Predator (DWT x OC)

39 - Part One

The first thing I realise is the sheer amount of people, packed into the open area before the podium, brightly coloured dots with indiscernible features, tittering expectantly as the whole country waits with bated breath.

Niki is clinging onto my hand tightly, fingers locked around mine, so hard they're turning white. Wilbur and Tommy stand on the other side to us, and I send Tommy a reassuring smile, before fixing my vision back to the front, chin lifted, head held high. 

I can't help the trembling terror that snakes up the back of my neck, as Fundy and Schlatt stand behind us, opposite to George and Quackity, who I also refuse to look at. 

Looking back out over the crowd, I spot a few familiar faces, Sapnap's dark hairs and cheery wave, Eret's focused features and dark glasses, Dream's stark white mask. Tubbo and Jack are mixed in there as well, all just as tense as I am. 

I nervously wipe my sweaty palm on the back of my coat, flexing my fingers in and out. The tension hangs in the air, thick and heavy, a smothering presence that seems too subdue the crowd, dampening their usual excitement. 

I swear we almost take in a collective breath as Wilbur struts his way to the podium, with all the confidence of a man who has already won. 

I glance back around, noticing the way Tommy's fingers tremble, even as he tries to keep himself still, the downturned corners of George's mouth, the nervous excitement in the way Quackity bounces on the balls of his feet, the casual easiness in Schlatt's posture, and the hyper focused expression on Fundys face. Wilbur begins to speak, voice echoing with a slight static crackle over the sea of almost silent people. 

"Thank you for coming here today, to watch a historic moment." He pauses, and for a split second I can finally see the uncertainty in his expression, before it vanishes. "The passing over of the presidency, for the first election of L'manburg. I have with me the election results of the three contesting tickets, Quackity and George, Schlatt and Fundy, and Wilbur and Tommy."

Quackity lets out a cheer at the mention of his name, but it dies off almost instantly in the face of immovable silence in response. Wilbur pauses for a moment, turning around to stare at him disapprovingly. He pulls an envelope out of his pocket, stiff cream paper with an official red wax seal. 

I close my eyes as he opens it, replaying a mantra. 

Just don't let Schlatt win. Just don't let Schlatt win. 

My eyes snap back open as he steps back to the microphone. The crowd stands silent and still, the whole world seemingly frozen as it waits for Wilbur's next words. 

I think I forget how to breathe, as the world blinks out of focus, and all I can hear are those words reverberating around in my head. The crowd murmurs, teetering under the strain of the tension. 

The whole time, all I can focus on is the horrifying realisation that Schlatt could win this. That my home, my life could be controlled by him, and the man that tortured and kidnapped me.

Wilbur lets the crowd settle, people bristling and teetering as we close in on the results. He takes in another breath, turning his eyes back on the paper in his hands. 

"Coming in third place, with twenty five percent of the vote, is Schlatt and Fundy." 

Holy fucking shit. 

We did it. 

I turn to Niki, pulling her into a hug, as Sapnap whoops in delight. A man next to Sapnap, blonde hair, a white hoodie and a gold chain, offers me a smile of congratulations. 

"This is Punz, by the way." Sapnap informs me, slapping Punz on the back. I smile back at him, before Wilbur's cough pulls my attention back onto the stage.