The Order of the Slice

Chapter 7

Luigi explained everything while they walked to Thomas's apartment. He told Thomas about the Order of the Slice, and how they made him their errand boy. And how The Knights of the Burger captured him. Thomas listened intently.

"That's why you and Cheryl walked to work together!" Thomas said.

"That's right." Luigi nodded.

"And why you wear that burger pin!" Thomas sighed. "I can't believe you hid this from me."

"I-I didn't want you to get hurt! These societies are dangerous."

Thomas looked up at Luigi's pink hair "I can see that."

Luigi's brows furrowed.

"This is serious." Luigi said. Thomas nodded.

"I know, I'm sorry." Thomas sighed again. "We have to get you out of here." Luigi's eyes widened.

"W-when?" He asked. Thomas's gaze dropped to the scar on Luigi's arm. It wasn't too deep and was mostly healed, but it still hurt.

"Soon," Thomas said. "Before the Knights realize you've escaped."

"W-where are we going?"

"My parents have a vacation home. I'm sure they'll let us stay there for a while."

"A-a vacation home? Is it far?"

Thomas nodded. "That's the point genius," He said. "We have to get you as far away from these societies as we can." Luigi nodded.

"O-okay," Luigi said.

"We'll spend the night at my place, and then head for the vacation home in the morning." Once they reached Thomas's apartment, he opened the door. Luigi followed him inside. Luigi felt calm for the first time in days. He wasn't being guarded and he wasn't being held prisoner. He was just spending the night at his friends place.

"Thank you for helping me today," Luigi said.

"Of course. No problem," Thomas replied. "I'm glad you're safe." Luigi smiled.

"I-I'm sorry for hiding all this all this from you," He said. "I just didn't want you to get hurt." Thomas looked at him, confused.

"I wouldn't have gotten hurt." He said.

"How do you know?" Luigi asked.

"I mean, I don't know, but I'm pretty sure I could've defended myself."

"Yeah, I guess you could have." Luigi said. Thomas glanced at the window.

"It's getting late. We should probably go to bed." Luigi nodded and began to make camp on the couch. "You need anything?" Thomas asked. Luigi shook his head.

"No, I'm fine."

"Goodnight, then" Luigi lay down and closed his eyes.

***

The next day, Luigi woke up early. He stretched and yawned. He looked around the room and saw Thomas stuffing some food in a backpack. Thomas glanced at him. "Hey, did you sleep okay?"

Luigi nodded.

"Good." Thomas said. "Now you can help pack."

Luigi got up. "I-uh-I left all my stuff at my apartment."

"When you got stuck on the side of your apartment building trying to escape some burger obsessed weirdo?"

Luigi nodded. Jeffery had probably figured out he'd escaped. Was he looking for Luigi right now? Luigi suppressed a shiver. They needed to get out of here. When Thomas was done packing they started to walk to his car. Luigi always preferred walking to driving, he loved taking in the sights and sounds of the city, but cars were a lot faster. They walked to the car and got in. Luigi was in the front seat and Thomas was driving. "You ready?" Thomas asked. Luigi nodded.

"Let's go."

***

Luigi was poked in the arm. He opened his eyes groggily. He looked out the window, it was nighttime. He must have fallen asleep. He looked at Thomas, he had a nervous expression on his face. "What?" Luigi asked.

"Did you hear that?" Thomas asked. Luigi looked out the window. "I heard something." He said. "I thought I heard a noise outside." Luigi looked out the window.

"I don't see anything," Luigi said. Then he noticed some silver glinting in the moonlight. His eyes widened. A sword. "T-Thomas?"

"What?"

Suddenly Luigi heard a piercing crack. They both turned around and Luigi let out a bloodcurdling scream. There was a sword in the window. The Knights were trying to kill them.

"Thomas go!" He heard Thomas stomp on the gas pedal.

"How did they find us?" Thomas asked.

"Just drive!" Luigi screamed. A sword pierced Luigi's window. It stopped inches away from his face. Thomas's screams were drowned out by Luigi's. The Knights were getting closer. They were attacking the windows and doors. They were cutting through the metal. Someone jumped in front of the car. Instead of a burger pin, they wore a pizza chain. The Order of the Slice. They were here too. The figure ripped off their hood. Luigi sucked in a startled breath. "Ch-Cheryl?" She didn't respond. She just pulled a sword out of one of the car windows and started slashing Burger Knights. The others rushed forward. They tried to stab her. Cheryl pushed them away. She kept slashing. Once Cheryl moved out of the way of the car Thomas pounded on the gas pedal. "W-wait!" Luigi yelled. "W-what about Cheryl?" She was risking her life for them. They couldn't just leave her. "We have to save her!"

"She's not worth it!" Thomas yelled. He kept driving until they couldn't see Cheryl and the Knights. "Are you okay?" Thomas asked.

"I'm fine." Luigi answered. "B-but what about-"

"She's part of The Order of the Slice, we can't trust her." Thomas cut him off. Thomas opened a window and grabbed a sword. "We should get this fixed." Thomas said, looking at the car windows. Luigi covered his face with his hands.

"Thomas, I-I'm so sorry. This is all my fault." Luigi cried.

"You can make it up to me by paying for the damage," Thomas said. Luigi nodded.

"W-what now?" Luigi asked. Thomas was silent for a moment.

"We could get a hotel room while a mechanic fixes the car." Luigi nodded. They drove to a nearby hotel and booked a room. Luigi looked out the window. He wondered if Cheryl or The Knights would find them again. He hoped they wouldn't. Thomas left to get the car to a mechanic, a few hours later the door opened.

"Oh Luigi," A voice said. Luigi's eyes widened. That wasn't Thomas's voice. Cheryl walked up to him and smiled. "You belong to The Order of the Slice, remember?" Luigi just stood there, terrified. "Why did you think you could run away again?"