Outbreak

A Hostage Situation

This is probably my favorite chapter yet.  :)

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Day 20

Sabre's P.O.V.

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I clutch a book under my arm, feeling a feverish sort of excitement running through me.  I visited the Green Sector this morning, and a new book on potions just came in.  With any luck, I'll be able to stop the occasional coughing fits Green has, as well as any headaches that might flare up.  From what I was told in the Steve Saga Realm, the sickness situation would only get worse.  It was good that I could manage some of the symptoms, even if I couldn't manage the sickness itself yet.

I barely remember to lock the door behind me as I book it to the wall of the Rainbow Kingdom, heading to the abandoned library.  Of course, the gates aren't open yet.

"Guards, can I get through, please?"  I call up to the armored white figures.  "I need to go and visit a friend!"  For a moment, I wonder if they'll refuse to let me through.  Light has been acting really weird lately, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ordered his guards not to open the gate for me.  But thankfully, they do.

I feel silly for being so worried about Light.  He is my friend, after all.  He wouldn't trap me in the Rainbow Kingdom.

...Especially knowing that unlike the others, I can't teleport myself out.  I would be stuck in here until the guards opened the gate, or someone agreed to teleport me.

I push the thought away.  That insecurity has been bugging me for a long time, ever since I knew that unlike in the other realm, every steve here could teleport.  Ever since I realized that Rainbow's portal system only worked one way, so I needed to stay by him all the time or risk being unable to get back home.

Ugh, now I'm thinking of it again.

I stumble to the library frustrated with myself and ready to get this potion business done.  M is there waiting, looking a little stressed out himself.  We share a quick smile before he teleports us over to the house.

"Anything new?"  I ask, trying and failing to conceal a yawn.  He shrugs.

"The Red Steves want to see the leader.  Don't tell him I said that, though.  Assistant Steve says he's still pleading to get out of quarantine."  I nod, remembering the complaints vividly.  "What about at the Rainbow Kingdom?"

"Light Steve definitely noticed my absences."  I report.  "I've skipped out on the meeting for today, so I'm sure the other leaders know, too.  But only Light acts so... so mad about it."  I yawn again, and next thing I know I'm down in the tunnel system.  My mind must have blanked out there for a few minutes.  That's been happening more and more often.

I pause, regaining a sense of my surroundings, then continue.  I've been through this routine enough times to know what's going on.

"Moron!  You're here!  Finally!"  Assistant Steve wheels toward me at record speed, his voice wavering as he hits every bump in the tunnel floor.

"Hey Assis-" My tired response is broken off as the robot quickly picks me up, spinning around and speeding toward the lab.  "Hey!  Put me down!"

"There is no time for your slowpoke walking."  Assistant Steve says matter-of-factly, his eyes staring straight ahead as he picks up speed.  I can feel myself jolt upward every time he goes over a rock.