The Story of the Wild Ones

Chapter 9

I woke in a cold sweat in a soft bed. I realized I had gone back to Earth after I passed out. I was so mad at myself for leaving everyone in the worst times. I stared at my ceiling, wondering how I could get out of school today when an idea came to my head. I snuck downstairs quietly, as it was one in the morning, and ate some random crap before heading back up to my bedroom. I ran to the toilet and hovered over it. "God I can't wait for all this shit to be over," I whispered to myself. I shoved two fingers down the back of my throat. After multiple failed attempts filled with gagging and sputtering, I vomited out what I just ate into the toilet. I weakly sat down beside it, hearing a knocking sound on my door. "Willow?" my mom called worridly. "Mom..." I called back pathetically. She opened the door and saw me in the bathroom. "Oh honey," she cooed. She looked in the toilet and frowned. "Brush your teeth and go back to bed, dear. I guess you'll miss another day of school," she said, mumbling the last part to herself. I waited for her to leave before brushing my teeth and going back to bed, drifting yet again into unconciousness.

I woke up staring at the ceiling of a straw hut. I sat up, confused, until I realized I was in an abandoned hut in the ruins. I silently thanked Andy, Ashley, CC and Jinxx for getting everyone here. I looked around and saw that no one else was in here. I exited my hut and saw most everyone else bustling around. "Willow!" someone called. I turned around to see Ellie running towards me with open arms. I made a little "umph" as she ran into me but returned the hug. "Are you okay? Everyone was worried about you," she informed me. "I'm fine, thank you. I assume your brother wants to talk to me," I said. "That he does," someone said behind me. I jumped and spun around to see a surprisingly calm Andy standing inches from me. "I'll talk to you later, okay Ellie?" I told her. She nodded and ran off. Andy didn't say anything, just turned around and stalked off. I trailed behind him, watching as his fists clenched and unclenched. I could feel myself shake a little. I knew he wouldn't hurt me now, but if he became angry enough enough later, he might.

He lead me to the biggest hut in the ruins, and pushed aside the curtain. I followed behind him. As soon as l entered, Jinxx, CC, and Ashley jumped up. I could see Andy still clenching and unclenching his fists, CC was glaring at me and Ashley was turning red. Jinxx appeared to be the only calm one.

Ashley was the first one that broke.

"ARE YOU SOME KIND OF IDIOT WLLOW? YOU COULD'VE GOTTEN YOURSELF KILLED! I THOUGHT YOU'D BE SMARTER THAN TO RUN INTO A BURNING BUILDING THAT COULD HAVE COLLAPSED AT ANY MOMENT!!" he screamed. "And without warning! You just left us, we had no idea where you were, we were about to send someone in to look for you!! Then God knows what would've happened to them!!" Andy added. "Not to mention the FEAR shadows still could've been roaming around!! If the fire didn't kill you they would have!!" CC shouted. "God dammit I'm not a child!! I can look after myself, and if I choose to run into a burning house over something that could possibly save the lives of others, it's my decision, just let me fucking do it!" I screamed back, though my argument sounded rather pathetic out loud. They seemed stunned, unsure of what to say to that. "You should've had someone go with you as backup!! Instead you just leave with just yourself and no one knowing where the hell you disappeared to!!!" Andy finally yelled. "I didn't want to put anyone else in the risk of getting hurt! We sure as hell have a lot of that in the future," I yelled back.

"God dammit, Willow, I wish you would value your own fucking life!" Andy spat. I was taken aback by his words. "When have I ever even mentioned not valuing my life?" I screamed. "How about not even four hours ago? When you ran into a burning building to get a fucking staff!" He screamed. The other boys just stared at us, not sure if they should stop it or not. "That staff could save the lives of anyone that's been taken captive! Or have you forgotten that even one of your best friends is being held in there?" I screamed. "The fuck is a staff going to do?" Andy questioned, not lowering his volume. "I-" I started, but I stopped. What would a staff be useful for? I just relied on my gut instinct that we could use it for something, anything, to help us rescue them. Unfortunately, Andy noticed my hesitation. "You seriously ran back to Ashley's house to get something you don't even know what you could use for?" he asked in a normal tone. "I-I just felt like it could be useful for getting them out. I don't know how, I just felt it," I mumbled. Andy sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He opened his mouth to say something, but Jinxx cut him off. "Andy, I need to talk to you for a minute," he said, pulling Andy out of the room.

Then I was alone with Ashley and CC. "If you're going to yell at me, that's not how you get me to listen," I told them before they could even say anything. "I know, and I'm sorry for yelling, but we were seriously scared to death. We didn't know where you were, though we figured you ran back to get something, then you just passed out from the smoke and it was too much. I know you're not a child, Willow, but we can't help but worry about you," Ashley said in a gentle voice. I hung my head. "I'm sorry, but I didn't want anyone to come with me, in case I did die," I explained. "Just don't do it again," CC said, pulling me in for a hug. I didn't say anything, I just stood there hugging him, then Ashley joined in for a group hug. "Guys, I'm being smothered," I spoke into CC's chest. They laughed and separated. At that moment, Jinxx and Andy walked back in. Andy and I made eye contact, and he motioned for us to leave. "I'm going for a walk with Andy," I said. I saw Ashley and CC exchange worried glances, but Jinxx whispered something to them, and they relaxed. "Have fun!" Ashley called after us.