Lassoing the Cresent Moon

30. Partners in Crime

"We're Coming!" came a high pitched voice.

I heard the rev of an engine as the string of a pull on Cart was pulled.

Everything seemed to stop.

I had to stop, The mini critters had to stop, we all just stared as this cart flew over the abyss. It began to fall down, short of the ledge when a large pink ball of fur shot out of it. From the middle of the fur I could see a flare hand that shot fire down mercilessly at my offenders.

Kitty cowered and dove back into my backpack as the swarm of critters began to break apart. Some took a few steps back while some cried and retreated entirely.

The ball of fur was just above me when it rolled down the path crushing any mini critters that dared confront it.

I blinked, my jaw slack as I stared.

Kissy unraveled herself as the mini smiling critters fully retreated. She shook off any lingering dust before pulling out Poppy whom she had been protecting, and placing her on her shoulder.

Poppy had her own grabpack hand. She turned to see me with as much of a smug expression as one could have on porcelain lips. She blew on the edge of the flare gun, half to show off, half to cool down the red hot metal.

"That was Awesome!"

Poppy nodded before her expression shifted. "Audriella, what- are you doing here?"

I cowered a little before hugging Terry defensively. "Well, I was told that-"

"It was too risky, you could have been killed!" She raised her hands.

"So I was just supposed to let Dogday get eaten alive then? You were okay with that?"

Dogday raised his arms pulling on my shoulder to get closer and in between me and Poppy. "Don't start fighting. We're here, We're safe. That's what matters." Poppy slumped at his words, not able to look him in the eye. "Did you only bring the flare hand?"

Poppy sighed before pulling out various grab pack hands from under her dress. My gaze quickly set on the purple one. Yes!

"Thank you so much. We would have been dead without you." I reached for the hand and screwed it onto my grabpack.

"I'm just glad you're both in one piece." She said softly. "and who told you Dogday was down here."

I grimaced a little, nervous about telling the truth. I didn't want to break any friendships. I squirmed a little and fidgeted with my fingers.

"Ollie?" Poppy questioned.

I nodded slightly making her clench her fists.

"I'll talk to him. You two go ahead to the gas production zone and redirect the gas. No more detours!" She crossed her arms.

Bossy much? I was tired... but I didn't complain. I was the one who didn't follow her instructions after all. "and you two?"

Poppy turned her head to look at where the mini critters had gone. "That hand won't hold us all. We'll take the long route and meet you there."

There was a long route?

I came closer and smiled at her. "Thanks..." I then patted Kissy's arm.

She looked down at me with that silent smile of hers. I doubted the critters would try to cause mischief with her around. She may have been a gentle giant but after defeating Huggy I knew better than to want to get on her bad side.

"Take these," Poppy offered me the grab pack hands to place in my book bag. "You'll need them."

I nodded. Kitty hissed a little as the hands pressed against him.