Help from the OtherSide

6: Team spirit

"But  how?" Liam asked as we went back in for the last time, to collect essentials we may need for this excursion. "That means our interpretation of the dots were incorrect, because we did it without the so called sixth person." 

"That's not possible I spent hours deciphering the map. I have thought of every combination and it all came back to persons to dot  relation." Yumiko stated defiantly .

"I dunno about you guys, but I'm ready to leave." Grant placed his foot between the door, worrying as if it would close again. 

"Or . . . maybe the person is already here. Maybe  he or she has passed out in one of the new rooms like Deccan did." Amelia glanced at me suggestively.

And I woke up by myself didn't I?

"You're really pushing your luck now." Grant groaned leaning against the door frame. 

"So what-- We just leave this person here and hope they catch up to us?
Do you know how incredibly mean that would be? Imagine if we left before Deccan woke up, poor guy would have been traumatized! " Amelia glared at him.

"You wouldn't have left the place anyway. You needed me to open the door." I crouched down to tie my shoe lace.

Yumiko and Liam covered their mouths and snorted.

I know her intentions were right. Just try not using me as an example.

"You know what I mean!" Amelia scolded.

I brushed the dirt off my knees and stood up. "Alright. If it really bothers y'all so much; I'll go and take a quick look."  

These people have the ability to stand here and argue the whole day without moving a muscle. 

"Wait! I'll come with you." Yumiko hurried after me. 

"No worries. I'll be back soon." 

Last thing we need is another person getting lost in this maze of a house.

"Oh. okay, come back soon." Yumiko nodded trying to hide her disappointment.

Was she really looking forward to searching unconscious bodies?  Since when did that become a fun task?

After ten minutes of pointless searching, I descended the stairs.

"Did you find anyone?" Amelia leapt from her seat and rushed to me. Yumiko followed closely.

"Not a single soul."

"We might need to review our analysis of the dots and maps and everything." Liam sighed and spread out the map on the table. Four of us gathered around and began pondering.

"Where's Grant?" I scanned the living room.

"Out there chasing bunnies." Liam pointed towards the door without lifting his gaze off the map. I followed his direction and got a view of the situation outside.

And he was right. Grant was indeed cradling a bunny near his chest.

"Hehe  atleast one us is having fun." I found the sight slightly amusing.

Wait. 

Seeing Grant cradle the animal, reminded me of my own responsibility.

I whipped my head to the sofa in the living room. I sprinted and flipped the pillows away, gently lifting a dim- lit Glowy. 

As soon as I brought him near my chest, some of his usual luminescence returned.

Aww did you miss me?

"What is that?" 

I flinched seeing the crowd behind me. Including Grant and his bunny.

So much for a father-son moment.

"So there's someone I'd like you to meet . . ." I gulped hard.

<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

"I can't believe you hid it from us! " Amelia scoffed in disbelief.

Of course I can. I just met you today. 

But I will not tell this to her.

All of them sat around me gawking at Glowy. 

"You're telling me that an old lady gave this to you during your trip?" Liam rubbed his chin and peered into the sphere.  "And you never found it suspicious because. . ?"

"Oh I did. Believe me I did. But then I got attacked by a pair of powerful socks, instantly putting me to sleep."

"What socks . . ?" They glanced at one another and back to me like I was insane.

"Basically what I'm trying to convey is, this thing  is the reason I'm here." I admitted.

"No, no it makes perfect sense actually. He's the only one who didn't have a horrible day before ending up here." Liam reasons with everyone.

 Yumiko nodded slowly processing everything. 

"Yeah while we were having mental breakdowns, this man was having the time of his life exploring an island." Grant snorted.

" My bad. I'll definitely avoid the concept of happiness next time I go somewhere." I smiled satirically.

Everyone started bickering about what we should be doing with Glowy.

"Guys I think we should--" I was interrupted by Amelia slamming her hand on the table to prove her point.

"Alright listen . . ." 

Liam raised his voice over Amelia's.

"HE'S COMING WITH US AND I WILL CARRY HIM MYSELF!" I yelled.

 Everyone appeared taken aback by my sudden outburst.

"I think we should let Deccan decide this one." Yumiko said calmly looking at them.

"Now if everything is settled, we need to get moving." Grant stood up with the bunny and headed outside.

"Bud' you're gonna have to let it go." Liam called out as the rest of us chuckled to ourselves.

<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

Grant slammed the door behind us, "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."

Glowy rested peacefully in my bag, which I found with some other essentials while scavenging the house.

 Yumiko held a bag of eatables she had saved from her first day here. Liam was adjusting the Map in his bag and Amelia handed out all-weather jackets. 

Grant placed some knives in the straps of his jacket.

"Are we ready Team?" He bellowed.

"Aye Aye!" 

"Yeah!"

"Does our team have a name?" I asked.

"No."

"Okay. Let's do it!" I cheered making up for the team spirit.