Chapter 8
On the Open Road Again.
As Spongebob and Patrick drove to the county border, Spongebob had many heavy thoughts. Who was that mysterious Shadow Fish? Did he go to Shell City before? His mind felt so foggy as these questions buzzed around his head.
It nearly distracted him from paying attention to the side of the road.
"Spongebob, look at that," Patrick said, "Those guys are hurt."
Spongebob felt like he was just pulled out of a trance. He stopped the car and looked to the side. There was a gas station near the county line. There were two fish with bandanas around their heads. They didn't make a sound as they approached the two friends in the vehicle.
"Fill her up please," Spongebob politely asked.
the taller fish made hand gestures to the shorter one. The shorter fish made gestures back.
"Why are those two talking with their hands," Spongebob asked.
"What do you mean," Patrick asked.
"It's sign language," Spongebob said, "I see deaf fish use it all the time."
"Do you know what they're saying," Patrick asked.
"Kind of," Spongebob said, "I only know how they make the letters."
"Can you make out what they say," Patrick said.
"I'll try," Spongebob said.
The tall fish signed at Spongebob, "Where are you two headed?"
"Shell City," Spongebob.
The two fish drew a sharp breath through their noses.
The short one signed, "The place with a crazy merman guarding it?"
"That's right," Spongebob said.
The two looked at each other and pulled down their bandanas.
"Your back," The taller one said, "Do you recognize us, Spongebob?"
Spongebob was shocked, he did recognize these two.
Patrick was angry.
"I," Spongbob began.
"You two should be ashamed of yourselves," Patrick scolded, "I remember neither of you being very nice."
"We humbly apologize," the shorter
"We took a vow of silence," said the Taller, "until you returned because we didn't stop him from getting to you."
"I don't remember," Spongebob said, "When did we meet?"
"We met the last time you did this," The shorter one said, "You've been through this way."
"You lasted several days over the county line," The taller one said.
"Well let's see if I can do it again," SpongeBob said, feeling the haze lift from his mind. He drove the Driveable-patty-inator 3000 over the county line. A large fish wearing a ski mask jumped in front of the vehicle.
"Out of the car fellas," The fish demanded. Spongebob forgot his backpack as he and Patrick left the wagon. The large fish drove away. Spongebob felt the fog in his mind turn into thunderclouds. He was walking along when he suddenly collapsed, He felt overwhelming pain in his chest. the sun had gone down.
"Spongebob," Patrick said in shock, rushing to his friend's side. He lifted Spongebob and cradled him
"I feel like something is missing," Spongebob said, "and someone is watching us. It's too much. I-I'm in so much pain. It's so dark."
"Hang in there, buddy," Patrick pleaded, "We can get help."
Patrick carried Spongebob into the Thug Tug.