(OLD) The Girl in The Black Hoodie

Chapter 13: The fire

CHIPS POV

I was filled to the brim with fear. Jesse was missing and the forest was on fire. As I ran over to wake everyone up, I saw an ice-blue liquid. It was definitely not water. Jesses blood! I realized with horror. The fire was spreading fast as I ran over to wake up Rocket and Pop first.

"Fire! Fire!" I shouted as I shook them awake. "Chip, go back to sleep..." Rocket mumbled as she laid her head down. "I was having a really good dream, and you-" "Get out!" I interrupted. "The forest is on fire!" Rocket looked up, her eyes widened. She screamed bloody murder, waking everyone else up. "Fire! Everyone head straight for pumpkin meadows, near the ocean!" I yelled as I quickly got the stuff, scooped up Deli and Socks and ran out with everyone following me.

After some time, we came near Windwave Ocean. I spotted a used match on the ground, then saw the clones running away, laughing. The clones did it! I realized, feeling ready to throw up with horror. Just then, I heard a scream for help. I rushed over to the forest entrance and saw Fan trapped under a huge, burning log. He was my friend, and at the same time he was part of the journey. I pulled him by the arms with all the strength inside me. I tried kicking the log away, even though I was bare-foot, but I ended up stubbing my toe and getting a splinter. Which, thank Notch, was not on fire. I kept pulling Fans arms and trying to push the log away, ignoring the pain from the splinter.

Finally, after about fifteen seconds, Fan was free. We both ran out with me constantly running into bramble and dead pine branches. We came back to the ocean about a minute later, and I leapt into the air, dodging a small puddle, and landed on the ground. Suddenly I saw C7x. "N-Not a good time..." I muttered. C7x said nothing, but instead giggled and tied me in a rope. Then she threw me into the salty water, a bit of a distance away. I looked through the water, and all I could see was darkness. It was a little bit bright, though, since the sun was starting to come up. I bit the rope, trying to break free, and at the same time holding my breath as long as I could.

After a few hard chomps, I finally broke the rope and weakly tried to swim up to the surface. I almost made it when Navy dove down and kicked my head, making me sink again. I started to sink back to the bottom, thinking it was finally time for me to die. I closed my eyes, ready to succumb to the dark water. I'm sorry...I apologized. Good luck...on the rest of the journey...everyone...

Suddenly, I was grabbed by something. I looked up and saw that it was Fan! I guess it was his way of saying thank you. He...he saved me! I thought. I would have drowned if it wasn't for him!

As Fan pulled me to the shore, I got up and started coughing up water. The sun was now completely up. We had missed about an hour of sleep, but even though you're supposed to get ten hours, nine hours is fine once in a while. "Are you ok?" Fan asked. I tried to say yes, but the only thing that came out was another coughing fit. Instead, I just nodded and started pulling seaweed out of my fur. "You saved me..." I finally managed to say as I wrapped my arms around Fan. After we released the hug, I grabbed my clothes.

I walked beside Fan as we and the rest of Team Brightfire walked through Great Oak Forest, which was now scrawny and ugly. Instead of dark oak trees and mushrooms, there were only black, leafless trees and ashes. Soon, we made it out and stopped to see a huge castle, and a trail of the blue blood. I froze with sick horror to see Jesse tied up in a rope, passed out with her skin stained with her blood. "Jesse!" I cried as I ran up to her. "Jesse, are you ok? Speak to me!" She didn't reply. I pulled out my sword and broke the rope she was tied in, then carried her on my shoulder. "Do you think we're ready, Chip?" Maiden asked. I paused and looked at her with all my pride and determination.

"Yes," I answered as the twelve of us went inside.