Chapter 11
The next day…
I keep feeling like I'm being watched…yep…that stranger. He's following me…
I'm around a lot of people so he can't do anything, but I need to stay alert. I know he'll take any chance he can get…
I rushed down a few alleyways before finding myself back in a large crowd.
I think I lost him.
I need to think of something better than-
"Hello." The stranger said.
"Carp, h-how'd you find me?!" I asked, shocked.
"It wasn't hard." He didn't explain. "Now, why continue to struggle? Just accept your fate."
"I-I don't wanna die!" I told him.
"I'm trying to help you." He said.
"You aren't helping me!" I started tearing up. "You tried to kill me, threatened my mom, and claim you're helping me?!"
He sighed.
"I wish you understood." There was clearly no convincing him. "Well, don't worry. I'll free you when I get the chance. You just have to suffer more for now…"
He then disappeared into the crowd.
I need to talk to someone…
Snapper Canal…
I was talking to George while Carol and Sheryl were practicing.
"You know, you've been more timid today, little man." George noticed.
"I-uh…just some sketchy people…" I told him. "I don't know what to do…"
"Learn how to fight in ink battles." He suggested.
"B-but…" I mumbled. "My mom said…"
"That they're dangerous, I know." He knew. "But if you plan to live on your own one day, shouldn't you learn to defend yourself?"
"I…I mean…yeah," I admitted. "But…"
"But nothing." Carol joined in. "You can't be a timid little squid forever. You have to grow up sometime."
"…You know what?" I looked at him. "Maybe I will!"
"Attasquid!" Sheryl cheered.
"Actually, I'm an Octoling." I told them.
"Really?" George said, wide-eyed.
"Seriously?" Sheryl tilted her head.
"No shit?" Carol seemed surprised.
"W-well, yeah." I surprisingly confirmed. "There are actually a lot in Inkopolis now."
"Huh…" George said. "Is that why you hide your eyes?"
"Well, That's actually different…" I said. "I can't show them…"
"It's okay." Sheryl told me. "I have a weird birthmark in a weird place that I don't show off."
"Sure you don't…" Carol glared at her.
"But hey, nice work telling us you're an Octoling." George remarked. "Pretty brave, little man."
"You really don't care?" I tilted my head.
"No." George told me. "You're certainly different, but we liked you before. Learning you have two less limbs doesn't change that."
"Yeah!" Carol said. "I admire your bravery."
"Just for that, I might show you my birthmark!" Sheryl said. "W-when you're older, of course…"
"Um…thanks." I guess. "Now where would I find a team?"
"I think I may actually know a place." George pointed to an ad on the wall advertising spots on a tournament team."
"You think they'll take a beginner like me?" I asked.
"They might." George said. "Only one way to find out."
I nodded and headed off to the Ammo Knights Training Grounds. There were some squids and octos around the store, but hardly anyone in the Training Grounds. Some squid in a suit covered in seaweed marched out excitedly. Maybe her interview went well.
Let's see…Who put this ad out?
…Sarah?
As in from Cirrina? That'll be…interesting I'm sure…
Now they should be around here somewhere. Ah, I see her. An Octoling girl is near her and-
"Did nothing!" I heard the Octoling girl shouting.
What's going on?
"CHOKE YOU TILL YOUR EYES POP OUT"
What?!
I had no idea what was going on. Something about wanting to kill someone while also having a crush on someone? I just squatted down, covered my head, and waited for it to be over.
Soon enough, Another Squid girl with an Octoling girl took the crazy Octoling girl away.
Soon enough, I finally got up. I now felt even more nervous.
"We still need a fourth teammate." I heard Sarah say.
"Is…Is that over?" I asked.
"Yeah." A pale Octoling guy standing next to her said. "Ya skilled?"
"A-a little…" That wasn't very true. "I'm still a little new…"
"Really?" The guy asked. "Well, we're looking for-"
"Wait," Sarah interrupted him. "What's your name?"
"O-Octim…" I answered.
"Timmy?" Sarah's eyes widened. "Your mom let you come here? And you're an Octoling?"
"Umm…yeah…" How'd she know? "A-a friend of mine recommended coming here."
"You're on the team, Tim!" Sarah immediately decided. "We'll help you be the best you can be!"
"Th-thanks…" I shook her hand.
"Wait, how do you know him?" The Octoling guy asked.
"Because he's from Cirrina Countryside." Sarah explained. "Where I'm from."
