There You Go Again

by inspire-the-writer-x3

After Hayley's heart is broken, there's no better thing to do but to immerse herself in monster hunting; especially when there's a rare but vicious monster on the loose. But what happens when she finds herself falling for someone she'd never expect?

11. Farewell Felix

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DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Troop.

SYNOPSIS: After Hayley's heart is broken, there's no better thing to do but to immerse herself in monster hunting; especially when there's a rare but vicious monster on the loose. But what happens when she finds herself falling for someone she'd never expect?

–

Chapter 11: Farewell Felix

It was a beautiful day at the Great North Shore- the sun was shining, the skies were clear and the waves were calming everyone with its soft hushes. I figured this would've been an exceptional day to spend it with my family or other friends at a park for a peaceful picnic but instead, I found myself with the Japanese Troop on a search for a monster that may not even be existent in the area. It was nearly 4 in the afternoon and we had been sifting through sand and examining water to find any possible monster DNA or remains within them but there was no such luck. It seemed like this mission was never going to end; with the 6 of us not even knowing what exactly we were looking for, except the Vortex, our chances of ever leaving Japan and completeing this difficult task looked slim.

I looked around to see what everyone was doing. Felix, Akira and Keiko had gone on a boat with an old fisherman out to observe for any abnormal patterns and had been gone for an hour or so. Yuki, Jake and I decided to stay on shore and check out the vast coast. Yuki checked out the numerous wildlife there, including plants and animals to see if they were in any way mutated due to the Vortex, while Jake decided to ask locals if they had seen anything weird in the past few days. Felix taught me how to use some device that analysed sand in order to find anything that could help us link the Great North Shore with powerful monsters.

It was nice to do some actual work- I forgot about all my troubles that had been depressing me. That's what Hayley Steele does anyway; if I had anything I wanted to forget about, I'd keep myself busy til I didn't even remember it existed. That was the plan. But how do you forget about Jake? I had yet to learn the answer.

As I started to dust away more sand that I was about to put into a sifting machine, my watchcom beeped. I jumped a little from surprise as I had been concentrating seriously on finishing this horribly long day to go back to Akira's aunty's beach house and have a power nap.

"Hayley, you there?"

"Hey Felix, yeah, I'm here," I laughed, "What's up? Have you found anything out at sea?"

"Not really, it's been boring as hell here," complained Felix as he swayed in the screen, "It looks like it's going to rain tonight though,"

"What are you talking about?" I asked aloud, "The weather's perfect right now,"

"Yeah but we're pretty far from shore and we can see some dark clouds rolling in," Felix explained, "How's the sand treating you?"

"Very funny, Felix," I scowled, "There's literally nothing here and I desperately want to lie on the sand and sleep. Remind me why I'm here again?"

"Anonymous tip to come here from Akira," Felix shrugged, "I'm starting to think this is a trap since it's all a little fishy to me...or that might be Pete's boat here,"

"Pete? Is that the fisherman?" I asked as he nodded with a smile.

Suddenly, I heard sirens going off in the background and I saw Felix's head jerk to the left. He had a sense of panic evident on his face as I heard Akira shout something I couldn't quite catch at him. Felix walked over to some complex machine and started tapping numbers on it, when the boat started to shake. I heard Keiko scream in the background as she clutched onto Akira's form that seemed to be on the ground where Felix was too. An elderly Japanese man had tied himself to the mast of his ship with rope and I wanted to giggle at the sight if it wasn't for the 3 Troop members getting a weird knock that almost tossed the ship over.

"Felix- hey Felix, can you hear me? What just happened?" I shouted in panic.

"We're alright, Hayley," Felix grinned blindly as he looked for his glasses that had fallen off when he fell to the ground, "Our monster-detecting television just picked up a serious mass moving into shore that just passed us. We'll have to hurry to shore to fight it when it shows itself- we'll have to attack it before it attacks anyone else. I have to go now but I'll see you soon, ok?"

"Oh my god," I blurted out, "I'll alert the others straight away. Hurry back so we can check it out,"

With a brief goodbye, I got up and stuffed all my equipment into my back pack hastily; slinging it over my shoulder when I was done. I got up from my position and ran across the sand to the rock-pool area where I would find Yuki. After a few minutes of running, I gave up and sat on the sand; hugging my knees for a second as I breathed in and out slowly but steadily. It was difficult to go to Yuki when your feet kept making you sink into the sand with each step you take!

"Hayley, are you ok?"

