Barbara the Belonging

Escape From The Darklands

In his slumber, Jim heard a calling.

The calling of his mother.

However, her voice was growing faint each time she called to him, then he woke up in his bed, confused.

For a moment, the house seemed quiet, he looked out the window to see it was still morning.

Jim gets up and flinches from the uncomfortable feeling on his shoulder. He touches his wound that was still recovering, something that he would get used to, especially with the stitches.

It had only been a day since he returned from the clinic, and yet it was still jarring to feel the tightness of his skin on that certain spot on his body.

He sighs and goes to change to get ready for school.

Once he was dressed, he headed downstairs to make breakfast but stopped when he found Lucas, Crystal, and Blinky in the living room.

"Umm..."

"Jim. You're up." Lucas gets up and approaches the teen.

"What's going on?" Jim asked with a raised brow.

"There is... uhh. Something you should know." The man anxiously rubbed the back of his neck.

"Your mom left for the Darklands and is trapped there." Crystal spoke up, causing Jim to get concerned.

"What? She's trapped in where?"

"Not helping, Crystal!" Blinky argued as he shot a glare at the girl.

"Hey, I thought we were breaking the news to him. Isn't that why we're here?" She spoke back.

"Yes, but we shouldn't be dropping the news onto him like that- you know what let's just tell him already." Lucas sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

He led the boy to sit down and explain everything.

"Yes, it's true. Barbara entered a place called the Darklands, and we have no way of getting in to rescue her-"

"You mean she left us! She... left... me?"

Jim's voice faltered, and his expression dropped slowly, his body sinking into the couch.

Lucas noticed this and had to reassure him, but before he could speak, Blinky spoke up first.

"I assure you, your mother never wanted to leave you. However, after you were sent away to recover. Troll Market had to prepare to fight against Angor Rot. And during the battle, one of our... closest companions fell by his hands. Thankfully, your mother and Lucas bravely fought back and defeated him." He explained and placed a comforting hand on his back.

The boy faces the blue troll with a sad look.

However, after hearing how his family practically defeated a power assassin, he became surprised.

"In the aftermath of his defeat, we couldn't bear the fact that we lost a friend. As we were grieving, your mother... I sensed she did not take it well and left us behind, thinking it was best to go in alone. But for certain, your mother didn't want to leave us... to leave you. She was, I can only assume, fueled by anger and sadness."

"She wanted vengeance. But I'm afraid that it will only lead her to her doom." Crystal commented, and Jim gave her a sour look.

Lucas and Blinky shot a glare at her, and she defensively spoke again.

"Seriously, why are you all looking at me like that? I'm stating the facts!"

"Again, not helping." Blinky spoke in a low tone, scolding her for making the boy even more worried.