User blog:Cartoonprincess/Somnium: Chapter 13 Trouble in the Timberland

''' NOTE : New Characters, Romance and Bears! OH MY! :O'''

C hapter 13: Trouble in the Timberland 



           Up the hill they hiked. A small cabin could be seen above. Though it was dark, one could barely make out the sign on the door that said Information Desk. Placed to the side was a neon red sign that said Open.

           Tash, who was leading the group, took the liberty of barging into the establishment. Bells jangled from the ceiling as the door opened. Waiting at the front desk was a young, teenaged girl with a long, dirty blonde braid flowing down her back.

           Suavely, Tash went up to the counter and approached the adolescent.

           “Excuse me, Miss, could we possibly spend the night here…?” he shyly requested.

 “This ain’t a hotel!” the fledgling replied as she put her hand on her hip and shot daggers at the incoming crowd.

<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Slightly furrowing his brow at her unanticipated sass, Tash continued to reason with her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, we’ve been driving for hours; do you know of any other place we could stay…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The lass smirked, “Have you seen where you are!? You’re currently in the middle of a state forest! There aren’t any warm, snuggly beds for many miles around...”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All of a sudden, Tash’s face dropped, letting his internal concern come to the surface. His eyes widened as he slowly backed away.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Step aside guys, I got this…” Isabel said smugly as she cut the line and gently pushed and shoved her cohorts on her way to the bureau.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She chuckled lightly and confidently, “Excuse me, um, there must have been some mistake, this is my mind…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At that, the girl narrowed her sapphire green eyes, “…How did you get here…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel then smiled glossily, “Oh, well, you see, I was in bed and I started breathing deeply and—”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I didn’t ask for your life story!” the lassie retorted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well!” Isabel crossed her arms in annoyance.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">SunriseDaisy, who was standing beside Isabel, came forward with a question.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who are you, anyway…?” she asked in misgiving.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, I don’t remember creating you…” Isabel affirmed as she grimaced and rested her elbows on the counter.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The girl casually unbuttoned her red plaid flannel shirt as she spoke revealing a black tank top.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m one of your prototype characters…” she explained quietly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel put her hand on her hip in confusion, “But I’m here; shouldn’t you be dead?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nah, I’m one of those characters that have yet to be created…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, you do remind me a lot of Sydney…except, you know, you don’t have a name, yet…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The girl sternly lifted her eyebrow at Isabel.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You sort of look like a Kathy to me…” Isabel continued.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Get out,” the girl muttered sinisterly under her breath.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Can’t we at least get some trail mix before we leave?” TheLyricalLeaf asked hungrily as he tried to grab some small goodie bags that were hanging from the side.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“NO! GET OUT! NOW!” the girl screamed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With that, the wiki cluster exited the cabin and let the door slam behind them.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Boy, we sure got some information out of that desk…” Alica sarcastically pointed out.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Icey, why is every character you create a bitch?” PurpleJerk curiously asked Isabel.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I have no idea…” Isabel replied somberly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Um…guys…?” SunriseDaisy tried to avert their attention. “Where’s our car…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I thought I parked it right over…” Tash pointed to a specific spot at the bottom of the hill but it was not there.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly alarmed, everyone frantically looked around for the missing vehicle. They voyaged downward over the hill.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After a few desperate moments of searching, they all miserably came to terms with the fact that their only form of transportation was indeed, gone.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What do you think happened to it…?” a user named EpicnezzEmily asked breathlessly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who cares!? The point is it’s not here, anymore.” Alica said in a cross tone.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, what now…?” Chiz asked fearfully.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Looks like we’ll need to set up a camp in the woods…” Mak reasoned.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We should probably split up into groups,” Tash recommended.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I call being in Tash’s group!” AllYouNeedIsSeddie declared adamantly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hell, yeah!” a user named Neveischeese said. “We need to reunite Lovely Stabbing!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lovely Stabbing, a once secret wiki created by Slappy and Lucy, generated a lot of pride and enthusiasm in its short-lived run and quickly became something of a phenomenon. Though this wiki consisted of many well-known users, including Samlovesham and Isabel, there was a select passionate few that would go on its chat every night and have engaging talks and play various games.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That being said, Fudge, Laters, Cc, Lucy, Neve and AYNIS followed eagerly behind Tash, forming their reunion group, though Slappy was absent.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Spreading out in contrary directions were the other formed groups. Among them were Tara, Pop, xx, AJ, Churchpants and Samlovesham; Marc, McFan, Rosalie and Maryan; Reason, Candy, Alica, Becky, Ar0n and SunriseDaisy; ILoveSeddie1234321, TheLyricalLeaf, PurpleJerk, Yoshi, Seddia, SJF, EpicnezzEmily, Chiz and a user named PurpleCandyCane; and finally Jon and SFG. The rest of the users sporadically went off on their own ways.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Trudging far out in the distance were Slappy and Isabel. Wanting to catch up with the rest of her friends, Isabel began to walk faster.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, now; don’t go so fast. You’re in my group.” Slappy said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel inquisitively lifted her eyebrow, “Just the two of us…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, it’s the perfect system; you protect me, I protect you!” Slappy explained.