Chapter 38

A Poisonous Mind

It felt like she was in a never-ending dream. The only thing was she was in no dream. However, all she could see was a never-ending sea of blackness spreading out and beyond with no existence. It was like she was the only one alive on Earth with no escape of the box she was locked in. She could not see herself as if she was invisible but she felt like she was flying as if she had no choice but to do it for the rest of her life with no breaks. Only she felt like she could keep going without sleep, food, or getting injured like she was invincible.

Kassidy wondered if this was what being dead was like. She wasn't exactly sure if she was dead but either way she felt like her whole self was shattered. She didn't know what she was feeling but it was coursing through her blood, making her feel like she wasn't herself.

She was stricken with fear at the thought that she could actually be dead, that she was headed to who knows where. Her family and friends needed her and she couldn't face the fact that she could actually be dead. Kassidy wanted to shout something, anything for that matter but not even her voice could make a sound like it was stored away into an unknown world where no one could ever find it but for unknown creatures to hear and see for themselves. If she could she would've been breathing heavily… Had she failed everyone she knew that she cared for deeply?

No… Kassidy thought with panic. This can't be it! It can't be... My friends… My family… I can't leave them behind just like that… They need me… I can't fail them like I failed my parents, I just can't! I can't let that happen again… Please don't let this be the end… Please…

If Kassidy would've, she would've crumbled to the ground with a broken soul inside her. Was her soul even still with her? Soul or no soul it wouldn't change the fact that she was now leaving somewhere, somewhere where she might not ever see anyone she knew ever again and it scarred her deeply like a knife slashing at her.

At the thought of this, her heart even clenched… Wait, my heart… it's still beating? She listened carefully and as she did she then heard the constant steady beatings and thumping against her chest. I'm not dead, I'm alive!

All Kassidy wanted to do was sigh in relief. However, she could only feel herself breathing. Yes, she was now breathing in silence and as she was she could feel her aching, bruised, and wounded body try to move. Moving proved to be difficult for it felt like she couldn't move at all with all the tenderness she was feeling.

Slowly, she started to hear faint noises coming from the background as her eyes were trying to open. Her eyelids felt very heavy and her eyes felt very sore and to make matters worse, even as she was trying to open her eyes she could feel a severe migraine kick in and it felt sharp against her forehead. Her sight was in a blurry state as what it seemed like she was looking at the ground and she also felt extremely dizzy with everything spinning around and around and she thought she was going to throw up.

Kassidy felt a tree branch's bark against her furry cheek along with some leaves tickling at not only her cheek but her nose as well. She wanted to lift her head but it felt like trying to lift a bowling ball. All she could do at the moment was lay in a daze.

Her ocean-blue eyes did pick up on what seemed to look like feet from a few animals that looked similar and familiar to Kassidy. The blurriness and dizziness were still there but her sight was slowly adjusting. She wanted to blink her eyes but even at that it felt like she would much rather close them for a while, so she tried to keep them open the best she could.

As she was trying to adjust to things she started to hear a masculine voice start to shiver. "I am freezing," the masculine voice complained and when he did, Kassidy thought the voice sounded familiar as it was echoing through her hearing. She was trying to recall where she heard that voice from but with the state she was in it was hard to do so. "I want to go back to the jungle. I miss the hot sun, the hunting, and all my servant bats waiting on my claw and wing… I say we eat them now."

"You fool, we're not going to eat them," a feminine voice said icily. "The reason we have them is so they can take us to the colony, not just immediately eat them. You're still thick in the head, even after being in that cell with me and your brother-in-law."

"She does bring up a good point," a masculine voice with a smooth Spanish accent said. "Eating four small bats won't be enough for us to make the journey back to the jungle and with only four bats it'll only last us for a little bit."

She slowly started to catch on to the voices and they were for sure familiar and when she tried to get up she ended up falling onto her back onto the tree branch she was on. Her legs felt wobbly when she tried to stand and she cursed in her head when she couldn't stand up. She then grunted after her back hit the branch.

"Guys, I think she's waking up," a voice said, and then Kassidy started to see a blurry figure hover over her and Kassidy could only make out the blue and yellow colors she was seeing on him. She was seeing about three of them as her vision was still spinning and it was making her eyes sorer. "Kass, can you hear me?"

"Shade, move your head away from her some," a feminine voice said that Kassidy thought she could make out as Marina's. "Give her some air." She then started to see a figure with bright colors on her start to look at her as well and there were three of her spinning like with Shade's figures.

