SPRINGBOUND SUMMER COUR

Between dreams and the waking world

Ninten had been given a single, shiny, glittery pink seashell from Pippi, one that resembled that of the type you'd find in some merchandise store on the coast. It was unremarkable and definitely made him feel like he was cheated out of something. He pocketed it without a second thought, and sat on one of the rock outcroppings in the clearing in the cavern. Pippi was busy collecting the weird pebbles that dotted the edge of the cliff.

"It's just a shell. Why in the world should I be so damn excited about a shell.", Ninten spat.

Pippi stopped her rock collecting and perked up, looking over with a grin.

"Well, dummy! We're in a cave, far from the ocean! I don't think some random shell would end up in a cavern that has been closed off for a while!", Pippi chimed.

Ninten groaned in pure boredom, before getting an idea. With a smug smirk, he pulled himself up and hopped off the rock, looking over at the redheaded girl.

"I have something fun we could both do. I know some certain fellows that need a bit of bruisin', if you get what I mean. And, seeing how easy you can take care of the undead, I dunno, maybe you'd be of some help."

"Nuh uh! I ain't helpin' ya beat another kid!"

Ninten immediately flushed red, not from embarrassment but more so anger, as he stomped over and tugged on her braids.

"Idiot, I'm not talking about beating another kid, I'm askin' if you wanna beat up a few aliens!" He snapped.

She watched her face get hit with the realization, and watched as her previously neutral face slowly grew into a toothy grin of excitement. She sprung up, throwing her rocks to the side in a hurry.

"Aliens? As in the things from outer space? And they're here in Podunk?! Man, ain't it a lucky day to be us, huh!" Pippi yipped.

"Hah, yeah. How about we join forces this one time. Whatever we find in their spooky little lair, we share. You get half the spoils, I get half. Seems like a good deal huh?" He had a sarcastic tone to his voice but Pippi couldn't pick up on it.

He watched as Pippi bounded off towards the entrance. Something Ninten noticed, besides of course the cave being a chorus of whooping and hollering from the more enthusiastic young girl, is that the undead had seemingly disappeared, maybe Pippi had killed them all or they went further into the cave. He didn't know. But it gave him a very off feeling. He got to his feet, and walked after Pippi.

"I can't believe we're gonna fight some aliens too! I can't wait! Can't wait, can't wait! Oh, oh Ken, do you know where they are perhaps?" Pippi was chattering her mouth away.

Ninten patted the side of his head in an effort to make his thoughts clear up, that's when he heard the familiar, condescending voice of Paula ring through his head.

What does she mean by aliens? Paula asked.

Ninten put up a one second gesture to Pippi before turning away, to speak to Paula.

"Listen, it's either me or her. I ain't dealing with aliens that shoot laser beams from their heads. She's the bait. I hope they get her first and then I can take the glory.", He whispered to himself.

Such a naughty kid! Has your mother ever taught you to not be such a cheater?

"Oh puh-lease. Mom, dad, teacher, upperclassmen, I don't care. I bend spoons and can make things slightly levitate. I think cheating is needed to achieve some stuff in life. The last thing I want is a lecture about how I'm basically the living embodiment of unsportsmanship.", Ninten muttered.

Before Paula could respond, the connection between them suddenly cut out, making his head fill with the noise of static. It was loud, and made him flinch for a moment, but he quickly recovered by shaking his head. He looked back at Pippi to see her looking up at him.