The lyrics you will read in this text are not my own, it is based on a song from the movie Hocus Pocus. It is a hauntingly beautiful song, so if you don't know what it is, look it up on you tube. By the way, I hope everyone had a fun Halloween.
Ada followed quickly after the Marios, feeling her heart beat fast as they neared the very place where the toad was murdered. She shuddered at the thought of what they might find up ahead, but shook her head to clear the images. If it would guarantee her place at the Chronicle then so be it. Unfortunately Mia failed to think about her job and her imagination was going wild.
For the fifth time Mia squeaked loudly, and everyone stopped walking, Sam groaning aloud, "For Grambi's sake Mia, what now?"
"I'm sorry sir!" Mia cried, "I-I don't think I can do this!"
Ada placed a hand on the smaller toad's shoulder, "Relax Mia, we're all here together, nothing is going to happen."
Mia sniffled, "But how do you know?"
Sam groaned again and continued walking, pushing past the girls, grumbling under his breathe. Mario and Luigi watched him go.
Luigi gave Mia a small smile, "It's alright Miss, we're here. Mario and I will make sure everything is okay."
Mia gave him a hopeful look, "Can you promise to protect us? Please? Promise, that we will be safe?"
Mario and Luigi shared a look, then Mario nodded. Luigi looked uncomfortable for a moment, then he looked assured and smiled at the toad, "You have my word Mia."
The toad smiled a genuine smile and Ada felt better also, well mostly her nerves. Every time Mia squeaked she felt on edge. She had to admit, she was definitely scared, but being with the Mario brothers helped reassure her that everything was going to be fine. That was of course before there was a blood-curdling scream up ahead.
Everyone stopped, Ada clapping a hand over Mia's mouth to muffle her scream, the little toad's eyes bugged out in fear.
"Oh my gosh." Ada's eyes widened, "Was that….Sam?"
There was another scream and Mario's eyes narrowed, he turned to nod at them, "Luigi stay here with the girls." Luigi opened his mouth but Mario was already gone. The green brother gave them a weak smile, his own heart racing.
Ada took a deep breath trying to calm herself down, but she could not quiet the thunder of her heart, she felt ready to bolt into the woods screaming, and faintly wondered how poor Mia felt. The poor thing was shuddering in her arms, probably ready to pass out.
"We're fine, Mario can handle it!" Luigi told them, looking as if he was also trying to tell himself that. Ada glanced at the man's trembling hands and clasped her owns hands together, trying to keep herself from shaking in fear.
There was another short scream up ahead and everyone backed up, Mia tripping backwards over a tree root and landing hard on the ground. Ada turned to help up Mia, when the toad suddenly burst into tears.
Ada helped up the sobbing toad girl and looked to Luigi who was facing away from them, to where Mario had ran.
"I can't let him do this alone." Luigi turned to face them, his face pale but his eyes narrowed, "What is he needs my help?" His eyes turned to Ada, but her expression was resolute.
"You promised to protect us." Ada told him and arm wrapped around Mia who was whimpering, "He would want you to stay."
"I'm sorry, I had forgotten my promise." Luigi looked detached but nodded, "Let's move, we should clear out of here."
"Let's go." Ada grabbed Mia's hand and they began running back the way they had came. Luigi hesitated, glancing behind him, then hurried after.
00oo00oo00oo00
3 miles away, Green Hill national park
"It's lovely out here isn't it?" The koopa smiled up at the mountain, her pink sunglasses reflecting the bright rays of sunlight cascading from between the dark clouds. She then realized she had heard nothing from her companion, and turned, an annoyed expression on her face, "Oh come on! You big baby, we've only walked a bloody mile!"
The koopa, who was on the ground panting, looked up from where he lay, "I know Marcy, but I can't feel my legs."
She rolled her eyes behind her glasses and bent over to help him up. He gave her a small smile and looked over her shoulder, "Wow, nice mountain view."
"I know, that's what I was talking about a second ago." She sighed, "Now lets start walking again, we should reach the cabin soon."
"You said that last time." The koopa mumbled unhappily, "Can't we rest?"
"Fine." She exhaled loudly, "Only a few minutes."
They sat down on the grass, Marcy slipping her backpack off with a slight yawn. Her companion did the same, too quickly, falling over onto his shell with a yelp, his pack falling aside. She just ignored him and began digging through her satchel; eventually he reached his feet and gave her a sour look, which she also ignored.
