Dimension Travelers

Chapter 17

As I'm packing my stuff, Chloe walks in. She sits down on her bed and says nothing. I ignore her. What happened back there was more than just a fight. There was something else there. I can't tell what exactly, but now things are going to be a bit rocky between us.

"Seth?" Chloe says after awhile.

"What?" I ask bitterly. I continue packing.

"About earlier--"

I turn around and face her. "Doesn't matter anyways. Let's just get out of here."

"Wait, we're leaving?"

"I am. You and Rick can join me if you like."

"But, what about Firefly?"

"She's what started all this drama in the first place! If she wants to come and help us, then she can. But, if she's gonna be the starter of our fights, then she shouldn't come."

"I didn't know you cared so much."

"Whatever. Don't get all gushy on me."

I start to walk out when she stops me.

"I'm not getting gushy on anyone! I don't plan to either! All I meant was simply that. Not some teary confession."

"Ok, fine."

She pauses. "I'm sorry, ok? I'm sorry about all this."

"I don't need an 'I'm sorry' from anyone. I just want to get out of here."

"Would you listen to yourself? You've become all bitter and angry! What happened to the Seth that I've known all these years?"

"He's gone." I say and walk out.

* * * * * * * *

Seth is so complex sometimes but this...this is just wrong! He never used to act like this when he was mad. Maybe we should just go home and forget about it...Then I think, Come on, Chloe. This is the whole reason you're here. Seth just came because he was worried about you...

I walk out of the room to find that Firefly again has a bow drawn and ready to strike. But this time, it's Seth, Rick, and I against her. So she's turned against us, eh? I had a feeling she would. I see that Rick is as surprised as I am, but Seth doesn't look fazed. I draw my sword and get into a fighting stance.

"I thought I could trust you." Firefly says. "But now you don't want me to come."

"What are you talking about?" Seth asks.

"You don't want me because you and your little girlfriend are having issues." Firefly says.

I cautiously look over and see Rick take out his sword.

"I'm not his girlfriend and we're not having issues." I say angrily.

Seth glares at me as if to say, "Not here, not now."

But it's too late.

"I don't care what you are. You shouldn't have trusted me in the first place." Firefly says.

I look over at Rick. I see him inching towards her and then he looks at me.

"Look, it's nothing personal. I just don't like betrayal." Firefly says.

"I didn't betray anyone." Seth says coldly. "Just let us go."

"Never."

Like lightning, she turns into a Shadow and has me in a headlock, an arrow at my throat. I see the terror in Seth's eyes, but his face is expressionless.

* * * * * * * *

When Firefly had an arrow at Chloe's throat, I knew that I had to do something. Rick was standing a few feet away from her. We both drew our weapons, ready to fight.

"Let her go." I say.

"Or what?" Firefly says. "You gonna kill me?"

"No, I'm not gonna kill you."

"But if you don't let her go, there's gonna be a nice little show down." Rick says.

"What did we do wrong here?" I ask.

Firefly smirks. "Nothing. You did nothing wrong. Well, except for telling Chloe here that I shouldn't come 'cause it might interfere with your relationship. You didn't tell me to my face."

"That's what this is all about?" I ask. "Look, I'm sorry about that, but I was gonna tell you."

"When? After you left? Were you going to write me a little note?" Firefly's eyes show bitterness and anger.

"Firefly, we didn't want to hurt you, it's just--"

"I don't care what you have to say!"

I look at Chloe and see her pleading with me in her eyes.

"Firefly, just let her go. She didn't do anything to you." I say.

Rick is suddenly behind Firefly now. He shoves her forward, which caused Chloe to falls also. I catch her and we both land on the ground. Firefly's arrow goes flying.

"You ok?" I ask Chloe.

"If you'd get off me, then I'd be better." Chloe says.

I get up and help her stand up.

"Ok, now I'm good." Chloe says.

"That's good."

Firefly is on the ground and Rick is standing over her.

"You don't move, and no one gets hurt. Understand?" Rick says coldly.

Firefly nods.

Rick nods at us.

I take Chloe's arm. "Come on. Let's go."

We walk to the entrance/exit of the underground room and we walk out to find that this hellhole looks a lot more like hell than when we left. There are fires everywhere. Chloe and I stare in horror and shock. Rick comes out shortly after we get out and he bolts the door. He too stares in horror.

"Wow. This just went to hell itself. Maybe the devil stopped by." Rick says.

"Maybe we'll have a barbeque too." I say sarcastically.

"Guys, we need to leave. Now." Chloe says.

"Yeah. We need to go..." I say.

"This just went from urgent to critical." Rick says.