#Laszlo only glitched because he was holding onto him

[zipzapzopzoop]

There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

Chapter 25: Fear is a Liar

He was having that stupid dream again.

“I can’t believe I was dumb enough to think you were my friend!”

Why did this keep happening?

“I am your friend!”

The winds began to pick up and thunder rumbled above.

He looked down at his hands, watching in terror as they began to dissolve. That never happened this early! Was his dream changing? Why was it changing? 

“Mom! Help!”

Wilbur turned back to his family and the dark expressions they all gave him. He felt his heart drop. A small part of him knew it wasn’t real, but logic was being ignored in favor of survival.

He lunged towards Grandma Lucille, trying to grab her hand, but she only shook her head in disapproval and walked away. “Please! I’m sorry!”

He tried to grab at Uncle Fritz’s sleeve, but his hand had already dissolved. Panic choked the boy, and he tried to reach towards someone, anyone for help.

They all ignored him and walked away… All except for Franny.

Tears spilled down Wilbur’s face. He looked to his mother one last time. She only watched him with a glare that could freeze hell over.

“Goodbye, Wilbur.”

He took a step back and collapsed to his knees. The clouds spiraled above. 

This was his fault. 

This was all his fault.

Wilbur cried out in anguish, his voice echoing as he was ripped from the fabric of time and space.

“Wilbur!”

Someone had him by the shoulders.

“Wilbur! Wake up!”

Wilbur opened his eyes and screamed out.

“It’s okay! It’s just a dream!”

“Laszlo…?”

His cousin was shaking him.

“It’s just a dream, Wilbur.”

Before Wilbur even knew what was going on, he lunged forward and hugged Laszlo, clinging to his cousin like he was the only thing stopping him from disappearing.

Laszlo understood immediately and held Wilbur close.

“It’s okay. Whatever it was, it’s gone.”

His hands held onto his cousin’s coat, focusing on the texture to distract him. 

“When did you get here?” 

“Late last night. Aunt Franny and I accidentally scared the hell out of each other,” he chuckled. 

“Is that what that was? I just remember she was freaking out about something.” 

“Yeah,” Laszlo chuckled, sheepish. “That something was me. Sorry for causing such a fuss.”

“Dude, you’re fine. We’re all getting our bearings.”

A bit more calm, Wilbur took a deep breath and let go. He yawned and wiped at his face, glancing around the room. The sun had come up, but the day was still very fresh. The pillows and blankets from the family’s makeshift camp were still scattered around, but it was only him and Laszlo in the room.

“Where’s everybody else?”

“Downstairs. You were out cold, so we thought we’d let you sleep a little bit longer. I was just coming up to get my helmet and you were freaking out. What was that about, anyway? Are you okay?”

“Yeah… yeah I’m good. Is someone making bacon?” Wilbur dodged the question. 

“Oh yeah! Past Uncle Bud and Aunt Lucille left for work earlier, so Uncle Art’s making breakfast for everybody! We’re downstairs coming up with a plan!”

“Oh hell yeah!”

Perhaps it was because he jumped up so fast, or because he had only just had a nightmare moments before, but a painful shock of electricity shot through Wilbur, and he very nearly collapsed back down. Laszlo caught him, but like a conducted electric current, it spread to the artist as well. They both glitched, both boys crying out and lighting up a bright blue. There was a half a second Wilbur thought he saw something on his cousin, but it was too quick to tell what. But there was something covering part of his face, and a bright red glow.

As quick as it came, it was gone, and both boys were left clambering to their feet.

“What happened?! What the hell was that?! Wilbur, are you okay?!” Laszlo grabbed at his goggles.

Wilbur took a deep breath and turned to face the artist. There was no hiding this one.

“...I’ll explain at breakfast.”

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