Underdepth

Chapter 13: Meeting Zachary

Marie had been strolling around the area looking for another place to hide. But the farther she got, the darker it was. Suddenly her phone was ringing, and the notification was a chiptune, sped up version of Spider Dance. It was Recluse calling. "Hey, Marie! Just testing out the phone to make sure it works. Can you hear me?" "Y-Yeah...." "You sound a little scared. Everything okay?" ".... Its getting darker... I'm... I'm scared of the dark..." "You want me to tell you how the flashlight works?" Marie started quivering. "Mm hmm...." "Alright... Don't worry, I'll still be on the phone with you, okay? Now, just point the phone in front of you." Marie did so in a nervous manner "okay... What do I do now?" "Do You see a square button in the top? Press it." She felt around the phone until she finally pressed the designated button. A yellow spot light flashed in front of her. "Okay.... I see a light!" "Excellent!" She kept walking and felt a little more brave with the light in front of her. Until She saw a dirt patch digging across from her. She gasped and nearly dropped the phone "Marie? You still there?" "Y-Yeah. I thought I saw something..." she kept walking nervously. Suddenly, her flashlight. Shut off along with her phone. She dropped it and curled near a tree crying... "I'M-I'M-I'M SCARED OF THE DARK! I DON'T WANNA DO THIS ANYMORE.....
...... but.... *sniff* I can't.... Give up... They're counting on me. *sniff* I have to keep going."

Her soul started to radiate a pink glow, especially since her soul color was pink. Everything was bright due to her... Determination... "H-huh? What's going on...? What's this feeling? I don't feel scared any more. And.... My heart is all pink..." she put her phone in her pocket and continued walking with that special feeling. The dirt patch was seen again. This time digging behind her, but not getting too close. Once Marie made her way out of the dark area, her soul no longer radiated the pink aura. "Whoa.... How did my heart do that? ... at least I made it out of there..." a dark figure with floppy ears and one eye towered behind Marie. She stopped in her tracks and didn't move a muscle. "E x c u s e m e. A r e y o u a h u m a n?" "Y-Yes...." The figure was a white
rabbit. It had one eye missing, an oversized General outfit, striped pajama pants, and fuzzy slippers. "Well that's grandtastic! I found a human! Y A Y!" Marie was confused about this sudden turn of events. "What...? You're a rabbit?" "Yes, Mam! My name happens to be Zachary! An expertise at appearing at random places and such! What happens to be your name, Missy?" "My name is Marie. Um, were you the one digging around me?" "Well I was just on my way to make some more Vanilla Muffins for my friends! I hate carrots. So I was going to throw the rest of the mess away, until I saw you in my view. So I thought I would approach you!" "Ooh, Muffins? I love muffins!" "So do I! Although... I always do get weird comments from my friends. 'You're one strange monster' 'You're a real embarrassment.' 'Go away, weirdo'" Marie heard these statements and frowned "I don't think those are your friends... Friends don't insult each other like that..." "Marie! I'm sure they're just joking around! Now come on! I'm gonna go tell my brother!" Zachary carried Marie on his shoulders and ran as fast as a jackrabbit. "Better yet, I should show you to my friends first! Then they'll really like me!" he kept running and made a stop at a red, L-shaped house. Knocking on the door, he puts Marie down and hopped excitedly. Opening the door was a buff phantom/robot with large yellow eyes, torn wings, curvy black hair, and a speaker on his cheeks came out the door "What is it now, Zachary?" "Look, Nex! I found a human! A real human! I'm too proud of me!" "Are you incredibly stupid!? Why did you not bring her to the queen!?" "Because the queen is always busy. Plus, she won't be able to interfere with our friendship! Now you, my brother, Marie, and I can all be friends! Isn't that grandtastic!?" "Actually, it's NOT." "Well... Maybe a Vanilla Muffin will change your mind!" "Unless you have forgotten, I have no mouth to eat. Besides, those are more teeth rotting than Choco Buns." "Well how about some oil for your tank, Nex? I'm inviting everyone else to eat stuff!" "yeah... Sure..." Nex slammed the door closed. "Okay! See you later, buddy!" Marie looked at Zachary "Are you sure he's gonna come? It doesn't even sound like he wants to..." "I'm 100% positive. Last time I invited my friends, they forgot to come. They had other things to do. But it's not like they did that on purpose.... Right?" she simply shrugged. Any who, my muffins are almost done!" he dug a huge rabbit hole and jumped inside. Marie looked down and carefully slid down. The hole disappeared without a trace because logic.

Zachary's house was rather simple looking. Since it was a rabbit hole there wasn't much around. All he had was a sink, oven, fridge and and a couch that he sleeps on. The same yellow sparkling star was near Zacharie's couch. "Seeing this quaint little rabbit hole... It fills you with Determination(?)" "Big Brother! You here? I found a human!" A rugged cardboard box with the MTT symbol had a note on it. It was in the Chiller font "Dear lil' bro...
Sorry, But I'm not here today. In fact, I have decided to move somewhere safe. The queen had been going on endless rampages, and sending 3 guards after a little kid was way too far. I'm sorry I went without telling you. I just needed somewhere safe to be at the moment. Don't worry, I'm sure Peppi will take care of ya. ...Stay safe lil' bro.
-Chiller"

Zachary put the note down. His ears dropped down while his smile faded into a disappointed frown. "Oh....." Marie went over to him "Is everything okay?" "Not really. My brother is gone. But hey! Uh.... I at least have t-the muffins ready!" he says with tears slowly forming in his eyes. But he keeps his cool. He takes out the delicious smelling muffins and places them on a table "m-my friends should be here any second! ...I hope... Oh wait! I forgot to open the entrance!" by controlling his strange magic, he opens up the rabbit hole for people to come. Exactly 20 minutes passed. That's it. He slowly broke into tears "they aren't gonna show up.... Are they....?" "Zachary wait-" "I g-guess you were right about them.... Not being my friends... I guess I'll just go back to being a lonely weirdo..." he curled on the couch and covered his face "come on, Zachary... Don't be sad... Just think of what makes you happy! You found a human, that makes you happy right?" She said while petting his soft fur. Zachary smiled a bit as his blushed cheeks started to glow a brighter red. "Yeah, I guess so..." "And if it makes you feel better... I'll be your friend!" his face lit up. "Really? Y-you'd do that for me...?" "Of course! And I know you can't finish off those muffins by yourself! Lets eat 'em up!" Zachary felt a lot better than he was earlier. They sat at the table and joyfully ate the muffins.