The Triple Date Disaster

Chapter 30: What If I'm Not Who You Think I Am

Travis ran through the forest not knowing what was going to happen.  He didn't even want to think about what would happen if the potion had already set in... or what would happen if Geoffrey got to Katelyn before he did.  He couldn't think that way.

He felt sick, not from the running but from worry.  Every time he thought about Katelyn with someone else, especially because of the effects from a potion, his stomach felt hallow.  As if there was a big empty pit inside of him.  

He didn't realize just how much he really cared for Katelyn until this moment.  When he found himself about to fight for her, knowing that his jokes and player lines couldn't get him the win this time.  As if they ever did in the first place... that's what Katelyn would of said.  

He examined the area around him.  There was a big cave to the left, he felt like that could be where Katelyn was.  After all, a lot had happened in caves these past few weeks.  He walked toward it but he almost felt this tug pulling him away from it.  Like an instinct.  

Something inside of him was telling him not to step foot in that cave; but he couldn't shake the fact that Katelyn could be in there.  And he was NOT going to let Geoffrey get there first.  So he stepped inside.

He walked into the cold, damp cave.  It looked normal, just like any cave would.  Except it felt different.  It almost felt as if there was this dark presence inside of it that couldn't be explained. 

He walked slowly, taken in the sides of the cave.  They weren't jagged like you would think a cave would be, they also weren't smooth like it was hallowed out.  It almost looked like it had craters in the side of it.  In the wall.  He realized later that these craters have been going on through out the whole cave, and continued on, not noticing them until now.

As he stopped to examine one of the spots in the wall, he felt a sharp pain in his back and he flung toward the wall, then falling to the ground.  

He opened his eyes and thought he was knocked unconscious, he was only out for about a minute or two at most.  

*****

Zane stopped and took a second to catch his breath.  Seeing a river only a few feet away, he decided to go and take a quick drink.  Seeing that the water was fresh he cupped his hands together using them like a bowl or cup, and scooped water into his mouth in big gulps.  

He sat at the river's edge and took in the area around him.  It looked really peaceful around him, and for a very brief moment he was able to forget all that's happened.  Then he remembered why he was in this forest in the first place.  It wasn't for the water, not for the scenery, it was to get his girl back.  And to finally have the courage after this to ask her what he's been wanting to ask for a while now.  He reached into his pocket and grabbed the ring that he's been holding onto ever sense they arrived.  Even after they first initially disappeared, he still kept it close to him.

He cursed himself for not asking her when he found her earlier.  What if he never got that chance again?  What if he would never get to see for himself what her answer would be?  No.  He could't think like that.

He got up from where he was sitting now that the water had refreshed him enough that he felt like he could run a marathon.  He walked around the trees, taking in everything and examining every possible clue.  If there was the slightest glimpse of pink he searched thoroughly.  Nothing was about to get past him.

He found many things that Ash must of put in the forest specifically for the pure joy of taunting him.  Things like toy cat ears, cupcake wrappers, things that were mementos to his and Nana's relationship.  He liked to think that in a way it was Nana, even though the potion made her a different person, he liked to think that deep down it was her leaving things for him to find her.  A far-fetched thought, but a pleasant one.

After about half an hour of walking,  he saw a cave.  Wanting to make sure he didn't miss anything he stepped inside.  

"Travis?!" He yelled as he walked in noticing Travis sitting on the ground with his head against the wall.

He walked over to him and crouched, making sure he wasn't hurt or anything.  What was he doing here, not looking for Katelyn?

"Hey Zane..." Travis started, rubbing his head. "I was looking in the cave when something hit me and knocked me out.  I think I'm okay though.  Any sign of Kawaii~Chan?  Or Katelyn?"

"No," Zane said sorrowfully, "Not a sign of Aphmau either."

Travis closed his eyes as his head fell back on the wall.  Zane got up, not wanting to waste any time.  "You all good to travel again?  You might have a concussion if you were knocked out.  You probably do."

Travis smiled, "Neighborhood watch trying to look out for me?  Nah Zane I'm good.  I need to get to Katelyn before that Geoffrey guy."

Zane helped Travis up and they walked out of the cave together.  Zane asked, "Do you have any idea what hit you?" Travis just nodded his head no.

They continued to walk around together, not seeing any reason to separate just yet.  Zane also didn't really want to leave Travis.  He still felt that his injury from before might be worse than what he was letting on.  He wanted to be here in case he passed out or something.  

"The Potion!" Zane yelled, startling Travis.  "What?! NO!" Travis yelled, "Not ANOTHER forever potion.  I swear if I see another one of those I'll..."

"No." Zane interrupted, annoyed.  "Amora made us healing potion!  Which we left with her... we didn't grab them before we ran into the forest."

"I'm fine Zane, really.  It doesn't even hurt anymore."

"If you say so."

Again, they continued walking.  

After a little bit it got so dark it was almost impossible to see and they decided to make a camp.  There was no finding anyone in this lighting.  While Zane went out looking for something they could pass for food and get something into their stomachs, Travis decided to stay behind and start working on the fire.  

Once he got it lit he sat waiting for Zane to return when he was knocked to the ground.  He looked up, "Katelyn?"

She stomped out the fire so that there was no more light, except for the blue glow radiating off of her.  Travis stood their dumbfounded.  Does this mean he won?

"Travis!" He heard Zane calling him as Zane from where he was looking for food.  A pink light coming from the tree.  "What is happening?"

They looked up into the trees and saw Ash sitting on a branch.  She called down, "You need to fight.  I told you remember?"

Zane was dumbfounded.  "I thought we were fighting the other guys!  Not them!"

Ash replied, "You were... but you didn't find them first.  They know that the their true loves would find them.  You were too late."

Zane looked in dismay at Nana, they couldn't be too late. 

Nana seemed to be struggling with something.  For a moment the glow coming from her stopped, and her eyes turned back to a normal color.  "Zane!  Run!"  She called before her eyes turned back and the glow returned.  Did she remember?

Just then the girls pounced on them, they didn't know what to do?  Do they really want to fight them?

"Katelyn!  This isn't you!" Travis called as he pushed and defended himself, all trying not to land a hand on her.  Her eyes glowed with a bright green.  "What if I'm not who you think I am?" She smirked, and the battle began.