A quick chapter because I got a really cool idea and I wanted to write it up before I forgot okay, bye lol
That and I needed a thing to ignore the pain in my mouth with this oral infection I have :) Hope you enjoy lol

"So what should we do now?" I gave Lili a curious look as I looked up toward the dark sky above us. The moon shined bright as I leaned against the stump we had just exited from. "I bet Oleander has all the other kids asleep by now."

"If he's not sleeping in front of the mic at the base again, that is." I chuckled a little as she reached up to rub her chin in thought. "Does make me wonder the hell he is always mumbling about into that thing."

"Meat, probably. From what his brain showed with the meat flower and all." I shrugged a little as I gave Lili a confused look. "Oh yeah, did you know he has a random shrine hallway in the deep part of his mind? Like right after basic training, I found it. I pure white hallway with red curtains. As if it was a museum presenting its latest attraction."

"What the hell?"

"I know right?"

"He's getting weirder and weirder. And that says a lot when it comes to Oleander." Lili put her hands on her hips as she looked in the direction of the lake. "Everything is getting weirder here, honestly. My dad is not going to be happy when he hears all about this. I have a funny feeling about Milla and Sasha disappearing too." I shivered with how serious her voice had gotten. It was a side of Lili I hadn't seen before, but when she looked back toward me with a determined gleam in her eyes, I knew then that it was one of the purest expressions of herself that she had ever presented to me. "We have to figure this out."

"Well," I reached up to scratch the back of my neck as I tried my best to think. "Let's think of it this way, who would be able to get contact from the Motherlobe to ask for Sasha and Milla specifically to leave on important Psychonaut business?"

"It has happened before." Lili crossed her arms over her chest as she seemed to go deep into thought. "When I was ten, there was a psychic terrorist attack in Paris that they had to leave off to. Oleander got word from the Motherlobe through his com station in his tower. So normally anything really important comes from there. He never really lets them leave without fighting them on wanting to go too though."

"Seems this time there wasn't a fight."

"Yeah." I sighed as it seemed the two of us hit a brick wall with our train of thought. "What else is there to do then? Just sleep and hope no one else gets water-napped?"

"Got any better ideas?" I sighed as I stuck my hands into my jacket pockets.

"I guess not. Unless you want to camp out by the lakeside and see if anything weird happens?"

"We need our rest too though, Raz." I nodded along as I fought back a small yawn.

She's right. Can only do so much before you exhaust yourself. And if we are able to figure out what the fuck is going on here, I'm going to need all the energy I can muster. Psychic and physical.

"Guess we go to sleep then."

"It's for the best, after all." Lili put a hand on my shoulder as a small yawn escaped the girl. "And if you didn't agree, I would probably say fuck you and go to bed anyway." I couldn't help but chuckle at her as we started making our way toward the cabins.

"Nothing too bad should happen when we go to bed, right?"

"May not be peaceful," I felt her hand slip over my shoulders so she could guide me toward the cabins. "But we need it if this shit keeps going."

"True." I swallowed dryly as I tried my best to not be too worried about what could possibly happen.

As long as she's okay when the morning comes,

I let my arm wrap itself around her back as we walked together.

I guess it's fine to get some sleep then.


"Who am I kidding?" I whispered to myself as I stared up toward the cabin ceiling. "I'm not going to be able to sleep without knowing she's alright." I leaned up on my bed and glanced down at the side to see the other boys still in their beds.

Could I sneak out and check the lake? Just to make sure no one else is messing about there?

"People are going to blame you, Raz."

I swallowed hard as the memory of Lili's voice rang within my mind.

"They can't know. We have to be careful. Our little secret."

Our little secret.

I layer back down with a soft huff as I now looked toward the wall on my left.

I wish I could check up on her. To make sure everything was alright.

I closed my eyes as an idea sprung within my mind.

Maybe, just maybe, I can.

I brought an arm up to cover over my eyes just in case as I decided my best to focus on my connection with Lili.

How did Nona describe it? Focus on the link. Open the door to the mind. Speak with your thoughts.

My mind nudged ever so slightly as I felt a small pull on my mind's presence.

I guess you couldn't sleep either, huh?

I felt a wide smile take over my lips as Lili's true voice rang in my mind. I gently nudged her presence into my thoughts as a playful remark filled my head.

I think it says a lot that you were looking for me too there, Zanotto.

I'll close off this connection right now, Aquato. Don't tempt me.

And break my heart? How cruel, Lils.

Oh, don't be dramatic, circus boy.

But dramatic is my middle name!

I thought it was Augustus.

That's the joke, Zanotto.

Want me to light your ass on fire again?

What? Got that on your mind~?

I would punch you so hard right now.

I'm liking telepathy so much more right now. I couldn't help but chuckle a little to myself as I could tell she was rolling her eyes at me.

What? Never had a brain buddy before?

Actually, no. I haven't. I could feel her confusion within my mind as I continued. Well, my sister tried to connect with my mind before and so hasn't Nona, but it always ended in disappointment. Something about how my head is like a little mental tank. It takes a lot for it to be infiltrated.

Yet here we are. I could tell a smug look was taking over Lili's face that very moment. Maybe all it needed was the Zanotto Touch.

Or for me to actually want someone in my mind?

Don't burst my bubble here, Razzy. I could hear her yawn as it was obvious the night was catching up with her. We should rest up. Give me a ring if anything is out of sorts, okay?

You do the same if something comes up on your end.

Deal. Another soft yawn rang out which I couldn't help but chuckle at. Stay safe, Razputin. I smiled as hearing Lili say my full name was a rare occurrence.

You too, Lili. Rest well.

Agent Zanotto, to bed. I smiled as I felt her presence leave me slowly, but surely, until all that remained was my smile as evidence. My mind was full of this fuzzy lightheaded feeling as something light and beautiful swelled within my chest.

She really is something else. Like some kind of beautiful anomaly.

I placed a hand over my heart as I leaned my head deeper into my pillow.

And this feeling. It's like nothing I ever felt before. Is this what it's like to have a real friend? Because if it is, I don't want it to ever leave me.

I chuckled at myself as I turned over to face the cabin wall with my eyes still closed blissfully.

It's the most beautiful thing and I'll do anything to keep it and her.

My smile kept itself on my lips with ease as I slowly drifted off into slumber. But as my mind drifted, the sound of the cabin door being opened went unheard as a small blue light followed the motion.

"For once I'm glad one of you brats is here." A dark chuckled followed the near silent voice that inched closer toward one of the other kids sleeping away. "Thanks to you Aquato, no one is going to suspect a thing. At least," The light showed enough that a wicked grin was sprawled across the ivory-skinned man's face.

"Not of me."