Animorphs: The Hidden Trilogy- The Eighth

Chapter 16X Jake

I hate my life.

Last month I was tricked by Visser Two into a deal.

Last week I noticed there is another guy who morphs like us.

Yesterday Visser Two gave me information about him and ordered me to bring that guy to him to end our deal, and the only way to extend our deal, because I argued that's too hard, is to ruin Visser Three's reputation to prevent him from being promoted.

Earlier this day I argued against the other Animorphs to help me get Caleb or at least attack Visser Three weekly so as to extend my deadline.

Also, earlier this day too, I found out Cassie became friends with Caleb, and even fought with him. But he got us all in trouble and we all ended up meters away from Visser Three's Yeerk pool and Ax was caught by Visser Two, too. He even fought on our side and with me as we battled against Visser Three.

And last hour Cassie hopefully just fainted when she saved that worthless jerk.

Vantriss Two helped us escape into the forest and later into Cassie's barn, carrying Cassie all the way. When everyone's busy trying to figure out what to do with her, Vantriss Two brought me to Visser Two.

"Xcicrinnarch?" He whistled. "That's easy, that Visser Three obviously doesn't know its poison, though one of the most lethal, is the easiest to counter. Just give her a strong antibiotic. It will kill the weak virus along with the toxic it releases."

I need to trust him this time.

"Now, the deal, Jake." Visser Two said.

Oh, as much as I hate to admit it, I think you already know what's next.

I ran back to Cassie's barn as fast as I could, hoping to see her all right and still living, so that antibiotic trick Visser Two tipped me will fulfill its use and save Cassie's life.

I crashed into the door and said, <Cassie, Cassie! Where is she?!>

"Here, still unconscious. We helped her parents bandage her wounds, saying it's a wild wolf we found at the forest. Of course we wouldn't tell them this is their daughter, especially when they asked why we didn't asked her instead to help the wolf. Told them she's off to la-la-la land that I didn't know. By the way, I think she's okay now." Marco said, his shirt all bloody. He wore a pair of sanitary gloves and there are several rolls of bandage and cloth around him. Beside him are Rachel and Tobias as a human, who was reading a book, "How to: Cure and Apply First Aid to Common Forest Animals."

"Well, it worked out, right?" Tobias muttered.

"It should have. Or Visser Three will die later." Rachel hissed, eyes red from crying and anger.

I demorphed back to human. "Marco, get some antibiotic from Cassie's parents, make sure it's strong."

"I have one here." Marco grabbed a bottle from his side and shook it up in front of me.

"Give it to Cassie."

"What will that do, Jake?" Tobias asked.

"It can kill the virus and the toxic that Visser Three's morph carries."

"Where did you know that?" Rachel asked, standing up. "And where have you been? I saw you running away into the forest with that Vantriss Two."

"From Vantriss Two." I lied.

"Oh yeah? Then why do you need to follow him deep into the forest when he can tell it to you directly in here?"

"Because he sensed Cassie's parents. He doesn't have the permission to be seen." Another lie again.

"Really?" Rachel narrowed her eyes.

"Rachel. Don't start on me like that again." Jake said.

"Sorry. I just have my doubts." Rachel sat down again.

Minutes passed in silence. It's only a few minutes before Cassie runs out of time and become a wolf nothlit forever. Well, that is, unless Ellimist gives her the power to morph and her human DNA back, like what he did to Tobias. But I won't rely on him. He's unpredictable sometimes. Well, usually.

It's been a busy day and soon Marco fell asleep on the ground. Tobias quietly demorphed back to hawk and perched on the rafters, probably reading the same book at the ground. Occasionally he swoops down and flaps a page and perches again at his place.

Soon only Rachel and I were awake. We passed the wee seconds in awkward silence when Cassie suddenly lost her fur.

"Cassie, she's demorphing!" Rachel gasped. Marco and Tobias woke up. We all watched as she incredibly demorphs while sleeping.

"Cassie," Rachel muttered in awe as she saw the human Cassie asleep. "Cassie, oh, thank God." She hugged Cassie, crying.

"Cassie," I muttered. I stood up and told to others, "let's tell her parents she's okay, they might be worrying now. Rachel and Marco, come with me. Start thinking of an excuse, especially you, Marco. Tobias, go catch yourself some dinner while there's still light."

I did it because I always know he's always near Cassie, wherever she is. It made me kind of jealous of him, being there when I can't, helping her when I should have. I'm angry at him because of that, and because he's the key to end my deal with Visser Two. But he had his rights to visit Cassie, yes, I respect that. I took one last look at Cassie sleeping and left, leaving the door open behind.