"Where did she go? Ashley was right behind me and then…" Peyton trailed off, scratching at his chin before he crossed his arms. "Maybe Slurhk got her! Oh man, I'd better port back and…"
He stopped talking the instant he saw his friends sitting at the table where they had been the last time he saw them. The second Peyton noticed that Ashley wasn't there he groaned rushing over and Tom looked up first as Peyton looked down at the empty chairs. "Whoa, what's up with you, Peyton?" Kaz asked noting the wide-eyed stare his friend was giving one of the empty chairs.
"Yeah, where's the fire? I thought you were helping Ashley get some Mipedian scans?" Sarah asked, looking toward Tom as Peyton ran a hand over his face. "Speaking of Ashley where is she?"
"Peyton, did she port back?" Tom asked getting a head shake from Peyton that made his chest feel tight. "Wait did you two come across Slurhk again?" He added, looking at Peyton who nodded.
"I thought she was right behind me, dude but he must have knocked her scanner away. I'll port right back and…hey wait!" Peyton rushed after Tom who pushed himself up from his chair, rushing away before anyone could catch up.
"I'm going after her. When I find Ashley I'll contact you." Tom said, quickly going through his location scans before he found one of the Kashere Driftlands. He ported out before anyone had a chance to stop him and Kaz groaned this time, shaking his head.
"If he's going to the Driftlands I hope he keeps out of Slurhk's way," Peyton commented, slumping into a seat. The second Tom ported to the Kashere Driftlands he made his way very carefully across the sand dunes keeping his eyes open for Slurhk but when the Overworlder didn't make an appearance he started to run wondering how Ashley had managed to get separated from Peyton.
"Maybe Tianne knows where she went. I just hope Ashley's not lost in the sands somewhere." Tom commented, keeping his voice low in case Slurhk made an appearance though when he reached the crevice where he and Peyton had last seen Tianne he saw footsteps leading further away.
It wasn't until he grew closer that he saw drops of blood and he grimaced, getting more worried by the second as he crossed the ground hoping that he'd spot something that would lead him to his friend. A short trip through the crevice and Tom spotted someone not too far in the distance he tensed unsure if it might be Slurhk though when he saw Tianne walking towards him Tom relaxed, a little anyway as he hurried to greet his Mipedian friend.
"Tianne, it's good to see you again. I'm looking for a friend of mine." Tm began and Tianne nodded turning around before he beckoned Tom. Worried about his missing friend Tom still followed the Mipedian shaman hoping that he might know something about Ashley. Walking through the hot desert sun wasn't what Tom had planned but he persisted, silently hoping that wherever his friend was she was safe.
"You're lucky that Slurhk didn't attack you again, Tom," Tianne observed, walking over to a flat rock where he had placed two water jugs. "This human wasn't quite as lucky to avoid the Overworlder. But the wound will heal since it was only a small rock that struck her." He added, motioning towards someone lying on a torn cloth. Tom headed closer his eyes widening when he saw a motionless Ashley lying on her back, traces of blood on the front of her shirt. Seeing Tom rush over to her Tianne shook his head. "So this is your missing friend?"
"Yes, Tianne. Ashley went with Peyton to meet you and when he came back she was missing." Tom replied, kneeling beside her only to see my eyes fluttering open at the sound of his voice.
"Whoa...when did you get here?" I asked him, rubbing at my eyes before I tried to sit until my head spun and I lay back with a groan. "Bad idea….very bad idea. Why did I think that was a good idea?"
"Maybe because you don't always think?" Tom commented and I raised an eyebrow at him when he chuckled, looking at the bandage covering my forehead. "Still I'm glad Slurhk didn't get you."
"My head tells a different story, Tom. After I port back to Chaotic the head wound goes away right?" I asked him, trying to sit through this time Tom used his open palm to push me up to a sitting position. "Ugh, once again I keep running into problems."
"I never said scanning creatures and locations would be easy, Ashley. If it was it wouldn't be a challenge." Tom chuckled when I pulled a face and I rolled my eyes, wincing as Tianne walked over carrying two jugs. Resting one jug on the ground I carefully tipped it towards me, sipping at the cold water while Tom held his up.
