Imprisoned II: Sacrifice
Chapter 10
Yumi's cell phone vibrated in her pocket, taking her attention of the teacher's lesson. A message from Aelita flashed on the screen. 'SOS XANA?' Oh man, not now! Yumi raised her hand to get the teacher's attention.
"Yumi," he said, "is something wrong?"
"Sir, I don't feel well, may I go to the nurse's office?"
"Why, yes, Yumi. Go right ahead."
"Thank you, sir!" Yumi bolted out the door, causing papers to scatter when she slammed the door shut. She dialed up Ulrich's cell.
"Yumi," he answered, "if this is about Aelita's message, I'm already on my way."
"Okay, I'll meet you in the courtyard. Is Odd with you?"
"No, but he had gone with Aelita to Jeremie's room earlier. He's probably still with her."
"Alright, I'll give him a call, just in case."
"Good thinking, see you in a couple of minutes." Ulrich hung up, and Yumi dialed Odd's number.
"Yumi," he answered, "I'm with Aelita. We're already in the forest. Meet us at the factory as soon as possible."
"Okay, got it. Be careful, you hear?"
"Don't you worry, we'll be fine."
"Okay, see ya. Yumi hung up as she reached the courtyard. Ulrich was already waiting for her. She could she him standing over by the woods. She waved at him and Ulrich waved back, motioning for her to hurry. Once Yumi reached him, they sprinted together into the woods.
Jeremie came to, and shakily got to his feet. He was still groggy from hitting his head against the wall. Ooh. What happened? Then he remembered. William was still alive and had been possessed by XANA and to make matters worse, XANA had materialized at least one Mecha Tank into the real world. I'd better call the others. He dialed stepped up to the computer and dialed Aelita's cell. No answer. "Come on," he said with must frustration in his voice, "answer, Aelita! Please!" After several rings, Jeremie gave up. Oh no, he thought, something is wrong. It's not like Aelita to not answer her cell phone.
Something was indeed wrong. Odd and Aelita had encountered the monsters that XANA had materialized! They were surrounded. Several Kankrelots had encircled the two of them while a Krabe and two of Hornets were quickly approaching.
"Aelita," said Odd, "run! I'll try and hold them off." Odd noticed a long sharp stick lying on the ground. He quickly picked it up and before the Kankrelots could react, he stabbed a couple of them with the pointed end. "Yah! Take that, roachie boys!" Aelita, seeing her chance, bolted towards the factory as the monsters closed in on Odd. She had been running for only about 10 seconds, when she heard a familiar snarl. Aelita froze and slowly turned around. She gasped when she saw the Scipizoa come out from behind a tree. Instinctively, she screamed for Odd. "Odd! Help me!"
Ulrich, put up his hand, signaling for Yumi to stop. "Yumi," he said quietly, "did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" answered Yumi, puzzled.
"It sounded like someone screaming for Odd." Ulrich then realized who it was. "Aelita! She must be in trouble!"
"Uh, Ulrich?"
"Yeah?"
"What's that over there?"
"Where?"
"There, something's moving over in those bushes to your right."
"I don't see anything." Ulrich squinted, trying to focus on the bushes. Then, all of a sudden, a Kankrelot popped out of the bushes.
"Ulrich—" said Yumi, grabbing Ulrich's arm and turning him to face her.
Ulrich put a finger hand on Yumi's lips, signaling her to keep silent. Then he whispered, "I don't think it's seen us yet. If we're careful, we might be able to avoid it."
"Out of the question," said Yumi, eyes wide.
"What do you mean?" Ulrich noticed that Yumi was looking past him.
"Behind you," Yumi whispered. Ulrich turned around slowly. Yumi grabbed his hand tightly. A large metal ball was rolling quickly in their direction.
