Gone (Sohian/Smosh Games Fanfiction)

It's Over (29)

Author's Notes: As we near the end of this story, my friends, I wish to give thanks to all that read and enjoyed (or didn't enjoy, my writing's not for everyone) this book. Chapter 29 goooooooooooooooooooo!

PS. I was going to add this in at the end, but I decided it would ruin the tension. Let me just say that this is not the last chapter. So yeah. whooo. 

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Jovenshire POV: 

The walk is long and silent as Lasercorn leads us to where he believes Melanie is hiding. Much like the car ride down here, nobody has anything to say. 

Wes carries a handgun is his belt, tucked under his shirt. How he managed to sneak that on the plane is beyond me. Maybe he's a space wizard like Flitz. A magical relationship that was. Stop it Joven. I shouldn't make jokes like that, even to myself. He's dead, I try to remind myself, and Ian and Sohinki could be too if you don't hurry.

 I glance over at Anthony. At any point during this expedition he could be ripped away from me. All it takes is one bullet. I feel a tear that I've tried so hard to keep in, run down my cheek. I shift closer him and wrap my hand around his. I feel his gaze on me, but I can't find the strength too look back at him. Only when he puts his hand under my chin, pulling my head so that we're facing each-other, do I realize the true extent to which this whole thing must hurt him. He's had his best friend ripped away from him, and now he's being expected to risk his life to save him. I press my lips against his. It's short lived, but passionate. I won't let him die. Never. 

As we round one last corner, Lasercorn stops. Rue Benoit, the sign reads. God, I'll never be able to comprehend French street signs. If that makes me an American idiot then I don't care. 

But then I notice something. As Lasercorn turns to face us, I see the realization register on his face as well. This street, this whole town, seems to be completely devoid of life. The shops are closed, the sidewalks barren. Even the park we passed on the way to the hotel, previously full of children and parents and pets, seems completely desolate. And it's not just that. The town doesn't look as if it was recently abandoned but rather deserted years ago, worn down by mold, dust, and weathering. The grass that this morning appeared lush as ever, now looks to be old, dead. The others seem perplexed by his sudden confusion. Mari is the first to speak, "Something wrong?" she asks. 

"Don't you guys see it? This town, it's empty," says Lasercorn growing more and more dumbfounded by the second. 

"Yeah, and?" adds Wes. 

'W-well....it wasn't like that when I drove down here, or when I checked into that hotel. I remember her, the receptionist. She was nice," Lasercorn explains. 

"Lasercorn,  that hotel was abandoned. This whole town has been desolate from the start," says Mari not following his train of thought. 

I can't just watch this happen. Lasercorn's not insane, but if they keep up this assault he might be driven to the brink of madness. "I noticed it too. Earlier there were tons of people," I add hastily.

They all turn to me, concern lingering in their eyes. I can tell Anthony's had enough of this. "It doesn't matter," he says, breaking up the argument brewing amongst us, "Let's just find Sohinki and Ian."

Not wanting to press the matter any further, I nod, and the others follow suit. "Well," says Lasercorn turning away from us again, "Somewhere around here I saw a dried spot of blood. If we can relocate that, we can find her."