Work Text:
ONE OF US
ONE OF US
ONE OF US
ONE OF US
A chorus that thundered so loudly you could hear it throughout the whole cave. If you took the time to stand still and listen, it was even audible if you stood near the entrance. Luckily for the Survivors the Anti were never really ones to shut up, so the whispers of a thunderous roar were never discovered.
But the world being as it is, the whispers did spread. Slowly but surely, the land started to hear about a group of survivors who hadn’t perished in the purge. Sometimes, if you were lucky enough, you’d stumble upon a figure who dragged you into an ally. He would always be dressed in full black, with a hood covering his head and eyes. In the flickering of an old street light you could see the scar marking his left cheek, the only thing you’d be able to recognise him by.
“There’s a group,” he’d tell you. “A group that never dies, like the Blade himself. A family that’s willing to take in more people that share our beliefs and likes to celebrate each day we are alive. Are you interested?”
From that point, you had two options. Reject the man’s offer, after which he’d shove you against the wall and vanish as fast as he’d appeared, leaving you wondering who he was or where he’d gone. Or, you could accept his offer. The second you say yes, he’d grab you by the hand and drag you along, not giving you a chance to speak or protest as you make your way through streets and alleys, away from the city and out in the fields.
Soon, you’d reach a deep cave entrance, where he’d make you stand still as he went in ahead of you. You’d faintly hear his voice echo through the halls, yelling “get ready, new member incoming!” Before you really knew what was happening, you’re grabbed by the wrist again and dragged into a deep, dark cave. You’re about to scream for help, thinking you are definitely being kidnapped and might not make it out of here, when the whole room lights up.
ONE OF US
ONE OF US
ONE OF US
ONE OF US
You are surrounded by at least 50 people, all cheering for you, stomping the ground and raising their fists high. The mysterious guy takes off his large hood, revealing a young and kind face, smiling right back at you.
“Welcome to Secrettwt,” he announces. Someone playfully shoves your shoulder.
“Welcome to hell. We’re totally not a cult.”
Well, that was a while ago. Luckily, time passes, leaving room for change and progress. The roaring bushfire that had been the war had slowly started to burn out. Battles are still being fought every day, but the majority of the nation was safe and actually able to share their honest thoughts without having an Anti’s hot breath down their neck.
So, what would a group called a “Secret” do when there’s not really any need for them to be a secret anymore? Well, they’re happy, for one. The dark hood Bailey had always worn months ago has been on the coatrack for weeks now, unused. That doesn’t mean he had stopped finding new members to join their family, though. But the nickname “kidnapper” was starting to die down, making room for the “recruiter”.
Every few weeks, he and Jinx would go out and hang posters in the city, telling people there was a fun club they could join. Not a creepy dark cave, but a home for anyone who needed one. Sweet had published their stories, hoping people would read it, would read about the bond they had and encouraging others to do the same. And people did the same. Other stories had been written and published, and the world could finally -safely- know about the Survivor’s existence.
And so time passes.
“I totally didn’t forget about us this time!” Riley burst in the room, arms full of balloons.
“Forgot what?” Bailey asked, leaned back with his feet up on a chair.
“It’s been 7 years!” Sweet joined in, carrying a tray of home-baked cookies. “We may all have completely forgotten last year, but not this year, no sir!”
“How I survived with you fuckers for 7 years is still a mystery to me,” Spade huffed, looking up from their table, where they were working on a new piece of art.
“Well, we are called the survivors,” Lexa responded from the other side of the table, pencil in hand.
“Help me out here!” Jinx yelled, struggling to hang some flags along the walls. Mini was quick to approach, giving the string a quick yank, making the whole thing come down. She ran off with a giggle and a loud shriek from Jinx.
“That wasn’t very nice,” Wit said, albeit with a snort. He did help Jinx with the flags, even though it looked very funny to see a fuming person with brightly coloured flags over her face.
“Guys, it’s picture time!” Jude came running in the room. Everyone’s head shot up. Once a year, they’d all take pictures of themselves and each other, and publish them for the rest of the world to see. Some were nervous, others were excited, but they’d always have each other’s backs and helped to lift each other up. Okay, most of them forgot about each just about every year but it’s fine.
A few hours later, everyone was sitting outside in the field, around a campfire. It was a chilly evening, but the fire gave off a cosy warmth, and some people sat huddled close together, enjoying each other’s presence but mostly their body warmth.
“I like this,” Spade spoke up. “I know I joke a lot about this place being hell, but I really do appreciate you guys.” Mumbles of agreement rose up.
“I don’t think I could’ve chosen a better family,” Clover said, rolling their mug of hot chocolate between their hands. “Thanks for kidnapping me, Bailey.”
Everyone chuckled for a moment, before it went quiet again. The only thing that could be heard was the soft crackling of the fire in front of them and the crickets who were singing their usual night’s chorus. Above them were a billion stars, and at that very moment it was like there had never been a war, there had never been a single fight, a single misstep or a single doubt. It was just them in that moment, and the rest of the world didn’t matter.
They were Secrettwt. They were Bailey, Spade, Chaz, Sweet, Froggie, Lexa, Riley, Mini, Jinx, Shuu, Z, Mal, Fey, Wit, Em, Bee, Bunni, Eyesack, Jace, Caspian, Abi, Xavi, Yaren, Sun, Sword, Juice, Jude, Mochi, Pine, Mellow, Red, Charlie, Clover and Dev.
That was a lot of names but I just wanted to list them all because this really is what Secrettwt is, and it wouldn’t be what it is without every single one of them. Thank you guys so much for 7 months and I really hope we have many more to come.