"Gee thanks," He said with sarcasm as he opened his pack.
"You are so pathetic sometimes Benny, it's ridiculous!" She glared his way.
He gave her a hurt look, and her gaze softened. The koopa stood up, dropping his pack, "Fine if you feel that way, maybe I should head back down the trail and drive home. You can have fun by yourself."
Marcy quickly grabbed the back of his orange shell as he turned to leave, "No, stay, I'm sorry. You're just not used to all this hiking, I was wrong to be harsh. Friends don't act like that."
He looked her in the eyes for a second, and then sighed, "Okay, I'll stay. Just take it easy on me all right?"
She laughed, "Sure thing, now lets snack. We need energy for the rest of the hike."
Marcy pulled out a packet of nuts out of her bag and a bottle of water. Benny nibbled on a candy bar he had retrieved from his pocket and watched her eat, feeling bored. He finished up his candy and looked at the view. The mountains were so far away, but even from this distance, mystifying. The koopa continued to admire the sights, Marcy finishing up her water with a sigh.
"Dang it." He turned to look at Marcy, who had spoken.
"What's wrong?"
"I forgot to pack more bottles, I must have left them in the trunk." Marcy frowned, her forehead creased slightly in annoyance. The peanuts she had just eaten had been covered in salt. The water she drank hadn't been enough to keep away thirst.
She stood up, "I'll be right back, I thought I heard water nearby, maybe a stream or something."
Benny also stood up, "I packed some sodas if you want one."
Marcy wrinkled her nose, "I don't drink that crap, do you know how much sugar is in those things? Just stay here, I'll be right back."
He watched her leave and took a seat in the grass again. Benny kept himself entertained by watching the clouds move. The wind was picking up and clouds were blowing fast in wide direction. He stared up at them, frowning when he felt a splash of cold water hit him in the nose. The koopa then noticed the dark clouds gathering in the sky, and felt his heart pick up pace. He never tells his friends this, only family, but he had a huge fear of storms.
"Marcy!" He shouted, "I think we should start moving again, it looks ready to pour."
There was no answer and he sighed. She was probably too far away to hear him. He stood up and began walking, leaving his pack on the ground. Benny felt himself jump as a bolt of lightning flashed from the corner of his eye.
He stepped through the trees, careful to walk around the thorny bushes in his path. The koopa walked for about another minute before he noticed something was off, and stopped. It took him awhile, standing there still, but then he realized something. It was very very quiet out here. There was no bird song, nothing.
Benny frowned and looked up into the canopies of the trees. He only glimpsed dark leaves, the sun hidden under dark billowing clouds. The koopa was caught in the silence, too afraid to even breath loudly, for it was that deep. The forest seemed to be frozen in time, not even the leaves above rustled in the wind.
"Marcy?" His voice was a whisper, barely even registering in his own ears. Why was it so quiet?
The koopa moved forward, flinching as he snapped a twig under his foot. He stood there for a minute, gazing forward, looking for a glimpse of his companion up ahead, but he saw nothing but dark trees, straight and silent sentinels.
Come…
He froze. A voice? It felt so close, but so faraway. He could not make out the tone as being male or female, but it was haunting.
Little children…
Benny felt chills trickle down his spine and swallowed hard, his throat feeling tight, it was almost hard to breathe.
I'll take thee away…
He took a step back, his heart beating harder every moment. Something was out there, he could feel its presence, like eyes you could feel meeting yours, so very close. The koopa stepped back again and felt his foot catch on something, he cried out as he fell backwards into a bush, wing beats deafening him as a flock of dark birds took off into the air and disappeared into the branches above.
Benny quickly reached his feet just as he saw something approaching him from between the dark trees. Whatever it was it was huge, and he knew that now was a good time to run.
He ran back the way he had come, uncertain if it was after him, his retreat a noisy one. The koopa dashed up the hill and clearing where their pack's waited on the ground and he felt dread. Marcy! She had gone into the woods, and she hadn't returned. He took the risk and turned to look behind him. Nothing was there and he felt himself relax, suddenly he felt something touch his shoulder.
"EEE!" The koopa shrieked and turned to see…
She gave him a wry smile. "What's wrong Benny? You seem a little jumpy."
