Glitched

~Chapter Eight~

"Are you going to tell me where we're going, or do I have to keep feeling like this is my third kidnapping of the day?"

"Nope!" Colt smiled and kept trotting along in front of me happily, swinging his arms every which way. "Kidnapping it is, indeed! Though, unlike the other two kidnappings you mentioned, this one is, in fact, consensual, so feel to tell me off at any one point in time!"

"Noted..." I took a deep breath and sighed, looking at the world around me as we walked down the hill. The grass here was so green, the sky so blue, the clouds blindingly white. The ground beneath me felt too realistic for it all to be just a video game. The touch of the cool breeze on my face was too life-like to be a simple simulation. I still felt like I was having an existential crisis - like I had died and gone to hell. That was exactly what this felt like. Oh gosh, what if...!

"Calm down, Hannah," Cassi said softly, seemingly noticing me starting to panic once again. "Everything will be fine."

She put a hand on my shoulder, and I fell backward, crying out as I shoved her away. "Don't touch me, you psychopath!" I screamed as I felt adrenaline course through me. I blacked out, and the next thing I knew, I was lying on the ground with Cassi lying beside me. "I... I'm so-"

"Don't apologize." Cassi interrupted, her voice as calm and, well, monotonous as before. Her face was unfazed, like my episode didn't bother her at all, Colt as well. Colt pulled her up to her feet, and she then turned to me, reaching out her hand. "I understand completely why you did that. I should've known better to touch you like that. I mean, you should be scared of me."

"Cassi, I..." I sighed and took her hand, making her eyes light up. She assisted me in standing up and brushed the dirt off my clothes. "I know the other half of you is out to get me, but this you has been nothing but nice to me. And I am so very grateful to you. I shouldn't have done that."

Cassi smiled and sniffled, taking a breath before turning to Colt. "Well, get on with it. Let's keep moving."

"Gladly! Come along, ladies. More exercise!" Colt chuckled and continued walking.

The hill flattened out, and he soon turned right, leading us directly into the forest of hickory trees. "Colt, Morgan always finds us there."

"Morgan always finds us no matter where we go, Cass. This, however, is the farthest from her theatre, so, therefore, it will take her the longest to reach."

"Unless she comes herself with her superspeed, which means she'll be here quite literally any second now."

"Okay, you know I love Morgan and everything, but she's never been that smart. She'll keep doing things the way she always has."

"If you insist." Cassi sighed and looked around, dragging her fingers along some of the trees as we passed by. Like she remembered something, something important to her. I almost caught her smiling before she turned away. "Do you want me to take her ahead?"

"Awe, but then I'll be all alone and sad." Colt faked a pout and chuckled as Cassi put a hand on her hip. "I'm kidding! Go! I'll be there in a few minutes, and Riley should be getting close if he's not already there."

"I know, I know." Cassi rolled her eyes and looked at me, turning around and bending down like before. "I hope it's not as scary this time, but I don't really know how to make it better for you."

"Think happy thoughts!" Colt piped in. "Unicorns and rainbows, or whatever you females find exciting." He gasped and smirked. "How about your favorite childhood boy band getting back together!"

I chuckled quietly and slowly climbed onto Cassi's back. I had to admit, Colt was actually lightening the mood. His joking demeanor was annoying at times, but it was helping my mentality for the most part. For a split second, I forgot about Morgan. For a split second, I forgot that I was being hunted.