Across Time and Worlds

Chapter Seven

I knew the tension in the air was fragile. I was also a little upset that Purple had to be the peace bringer between the two of us, after everything he went through. But, for some reason, I could not control my actions. King, with his cocky attitude, kept rubbing against me in the wrong way, and my first impulse was to sweep the floor with him.

But another thing worried me. King kept finding instances to glare at me even though I was the one bringing up the pack, but to Purple he offered twisted smiles meant to be nice. I could not believe that he was acting kind to Purple, especially since the guy hated him more than I did. King obviously knew the message, because Purple kept ignoring him, and yet he continued. I was not worried that Purple would go back to him, but I was anxious to know if King would force him back. But then again, force him into what?

Why did he favor him? Why did he hate me? Why did fate decide to put all of us together?

I frowned. Actually, why had he been in the Dark Forest at that moment and time? I opened my mouth to ask him, but at the last moment closed it and buried myself deeper in the coat. Most likely my answer would be daggers.

But now that I had started questioning some things, I was thirsty for the answers to everything. Why did Dark want us to find objects in chests around the island to be brought to him? Obviously he could not have come up with everything on the fly. Purple was having migraines from memories about them. Another question: how was he getting these memories? They hurt him like crazy. Was somebody sending them to him? How did King suddenly become a walking map? Why did I suddenly have magical powers that I did not have before?

I exhaled, kicking at a rock in front of me. My mind might have broke as I tried to figure out how it skidded when it should have fallen over.

The sounds around me were normal; wind through leaves, birds, bugs. The occasional sound of someone ahead of me, although they were getting scarce. I just kept my head down and walked, stomping over every branch like killing them would somehow bring me back into my world. I really did hate this place. Nothing made sense anymore.

Even though I tried not to, I kept thinking about my friends. The Gang, we would call ourselves fondly. A bunch of no-good happy campers and goofballs. What were they doing right now? Tearing up the house for Purple and I, no doubt. I just wondered if they would notice that King was also missing, and whether they would blame this on him. When in reality, he had tried to help us, but the pull of the air threw him off balance.

Why did I have to triiiiiip? I thought remorsefully. King and Purple are probably blaming this on me right now.

I have no idea when I finally looked up. It had been hours since Blue's lunch and the sun was receding behind the so-called 'trees.' I did not want to ask King for anything, but a camp for the night would be useful, and my stomach was complaining. My throat was feeling raw from the lack of water.

The air that I had breathed in escaped my open mouth, but no words did. I stared ahead, trying to make sure that what I was seeing truly was. I rubbed my eyes. Shook my head. Nothing I did helped. They had disappeared.

"Guys!"

Running, I kept calling out. "Where are you guys!"

After all the walking, my breath was not in its finest shape, and it quickly got ragged. "Guys!" I wheeze after fifteen minutes of running. They would not have abandoned me. They were probably looking for me right this minute. I just needed to call out and they would hear me.

Right?

-----

Purple walked into the camp, his hands thrust into the coat's pockets. His whole demeanor spelled utter defeat. I did not really care. So, the donut head got lost? At least he will not be tugging my leash anymore. Besides, if he was stupid enough to lose himself in a forest, he would not be much help against Dark and Chosen.

He sat down heavily on a wood log not even glancing up at me or the fire I had going.

"I am sure that he will turn up soon," I said.

Purple only nodded.

I watched him. He seemed really upset about SC. Maybe I should be too, but at the moment, I would only pretend to care for Purple's sake.

Turning my eyes to stare into the fire, I shifted. Thinking back, I really had treated Purple badly. He had trusted me, and I had failed him. I actually was a lot like him; we dreamed of being royalty, we were both tunnel visioned, and able to accomplish a task even if half the world is breaking. He was more like a younger brother than some scum. And I had been too stupid to see it before.

In a way, having to resort to the command block again had opened my eyes. There was no way I was going to get the Minecraft logo again without the Gang pouncing on me and dragging me to their cell, but this they would abide with. But after my failure, it brought me to my senses. Yes, I still take the bitter cup when I think about the Gang, but now I felt an urge to protect Purple.

Why couldn't he have the powers instead? I wondered. Now he has to deal with migraines and questions of sanity.

I sighed.

"What are you thinking of?"

Looking up, I noticed that Purple was also mesmerized by the fire. "Oh, nothing. How about you?" I asked, hoping to divert the conversation away from me.

He watched me. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." I shrugged.

"Why were you in the forest at that time?"

I guess I should have known that one was coming. I did not answer right away as I stared at the flames flickering in the dimming light. "Well, I had a hunch, I guess?"

"What type of hunch?"

The voices of the crickets rose up in a symphony. I did not really know the answer to that one, truth be told. I rubbed the back of my neck. "I am not sure. I just had a feeling that something was going to happen in that forest." But even as I said it, I knew it was wrong. I had known the two figures in the clearing. That definitely did not come out of a random sensation.

Which begged the question, how did I know about this world if I have never lived here? I was better than any map. I felt comfortable in this place, like I belonged. I thought that I had grown up in a 3D lifestyle, but now I am not so sure.

So I shrugged. "It was just a hunch."

Based on his lack of a reply, I knew he was unconvinced. But what was I going to tell him? That I did not know how I knew they would be there, at that time, at that place? Inwardly, I scoffed. Of course I could not. It would shatter my reputation that I knew everything.

Looking at Purple, I knew that I was not the only one without answers to huge questions. 

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Ayy, Chapter Seven is now out of the way. The image I put this time is actually a digital art that I drew. Man, drawing pads are so worth it. I hope to put more of my artwork in here, but I am not sure how many of them I will be making. King is literally my favorite stick figure to draw. :p