The Lost Ones

Chapter 12

The group of six quickly turned around, their faces brightened up.

"Jason!" The leader of the group, a man with glasses and brown ponytail yelled, running down to Jason and nearly tackling him in a hug. The others followed until Jason was completely surrounded.

"Dude we thought we lost you!"A taller man with glowing headphones cried.

Stampy watched, tense as they hugged and surrounded Jason and slowly came over, making his presence known. "Jason?" He asked, his voice unsure but he watched the newcomers carefully.

Jason broke up the hug. "Oh, sorry! These are my friends!" He gestured towards the group.

The man with the ponytail stepped forward and held out an arm. "Name's Sky! Here's Ty, Mitch, Jerome, Husky, and Sundee!" The group waved.

Stampy gave a small wave. "Stampy..." He replied, still a bit tense. He moved a bit closer to Jason.

"Oh are those cat ears?" Jerome, the large bear-like creature stepped closer to Stampy.

"Leave him alone Biggums." Mitch frowned and placed a hand on Jerome's shoulder. "The guy's nervous can't you see?"

"Okay..."

"We've been looking all over for you dood!" Sundee exclaimed. "Where have you been these past few years?"

"Long story..." Jason sighed.

Stampy slightly stepped back when Jerome came towards him, ready to defend himself or Jason but stopped when he did. He stayed close to Jason.

Jason tried to explain their situation as best as he could, being bombarded with questions along the way.

"No way! Glad your alive man!" Ty exclaimed. "We need to get you home buddy."

Jason nodded.

Stampy shifted slightly, watching them.

Stella suddenly spoke up. "Captain! You did not introduce me to your friends!"

"Oh! Meet Stella! She's an awesome AI that I found."

The group stared in awe at the voice. "Yo that's sick!" Husky gasped. "That's like a superhero thing!"

Stella would have been beaming had she been able too. "Thank you for the praise, Captain."

"Come on Jason! We gotta get you home!" Sky grabbed onto Jason's arm. "Everyone's been missing ya!"

Jason gasped. "Every...one?"

Stampy quickly moved in between them, stopping Jason from going any further. "Uh, it's okay. We know where we're going."

"We know where to go." Sky frowned. "It'll be fine."

"You two won't be safe by yourselves." Sundee added.

"We've been doing just fine thanks." Stampy replied, taking hold of Jason's arm, the one Sky had grabbed ahold off as he stood defensively in front of him.

"What's your problem man? We're just trying to help!" Sky's voice rose.

Stampy didn't reply and just stood firm.

Jerome spoke up. "Just trust us dude! We've known him longer than you have!"

Stampy was slightly wounded by that but didn't back down. "Then why'd you abandon him?!"

Silence. Many of the group members opened their mouths to speak but quickly shut them. Jason looked at Stampy in awe. "Hey!" He hissed under his breath.

Stampy ignored him but kept his grip. "Well?!" He demanded.

Jerome growled. "Why should you know? That is our personal business, not yours!"

Stampy narrowed his eyes, looking up at him and before anyone had time to process what was happening, scratched him all the way across the face, drawing blood.

Jerome screamed and turned away, covering his face with his paws.

"Stampy what the-" Jason stood dumbfounded.

"Hey!" Mitch pulled out his bow and drew an arrow. "No one hurts my Biggums!"

Stampy's fur bristled and stood completely in front of Jason, clawing at Sky's arm to make him let go.

"What the heck!" Sky yelled, pulling away from Jason.

"STAMPY STOP!" Jason grabbed onto his arm.

Stampy stopped and looked at Jason, tense but slowly lowered his hands, but kept his claws extended and his stance defensive and close to Jason. He said nothing and looked back at the others, ears flicked back and forth in an agitated state. The fur on his tail, fluffed up in anger.

Sky moved his arm out of the way, but not quick enough to show the black blood coming out of the wound.

"What's gotten into you?" Jason yelled.

Stampy saw the blood and looked at his hand he had slashed them with and showed it to Jason. "These aren't your friends, Jase."

"Yes they are!" Jason argued.

"Get your cat under control!" Ty shouted, turning around to help Sky.

"Oh so you gave him a nickname? You really think you two are that close?" Mitch snarked, bow still at the ready.

Stampy ignored them focusing on Jason. "No, they aren't! Jason, look at my hand! The blood is black! Blood isn't supposed to be black!" He argued.

"It is not! Why are you being so aggressive!" Jason's voice kept rising, tears beginning to stream down his face. "What makes you think that we're the only people here?"

"BECAUSE THEY AREN'T REAL! I HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE JASON! MY FIANCE TURNED INTO ONE OF THEM!" Stampy snapped back.

"THIS COULD BE DIFFERENT!"

Seemingly out of nowhere Mitch fired, the arrow headed straight towards the two.

"NO, IT COULDN'T! I CAN SEE THEM DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU, JASON-" Stampy cut off as his ears perked up and he quickly tried to move out of the way before realizing Jason was still clinging to him and thus, pulled him into the line of fire. His eyes widened and tried to correct his mistake but he was too slow.