"How about the mines after we stop at the cabin?" I ask Grim.

"You could just pee in the woods like a normal guy, No." Grim huffs.

I laugh softly. "No." I reply.

I'm not really equipped properly for that task with ease, and… No.

But I think Grim either has zero observational skills (likely), or… hasn't seen a human female before—which might be it, too, and that works for me!

We head off to the mines after our break, and I very much enjoy being here when we're not being chased by either monsters or ghosts. It's probably good for my blood pressure, not that I have a problem with that—but I think it's more-so I have way less down time than I'd like. This whole trip is interrupting my plans a lot more than I'd like to admit. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever have Ramshackle presentable...

Maybe I'm setting too high of a goal for myself.

I'm not.

"The mines aren't a terrible place, at least… since we defeated that monster." My first encoutner with the… thoughts from the Overblots—the memories. I haven't really talked to Riddle or Leona… I probably should ask about it. The images, the words, they're burned in my mind now and I think both of them… I should talk to both of them.

But.

How do I even approach that subject? iOh by the way, I know your trauma pretty well from it being broadcasted in my mind/i?

No.

Riddle is probably a lot easier of a person to talk to about this. Leona…? Oof.

And he's pretty insistent on this bunny bullshit, which is fine. I got a cute hat out of it.

I wonder what his end-game is?

Bullshit, probably. Probably pissy over the whole thwarting plan and now he's set on being a thorn in my side without doing anything to garner further attention from Crowley.

Hm, I need to keep an eye out.

The echoing of the mines means we're hearing a lot of conversation from different people here—but we do find finally faces.

"Well, well, if it isn't Jack and Deuce struggling without the aid of the mighty sorcerer Grim!' Yeah we need to work on demon cat's ego problem but I'm not up for it today.

"...Grim. ...No…" Deuce is now an expert at ignoring Grim's bullshit. Ace should follow suit.

"Have you found the right size magistone yet?" I ask the two, but by the looks on their faces I already know it's a bit fat ino/i.

"No, no." Deuce replies, pauses, sighs, and I'm amused. "Not big enough… we're probably going to move places."

"Maybe… we could try where we found the one with Ace?" Grim suggests.

Does he remember where that was? I certainly don't probably because I was itrying not to die/i.

"What are you talking about? You were here before with Ace?" Oh, right Jack wouldn't know the gory details of that debacle.

Deuce sighs. "-we were sent by Crowley to replace the magistone of the chandelier we broke… these caves are where we found it." The memory makes him shudder too.

"That incident is where the iwe have a huge idiot freshman/i rumor started…" Jack… uh.

"Multiple idiots." I reply with a bit of a smile. Dumbass Duo and Grim.

"And you think you're blameless?" Grim huffs in my general direction.

"I don't have magic, so how could I have caused a magical disaster…?" I point out.

Deuce gives me a look, frowning.

"The group will live in infamy…" Jack comments.

"Pity, Jack, you're already one of us." I can't help myself, can I?

He stiffens! Even his tail bristles.

"—anyway. We found the magistone in the back of the mine. Let's go there." He's already headed off with the surprisingly silent Grim.

Maybe I need to recount the chandelier incident more often.

"—least m' not eating peaches…" Oh! Grim! I will win that fight.

But I let it go, enjoying the cool, not-dangerous, pleasant stroll to the back of the mineshaft.

"I'm just worried… because that's where we met the monster…" Deuce finally lets out.

"Monster…?" Jack questions, a little shocked.

"It was a huge creature… holding a lantern, a pic… black ink pouring out of its head…" Deuce is giving a good, accurate description.

"...That can't be realll."

"It could've been a ghost, or fairy." Jack's trying to… yeah.

"It looked like the creatures that appear behind the Overblotting person." I point out. "...Except with no person, and the ink-jar… smashed."

"It did take us all working together to defeat it…" Did Deuce just ignore me. "We couldn't have mistaken a weak fairy or a ghost for it!"

"It was a huge, scary, slimey thing! It was the worst!" Grim huffs.

"...Okay…" I don't think Jack is convinced, etiher.

But he's giving me a look. Did he actually listen? Hm, hard to tell with these guys.

There's some bullshit between them about not being scared and going, but I'm already walking far ahead, because let's face it, this is some dumb boy stuff and I do not care. Or maybe it's like a whole ritual manliness thing? I dunno, but I am definitely far ahead when they rush to catch up to me.