"Is she awake?" Kassidy started to hear another masculine voice which she thought was Holden's and indeed it was as he was then next to Marina and Shade with now three of him as well, now driving Kassidy crazy for she wanted it to stop. "She doesn't look good."

Kassidy grunted in pain as she then started to rub her forehead with her eyes closed. She then started to sit up and she then slowly started to reopen her eyes and when she did the blurriness and dizziness were still there. However, after a few more seconds went by her vision started to get back to normal as well as her hearing and as it did she then started to hear and see things better.

When all that blurriness and dizziness were over, Kassidy started to have a better look at her friends and they were looking at her worried. She then cursed under her breath as she was then rubbing her eyes. I feel like crap…

"Kass, thank Nocturna," Marina said with relief. "You're alright."

Kassidy managed to look back at her friends after she rubbed her eyes. "What the hell happened…?"

"So, you finally managed to wake up, orphan," Kassidy's eyes widened at the voice that spoke and when she slowly looked over her shoulder she saw the four giant bats altogether. The brothers were standing on one tree branch while Martin and Dianna were hanging upside-down on another. Martin was sneering towards her. "About bloody time."

It was hard to believe that all four of these giant bats were back and they managed to catch all four of them. Kassidy couldn't understand how Martin could've survived that electricity, it was impossible. He was no god of course, but seeing him here alive was too hard to process. She was trying to come up with how he could've survived it but no matter what she came up with she couldn't fully put in all the details of how he would've done it.

Kassidy tried to stand up again but her legs still felt wobbly and she almost fell back down but just in time, Marina and Holden managed to grab her and they put her arms around their necks so she could steady herself as they held her hands. As Kassidy was standing she could feel her legs slowly start to feel less wobbly. Kassidy then started to get her winged arms off of Holden and Marina and release her holding hands with them and as she did she managed to keep herself in place, which was a relief.

But she wasn't focused on her legs. She was more focused on Martin. Her eyes were staring at him in fury as her hands were then turned into fists. She wanted to burn him alive, she knew that she shouldn't but even thinking about it made her feel satisfied in a way. She wanted nothing more than to see him gone.

Then, Kassidy lifted her hand and was about to summon fire so she could throw it at that snake but as she was doing her process she felt the most excruciating thing come towards her forearm and she yelled in pain as it began to spread through her arm more. She got on her knees and placed her hand to where the pain was coming from as it was increasing like her forearm was being chopped off. Her eyes were squeezed shut as she bared her teeth.

"Kass, what's wrong?" Marina said worriedly.

As Kassidy held her hand to where the pain was she started to feel something smooth, cold, and scaly. Confused, she then looked down at her forearm and what she saw made her eyes almost bulge out of her sockets. On her very forearm was that golden snake that slithered up her winged arm and it was secured to her forearm by its teeth, penetrating her skin. She tried to breathe steadily as she didn't want this abomination on her winged arm.

Kassidy tried to rip it off her but as she was trying to the same pain started to spread out through her arm as she grunted in pain. As the pain was spreading throughout her arm, the golden snake's eyes started to glow that bloody red. To make matters worse she started to hear hissing and at first, it was almost audible but then it started to increase rapidly, making her have to cover her ears as she thought that they were about to bleed. It was making the migraine she had worse. She tried to hold it but she couldn't for very long as she had to yell in pain.

"Kass!" She heard Marina shout.

"You son of a bitch," Kassidy heard Holden yelling. "What did you do to her?!"

Kassidy then heard Martin chuckling. "Enjoying my gift, orphan?" He said, ignoring what Holden said. Kassidy managed to look at Martin as she was going through this unbearable pain and he was still sneering at her. "That snake on you looks pretty nice now wouldn't you agree?" Kassidy bared her teeth angrily at Martin with rage in her eyes. "Oh, and it's also to make sure that you won't give us any problems. That snake has the ability to make you not use your magic, so no more magic usage for you."

After what Martin said Kassidy felt like her whole body suddenly just stopped in a complete second. Kassidy felt like she was going to break apart because she couldn't use her magic and it was all because of Martin and this messed up snake he put on her. Without using her magic what was she supposed to do? It was a part of her and if she could no longer use it… she felt like nothing.

The hissing in Kassidy's ears eventually stopped and when it did, Kassidy slowly removed her hands from her ears. After she did, her friends went to see if she was alright and Kassidy could tell that they were worried about her. At this moment, Kassidy didn't know what to say to anyone. However, she could only feel hatred for that wizard Vampyrum and ever since she laid eyes on that snake she despised him more than anything.

