***Well, we've just passed the halfway point of the story. But don't worry, I've already got an idea for my next story. All rights go to Stephen Hillenburg. Without further ado, here's the next chapter!
Chapter Three: Culinary Confinement
It was hard getting to the kitchen undetected. But most of the fish working at the Chum Bucket were brain-dead already, making them easy to sneak past. The kitchen was miserable which made SpongeBob feel sorry for everyone working there. But what brought him to a stop was seeing Sandy. She was working madly to prepare the Krabby Patties. She wore a tattered-beyond-recognition Chum Bucket uniform. The formula SpongeBob had recalled her making, one that could enable her to breathe underwater, had been finished because she didn't have her suit. The saddest part about her? Her expression. It read that she had been trapped in this prison for years, working endlessly to please her greedy master. She was just a shell of her old self. "Oh, Sandy..." SpongeBob trailed off. "Who are you?" she asked, clearly not used to speaking as her voice was hardly above a whisper. "SpongeBob Squarepants. Someone you used to know," he answered. He took note of the red button on the grill and knew he had to play his cards well. "I never knew anyone by that name. Never," Sandy said. She tried to continue cooking but found herself interrupted. "Come with me. I can free you. We can leave Planktopolis and live a better life!" SpongeBob offered. He was attempting to stay inconspicuous but found that rather hard. "But Master Plankton will execute us both!" Sandy pointed out. She was becoming scared of this stranger. At the same time, his ideas were so...unique. Unlike anything ever heard before. "Forget Plankton. You're being worked into another life by someone who hates you! In your heart, you'll find that you want to leave." SpongeBob could've sworn that the Sandy he knew was looking back at him for a moment. But she disappered after slamming the red button on the grill. The sounds of an alarm were heard. SpongeBob clumsily but quickly left the kitchen. He knew that someone would be after him. Why? The sounds of multiple fish running after him were heard. The sponge zipped outside to his princess friend. "Can we go back now? Please, I'm being chased!" SpongeBob exclaimed. The mob was heard coming closer and closer to the pair. "I can try to find enough magic to bring us back safely," Princess Mindy said, digging through the purse that she had. The back doors of the Chum Bucket slammed open. "There he is!" a fish near the back yelled. "Get him!" another ordered. The mob formed a circle. SpongeBob looked in horror to see that Princess Mindy was fading away. "Don't worry," she assured softly. "Soon everything will lock, you'll become accustomed to this new reality. Soon." SpongeBob fell to his knees and curled up on the ground. "I wish I was back at home! I'm sorry for snapping at everyone! PLEASE, DEAR NEPTUNE, I WISH I WAS BACK AT HOME!" Then everything went dead silent.
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