong.

What does it mean, you wondered, to be touched by something not of this world? To be pulled halfway between life and the unknown? The thought sends a shudder through you, colder than the pain itself. Are you still fully human? Is this… becoming something else? Every nerve in your body is on edge, and beneath the pain, beneath the fear, there’s something else—something crawling, changing.

It’s like they’ve left their mark on you, and no amount of running will let you escape it.

The room around you seemed to warp, the edges of your vision blurring as though the air itself is thickening, suffocating you. The familiar comfort of home fades. Your surroundings felt alien, as if reality itself is slipping away. You pressed your hands into the arms of the chair, trying to ground yourself, but the wood felt soft, like it’s warping beneath your fingers.

You wanted to scream for help, but you felt your voice caught in your throat, choked by the fear that maybe this is already too far gone. Maybe it was too late to stop what was happening to you.

Copia’s face flashed in your mind, cutting through the chaos with a sharp, fleeting clarity. Earlier, his concern had seemed so small, almost inconsequential. But now, you clung to it. He had known. His words came back to you—dark and calm—echoing like they carried something with them. Did they?

Your stomach churned, nausea rising as you recalled those hollow figures from the hospital, their gaze unnatural, inhuman. It felt like they were still watching, as if they had seen into your very soul. Something had followed you. It hadn’t just stayed behind—it had come inside, burrowed deep. This pain… it wasn’t just your body breaking down. It was a warning. A sign of what was coming.

Of what you were becoming.

You staggered to your feet, the ground tilting beneath you, muscles twisting into something unfamiliar, wrong. In the corner of your eye, your reflection flickered—just for a second, but it was enough. Your skin looked… off. Pallid, stretched too thin. You stepped closer, horrified as the surface almost seemed translucent, veins crawling beneath, black and pulsing.

You gasped, stumbling back, but your limbs didn’t feel like your own anymore. It was as if something else was moving inside you, cold and ancient, like an invader wearing your skin. Your heart pounded erratically, hammering in your chest like a drum with no rhythm, out of sync, no longer human.

Without thinking, your trembling fingers found your phone, dialing the emergency number. A last, desperate attempt to cling to the mortal world, as if it could save you. The dial tone rang in your ear, jarring, each second dragging out too long. Every breath felt like an inch closer to the edge of something dark, irreversible.

When the operator answered, your voice was barely more than a whisper. “I need help,” you choked out, before your legs gave way. The phone slipped from your hand, clattering to the floor as you slumped against the wall, gasping, the pain closing in like a vice.

By the time the paramedics arrived, you were fading fast. The flashing lights outside seemed distant, dim, like they were coming from the other end of a long tunnel. Their hands lifted you, but even their touch felt wrong—too warm, too full of life. You tried to speak, to tell them something, anything, but all that escaped was a hoarse rasp:

“Copia…”

His name was all that mattered now, the only thing tethering you to the world. You knew no doctor, no medicine could stop what was happening. You felt it deep, in your bones, in your blood.

As the ambulance doors slammed shut and you were pulled into the night, your vision began to fade, blackness closing in. But even in the darkness, one image remained: those hollow, empty eyes from the hospital, staring into your soul. You saw them every time you closed your eyes now, watching. Waiting.

The world slipped away, but inside, something stirred.

And deep down, where the pain had burrowed into the core of you, the truth was clear.

You weren’t coming back from this.

Not as yourself.

#ghost the band #ghost band #the band ghost #band ghost #ghost fanfiction #ghost #ghoulelegy writes #in the breeze of the autumn leaves #nameless ghouls #omega x terzo #cardinal copia #ghost copia #copia #copia emeritus #copia & reader

1 note · View note

wutheringmights · 3 years ago

Note

Okay I got my one (1) note so here are some choice lyrics from each song (under cut because this post is already long enough)

General

Call Them Brothers – Regina Specktor

That's it, it's split - it won't recover Just frame the halves and call them brothers

Come Undone – Vanessa Carlton

There are people in this lifetime That we should never meet 'Cause to be here now without you Well, my life's so incomplete

Dog Years – Maggie Rogers

And if you had a bad week Just let me touch your cheek Oh, and I'll be there waiting When you get frustrated

Don’t Speak – No Doubt

Don't speak, I know what you're thinkin' I don't need your reasons Don't tell me 'cause it hurts

Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Lorde

Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down When they do I'll be right behind you So glad we've almost made it So sad they had to fade it

Hey Brother – Avicii

What if I'm far from home? Oh brother, I will hear you call What if I lose it all? Oh sister, I will help you out

I Know the End – Phoebe Bridgers

A haunted house with a picket fence To float around and ghost my friends No, I'm not afraid to disappear The billboard said "The End Is Near"

A Lot’s Gonna Change – Weyes Blood

A lot's gonna change In your lifetime Try to leave it all behind In your lifetime

No Children – The Mountain Goats

I am drowning There is no sign of land You are coming down with me Hand in unlovable hand And I hope you die I hope we both die

One For Sorrow – Steps Okay this one is just here for the vibes so no choice lyrics

Sign of the Times – Harry Styles

Stop your crying, baby It's a sign of the times We gotta get away

Warriors (The Captain)

Burning Pile – Mother Mother

All my troubles on a burning pile All lit up and I start to smile If I, catch fire then I change my aim Throw my troubles at the pearly gates

Human – Rag’n’Bone Man

'Cause I'm only human after all You're only human after all Don't put the blame on me

Hurt – Johnny Cash

And you could have it all My empire of dirt I will let you down I will make you hurt

It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) – The 1975

And all I do is sit and think about you If I knew what you'd do Collapse my veins, wearing beautiful shoes It's not living, if it's not with you

Run Boy Run – The Woodkid

Tomorrow is another day And you won't have to hide away You'll be a man, boy! But for now it's time to run, it's time to run!