"Now then," Martina said rubbing his hands, "I believe that we have something to discuss as far as this journey to find the colony goes, am I right Silverwings?"

Martin then flicked his hand near him and when he did a black cloud surrounded him and then the cloud was near the four friends and when he appeared in front of them on the tree branch they were all on, Kassidy's friends gasped as they looked at Martin with their eyes widened while Kassidy kept staring at Martin angrily. Then, in a split second, Martin grabbed Shade by his throat with only one hand and Shade yelped surprised as he was then struggling against Martin's strength, and Holden, Marina, and even Kassidy were looking at what was happening shocked.

"You let him go you crazy assed half hybrid," Holden shouted and he was about to attack Martin but Martin backhanded Holden across the face and Holden yelled in pain and he was about to fall down the tree branch if Marina hadn't of caught him in time.

Kassidy was shocked by what Martin did and so was Shade and Marina, but Kassidy snarled at Martin and was about to attack him but Martin saw what she was about to do as he sneered. "I wouldn't try anything, orphan, because if you do it's going to cost the runt's wings." He extended his claw near Shade's wing to prove his point and when he did, Shade gasped as the three friends widened their eyes even more. "Now, we wouldn't want the runt to lose his wings so he'll look more like a mouse am I right?" Martin's sneer went down as he then furrowed his brow. "Now don't you annoying bats bother me, I have a runt to talk to."

Martin then looked at Shade and smirked and as he did, Shade gulped nervously as he was now shaking as well. Martin then pressed his fingers against Shade's throat and as he did, Shade was having a hard time breathing. "So, where is your colony at now, boy? Do tell us where they are now."

"Shade, don't tell him," Kassidy shouted. "Whatever you do, don't tell him!"

"I'd think wisely, boy. You seem like you're capable of making the right choices and now I think we should put that to the test. Tell me where the colony is." Martin then grabbed Shade's wrist roughly and when he did, Shade flinched in pain and Martin brought Shade's hand near his mouth. "Or I'm going to start by biting off each of your fingers until you confess where they are."

The three friends watched in horror while their Silverwing friend was shaking and having his eyes dart in different directions trying to come up with what to say while his fingers were about to be bitten off anytime now by this Vampyrum wizard. Kassidy hoped that Martin wouldn't do what he said he was going to do to Shade and she also hoped that Shade might make some sort of lie so they didn't lead the four Vampyrum bats to the Silverwing colony. Time was ticking and as it did no one said anything just yet.

Martin brought Shade's hand closer to his mouth and as he did, Shade gasped as he continued to shake. "Well?" Martin said staring into Shade's eyes.

Without saying a word, Shade managed to point in the opposite direction from where he and the other three were actually headed to. Kassidy, Holden, and Marina looked at each other with the same worried expressions as they were all hoping that Martin would believe Shade. However, Kassidy could tell that Martin didn't want to believe Shade as he was now furrowing his brow.

"That runt is lying," Goth exclaimed with his brow now furrowed. "He's pointing in the opposite direction to where they were actually flying to."

Shade stuttered but managed to speak as Martin was strangling him. "W-We were about to change directions when you caught us." Martin tightened his fingers on Shade's throat and Shade was trying to breathe once again.

"Stop it," Marina shouted to Martin.

"I could easily break your neck you puny sized rodent," Martin said ignoring Marina, "However, seeing animals suffer is much more satisfying than killing them in an instant." His smirk then returned. "I can see in those frightened eyes of yours that you are lying."

"No, I swear," Shade said trying to sound convincing.

"Try all you want, Silverwing, I know a liar when I see one. You may think you're trying to fool me but you're only making a fool of yourself at this moment." He then hummed to himself and as he did he stared more closely at Shade and Shade was now really getting uncomfortable. "Don't worry though. I always have a few tricks up my wing."

Then, as Shade and Martin kept eye contact with each other, Martin's eyes started to glow and as they did, Shade's started to glow as well. Kassidy's breath was stuck in her throat when she saw what Martin was doing. She didn't even have to guess what was happening right now. "No!"

"Doesn't this feel nice, runt?" Martin was now smirking.

After Martin asked Shade that question, Shade started to slowly smile weakly as he then slowly nodded. "Yeah…"

"Good, now you are going to lead us to where your colony is headed to next. That won't be a problem now will it?"

