I'm Waaaiting!:

(Inked)

The walk back to Inky's apartment was long and miserable one. I just found out that my sister got captured only to return the place where she and I had spent so much time together in. Now, its just an empty home.

As I walked through Inkopolis, I ignored the inklings who stared at me curiously or asked if I was okay. Obviously, if my head is down and I'm not speaking, I'm not okay. But I should be okay. If what Stella told me works, we can rescue her. But there's something in my gut that tells me it won't be easy.

Am I anxious?

Suddenly, my body was forced to a stop. I looked up to see a hand on my chest, then a face in front of me, and it's a face that showed up at the worst possible time.

"Tet." I spat, not hiding the disgust in my tone.

"Inked." He replied calmly. "What's wrong? You are usually out making people laugh with your…puns."

"Just get out of my way!" I yelled, swiping his hand away and continuing forward. "The last thing I need to do is waste time talking to you."

Of course, he ignores what I literally just said and follows me, making this trip even more unbearable.

"I am sorry about your sister." He says, unrealistic sympathy in his tone.

"What do you know about her!?" I spat, pulling him closer. "If you know something, you better spit it out right now!"

His face remained unchanged. "No, I do not. How is it that an inkling like me would be responsible for a kidnapping that our enemies, the Octarians have done?"

Instead of answering, I released my tight grip on him and continued walking, growling in annoyance with every footstep.

"Inked?" He asked. "Will you answer my-"

"Stop talking to me." I interrupted, waving my hand.

Worried he still might follow, I broke into a sprint towards Flounder Heights.

He wants to see you broken. He knows you're already cracked. Don't let him tear you apart any further!

Half an hour of running later, I finally made it to my sister's apartment without breaking a sweat. However, my run did not relieve me of my depression which seemed to increase twice as fast the closer I got closer to opening the door.

All I need are Stella's clothes…then we can rescue her. We can do it. I'll get my sister back.

I pulled out the key to unlocking the door, fitting it perfectly inside the key hole. Slowly and shakily, I placed my hand on the door knob, just about to twist it.

"Inked!" Tet's annoying bland voice called.

"Tet! Go away!" I shouted back.

Why is he so obsessed with bugging me today?

Before he could make contact with me, I swung the door open and slammed it afterwards, locking it. Once the latter caught up, he knocked, still calling after me.

Ignoring him, I made my way into Inky's room, covering my mouth to hold in a gross sob. Lifeless. It feels so lifeless and silent. The worst part is not knowing if my sister is even still alive. Octarians are merciless.

Shaking my head, I bent down and scavenged through the piles of clothes on the floor. A lot of them were old stuff Inky doesn't even wear anymore; it was probably Stella who made this mess.

Almost ready to give up, my eyes caught the sight of a lens, most likely to goggles, something Inky would never wear because she finds them to boyish. Typical Inky.

Pulling them out, I was able to find the rest of Stella's clothes, sighing in relief. The only thing I want to do is leave this depressing place desperately. But then, a brick hit me.

Tet's still outside, waiting and will be definitely wondering what I'm doing with random Octoling gear.

I glanced towards the window, the only other way outside, gulping.

It's my only suspicion-free way out.

(Rose)

"I hate to disappoint you sirs...but the only way I can gain her trust...is by allowing her to freely wander...t-the city..."

Both Tentacrewers stared at me in disbelief, like I had just turned into a Kraken and splatted the whole Octarian population.

"S-So…in order to fully gain her trust…I need to show her around…the city." I repeated softly, avoiding both Tentacrewer's piercing stares.

"You cannot do that!" Ringu spat, folding his arms. "Conversation is the only way we are allowing you to gain her trust."

I gulped, straightening my posture. Do I dare talk back to my elders?

"…T-that's not going to work!"

I guess I do.

The anger in his gaze increased, his eyes literally dark red. "Excuse me?"

"Y-Yeah! If you want my help…and to gain her t-trust, you have to let me show her around our new city. I've t-tired talking…and i-i-it doesn't work…" I mumbled, fumbling with my sweaty fingers.

Ringu probably would have punched me if Okuto hadn't rested a hand on his shoulder, an attempt to control his uncontrollable short temper. Some Octarians call Ringu a time bomb.

"We should listen to Rose, Ringu." He spoke, gently. "If conversation and confrontation doesn't work, then we'll have to use Rose's method."

Ringu tapped his foot, head resting against his hand though his gaze was still locked on me. He growled in annoyance before nodding in agreement.

"Fine!" He shouted. "But if anything happens; an escape, memories brought back, or secrets revealed, you can expect a trip to the sewers!"

