Wherever it takes us.

Walk of Shame

"Ensure nothing but success Jason; anything else would be beneath you."

Her words were loud and clear as we stepped toward the back end of the household.

The so-called exit was present, a shed somewhat with a wooden door being the only thing separating us from our unforeseen future. It stood surrounded by wildlife, vines, and other plants encompassing its existence. 'Even if I wanted to leave, I wouldn't be going anywhere; they have countermeasures.'

Those words came from none other than the witch: her black dress shimmied as she stood in front of the exit, eyeing us warily. She stood alone, observing us from a distance as we strode over.

Everyone else gathered around in what looked like a discussion before hushing at our arrival. "Hurry up with the goodbyes time waits for no one." She stated before glancing elsewhere, her right foot tapping off the green floor.

Without missing a beat: Maya, Oliver, and I were swallowed by all the other inhabitants, everyone shouting over the other, professing their opinions and concerns; as warming as it was, the noise was deafening. "Silence!!" Kate, the caretaker, said, throwing everyone off slightly, as all our sights were on her. She stood not too far from us, arms folded with a scowl present before her face turned somber. "Take turns, will ya?"

With those words, the first one forward was Ralph. "You both better come back alive. I won't forgive you otherwise." His voice was low as he uttered his thoughts before storming over to the mouth of the shed.

"Who knew Ralph had a way with words feeling pumped already," I commented, receiving a light giggle from Oliver and a glare from Andrea.

"What Ralph was trying to say," Andrea started, her voice angry before sighing slightly. "Both of you better return to us alright, and make no mistakes; anyone may be fatal." She said before looking elsewhere.

Suddenly her arms wrapped around June, "Please come back safely, June." Her amethyst orbs glistened as the urge to withhold tears seemed weaker by the minute. I stood stunned. I hadn't been here long, but long enough to know this display of affection was not the norm. June stood, her back arched, arms dangling by her side before springing towards Andrea, embracing her wholeheartedly; "I'll be back. Trust your girl."

Maya, Oliver, and I looked as their embrace seemed to last for a minute or two, with mutterings of sweet nothings exchanged.

"Well, golly would you look at that; it sure would be nice to be given a hug goodbye." I thought out loud; before throwing a look at Maya with a brow raised. "No one likes you enough to do such." She responds, her voice objective as she looks ahead at the witch upfront. 'Ouch, that must sting, huh?' CX hollered, followed by a deep laugh, his multiple voices rumbling around my head.

"I may not like you enough, but I'll give you one." Oliver proclaimed before strutting over to throw his arms around my waist: his head barely reaching my torso."Why thank you," I chuckled slightly before roughing his hair gently, butterflies raging in the inner quadrants of my stomach.

"Jason and June, it's time." Her words resonated as they reminded me of my current predicament, the butterflies stilling immediately. I separated from Oliver, while June did likewise with Andrea.

We both took a few steps toward her, somber expressions clear as day wherever you looked; due to the reason for our departure.

"Oii, stupid prince." I heard Maya's call causing me to groan and glance in her direction one last time. "Better come back in one piece, likewise June."

I nodded in response; before looking at the doorway.

"Let's go." She stated, unfazed by the atmosphere, as the door gave in to what looked to be darkness. June and I stepped through first: the witch slowly killing our last bit of light with a creak.