We'll Get There {AntiAverage} (ABANDONED)

2: C B

1848 words

I had never left somewhere so fast. I had been shopping when Marvin had called, and I'm pretty sure I accidentally nicked someone in my haste to return my cart. I slammed my car door shut and typed the address given to me into my GPS, driving off as soon as I heard the AI voice come to life. It was honestly a miracle that I didn't get a ticket on the way there.

I seemed to hit every bit of traffic that existed, paired with every red light I could see. That, on top of an already long trip, resulted in me reaching my location about an hour after I received the call, and my heart had been thumping in my ears the entire time. I could see Marvin and Dark's cars already there as I pulled up. Dark, Bing, Google Yellow, Marvin, JJ, and Jackieboy Man were all outside.

I was out of the car before I even shut it off, locking it with my key fob as I scrambled up to them. "Where is he?", I asked, skidding to a halt in front of Marvin.

"He's in there- But- Wait!", the magician grabbed my shoulder as I started towards the rotting door, nearly knocking me off-balance.

I looked at him, to the door, and back at him desperately, "What? He- he's in there, why can't I go in?"

Marvin sighed, looking around the others. His hand left my shoulder as he deflated, "Anyone else care to explain this? I... I can't..."

I felt bile rise in my throat, assuming the worst. No, no no no no, he wasn't... he couldn't be... not after everything... Google Yellow nodded, turning to me. "He is in poor physical condition, but that will heal with time. The real issue is the phycological damage. He refuses to allow anyone near, even to unchain him or dress his wounds."

Relief flooded my senses, he was alive, and then shriveled into horror once again. He wasn't dead. No, no, he was just seriously traumatized.

"Oh God...", I whispered, covering my mouth with my hand. I blinked against the sudden unwanted tears in my eyes, gritting my teeth together so hard my ears rang.

After a moment, I asked, "Can I see him?"

Marvin hesitated, glancing around the small group that had formed outside the building, "I'm not sure that's a good idea..."

Jackieboy Man looked at the magician and sighed, re-adjusting his mask, "He should at least physically see him. Come on, Chase." I followed the red-suited Septic into the house, where I saw Dr. Iplier, Dr. Plier, and Dr. Schneeplestein talking.

Their heads snapped up when we walked in with eerie synchronization. "Chase.", Schneep nodded, before the circle of doctors dipped their head again and continued talking.

Then I saw him.

Anti, chained to the corner of the room looking like shit. He was boney and pale, with sunken eyes. The one that usually glowed green was now a dim teal, and his neck was clotted with browning blood. He looked at Jackie and me fearfully, cowering as low to the ground as he could. I gasped, covering my hand with my mouth again to suppress a gag.

"I'm not going to try to get closer.", Jackieboy said, stepping back with his hands up.

I nodded, carefully stepping towards Anti. I moved slowly, nearly tip-toeing, with my hands up like I was walking up to a rabbit. He shrank back, whimpering. "Hey, no, it's okay, you're okay. I'm not going to hurt you, Anti. You're alright.", I whispered gently, crouching down a few feet away from him.

I sat on my knees, making sure to keep my distance so I didn't freak him out. "It's Chase, Chase Brody. You remember me, right? I'm the one who stayed up all night with you watching horror movies. Do you remember that? I was so scared you had to sleep in my room to 'protect' me."