The Triple Date Disaster

Chapter 17: Katelyn

Aaron and Travis continued walking through the forest.  It's been about two hours since Zane disappeared.  They were almost positive Ash had something to do with it, but they couldn't be sure.  They had to keep reminding themselves that Ash was working for Ein.  Speaking of Ein, they also thought it was weird how they haven't so much as seen him.  Ein never let's other people take the credit for his master plans, and so far it's only been Ash.

It seemed like everything around them was crumbling.  Like nothing could stay together.  Everything just kept piling up.  First they fought with the girls, which is bad enough, then the girls disappeared, then Ash came into their lives, then Ein supposedly came back, then other people started going missing, and now on top of that... Zane disappeared.

At first they thought Zane simply went looking for Kawaii~Chan in the forest and got lost, but that was two hours ago.  They haven't seen any footprints or anything, so they were starting to get worried.   

The moon's blue and purple light spilled over the soil as they walked through the forest looking for Zane; following the wolf pup.

It was strange how they started following the pup around.  Aaron and Travis just realized Zane was missing, and that the pink was gone from the moon.  They immediately started assuming the worst.  After the pup went on a howling fest, it ran into the forest.  They almost felt an impulse, or something pushing them toward the woods as the pup ran inside.  

At first Aaron wanted to search the cave, thinking Aphmau would be in there.  However they decided that the pup was the right way to go.  

Now the pup was beginning to go faster, as if nearing the target.  It was sprinting at full speed for about thirty seconds.  For a pup, it was pretty fast.  Aaron and Travis could barely keep up.  Finally the pup came to an abrupt stop, and began sniffing by a rock.

Travis walked over to the rock, covered in the shadow of the surrounding trees.  As he bent down to look at what the wolf had found, a wave of panic spread across his face.  "Oh.  My.  Irene."

Aaron, beginning to panic replied, "Travis?  What's wrong?"  After Aaron finished those words the wolf pup jumped into his arms.  The forest was dark, gloomy, and sullen.  All the trees seemed to stand still and watch, as Travis slowly stood up.  What Aaron saw in Travis's hands shocked him, pained him, impelled him.

It was Zane's mask.  Dirty, and shredded.

Aaron couldn't take his eyes off of it, and neither could Travis.  What did that mean?  Was he.... no no no no no... it couldn't be...

The wolf pup jumped out of Aaron's arms and ran deeper into the forest.  More panic arose through Aaron as he watched the pup become smaller and smaller.  "Wait!  Come back!"  Aaron called as he sprinted toward the pup, chasing after him with everything he had.  

It was no use, the wolf was gone.  Aaron stood, looking all around him for the pup.  As he searched his surroundings, he noticed the lighting around him changed.  No more blue.  He looked straight up to see an all purple moon.

As he looked up at it, he heard Travis call for him, "Aaron!  Aaron I found Katelyn!"

Relief washed over him.  If Travis found Katelyn, that means Kawaii~Chan and Aphmau can't be that far away either.  Or Zane.   

He ran back to where he left Travis, but couldn't find him.  "Travis!  Travis where'd you go?  Is Katelyn okay?"

His words echoed through the woods as he looked into the darkness that was the trees, looking for Aphmau.

"Over here!" Aaron heard from farther away, and began running in the direction Travis's voice was coming from.

He kept following the sound, until finally he saw Travis by a pond; but no Katelyn.  He ran over to him, grabbing his shoulder.  "Where's Katelyn?" he asked, catching his breath.