Chapter 32: Cradle of Forest

E-S

I gotta say, I'm well shocked to see that Elise, kiddo and the Herd were all brave enough to stand up to Walter when I was in trouble, both back at in Room 303 and here in the forest.

Come on, those two girls and that group of animals are troopers!

Before that incident back in the subway station, I decided that I was going to return the favour if any of my new friends found themselves in trouble. I knew our assailant was going to be a huge problem, so I was going to do everything I could to prevent the worst from happening.

... I'm ... also hoping that Tails and the gang won't end up here too... Because of him.

"Looks like we're gonna have to set up headquarters here," Kiddo murmured, quickly reloading her hunting rifle as she walked towards the orphanage. "Just so we have a place where we can retreat to if we get attacked."

Smart idea.

Manny, Sid, Diego, Elise, the possums and I quickly caught up with her whilst Ellie and the others took a long look around the outside area. Even though I didn't manage to talk to them that much, I ... was actually becoming more and more used to hanging out with a group of pre-historic animals.

"So ..., Sonic." The sloth began, looking at me in awe. "You haven't said much about yourself."

"Oh," I replied, strangely startled by Sid's sentence. "Well, believe it or not. I'm the fastest thing on earth."

"WHOA! Really?!" Crash shouted, letting his jaws drop to the ground in shock whilst Eddie pointed at him and burst out laughing. "That's just like Megan!"

"Guys..." She muttered, rolling her eyes in both annoyance and amusement. "Please don't."

However, I was becoming interested in the possums' story. I felt like I was becoming my cheeky teenage self again, yet I cast a sympathetic look in the young girl's direction as if to say "Sorry kiddo, I'm hooked."

"Okay." I muttered sternly, crossing my arms and nodding for the possums to continue. "What did you two do?"

"Please don't say it." The young girl said again, backing away and eyeing a suspicious Manny nervously. I suspected that both possums weren't going to make it short and simple like I hoped they would, but I was greeted with something else altogether.

"Manny gave her a compliment and she ended up like Crash." The smirking Eddie quickly revealed, making the mammoth give the girl a look of surprise. She continued backing away until she had nowhere else to go, clearly believing that he was going to corner her and demand fiercely for a reason.

But instead, Manny just snorted with sincere amusement and let a small smile crease his cheeks. I didn't show it, but deep down, I let out a huge sigh of relief.

Thanks, dude.

Upon seeing what was happening, Kiddo snapped back to reality and turned her head away from the two possums, lifting a hand up in the process.

"Heh," She scoffed, dropping her hand and mock-glaring at them. "I ain't chillin' with you guys no more."

Wow, that kid's feisty. You go girl!

"Ooooooh, burn!" Elise teased, trying her best to stifle any incoming giggles.

"Someone's a little mad." Diego commented, smirking as he watched Crash and Eddie staring at our young friend with sneaky smiles written all over their faces. "I'm looking forward to seeing where this is going."

Believe or not, so am I.

S-M

I was really enjoying this.

Although, I can be a bit of a cheeky midget sometimes, I still like to occasionally tease and wind up my loved ones. Even if we were stuck in these hell-worlds for god knows, how long.

Is it me ... or am I becoming a human teenage girl version of my blue idol?

"Hey guys!" Ellie called out, catching our attention. "Why don't we go inside the building and set up shelter?!"

"On our way!" Sonic repiled, throwing a thumbs up in her direction, before turning to face us. "We should, head over there and see what's up."

The seven of us quickly began making out way over to the front entrance, only stopping half-way to find a new weapon for Elise; a bow with a set of ten arrows. As pleased as I was for her, I couldn't help but wish I had one of my own — just in case, something happened.

But hey, you work with what you have.

As soon as we entered the orphanage, I immediately joined Peaches and Louis as they went to take a look around, whilst the adults got together in one large group to discuss their plan of action. Just then, I had the most ... strange conversation with those two. One I feel like we should have had, when I first arrived in Switchback Cove.