"M-Marcy?"
The koopa frowned at him, "What happened?"
"Nothing, I was in the woods…I…. saw something. I thought-"
She scowled, "Knock it off. I'm not in the mood for scary stories." Secretly they made her uncomfortable, she could handle many things but those always brought her on edge. Of course she preferred to not let anyone know of this fear, and to keep her steely exterior intact. No way was the archery and basketball captain in high school going to look weak in front of her most cowardly friend.
"I'm not telling stories Marcy! I was worried about you and umm, its going to rain soon and I went to find you. I heard voices-"
"Eh!" She held up a hand, "Enough, lets just keep moving." She bent down to pick up her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. The koopa gave him a questioning look, "Well? You coming or not?"
Benny sighed and slipped on his backpack, shifting his shoulders so it fell comfortably down his shell. He knew that she didn't want to talk about it, or believe him for that matter, but he couldn't help wanting to tell her. The koopa felt like he had to, like it was important she was aware. Why did he feel this way?
They continued walking then Marcy made an angry noise and dropped her pack, "Dang it all!"
"What's wrong Marcy?" Benny stepped up to her; she scanned the ground like she was looking for something.
"I can't find it, my bracelet!" Her voice was at a disconcerted tone, "I must have dropped it in the woods!"
Benny knew where this was going and grabbed her arm before she could move, "No, just leave it. Let's keep going."
She shook her arm out of his grasp and her eyes flashed angrily at him, "Leave it? Are you crazy? That bracelet is a family heirloom, my grandmother gave it to me."
Benny grabbed at her again, but missed and fell flat onto his face. He quickly moved onto his knees but Marcy had already disappeared into the forest.
00oo00oo00oo00
The three quickly ran through the trees, Luigi leading the way, glancing back every so often to check on his charges. Ada kept a firm grip on Mia who stared ahead, her face pale and striped with tears. They had been moving for quite some time now, everyone tense.
Luigi felt cold inside, almost numb with terror for his brother. He felt like he was barely there, like in a dream, one where he faded in and out of the picture.
"We should be there soon, just keep heading forward." Ada yelled, "We parked the van on the side of the road near the river."
They continued running, the trees beginning to thin, and the area lighten. It was still pretty dim, because of the dark clouds above concealing the sun, but it was brighter still than the deeper woods they had left behind.
Ada felt her heart sing with hope as they cleared a fallen log and continued moving. This area was familiar to her, they would be there soon.
"I think we're almost there!" Luigi yelled back to them, "Through that thicket!"
They ran through the trees, Mia's dress catching on a thorny shrub and ripping with a tattered hem. The three were now standing in front of a dirt road, a bit down the road a dark blue van with the Mushroom Chronicle's icon was parked.
Everyone stood there for a moment, taking in deep breaths of air, then there were smiles of relief. Thunder rumbled up above as they started towards the vehicle.
Suddenly there was a louder crash of thunder and the sky lit up, Ada shrieked and pulled a screaming Mia down to the ground with her. Luigi hit the ground with a cry of surprise.
Everyone heard a thunderous boom and a cracking noise, the earth shaking slightly under them. Ada was the first to sit up and the first thing she noticed was the small hairs of Luigi's mustache were standing on end. Her eyes widened in disbelief, she pointed behind Luigi with a despaired cry, "Oh no!"
Luigi looked to where the toad girl pointed and moaned aloud.
The van was on fire, bits and pieces of it scattered several feet away, the whole front windshield and windows shattered to bits. Rain began to fall, each drop hitting the fire and sizzling into nothing. They all stared at the sight in silence. It had been struck by lightning. It was as if something wanted them here, wanted them to die. They were trapped in the forest with a killer in a thunderstorm, the nearest town miles away, the Mario's jeep on the other side of the forest.
Mia stared at what was left of the van then began to cry. It started off as a choking noise then a full out sob. Ada hugged the frightened girl to her chest, staring grimly at the flames. There was no choice, they had to go back the way they had came, there was no stopping this cruel twist of fate.
wow, that sucks for them huh? ^^; I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter! All suggestions are welcome, and reviews are loved 3 ! I want to thank all my lovely reviewers; you guys are the reason for this fast update. :D Thanks, I really enjoy writing this story.