This chapter is a bit longer. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Also, it's kind of late for this, but disclaimer: I don't own SotINF, or the characters . . . obviously. Oh, and I welcome any reviews, and/or constructive criticism.
Billy saw Machiavelli fall, but he kept going. Helping him now wouldn't matter if they couldn't get out of the cave. Billy worked harder using all the energy he could while keeping enough to save Machiavelli. He heard a squelch, and turned his head slightly to see one of Mawpatusc's enormous paws emerge from the quicksand, and he knew time was slipping away. With a final shove the wall cracked leaving a hole large enough for the two of them to climb out, but not quite big enough for the Wampus cat. Billy dropped his hand, and grabbed Machiavelli lifting him up, and draping a limp arm over his own shoulder. Billy ran towards the opening half dragging, half carrying Machiavelli. Then, from behind him Billy heard a final roar, as the cat launched itself from the mud, and began racing across the cavern towards them. Billy, and Machiavelli climbed through the hole, but not before Mawpatusc's claw slammed into them. Billy tumbled to the ground, and Machiavelli slipped from his arms. Billy rolled to his back, the wind knocked out of him. He lay gasping for a moment, and then he choked down huge mouthfuls of air. Mawpatusc battered into the wall, but it held firm, and they were out of her reach. After recovering his breath Billy turned to Machiavelli, who lay on his side his eyes closed, unmoving. Billy inched towards him, tired, but otherwise okay.
"Hey," he shook Machiavelli's shoulder, but got no response. Billy noticed that his breathing had slowed considerably.
"Come on get up. We need to leave," he said. His voice filed with concern. Machiavelli's eyelids fluttered and he squinted into the sunlight that had been absent in the dark cavern.
"Are you alright? Can you stand?" Machiavelli heard the words, but couldn't answer. He was dazed, and disoriented. His arms, and legs felt like lead. He managed to focus on Billy's face, and his mouth opened, but no words came out. Billy felt agitated. He tried to remember how they had gotten there. The blow to his head had caused more damage than he'd thought. He knew it wasn't in his Thunderbird. Billy didn't think it had been him driving, but it surely hadn't been Machiavelli. His forehead creased as he concentrated on the drive. They may have been in a limo, which seemed to fit his friends style. If there had been a chauffeur, would they have waited. That seemed a bit odd. Having a complete stranger drive them to this remote location. If there had been a chauffeur could they trust him. If the driver had miraculously stayed, Billy had no clue what direction the car was in, and after parking they had walked at least a mile to reach the cave. Even if Billy knew where the limo was, considering Machiavelli's condition he doubted they could make it that far. He glanced around taking in his surroundings, and then looked at Machiavelli, who had closed his eyes again.
Billy knew that Mawpatusc could escape from the cave at any minute. Especially since she had created it. I don't want to leave Mac, but we need to find somewhere to go before Mawpatusc gets out. I have some time though because as Mac is always trying to tell me 'you don't think clearly when you're angry', or something like that. I hope this applies to creatures as well because I'm not excited to come face-to-face with that cat again. If Mac is right she wont be thinking logically and she'll try to use force instead of her magic to get out. Billy got up and walked a few yards away to where the tree line of the forest started. Finding a nearby shelter in the woods seemed like their only hope. They could stay there until Machiavelli recovered. Billy peered through the dense leaves trying to find a place where they could rest. He was hesitant to go too far in case Machiavelli was in trouble, but he didn't have much choice. Billy wandered deeper into shadows.
Machiavelli shuddered. He was exhausted, and even opening his eyes was a challenge. He coughed, and his whole body shook. He contemplated sitting up, but seeing as his head was already throbbing it seemed like a foolish idea. He craned his neck trying to spot Billy, but the younger immortal was nowhere to be found. Machiavelli felt his heart rate speed up a little, and his eyes widened.
"Billy!" he whispered. He hoped that Billy was nearby. Maybe he had gone in search of the car. However it seemed unlikely seeing as they had parked about a mile from the cave. Machiavelli reconsidered. Perhaps he had gone looking for water, or it could be that he just wasn't in his line of sight. Machiavelli tried to relax, but the idea that something much worse had happened left him on edge. The pain in his head was becoming unbearable. He tried to ignore it, and closed his eyes, but the pulsing continued. After a couple of minutes passed by Machiavelli had slipped back into the world of darkness.
Billy wandered still deeper into the thickening forest. There was no water, no shelters, no caves . . . although it might be better to avoid those. Billy sighed gravely. He felt defeated, and he couldn't keep going. Machiavelli could need him, and Mac wouldn't have been able to make it much farther anyway. Billy had almost made it back when the sound of footsteps made him stop cold.