Of course, this is right before we once more run into: fairies. The flaming ones, I guess they're called fire fairies?

Yep, whole group of them. "Already boys, ready, set, and swing!" I call.

It's kind of pathetic? Sadly pathetic? It's becoming easier and easier to get rid of the fairy problem and I feel a little bad! Because after Sebek bolstering or whatever about how great fae are—well. Actually. I think I need to ask him more about all of it. Fairies, and fae, are like… the same whole species with different types? Like there's lion, hyena, and wolf beastmen? I really don't quite understand it. I really should ask if I'm going to continue living in Twisted Wonderland. I guess that also means there's probably fae students, if there's at least one half-fae. Maybe they're all in Diasomnia?

Honestly, they almost immediately find an appropriately-sized stone, and we get out of there without much fuss. I basically don't have to get out of my head the entire time—and I get some nice pictures of mining, and of just… us. I keep some of these for personal use anyway.

Crowley eat your heart out.

They get the badge, and I'm pretty glad. It's a nice day… and everyone's getting along. So why do I feel like there's impending doom?

Ah.

"The pik—ah!" I finally tune back in for Deuce.

"What is it?" Jack is suddenly concerned. And he's trying to claim we're not friends… shame on that tsun tsun.

"I left the pik behind—I have to get it back." Deuce proclaims like it can't be helped. I'd leave it, but do I really have that much concern for school property right now? No, not at all.

"I'll come with you." I offer easily. Now that I know we're without monsters, it's not a bad trip.

"It'll be fine, No." Why is he giving me that confident dude look—there's no problems. There's no need for that bravado. Whatever. "No fairies, no monsters—just go to the campsite. I'll meet you there later."

"See ya." Jack's casual too, about it.

And he's off. There's this little feeling in my stomach. This… gnawing, I can't quite ignore. I'm worried, but, maybe I'm just feeling awfully hormonal or something awful like that? Ugh, whatever.

We're off, back to camp...

Honestly, I find myself napping underneath a tree for most of the rest of the afternoon, letting Grim run off and cause absolute chaos as he wants. There's something so tiring about all of this that I cannot place.

Could be worse, right?

I wake up to a pile of pictures dumped on me by no other than Ruggie.

"Shishishi!" He laughs. "Grim's caused chaos. C'mon, it's supper."

"Mmphfu." I have the most intelligent replies as I get up, stumbling as I follow Ruggie with a lot of photos and my bag in my arms. I'm being sat around the first and helped packing up by someone as I mumble tiredly a few more times.

When I have a bowl of fish stew in my hands I wake up. "Hi…"

Ruggie laughs. "Can't believe you're that sleepy."

Epel chuckles. "Can't blame him, Ruggie, it's… wow, I'm tired too." He yawns, as he takes another bite of his own stew.

"Thank you…" I don't see Grim, but I hear him snarfing down more food than should be possible for any one creature—so it's all fine.

"You're lucky we kept an eye on you…" Ruggie looks over with a grin. "Who knows what might've happened!"

Of course, sweet Epel shakes his head. "It's fine. A lot of people stopped by to drop Grim's forgotten pictures by you. It was… quite a thing. He went around camp, took pictures, said things, and left. Hours of that, really…"

"Yeah, someone almost made him into stew." Ruggie comments.

I get to hear a many rousing tales of Grim's misadventures, but nothing terrible. That's really nice to know that he can get along with people and not start fights when I'm not around. This is a lot of progress that I've been hoping for, for what feels like ages. I know I really haven't been here that long but sometimes it feels like a lot longer… or… that I arrived yesterday.

Grim's progress gives me a lot of hope. I know, one day, I'm going to have to leave Twisted Wonderland… so right now I have to do my best to make sure Grim will be okay on his own when that day comes.

But, unfortunately, Vargas appears. "CONGRATULATIONS! All clubs have survived another day! You are developing your muscles correctly!" Is he sparkling?

"Pretty sure nothing's changed." I hear Grim. Yeah, he's definitely a little loud tonight… Oh boy.

"Tomorrow is the last day of our esteemed Camp Vargas!" Is this an event that's happened previously or is he making shit up as he goes? "And there are more missions for the groups on that day as well! Now then, if there are no more questions—good night to all of you!"

