Disclaimer: I do not own The Troop or its monsters. I do own original characters and monsters.
A/N: Ahh! The reviews are so wonderful. So glad to be hearing from other fans of the growing Troop fandom. There were too many replies to do it on here so I want to do it individually if you have a reply option just to thank you personally. For those anonymous ones (since I don't know how to get in touch with you) Thank you so much for the reviews! They keep me smiling all day. Please let me know how you like this chapter. Thank you!
Oh and who loved that Valentines episode? I was literally squealing and giggling the whole time. It was funny, cute, awkward, and sweet all in one. I just wished it could have been longer. I hope they don't forget about the moment and sweep it under the rug. Hopefully it gets brought up again or at least the developing relationship between them. And there definitely was a moment. Lol. I'm thinking of doing a one shot on that episode cos my mind wont stop racing so hopefully I'll have the time. Once again thank you as always guys!
Chapter 7
Hayley couldn't help but reflect for a split second on how she turned out to be fighting her fifth monster of the day on a Saturday afternoon alone. This was her first time to truly fight without help. There would always be some backup from either Jake or Felix; sometimes later rather than sooner but still. It was Troop manual code. She was starting to see how that particular code made sense. This was the first time she had to rely on herself. She couldn't even use her blaster. She didn't know if it was malfunctioning but whenever she needed it and the light came on signaling it was ready it was literally nothing but air. She had to conjure up her Jujitsu skills and martial arts training to tackle the heavy monsters.
She noticed that the monsters were somehow different, as if they were stronger or smarter. They could sense when her moves were becoming predictable to them and would counter-strike her. The first two monsters she managed to scare away but the other two she had to outrun because they didn't seem to back down.
This fifth one looked to be on the track of Plan A. He seemed to be tiring out. She delivered a swift punch on his scaly jaw and sent him flying to the corner by a tree. In a way she felt good and empowered taking the monsters down on her own.
"Yeah do you want some more? Plenty more where that came from," She coaxed with her hands.
The monster, which she wasn't quite familiar with and had never encountered before, rose up on its two legs. It shook off what Hayley could predict was a massive migraine after that punch and surprisingly started towards her again. It looked like a giant lizard on its two legs with his tongue moving from side to side of its mouth ready to charge her.
"Note to self, remember to think before you speak especially when in front of heated monsters," Hayley turned around and started running transitioning into Plan B. She needed to get out of there. Her stamina was waning.
She really hoped that Jake was faring much better than her considering this place was laden with monsters that were from places found around Lakewood to the places such as Africa and Brazil and some that she had never seen before. She was pretty sure that the other Lenisope monster that she tackled in the morning resided in hot, dry places and liked to absorb heat to convert into energy. It basically never got tired in places such as Africa. What was it doing here where the sun needed to weed its way through in small rays in the think forest? If they were still in Lakewood then the season was transitioning into winter. And yet it seemed to have all the energy from the deserts of Africa because it was one of the monsters that she had to run away from.
She took a sharp turn to the left and ducked from view hiding behind a large tree and crouched down to the floor. She listened carefully for the monster who was coming closer, she gripped her knees a little harder and could feel her heart pumping rapidly. She could hear it coming closer and then just as suddenly it started fading which meant it had completely passed her. She did a onceover check coming up from behind the tree.
Everything seemed to be quiet for now. She didn't know how long she could keep this up. If these woods were riddled with monsters and she had no backup and little to no resources she could pull from to battle all sorts of monsters she knew that she wouldn't be able to last. She crouched back down resting on the tree.
As soon as she told Jake to get lost she regretted it. Almost everything in her had screamed at her to take it back; the reasons seemed endless, the Troop manual with its "stronger in numbers" cliché or the "two heads are better than one" phrase. Their combined field experience. Then there were the more personal ones such as Jake could always think better straight than Hayley could in difficult pressure-filled situations. He definitely had good leader qualities. She needed his reassurance. She needed her friend. It was her stupid pride that had trumped all those reasons and had forbade her to take it back. This was all getting to be too much, this whole week was. Although in retrospect she would gladly tackle the news of being kicked of the squad if it meant she didn't have to be here in this place alone.
She felt the tree that she was leaning on give way. Or rather she fell back on a pair of legs that stepped back and left her to fall over on the ground. She looked up to a face staring back at her. It was a girl with black curly hair and wearing a light green dress. Hayley looked down at the girl's feet that looked like they were rooted to the ground but just then turned into a pair of feet. She looked very familiar.
"You're, you're…her from school!" Hayley got up, her face with a wide-eyed expression.
"I know we got off on the wrong foot last time but we really need your help, is Jake here too?" the girl said.
"You're that Dryad that turned the student council into trees!" Hayley exclaimed.
"Yes, I'm sorry again for that but I have left you alone since you guys did the same for us," she answered back. "You can call me Laurel by the way,"
"Wha- What are you doing here and where is here by the way?" Hayley was relieved that she was here to be honest. She needed answers and maybe she could help.
"I've been watching these woods with the other Dryads for unusual activities for the past two months, something very strange is going on but we can't put our branches on it" Laurel informed her.
