For the Love of Netty

THIRTEEN

Tom's POV
The sound of my name startled both Lina and I, and I turned to the small forest next the house. Lina was speechless when she saw who it was, but I just gaped at it. "It can't be..." I whispered in shock, a grin coming to my face at the thought of her. Then I screamed as loud as I could.

"Netty!"

Lina just smiled at me, and slowly backed up. "Go get your girl," she said with a happy grin. I silently thanked her and broke out into a run towards Netty. She hopped off of her horse and did the same, with a thrilled expression on her face.

Then we reached each other in the middle, and immediately wrapped our arms around each other. "I missed you so much," she said to me, facing me with a huge grin. "I've missed you too," I whispered to her, facing her as well. Then we leaned in and shared our first kiss in a long time.

Suddenly, another noise from the forest caused us to look at it. "What other things have you brought other than a horse?" I joked, and she smirked. "Not a lot, just your brother." She was right; Squid appeared from the woods on his own horse, hopping off after his horse stopped near Netty's own.

"Squid!" I cheered, running to him and giving him a hug. He hugged me back immediately, his tentacles wrapping tightly around my torso. "I've missed you, man," Squid said with a light chuckle, releasing me. I grinned. "Me too. What are you doing here?"

"We're here to take you home!" Netty exclaimed, and I frowned. "What are you talking about? Stampy'll never let me go back." Squid shook his head. "He said if we get you back there in the next four days, you can stay and get back with Netty! Wouldn't that be amazing?"

I sighed. "It takes us three to four days to get back there. What if it's too late? What if you don't return in time?" "Then he kicks us out," Netty answered simply, and I felt my anger towards Stampy increasing. "You've done nothing though!" "It's bizarre, I know. Who's that?" Netty asked suddenly, and I turned to see Lina standing by the house.

"Oh, that's Lina. I met her when I first came. But we're just friends, Netty; nothing to worry about," I answered, and Netty nodded, believing me completely, which was good, as I didn't want her to be upset. I called her over, and she jogged over to me, a polite smile on her face. "Hi! I'm Lina. Nice to meet you." Squid shook her hand, a nervous smile on his face. I grinned to myself.

Does Squid thing Lina's cute?

Ooh, I would have some things to stay to him.

Lina and Netty shook hands as well, and Netty seemed to like Lina alright, which was really good. "So, are you here to take Tom back?" Lina asked, and Squid nodded. "Yeah... That is, if he wants to come back." They all turned to me, and I simply sighed. "Tom, you have to come back," Netty said immediately.

"Say that I do go back," I said, contemplating my words a moment. "And everyone else is thrilled to see me. But Stampy, the main man, hates me for an unknown reason. He'll practically shun me, and I won't be happy, because Stampy was my friend. I wouldn't be happy if my friend hated me." Squid shook his head. "Who cares what Stampy thinks?! We all want you to return, that's why Netty and I are here!"

"Tom, they all miss you. You'll be better off there than you'll ever be here," Lina said, and I turned to her. "What about you? You have nowhere to go, you've just lost your dog! I just can't leave you here!" "Then have her com with us," Netty offered, a small smile coming to her face. "She seems extremely nice, and based on that bow on her back, she's a good fighter."

Lina smiled happily, and I turned to Netty and Squid. "Are you sure she could come with us? We'd have to empty the house of her things," I said, and Squid nodded. "Yes, it's okay. So, you want to come back?"

I thought a minute, considering the thought. I'd get to see my friends again! I'd get to be with Netty again, and live with my brother again! But Stampy would hate me, and he'd never approve of Netty and I.

'Who cares what Stampy thinks?! We all want you to return, that's why Netty and I are here!'

Squid's words ran through my head, and I sensed the urgency in his voice. He did want me to go back to the Lovely World, I could feel it. Lina wanted to come to the Lovely World, and Netty was in love with me! I had to go back! I grinned at them.

"Let's go back to the Lovely World!"
•••
Hello guys!

It's been a while since I've done an author's note, but this one is very important.

'For the Love of Netty' will soon be coming to an end.

This story is one of my favorites, but all good things must come to an unfortunate end. This story will have one or two more chapters, but it will not have a sequel AT THE MOMENT. I change my mind often, so there possibly could be a sequel.

So until next time...

Byyyyyeeeee!

- Maddie <3