At that, Shade slowly shook his head. "No, sir."

Martin and Shade's eyes stopped glowing and after they did, Martin then said: "Excellent." Martin then threw Shade towards the three friends and when he did the four of them yelped when Shade collided into Kassidy, Holden, and Marina.

However, Kassidy gently got Shade back as she then got up to Martin and bared her teeth angrily at him. "Think your stupid ass magic solves all your problems?! You think you can get to have your ways every day just like now?!"

Martin didn't stop smirking as he was now staring at Kassidy. However, he then started to laugh like he was a maniac and as he did, Dianna also started to laugh. Kassidy and her friends stared at Martin and Dianna confused. Even Goth and Throbb were confused as the two spouses kept on laughing. The four friends then looked at each other without the four Vampyrum bats looking to make sure they were all seeing this and indeed they were.

"Did they smoke something or what?" Holden whispered.

Shade and Marina looked at Holden confused. "What?" Marina whispered.

Martin and Dianna eventually stopped laughing and wiped away their tears of laughter as Martin then looked back down at Kassidy. "As a matter of fact: yes. Unlike you I'm capable of using my magic anyway I want to as advanced at it as I am. When you're advanced at magic you can always have your ways, but sadly for some that are less experienced at magic like you they don't have a lot of their ways."

Kassidy got angrier as she now wanted to hit Martin's face. "You piece of-"

Before Kassidy could say anything further, Martin scratched her across the face and this made Marina scream and the boys gasp. Kassidy grunted in pain as she felt the scratches across her face. When she took her hand off her face she saw blood on her hand. The side of her face now had three scratch marks on it, one across her eye, one across her cheek, and one across her chin to her lip. Kassidy's eyes widened at that.

Martin was now scowling at her, not impressed. "Oh, don't worry, I haven't forgotten what you and your two other Silverwing friends did to me. But you, orphan, managed to cross the line with me. When all of this is over and I mean it, I'm going to enjoy getting back on you. But I ain't going to say what yet, it's better to keep things a surprise." He then sneered. "It makes things much more interesting."

Martin then eyed all four of the friends. "Now, I believe we should get going. Standing here all day isn't going to get us to the colony fast enough now will it?" He then looked at the three Vampyrum bats. "Each of you keep an eye on one of these four to make sure they don't get into some funny business." He then grabbed Kassidy's arm roughly. "This one is mine."

The four friends looked at each other nervously as they all knew that they had to ditch these guys, but how exactly? Kassidy wasn't sure how they would but she wanted to get rid of them again one way or another. She didn't want these four to get anywhere near the colony.

The eight bats had been flying quietly as they were headed for the destination that was close to the one in Shade's sound map. Martin of course was keeping an eye on Kassidy every so often as they continued on the fly. Dianna was keeping an eye on Marina and Marina was just as uncomfortable as she always had been whenever Dianna was anywhere near her. Goth was keeping an eye on Shade and Goth didn't like this job he had and neither did Throbb as he was keeping an eye on Holden but they didn't complain about it too much.

As they were flying, Kassidy could still feel the aches, stings, and pain throughout her body after what Martin did to her. She was trying to push through it though as the pain was unbearable but she was trying not to show it. Kassidy didn't want anyone to assume that she couldn't do anything just because she was injured, she had to fight this no matter what.

Kassidy and her friends looked at each other every so often as they all wanted to ditch these guys and Kassidy wanted to come up with a plan but even that was impossible at this moment. The Vampyrum bats were watching them closely, every wing beat of the way. Kassidy herself was quietly trying to come up with a plan, something that would be sneaky enough for not even the four Vampyrum bats would expect.

"What's up with your face, Señor?" Kassidy heard Throbb ask Holden, breaking the silence.

Kassidy looked over her shoulder to see that Holden was acting strange. His face was looking weird like something was actually wrong with him and this got Kassidy concerned. She wanted to go over to Holden to see what was wrong with him but even if she tried to do that, Martin would've pulled her back.

"I have to go," Holden said.

Throbb looked at Holden confused. "Huh?"

"You know… go…"

"Go where exactly?"

Kassidy sighed annoyed with her brow furrowed. "He has to urinate."

Throbb's eyes widened. "Oh, why didn't you say so?"

Holden grumbled annoyed but then looked at Martin. "Listen, can we please take a break? I have to go."

Martin looked at Holden annoyed. "Can't you hold it in?"

