==Hey, guys! I've been writing for about five hours today, battling writer's block. I defeated it today, and now I'm actually posting to my surprise. I wanted this chapter to be longer, but the focus changes too much. I'm just glad I get to provide one last chapter for y'all before I leave for vacation on Friday :) I cannot promise it, but I will try to write as much as I can while I camp on a boat with my family. I'm taking pencil and paper with me. When we sail, I'll write because I love this story and I hope you do, too. I can't update in the next two to three weeks, though, because I have a soccer camp away from home as soon as I get back. So I guess I'll see you then! Enjoy!==
Tristam - "Truth (Dabin Remix)"
The truth, is running in our blood. The answers are lying here within.
Haunted: Collapse into Caliginosity
Chapter 35:
Into the Wild
Macca wanted me to be the first person she saw this morning. Well, her wish was my command. I had just finished making breakfast for everyone and set the table up. As they staggered in, I went down to get her.
The turns of the hallway led me to the doorway of the lounge room. She lay perfectly still as she slept, but getting a closer look revealed how messy she appeared. Her hair was splayed all over the place and her mouth was hanging open. I used the same trick I use with Cole to close it, which was tucking the tip of my finger under the chin and suddenly flicking it up with a swift tap, but she immediately awakened in a confused panic.
"Wha- what? What happened?" she asked as she sat up with daze in her hazel eyes.
"Shh...Macca, you're okay," I said, brushing hair out of her face. "I've come to get you for breakfast."
"Breakfast? Wait…" She placed both hands on the sides of her head and groaned. Her state of mind was clearly disoriented. "I don't know what's happening."
"I sense you didn't get much sleep. Don't worry. You'll awaken more after you eat." I lifted her up in a gentle cradle and brought her up to the table.
Kai, Jay and Cole were already there, eating. Nya came out of the kitchen with a glass of orange juice in hand.
"Talk about an attention-grabbing entrance," Kai stated towards me, the spikes of his hair already neatly combed.
I placed Macca in a seat and pulled all her hair behind her shoulders. "She just needs a few minutes to recuperate from the lack of sleep."
"I take it the couch wasn't so comfortable?" Nya asked her, taking a seat next to Kai.
"No, it wasn't that," Macca replied with a throat that needed to be cleared.
"Were you overly-excited about spending the night with us?" Jay asked in a sarcastic tone.
She giggled. "I guess you could say that–" She gasped as I slid a plate in front of her. "Eggs! I really wanted scrambled eggs today." She grabbed a fork and immediately began eating. Seeing her very enthusiastic about something simple mysteriously made me smile.
"This is seriously all we're having?" Jay asked.
"Yes. Our food supply is beginning to decrease. We need to save as much as we can," I explained.
Kai had a confused look on his face. "Or…one of us can make another trip to that village a few miles away and get more food."
The dragons came into my mind. A trip like that will now be impossible since our dragons will need to be freed.
How do I tell them without receiving a panicked response? I wondered.
Soft footsteps brought Sensei Wu into the room. His pace was casual and his presence was calm, but as he peered under his rice hat, he gave Macca a strange look when she wasn't paying attention. It was a look I'd never seen before, but as soon as I saw it, he turned his gaze to the rest of us.
"Good morning, Sensei," we politely greeted.
"This morning is anything but good," he replied.
"What do you mean?" Cole asked.
"I am afraid it is time for the dragons to be released."
"What?" Nya exhaled in disbelief. "Why?"
"The dragons are molting; they are shedding their scales. It is a process to transform from adolescents to adults. They must migrate east to the Spirit Coast in order for the transformation to complete."
"But they'll come back, right?" Cole anxiously questioned.
"That is a question I have no answer to. I expect all of you to set them free within the hour. In the meantime, we must plan ahead for our resources…and special visitor."
Macca stopped chewing and eyed everyone with a nervous look. Sensei Wu had added an adjective for her.
Sensei Wu left us to finish eating. A sense of gloom seemed to have replaced the mood of the atmosphere.
"How are we supposed to survive out here without the dragons?" Kai pondered, slight devastation filling his voice.
