Moonlit Secrets

Chapter Nine

(???'s P.O.V.)

I had been running for what seemed like Eons. My lungs were screaming at me as well as the voices. Why did I leave them. I could've helped. I felt the familiar tug at my heart and could feel my bones growing heavy as if they were suddenly made of lead. Nope. Not going to let this consume me. Not now. They need me to get an escape route mapped out and more impotently figure out where we were. I could hear the hell hounds in the distance. I shivered. So far from home and away from normality. I had been minding my own business, taking a walk in the woods when, BAM! I had been darted and then taken to this horrid place. I had been poked and prodded and experimented on by a spectacled boy. Anxiety had busted in and knocked the boy down and out for the count. We had to split up to cover more ground which is where I'm at now. Ugh, if I only knew where here was and why we were here that would be awesome.

I shivered slightly from the chilled air, my heart freezing with it slightly as I heard voices approaching. "I will not sit around when we are so close to that Doom and Gloom Palace. Besides, we have to return this stupid atrocity and rescue my fair Princess." We've been walking around these woods almost all morning. We need a break for our strength kiddo." Kiddo? These two sounded to be the same age. Also they kinda reminded me of Morality and Creativity. I peered around the bush I was near to see if I could get a face to go with these voices. There were two figures and one of them was dragging a third, slightly sparking figure. The one dragging the 'atrocity' wore an all white royal-ish outfit with a red sash draped over one shoulder. The other had glasses and was in a light blue colored shirt. A gray cardigan was slug over his shoulder and he had a pair of khakis on. I dared to take a step forward for a better look and regretted almost instantly. A twig snapped under my weight and I ducked behind the bush again.

"Who goes there? Show yourself foul creature." Did he just.... Arms crossed and a glair on my face I stepped forward. I spat turning my glair at the one who had spoken. "A girl? Who is she?" The one in glasses stated. "My apologize. We didn't know who or what was out there and we've been attacked four," "Six." "Six times within the last three miles we've traveled in this dreary place. So we are a bit on edge." I just shrugged. "No big deal. Just don't call me a foul creature. I get that enough back home." I wince. Why, why did I just say that to two total strangers.

"What's your name?" The one in glasses asked. Not wanting to reveal to much more at this point I decided it best to answer with my title. "I'm Depression." The two seemed to share a slightly look of confusion. "Where'd you come from?" This time the regale figure asked the question. "Um, the Dreaming forest near the Mind Palace. Anxiety and I had been taking a walk when were kidnapped. I just now escaped." Both of the boys stared at me wide-eyed. "You were with Virgil! Where is he now? Is he alright!?" I just blinked at them. Virgil? "Um...who? Last I checked Anxiety's name was Shadow and she preferred she/her pronouns." Again, why am I telling these things to these odd strangers.

(Roman's P.O.V.)

Patton and I had been walking for awhile. For the first time I got to see his healing powers in action as well as why I should never get on papa bears bad side. I seriously think he could give the Dragon Witch a run for their money. We were now arguing about continuing on. I was about to come back with some witty quip when we heard a twig snap. I summoned my Katana as I spoke. "Who goes there? Show yourself foul creature." A girl came from behind the bushes she had been using as cover. Her arms were crossed and she was glaring at me. ""I. Am NOT. A. FOUL CREATURE."

"A girl? Who is she?" Patton looked at me confused. Feeling bad about calling this fair maiden foul I quickly apologized. As I was explaining about our journey Patton corrected me. The girl reminded me of Anxiety slightly as she said she was called foul a lot back home. Thinking of my little creepy cookie I felt a tug of regret for all the negative things I had said to him. Does he feel unwanted and like a foul creature? "What's your name?" Patton asked, bringing me back from my thoughts. She seemed to hesitate slightly before answering him. "I'm Depression." She stated. Pat and I looked at each other. Was Thomas' Depression a girl? Is she Anxiety's sister? Wanting to find out more I asked a follow up question. "Where'd you come from?"

The girl, Depression, seemed nervous giving out this information but still answered. "Um, the Dreaming forest near the Mind Palace. Anxiety and I had been taking a walk when were kidnapped. I just now escaped." My heart seemed to drop and then try and flutter out of my chest. I looked back over at Patton who also had a look of shock on his face. My mouth blurted questions out. "You were with Virgil! Where is he now? Is he alright!?" Depression took a step back blinking at my bombardment of questions. "Um...who? Last I checked Anxiety's name was Shadow and she preferred she/her pronouns."

I deflated slightly. She hadn't been with Virge. He's still missing and in danger. This also meant that this was not one of Thomas' sides. "My apologize. I assumed that your Anxiety and our Anxiety were the same Anxiety." A sad and understanding look crossed her face. "Sorry. Wish I could help." "Don't be sorry kiddo. None of it is your fault." Patton took a step forward. "I'm Morality, or you can call me Patton or Pat if you wish. That's Creativity or Roman." She smiled and chuckled slightly. "What's funny?" I asked thinking she was laughing at my name. "Nothing, just when I had heard you two arguing You made me think of Morality and Creativity back at home." "I bet she is just a stunning." I said giving my best Princly pose holding my Katana aloft. She laughed again. "So, if you're not Thomas' Depression then who's are you and how did you get to this Mind Scape?"

Depression bit her lip and looked at the ground. Her shoulder length black hair covering her face. "I honestly don't know how we got here. My host is a girl named Rae." She started shifting on her feet. "Do you think you can help us get to the Palace. I'm sure if we find Logan he can help figure out away to get you and Shadow home." She nodded. "Alright. I'll help you." With that, I grabbed the Logan clone's ankle again. "Lead the way Depression."