"I have a question!" Jamil Viper of the Basketball Club approaches—with the terrifying Floyd or Jade Leech. Wait. Hair on the…. Right. Floyd. This one is Floyd.

"Yes, what is it?" Vargas asks.

"Ace Trappola has not returned since last night." Jamil informs, looking—he seems calm, actually. Huh. Maybe the guy's good under pressure—but NOW I'M WORRIED.

Where is Ace then? I—I mean obviously I… Wow, I am a ihorrible/i friend.

"...Trappola… huh…" I don't like this teacher's response either. It is a PERFECT time to be concerned.

"Yes. No one has seen him since yesterday afternoon, by the lake." Jamil is also very thorough in informing Coach Vargas. "With the fairy attacks, it is possible he encountered some trouble."

There seems to be some concern in Coach Vargas's features… until he busts out into laughter.

UH.

That is NOT an appropriate reaction.

"Do not worry Viper, he's probably hiding because he's been slacking!" Vargas has a point about the slacking but it's not like Ace is iashamed/i that he slacks off. "He'll come back when he gets hungry!" That is true. "Anyway! Make sure to rest up for tomorrow! Don't overwork your muscles! Good NIGHT!"

There's a lot of chatter now, I can turn and see Riddle's disappointment from here. I mean, I didn't even have to look. I could sense it. But, I can't help but be concerned because like Leona, Ace isn't afraid to slack off and let you know about it, especially if he thinks he can get away with it—or has gotten away with it. Leona's a bit different in presentation, and I'm pretty sure even though I can't see him right now, he's fast asleep in a tent.

I get up, going to Grim who doesn't care and is on his… tenth both of something, I bet. I'm obviously not counting.

"Any idea where Ace went?" Grim looks up, asking me. "He's such a slacker. ...but wait… if he's been gone since yesterday… does that mean he hasn't EATEN for a WHOLE DAY?" These are Grim's true fears and I definitely understand them. He's got some legitimate concerns.

"I haven't known Ace to skip a meal." I add.

"But this IS Ace… we know he found food and if it's yummier than this he won't even share!" Grim has a very accurate assessment of the fellow freshman. "When we see him again we'll let him have it!"

"No Wei! Grim!" Ah, it's Vargas. "It's time to go!"

"Ugh—there it is…" Grim grumbles.

"Thank you for feeding Grim!" And off the both of us go after I make sure I have my stuff.

"There's so many pictures to sort." I comment.

"Yep! I made sure to take plenty!" Grim's pretty cheery, at least.

But I am worried…

"I don't wanna get lifted again…" Grim gripes as we catch up with Coach Vargas.

"Another successful day at camp!" The cheerful coach declares.

"Yeah… we've got a lot of pictures to go through… And notes to sort." I've got my bag on my front, rummaging through it as I walk. It's an effective method of looking through things.

"...How many photos DO you need, No?" Grim asks. "

"If I remember correctly, I need nine. It's going to be the main feature for next issue—so, about a two-page spread, front page… and nine photos. I can't really split that well between four groups, but I can do two of each, and then one of as many things as possible? I'm not really sure yet." I look through a couple, and put them in the front pocket as rejects.

"Should be a photo of ME in there!" Grim points out.

"If there's a good one, I'll consider it." I can't help a grin.

"Good! You better! I am the MOST photogenic!" Sure, Grim. Sure.

We stop, because there's a horrible rustling in the woods.

"AH! WHAT'S THAT!" And suddenly I am also holding Grim. What, is he Scooby? I am NOT Shaggy. I'm always using like a hundred percent of my power and that's just sad.

"I-I don't know!" Okay I'm startled too.

"Shhh… shh…" Coach Vargas quiets us.

We're covering each-others mouths. It's probably comedic to someone.

"I'll investigate… keep going to the cabin, alright?" Well, okay, so he IS a responsible teacher.

"Okay." I whisper, as I start to walk off slowly and carefully, glancing behind myself once or twice, as I see his figure retreat from sight into the woods.

It's not long later there's a horrid, frightening roar.

"RUN!" Grim screeches, and he didn't have to tell me twice!

Terror seizes through my entire being. That—that wasn't something human. And God knows I am not capable of—of doing anything—I don't have magic, and—and Grim and I alone are not enough for some horrid forrest beast.

