Smiling Critters 2: The Story Continues.

A Scorching...Accident?

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Hoppy Hopscotch: Are you crazy, dude?!

I shook my head. I was sure of what I was proposing.

PickyPiggy: Lucky, you better be joking!

I shook my head again. I was not joking.
I was more than sure about I was going to do.

SnarkShark and KickinChicken had just come back from the upper floors, both unscathed, but visibly traumatised.
None of them could explain what they had seen outside. But judiging by their faces, it was anything but pleasant.

SnarkShark was more complete, and did give a couple of details; he explained that Bubba had gone to look for the others.
PickyPiggy and Hoppy Hopscotch thought it was strange, but I thought it was...amazing.
Although I wondered how he had come to our side so quickly, since I thought conversion was something irreversible, I was happy to know that he was back on the right path, and was once again someone on the team.

I hope he returns shortly...

But Crafty, Bobby, DogDay...none of them are back.
And Snark just shrugged when we asked about them.
CatNap did look a bit dejected over DogDay's dissapearance, but he didn't say a thing.

What could have happened?
Where are they?

So, I decided to propose I would go up to look for them.
As expected, I only received denials and arguments against my decision. That if it was too dangerous, blah, blah.

But they are our friends! We have to save them if they are in trouble!
That's the meaning of friendship after all, right?

But nothing, I couldn't convince them.

Shortly after I saw how the cable car began to go down...
...And Bubba was in it!
With Crafty!

I ran over there, waving my arms so they could see me.
When the cable car landed, the doors barely opened and I walked away a bit, a little overwhelmed by the shock of seeing Crafty without an eye, with half of her horn cut off and with a huge gash on her leg.
I also found it a little suspicious that Bubba's face was splattered with blood...

KickinChicken: Guys, you're- DAMN!
Crafty, what they did to you?!

CraftyCorn: It's a very long story...

Bubba Bubbaphant: Guys, mind taking care of Crafty? I have to look for Bobby.

Just for Bobby?
What about DogDay?

Hoppy Hopscotch: What about DogDay?

Bubba Bubbaphant: Wait...he isn't here with you?

I felt all the color draning from my face, and I felt lightheaded. I even saw everything black for a split second.
What had happened to DogDay?
Was he in danger?!

Bubba Bubbaphant: Don't worry, guys, we'll heal Crafty, and then I'll-

I knew what he was about to say. But I didn't care.
I was going to look for DogDay! They risked themselves too much.
Now it's my turn!

So as Bubba was saying this last phrase, in a moment of distraction from the others, I quickly went to the cable car, closed the doors and started it.
Everyone soon reacted, but it was late when they found out I was on the cable car, since I was high enough. Everyone was shocked, but only Hoppy started yelling at me from below.
I didn't hear much, because she was too far.
And in a matter of seconds, I lost sight of them all.

I sighed.
I hope to be on time in order to save them...

I arrived at the station, and went quickly, but stealthily, towards the Rejected Critters' hideout.
Once inside, I carefully went through each of the rooms in that sector.
In the first sector there was no luck finding anyone. I was already beginning to get unnerved and imagine all kinds of macabre events and sadistic tortures that those who remained to be saved could be suffering.
DogDay and Bobby were in big trouble, but knowing BullyBull, much of the scorn and torture would fall on DogDay.