LU 212 - Dr. Thornberry 54

I woke up from my sleep to an empty cave. No Agaric, no torment. I was sitting quietly when I heard a crack come from behind me. I quickly turned around to see… Chizzy? What- she was.. alive?

*”Nonono- stay back!”*

She backed behind a piece of the mass and poked her head around to look at me. I was at a shock for words but was able to stammer out a few.

*”Chizzy you- have you been here..? This whole time?”*

*”You- and all the others.. You all ABANDONED ME HERE! That’s what he said…”*

We.. never did anything like that. Mira and I took care of Chizzy and after Space threw her down here- We did everything we could to help her. Did Agaric die to her? As I was about to explain it all, I heard a commotion at the entrance of the cave. Space’s voice. …For real this time?

*”What is all of this Electric?”*

Agaric laughed and closed the wall behind Space as he explained.

*”It’ll all make sense! Let me show you something first!”*

*”Electric, open this wall. Right now.”*

He wasn’t even looking in my direction. I stumbled a few steps forward so he’d be able to see me and stood. There were too many things happening at once.. what if this was a dream too?

*”Oh Space, don’t worry about that and look what I have here!”*

As he turned around, Chizzy ducked behind part of the cave while I met eyes with him.

*”Vice?”*

*”…”*

*”Electric what is going on.”*

Electric explained things to Space in the most casual way I’ve ever heard. He didn’t explain anything *he* had done to me. There was so much more that happened.

*”-And so you can take him! Isn’t that exciting Vice? You’ll be leaving with Space!”*

I stared at Space, analyzing his face, making sure it was really him. The same yellow eyes, the same tired look, this time lit up by some anger in his eyes.

…Anger.. I’ve never seen him look like that before. He always had the same emotionless gaze. But he broke the stare, and instead looked behind me, to where Chizzy had inched out of her hiding space.

*”Chizzy? …I’m taking her with me too.”*

Space gripped his axe and puffed out his chest, standing tall.

*”No. The deal is, you get to take Vice, but Chizzy stays with me.”*

*”And if I kill you?”*

*”Then I kill them.”*

Agaric nodded toward us, huddled against the cave wall. We didn’t have armor, food, weapons, anything. Electric smiled, knowing Space had no other choice. But while they were talking, I quickly turned to Chizzy.

*”Hey, listen to me.”*

I tried limping closer to her but she lightly shoved me back.

*”Get close to me and I’ll deck you!”*

I stepped back and whispered to her.

*”Chizzy listen to me. I’m going to get you out of here.”*

*”You all left me here, and you’re going to do it again.*

*”That’s not the truth. Mira, Syt, me, even Luca! We all tried to help you. Why else do you think I’m stuck here?”*

*”…”*

*”I’m going to escape with Space now, but I promise to come get you okay? As soon as I heal a bit, I’ll get the whole team.”*

She tried to argue with me, but was interrupted by Space and Electric coming to a conclusion.

*”Okay Vice, we’re going to get out of here.”*

*”WHAT ABOUT ME?”*

*”Remember what I said.”*

I tried to stay calm but I didn’t feel right leaving her here. It felt awful.

*”Don’t worry Chizzy I’ll come back.”*

Space flashed a smile, but it was one that I’d seen too often. Insincerity. I should’ve been worried... but I was more important now. He beckoned for me to follow him when I realized I had failed to let him know something.

*”Uhh- Space, I can’t walk.”*

He sighed and picked me up, grunting as if I was heavy. I’ve always been light, probably more now considering how much I haven’t eaten. Bitchy move, but I could barely dwell on it, the swinging of his footsteps lulled me to sleep.