"GO! GO NOW!" I hear Coach Vargas yell at us.

Oh no.

I honestly don't think I've run faster in years—I end up at the cabin, slamming and locking the door behind us as something claws and slams at it. I hide with Grim, shaking in terror for an eternity. We keep as quiet as the grave, until we hear—we hear-!

Someone opens the door. "See? Told you I could get in." I immediately recognize Ruggie's voice.

I pull the sheet off of Grim and myself.

"We're so glad to see you!" Okay, fine, I'm obviously shaken.

But Grim IS the one in tears. "I-it was so scary!"

It wouldn't be if I had a shot gun! UGH! First rule of horror movies: have a weapon! A GOOD weapon!

"Hey… Grim, No, what happened here?" Epel asks.

Looking around—actually-why is this place a mess? Stuff is just strewn around… that doesn't make any sense, actually, it was neat and tidy when we left. Maybe—maybe we didn't notice because of the panic?

"L-let's get outside." I suggest, because now I absolutely have the heebie jeebies.

We're out, and Grim starts: "W-we were walking w-with Coach… a-and there was something in the woods… he—he went to investigate and—and then something roared! He yelled at us to run! S-so we got back here and HID!" Oh, he's so terrified.

I am too, though.

"What was the roar like? Big? Scary?" Why does this weird ass twin with a weird ass twin brother sound so EXCITED?

"I—I guess?" I answer. But how could I know?

"Aw… boring! We need to find it, then!" Is this guy NUTS?

Forget it, it's Night Raven College. Of course he's nuts! Pretty much everyone there is!

"I'm glad you're both alright after all of that." Sweet, sweet Epel. A breath of fresh air.

Jack grimaces. "We don't have a game plan. The Coach is missing… and something's out there." He's right, too.

"First, let us return to camp." Jamil is a very reasonable individual, I think… but… "We don't know what Coach Vargas encountered, and there's safety in numbers."

Ruggie nods in agreement. "And we can see better. C'mon, let's go."

It's a quiet hike. I know I'm still nervous—and I flinch when we pass by the area we saw Coach Vargas last.

Floyd sniffs the air. "Nothing weird here… but I don't smell Coach either." He sighs, so disappointed.

Huh. I.

What did he mean weird?

"What do you mean by weird?" I can't help but ask.

I get the most disturbing smile I've ever seen. "Blood."

Okay no, no, no. I—well. At least that means he's not hurt.

"C'mon, let's get there and fast." Ruggie sighs, giving a look to Floyd.

It's…

Hm.

Not great.

But we do return to camp, and gather people together. We're retelling what happened—and, honestly, the strange disappearances of various members of the groups that came is also disturbing. But if we've also lost Coach Vargas, then we have to wait until morning when Headmaster Crowley arrives—I think that's right.

No one has a cell phone, and there's no magic for people to use other methods of communication. This camp is stupid.

There's a lot of chatter, but the booming voice of the half-fae Sebek cuts through. "Four are missing, including Coach Vargas." That's a good summary of it, Mr. Obvious. "...Crazy…"

"What could defeat Leona and Coach?"

"Is it a monster?"

"More fairies?"

Ah, there's a lot of chatter. So many people are growing more and more worried by the moment.

Ruggie raises his voice a little. "Mmm…. Well…"

So many more voices speak. It's—we're not doing well. Everything's sort of devolving into chaos. This might turn into Lord of the Flies in a few minutes if nothing changes and that's not a good thing.

"HEY! SHUT UP!" Ruggie's taking that nice, leader initivative. That's a good thing.

It doesn't work. People are scared. Worried. They don't know what to do. There's a lot of suggestions flying around.

People are talking about leaving.

"THAT is a horrid idea! We do not know where the creature is, where the missing people might be—it is DARK—and! We do not have access, ready, access to our magic!" Sebek's got a sound… list of things, at least. "It's too dangerous for such weaklings!"

And with the lack of ways to track Blot… they risk Overblot. Right.

Of course this starts a fight between Sebek and someone else.

Riddle cuts in, "The both of you shall cease immediately! Sebek… your words?"

"Nothing I said is wrong." He huffs.

