"And then the monster crept towards it's unknowing victim," Arthur said in the creepiest voice he could muster. Judging by Alfred's expression, it was working. He had his arms wrapped tightly around his brother Matthew, and his eyes squeezed firmly shut. Matt was halfheartedly rubbing Alfred's back, staring blankly into the campfire the group sat around. Francis watched them with an air of amusement. "It raised one of its enormous claws…"
"No more! You've got me, okay?" Alfred shouted, tightening his grip around Matt.
"Al… that hurts…can't breath…!" Matt sputtered, trying to keep Alfred from crushing his ribcage.
"Now, now, mon cher, it's just a story. Nothing to be afraid of." Francis smiled and patted Alfred's shoulder. "How about we go to sleep now? It's been a long day."
"Y-yeah. Sleep." Alfred reluctantly released Matt and got up off the bench, and headed for the tents. He would be sharing one with Arthur, while Matt would share the other with Francis. Arthur refused to sleep in the same tent as the 'bloody frog.'
"So did I really scare you that bad?" Arthur teased as he changed into his pajamas.
"You wish. Everyone knows the hero doesn't get scared so easily!"
"Alright." Arthur rolled his eyes. "I'm going to make sure the fire's out."
"D-don't take too long."
"Yes, hero." he laughed, unzipping the flap on the tent.
Alfred slid into his sleeping bag and pulled the zipper up as far it would go. He kept his eyes on the tent's flap, waiting for Arthur to come back. His nerves were on edge thanks to that creepy story Arthur had told earlier. Even though Alfred denies it, he has always been scared witless by Arthur's stories. Tonight was no exception. All of a sudden, something fell loudly outside the tent. A cry escaped Alfred's lips and he yanked the sleeping bag over his head.
"Come on, Artie, come back…" he whimpered, leaving the safety of his sleeping bag for a moment to check the tent flap again.
Arthur looked down into the fire pit. A few embers still glowed brightly in the center. He picked up a half-empty water bottle lying on the ground and used the contents to douse the last of the fire.
"There we go." Arthur tossed the water bottle into a trash bag and started walking back towards the tent. A few steps away from the flap, he tripped on a large tree branch and fell face-first into the dirt. Great job, you idiot, he thought to himself. He winced as he rolled over; his ankle felt like it might be sprained. As he laid there rubbing his ankle, an idea formed in his mind. Arthur decided he would have a little bit more fun before going to sleep.
Alfred was starting to get really worried. It shouldn't take that long to put out a fire, right? He was starting to consider going outside to check on Arthur even though he was still scared out of his mind.
"You can do this, Al. You're the hero! Just take a look outside and see what's holding Artie up. Just a quick look." Alfred said, giving himself a quick pep talk. He picked up the flashlight lying next to his pillow and pulled the zipper on the tent flap open just enough so he could peek outside. The only things that could be seen in the dim moonlight were the outlines of some nearby trees and smoke rising from the fire pit. Alfred turned the flashlight on and swept the beam across their campsite. Arthur was nowhere to be found.
"Artie?" He said weakly. He did another quick sweep of the campsite. Still nothing. Maybe he went in Matt and Francis's tent, he thought. Now Alfred knew he had no choice. He HAD to leave the tent. The American nervously unzipped the rest of the flap and gingerly set one foot outside the tent, as if testing to see if anything would come and attack him. When nothing did, he brought his other foot out and closed up the tent behind him before dashing over to the neighboring tent. Alfred didn't bother asking to come in, he just undid the zipper and came inside. Too quickly, because he tripped over one person and landed on top of another.
"OW!"
"-the hell?"
"Get off!" Matthew shoved Alfred.
"What's wrong, petit frere?" Francis said sleepily, sitting up.
"It's Arthur, h-he said he was just going to check if the fire was out. He wasn't coming back, so I got nervous and looked outside, and he's gone. I don't know where he went. I don't-"
"Alfred." Francis said, clamping his hands onto Alfred's shoulders. "Just take a deep breath and calm down, okay? It's hard to understand you when you're rambling."
He did as Francis said, trying to calm himself. When he felt a little more collected, he said, "Arthur's gone. We have to go find him!"
Oh no! Where did Arthur go? What kind of 'fun' is he talking about? You'll have to wait and see in chapter 2! ;)
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