One World Away COMPLETED (Book I)

Game Plan

I woke up... I actually made it to Sam's house... I was sleeping on their sofa again... Like before...

I turned my head and saw Sam sitting right next to me. I tried to sit up but he helped me up and kept a tight grip on my hand. He was rubbing my hand scaredly and worriedly. It made me worry. I couldn't help but blush though...

"You awake... Sleepy... Head?..." He asked wearily. His eyes had dark circles under them his eyes... They seemed sore and he seemed more tired than usual.

"So... You know..." I muttered and felt for the warmth on my neck but found it on Sam's.

"They're alive..." He muttered.

"How?..." I could feel tears slowly flowing down and falling. "Ever since I've set foot in this Hearth, I've been shedding, blood, sweat and lots of tears... It's like a living underworld that doesn't look so bad."

"When we die... We don't crystallize... Our spirits just leave our bodies and our bodies fade away like mist and when we're hurt... We also bleed..."

"So... Where are they?... That's all I need to know..." I said wiping my tears from my eyes.

He held me close and snuggled his head in my hair. I found it embarrassing even if it was just us two.

"Stop it..." I giggled a little. "It's ticklish..."

"I missed you. I thought you wouldn't come back... Now we need to find Pep... But if Flaubert had them alive we'll be seeing them soon."

"Why are you so sweet to me?..." I asked him.

"I'm stupid. I don't think things through... I'm a moron-"

"You're not!" I said teasingly. "It's still a little new to me know that it's really me taking over. And not some crazy spell- No offense."

"None taken." He grinned rubbing his eyes. "Anyway, what we need is a game plan. If Flaubert says this is a game, then we'll need a plan to counter this own. It's like chess..."

"You play?..."

"Used to." He said. "Are you supposed to meet Flaubert somewhere?"

"Not really... Let's try the caves of Exomier. It's the last place I'd like to meet him at... And the first..."

"Alright. I'll expect he has Pepper and Lacer with him as well."

"But what if he doesn't..." I asked him softly.

"H... Hey! Lighten up! I may not be Pepper but I'm sure I could pep you up..." He joked.

I tried to smile to convince him but I snorted a little instead.

"She's with Lacer. Smart and know-all. And he's with Pepper. Fighter and cheery. And since they like each other, they can't drive each other nuts."

I nodded.

"So... The plan?..." Sam asked.

"I go alone. One on one..." I said.

"No! You tried that already."

"He said he'd kill them if I brought anyone else with me."

"But they're not dead. And he sort of killed them anyway."

"You act like you don't care!!!"

He sighed. "Do you want to know why I act like I feel nothing at times... When I don't care about a thing?..."

He met my eyes and he had a small smile.

"Thought so." He replied. "It's because I don't want to worry others... I act like I'm just depressed when I'm actually dying on the inside."