Lost in Worlds

Sundown

"It's vital we make it to Avery's house by sundown," said Connor staring into each of his friends' eyes as they sat around the fire pit once again. It was a chilly morning and all six of them were shivering uncontrollably. "Or we're all going to freeze out here." Nods were Connor's reply and the group continued to shake as they packed up the campsite, setting off towards their destination.

Winter was in full bloom, the nights growing increasingly colder, each sleep a battle to push through. It was a miracle none of them had hypothermia; it didn't help that they were without several, warm layers. They could only rely on their bodies for heat as they trudged through the dense forest. Despite the chilly morning, they set the mood of the day, as the birds chirped, and the crickets sounded all around, simultaneously.

Soon a clearing came into view and the group took a break, settling down for lunch.

"Oh boy, do my feet ache," groaned Sam, rubbing his feet vigorously, his brows furrowed.

"Stop being such a wuss," mumbled Will, sending the group into fits of laughter. Avery smiled as she flung a piece of cheese hanging off a fork toward Sam. He immediately stopped complaining as a slimy, sticky substance, much like slime, slid down his once-clean face. He held up a finger and touched it to his face. His features remained unfathomable as he stood up and put one foot in front of the other, slowly moving, with intimidation, towards where Avery had scrambled away. She murmured apology after apology to no avail.

Once Sam was a hairsbreadth away from Avery he leaned down, bending, and touched his hands to his knees, as if talking to a little child. Avery's apologies paused and she frowned, nostrils flaring. Sam could intimidate her, make fun of her, scowl, complain and utter insults. But he could not baby her. A child she was not. Sam's lips parted and Avery shifted her head to the side, looking away. She laughed nervously and crossed her arms, aiming to appear unfazed.

The rest of the group's eyes glazed over, mind-linking each other. But Avery couldn't hear them, they'd blocked her out. She slammed up her mental shields and blocked her friends out too. Hopefully, they'd realise and stop being such dic-

The group stood up synchronised and copied Sam's earlier movements, their faces set without emotion. Once they had all circled Avery, she fidgeted and leaned away, sticking out a rather vulgar gesture. Only to have Connor catch her finger and bite down gently. She gaped only to have her mouth stuffed with...hay? Hay is for horses and barn animals...not her.

Where the hell did ya'll find hay? Avery deadpanned as she unlocked her shields and mind-linked them, still baffled by the events unfolding.

Avery's thoughts swarmed her mind. What's happening? Are they possessed? Should I run? But something else struck Avery's mind—from earlier on. A long time ago when she had met Arthur, or rather Connor. Distraction had cuddled her head so fiercely she hadn't thought about it, until now. Connor could teleport.

If Connor could bloody teleport them from a fantasy school in a previously unheard-of-world to a bitch Queen's palace, then why couldn't he teleport them to her second-house? Could he truly be trusted or had he been playing them along all this time? Avery mentally winced, her emotional stress finally weighing her down.

Avery had the right mind to slap Connor and felt like questioning his motives, she did exactly that. Only Connor didn't reply. Rather, he and the group held out their hands, zombie-like, and...began tickling her.

"I said I was sorry! That's so not fair." Avery shrieked between forced laughter. Sam held her feet and tickled underneath them—one of the sensitive spots when tickled. Will and Connor targeted her sides and their icy fingers made Avery shiver post the initial shock. Mila and Clyde stood grinning as they went for either armpit.