"Hey Megan," Peaches began, eyeing me with a cheerful grin. "I, um, I was just wondering if you had someone special in your life. Like Ethan is with me..."

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where did that come from?!

"Oh," I repiled, feeling completely stunned by her question. "I ... First of all, when were you planning on asking me this?"

Hearing this, she frowned and gave a small sigh. "I was going to ask you before, but it didn't come to mind..."

I nodded to show that everything was okay, and began to answer with one simple word.

"No..."

"Wait, what?!"

"No. I don't have someone special in my life, unfortunatley." I repiled again, with a sad expression written on my features. "I ... kinda wish I did, though... But all people my age do, is just avoid me like the plague."

Yep, that practically sums me up in a nutshell.

"I'm really sorry," My teenage mammoth friend murmured, after a moment of silence. "But, I'm sure you'll find someone eventually. You just need to wait for the right person to show up."

I let a small smile crease my cheeks upon hearing those words. "Thanks, Peaches."

But then, I suddenly let Ethan and the teenagers drift into my thoughts. When they first saw me, I tell ya, they were beyond shocked to see an actual human in their world. Well, at least everything turned out alright after my two friends said that I was fine.

"You're really lucky Ethan's around." I said, remembering the moments those two shared in the fourth Ice Age movie. To be honest, even though I liked him ... I prefer her hanging out with Louis, since I know he secretly likes her aswell.

I mean, c'mon! He's kindhearted and has those adorable blue eyes!

"Yeah!" Peaches chirped, giggling at the thought of her mammoth crush. "I'm so glad I have him in my life!"

Chuckling, I shook my head with amusement. "To tell the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if he asks you out soon."

Unfortunatley, our now pleasant conversation was cut short by Manny calling. "Hey kids, mind if you could come over please?

Here we go.

As soon as the three of us joined up with the adults, that was when they revealed what we were going to do next. And believe me when I say, they could have chosen a better idea. "What's up?"

There were several murmurs of doubt lingering between Sonic, Elise, Ellie and Diego whilst Manny took a deep breath. "We had a talk, and we decided what's going to happen. We'—"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I interrupted sharply, mentally cursing myself for doing so. "We know about that, so please can you just tell us what your plan is?"

"Okay, okay," He repiled, trying his best to remain calm. I gave him an apologetic look for what I did seconds before, as I loathed the idea of fighting my friends. "I don't know wether this is going to work or not, but ... You three are gonna head out, whilst we fend the man off."

Wait ... WHAAAT?!

Just as Peaches was about to protest, Elise stepped in to speak. "You won't be alone, though. Sonic and I are coming with you."

"Well ..." I began, trying to choose my words carefully. "You do know that ... We can defend ourselves too?"

"Yeah!" Peaches put in, placing her trunk on my shoulder. "We may be teenagers, but we can handle ourselves well against threats."

Thanks girl!

"Okay, so," Shira murmured. "We'll meet you five back here?"

"Sure." Elise repiled, giving her a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine."

After that exchange, we all went our separate ways; Manny and the Herd going north whilst Sonic and our little group decided to go east. Truth be told ..., I hoped that by the end of this, we would be able to get out together with my parents. I didn't want to fail, and I didn't want to think about what I would do if we did.

I shook my head and blinked. Now wasn't the time to think about losing my family and friends in the madness.

"Here we ..."

Peaches, Louis, Elise and I stepped to the side slightly as we watched Sonic take a step back, preparing himself to do what he did best.

"GO!"

A loud sonic boom errupted as he took off. We immediately sprinted after him, whilst I made up my mind on what I wanted to do next.

Okay, if we stop somewhere ... I'm going to tell Sonic about my mother's disappearance.

I can't keep it bottled up inside me forever...

Who knows, what will happen if I don't open up soon?

... Let's just hope it goes well.