Chapter 5:

A few hours later Hoodie came in and untied me completely.
I looked at him with utter confusion.

"Master says to let you go, under the condition that you never tell anyone about us or Toby." He said to me. I nodded wondering what I should tell my mum, she had probably called out the national guard by now.

I tried to stand up but my legs felt numb and shaky. Hoodie stepped forwards and hooked a hand round my shoulder to help me stand.

"Thanks." I smiled as him and soon after got my balance back.

Hoodie led the way through the forest back to my house as I didn't know the way. I started to recognise some places so I knew we were getting close.

"Toby's doing a lot for you right now." Hoodie suddenly blurted out just as I was getting my bearings.

"What?" I said back.

"He kissed you." He said and I immediately felt myself heat up.

"Yeah...?"

Hoodie paused as if trying to choose his words very carefully.

"W... When a proxy kisses a victim the master of that proxy has to let the victim go from any punishment that may be given to him or her. This is due to the fact that his or her proxy, by doing this action, had decided that they cannot perform their duty as a proxy properly while the victim is still there." He paused for a moment to catch his breath.

"Toby kissed you, therefore he has relieved you from any punishment given. Our master won't be pleased with that and so will most likely punish Toby instead."

This made me feel sad and angry at the same time.

"So the... Kiss never meant anything." I tried to clarify.

"I honestly don't know." Hoodie said and I blinked. "Toby's a confusing person. He could have feelings for you or he could not." After that we said nothing because we had made it back to my house.
The sky was surprisingly dark.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"3:30" Hoodie said.

I looked at him.

"Time moves differently in the Forest. You've only been gone for about 2 hours." Hoodie explained.

He turned to walk away.

"Hey, Hoodie!" I called after him and he looked at me.

"Tell Toby thanks from me ok!" I smiled at him, I presumed he smiled back. He waved before dashing off in the undergrowth again.

I breathed and turned to go to my house. Luckily my mum didn't have the right keys to lock the back door so I was able to get in without much hassle. It was probably how Masky and Hoodie had gotten in originally.

I smirked at the little memory. Step after step I ascended the stairs and practically melted into the covers of my bed.

The end (for now)

Hey its the author of the this story, The story continues and I am currently finishing it now after that it will be the end of Malicai's journey. I hope you enjoyed this and I will post an update when the first chapter of the sequel is posted.

The title of the sequel is called "my new neighbourhood" I case you were wondering.

goodbye for now.