PHOENIX

Chapter Fifteen: Burnt Hopes

Schlatt hadn't let me leave until all the walls were completely gone, which basically took all night. I was finally allowed to leave at two in the morning, but one of Schlatt's men followed me all the way home. No matter how much I tried to get him to leave, he just ignored me and sat outside my house for the rest of the night. It looked like escaping wasn't an option. I barely slept, and woke up with the hopes that he would be gone from my house. I was wrong.

"JUST GO AWAY!" I screamed at him while slamming the door shut.

Why does Schlatt want me so guarded? I'm sure Niki and Tubbo wanted to run away just as badly as I did. What will  today even look like? I can't imagine a day going by in L'Manberg without seeing the smiles of the citizens, the smiles of Wilbur and Tommy. Is Wilbur even alive? He got shot with an arrow!

My head started throbbing as the permanent flame in my chest spread throughout my body, the fever growing at such a fast speed.

Throwing my arm out to a nearby chair, I managed to catch myself just before my legs gave out.

"Woah" I muttered, dropping my head into my hands. I needed to calm down, and to cool down at the same time. My eyes laid sight on a water bucket nearby, and I reached over for it, almost falling over in my chair. Somehow, I managed to get it on the table, even with my shaking arms. I decided I didn't care how I got cool, just as long as I did, I let my entire head fall into the bucket of water.

It worked.

My shoulders sagged in relief as the fever went away, and I pulled my head back out of the bucket. Water was everywhere, but I could care less at this point. If these fevers really were from stress, I needed a therapist, and fast.

After this morning's fever, I wasn't in a good mood. I was in an even worse mood when I was met with Niki, Fundy, and Eret arguing near the flag.

"What's going on?" I asked, keeping my eye on the man that stood at my house all night in the corner of my vision.

"Fundy is a traitor," Niki said sadly, hugging herself with her arms.

"I'm not a traitor! Technically, you're a traitor by being against Schlatt. He's the president now!" Fundy argued back.

I glanced towards Eret, wondering why he was here. He had his own kingdom to deal with, especially now that Schlatt was in power.

Knowing he was against Schlatt gave me more respect for him, but I still wasn't sure if I trusted Eret or not.

"Fundy, are you seriously joining Schlatt's side?" I questioned, taking a step in his direction.

"I'm not joining a side. Schlatt was elected, we can't just throw a fit because we didn't get what we wanted" Fundy shook his head, not meeting my eyes.

"I agree to a certain extent. Do you really believe Schlatt has L'Manberg's best interests at heart?"

His eyes met mine, and for a second, I saw doubt.

"I do. Schlatt knows what he's doing, and I trust him" Fundy decided, the doubt in his eyes disappearing.

"You just agree with him because he gave you an important job" Eret crossed his arms, his frown deepening.

"Job?" I asked, confused.

"I'm the Archbishop " Fundy admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Wow" I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. Fundy really switched sides for that?

"That's not why I-" Fundy started to defend himself, but stopped quickly, looking away with a blush on his cheeks.