The Glade and Its Glitch: Book 4 Escape

Chapter 5

Lloyd sat up. He was in the woods, but it wasn't the woods of his cell. It was different. These woods were real, and these woods were lush and green. The cell's woods were sad, and they made Carrie sad.

He started to explore the woods. There wasn't much to see, just trees, and trees, and more trees. As he walked around, he began to hear something. Small padding footsteps started to come from behind him. They didn't seem threatening, so Lloyd turned curiously without anger.

A small girl ducked behind a tree as Lloyd caught sight of her.

"Hey there," He called out. "Who's there?"

When the girl stepped out, Lloyd realized that he'd seen her before. She'd been in another one of his dreams, though it was quite a while ago. She was dressed in purple with braided hair.

She tilted her head. Her eyes flashed gold before she turned and ran off into the woods.

"Hey!" Lloyd gave chase. He ducked and turned around trees making sure to follow the girl's path exactly.

She dashed around a tree and disappeared. When Lloyd reached the other side, the girl was nowhere to be found. He spun around trying to figure out where she was. Out of the corner of his eye, something caught his eye.

A flash of gray and blue moved behind another tree.

Lloyd followed it. Much to his surprise, he saw Master Wu as well. But it was a younger version of him. His hair was blonde and was styled similarly to Lloyd's.

Although, after being captured, his hair had grown out quite a bit. It was down to his chin now, and it had only just reached his ears at the start. Carrie's hair was longer too, the longer side reached her shoulder, and the short side reached her chin.

The woman dressed in blue stood in front of Wu. She had dark black hair with gray streaks running throughout.

"Lex," Wu took her hand, and there was a romantic look in his eyes. "Come with me. Join the rest of the elemental masters. The Serpentine War is over. We're free."

The woman looked at Wu with sad eyes. "I can't. I have to lead the Glade. As much as I'd love to, I just can't."

Lloyd guessed she was Protector.

"Lexi, please," Wu begged. Lloyd had never seen him like this. "Train someone else. Have someone else take over."

"Wu they're my people. I can't just abandon them." Lexi's voice rose in irritation.

"What about me!? I love you."

Lloyd choked on a breath. He had no idea Wu had been involved romantically with anyone.

"It won't work, Wu. It's gone too far, my loyalties lie with my people. I love you too, but I can't be with you."

Wu balled his hands into fists and golden sparks flew from them.

In retaliation, Lexi let silver sparks fly from her fists.

Lloyd took a step back and hid behind a tree.

"Too far?! What's gone too far?"

"You know what!"

Both of their sparks intensified.

Wu turned on his heel and left. "Goodbye Protector!"

"Goodbye!"

Lloyd ran around the back of the tree. His view of Wu and Protector was blocked for a second, but when he could see the spot again, they weren't there. Instead, Carrie was facing him.

At least, he thought it was Carrie. It was a small redhead with curly pigtails. She wore dirty overalls, and she was a lot shorter than Lloyd. The area around her started spasming and inky black goop started spreading around her feet.

Lloyd stumbled back in surprise and shock. He took a few steps backward before running away. He panted and dodged trees as he ran.

He thought the black void was behind him but he was soon proved wrong. The void popped out in front of Lloyd. Before he could react, it lunged forward and Lloyd's vision went black.

~~~

Lloyd sat up. He wasn't in the cell anymore. At some point while he was sleeping Devin and Cassandra must have moved them back to the cave room. After a moment he looked around and panicked. Where was Carrie?

When he caught sight of her he let out a sigh of relief. She sat in one corner of the cave hugging her knees. She looked scared, and Lloyd moved over to where she was.

"Hey, you alright?" Lloyd scooched closer so that his side touched hers. Once he made contact she leaned into his touch. Resting her head on Lloyd's shoulder she let out a breath.

"I had the weirdest dream." Lloyd tried to make conversation. "I saw Wu and Protector. They were arguing. Then I saw a younger version of you."

Carrie looked up. "How do you know it was me?"

"Well, it was a little girl with curly red pigtails. And she had on overalls, which I could see baby Carrie wearing. And you were short."

She gently punched Lloyd's leg, "I am not short. If you think I'm short you should meet Skye. Or my brother."

Lloyd laughed. He put his arm around her, it seemed like she was feeling better. "Is your brother short?"

"Ehh, he's pretty shrimpy. At least he was the last time I saw him. It's been a while."

"As soon as we get out of here we're finding your brother. We're going to get this sorted out. Why he left you, where he's been all this time. Everything."

Carrie chuckled, "I'm not as mad as I used to be. The first year was hard. But once I joined the Glade I understood that I had my own destiny."

"Alright. But we're still going to find him."

"Deal."

"Did you have a dream?"

"Yeah." Carrie sighed. "I was back home. My brother was there but a black void overtook him. It wasn't him anymore."

"I saw a black void too. I hit it before I woke up."

"Same. What all happened in yours?"

"Well, I saw a small girl with purple braids in her hair."

"Probably Kiki."

"Huh, ok. I also saw Wu and Protector. They were arguing. Eventually, they finally yelled goodbye and then left. Then I saw you and the void. What is the void and why is it appearing in all our dreams?"

"I don't know. It could have something to do with Rex, Glitch's dad. He's the elemental master of dreams. Ever since Glitch left he hasn't been the same. He barely talks and just stares off into space."

"Maybe his elemental power is running wild?" Lloyd suggested.

"Maybe." Carrie sighed and leaned her head on Lloyd's shoulder. "We need to come up with a plan."

"Yeah, they put us back in the cave so we can't pick the lock anymore."

"They've moved us around before. Maybe they will again."

Lloyd nodded silently, still thinking. "But once we get out of the cell what do we do?"

"Just make a run for it?"

"They might catch us."

"You're such a downer." Carrie nudged Lloyd's side and turned so she was facing him more.

He smiled and pressed his nose to Carrie's forehead. He smiled as she snuggled closer and hummed in satisfaction.

"Sorry." Lloyd rested his hand on her back and rubbed comfortingly. "We'll figure it out. I believe in us."

"Me too."