"But why do you care? I thought you only wanted us stay away from you guys,"
"We have always had good relations with other monsters of our kind like we have had with you guys, but there are new monsters that don't care about our trees and the environment and are creating mischief in so many parts of these woods but whenever we try to confront them or talk to them they either disappear or turn violent, we are honestly no match for them, I've lost family over this" Laurel said with a slight sob. "We don't know what to do, we are surveying things right now in different parts of the woods, but I'm so glad to have found a member of the Troop to help us, Jake must have sent you here, he was always that thoughtful guy," she said dreamily.
Was she missing something that everybody else was seeing about Jake? Anyway, back to the monsters she told herself, "So what have you found out so far?" Hayley asked.
"Honestly, not that much. Whenever any of them sense that we are around them it's like I said before, but there is this strange cabin a few miles from here that seems to eerie and too calm to be living in a place this isolated. No one seems to be bothering it and vice versa. It doesn't add up"
"Have you looked into it?" Hayley asked, her heart pumping rapidly as if following a horror story.
"No I haven't I'm still shaken up by some of the things I've seen with my fellow brother's and sisters I'm so glad you guys are here to take care of things, if there is anything I can do for you guys after this you have to let me know," Laurel said wiping away a few tears. "Where's Jake by the way?" Laurel inquired.
Hayley felt bad for Laurel, in different circumstances they could have been friends asking for each other's help and a shoulder to lean on. She really couldn't tell the truth about her predicament at present, and well she had a really good suspicion that talking to Jake wasn't entirely about asking for help. Laurel didn't really need to talk to Jake she could relay the information to him herself as soon as she finds him. Hayley needed to find him and apologize.
"Jake sent me to investigate the situation actually, he is at Headquarters investigating it from there, but I'll be sure to pass your update and greetings along!" Hayley lied. She felt a sense of guilt but pushed it to the back of mind. Those plays and Drama club at school really did come of some use in real life.
"Oh, okay well when this situation blows over after you guys take care of it I'll probably stop by and say hi and catch up with him," Laurel said putting on a sweet smile.
"Yeah Yeah I'm sure he'd like that, now about this cabin where did you say it was?" Hayley asked changing the topic to something more time worthy.
"Oh I can make a trail of leaves that can lead you right up there, it should be about four to five miles from here… you understand that I can't go with you right? I just want to stay with my Dryad family right now. But I'm so happy that I can finally go back to them with good news for once!" Laurel exclaimed grabbing Hayley's hands and giving them a grateful shake.
Just keep eye contact, smile and nod. The sense of shame overwhelmed her. She didn't know if she could keep the promise that Laurel had assumed she had just made. Her lies were accumulating by the minute, Jake, helping her, if she could even help her, but this lead was all she had, she had to take it even if it led to the unknown. She didn't even know the reasons behind the lies except that it was too late to undo them.
"No problem, the Troop are monster hunters it's what we do!" Hayley forced a laugh taking her hands back.
"Good! I knew there was a good reason I didn't turn you into a tree," She giggled. "I got to go but if you need any extra help I'll be sure to send some in one form or another as long as you are here!" Laurel giddily said as if she was a normal teenage girl. She sort of reminded her of her friends in the squad.
"Oh and one last question, just to make sure and all, nothing to be concerned about but we are still in the woods in Riveridge Creek in Lakewood right?" Hayley asked anxiously.
"That's on the other side of these woods it would take about a day to walk for you humans but yeah we are still here in Lakewood, you guys and your weird questions," Laurel dismissed.
"Oh ok yeah of course I knew that I just wanted to make sure we are on the same page…" Hayley finished slowly.
"Haha I didn't know you were so funny, and if I could just say something too," She paused. "I'm surprised you and Jake haven't happened yet given our last encounter, oh well I guess my radar was off even if I am a Dryad I thought it was so clear anyway, I'll see you soon Hayley!" Laurel waved goodbye.
Hayley felt a whoosh of wind go by and when she looked back up Laurel was gone leaving a trail of golden leaves for Hayley to follow.
While Felix was waiting on the results from the lab he busied himself with the Troop grid. He hadn't gotten a lot of sleep. He didn't even go home. He was wracking his brain with the "What ifs" scenario the whole night. What if they had better weapons, what if he didn't insist on using his prototypes, what if he had helped them.
He shook his head again. He needed to focus on finding them, he could hear Hayley's voice, What done is done just focus on how to fix it. Or Jake's Don't sweat it man, we all make mistakes you just got to learn from them, see that's what Batman said to his young protégé Robin in issue 768. They were right of course even if they were imaginary.
Still not a signal or blimp on the radar screen on the Troop grid regarding Hayley or Jake. The best scenario in which that could be possible is that their watches got broken somehow and that was the one he was going to go with, never mind any others. He just needed to figure out a way. He felt his pants vibrate. It was his phone. Since not many people had his phone number it had to be Jake or Hayley. He picked it up.
"Jake? Hayley?" Felix hoped.
"What? Isn't Hayley supposed to be with you studying? That's what her mom said when I called house phone, she's not answering her cell" a girl voice asked.
"Huh maybe… I'm sorry who is this?" Felix asked gently.
