Chapter Seven: We All Make Up!...Or Not?
Gabe smiled at Gargle as he prepared to summon Bob and see Ray. Maybe even Allie. "Okay Gargle, I'm trusting you have everything under control."
Gargle buzzed. "Of course, G-abriel. Gargle can handle it."
Gabe laughed. "Alright, alright."
He took a deep breath and summoned... "Tatsurion, the Unchained!"
Allie paced her room. "I have to go. I promised. Can I face them? Am I strong without them?" Then she punched the wall. "No doubting myself! I am strong without them! I'm only going because I promised."
She sighed. "I'm so conflicted." she muttered. Squeaky, who stood near her, squeaked.
"I know, Squeaky. I'm just...confused. With myself. I'll get over it."
Squeaky squeaked and nodded.
Allie turned around. "See you in a bit, Squeaky."
"Tatsurion, the Unchained!"
Ray sat on his bed, pouting. "Mom, I'm slightly injured. I'm not dying. You can go now."
"Oh Ray, I'm so worried." Janet Pierce-Okamoto said. "I just..."
"I can take care of him." Tatsurion's gruff voice echoed in the room. "His friends will be here soon."
Janet sighed, but nodded. "Alright. I'm going back." She kissed Ray's forehead. "Stay safe, okay?" Ray nodded and smiled at her.
"See you soon." he responded.
Gabe's voice sounded through the veil. Tatsurion disappeared and reappeared with Gabe.
"Hi Ray! How has your week been? We've made a lot of progress in-" he stopped short. "What happened to your leg?!" Ray sighed.
"A vengeful dragon. But it's okay." Ray said.
Gabe had a total panic attack. "Dragon?! A dragon burnt your leg?! You got it cleaned right?!"
"Calm down! It's okay!" Ray said, laughing.
Gabe sighed. "Only you Ray. Only you."
Then, Allie's voice rung through the veil. As Tatsurion went to retrieve her, the boys gawked. "Sh-she's coming?" Gabe said in a hushed voice.
Ray stared at the spot Tatsurion had left, who then rematerialized with Allie.
Allie walked away from Tatsurion, folded her arms, and stared at the two boys. "Well? How's cleanup for you two?" The boys looked at each other, then back to Allie.
Tatsurion, sensing the tension in the air, left the room.
"Allie...I didn't think you'd come. You're actually talking to us." Ray said, pretty abruptly.
"I told you I'd come occasionally. And what do you mean I'm "actually talking to" you?" she replied, her face still expressionless.
Ray stood up and hugged her. Her expression turned to shock, but she didn't hug him back. Gabe smiled. Ray would finally ask what had happened. Everything was going to be alright.
But then what kind of story would this be?
Allie pulled away, tilting her head. "Hm?"
"Why were you ignoring us?" Ray asked, pleading. "Allie, you're our friend. We were so worried. What happened? We didn't mean to offend you."
Allie snorted. She leaned against the wall. "Whatever."
Ray bit his lip so he wouldn't explode. "What happened to your leg?" Allie asked.
"A dragon burnt it." Gabe explained, the short way. Allie snickered.
"Lemme guess, Bob was going after a dragon who offended his family." she said, smirking.
What's with her? Ray thought. She's being rude! She isn't usually this cold. What does she know anyway? Instead of saying that (surprisingly), he just shook his head.
"He was talking to a dragon and mentioned that he was a Quillspike, and the dragon exploded." Ray said. "They fought each other and Bob won. But the dragon went after me and managed to burn my leg."
"Hm." Allie said.
Gabe looked at Ray's face being contorted. Oh boy. He's getting frustrated. Gabe thought.
"So...how's cleanup...at water, Gabe?" Ray said, still trying to keep his anger down.
"Really good!" Gabe said, attempting to sound perky. "We finished repairing the northeastern quadrant!" He sighed. "Even then, that was the least damaged section..."
Ray laughed. "Well at least you're progressing. Some creatures can't even help! They're too tiny!"
Allie snickered. "Like mini-Vorg?"
Ray looked at her, taken-aback. "How'd you know about Vorg's son?"
"Wait, wait. Vorg has a son?!" Gabe said, appalled.
"Right?" Ray said to him.
"Yeah he does, and he's a great chef. He came to ask for some help from Queen Kalima." Allie explained. "He isn't exactly fit to build a city."
Ray smiled. He considered smiling at her, but she would ignore him. "I'll say. Bob had to lift a steel plate off of him." Allie snorted again.
Ray wanted to yell and scream. But they were hurting enough. He wanted to tell Gabe that he was frustrated. But yet, he thought maybe Gabe had already figured that out.
Gabe winced as Ray thought. Ray was mad, explaining his expression, and Allie was enjoying it. What kind of point is she trying to prove, anyway?, Gabe thought. I don't get it.
Allie nonchalantly watched their faces. Do I feel...bad?, Allie thought. She mentally cursed herself. No, you don't! Are you strong or not?! In the end, they'll abandon me. I'm so supportive of Ray, but he never noticed how I feel. She winced. That's not true. He can tell when something's wrong. But am I such a good actor that he can't tell I'm being tortured by dreams? By voices? All the time?!
"Allie is thinking more than usual." Gabe muttered under his breath. "She isn't even moving."
"Hm?" Allie inquired, tilting her head.
"Nothing!" Gabe said, a little louder than he had meant.
"Do you not want me here?" Allie asked. She raised an eyebrow. "You guys are so silent, it's hard to believe it. And I'ms standing here."
Ray shook his head. No. That isn't what I want. I just want to know what's going on. But Allie is trying to make it seem like nothing's wrong., Ray thoought, frustrated.
"It's...tense in here." Tatsurion said, glancing in. "I didn't hear laughing and I became worried."
Ray smiled at him. "It's nice of you to notice Bob, but don't worry. Everything is fine. Great." Ray forced out. Tatsurion looked curiously at him, but left anyway.
"Friend problems." Tatsurion muttered, out of earshot from the three teens.
Okay, that's done! More on the meeting in the next post.
