|| [ SNAP ] || [ A Take-on of a New SAMS AU] ||

CHAPTER 8 _- "New Acquaintances all Around" -_

[???, FIRST PERSON]
I hum, making my way through the gorgeous forests and landscapes that stretched throughout the area. My father had finally allowed me to roam outside of his lab. I feel my heart warm at his kindness, almost tripping on a branch unceremoniously.
"Oh great-" I begin, before falling straight on my face into the dirt, my fluffy hair already adding a few more rocks and sticks to its collection.
"Ouch- Ouch-" I struggle to get up again, brushing the dirt off of my legs and trying to clear my face before I hear a leaf crack among the forest ground.
I pause for a moment, "Hello, anyone there?" I ask worriedly. I had heard about horror movies, and they always started out like this!
"Who are you?" A tired voice begins to arrive closer to my location as I step back.
"Show yourself, and maybe I'll- I'll tell you." I demand.
The figure steps into view, and at first I can only see a faint silhouette, but as it draws closer, I can see their golden hue, dull and much browner from the dirt that seemed to cover it. It looked like they'd been in a battle!
"Oh my goodness," I gasp without thinking, "Are you alright? You look horrible!"
They flinch, and I quickly add on, "I mean- not in a bad way- I mean-" I trample over my words.
"It's fine, I know I look pretty damaged. Some things have happened recently. Who are you, anyway? I'm.. Sun." They say, clutching one of their arms as a slight trickle of oil escapes it.
"I'm Earth- I- Do you need help? You look pretty bad and I don't want you to bleed out there." I frown, staring at the dripping oil with concern plastered onto my face.
"Oh. I'm fine, don't worry-" Before Sun can finish, I burst in.
"That wasn't a question, I'm taking you to my father either way. I'm not going to leave you in such a state to die alone."
Sun blinks, before signing, as if too tired to keep insisting, "Fine, take me to your father," he pauses before muttering in a quieter voice, "Thank you, Earth."
"Alright. Do you want me to carry you? I'm pretty big, so I could probably pick you up pretty easily." I offer.
"No, no. I'm fine. I'm fine." He says quickly, "I can walk, it's fine."
"Alright, if you want me to carry you, though, I can." I shrug, "Now come along."
Sun follows beside me, still limping as I lead him back into the forest. Now where had I come from?

[LUNAR, FIRST PERSON]
I read through one of my books I enjoyed, down on a bean-bag chair as my legs move back and forth as I read through it eagerly. This was maybe the fifth time I've read it, but it was funky, and I liked it!
I pause, hearing a knock on the window and I get up to see what it is. I feel my heart drop as I see who it is.
"Hello, Lunar." The horrible, familiar voice rings through the window, "Can you let your brother in?"
"No- You- You-" My eyes widen, "How are you here. Leave me alone, Eclipse!" I immediately rush away, upstairs, into a bathroom, heaving as I shut the curtain, curling up in the bathtub. This couldn't be happening. How did he know where I was?
"Oh Lunar.." I hear the dreadful sound of the lock twisting and opening with a click. "I'm not here to hurt you.. Well, not yet, anyway."
I stay silent, covering my mouth as I feel tears sting against my eyes, feeling my throat clamp up as I bury my head into my lap.
I hear the clonk, clonk of Eclipse arriving up the stairs, and then the creaking of the door opening.
Then everything goes silent. I glance up nervously, before seeing the putrid face of him-
"Found you~"
He snatches me up as I scream and try and bite and kick at him wildly, but he holds me firmly.
"Oh, how about you shut up there? Here, let me just.." I can hear the flip of a switch, and then darkness shrouds my vision, despite my attempts to shove it away.
And then everything goes dark.

WORD COUNT: 720
(with credits and end notes: 729)