Madison and The Monsters

28. Back to The Woods

 "What are you doing?" Alice asked as she watched Madison try to sneak down the hallway.

"I'm just getting..." Madison tried to think up a good excuse.

"You're trying to leave before the barrier seals," Alice interrupted.

"No..." Madison dragged the word for far too long.

"Why?"

"I just..."

"You want to have the option."

"Right..."

"Okay, let's get out of here then," Alice's voice was solemn in nature.

"Really?

"Why on Earth would I try to trick my best friend? You'd be upset with me forever if I tried to stop you."

The girls walked as quickly as they could manage in order to get to the Grundwasser. He was Madison's only hope if she wanted to leave this world. He could potentially be mad enough that he'd be unwilling to help her though. Madison was hopeful and Alice was tearing up over the fear of losing her best friend. They looked rather odd they had to admit. One was in a hospital gown with a bandaged arm and shoulder, while the other was crying and looked as though they'd been through a natural disaster without injuries.

They could see the wooded area. They were so close. Too close for Alice's liking. Even Madison's heart had begun to speed up though that could have been due to their quick pace. Suddenly Madison turned to Alice. The girls stared at each other before hugging as best they could manage with Madison's shoulder. Alice knew what Madison was getting at without any words. She knew the Grundwasser wouldn't come out or help Madison with her around. She wanted to go with her though. If only she didn't care for Madison as much as she did. If only she could have stopped her. Alice didn't want to lose her best friend. What would she do without her?

Alice sat on the sidewalk worries filling her head. She looked up to the cloudy sky.

"Please God don't let her leave me," Madison would never know so she might as well try.

"Bring her back to me," she wouldn't know Alice was trying to stop her.

"She's my only best friend and I need her in my life."

"Plus Noir would kill her for sure if they didn't have a barrier in between them."

"Also I don't know how the health care is there and the shoulder may be a long term problem."

"Please she's my world."

"If she leaves, protect her."

"I know I must put my trust in you. I know you'll do what's right."

"Amen."

"Alice," a voice drew her focus. Dr. Fox stood behind her. She had no idea how long he'd been standing there. She was embarrassed that she'd been unaware of his location. Awkwardly she stood up to face her best friend's psychiatrist. What was one supposed to even say in such a situation? Madison would hate her if she let Dr. Fox follow her.

"Where's Madison?"

"I can't tell you that."

"It's for her safety that I know where she is."

"I can't tell you."

"Why can't you tell me?"

"She'll be upset with me when she comes back."

"Please."

"No."

***

"Grundwasser!" Madison called out.

"Please come out, I'm on my own," just as the last words exited her mouth the creature pulled itself into view with its tentacles.

"I know what you've done. I can feel what's happening," he croaked.

"I'm sorry. It's nothing against you, Noir needed to be banished."

"Did he really?"

"Well yeah he was causing pain and destruction."

"Does that not exist in the world regardless?"

"If we can make the world even a little better we might as well. Just because we can't make the world perfect doesn't mean we shouldn't try."

"I'm glad you thought it over at least."

"If I wanted would you let me go with you?"

"Noir would kill you. It would be worse than anything in your life can be on Earth."

"But would you let me?"

"I can't make your decisions for you regardless of how foolish you choices may be."

***

Alice and Dr. Fox sat silently on the sidewalk. Dr. Fox knew running through the woods with no idea of the destination would be an awful idea. He hoped Alice was right. If she wasn't right he'd regret not trying to find her forever. The two watched cars pass, driving home from work most likely.

A sound louder than a gunshot penetrated their ears. Having sounded like it came from above both looked up. Above them was what looked like a black hole or something of the sort? Alice looked on with worry while Dr. Fox looked on witch worry and shock. What was happening? Lights shone down as far as they could see. Multiple shone down in the woods alone. Dr. Fox began to question everything. Could the children have been completely sane? Had something else really been at play? Could he have better protected those that needed his help? With another bang normality seemed to return.

Alice stared at the woods, silently praying. Madison had to come back. She needed her best friend. How would they go to high school and then university together if there was only one of them? She had to come back. As the normality continued Alice's worries only grew. No one had exited the woods. Dr. Fox occasionally snuck a look at the worried child, for once he wasn't sure what to say. The sound of a branch breaking drew the duo's attention.

Madison found herself panting at the edge of the woods her stitches undoing bloodying the hospital gown. Alice sighed with relief. The trio walked back to the hospital in silence. What was left to be said? 

 Now we just have the epilogue tomorrow and then this book is over. Then eventually we'll have the sequel but let's not get ahead of ourselves.  -Ann