"Man, I've been holding it all day. If I don't go right now I'm going to pee myself."

"Can we please also go do some hunting?" Shade pleaded with Martin. "We need the energy for the journey. If we don't have enough energy we might die and without me, you won't know where the colony is headed to next."

Martin rolled his eyes as he growled annoyed. "Fine, but make it quick. We don't have all day. Stay within the area though and if I so much as see any of you four trying to make an escape of some sort you'll be down to three friends in your group."

The four friends had their eyes widened, but they were all about to go and do their thing but Martin all the sudden grabbed Kassidy by her winged-arms and Kassidy yelped as he then flew her towards the ground. Kassidy heard her friends yelling her name but Kassidy couldn't do anything as Martin then threw her to the ground and Kassidy then rolled to a stop. She groaned and before she could even try to get up, Martin then slammed her against a tree and Kassidy yelled in pain.

"What're you doing?!" Shade shouted as all the other bats landed on the ground.

Without looking at Shade, Martin then said to Kassidy: "You ain't eating anything for the whole day. Since you did me wrong I'll make sure you'll learn your lesson so congratulations on getting the spot of not eating."

"But she needs to eat," Marina exclaimed to Martin. "You can't-"

Martin sharply turned his head to Marina. "Shut up you stupid Brightwing!" This made Marina flinch. "If you and your two other friends there try to get the orphan here something to eat like I said it'll be down to three friends." Kassidy's friends were shocked and scared by what they heard. "Now go and do your things before I change my mind."

Kassidy's friends hesitated as they didn't want to leave her behind, but Kassidy then said to them: "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Just go do what you need to do."

"You might want to listen to your keen Silverwing friend here, otherwise…" Martin then slid his finger across his throat. Kassidy could see that her friends wanted to protest but without saying anything else they then took off. Martin then looked at Goth and Throbb. "You two can go do some hunting but keep an eye on those three and I mean it."

Kassidy noticed that Goth looked like he didn't like to take orders from anyone, as where he was from he was a Prince. However, Throbb nodded without hesitation and then took off. Goth looked like he wanted to say something to Martin but he then sighed and nodded. He then lifted off the ground and flew off.

The two spouses then looked at Kassidy. "As for you, orphan," Martin said. "This shall be your spot to stay in and you ain't moving from this spot."

Kassidy looked at Martin and Dianna angrily. "What do I look like, a newborn? I'm starting to see why you two don't have any."

After what Kassidy said, Martin and Dianna looked at Kassidy dangerously as their shadows were towering over her as if she really triggered them and she looked at them confused now. "You better watch that tongue of yours you little brat," Dianna said as she was about to advance on Kassidy.

"Love," Martin said as he held his wing up to stop his mate. "She hasn't tried anything stupid yet but if she does she'll be in for a nice treat." Martin then cupped Kassidy's chin roughly. "We'll be back orphan, and don't forget, don't move from this spot otherwise, it's one of your friends' heads. I'm always watching." Martin then roughly shoved Kassidy's face away and after he did he and Dianna then grinned and chuckled and this made Kassidy angrier as the two then took off to hunt.

Kassidy cursed in her head as she was now stuck sitting in this spot like she was a little kid getting a time out. She could feel the heat start to spread through her veins as her anger was increasing but even with a little bit of that, the snake's eyes glowed, stinging her arm a little and she hissed as she then began to rub it to ease the pain. She cursed as she continued to rub her arm. When the stinging went away she stopped rubbing her arm and sighed. She then laid her back against the tree she was near as she had nothing to do. She couldn't fight back because of that stupid snake on her arm, she couldn't eat, and she couldn't even move away from her spot otherwise she would risk one of her friends' lives.

As she was lying against the tree she decided to entertain herself by humming a random song. It'd been a while since the last time she listened to some good old music as it always was a way to entertain herself and it was also therapy for her. She wished she could be listening to her music right as she would rather listen to music than listen to that snake's voice.

She looked around her to be sure that no one was watching or listening to her as she then started to hum Radioactive by Imagine Dragons. As she was humming she started to pat her hands against her lap to the rhythm she was humming. It was a catchy song to her and it was at least entertaining her somewhat. As she was humming she was trying to come up with a plan to help her and her friends out of this mess. If they didn't get away from these giant bats soon the colony would get eaten by those cannibal bats.