"It's Demi! Sorry I hope you don't mind me calling you Hayley gave me your number today after I asked for it," Demi said shyly.
"Oh no don't worry about it, so what can I do you for?" Felix asked.
"Well first of all is Hayley there?"
"Um not right now she stepped out for some fresh air because we've been studying all night," Felix said quickly.
"Oh with Jake?" Demi asked.
"Jake?"
"Yeah you asked for Jake and Hayley on the phone when I first called," Demi explained.
"Oh yeah right, we are all in the study group," Felix had to double check if there were any holes in the story in his mind.
"Hmm, there has always been something interesting going on with those two don't you think?" She paused. Felix tried to think of some kind of explanation that didn't involve the Troop. But she dismissed it before he could. "Well anyway it doesn't matter I'll just talk to her on Monday, I actually wanted to talk to you," Demi said.
"M- me?" Felix squeaked.
"Yeah, I understand you are good with technology and all that complicated stuff right?"
"Um, I do have a certain amount of knowledge under my belt that is correct yes," Felix could not help being overconfident; it was the one of the few things he could brag about without having to snark someone afterwards.
"Great! I was wondering if you could come over when your free to take a look at my computer for me, I don't know what happened but it is not working, I've tried all sorts of things but it just shows me a blank screen," Demi explained.
"Hm well I can't do it this weekend-"
"Oh I know! Is Monday okay for you? Anytime really, I'm just worried because all my projects, presentations, student council agendas are on there, but whenever you can do is fine, I would be eternally grateful Felix please?" Demi begged.
"Oh okay," Felix relented. "We'll try for Monday after school, I'll let you know if anything else comes up,"
"Thank you Thank you a million times over! You're such a lifesaver Felix!" Demi exclaimed. Oh the irony Felix thought reminded of his current friends.
"No problem, we'll talk details on Monday,"
"Okay sounds good! Thanks Felix!"
Felix clicked the phone and hung up. What a scary and weird week this was turning out to be. And there have definitely been a lot of weeks that could compete against that statement. Sadly. Felix shook his head and tried to clear his mind concentrating on the task at hand.
Hayley checked her phone. It was four in the afternoon. She had been walking for two hours after Laurel had left. She was tired. She had taken a few breaks and was down to a few crackers and her water bottle was a quarter full. She could feel another panic attack coming on. She tried thinking of something fun, and light to keep her distracted.
Cheerleading, the Troop, Cheerleading and the Troop, Jake and Felix dressing up as girls to get in on the slumber party with the cheerleaders. Hayley laughed at that one. That was such a hilarious situation now that she looked back at it. It was like they fit right in, or they looked the part at least. Felix with his exaggerated tone fit right in with the girls. And then there was Jake.
Jake. She wondered where he was, if he was okay, she could feel her panic attack coming back head on. She didn't even remember what their stupid argument was about. She just wanted to take it all back and rewind the events of this morning, this whole week in fact. She would still be in cheerleading, wouldn't have lost valuable friendships, wouldn't have lost Jake, wouldn't have been just lost in both senses of the word. She stopped walking and bent over with her hands resting on her knees. She needed to breath, and relax.
She closed her eyes and opened them again looking down at.... Roses? There was a path of roses that had just met up with the trail of leaves that she had just stopped at. She had never noticed them before. Did they just appear just now? With her line of vision she followed the path of roses from where they started with the trail of leaves to see a silhouette a few distance away. She gasped. The silhouette moved forward. Hayley squinted to see what it was.
It was Jake. Her heart leaped. He was okay.
"Jake? Jake!" Hayley waved. She felt as if a huge weight had lifted off of her. She had never felt so happy and relieved in her life.
"Hayley?"
She took off her camping bag and ran right to him. She needed to make sure he was real. She crashed into him and wrapped her arms around him. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, her lips starting to quiver. She couldn't even think of a way to start off.
"I'm so sorry Jake I don't even know what got into me, please just forget everything I said let's never split up again from this point on," Hayley spit out. Her chin was on his shoulder as she spoke she continued. "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you, I was so scared," she could feel herself breaking down. She could feel her usually cool, calm and collected self slip away from her for the moment. She didn't care though. This was Jake, one of the few people she trusted with her life. Why not with her feelings and insecurities.
"Shh it's okay I'm fine see," Jake consoled her. "See? Everything from the messy curly hair to my ripped abs I mean jeans" He joked making light of the situation. He gently tried to pull away from her to reassure her face to face. She chuckled lightly but only hugged him tighter.
"I don't even know why I made such a big deal I'm so sorry, I think this week getting kicked off the squad and then getting lost on top of that really put things over the top," She continued. He tried to tug her off so that he could see her face to talk to her but she held on even tighter. Her legs started to give way so she wrapped them around his waist. He held her for a little while without any protest, thankfully. She just wanted to stay like this for a while.
A/N: So I have chapter 8 coming out in two to three days. Please look out for it. After that I need to finish my big paper for class. So there might be a while again till I update. So that's why I'm rushing chapter eight so I can get out to you guys and out of my way. Lol. I don't want to keep you guys waiting for too long, cos I hate when it's done to me. Haha. TC
