The next day at school, Toby wasn't himself. He shuffled beside me through the halls, fidgeting with his backpack straps and keeping his eyes on the floor like it might give him answers. Normally, he'd be chatting about video games, the new taco place down the street, or anything that popped into his head. Today, though, he was dead quiet.
I didn't need to ask why. I already knew what was chewing him up inside. He was the Trollhunter now.
And me? I was still trying to figure out how to keep him alive long enough to handle it.
The problem was, the timeline wasn't going to wait for Toby to be ready. Battles were coming, and soon. If he wasn't prepared, that "boss fight" against Bular would be over before it even started. Even with my help, I wasn't sure he'd make it out.
While I was running through strategies in my head, I glanced back at him—and froze.
The amulet in his hand was glowing.
My stomach dropped. "Oh no… Toby, wait—"
His eyes widened as he realized what was happening. The light was already spreading, crawling up his arm, threatening to cover him in armor right there in the middle of the hall.
I reacted before thinking. "Come on!" I grabbed him by the sleeve and yanked him toward the nearest door. The boys' locker room. We stumbled inside, the door clattering shut behind us.
But just as I forced him through the entrance, something in my peripheral vision caught my attention. Mr. Strickler. Watching us.
Damn it.
He'd seen too much. Earlier than he did in the original timeline. There was no chance of hiding behind the "school play" excuse now, not that it would've worked on him anyway.
Behind me, Toby was tossing the amulet nervously from one hand to the other, panic written all over his face.
"Jim, what's happening? I can't stop it!"
"Hide in the showers," I ordered quickly. "Don't let anyone see you."
He gave a shaky nod and ducked around the corner just as a shadow stretched across the tiled floor.
Nearly bumping into strickler in the entrance of the locker room I plastered on a sheepish smile. "Sorry, wrong turn. I'll get out of your way."
Immediately I headed out passing by him towards my actual classes direction. His gaze seemed to linger on me "Mr. Lake," he said smoothly, his voice carrying that calm, almost too gentle tone teachers used passive agressively.
I puased looking back fully. "Be more careful." Then he turned, walking in the opposite direction.
Hmm, I'm suprised he fell for it so easily. Wait, maybe he thought I was the troll hunter I dont think hes interacted with toby very much at all so he likely doesnt have suspicion of him, that was great for thd both of us as I still wasnt quite sure what to do with that man, he still was a potential ally in the future.
Rounding the corner and pausing for a few minutes I ran back to toby and reentering I saw his effort to take off the armor.
"Jim!"
I huried over, still though I couldnt do much, he was attempting to rip off the armor with his brute strength. "Calm down toby, it reacts to your emotion."
"I can't, I just want this thing off me, im no Trollunter"
Before he continued I put a hand on his shoulder " just hide for now, it'll go away soon but remember, this isnt a curse I promise, its something more and it chose you for a reason, believe in yourself tobes."
He seemed to calm, the amulets glow pasified a bit which he seemingly noticed and I walked off headed to class. Once class ended soon after and the bell rung I opened the door and toby was outside head down no longer in the armor. I gave a nod.
"What up,"
He sighed "Jim I know what you said made sense but I really dont think im cut out for this."
I gave a reassuring smile but before I could speak someone tapped my shoulder from behind. Turning claire waved with a script close to her chest.
"Hey, tryouts today!"
It was clair hold some papers in one arm."Yeah no worries I didnt forget," I replied still in my reassuring tone "you think I could score romeo first try?" I gave her a smirk.
She laugh and rolled her eyes "Sure Romeo, cmon im headed there now wanna walk with me?"
I rubbed my head looking towards toby, he gave a absent wave for me to go but I really didnt want to leave him by himself for now.
"Sure me and toby could come, you dont mind if he watches right."
"No problem at all, the more the merrier."
I smiled and the three of us headed to the audition. Things werent exactly looking up currently but with my mind im sure we can get through this.
———
Author Note-
Kinda short mbmb another chapter today tho :D