Chapter 3
Running
Marshall POV
Pain. I was jolted awake with a sudden burning in my arm. The sun has risen and I misjudged my placement in the cave. Being to close to the entrance, my arm is now burned. Oh well, it will heal. Looking around I can tell it is much bigger than I first thought. I could easily build a house in here. First I needed some supplies. Looking outside, there looked to be a few more hours of sun.
I look around until I find my umbrella, "As long as I am careful." I open the umbrella and take a step outside before I start floating towards the forest. The trees have gotten taller since I was last here. That should make it at least slightly easier to build a house.
I kept floating around the forest untill I came across the same clearing that leads to that little kingdom, "I wonder if they are still partying?" I ask myself as I draw closer. The closer I got the better I could hear the music. Not wanting to be seen I stayed a little ways off and just watched.
I was still watching when a little boy snuck out of the gates and began to run towards the forest, "Interesting." I purred as I began to silently follow this small boy, "Where could you be headed?"
Gumball POV
After only a few hours of rest, the music from the party woke me. I rubbed my eyes and recalled what I had seen last night, "I have to find out who and what that was."
I ran to my closet and picked out the best outfit to go adventuring in. After about an hour of searching I picked an old ripped, purple shirt and some dark shorts. I went to kitchen and packed some apples and sandwiches for later. Now I just have to sneak out.
I went through the garden exit and quietly weave through the alleys till I got to the front of the kingdom. I pushed open the door, slipped out and let it close back behind me. I was off. I was so excited that I didn't notice the being following me. I was finally out on my own. I couldn't belive it.
After walking for a while I realized that I had no clue where I should go. I had been in this forest for what seemed like hours and my legs were starting to hurt. I sighed and plopped down where I stood. I was lost and hungry. While I couldn't do anything about being lost, at least I had brought some food with me.
I reached into my backpack and pulled out an apple when I heard a sound. I froze in fear knowing that if it was a monster i didn't stand a chance. The bushes rustled and seemed to part but nothing was there. They closed and everything grew quiet. I didn't know what to do. Suddenly, my apple was taken from my hand. I screamed and jumped to my feet only to slip and fall back.
Laughter could be heard but I couldn't see from where. I looked at the floating apple and heard a sucking noise. The color was drained from the apple and I could tell it was also fleeing my face, "What's the matter?"
I could hear a man talking but I couldn't see him. It sounded like it was coming from the apple. But how? Apples can't talk. I watched as the apple was flung through the air and almost hit me in the head. "Wh-wh-whoo ar-re you?" I stumbled trying to figure out what was going on.
"Wouldn't you like to know." The voice began to laugh at my fear. I felt the tears begin to betray me. The warmth flowing down my face faster than I wanted. I opened my mouth to speak but only a small whimper came out. That was when a hand appeared. Then another. Soon the entire body of, not a man, but an older boy appeared in front of me. He landed next to me and kneeled down. He brushed a few tears from my face. He actually looked as if he felt bad, "I'm sorry. Please don't cry." Why was this stranger apologizing to me?
"Who are you?" I say a bit more confidently although a few tears still escaped me, "Why did you scare me like that?" I took a look into his eyes just for a second before he turned his face away. They were red! They kind of reminded me of the color of strawberries. I was so caught up in my thoughts of his eye color I didn't even notice him twisting around and beginning to lift me into the air.
"Well I guess I could start with my name but the sun is bugging me so lets go somewhere else," I started to squirm, trying to get out of his grasp. It was completely pointless so I squeezed my eyes shut and held on tight. When he finally landed, I could feel the change in atmosphere. I opened my eyes to see that I was in a cave. He sat me down on a flat rock and just floated around looking relaxed, "I'm Marshall Lee the vampire king and this is the cave I am thinking about calling my home. And who are you scared little lost boy?"
I just sat there dumbfounded. He said he was a king? What is going on? I have never heard of him and Mother and Father try to keep me completely updated on the royalty of the world. Why have I never heard of him. I look up at his face and see him beginning to become impatient., "I'm sorry. I am prince Gumball. Future ruler of the candy kingdom. And, as soon as the banana guards realize I am missing they will find me and you will be arrested. Or, you can help me find my way back to the path and I can go home." I puffed out my chest with, fake, bravery and hoped this Marshall guy could not see through my disguise.
Marshall POV
He looked ridicules. With his chest puffed out and that defiant pout on his face. But his eyes screamed fear. This kid was scared of me. Well then, I guess that is kind of my fault. I raised my right brow and looked down at the little brat, "Sorry Gumbutt, I don't take orders. Plus, I didn't take you, you ran away... Why did you do that by the way?"
His eyes widened as he realized I saw through his plan to trick me. He started to fumble with his hands and mumbled some words I couldn't quite make out. When he realized I could hear him he jumped from his rock and began to pace, "I wanted to get out of there. They never let me leave the kingdom. They barely let me leave the castle. I thought I could just slip out and explore for a bit. I thought I could make it out here alone." By the end he stopped pacing and he looked down at the floor. His shoulders slumped over in defeat. He was utterly pitiful.
"Let me take you home," The words escaped my lips before I could even process what I was saying. The look of shock plastered on his face before he began to jump up and down. He squealed as if I was offering him the best gift in the world. That was when he ran up and hugged me, "Calm down before I change my mind. We have to wait till dark though. Is that ok with you?"
"Yeah. Sure. I can wait till dark. I still have a couple of sandwiches and one more apple. I was planning to be gone all day anyways. Thank you soooooo much!" He skipped over to where I put down his backpack and took out a sandwich. I laid down to begin to nap as he started eating. He looked over to me and smiled the most ridiculous smile before continuing to eat. "It's a good idea for us to nap. You sure are smart Marshall." He finished eating and walked over. He laid down next to me and closed his eyes. He must be cold in this cave with only his shorts and tee-shirt.
"Have a nice rest. I'll wake you when it is time to go," He just nodded and then drifted off. I couldn't help but begin to feel a smile grow on my face. He really is a cute kind. Weird, but cute. I closed my eyes again and fell into a sweet and dreamless sleep.
Sorry peeps for how long it took for me to write this. I had a bunch of life issues happen one after the other. I won't bore you with the details. But now I am back. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reading. I will try to post again next saturday if not sooner.
