Hello Lads, Ladies and Lovelies XD Long time no see! Obviously it has been a long time since I written the last chapter and I am going to be honest I have no idea where I am going with this story, but I decided to come back because I do miss it and I am started to get flooded by ideas that are quite M rated I am not going to lie but I am interested in where I can take the story. The second reason is because I want to be a writer or a storyteller in anyway so for me writing this is a good start to practising writing. So any feedback is greatly appreciated but I also missed hearing from you guys saying that you love the story, that you are really into it and want more so hopefully I will be able to continue. So enjoy! 3 This chapter is rated M for disturbing scene.
Chapter 13
With each step, a tribesman beat the drum as they escort the prisoners through the jungle. The bandicoots and N. Gin have no choice but to walk down with their hands tied in front with their heads down in defeat. Coco carefully look behind her to see Nina being carried by the stretcher on her front, still unconscious from the attack, not bleeding much as the arrow is still there covering the wound but she can still see blood trying to come out. She can't believe that Nina is willing to risk her life to save hers, after being horrible to her and insulting her family she can't help but feel guilty. A spear jab at her back making her walk faster but she can't help but be worried about Nina. She can feel Nadia being worried in her head but she has no idea how to comfort her in this situation and so she tries to ignore her crying. She understands Nadia being worried but Coco can't help but feel a pang of jealousy, she never had a mother crying over her and yet here is Nadia crying over her daughter and Nina doesn't even know about her real relations with the Cortexes. She can't help but feel sick but tries to annoy both the feeling and the worries and continue to walk forward.
"Set me free at once! Can't you see she is bleeding? I can heal her if you let me go."Aku aku said from his cage as he tries to reason with the tribesmen but they just growl angrily at him, threatening him with their spears to keep quiet. He looks at Nina worryingly and can't help but feel responsible for this. He is tempted just to get out of the cage but he still feels a little weak from exploring into Coco's mind that he doesn't know if he would be able to protect everyone, so all he can do is keep an eye on her and glad to see she is still breathing but he is worried about the arrow sticking out of her back because he knows that if someone take it out, there is a chance losing her life from bleeding too much.
Through the treacherous track, constantly getting tripped over tree roots, tangled into vines and prodded by the tribesmen they finally got to the clearing that has beautiful wooden huts that has been decorated by beautiful markings in different colours. It's even on the totem poles, their clothes and their faces. Crash, Coco, N. Gin, Crunch and Aku aku can't but be memorized at how peaceful and happy this village is. Children running around, families talking to each other while doing chores and the smell of food wafting in the air. They can't remember the last time they seen anything normal, it felt like a fantasy after everything that has happened. Then, Crash was prodded by the spear again, urging him to move forward. He walks past people who stopped what they're doing and look at them with either fear, confusion or disgust. Crash starts to feel ashamed, looking down trying to hold back the tears. Slowly, he looks behind him and can just about see Nina right at the back, still unconscious on the stretcher. This wasn't suppose to happen. He just want to save the man that he considers his father, save his father's wife who could become his mother, get his sister back to normal, and be an older brother to Nina. He wants a family. A happy family. As he continues to walk down, going slower and slower that he suddenly feels cold. He shouldn't feel cold in this heat under the blazing sun. He feels small. He looks around and everything is white and dark. Despite how cold he is, he can feel warm liquid on him. He didn't know what it was but can't help but feel closer to it and he can feel his sister beside him doing the same thing, huddled close together to get warm. Then, in the distant, can see a bright light shining at his direction. As his eyes adjusted to the strange light, he can see his surrounding that he know he will never forget. Himself, his sister, the ground underneath are covered in dark red liquid. The smell of iron becomes stronger and stronger. He slowly looks behind him to see an older bandicoot, his mother been torn apart. Her ribs and parts of her organs coming out of her torso, maggots making a nest in her stomach lining trying to keep warm and her eyes. Lifeless. All that little Crash can do is cry. Cry his little heart out as his little sister is snuggling up to him which makes him cry even more. He can't be alone. He can't protect his sister all on his own. His mum shouldn't have died. He is weak. He is not smart. He can't survive in the cold. They are going to die. He continues to cry when the mysterious light comes closer towards them, then from the darkness, a man with a huge, yellow head, a five o' clock shadow, a head of black hair, capital 'N' on his forehead and a big coat. Little Crash stopped crying as he takes in the sight. He has never seen a creature like this before and is a little scared of it. The man is horrified by what's in front of him and immediately takes his coat off and wrap the baby bandicoots to keep them as warm as possible, picked them up and walk away. The weak little bandicoot looked over the man's shoulder to see his mum slowly disappearing into the darkness.
"Don't worry. You'll be safe with me." the strange man gently said as he is about to pat him on the back but instead of feeling a comforting hand, he feels a hard pointed jab, jolting him awake from that terrible memory. Everyone stood still, looking at him. Concerned. Afraid. He is sweating from his forehead. Tears streaming down his cheeks. "Crash." Aku aku said with a comforting tone but Crash didn't turn around. He doesn't turn around. Fears that he will see something horrible again.
"Crash. Can you hear me? Are you alright?" Aku aku said a little louder to gain his attention but Crash still doesn't turn around. Despite the heat he is still shaking from something he hadn't felt since that moment. Fear.
"Crash." He looked up at the soothing voice to see Coco, but it isn't Coco. The purple eyes indicates it's Nadia who is speaking to him and gently hugs him.
"It's ok. Don't be afraid to cry but just remember we are all here for you" she let's go, take his hands and slowly guiding him. He feels so small, feels like a child. It shouldn't be like this. He is the positive one. The brave one. He is Crash Bandicoot, but he feels like a failure. His father had been kidnapped, his birth mother had been killed, his sister has been possessed by his current mother who has been held captive for years and now Nina, their niece that he has bonded with is injured. This shouldn't happen. That memory shown that Dr. Neo Cortex had given a life. A second chance. He is the reason why he is alive right now. He is the reason why he became stronger, to have a purpose and now it's his turn.
"We are here." said the tribesman. Crash looks up to see the largest hut of the village with the most colourful markings, almost looking like a rainbow with flame torches as an alter towards the entrance that is covered by colourful door beads. One by one the torches light up with flames to indicate the visitors are allowed to enter into the temple. Crash takes a deep breath. After his meltdown he is ready, he never felt the is ready before in his life because now it's his turn to save his family.
I realised as I looked back into the story that I didn't give much perspective on Crash's side, while this is Coco's story he should have a say in this. The winter scene is the scene from my other story 'Merry Christmas, Children' but from Crash's perspective so I do hope you enjoy. Take Care and Stay safe everyone! 3