Author's Note: What's This? Another chapter so soon? I know, I JUST published the third chapter, but I have been really into this story recently, so I have been writing more chapters and getting more out.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own the OTH characters (Dreamworks) neither do I own certain OC's in this fic (starwars4life). I will let you know, however, that 2 of my own OC's come into this chapter.
Here we go!
Chapter 4: Carl the Coral Snake, Ike, & Nightmares
The sinister, yet smooth voice came from behind the 6 teens. Upon looking behind them, they see a coral snake, a evil looking snake, with the normal coral snake stripe pattern: Black snout, yellow around the face, then black, yellow, then red on it's body. It had red, beady eyes, staring dastardly at the teens.
?: No isn't this a predicament. I was just getting hungry…
Quillo: Guys, is this the part where we run?
Bucky, Spike, Rachel, Emma & Emily in unison: Yep.
Quillo: Got it.
The 6 start to scream, running for their lives.
?: Come BACK here!
The emphasis on the "back" stated that the snake was more than a little angry with his lunch running from him.
Emily: Get away!
That's when the worst happens: The six get separated. Quillo, Bucky, and Emily go one way, Spike & Rachel go another, and Emma…goes alone the third way.
With Quillo, Bucky & Emily:
The three ran for a good 10 minutes, before realizing that the Coral snake was not chasing them anymore.
Bucky: Well if he's not chasing us… (In realization) He's most likely chasing one of the others!
Emily: I saw him go down the path Emma went down!
Quillo: We have to save her!
The 3 head back up the path they went down, hoping it wasn't too late.
With Spike & Rachel:
Spike: Rachel…Rachel…We aren't being chased anymore…
Rachel looks behind her, and notices no more coral snake.
Rachel: Well…that's a relief.
Spike: Yeah.
However, in the distance they hear Emily's voice.
Emily: Emma! We're coming!
Spike: Sounds like Emma's in trouble! Let's go!
Rachel and Spike head back up the trail.
With Emma:
Emma had reached a dead end. She decided to catch her breath before trying anything. She then hears a snake coming at her about a mile away.
Emma: Uh-oh!
She then looks at the dirt wall that was too high for her to climb.
Emma: Oh…What am I going to do?
She hears the snake getting closer, but does not see him.
Emma: Please, leave us alone!
Suddenly someone pulls on her arm, and pulls her into a hollow tree. It takes her a minute to realize it wasn't the coral snake, but she was still frightened, almost screaming before the being puts a paw over her mouth.
?: (Whispering) If you scream, we're both dead. Don't worry, I'm here to protect you.
The snake then jumps down, scanning the area. He tries to look for one of the porcupines, but to no avail.
Snake: Darn it! I don't wanna know what the boss is gonna do…
Once the shadowy figure sees the snake disappear, he takes his paw off of Emma's mouth.
Emma: First of all, thank you.
?: Eh, no problem. It's what I do. It's my job.
Emma: (Nervous): Can you please step out of the shadows? It's a bit unnerving.
?: Oh, sorry.
The shadowy figure then steps out of the shadows, revealing a slightly older porcupine, probably 30 years, with brown fur similar to the boys' and black quills. This porcupine also had a backpack.
?: That was close. You know, you probably shouldn't be alone out here. Lots of predators, lots of things wanting to eat an oblivious little thing like you.
Emma: Oh, I'm not alone, I have others, but we got separated.
?: Ah, makes sense. You know, you have more to say than me. I actually have no friends, family. I got nothing.
Emma: Yeah, I may never know how that feels. I come from a family of…30 something members.
?: Really? That sounds cool, but I kind of like being alone. Oh, where are my manners? My name is Ike.
Ike then extends his paw to shake Emma's paw.
Emma: My name's Emma. Can I ask you a question?
Ike: Of course.
Emma: Why did you save me? You said it's "your job".
Ike: Oh, I actually work for this guy. Greatest man I've ever met. We call him "The Grand." He runs a camp for prey animals like you and me in need. We work to make sure every innocent creature is unharmed. Our motto is "No creature is safe unless it's at The Oak Hotel". The Oak Hotel being our camp.
?: Emma?