"Sebek… now is not the time for this." Riddle looks a little worn out; I would think Sebek's strong personality might cause issues here and there—with that racism coming out. Didn't realize I'd deal with that here with a bunch of magical creatures or whatever but hello Twisted Wonderland. Or… is it… species-ist? I…

I honestly don't know but it's really weird. Especially because he's half-fae, half… human? Are we even called humans here?

Wow we have a missing persons case and I'm thinking about fantasy species-ism. Or whatever.

The fuck.

"We shouldn't be fighting." Silver has the right idea. "Let's stay here until morning."

"Yeah. That's when the Headmaster will come back." Ruggie supplements.

"Once he finds we're not there, nor is Coach Vargas, he'll surely investigate." Silver has a lot of faith in Headmaster Crowley.

Grim gives me a look because even he doubts it. Hah.

We're horrible, probably, or something.

"Dunno… we're a bunch of tasty sardines all together!" This guy is so fucking creepy! Floyd Leech, one of the Leech twins, and honestly I do not understand how some people are just this strange! Actually, I haven't met anyone just this strange on Earth. In Texas. Even emo and goffik edgelords were some semblence of inormal/i. This type of personality doesn't exist outside fantasy but technically I've gone to some weird fantasy world so I guess it just checks out! UGH! "NOM! Like that—devoured in one swoop!"

I pick up Grim. We are both appropriately freaked out and our main cast of characters or at least the ones we know best, are just… used to this?!

How. HOW?

"Safety in numbers." Silver spits back. He's so casual about refuting the frightening bullshit that Floyd spills too. He's not unnerved at all. Wow.

Floyd sighs. "Well… could be fun that way… so I guess why not?"

"W-we'll… b-be okay, right, No…?" Oh, I give Grim a light squeeze. He's terrified. Like a little kid.

"We'll be fine, Grim, don't worry…" I can't help running a hand along his fur too.

I get a lot of looks from everyone—there's a lot of doubt. Unfortunately. But… I can't have Grim terrified all night.

There's such a deep uneasiness throughout the groups huddled around different bonfires—but most of them, with careful work, have been moved to be closer to one another. People are no longer really separated by groups, either, and it seems no one is really thinking about sleeping. We have four missing people so far, after all.

"Epel… any idea how long it is until morning?" Grim asks, breaking the uneasy silence.

"Maybe… two in the morning?" Epel guesses.

"That's so long… a-and I'm cold…" Grim complains. Oh. Yeah, I started shivering awhile ago. The combined heat isn't working—and as a Texan, I'm very foreign to the cold.

"You're right, it is fairly chilly right now." Jamil points out to at least validate Grim's complaints. "...I believe there are some blankets in the tents."

"A few? Well!" Grim's all up and ready to go. I'd like a couple blankets too, honestly. I'm shivering like a leaf at this point. "I'll get 'em!"

Ruggie's a voice of reason, but he does have a pack mentality. "It's too dangerous to go alone—we need to group up." I was expecting him to offer something out though, but that's because memes rot the brain.

"Why? The tent's right there!" Grim… "I'm freezing my fur off!"

"S-so are th-the rest of u-us…" I chatter.

"Jamil too! His teeth have been chattering—and so has No's! It's cold!" Grim's observation of others is a step in the right direction.

Jamil lets out a sigh. "Let's—get a group… and g-get blankets." He gestures.

"I-I'll g-go." Maybe moving will help. I'm so, so cold.

"Me too—I'm chilly." Epel's up. "I'll bring one back for you, Ruggie." Sweet summer child.

If this weren't a boy band I would've suggested cuddling a LONG time ago. Jack looks particularly warm, too…

A few others start to volunteer for the blanket gathering group from a variety of places. Which is good, safety in numbers and all of that.

A lot of us are up and out, and I catch Sebek saying some bullshit about weak humans. That guy… I'm going to have to work on him too, seeing as he just got freshly adopted into the group…

It's so, so terribly cold. I'm glad we're moving, because in all honesty I'm shivering up a storm. But, the tents are in sight and I head a little further back than some are already basically running because, let's face it, I'm not going to win the blanket battle.

It's so dark, too—it's taking a time for my eyesight to adjust to the dark.

I hear weird rustling. And gasps of air. But… I—I suddenly feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I'm not sure what's going on, until I feel arms wrap around me.

"-!" I bite down as hard as I can and hear a hiss—but!