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, perfect…” Isabel grumbled.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Lovely Stabbing clan started out looking at fresh paw prints on the ground.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Aw, Tash! Look at these small ones!” Cc pointed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Probably belong to those tame forest animals…” Tash inferred.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the background, McFan could be seen petting the deer and the rabbits.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“MCFAN, STOP PETTING THE DEER AND THE RABBITS!” Lucy scolded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, Tash, check this out!” Cc brought attention to a bunch of larger tracks that led to a pile of fur and bones.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hmm, wonder what creature did that…” Tash pondered.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And look!” Cc continued. “This tree trunk has more of this brownish fur attached to it…and these claw marks!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Laters grinned deviously, “Do you think it could be a bear!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Could be,” Tash said as he thoughtfully stroked his chin.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oooh! I like bears! Maybe we could find one and keep it for a pet!” Neve animatedly suggested.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Tash chuckled affectionately, “Maybe…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile, Marc, Maryan and Rosalie were walking around the many trees, with McFan trailing cheerily behind putting shrubs and dead leaves in her hair.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Marc was instinctively placing several brightly-colored rocks wherever he knew he had been.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Rosalie stopped and stared at him for a moment, “You’re marking our trail so we’ll know our way back, aren’t you…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Marc grinned, “Yep,”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“…I-I must say, that’s very resourceful of you…” Rosalie reluctantly choked out.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks!” Marc smiled warmly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Which direction are we going in…?” Maryan asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“North!” Marc and Rosalie said simultaneously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You can tell because of…” Marc began.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“…because of the moss growing on the north side of the trees…” Rosalie finished.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Maryan glanced over at both of them with a wry smile, “Wow, you both seem to know a lot about nature…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">They both chuckled uneasily and looked briefly at each other as their cheeks turned slightly red.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, god…” Maryan mumbled quietly as they started walking again.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A couple miles away, Jon and SFG were strolling together at a perky pace. SFG skipped merrily beside Jon who was walking normally.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I love skipping, yes I do! I love skipping, how about you!?” SFG chanted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I like skipping,” Jon responded honestly but half-heartedly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oooh! Raccoons!” SFG screeched as she ran over to them. “Come here, cute, little raccoons!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She abruptly scared them all away with her incessant giggling.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Man, I love being lost in the woods!” she remarked happily.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Just a few trees over, Alica, Ar0n, Becky, Reason, Candy and SunriseDaisy were standing around, visualizing where they were.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, guys, do you see anything in particular that we could use as a landmark in case we lose our way?” Candy asked in a serious, determined tone.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“This tree has an abnormally large trunk…” Becky pointed out.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” Candy commended.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Reason sported a huge, boyish grin on his face as he eyed up and down the tree.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Becky narrowed her eyes in suspicion, “What are you so jolly about…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Still smirking, Reason looked over at Becky almost lovingly, “Nothing. This tree just reminded me of one in my backyard that I always used to climb…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Becky couldn’t help but giggle, “You!? Climb a tree!? You’re way too awkward and clumsy for that!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Reason’s smile turned slightly stern as he attempted to show his British comrade what he was made of.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In a surprisingly skillful manner, he made his way up the many branches, showing monkey-like stealth and agility. Becky’s mouth dropped in shock and subtle attraction.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, he made it to the top branches.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’M KING OF THE WORLD!!!” he proclaimed as he dangled from the peak.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly, the branch he was hanging from broke and he went tumbling down, making loud, grunt noises with every hit and thump he took on the way to the ground.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“REEZ!” Becky panicked and shuffled through the fallen leaves.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pained groans could be heard coming from underneath. Becky got down to his level and briskly hugged him in relief.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ar0n and Alica didn’t even notice all the commotion. They were too distracted by one another to care.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Alica felt as if her every move was being carefully observed by the quiet, blue-eyed, Hungarian boy; a shy look here, a quick glace there.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With every falling leaf, with every cricket’s chirp, with every lightning bug’s brief, fiery glow, Alica could feel herself gravitating closer and closer towards him. Her heart pulsating with every step she took.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At last, they were face to face; looking deeply into each other’s eyes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The large, yellow moon always seemed to be full in this strange place. It shined luminously and reflected off the shadow of their faces.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Um…guys!?” Candy brought the two lost users back down to earth.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Huh?” Alica droned.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What?” Ar0n drowsily added.