Sick of Losing Soulmates – dodie

Cause I'm sick of losing soulmates So where do we begin? I can finally see you're as fucked up as me So how do we win?

Supercut – Lorde

In my head, I do everything right

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

For some reason I can't explain Once you go there was never, never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world

Time/Mask (The Child)

Brother – Matt Corby

You couldn't help out your own neighbour You couldn't tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame

closure – Taylor Swift

Yes, I got your letter Yes, I'm doing better I know that it's over I don't need your closure

hope ur okay – Olivia Rodrigo

Well, I hope you know how proud I am you were created With the courage to unlearn all of their hatred God, I hope that you're happier today 'Cause I love you, and I hope that you're okay

Thumbs – Lucy Dacus

I would kill him if you let me I would kill him quick and easy Your nails are digging into my knee I don't know how you keep smiling

tolerate it - Taylor Swift

I wait by the door like I'm just a kid Use my best colors for your portrait Lay the table with the fancy shit And watch you tolerate it

Youth – Daughter

And if you're still bleeding, you're the lucky ones 'Cause most of our feelings, they are dead and they are gone We're setting fire to our insides for fun Collecting pictures from a flood that wrecked our home It was a flood that wrecked this And you caused it

Spirit (The Engineer)

Bite the Hand – boygenius

Maybe I'm afraid of you I'll bite the hand that feeds me Bite the hand that feeds me

Cherry Wine – Hozier

The way she shows me I'm hers and she is mine Open hand or closed fist would be fine The blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine.

Foreigner’s God – Hozier

Screaming the name of a foreigner's God The purest expression of grief

Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish

I don't relate to you, no 'Cause I'd never treat me this shitty You made me hate this city

Kyoto (Copycat Killer Version) – Phoebe Bridgers

I'm gonna kill you If you don't beat me to it

Salt in the Wound – boygenius

I'm gnashing my teeth Like a child of Cain If this is a prison, I'm willing to buy my own chain

Oh Yeah There’s A War In This Fic

Buzzcut Season – Lorde

And I'll never go home again (Place the call, feel it start) Favourite friend (And nothing's wrong, when nothing's true) I live in a hologram with you

Candy – The Blasting Company

Soldiers they will come and Soldiers they will go The war may lay the lot of us In rows of granite stone And if I join the cavalry and Perish far from home A life as sweet as Candy I may never live to know Cities they will burn And families will crack The hate that drove us from our homes Will drag the living back Limping from the darkness With our hatred in our tracks A long and lonely shadow That can never be undone

Dark Doo Wop – MR MS

This world is gonna burn, burn burn burn As long as we're going down, Baby you should stick around

I See Fire – Ed Sheran

Oh, misty eye of the mountain below Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke Keep watching over Durin's sons

Kingdom Come – The Civil Wars

Don't you fret, my dear It'll all be over soon I'll be waiting here for you

Mama – My Chemical Romance

Well mother, what the war did to my legs and to my tongue You should've raised a baby girl, I should've been a better son If you could coddle the infection, they can amputate at once You should've been, I could have been a better son

We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn

We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

The MidLink Mixtape

Gone - VERITE

'Cause I'm afraid of losing Everything I'm ruining There's no getting used to The quiet you're leaving Is louder than screaming

Hard Feelings/Loveless – Lorde

Three years, loved you every single day, made me weak It was real for me, yup, real for me Now I'll fake it every single day 'Til I don't need fantasy, 'til I feel you leave But I still remember everything

Like Real People Do – Hozier

I will not ask you where you came from I will not ask you, neither should you Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips We should just kiss like real people do

peace – Taylor Swift

But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm If your cascade ocean wave blues come All these people think love's for show But I would die for you in secret The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

Skinny Love – Bon Iver

And now all your love is wasted And then who the hell was I? And I'm breaking at the breaches And at the end of all your lines

Slipped Away – Avril Lavigne

I didn't get around to kiss you Goodbye on the hand I wish that I could see you again I know that I can't

Work Song – Hozier

When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her

I always really like it when people send you songs that remind them of your fic but can I know what songs you already have on your playlist? 🥺 for personal reasons 🥺🥺🥺

My writing playlist is way too long for me to write out the full list of songs, and if my Spotify account wasn't associated with my full name, I would just link you to it.

Instead, here are some of my top essential songs sorted into arbitrary categories, though a lot of them (especially the character songs) can work for multiple people.

Also, I won’t include other people’s suggestions on this list, but you can find them on the #ctb music tag with my topic lyrics from those songs. Give this post one (1) note and I’ll add my top lyrics for these songs too.

Please note that a lot of this is break-up music, but I interpret them as platonic.