Chapter eight – Doubts

Crunch remained in the branches of a tree, gazing out over the land. His gaze was somber. He couldn't understand what was going on inside his head. It was as though something snapped inside him, something that he could not control. If he hadn't awoken from the "dream", that pitiable native would be dead. If he hunted without consciousness, he was liable to kill others. His thoughts drifted to Crash and Coco, and he leaned his head against the tree. The two of them were already adept at surviving, but how could they be expected to guard themselves against someone they looked to as a friend?

Crunch could not stand this any longer, and he was unsure if he could beat this curse over his mind. He would have to go to Aku Aku. Hopefully he could suggest a cure. Crunch slipped down the trunk of the tree and landed lightly on the ground. He would have run just to get his heart rate up, but he feared that any heightening of his senses would cause him to snap again. He walked evenly toward the house, hoping Crash or Coco knew where he could find the old coot.

Crunch was not surprised to find Crash sleeping, and absently wondered whether or not he'd moved at all that day. He speculated probably not. Crunch didn't see Coco around, so he gave Crash a nudge. The only response Crash offered was an irritated moan as he flipped onto his stomach to get more comfortable. Without hesitation, Crunch grasped the couch and gave it a good tilt, knocking Crash and a few cushions onto the floor. Crash landed solidly and with a thump, and a few muddled curses were growled before he even fully woke up. Crash looked up in confusion as he rubbed his back. Seeing Crunch, Crash just groaned.

"Was that really necessary? You must be in desperate need to show off those impressive muscles of yours." Crash was always acidly sarcastic after just waking up.

"I hope you moved from that spot at least once. Next thing we know you'll permanently root yourself in that couch."

"Which isn't as horrible as you might think. So leave the daisy where you find it." Crash muttered as he ran his fingers through his hair. "And to my defense, when the sun goes down I'm welcome to sleep as long as I like."

Crash pulled himself back onto the couch and leaned his back against the cushions. Crunch put a foot on the armrest and leaned on his knee.

"Where's Coco?"

Crash rubbed his eyes. "Is that what you woke me up for?"

"Do you know where she is?"

"I don't know. Probably in that shop of hers. Is there a game of hide and seek I'm missing out on?"

Crunch grumbled. "How about Aku Aku? Seen him around anywhere?"

Crash raised one eyebrow. "Aku? Couldn't say, mate. I don't know what that guy does in his free time."

"Would Coco know?"

"You could ask her." Suddenly, Crash's full attention was on him. "Hey, you alright?"

Crunch's defenses shot up as he adopted his most emotionless expression. "What do you mean?"

"Whoa, sorry fella. Must've made a mistake." Crash grinned happily. "Go bother Coco with your questions, I've got some sleep to catch up on."

Crash collapsed onto his back with a satisfied sigh and propped his feet up. Crunch groaned and shook his head wearily. Leaving Crash to his chronic resting, Crunch stepped out the door and made his way to Coco's makeshift lab. It was difficult not to be impressed with the advanced technology Coco had been able to develop over the years, but Crunch was not adept in giving compliments. Crunch tapped the keypad, and a small identifying mike quickly snapped directly in front of his nose. Crunch stepped back instinctively and frowned.

"What the hell?"

The mike vibrated a moment before settling into place. It beeped, and then spoke in a high pitched, tinny voice.

"Identify?"

Crunch furrowed his brow. "Huh?"

The mike twitched. "Name?"

"Uh…Crunch."

The mike twitched again and then beeped again.

"Identification does not compute. Prepare to be neutralized."

"WHAT?"

Crunch was one instant from crushing the annoying machine with his mechanical fist before the door slid open. Coco rushed out and rapidly slammed her palm on a button.

"That's enough rudeness from you, Dax."

Coco's hair was pulled back in a disheveled ponytail, and by the stray strands hanging in her face it looked as though the elastic was doing more harm than good. Coco looked rather flustered as she brushed her hand over her head.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Well, having a strange mechanical gizmo threaten to neutralize me is a little rattling, but I'll be fine. What is that thing?"

"Oh," Coco shrugged. "It's a prototype I constructed. A kind of cybernetic security system for, you know, guarding against all those potential enemies Crash has upset over the years."

The inanimate microphone suddenly became ridged once again and began to wail manically.

"Intruder alert! Intruder alert!"

Coco didn't skip a beat as she smashed the microphone with a closed fist. The mike sputtered and then retracted into its place without further disruption. Coco offered a gentle smile.

"Haven't worked out all the bugs yet, obviously."

Crunch grinned, and instantly felt a sharp pang of dread. The reaction did not show on his face, and therefore Coco didn't even notice.

"So, what brings you out here? Crash and I didn't see you at all today. Well, Crash hardly moved all day, so he may or may not have noticed."

"Yeah, sorry. I have to talk to Aku about something really important. Do you know where he is?"

Coco's brow furrowed immediately. Crunch was well aware Coco automatically perceived something was wrong, but although the question was betrayed on her face, she didn't voice the question.

"Aku? He's probably in the temple monastery. He's been spending a lot of time there lately. But I think it would be best if you waited until morning to see him. That would be your best bet to actually reach him."

Crunch didn't bother masking his confusion. "Reach him?"

Coco placed together and smiled softly. "Just trust me. Get some rest. You look beat."

Crunch didn't think waiting was a good idea in his precarious condition, but he supposed he didn't have a choice. All the mystical hocus pocus always crept him out, and he'd rather keep away from all that stuff if he could avoid it. He nodded to Coco.

"Alright. I'll rest a few hours and find him."

Crunch turned and began to stride away, but before he took a step Coco spoke up.

"Crunch, what's so important? You're looking more haggard every day. I know it's none of my business-"

"You're right. So stay out of it." Crunch's voice was a guttural growl as his frustration got the better of him. He regretted the statement immediate and turned toward the astonished girl with a tamed expression. "I'm sorry, I can't explain that. It's my own hitch to deal with. Don't worry about it."

With that, Crunch turned on his heel and disappeared into the jungle.