Come in

Chapter Six: What is with this plan?

Marco

I don't understand what was happening. Everything went so fast, my mind is still blank. The door slammed open. Dark liquid-the corrupted magic-got Star. I wanted to bring her back, but I was forced to the ground instead-which is what saved me. Now here I am crying into Tom's shoulder. Why? Why am I so scared? Why is there raindrops falling from my eyes when I should really be devising a plan like I always do?

"We're going to get her back, okay?" Tom says with a gentle voice, his head on my shoulder.

I nod with a sniffle. If everything was normal, I'd be embarrassed about Tom seeing me like this. But I know there's worse things to worry about-holding on to that thought, I pull myself away and wipe my face on my sleeve.

"Come on, we need to make a plan", I turn away, "I should call for help. I'll call  Buff Frog, definitely Hekapoo as well"

"I'll call members from the High Commission too", Tom says as he slips his phone out.

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After a few miscalls from everyone, I give up. I start blurting out words with no sense behind them. I throw my body into the air from a chair in the room. Before Tom has enough time to stop me,  I walk right out with my dimensional scissors, teleporting back to Star's Grandma Room. The liquid has risen up from before and my thighs are now soaked in that disgusting liquid. It doesn't take Tom too long to get here as well.

"Marco what the hell-"

"-I'm here now! I'm going in!"

As I take one step forward a voice calls out from behind.

"Looking for this?"

Both me and Tom swing our bodies back to see Star's lifeless body being held up in the air, as if she's a puppet he can control-which he can. My eyes widen and I let out a deep gasp, Tom is also just as scared as I am. I can see the horror on his face like as if he's been stabbed in the gut.

The liquid holding Star up resembles that of Toffee's face and shoulders. The liquid is being manifested and controlled by Toffee. I hold on to my mouth, hoping not to gag out the ultimate fear I feel in my lungs and stomach. I've lost the adrenaline I had before, now I'm paralysed.

"Why have you come back? Tell us!" Tom screams, confident but fearful.

"I haven't got back everything this kingdom has taken away from us. Please, don't get in my way", Toffee's voice is psychotic, he knows how to play us.

A hand forms in the liquid and it pushes us back. Tom and I are stuck under the liquid that continues to push us back. I fear of Tom's disappearance and swim to his aid, he's alright, but this doesn't stop me from grabbing his hand hoping we're not separated by the end of it.

I feel a force of air finally enter my lungs. I cough and gag for a few moments before looking around my surroundings. We've been pushed out, quicker and farther than I would've expected. Unknown dry land. I panic for a few seconds but feel relieved when I notice Tom beside me, no bruises or visible injury-I think.

"Wher-where are-how fa-far did he push us?" Tom stutters.

I place a hand on his cold shoulder, "Let me open a portal for you, you're way too exhausted for this mission"

"No..", Tom struggles to stand up and wobbles on his knees. He's finally able to stand but his posture looks weak.

I take out my scissors but Tom pushes them down slowly.

"I'm not leaving you out here", he asserts.

I look at him with guilt ridden eyes. I only want him to be okay, I don't like seeing him like this.

"I'm going to save Star. She was a damn puppet!" Tom yells.

"I know. It's disgusting. I'm going back for her and she'll be safe. You shouldn't injure yourself anymore"

"No"

Tom falls forward, but I grab him so he doesn't hurt himself.

"You're not getting rid of me"

My eyes sadden. I feel selfish for wanting Tom with me the whole way simply for comfort. But I know I can't bring him with me or he'll get hurt even more. I sigh and swing my scissors up in the air expecting a portal to open.

"What?" I panic.

There's no portal opening up. I swing my scissors back and forth, panicky. This is a major issue, I can't take Tom back or get back to Star any quicker. I take a closer look at my scissors, there's a dark colour forming all around it.

"Toffee must've corrupted your scissors", Tom suggests.

That would also explain why Tom is so weak.

Tom stands up straight and pulls away from my arms, "Now you can't get rid of me"

I hide the scissors back in the pocket of my jeans. I sigh, cause he's right. I feel a bit comforted knowing Tom will be with me the whole journey-I just wish he wasn't so exhausted from what Toffee's done to him, bastard.

"You don't need to feel sorry for me, Marco. Let's go", Tom walks forward, but he looks so weak.

I jog in front of him and bend my knees. I push my back into Tom's legs further carrying him so he's lying on my back. He slides his arms around my neck loosely.

"Thank you", he says gently.

"It's okay. Let's go", I begin jogging in the direction of the trees, only assuming the Kingdom is near those trees.