Though nodding, I shivered from his threat.

The sewers are Octropolis' scariest, deadly place. Not even DJ Octavio plays with the hungry Octomaw that lurks under the purple, murky pools down there. Let's just say, whoever goes down never comes back up.

"Don't w-worry." I replied, regaining my straight posture. "Just a quick tour of the city is all I'll give her."

With that, I exited the lab and headed down towards the Octocells. Inside one was Nori, still sobbing and whimpering in fear. I tapped on the glass keeping her contained, receiving her attention.

She tilted her head as if to say, 'Did it work?'.

I winked and nodded, pulling out a slip of paper with a code written on it.

'It's already working.'

(Stella)

Tashia and I waited by what Inked called the Marlinous Woods for his return. We all agreed that it would be much safer for me to stay out in the woods with Tashia instead of risking every second of my life under inkling pressure. However, that silly squid left five hours ago. It shouldn't take him that long, right?

"Maybe he decided to walk it." Tashia suggested with a shrug. "I don't blame him. After all our crazy train wrecks in Octopia, I would rather walk too."

We continued observing the woods' nature; redish orange leaves slowly drifting towards the ground, little green slimy creatures croaking occasionally, and birds chirping their beaks off towards each other.

I appreciate the surface's nature, especially since it was sealed off to me underground.

Suddenly, we heard a soft rustling in the bushes, causing both of us to turn.

"Inked?" I whispered in case it wasn't him.

There was no response. Instead, a little white creature with long ears and short tail hopped by, twitching its whiskers.

I sighed, patience draining from my body. "Maybe this was a bad idea."

"Hm? You mean letting Inked get your clothes?" She asked.

"No Tash." I retorted, rolling my eyes. "The real bad idea is letting that white creature spot us. Now it might report us to the inklings."

Her eyes widened. "I-It will!? We have to stop it!"

I couldn't help but grin, rolling my eyes once more. "I'm kidding."

"Fish-brain!" She spat, playfully punching me in the shoulder. "Don't scare me like that!"

"What are you gonna do?" I teased. "Feed me to the Octomaw?"

"Ahhh!" She squealed, waving her arms frantically. "Don't you ever joke about the Octomaw! But really, we should do something to help pass the time."

I nodded, stretching out my sore, aching legs.

"How about twenty questions?" She asked.

"Oh yeah! Let's do it! I rule at this game!" I beamed, staring at her with determination.

"OK, OK. Question one, do you have a cruuush on anyone?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

Immediately my body froze, the determination fleeing from my body. Out of all the questions she could have asked me, she chose that one!? I swallowed the dry lump in my throat, annoyed at her satisfaction to my reaction.

"Well, Stella?" She sneered. "Don't be a scary Judd! Answer the question or I will forever gloat in this victory forever!"

"Forever…?" I repeated.

She nodded, narrowing her eyes. "Forever."

Wiping the sweat off my face, I nodded, clutching my hands together. "I-I do have a crush on someone…"

"Oooh!" She squealed, twirling her hair back and forth. "That leads us to question two! Who do you have a crush on?"

"Oh come on, Tash!" I begged, tears welling up in my eyes. "Don't make me say it!"

"Too late. You have to answer it! No backing out now!"

I closed my eyes tightly before blurting out, "I love-"

"I'm here!" Inked shouted, running through the undergrowth.

I fell backwards, allowing myself to breath. "Haaa…thanks, Inked. You're a real lifesaver."

"Yeah, thanks a lot Inked." Tashia retorted. "I was just about to hear Stella's-"

"Well, looks like I should change now!" I interrupted, snatching my gear from him. "Thanks Inked! I'll be back in a second!"

Not waiting for a response, I dashed behind the trees near the undergrowth to hide myself.

That was almost too close for comfort. Now that I have my gear back, we can go rescue Nori and forget about this whole crush incident. However, as I changed back into my clothes, a feeling of dread filled my body from head to toe.

As I looked at my reflection on the water, I felt as if I were looking at the past, the old Stella. Though I took this gear off yesterday, it felt like I hadn't worn it for years.

"Stella, you almost ready?" Inked called out.

"Almost!" I shouted back.

I returned my gaze towards the pond.

It was then I wondered, after all these sorta bad events, would my crush even develop feelings for me too?

Author's Note:

Lots and lots of dialogue in this chapter, but I couldn't think of other ways to write out what was happening.

But anyways, new chapter! Yay! You guys didn't have to wait full month this time! Now if only I could keep up this pace. =w= And again, thanks for your positive reviews! I never thought this many people would actually like it! Stay fresh!