Zoey's P.O.V.
His touch was unfamiliar. This was not Mal. I broke from his grasp and ran.
"Hey!" An Australian accent came bursting from his mouth in surprise. It was Manitoba. It was odd seeing him without his hat. I shook my head and continued to back away from him.
"Manitoba- Manny. I need you to go. Bring back Mal." I trembled as he came closer. Why was I so afraid all of a sudden?
"I can't do that. I told Mike I'd help him. I'm just going to you back to your room, OK?" He took a step too close.
I could feel myself being pulled from this world into the other one. "No!" I started running again, accidentally taking a turn that went straight to the stage. I tumbled to the ground as I lost consciousness, only able to sit on my knees to break the fall. Everyone turned to me, but I only screamed.
Mal's P.O.V.
I stared up at them for the longest time, wondering what was different. Then I realized not only was his personalities there, but he was too. I noticed a missing hat and asked, "Why has Manitoba taken my place?"
I realize this was a stupid question, but I was dumb-founded. How had anyone taken my place?
I heard a wheeze. "What do you think?" I turned my head to the person speaking.
I had glanced at Mike before, but now, I really look at him. Our tan complexion had been drained from him. His face was very pale. His eyes looked slightly glazed and he had a hard time breathing. He even wobbled a little as he stood. I noticed Svetlana was less focused on me and more focused on him.
I had mixed feelings about the fact that a part of myself was dying. For one, I was happy, gleeful, full of joy! He was the main target and I was already taking him down. The others, with their spirits crushed, would be easier to pick off one by one. The plan was already formulating in my mind.
On the other hand... well, I couldn't really explain anything else. I knew there was more to my feelings than just happiness that he was leaving. But there's nothing I else I could say.
"I think... that I've just about won." I got up, dusting off my pants.
Mike coughed. "You'll never win, Mal. I don't know what you did to Zoey, but I'll help her. But first I have to get rid of you."
I chuckled, leaning towards him. "And how are you going to do that. You're pathetic." I gave him a good shove and he fell right to the ground, falling again when he tried to get up. "Face it, Mike. Soon you'll be gone. And everyone else will be too. And I'll have Zoey all to myself."
Svetlana slapped me. I turned my head to her. It stung, but I didn't show any hints towards that.
"Do not talk to Mike that way! You are a horrid monster." I let her kick me in the stomach, but I grinned as she did so. "Manitoba will help Zoey. And then will find a way to deal with you." I caught her hand as she tried to hit me again. I twisted it and watched as she grimaced in pain. I heard a crack and let go.
My face fell dark again as I walked away.
Cameron's P.O.V.
While I could tell you every racing thought I had as Jo took over and put up the video, Zoey taking control and putting another video, hearing a lot of shouting, and then finally Zoey running in before collapsing on the ground screaming and holding her head. But that would take too long, not to mention its probably uninteresting to you. However, I will sum it up: Anger, Confusion, and Fear.
I was angry at Zoey for betraying me and Mike, not to mention angry Jo betrayed Zoey. I was confused when everything started becoming chaos, when no one knew what to do, and all you could hear was Trent's nervous stammering trying to talk to the audience and shouting from people backstage. I was afraid when one of my best friends, even if she had hurt me and Mike, started screaming again. I didn't want anything to be wrong with her, physically or mentally, no matter what.
I all I did was sit there as... as they dragged her away. She didn't wake up that time. Not for a while. Zoey fought back, though her eyes were closed shut and she didn't stop screaming. She calmed down after a few minutes, and they left her with the nurse.
It wasn't until Manitoba came by and told me what happened that I finally shook myself from the frozen position I was in. But that was much later. A couple of days later, Manitoba disappeared and Mal had come back. When he found out what happened to Zoey, he was a force not to be reckoned with. No one ever saw him.
It turns out he was with her all the time. Eventually, they had to take her to the hospital because she wouldn't wake up. Mal came with, and no one questioned him.
Zoey's P.O.V.
There was an itch in my nose. I crinkled it, but the itch didn't go away. I breathed in and sat up, thrown by the sneeze. I blinked a couple of times, trying to see what was wrong with my surroundings. Something moved near the foot of my bed.
"Mal?" I hopped up on my knees and touched the back of his head.
He shook his head and sniffed, before finally looking up. "Zoey," He breathed. He stood up and wrapped him arms tightly around me. He whispered to me, "Don't do that. For once in my life, I was worried for someone other than me." He froze up and quickly let go of me, giving me a light tap as though he was going to push me.
"Why are you watching us, twig?" Mal practically growled. Due to the fact that he hadn't turned to the door, I thought he was talking to me. Then I saw Cameron standing there, a flower like the one I use to wear in my hair in his hands.
"Hey, you're up!" His face suddenly brightened up, totally ignoring Mal. He raced over and hugged me.
"How... how long have I been asleep?" I realized finally where I was. I was in a hospital.
He looked away from me when he said, "Just a couple days. Nothing too serious." He smiled, looking back at me. I knew he was lying.
"Cameron. How long have I been asleep?" I frowned at him.
"Maybe a couple of weeks." He turned away. "But what's important is that you're awake now. I bet Mike will be excited to know you're... Nevermind." His mood suddenly darkened and he set the flower on the bedside table. "See you in a day or two... hopefully."
Cameron turned away and walked out, leaving me and Mal again.
"They'll probably leave me here for another day or two, won't they?" I asked Mal, though I wasn't looking for an answer. He didn't answer anyway. Suddenly, I felt tired again. And my throat started hurting. "Hopefully, I won't miss Geoff's party."
I yawned before laying back down.
The last thing I saw before I fell asleep was Mal draping the blanket back over me.