What Kassidy didn't know was that someone was now watching her. The figure landed near her but far enough away from her and it brought back food to eat for itself. The figure was quietly watching as Kassidy was humming and patting her hands against her lap making it sound like she was playing the bongos instead. In a way, the figure liked what he was hearing. As Kassidy hadn't noticed the figure near her still she kept on doing what she was doing and hadn't stopped a moment.

"What're you doing?"

Kassidy jumped and stopped what she was doing. She looked next to her and her eyes widened when she saw Goth staring at her with a look of confusion but interest in his eyes. Oh, god… Kassidy thought. Her eyes then narrowed with annoyance as she kept staring at Goth. "Seriously, is this a habit of yours, sneaking up to anyone just so you can talk to them? How much have you heard anyways?"

Goth then chuckled. "If I didn't have my sneakiness I wouldn't be able to catch my prey. If I hadn't of caught and killed this rabbit-" Goth then pointed to a rabbit corpse that was going to be his meal without looking at it to indicate his point, "I'd be starved by now." Goth then got on his knees near the corpse. "As for your other question, señorita I heard a little of what you were doing. You were making some music there I saw."

Kassidy rolled her eyes. "How delightful to hear, Fancy Wings," she said ironically.

Goth shrugged his shoulders then started to rip out the flesh from the rabbit and started to eat it. He then looked up at Kassidy as he finished swallowing down a chunk of meat. "From what I heard you sound as though you have a great voice when it comes to singing."

Kassidy crossed her arms as she then looked away from the Vamprum Spectrum Prince. "I don't sing, not even in front of anyone, especially not in front of royals that are narcissistic and get showered with praises by their species no matter what."

"Sorry that I'm magnificent then," Goth said and went back to eating his carcass.

"Shove it up your ass, Fancy Wings."

However, Kassidy then sniffed, and as soon as she did her nose started to pick up on something divine. She started to sniff more and as she did the scent seemed as though it was close to her. Her eyes were then looking at Goth's bloody meal.

The divine scent she was picking up on was coming from Goth's meal.

Kassidy narrowed her eyes confused at why she was getting a good scent from that rabbit as before the smell of blood would've smelt overpowering like putting on too much perfume. But now… it was like smelling some good old meat she liked to eat like steak. The smell was absolutely satisfying that she felt her mouth-watering. She kept staring at the corpse for some reason like a hungry lion just wanting to tear at it any second now. Kassidy wanted to get up and dive into that carcass.

When Kassidy realized that something wasn't right with her she immediately looked away from the carcass and tried to pay no attention to it anymore and it was also to be sure that Goth hadn't noticed that she was staring at it. Kassidy felt hungry and she hadn't eaten anything at all today. It was driving her crazy at how hungry she felt but she didn't want to beg for food and give in to the cannibal bats. She wouldn't allow that. But why was she thinking about wanting to eat that rabbit though?

"Care for a taste?"

"Huh?" Kassidy looked at Goth confused as his muzzle was now covered in blood.

"You were staring at my meal. Do you have an interest in trying a sample from this?"

Kassidy furrowed her brow at Goth. "In case you forgot, Fancy Wings, I'm an insectivore bat and besides I ain't even allowed to eat for the rest of the day."

Goth simply shrugged his shoulders. "Your loss, señorita, you know though, you intrigue me a lot. Everything about you is not something I would expect from an insectivore bat such as yourself. A lot of things about you are something like how a Vampyrum bat would act and probably even look like. Zotz probably would've liked you as one of his followers if you were actually born in my species."

Kassidy thought about what Goth said but what he said sounded utterly ridiculous to her. However, when Goth mentioned Zotz this got her to think about something. Do Fancy Wings and his species worship… Cama Zotz? Kassidy read about Cama Zotz and what she read about him was quite something if she could say so herself. Well, it does make sense as to why Fancy Wings and his species would want to worship that guy. Cama Zotz after all does mean "death bat".

Kassidy was about to say something but she heard something drop to the ground and when she saw what it was she saw a dead raccoon and landing next to it was Martin. When Kassidy looked up at Martin she saw that he was staring directly at Goth with annoyance. Goth noticed it as well.

"So, having a lovely chat with the orphan here?" Martin said to Goth.

Goth furrowed his brow at Martin. "What does it matter to you?"

"I wouldn't get too attached to her if I was you, my friend. Many things can go wrong if you do. Many things." He then looked at Kassidy as she had her brow furrowed at him. "I see you still have a problem with your attitude, orphan." He then shook his head slowly. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I'd rather you stop calling me orphan, jackass," Kassidy spoke with venom in her voice.

