LU 114 - Dr. Thornberry 29

As Space insisted, he visited me again today with some food and thick water!! Wonderful gift, I was delighted. While we spoke, Frezz came. Space seemed...angry.. and Frezz seemed furious. They spat at each other, saying horrendous things as I sit watching. After a while of their angry little banter, we went on a walk. Frezz took us to another warden he had. There he told me that he would let me go. I was free if I wanted. But I didn't want that. I wanted to stay. While I was trying to get Space to understand where I was coming from, Frezz disappeared behind a wall. I ran up to it, Space on my heels and yelled for Frezz to come out. This was just even more incentive for Space to blah-blah to me about how Frezz is untrustworthy.

*"Why do you want to stay with him so bad?"*

Fuck. I gave him a light detailing on what happened the other day, excluding *some* things.

*"Vice. Vice you're gay for Frezz?"*

I quickly turned around and tried to walk out until Frezz came back through the wall. I ran up to him to try to ask what happened until I saw another one come up behind him. Run. And I did just that. I quickly said goodbye to Space, with a deal that he'd come back in 7 days to ask me if I wanted to stay with Frezz or not.

*"Vice, it's gone."*

I turned around and ran back to Frezz.

*"What's happening, I'm scared- what do we do?"*

*"It's not safe here anymore Vice, come with me."*

So I followed him. We ran up to the surface until we reached his arena. But low and behold, Space *and* Shroom were there. Augh. I tried to hide behind Frezz but it was too late, they'd found us. We had a conversation about some big talking flower when Rellics joined us. Space tried to convince me not to go, but once again, I disagreed and ran after the others.

Now.. flower was an understatement. This thing was GIANT. I jumped in with Frezz and Rellics while Space and Shroom argued outside. We got to the very bottom, which was just an island with a pool around it. In the middle of the island there was a table. While I was observing my surroundings, Frezz disappeared and this weird being appeared. She said her name was Morphious. I was rightfully panicked, and ran around the island for a while crying to myself. Frezz finally came back and I was able to get some words out of him. Space was right. The tree was hungry. After some more panic, we got back to the surface.

Space did some more talking, while I apologized to Shroom for everything I had done to Echo. At this point, I just wanted to say it, they don't have to believe me. I needed to wait for Frezz to get back up here, and quite frankly, I didn't want to listen to Space anymore.

*"See you in 7 days Thornberry."*

*"See you Space, thank you."*

*"No problem, that's what friends are for."*

*"Wait, what the fuck?"*

The group stared at the petals of the flower as it started to glow.

*"SHROOM. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?"*

*"The guy who was in there... he died."*

I choked on my on saliva. Died? Frezz... died?

The ground started to rumble under our feet and the void started to arise in the air. Shit. I was so shocked I could barely move, but Space pushed me into running and we all took off as fast as we could. The void was fast, but fortunately, we all made it to Spawn without a scratch. Except Frezz. I told Space I was going to go find him, to prove to myself and everyone that he... didn't die. He made me promise to come back in 24 hours if I couldn't find him. I agreed, but honestly, I'll stay out for as long as needed to find Frezz. I can't continue without him.

I reached the flower. He has to be here right? I mean.. even if he *did* die, he still has two lives! He should wake up right here. I looked around frantically until Morphious appeared in front of me.

*"Why are you back here?"*

*"I'm sorry Mrs. Morphious, I don't mean to bother you but I just wanted to ask... is Frezz really dead?"*

*"Presumed dead yes. It seems the void got to him."*

I stared at the invisible being as tears welled up in my eyes.

*"He seemed to have wanted to protect you."*

I knew it. So he *did* want to help me. I blinked out a tear.

*"Dead like- dead, dead? Like gone?"*

*"Gone."*

I started sobbing. No way. No. No this can't be happening right? As I cried, I heard footsteps. I looked up and wiped my eyes to see Shroom and Space. Did they follow me? I heard Space say something to Shroom about waiting there and not killing me while he has a word. What?

*"Vice."*

*"Space... he's gone. Frezz is really gone."*

He invited me to his place to stay. I was about to agree until Morphious cut our talk short.

*"I'm getting tired of you mortals. I'm giving you 5 seconds to run."*

If Frezz died, I might as well do the same right? I'll just stay. Even Space's yells sound distant now.

*"5. 4."*

*"Wait, Morphious I'm really sorry but I have one last question. Without thinking of your hunger, what would've Frezz wanted me to do?"*

*"...Leave."*

And so I ran. With Echo on our tail, I ran as fast as I could with Space for the second time today. Until we stopped. Space had a plan. After a minute, he comes back.

*"Run Thornberry."*

*"What? Are you going to be alright?"*

*"No questions. Just go- meet me at the mayors office."*

*"Fine. But if you're not there in an hour I'm coming back."*

I ran back to Spawn and met Space in the office.

*"You can always talk to me about Frezz, about today, about anything. I'm here for you"*

*"Thank you Space."*

I trust him. I really do but... I'm determined to find Frezz. Just a quick nights rest and I'm leaving again.