It was Rachel, calling for her.
Ike: Those must be your friends. Here, let me talk to them.
Ike and Emma then step out of the hollow tree.
Ike: Hello! Yeah, hey. How are you? Anyways, don't worry, your friend is sa-
Spike then slaps Ike.
Spike: Woah! S-Sorry. That was…weird. I've never hit anyone, and that just kind of…came out.
Ike: (Rubbing his cheek) Ah, it's…fine. Emma, please, if you want to rejoin your friends…
Emma then walks over to the others.
Emily: Did you…how is she alive? The snake must have found her…
Ike: I kind of saved her life. No need to thank me. It's what us Oak Hotel employees do!
Bucky: First of all, thank you for keeping her safe. Second of all, what is the "Oak Hotel"
Ike clears his throat, as if he has a speech in routine at this moment.
Ike: The Oak Hotel was built by a man named "The Grand" who simply had one goal: To keep every small critter safe from harm! The hotel is in a tree, much like a birdhouse you could say.
Quillo: Interesting…May I ask, where is that hotel.
Ike: Unfortunately, it's a good 40 miles from here…driving distance. Walking, it'll take at least 2 days.
Bucky: Well, until we find a way home, we need somewhere to stay. Do you mind, Ike, if you take us to this "Oak Hotel"?
Ike then bows.
Ike: It would be my pleasure. Follow me!
Ike then leads the way, and just 2 seconds later.
BOOM!
Thunder struck. Rain poured down.
Ike: Maybe we should find somewhere to stay until the storm ends…I have a little camp in a hollow tree a few minutes from here. We'll stay there.
Ike leads the teens to the smaller camp (smaller in comparison to the Oak Hotel). And shows the teens to the beds.
Ike: I always have spare beds, just in case. I don't mind sleeping out here anyways.
Quillo: We can't thank you enough, Ike.
Emma: Um, can I ask you one small question?
Ike: Ask away.
Emma: That snake said something about a boss…
Ike's face went from happy to concern in a few seconds. Despite what he says next, the teens know something is on his mind.
Ike: It's…for the best you don't know THAT fact. You kids should get to bed. Long day tomorrow.
They look at Ike in confusion, but do not bug him, as he gave them a place to stay.
The 6 head to bed. You know, it felt nice for them to just lay down and relax after the LONG day they just had.
THAT NIGHT
Emma woke up in the middle of the night, but not in the forest the 6 were in before. She was back in the suburbs of Elysian Field Estates. She saw smoke coming from…her home…
Emma ran towards the smoke, just hoping that everyone was alright. When she got to the hedge, everything was on fire.
Emma: No…
?: That's what happens when prey run from me…
Emma sees the snake from before.
Snake: No one can save you THIS time!
The snake jumps at Emma, and right before she is eaten…She woke up.
Back in the forest
Emma was tossing and turning in her sleep.
Emma: No…please…don't-eat…
Emma then proceeds to jerk up in her bed.
Emma: AHHH!
She feels around her body, making sure she is still alive. That's when two others rush to her: Spike and Ike.
Spike: Emma?
Ike: What happened?
Emma is still panting, and just realized that her bed was dripping in sweat.
Emma: I…don't know. I had this dream…where the hedge was on fire. Just before I was eaten by that snake from yesterday, I woke up.
Spike kneels down to the bed.
Spike: Emma, it was just a nightmare. You probably had one because of the hectic previous night we had. Lots of stuff happened, and you are probably stressed about everything, and thus, the nightmare.
Emma: You're probably right…
Ike: Well, we should get going soon…Long way from here to the hotel.
Ike then goes to wake up the others.
Spike: Let's get going.
The two then get up and head outside from the bedroom.
Author's Note: Once again, had a BLAST with this chapter. Finally, we are not only introduced to my first OC, Ike, but we are also introduced to our antagonist, Carl the Coral Snake (silly name, I know)
Once again, have to thank starwars4life, who actually gave me the idea of naming the villain of the fic (Because I was originally going with Paul the Python, but changed it due to the fact that Coral snakes were more common in the lives of the female triplets, which will be explained why that is important in due time…)
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter! See you soon!