-Chapter 2-
-Hannah's POV-

After we stepped outside of the cave, I wanted to run. Run and never look back, as if I could somehow escape this strange reality. But I knew better- Kowalski would follow me until I collapsed.

We had been situated in the cave for about a week or so since Kowalski reported Aidan to have full amnesia. I felt strangely hollow, my emotions changing constantly. I was either sad or pissed, yet the penguins were always at my side. It was strange, how far our friendship and trust among each other had grown so quickly.

"Fiiish?"

I looked up to see Rico dangling a small brook trout in front of my face, trying to entice me to eat something. I shook my head slowly in response. Crushed, Rico murmured, "Fiiish," in a quieter, more deflated tone and walked over to Kowalski and Private. I heard them murmuring quietly amongst each other. Finally, Kowalski lifted his head and walked over to me.

"Hannah, you need to eat something."

I shook my head. "I'm not hungry." As if in disagreement, my stomach grumbled loudly.

"You're hurting yourself."

"I'm fine."

"No, you aren't."

"Kowalski, I'm telling you, I'm fine." I drew out the word 'fine,' to add emphasis to my argument.

"If you were 'fine', you would be eating regularly. You haven't eaten in five days."

"I ate this morning," I lied quietly, averting my eyes.

"You're lying."

"So what if I am?" I snapped. "My cousin thinks I'm her enemy, Kowalski. She just attacked me!"

Kowalski looked over at Private and Rico, as if looking for support. Rico just shrugged slowly, unsure of what to do. Private stepped forward. "Hannah-"

"I don't want to talk right now, Private."

"Hannah, please hear me out," the young penguin pleaded. I opened my beak to reply, but Rico came up from behind me and clamped my beak shut. I glared up at him, but looked back to the young penguin.

"Actually, K'walski, Rico... I'd like to speak to her alone."

Rico hesitated, but released me from his grip. Kowalski placed his flipper on my shoulder for a moment, as if giving reassurance, before turning away to follow Rico. They walked to the edge of the forest.

I turned back to look at Private, waiting for him to speak.

"Hannah... I just want you to know that you're not the only one suffering."

"You don't know her like I do, Private."

"You're right, I don't," the young penguin agreed. "But... I think of her differently than you do." I opened my beak to reply, but the young penguin continued, "Hannah, I... I still like her. A lot."

I sighed. "She can't remember you, Private."

"That's what I'm trying to tell you, Hannah. You're not the only one Aidan can't remember." Private looked down."All I'm trying to say is that you're not helping yourself or your cousin right now. You just need to have hope."

I avoided his gaze as he lifted his head once more. "My hope has already come and gone, Private." I turned and walked away without another word.

"Hannah..." Private said hesitantly. He didn't follow.

-Kowalski's POV-

I glanced over in Private and Hannah's direction out of curiosity. She was gone, but in her place was a very crestfallen Private. I hurried over to the young penguin. "Private, where is Hannah?"

Private seemed to snap out of a trance. "K-K'walski!" he exclaimed.

"Private, where did Hannah go off to?" I repeated.

"I... um..."

"Private! Don't tell me that you let her wander off by herself!" I said, raising my voice.

"I'm sure she didn't go far, K'walski! There's no reason to worry!"

"I have every reason to worry-"
I was interrupted by a loud yell from the inside of the cave. Skipper stormed out, flippers clenched, Aidan right on his heels.

"How can some one be as IRRITATING as you?" Skipper demanded.

Aidan scoffed. "I'm not irritating! I just speak my mind!"

"THEN YOU NEED TO STOP AND LEARN SOME MANNERS!"

"My manners are just fine! YOU need to learn to control your temper, flat-head!"

"Skipper!" I yelled suddenly, interrupting the heated argument.

Both the penguins whipped their heads around to glare at me. "What?" Skipper asked irritably, watching Aidan out of the corner of his eye.

"Hannah is gone!" Private piped.

Aidan swore under her breath, and Skipper's eyes widened. "What? Kowalski, I thought I asked you to keep an eye on her 24/7!"

"It was my fault, Skippah!" Private said, quickly taking the blame. "I was talking to her, and I... I didn't stop her..."

"Which way did she go?" Aidan demanded.

"I... I can't be sure," Private admitted. "I think she went that way," he decided, pointing towards the forest with a flipper. Aidan swore again and ran off in the direction Private was pointing.

"Aidan!" Private cried.

Skipper slapped a flipper to his forehead. "Roll out, men!" he exclaimed, pointing a flipper after Aidan. We followed his lead, sliding after Hannah's cousin.