"I can get the special defense system working by today," Jay proposed.
"Um, we're talking about reasonable scenarios, Jay," Cole disputed.
"What about your parents?" Nya asked Jay.
A look of panic came over Jay. "M-My parents?"
"Yeah. Your mom told me the junkyard isn't that far from here. You think they could spare us some food and water?"
"Uh…probably, but I got a lot of stuff to do here."
"We'll get it done together as a team. All of us. If you want, I'll even go with you to the junkyard to get everything we need."
The panic suddenly became relaxed. "Oh, okay. Sure, let's do that."
She got up from her seat and made her way to the opened sliding doors. "And if anyone else wants to join us, feel free to," she concluded.
"I got nothing else to clean," Kai said.
"I'll go," Cole agreed.
All eyes were then on me to speak up, but I remained silent. I preferred to stay here with Macca. She wouldn't be out in any danger as long as I knew where she was at all times.
"I wanna go," Macca said without hesitation.
I immediately turned my head to look at her. "I suggest we stay here. You are my responsibility, and I want to ensure your safety is not contaminated by any outside threat."
"Aw, but it can be another adventure for us! I ran away from a Grizzly bear in the dark. Surely I can run away from Serpentine in the middle of the day."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Kai asked.
She waved him off and didn't break eye contact with me as she told him: "I'll tell you about it later."
"I'm only considering what's best for you," I confirmed.
"Please," she pleaded. "I'll always be within a two-foot radius of where you are at all times, if that makes you feel any better."
"Aw, lighten up, Zane," Cole intervened. "Don't forget that we'll be there, too. She's in good hands."
I breathed out quiet as I contemplated. She took my hand and placed it on top of her head. "See? I feel safer already."
Kai glanced over at Nya. "They're coming, too."
The plan for today was to release the dragons and then make the journey to the place of Jay's birth. Our goal was to make it home by sunset, but do that required a constant pace and only two five minute breaks going and returning.
We were thankful that the bridge located a road we could use to take us right to the junkyard. Getting lost became the least of our worries, but my guard would remain to be up throughout the whole day. I refused to let Macca be harmed; my mistake mustn't progress into a ripple effect.
I assisted in gathering the necessary supplies for the journey. "Okay, I'm ready," Macca said, coming up behind me.
I reverted around to find her wearing the same clothes she wore yesterday: a light-blue hat with jagged black letters on the front, a gray top, loose jeans, and dark sneakers.
"Good. Now go with Nya to meet Sensei Wu at the arches, and take these with you." I handed her two wooden jugs. "You get to carry water on the trip back."
She gave me a smile before accompanying Nya outside. The rest of us each picked up a wooden crate and went out a few minutes later.
Just like yesterday, all the dragons slept on the hot sand. I spotted Macca sitting on the ground in front of Shard, the tip of his snout in her lap. Sensei Wu spoke with Nya near Kai's red dragon, Flame, in a quiet conversation. Cole walked past me to tend to his brown dragon, Rocky, and Jay went to his blue dragon, Wisp. There would be no need to remove the saddles nor reins; they've had them since we first encountered them all those months ago. All that had to be done was our final farewells.
Macca gazed up at me when my shadow covered her. "Is it time?" she asked.
I gave her a single nod in response.
She stroked Shard's snout one last time and then came out from under him. When she stepped away, I whispered in his ear. "Farewell, Shard. You were a great friend. I'll never forget all you have done for me."
His yellow eye slowly opened as I picked up his reins. I wasn't forceful when I tugged, and to my surprise, he got to his feet and let me guide him out from under the crumbling arch. The others did the same, and together, we set them free.
Shoutout to KRR, The Mayor of Ninjago City, and Kai4Ever for reviewing! I hope the quality of this chapter is better than the previous. I want to go back and elaborate (not delete) any vague details I might've put on things in all my other chapters. I was told it was bad, so I'm going to make it better. Let me know if you want anything in particular chapters looked at and I will gladly do so :)
The Mayor of Ninjago City - You're part of the reason why it happened ;) Thank you!
Kai4Ever - If the details are still not satisfying, please let me know :)