"Is that why you journeyed all the way out here? To get a scan?" Tianne asked me and I nodded, knowing how dumb that sounded when he shook his head. "The desert heat can be deadly to those who are not prepared for it." He pointed out to me as I sipped at the water jug, using some to wash my face before I set it back.
"Good advice, Tianne. Wish you'd listened, Ashley." Tom answered and I rolled my eyes my headache dulling as I pushed myself to my feet. When I wobbled Tom draped an arm around my shoulders giving me a smile. "Easy there. You shouldn't be wandering around after that rock fell on you."
"Is that why you went looking for me, Tom?" I demanded, my earlier relief at seeing my friend gone now. "Because I don't need it pointed out every time I do something dumb."
"Ashley, when Peyton ported back to Chaotic and you weren't there I started to worry. We're friends aren't we?" Tom explained, studying my face and when I finally nodded he broke into a grin. "Right and friends help each other no matter what situations they put themselves in." He added and I snorted at him, lifting my hand and after we bumped fists he chuckled.
"You're right, Tom sorry I snapped at you. I can't believe I came all this way and I still didn't get a scan of Tianne." I complained, leaning on Tom's shoulder and Tom blinked chuckling when I blinked at him. "Now what's so funny?"
"You haven't been listening, have you? Who do you think saved you from Slurhk, Ashley?" Tom answered and I grimaced as my friend smiled at me enjoying my embarrassment as my face reddened. "So where's your scanner?" He asked changing the subject and after a quick check of my jacket pocket, I found it still there.
"Would it be alright if I get a scan of you, Tianne? Peyton told me all about how you saved him and Tom against Slurhk." I asked Tianne, taking several steps towards the Mipedian who nodded after a pause. Holding up my scanner I waited until a scan of Tianne appeared and I grinned, stumbling a little before Tom wrapped his arm around my waist helping me back to the cloth I'd been lying on.
"Appreciate that Tianne thanks," I told Tianne who nodded looking towards Tom who sat beside me offering me the water jug. "This seems kind of familiar," I muttered getting a blank stare from Tom and I coughed weakly. "You know when I saved you remember?"
"Oh yeah. How could I forget?" Tom answered as Tianne walked over to us, curious as I sipped at my water.
"You protected one of your tribe?" Tianne asked and I nodded at him, retelling the story which helped me forget all about my aching head. Even Tom helped, filling in any details I missed and as the story drew to a close I felt better than ever despite the heat and my headache. "That was very brave."
"I guess it was but I just wanted to help Tom. I know porting back to Chaotic can fix any injuries but I wasn't sure about illnesses so I didn't want to risk Tom getting sick when he returned home." I admitted and Tianne smiled at me or at least the Mipedian equivalent anyway.
"I probably should have explained how porting to Perim works better, Ashley," Tom told me once I recovered enough to port back to Chaotic. After we waved goodbye to Tianne we ported back instantly getting rushed by our friends, Peyton lifted me off the floor in a bear-hug.
"Ashley, you're saved. Dude, I am so sorry for leaving you behind." Peyton apologized, setting me down when I started to cough.
"That's okay, Peyton I forgive you," I answered once I could breathe again. "Besides I did manage to get a new scan. Check out Tianne." I added, not hiding a smile when I produced my scanner showing everyone my newest scan.
"Awesome, bro. At least you didn't leave empty-handed." Peyton replied and I smiled at him, absentmindedly rubbing at my head only to remember that the wound had healed itself.
"At least my head's not bleeding anymore," I added getting a blank stare and I shrugged, clearing my throat when everyone crowded around me. "Well, it happened just as Peyton and I tried to escape from Slurhk."
I finished my story sitting at a table with my friends beside me, leaning back as I sipped at my soda. "So that's the whole story, as much as I can remember anyway since I was kind of unconscious. The next thing I knew I was waking up just as Tom arrived."
"Good thing injuries heal as soon as you port back," Sarah answered and I grinned, silently grateful that Tom had risked getting attacked to find me.
"Yeah otherwise you'd have one heck of a headache," Kaz said and I laughed, finishing my soda before I set the cup down on the table.
"Plus I'm glad I didn't have to explain my head to my mom. I don't know what she'd think if I came home with my head bandaged up. Plus the bloodstains would be a pain to get out in the wash." I answered and everyone laughed, making me glad I'd managed to find such a loyal group of friends.