Exasperation

12 | Departure

As he was sprinting towards the castle he stopped in his tracks. He spotted a small air balloon near the kingdom. He turned towards the building he was trapped in and turned back. He sighed as he began running towards the castle once more.

Meanwhile, Madeleine was sitting in a dusty bed, he sat in the bed in disgust as he turned towards Dark Choco. "Uhm, do we really have to sleep here?" Madeleine asked. Dark Choco turned before letting out a scoff, "Yes." "Oh... Okay." As he began to get tucked in he jolted backwards as a spider leaped at him. He let out a scream before backing up into Dark Choco's bed. "What? What's the problem now?" Licorice walked towards Madeleines bed in annoyance before leaping backwards as well. "Shoo!" Licorice waved his hand at the spider as it began to crawl towards a wall. Madeleine creeped back towards the bed before just lying on the floor and sleeping on his cape. Madeleine laid in silence as his tears began to stream down his cheeks. He couldn't take it. Why did he say yes? He quietly wept himself to sleep.

Espresso was still running towards the kingdom, he ran until a cookie had stopped him. "Hey! Who's there?!" An arrow was fired at Espresso as he swiftly moved out the way. He turned to see Beet Cookie. "Oh, it's you. What is a cookie like you doing in the forest?" She mumbled. "I don't have time to talk, I must keep moving." Espresso cookie ran off, Beet Cookie, offended, rolled her eyes and began setting up her tent. Espresso ran to the only person who could help, Taiyaki. Taiyaki was an excellent archer, he was precise and skillful. He ran towards Gingerbrave. "Hey Espresso cookie! You seem you're in a rush, something on your mind?" Gingerbrave asked. "Yes, very. Do you have somewhere where we can speak privately?" "Oh, this must be important! Of course, follow my lead!" Gingerbrave sprinted towards his house letting Espresso in and locking the door. "What's got you in such a rush?" "Madeleine got abducted by the Cookies of Darkness. They got him to join their side, and I know someone who can solve this but I don't know where I can find them..." "Oh- Jeez! That's one heck of a story! Do you need any help? I can he-" "No, no. I wouldn't want to worry you. This cookie and I will do just fine." "Who's the cookie?" "Taiyaki. I need to find them. Please, help me out on just this." "Oh, Taiyaki? Sorry to inform you such tragic news but, he left." Gingerbrave sighed. "He... what?" "He left the kingdom about yesterday. He seemed... in a hurry." "Oh." "Are you sure you don't need help?" "I am sure. Everything is under control, thank you." Espresso got up to leave before stopping. "Actually, I have one favor to ask you." "Ask away!" "May I.... take the air balloon?" "Of course! Don't need to ask me!" "Yes, okay. Thank you for the help." Espresso left Gingerbraves home walked towards his. It was pitch black outside as he walked towards his home. He emitted a radiant glow with his coffee bean, acting as a lantern. He stopped to grab his keys as he opened to see his tragic home. He immediately took a backpack and began packing essentials, clothes, spare of glasses, coffee mugs; etcetera. He zipped up his bag before preparing coffee. He went to his laboratory before crossing out a second week on his calendar. He sighed as he wiped away his tears, he wasn't going to cry over anything. Especially Madeleine. He grabbed his coffee before heading out towards the air balloon.

Madeleine woke up, he checked the time. He slept for 4 hours. The other cookies were fast asleep, except for Dark Choco. Dark Choco was out on their balcony staring out to the stars. Madeleine sat up, walked towards Dark. Dark swept a sword to Madeleine as Madeleine yelped and stepped back, his armor was removed therefore his white shirt had gotten stained. He gasped as Dark swung once more, cutting a huge chunk of Madeleines hair. The hair fell to the ground as Dark pointed his sword to Madeleines neck. Madeleine wept as Dark lowered the sword. "I-" Madeleine began to speak before Dark covered his mouth, Licorice shifted in his bed. Madeleine started to cry violently. Licorice sat up and stretched his arms before turning to look at Dark. Dark's hair was extremely tangled. He then gazed towards Madeleine, Madeleines hair was choppy, his ponytail had been hopped to his lower back. "You cry-babies! I'm trying to sleep here but Mr. Goody-to-Shoes had to whine and whine about his stupid hair! And you on the other hand... you..." Licorice gritted his teeth as Madeleine sobbed once more. "You! Dark Choco! Why are you so angry? You're always hurting atleast someone! That's probably why Pome put you with the least helpful task!" Licorice yelled before a purple mushroom peeked from the balcony. "Should I hand him some shroooomieeeesss??" The cookie asked Licorice. "Yes, that's be VERY HELPFUL!" Licorice screamed. Poison Mushroom threw their mushrooms towards Dark as Dark Choco sliced them in half covering his and Madeleines  nose. Madeleine stared at Dark with puffy eyes as Madeleine walked off into the balcony. "Hey! You aren't supposed to go there!" Licorice yelled. Madeleine wiped his tears as he sat in the corner of the balcony. Will Espresso even save him? No one would save some stupid paladin who does nothing but show off his attractiveness and his cloak. Madeleine sobbed before shoving his head into his knees and drifting to sleep.