I turned around to look up to a familiar pair of chocolate eyes. My heart stopped for a second because Jake, at that very moment, looked so soft and caring that I could've just melted into a puddle then and there. I shook my head, turning off my imagination as I faced reality.

"Yeah I'm fine; just wanted a little rest before I went to find Yuki," I replied; slightly choking on my words, "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you guys," Jake chuckled, "Felix informed me of the whole monster-could-be-heading-to-shores thing via watchcom so I decided to go find you all and get the weapons ready, just in case there is an attack. There's a big chance that the others will arrive to shore the same time the monster does so we need to be on the look-out,"

"That is terrible!" Yuki gasped as my eyes widened at the possibility of us being so lucky to meet at the same spot at the same time, "We should hurry. Come on you lazy nuts!"

"I think you mean 'butts', Yuki," I giggled while Jake slung my back pack over his shoulder, "Jake...what are you doing?"

"Showing you I have manners," he retorted; walking ahead of me to stand next to Yuki, as I smiled uncontrollably to myself.

We sat on the stairs that people use to enter the beach to organise everything. Jake loaded the canons while Yuki and I ripped open packets of batteries and bullets for the possiblility that we may have to fight a deadly monster.

"Hey Yuki, I never asked- did you find any weird stuff going on with the flora and fauna here?" I said politely; passing the freeze ray to her at the same time.

"Well, I thought we had been alone for more than an hour and that we should try to meet up before it got dark. I did discover that the fauna on the far East Coast, underneath the caves were fake though," Yuki answered, "I did not want to check it out just in case I got into trouble since I have no way of contacting you,"

"That's rather peculiar...maybe we should-" I wondered until the beep of Jake's watchcom cut me off.

"Sorry Hayley and Yuki, but it's Felix," Jake stated apologetically as he accepted Felix's incoming call, "Felix, how's it going out there?"

"All good, surprisenly," Felix replied; his hair flying from the speed they were traveling at, "We're about 2 minutes away from shore. The dock's closed so we'll be arriving right on the beach shore- the place we left you guys. Akira and Keiko bought their mini-laser guns so we'll be able to cause a distraction if there's an onboard attack, but it won't delay the monster for long so we're counting on you guys,"

"Course we've got your back," Jake confirmed as he moved the watchcom towards Yuki and I, "Anything you guys wanna say?"

"Felix, be careful," Yuki whispered as Felix smiled brightly at her.

"Of course, I'll see you soon," Felix laughed as he disconnected the call.

"I have a bad feeling about this," I mumbled as Jake looked worriedly at me.

"Me too," Jake sighed, "But we have to hope for the best. Yuki, I want you behind that rock on the right side of the shore. Hayley, I want you behind that rock on the left side. I'll stay here near the ledge so I can get a visual on you both. When Felix, Akira and Keiko come in, we will not fire til they are safely on shore. The monster can't hurt them while they are there since we'd have seen it before it had the chance. Ok, everyone in position,"

Yuki and I nodded at Jake as we sneakily walked to our designated spots. I crouched down so I was hidden from view. I looked back to Jake and he had the same anxious look on his face as he did before. His eyes caught onto mine and he smiled weakly at me. I mouthed some reassuring words to him; silently hoping that Felix and the others would be ok. Jake grinned at me and my heart stammered- he had caught me off guard. I stumbled a bit and fell back into the sand and I heard Yuki giggle, even when she was distance away from me. I shot her a hard look and she could only laugh more.

A slight buzzing noising was soon heard and Jake, Yuki and I both spotted the other Troop members with the supposed Pete on a fishing boat that was speeding into shore. All 3 of us turned on our machines; warming them up for the fight that I could feel coming.

The boat soon arrived on the sand. Akira got out first and helped Keiko out who was holding a bulky bag. Felix thanked Pete again for the ride and they waded themselves out of the water with large grins on their faces. Jake stood up from his position as so did Yuki and they paced quickly to help Felix with the equipment while giving solid pats on the backs for their hard and courageous work on the sea. I decided to join them but as soon as I stood up, the water rose as well and a deep green shell was seen.

"Look out!" I screamed as the other 5 Troop members looked at me warily.

Unexpectedly, a large tentacle appeared out of the water, swung back and then caused a huge wave to form that came rushing into the Akira, Keiko, Felix, Jake and Yuki- who were all unaware of the situation they were in. I aimed my laser blast at the form behind them; making them turn around and see what was behind in them.

