Thx for the comments guys!
As soon as I read them, I got inspired to write more so you guys have something to look forward to later on.
Also...
I see you guys aren't very fond of cliff hangers... :]
Anna's POV
"Maybe now she'll want to talk."
Chey's voice woke me up. A day and a half already passed since I last heard his voice. Morning light shined down through the high windows. The door rattled, sending me in a flurry to get to cover. I was hungry and my body slow but I got behind something before the door opened. Both Inklings from yesterday walked in and scanned the room.
"Now come on out, Anna," Chey said, disappointment obvious.
I didn't.
"Don't do this. It's only going to turn out bad for you."
I stayed put, thinking of what to do. I couldn't overpower them so I was going to have to outsmart them. Staying here is only bad for me and I need to get food in my body. Survive, Anna.
"Come on. You can do this," I whispered to myself.
"Fine," I stated. I got up from behind the stack of boxes and faced my captures. "It's not like I could go against the both of you anyways."
Chey gave a small smirk. "Smart. So, do you feel like talking?"
I didn't at all. Eating is what I felt like doing. I looked over at the other Inkling. She clearly wanted to be somewhere else besides here.
"On one condition."
"And what's that?" said the lady Inkling.
"I'll tell you what you want to know only if you can beat me in a turf war."
"How do you know about turf wars?" the Inkling asked immediately.
I hesitated. Should I tell them that I know Merlis?
"Spyke told me about it," I lied.
Chey narrowed his eyes.
The hunger was definitely not helping me sell it.
"Of course not! Now tell u-" the lady started to say before she got cut off by Chey.
"She accepts," he says.
The lady freezes. "What! I am not going to spend my time playing around with some human!" she exploded with anger.
"Yes, you are," Chey demanded.
"No. You can't boss me around. I've got a new teammate I have to train after Merlis up and disappeared to the human world!"
My brain stopped as soon as she said Merlis's name.
"Wait. You-" I tried to say but got drowned out.
"I'll get everything set up for this turf war-"
"No Chey! You might have an obsession with humans but I still have a tournament I need to win. If this is going to interfere with that then you can count me out. Winning is more important than some dead race that died out long ago."
"But don't you see Asdil? They aren't dead! There's one right in front of you and we can find the rest of them as soon as this ring starts working. There's a whole other world out there that we barely even know about."
"Then I'll leave you to it," Asdil said, storming out the room.
"Wait! Give me back the ring!" Chey shouted, running after her.
I instantly chased after them because they left the door wide open, not bothering with trying to keep me locked up. Their minds were so one tracked.
"Give me back the ring!"
They got out on the sidewalk where few Inklings were out and about.
Chey grabbed Asdil's arm, dragging her around.
"You really want this stupid ring back? Then go get it from her!"
Time seemed to slow as I watched the ring box fly through the air. My mind could barely register what Asdil said before I stuck out my hands to catch it..
"No!" Chey screamed out.
A body jumped in front of me, grabbing the ring box out of the air. There was a silence as the Inkling landed a foot away.
"What's going on here?" the new Inkling asked, looking down at the box. He was young, probably around Merlis's age but he had amazing reflexes.
"Papil! Nice catch! Now hand it over," Chey demanded, waiting for him to comply.
The new Inkling, Papal, inspected the box, slowly looking up at Chey. "No. Not until you tell me what's going on here. Both you and Asdil have been acting strange recently and I'm starting to think it might have to do something with this."
Chey's eyes furrowed. "Give me the box."
"Please," I said, deciding to interject, "it's my box that they stole from me so can I have it back?"
Papil stayed silent. He looked at me and back at my captors.
"Is this true Asdil?" he asked.
"Of course it's not hers. She's just trying to steal it from me," Chey interrupted.
"I'm not asking you Chey."
"Ya, its hers. So just give it back to her so I can be done with this stupid human thing. Why did I ever agree to do this…" Asdil stormed away, ejecting herself from the situation. No one bothered to stop her for they were all concentrated on the holder of the ring.
"Come on, Papil. Don't believe her. Trust me when I say it's mine." Chey tried convincing him once again but Papil didn't seem like he was buying it.
"Weren't you the one who always told me to trust in your team captain? 'If you can't trust your leader, then you are no longer a team that can win.' And what did Asdil mean by human?"
Annoyance was written all over Chey's face. His anger finally spilled over as he took action, charging straight at Papil. Luckily, Papil expected it and jumped to the side which left Chey stumbling. Inklings around us started to gather, thinking that a fight might soon break out.
"Please, I just want to go home," I pleaded, sticking out my hands.
Papil reached out for my shoulder, pulling me back as Chey charged again.
"You have no idea how big of an impact that box can make. That box is more important than your life could ever accumulate too. It will change the whole world," Chey said. "And you're just going to let all the potential disappear along with her if you give it back. SO HAND IT OVER!"
Papil grabbed my hand. "Run."
He tugged me along, booking us both the opposite direction. Chey commenced to chase us, weaving and dashing between the buildings but never being able to gain ground. He didn't get to chase us far before he lost his breath. My lungs prayed for air but Papil kept going, making sure Chey couldn't find us.
We finally stopped when he noticed I was struggling to keep running. "Thank you," I said between my panting, leaning against a brick wall. My stomach quietly growled in the background.
"You're not in the clear either. Now explain. Why were you with Chey and Asdil? I have a feeling you might be a big part in why they were acting weird."
"Give me a minute here. I haven't run the hard in a while. You make such sharp turns by the way."
Papil didn't seem flattered by the comment.
"Well anyway, they were the ones who kidnapped me. I just want to go home. Merlis and Mom must be beyond worried right now. If I don-"
"Wait. You know where Merlis is? Tell me. People have been looking all over for him after he vanished in that bright light," Papil said with a small sparkle in his eyes.
"How do you know Merlis?" I asked.
"He's my teammate. We played turf war together. I mean, I guess you can call us friends of sorts. Stop changing the subject. Where is Merlis? What did Asdil mean by human? Why in the world were you kidnapped? And why did Chey want this box so badly?"
"Oh. Well you see..."
Before I could continue, a cell phone ring tone went off. Papil reached into his pocket, taking out a squid shaped phone.
My phone!
Just as I thought that, I let out a sigh of defeat. I left my phone in my room. But would it even work here?
"Ok I'm coming soon," Papil said into the phone before putting it away. "You're coming with me…?"
"Anna. My name's Anna."
"Papil, as you have heard. We're heading to my house and you can explain everything there."
I paused, not sure if I wanted to. He at least seemed rational. He's probably confused and just wanted answers. I could at least give him that.
"Fine, but could we hurry because everyone is worried about me. I don't want them thinking I'm dead or something. And...you wouldn't mind feeding me as well because I feel like I might pass out any moment."
"For someone I just met, you sure are bold for asking free food from me. Also, a little friendly Inkling to Inkling advice. Your skin feels dry to me. You might have to get that checked out."
"Ugh, well about that…"
Lol. I bet you though this chapter would have ended in a big cliff hanger.
Na, I'm not that mean. As far as I know, there aren't going to be any major cliff hangers any time soon.
Your welcome :3