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All Candy could do was glare at them. When she looked over her other shoulder, she caught Becky and Reason laughing and jumping into leaf piles beneath the tree.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ugh, I clearly picked the wrong group…” Candy stated as she put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“At least you still have me!” SunriseDaisy reminded her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“True,” Candy nodded and pointed admittedly. “Come on guys, let’s keep moving…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Going in a similar direction were Churchpants, xx, AJ, Tara, Pop and Samlovesham.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Isn’t this place cool, Juicy!?” Churchpants asked enthusiastically.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All of a sudden, an owl was heard hooting from behind them in a tree trunk. Samlovesham anxiously turned around and spotted its glowing, oval-shaped eyes. In an instant, it flew away.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know,” she answered in a shaken tone. “This forest kind of gives me the creeps; I keep seeing things and hearing noises…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Churchpants chuckled, “You do that, everyday!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Freaky things; eerie noises!” SLH clarified.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You know, it’s odd that we didn’t think to get a map, or a compass, or really anything useful while we were at the information desk…” Pop noted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, we were rudely kicked out before we could buy anything remember…?” xx said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, right…” Pop remembered.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Gradually catching up to the others, Slappy and Isabel were slowly but surely making their way through the forest.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“…So, then, my sister and I played a prank on my brother and we pretended our parents had died. We used fake blood and everything! It was pretty legit. My stupid brother totally fell for it…” Slappy proudly described.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Uh-huh, that’s nice…” Isabel politely responded as she looked down at her feet.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Noticing that she seemed unengaged, Slappy hurriedly ran behind the tree with the abnormally wide trunk and hid there until Isabel eventually made it.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“BOO!” he yelled as he jumped from behind.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Taken aback, Isabel was slightly startled and let out a small yelp.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Slappy then began laughing hysterically in spite of himself.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Unamused, Isabel scowled and put her hands on her hips, “Slappy, that wasn’t funny!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I found it hilarious!” Slappy hollered while gasping for breath.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Of course you would…” Isabel glowered.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the meantime, SFG was still skipping and chanting and Jon was still walking pleasantly beside her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I need to take a pit stop,” Jon informed her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, okay. Take all the time you need!” SFG smiled calmly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With that, Jon settled behind a tree to do his business.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Already getting bored of waiting, SFG decided to take a look around and go a bit farther. She didn’t have to go a very long distance before she sighted a massive cave.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oooh!” SFG’s eyes twinkled in fascination as she rushed inside. “I love caves, yes I do! I love caves, how about you!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Then, out of nowhere, she heard an unusual growl. Hesitantly, she continued to sing and went deeper into the cave.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I like caves…yes I do…I like caves…h-how about….”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All of a sudden, she heard the growling noise, again. SFG could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stick up as she gulped nervously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“ <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;">You, <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">” she squeaked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The darkness of the cave could not hide the gargantuan, menacing figure and the black, beady eyes staring back at her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Scared out of her wits, SFG screamed and ran out as fast as she could as the paltry growls turned into threatening roars.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On the other side of the forest, Tash and Lucy were collecting firewood. They were both dead silent. All that could be heard were the chilling sounds of nature in the background.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After a while, Tash grew tired of carrying such heavy loads at a time.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He awkwardly cleared his throat and confronted his colleague, “Uh, Lucy, could you carry these logs to that tree with the abnormally wide trunk over there…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Without a word, Lucy sneered at him and tensely grabbed the logs from him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Stunned at her attitude, Tash frowned disapprovingly as he watched her angrily drop the wood in its place.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With her arms crossed, she strutted over back towards him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Anything else you need!?” Lucy asked mockingly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Tash replied miserably.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lucy hung her head low in a depressed fashion; her hair falling in front of her face.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I need something…” she said quietly. “Actually, I need someone; someone I can talk to, someone I can share my experiences with, someone who cares and understands how I feel…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, how do you feel…?” Tash asked in concern.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lucy was beginning to get agitated, “Well, obviously not the same way you do!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How could you know that…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I can tell by the way you look at me! I thought that you were that ‘someone’, but apparently, I was wrong…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Lucy, how could you say that!? We’re best friends; you can come to me for anything…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Devastated, she tried to hide her tears, “Ugh, you see!? You’re still so clueless!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On that note, she ran off; leaving Tash feeling confused and unhappy.