"Run, everybody, run!" Akira commanded loudly as everyone started to make their way out of the water as fast as they could, "Aim at that thing, Hayley!"

I lined up the gun's aim with the green monster as it emerged from the water again. It looked like a giant green crab that had been mutated over with an octopus. It had dark beady eyes and large suction-cupped tentacles that looked strong enough to kill a bunch of kids who were sworn into a secret monster society. I gulped as it took another swing and with 2 tentacles, grabbed Keiko and Felix.

"Help!" squealed Keiko as Akira's eyes widened in shock.

"That creature has our friends!" Yuki screeched, "Aim and shoot, Hayley and Jake- now!"

Jake and I gave each other a subtle nod as we lifted up our laser guns and shot at the centre of the monster. When the beam reached the animal holding Keiko and Felix captive, it made a terrifying thud and the monster fell from the force backwards into the sea.

"Keiko, Felix- do you hear me?" I screamed; desperation coating my thick voice, "Keiko, Felix?"

"I am going in," Akira said flatly as he slung a freeze ray over his shoulder, "I will be fine as I have this. No one gets left behind on my team,"

Akira waded through the sea as he took out his mini-laser gun and pointed it at various directions. Jake followed Akira and I assumed it was because despite their constant arguments, he wanted to have Akira's back. Maybe that was a sign- maybe Jake and I did always disagree on everything but we still needed each other. I shook my head so all thoughts regarding Jake left me so I could concentrate on this mission. It was starting to get dangerous and crazy- and to be honest, I was extremely anxious we would lose one of the Troop members today.

"We found Keiko!" Jake annoucned as Yuki and I waded into the water, helping her up from the lifeless tentacles, "She's breathing but not awake right now,"

"Probably just shock," Akira whispered softly; gazing at her weak form, "She should be fine. I shall take her to get medical help with Yuki and we will meet you here in a few minutes. You should go find Felix. I have a feeling he may be in a worse condition than Keiko since he's been in there longer,"

Jake and I immediately ran back into the water; letting go of Keiko's unconscious form so Yuki and Akira could take her. I looked around briefly and saw a mass of green and no Felix. Jake started to lift parts of the monster up so he could look under them and I decided that would be a good idea. The tentacle's of the monster was slimy and disgusting but knowing that Felix could be under them was more than one good reason to lift them up and find my friend there. I was starting to get really worried Felix wasn't going to make it.

"Jake, where's Felix?" I murmured; tears brimming the corners of my eyes.

"We'll find him, Hayley," Jake smiled reassuringly, "This is Felix after all. He's been in much worse situations than this like all the times he gets teased at school,"

I tried to laugh at Jake's joke but I couldn't find it in myself to be content at a time like this. Sure, I was happy that Keiko was alive but Felix was not only a member to the Lakewood Troop, but my dear friend too. He may have been rejected nerd and social outcast at Lakewood High but I would've traded my popularity in a heartbeat if I had to give up being friends with Felix. He was generous, smart and sweet- and losing someone like that today would be the most horrible thing in the world.

"I know how to find him!" I grinned; a brilliant idea popping into my head, "We'll contact him via watchcom!"

"Great idea, Steele," Jake smirked as he called Felix on his watchcom.

We both waited for Felix to pick up; I anticipated to hear his voice and see that silly smile he wore as he adjusted his glasses but I never saw it. The screen just went fuzzy and Felix couldn't be reached. I looked up to Jake with a worried expression and he gave a feeble one in return. Hope seemed to run dry right about now.

As we looked at Jake's watchcom screen go fuzzy, the green body on the shore started to drown. The water started to bubble and Jake pulled me out of the water, just in case anything would hurt me. I clutched onto his damp shirt for dear life as I watched the monster drown, eliminating any chance of finding Felix alive, in horror.

"He's not here..." I said quietly; my lip quivering as the tears started to fall, "Felix can't be gone- he was the brains of the operations!"

"Hayley, we're going to find him," Jake sighed as he ran a hand through his curly hair, "We looked all around for him and we weren't lucky. This means he must've fallen into the ocean before we got to him. Heck, he's probably at the house, waiting for us right now to open the door since I have the key,"

"Jake... I can't take all these drama! It's exhausting! I mean, first the thing with Brett, then the Gus look-alike almost hurting me and now Felix disappearing...it's all too much!" I whimpered; purposely avoiding the romantic tension that involved Jake and I that was driving me crazy.

