The Roses Within | AWESAMPONK | DISCONTIUED

Chapter 24 -The Red Ball

After some trial and error, I finally found the tunnel to the Eggpire. How did I see it?  The red tendrils I had saw so many times were growing out of  the tunnel, As if it was desperate to escape. I went into the tunnel and hopped over vine over vine, Until I saw a familiar cave. There seemed to be even more vines then last time. I climbed over more vines till I heard chatting. I went closer to the voices and saw a small crowd near the egg. I also saw a Snack table full of... Snacks.

"Ponk! Welcome!" Bad said, putting an arm around me. 

"Oh hey Bad..?" I said, Still looking around. He smiled and let go.

"Take your time. We're going to gather for a feast in 15 minutes!" He pointed to a long table. I nodded and hurried off.

I sat in a distant corner of the party. I felt clammy and a little dizzy. My head felt weird.

Bring me...

Help me...

Free me...

I shook my head. I was feeling slightly dizzy. My insides felt all clammy and crawly. My head snapped up as a I heard a gong go off three times.

"Now, Ladies and Gentlemen! Please sit yourself wherever you would please at the table, It is time for the feast to begin!" Bad called grandly. I slowly stood up and followed the small but chatty crowd to the fasting table. Chefs came out from somewhere and placed the food on the table. Everything looked luxurious and well-made. Everyone was handed a Bowl, Plate and utensils wrapped in a paper towel. Bad sat down on one end while Skeppy sat on the other. 

"You may begin the feast! please take this as a moment to appreciate the Egg, praise it for what it has done, and I hope the egg may live longer!" Bad announced. Everyone nodded and clapped, Including myself.

Then everybody passed things around, Filling their plates with food. I had lost my appetite but I had a strong pang of hunger. Somewhere deep within. 

"Hello Ponk!" Foolish said from across the table. I smiled at him.

"Hey Fool. Why are you here?" I asked. He smiled, But I could see a wave of uncertainty wash over him.

"Oh, Just wanted to check out this.. Red ball business, You know?" He said. I grinned.

"That's what she said." I joked. Foolish laughed. I reached over and grabbed a bowel of chicken and put some in my bowel. I passed the bowel onto Ant, who was joking with Puffy.

Throughout that feast, All I really did was chat, laugh and eat. Although inside, I was growing more anxious. Where was Punz? Where was Sam? 

Eventually though, I began to feel a little sick and excused myself from the table. I got out of public view and leaned against a vine near the wall, feeling nauseous. My stomach gurgled and my mouth filled with saliva. 

I'm gonna puke. I realized. I tugged my mask off and leaned over, a hand bent over my stomach and the other on the wall.

I felt the liquid rush up my throat and exit my mouth quickly. The vomit sizzled into the lava, making the scene odorless. I kneeled by the lava, Panting.

"You okay?" A monotone voice asked behind me. I froze. Who had spotted me? I turned around to see Punz, Leaning on a vine, Hands in pockets, looking bored. I sighed and sat back on the wall next to the lava.

"Im- Well. Not the best?" I said while I wiggled around.

"I feel squeamish and sluggy." I shuddered. It felt as if something was inside of me. Punz rubbed his chin and observed me. After a bit, He shook his head.

"I need to being you out of-" He began.

"Ponk? Ponk! Ponk are you there?" Bad called from somewhere not far enough. I turned to look at Punz, Ready to tell him to run, But he was gone. As if he was just a ghost, and got blown away.

"Ponk! Oh my goodness are you okay?" Bad said, Rounding the corner and rushing over to me. I nodded.

"I realized I hadn't seen you in a while, So I got worried." He explained. 

"Ah- Thank you Bad. So sorry for worrying you- I'm just a bit sick is all." I smiled at him. He still looked worried.

"Ill be fine. I just got a little overwhelmed!"  I motioned for him to leave. 

"Are you sure? Maybe I can escort you home?" Bad tried. I shook my head.

"Really, Thank you. I just need some alone time." A little reluctantly, and finally, Bad left. i rested my head on the wall with a sigh. I sat up to look around for Punz.

"Punz? Are you dead? Gone?" I kept looking around with no sign of him.

"I'm right behind you." He said. I scrambled around as I saw Punz, Drinking a bottle of milk.

"Ohhhh! Oh. You were invisible!" I said, lighting up. He hadn't abandoned me. He hadn't left.

"How did you do that so fast? A splash potion? But you were so quiet!" I trailed off as I thought. He sighed and shook his head.

"Lets get out of here." He said, Carrying me bridal-style and splashing an invisible potion on both of us.  I leaned my head on his chest, My dizziness returning. My world spun around and around in a violent manner, The world distorting, Faces appearing, I clutched my stomach and began to pant. 

"You okay?" Punz asked. I jumped a little at his voice. I looked around to see a familiar massive crater covered with glass.

"O-oh- Yeah I'm fine. Just having a stomachache." I said with a little laugh. I couldn't see his reaction, But it didn't matter. I was feeling sicker and sicker. Eventually though, I realized that I fell asleep by waking up in my real bed, Before my alarm.

I sat up with a groan. I still felt that squiggly, squirmy feeling in my chest. I ignored it and got ready for the day. I checked my egg tattoo, It didn't change. Although was that a small white vein on it? I shook my head and brushed my teeth.

Throughout the school day I was anxiously shaking my leg. Sam was gone again today. My relationship with Bad had gotten better, He even gifted me a red minifridge with the logo "Supreme" on it. I wonder what Sam is doing... 

"Ponk!" George yelled in my face. I nearly fell out of my seat on the bleachers.

"AHH! George! What was that for??!" I shouted. He pointed to the door. I looked up and saw Sam entering the roof, Looking distressed. My eyes widened and I ran to hug him.

"Sammy! Why were you gone?!" I looked up at him as he hugged me back. A few people were tackling each other on the field, But the bleachers were mostly empty.

"I had some business to do. I came as soon as I was done." He said. He picked me up Bridal-style and walked over to the bleachers where my other friends were and sat down next to me.

"Hi Sam! How have you been?" Bad asked cheerfully. Sam just nodded.

As everybody returned to normal chattering, I gently tugged on Sam's sleeve.

"Hey Sammy- What were you doing?" I asked. He looked at me. As i admired his features, His eyes slightly drifted to the left, Out of focus. I put my hand on his.

"Sam?" He shook his head.

When he looked back at me, His face looked carved from stone.

What was he hiding from me?

[I been busy preparing for something big! Stay tuned! Also stay hydrated! Words: 1261]