A LEAP OF FAITH

Chapter 6: Perhaps the smell is getting to our heads.

Sugar woke up, she felt an odd pressure against her back. She also felt... cold? She turned around and saw Sharlet, her arms were wrapped around her waist.

"SHARLET?!" Sugar couldn't help but exclaim. Sharlet woke up, her eyes widened when she saw Sugar.

"SHOOT- WHERE AM I?!" She stood up and looked around, alarmed.

"You must've cuddled up against me in your sleep," Sugar mumbled, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Oh. Um." Sharlet looked around awkwardly, her face was as red as her hair. Sugar felt the same way. "This is awkward." Sharlet rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry-" she mumbled.

"It's alright..." Sugar sighed and shivered.

Then she felt a droplet. And another. "Shoot, is it raining?" She whispered. "EVERYONE WAKE UP, WE GOT A CODE RAIN!" She yelled and stood up.

"Code rain? That's the lamest name ev- wait, it's raining?" Kiren shot up. "WHERE'S MY BACKPACK?! MY HOODIE-!" He searched frantically for his backpack.

A few droplets hit his skin; steam came off of the spots where they landed. He winced and quickly pulled on his sweatshirt, slipping the hoodie over his head. Everyone else woke up, groaning.

"Let's get walking, the rain should stop in a bit." Sugar glanced around, watching as everyone got up.

They slipped on their hoodies and rain attire, except for Ari. He didn't have any extra clothes. He didn't seem to mind, though.

"We should be just a couple hours away from the sewer system." Sugar began walking, leading everyone to their destination.

"So... if we don't find the mystery person in the sewers, where do we go next?" Sharlet asked.

"Some abandoned carnival. Creepy, huh?" Ebony looked at the map.

"I guess it's better than the sewers." Sugar sighed, "I don't know why a supervillain would be in the sewers, that's so stupid," she mumbled.

"True." Ebony nodded, agreeing with her statement.

They fell quiet, not knowing how to continue the conversation. They walked in utter silence for about an hour, the only sounds you could hear was Malcolm talking to himself.

"Are you alright?" Ari looked down at him.

He jumped a bit, startled by the sudden conversation. "Uh, I'm fine." He looked away, he was visibly sweating, despite it being cold outside.

"You seem alarmed, are you sure?" He asked softly, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Malcolm shut his eyes and breathed in and out in an attempt to be rid of the stress clawing at his shoulders. "Yeah," he flashed a smile, glancing up at Ari.

"If you say so, my friend. You can always talk to me if anything's bothering you." He smiled.

Kiren overheard their conversation, his face heated up. Jealous? He thought. Of course not!

A few boring hours passed by until a stench filled their noses.

Sugar crinkled up her nose, "We're close, fellas." She looked around.

"Finally." Kiren groaned.

Ebony perked up, "Is that it?" She pointed to a cement tunnel that led down.

"Shoot, it is! Good eye, Eb!" Sugar grinned and ran to the tunnel. "Single file line, guys, it's kinda squishy in here." She stood in front of the line, leading everyone.

"It's so dark in here, can you turn on your lights, Sugar?" Mugi asked. Sugar nodded and waved her hands, two orbs of light appeared in the palms of her hands. "Thanks," he said quietly.