"I don't see why I should stop calling you that, considering you don't have any parents anymore." Martin then sneered and got up close to Kassidy. "And what are you going to do if I don't stop calling you orphan, cry to your parents? Oh, that's right. You can't because they're dead like you said." He said mockingly and then started to cackle.

At that, Kassidy's blood started to boil as her teeth bore in anger. He took it too far many times just like now. Her hands were turned into fists as Martin continued to cackle while Goth just watched quietly.

All of a sudden, Kassidy spat at Martin and the saliva splattered on Martin's cheek and as soon as it did, Martin stopped cackling. His eyes widened at what Kassidy did and he slowly looked at her as Kassidy continued to stare at Martin angrily. Kassidy saw in the corner of her eye Goth looking between the two, wondering what would happen next with his eyes widened as well.

Martin then furrowed his brow at Kassidy and rubbed the saliva off his face. "So, still haven't lost that fighter in you now have you orphan?" His was then over Kassidy as he stared down at her dangerously as an actual snake would. "You really have been getting on my nerves a lot lately and I think I ought to teach you a few more lessons to get your head straight."

He then grabbed her by her neck with only one hand and started to strangle her and he then lifted her and Kassidy gasped as she was then trying to breathe. Martin's grip around her throat was really tight and she tried to fight back but the strength Martin carried was unbelievable. Even trying to make him stop strangling her would be of no use.

The three friends were trying to focus on their hunting but they were barely even focusing on their hunting as they felt very uncomfortable being watched by giant bats and if even one of them tried to escape it was immediate death for one of them. They were also worried about their witch friend as she was much worse than them at the moment. They wanted to help Kassidy by bringing her back food but that would only cost one of their lives.

Holden wanted nothing more than to get rid of those crazy giant bats. It felt like they were haunting him and his friends' every move. It freaked him out a lot and if he would've he would've called the cops immediately if not for the situation he was in.

Then, the three of them landed on the ground as they all got as many bugs as they could. They didn't have much time to talk but they knew they had to make this quick. "How are we going to get rid of them?" Marina whispered. "We're dealing with four giant bats again and with one of them being having magic like Kassidy. Kassidy can't even use her magic thanks to Martin."

"We have to do something though," Shade whispered. "We can't let them get to the colony and I want to lead them in a different direction but… this magic Martin used on me…"

"We'll figure out something," Holden whispered. "What did it even feel like, Smalls?"

"Well… I couldn't do anything really and no matter how hard I want to lead them in a different direction my mind keeps telling me to take them to the next location and my body just keeps heading in that right direction. When Martin did what he did to me I felt soothed…" Shade then shook his head as he then rubbed his temples. "I can't even get it out of my head still."

"Well, no matter what we can't have them get to the colony."

"Having a nice chat?" They jumped and yelped and they turned around to see Dianna staring down at them with her brow furrowed. The three friends were then looking at each other worried. "I do hope you're not trying anything because we wouldn't want to have any problems now would we?"

Holden felt the inside of his throat burning as Dianna kept staring down at them with that menacing look in her emerald green eyes. He wasn't sure if Dianna actually heard them but he knew that they had to be extremely careful no matter what. These guys were not to be messed with.

Holden then nervously smiled at Dianna. "Wouldn't dream of it…"

Dianna was drumming her long claws on her forearm as she had her arms crossed across her chest. She stared at them for a few good seconds then rolled her eyes. "I hope you're right, chatty bat."

The three friends then saw Throbb flying over to them and he had a squirrel in his mouth. He then landed and started to eat it and as he did the three friends looked at the scene disgusted. Holden honestly wanted to throw up as he watched this and the smell was unsatisfying.

Dianna looked at Throbb annoyed as she kept drumming her claws on her forearm. "You mind?"

"Huh?" Throbb looked up confused as his muzzle was now covered in blood.

"What the hell even occurred in that small brain of yours to bring that scrawny dead squirrel over here to feast on, huh? You trying to put on some stupid show or what?"

Throbb was looking at Dianna nervously. "I flew over here because I was going to ask you if we should go find-"

"While you brought that over here?"

"Um… si."

The three friends were looking at each other again as Dianna was getting annoyed by Throbb. Holden could see that Dianna did not like Throbb one bit. He could also see that Throbb was afraid of her. Holden honestly felt bad for Throbb and sure, Throbb tried to kill him but Holden really did feel bad for Throbb.