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“OOOOH! I’M THE SHRUB MONSTER!!!” McFan bellowed as she popped out of nowhere with shrubs in her hair.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the intervening time, Isabel was beginning to get exhausted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We’re in the middle of nowhere!” she whined.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I know,” Slappy said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ugh, all of this is your fault!” she complained.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Slightly offended, Slappy stopped in his tracks and narrowed his eyes, “Oh, really?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We just had to go on a road trip! I mean, where were we going to go!? We had it made where we were before—I miss my hot tub!” Isabel moaned.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Slappy slumped and lowered his shoulders as he stared at her in disbelief, “You really think I’m going to stand here and let you blame me for all of this!? I only wanted to talk to you about some things…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What things!?” Isabel demanded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Important things!” Slappy yelled.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Just then, SFG came running between them.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“BEAR! BEAR! BEAAAAAR!” she screamed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At that, Slappy and Isabel glanced at each other and then at the innocent, flabbergasted girl squealing in front of them.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Bear…?” Slappy mouthed silently.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As if on cue, when they both turned around, a large, brown bear was breathing heavily in front of them, showing its long intimidating teeth.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For a few seconds, all they could do was blink and stare blankly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The bear snuffed its big, wet nose and slowly passed its claws across the dirt.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That was all it took for them to start running for their lives.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Without realizing it, they ended up in the cave. Before they knew it, they were cornered and there was no way out.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the spur of the moment, they both grabbed ahold of each other and let out a blood-curdling scream.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“S-so this is how it’s going to go down…” Isabel said as she trembled.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Toon…if this is the end, there’s something you need to know…” he took her hands.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Strangely enough, the growling stopped.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel anxiously looked around, “Wh-where did the bear go..? Weren’t we about to get eaten alive!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Slappy glimpsed to both sides, “Hmm…I don’t know… Anyway…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">His hands were still in hers and Slappy smiled at her in delight.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel’s eyes looked into his and she flashed a remorseful look at him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Guiltily, she let go of his hand and ran off. Even though part of her wanted to stay in his arms, another more overwhelming part of her knew it would never work out; they were just too different.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After running as fast as her legs could carry her, Isabel eventually got tuckered out and began to slow down.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was then and there that the familiar, unforgiving wind blew the leaves all around her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, no…” Isabel scowled and crossed her arms as she recognized the prospect.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Once again, the wind manifested itself into a female figure.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hello,” she said with an evil smile.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ugh, what do you want, Vulnerare…?” Isabel asked in aggravation.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, nothing…I’ve actually been busy wreaking havoc on your friends’ emotions and being a bear…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For a moment, Isabel was at a loss of words, “…You’ve been messing with my wiki buddies….and you were the bear!? What kind of sick monster are you!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Vulnerare chuckled, “I’m not the monster…you’re the one who keeps giving your poor friend a hard time and left him stranded…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel fell silent.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’s the matter, sweetheart? Are you scared to be in a relationship…?” Vulnerare tittered.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“STOP TALKING!” Isabel demanded in distress. “…You don’t know anything about me…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, don’t I…?” Vulnerare protested. “Then, why did you do it? Why did you guys break up?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “I wasn’t ready; I was in way over my head…I didn’t know what I was getting myself into…it was going too fast and it was scary, so I was always freaked out and easily stressed and I took it out on him…” Isabel agonizingly stuttered out.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Without any warning or indication, Vulnerare was gone.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Too possessed with insomnia to question, Isabel urgently searched for the rest of the users.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When she finally reached them, she saw Yoshi and the rest of his group piling sticks and twigs in the middle of the forest. Everyone’s clothes looked tattered and muddy.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What are you guys doing?” she asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We’re trying to rebuild the car out of anything we can find on the ground!” Yoshi elucidated.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ow! I keep getting splinters!” Seddia wailed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel hoplessly sat on the ground, “We’re going to die out here…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">McFan was seen violently rubbing two sticks together, “Okay guys, I’m going to make a fire….any minute now….any second now…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“McFan, we already made a fire,” Marc reminded her as he pointed to the yellow, bursting flame.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, gross! What did I just pick up!?” Yoshi exclaimed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, I think I may have gone to the bathroom back there…” Jon recalled.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“…Could this night get any worse…?” Isabel whimpered.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In an instant, thunder began to rumble as dark clouds formed above them. As it started to drizzle, Isabel laid helplessly on the ground. The rest of the users followed her example.

NOTE: New Characters, Romance and Bears! OH MY! :O