"Hey, it's alright. I promise I won't let anything hurt you," Jake hushed, "I think you need some rest, Hayley- you barely slept when we drove here at 6 in the morning. Just shut your eyes and I'll carry you back to the house; it's only a few minutes from here anyway,"

"Are you sure, Jake because I'm really heavy and-"

"I'm positive. Now come on, shut those eyes so you don't need to complain about how slow I'll be walking with you in my arms," Jake grinned as I laughed- even when he had just insulted me humourously.

Swiftly, Jake carried me in a bridal style and I had to stop imagining Jake and I getting married. Marriage was a long way down the line for me, but it didn't hurt to dream. He also slung our two back-packs over his shoulder and I realised how strong he had gotten as part of the Troop. Jake hugged me closer and I could feel some warmth through his wet clothes. I wrapped my arms around his neck so I could get closer to him and nuzzled my head against his neck. My heavy eyelids started to drop and it covered my vision with darkness. And then, sleep conquered me.

But soon enough, I was interrupted of my slumber. I felt something fall onto my face as I breathed soundly and I sat up off my bed in one of Akira's aunt's guest rooms abruptly. I rubbed my eyes gently and I saw an annoyed-looking Yuki staring at me, with her hands on her hips.

"You know how hard it is to wake you up?" Yuki huffed; a grin creeping onto her paler-than-usual face.

"Sorry," I mumbled sheepishly, "I'm a deep sleeper,"

"So I have heard," Yuki smiled softly, "Now put that on. We're going out,"

"Ugh," I groaned, "Where are we going?"

"We did say we were going to celebrate tonight- and by celebrating, I mean go to a party at a club. Hurry up and get dressed; we are leaving in 10 minutes," Yuki replied.

I looked at Yuki and realised how pretty she looked tonight. She had her hair tied up into a neat, high pony-tail that was super sleek, showing off her skinny face. Her white dress was tight and it showed off her petite body. My eyes widened as I was surprised that Yuki would choose such a dress to wear.

"Where'd you get that dress from?" I asked Yuki, clearly interested in the answer.

"I did not bring a nice dress for the trip so I borrowed something out of Aunty Ami's closet. Akira said it was fine as long as we don't damage her clothes. Ami has crazy party clothes and she looks amazing in all of them. Unfortunately, she has style that is not my favourite," Yuki sighed; looking down on her own clothes.

"You still look great," I chuckled; picking my own garment up, "And why, do I have to wear this?"

"Because Keiko and I agreed on it," Yuki giggled mischievously.

I groaned; getting up quickly as I ran into the bathroom to change. I noticed I was still in the same clothes as I was when the two Troops fought at the Great North Shore. I shed my clothes rather hastily; slipping into the dress Yuki and Keiko had picked out for me. Upon realising this, I gasped due to two things- Keiko was conscious again, which was great news, and that if the two sisters had picked out something for me, it must've been quite ridiculous or scandalous to make a certain chocolate-eyed boy to notice me. I exited the bathroom reluctantly, realising I needed some make-up to look like a party girl tonight, since I was already depriving much-needed sleep.

"Wow, you look fantastic!" Yuki squealed in excitement as she pushed me to the mirror.

The dress was a bright fuschia colour that ended mid-thigh. I scowled upon noticing this but I discarded it as we were going to a party at a club, meaning it would probably be dark and no one would look. It was long-sleeved and had shoulder pads- making me look dramatically broad. It had sequins and chains sewn onto the shoulders and I felt pretty good, considering this wasn't my style.

"Thanks Yuki," I smiled, "So why are we really going to this party? Akira would never let us party when he knows Felix is missing,"

"Akira got another one of those anonymous tips, telling us to attend Leanne's party so we would get more information on Felix's whereabouts. We might even be able to catch this person who keeps giving us these weird phone calls and who actually is responsible. We are all quite certain this may be a trap but we need to give it a shot, I guess," Yuki explained thoroughly as she arranged my hair into a bun.

"Leanne's party?" I shrieked, "Yikes, the things we do for Felix. This sounds like a bad idea though...I mean, if it is a trap, how do we know Leanne isn't on in all of this? Maybe she's a monster in disguise, just like Gus was back at your school dance!"

"But we need to get Felix back," Yuki said; clearly determined, "And I will not stop looking til he is- even if it means me getting hurt in the process,"

–

I know, I'm sad Felix is gone too. He's such an amazing character & I wanted a chapter about him for once.
What do you think? Tell me in a review :D

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(ps: Don't forget to check out my new story on Fiction Press, Under One Roof, now! Please review that too & I'll be updating both stories soon!)