"I'm starting to wonder how you are even still alive at this moment." Dianna then came up closer to Throbb and as she did, Throbb's ears lowered against his head. "Look at you. I wouldn't even be surprised if you can't even survive out here. How much meat do you eat per day, huh? Not sure myself as you do seem like you go overboard with it you porky bat."

At that, Holden's eyes were narrowed as he didn't like Dianna's attitude towards Throbb as she seemed to be doing a pretty good job at hurting Throbb's feelings. He then got in between Dianna and Throbb and he stared up at Dianna with his eyes still narrowed. "Who the hell do you think you are of body shaming, anyone?"

Dianna looked down at Holden surprised when she saw him standing up for Throbb but she then furrowed her brow. "Stay out of this, chatty bat."

"Actually no, I'm not going to stay out of it. That's not right and what did he ever do to deserve the crap you're giving him? You really are a bitch."

"You better watch it, chatty bat because I'm this close to sending you to death."

Holden wasn't sure why he was standing up for Throbb but it felt good to do so. Shade, Marina, and even Throbb were staring at Holden surprised at what he was doing. He was about to say something but he then heard a feminine voice yell in pain. From what he could make out it almost sounded like…

"Kass," Shade said and immediately took off to where the painful yelling was coming from.

"Whoa, Smalls, wait up," Holden shouted and went after Shade and Marina followed.

Holden didn't care if Dianna nor Throbb followed them but he wanted to get to Kassidy as from what the three were hearing it did not sound good. They flew as fast as they could in hopes of reaching their good friend. The faster they flew the closer they got.

Then they saw what they were hearing and they were shocked. Martin was beating up Kassidy on the ground and Kassidy looked like she was trying to fight back but she couldn't as Martin was either punching or scratching her more making her have more bruises or scratch marks on her. Martin was going at her like she was a punching bag. Kassidy was getting even worse than before and Holden wanted to get to her.

"Kass!" The three friends screamed as they tried to get to Kassidy but the three other giant bats held them back with their clawed feet.

"Let us go," Shade shouted.

Martin then grabbed Kassidy's bloody red hair roughly and pulled her up from the ground and as he did, Kassidy looked at him weakly but shocked. "I think it's time for you to get yourself cleaned up, orphan."

Martin then pulled her by her hair and dragged her to a lake that was nearby and as he did, Kassidy desperately tried to grab at anything to keep Martin from dragging her to that lake but it was of no use. When they got near the lake, Martin pinned her near it and then he dunked her head into the water. Kassidy was having a hard time getting her head out of the water as Martin continued to drown her. As Martin was drowning Kassidy, the three friends shouted at Martin to stop what he was doing.

Holden then saw in horror that Kassidy was fighting back less as it looked like she was getting weaker and weaker. He didn't want it to be the end of Kassidy's life. She was his friend and he didn't want to see her die. She just couldn't die.

But then, Martin pulled Kassidy's head out of the water and when he did he then threw her to the ground. Kassidy was then coughing out water and trying to breathe in air. She could barely move at all as all she could do was try to breathe. But she didn't have time to breathe a lot in as Martin then had his foot pressed against her throat. Kassidy desperately tried to push Martin's foot off her throat but with the state, she was in she could not do so.

"Now you see what happens when you mess with the likes of me you weak witch," Martin said cruelly. "I want you to remember this exact day and you do I want you to remember how weak you were that you couldn't win again. This here will be a reminder of something you failed at and you will always be a failure no matter where you go. You are nothing."

Kassidy could only stare in utter shock and Holden wanted to get down to her but no matter how hard he or any of his friends tried they were held back with a strong force. Martin then got his foot off Kassidy's throat and as soon as he did, Kassidy started to cough and breathe in the air again as she had her hand against her throat in pain.

Martin then looked up at the bats in the sky. "We need a roost as the sun will be up soon."

Holden could only watch as Kassidy was on the ground severely wounded. She looked… defeated. Her eyes were only kept on the ground as she hadn't made any eye contact with anyone, not even with her friends. Seeing what he saw, Holden knew that they weren't safe with these giant bats.

Whatever it took, Holden would do whatever it takes to help him and his friends escape these monsters.

A/N- Been a while but I finally have the next chapter! Sorry for the long wait I was trying to figure out how I wanted this chapter to start and end and I was trying to figure things out carefully. Plus I've been busy a lot lately so that's also the reason why this took so long. Welp, other than that I will have the next chapter for this out soon, later.