"Huh?" He seemed very confused.
"Sorry, but-uh…what's your name, sir?" I asked.
"Oh, I'm Guyver." He introduced himself. "Sarah's roommate and official boyfriend."
Boyfriend? Didn't she leave a couple weeks ago? That was fast, but I'm glad she found someone. Well, as long as they aren't as frustrating as Ben and Lisa
"Nice to meet you." I said.
"So how did you grow up in Cirrina and not the domes?" Guyver asked.
"M-my mom doesn't like to talk about it." I told him.
"What about your dad?" He wondered.
"He's dead." I replied. "My mom kept his goggles though and I wear them to this day."
"That's…interesting…and I'm sorry to hear that…" Guyver remarked. "Well, training starts Sunday, so we'll give army squid her callback and hang out for a bit. Get to know each other before training, y'know?"
"R-right." I think I made more friends.
…
…
…Far…
Far enough…I think…
What do I do…?
Shelter.
Need to find shelter.
…
Clearly abandoned. A fixer-upper, but it'll due for now. I won't be here long.
Now to establish communication.
…
…
Alright, got one-way finished. At least I'll be able to hear the other side…
…
What?
Brainwashing on the mass? I thought it was only for deserters...
Hypnoshades? What are-
Octavio, what's going on?! What are you doing?!
…
I can't go back…not when it's like this…
What do I do…?
…
Hungry…more than usual…
Need food…
...
...
Yes…food...
"Excuse me, are you okay, young miss?"
"G-get away from me!"
"Woah now, settle down-hey wait, come back!"
…
Back here for now…
Oooooohhh…
What's wrong with me…?
"Excuse me…"
"!"
"Stay back!"
"Now, now, youg lady. I'm not gonna hurt you."
"I said stay back!"
"Young lady, I can tell ya aren't okay. Tell me what's wrong."
"…"
"It's okay…just let it out…"
"Why…?"
"I can't help if you don't tell me what happened…"
"They're…dead…"
"Who?"
"M-my team…and my…my…"
…
It's alright…I'll make sure you're alright."
"Why?"
"I may have fought in the war, but I hold no ill will towards your kind, Miss Octoling.
"Mrs.…or…I was…"
"I see…don't worry, It'll be okay…"
"Thanks…I..Ugh…"
"You okay?!"
"I…I'm starving…more than normal…my…my stomach aches…"
"Wait, let me…oh my…"
"What?"
"There's life in you."
"What?!"
"No mistakin' it. You're with child."
"But…I can't be…It's not…oh no…"
"It's fine! I'll help you through this!"
"I…I never knew…Oh, Octo…He never knew…and now he's…"
"…I'll help you take care of your child…I promise…"
"Who…who are you?"
"Call me Gerald."
*Ring*
*Ring*
"Hello?" He asked.
"Hey, Gerald…" I answered. "I-uh…I just wanted to say thanks…"
"For what?" He wondered.
"…Everything…" I said.
"Heh, don't you do that enough?" He joked.
"It's just…" I said. "All you've done for me…for us…and I haven't always been great to you…or anyone…"
"I know…" He understood. "I don't blame you…After all you've been through, I understand completely."
"But that doesn't mean it was right of me to do that…" I remarked. "I've been awful to everyone."
"Not to little Octim." He reminded me.
"I kept him sheltered…" I reminded him. "I didn't let him make any friends because I was too afraid of what would happen. I chased everyone else off and-"
"How about you and me have a nice talk with the other townspeople?" He suggested.
"That sounds like a bad idea…" I said.
"It's worth a try." He told me. "I mean, if they still hate you, you'll be moving soon anyway."
"O…okay…" I agreed. "I'll give it a try."
"Great!" He sounded excited. "Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to my son and his wife."
"S-sounds good." I remarked.
"And hey, why don't we give a little visit to the youngsters?" He suggested.
"That sounds great." I nodded my head. "When?"
"Well, there's a Tournament comin' up, so it'll be pretty busy in the city for sure, so we'll a bit after that when things cool down. Alright?"
"Alright." Sounds good. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"See ya." He replied.
We both then hung up.
Well, I guess I'll be going on an apology tour…pray for your mother, sweetie. I'll need it.
Author's note: This story will be released at a slower rate now. I plan it to be happening at around the same time as LII: The Tournament, telling what will happen on Octim's side of the story while the other characters have their own stories happen.
