Sammy was so tired. He'd just wait. He had the bag, after all. He slipped in on backwards so it lay against his stomach, and leaned back in his seat. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the black plastic pawn. He held the small figure in his paw, rubbing the pad of his thumb across the smooth, warm surface. Maybe something would happen. He leaned back in the seat, concentrating on Dr. Browne and the spooky village. It was warm in the truck - the radiant heat from the remainder of the day still trapped inside. The seat was so much warmer and softer than the cold, wet stone...

****

He woke, falling back against freezing stone. Wasn't he just somewhere warm? It was dark - pitch black. He swayed groggily, catching sight of a knifeblade of sky winking with alien stars. His body ached, his legs were sore and his memories slowly filtered back as he woke up. He could barely make out Dr. Browne - a dim blotch against the far wall. Where was Mika? He remembered where she'd laid down - across and a little down from him - but there was only shadow and stone.

His sore legs and back protested as he slowly rose to his feet. The bookbag was heavy, too, he laid it on the ground. Had something happened to her? He clicked his flashlight on for a brief second and the light caught in the gleaming, open eyes of the creature. At least he saw Mika. She was pressed against its slide, her snout resting on its shoulder, it's long tail draped across her back.

>>288739
Aww, they like eachother. That's cute.

Maybe you should get a bit more rest though.

Well, first of all, check if your friends are indeed alright and sleeping.

Then take a look at your watch, or the professor's if you don't have yours, see how many hours have you been sleeping.

Then I guess you could talk with the creature. Start asking if it has a name, so we can stop calling it "the creature". Also a gender.

Try not to shiver at the thought it watching you like this every night, in the darkness, where you can't see it. Just waiting. Point at Mika and say "You know that could be incredibly dangerous? She could become like me or worse." Also yes, ask it's name. I hope you brought the plastic bag too. You'll start to look like a nice talking meal after couple of days.

Err... I think everyone but the Guy is asleep. If we're doing any talking be quiet about it.

Sammy crept over toward Dr. Browne, who'd apparently taken off his watch before he went to sleep and laid it on the floor of the cave next to him. It was a little after four in the morning.

He snuck back toward the guy, sitting in front of him and speaking in low tones.

"Don't you think that what you're doing is extremely dangerous?" Sammy said, feeling a little disturbed at the thought of the creature watching him sleep, "She could end up like me, or worse." Sammy was glad that he'd brought the bookbag with the food and medicine in it.

"The Doctor said there is no danger," the creature replied, it sounded hurt at the implication that it would harm Mika. "His ghost came out. It went through the gate," It's eyes shone. "Mika was cold. She moved up to me after you disappeared. I did not want her to be cold."

Sammy didn't really know what to say, so he changed the conversation, "What is your name, anyway? A-are you a boy or a girl?"

The creature grinned, it's jet-black teeth shone under the meager light from Sammy's flashlight, largely covered by his paw so as not to wake his companions.

"Why do you want to know?" the creature asked, its expression carrying a hint of mischief. Its expression shifted into a more serious mien. "As for my name, my kind do not name thing. I have existed for a very long time without a name, and see no use for one now. Names are cumbersome things that force you into a particular role. Right now, I am free," it sighed, "Or mostly free." It sighed, looking at Sammy with loss and hurt in its eyes, "I am truly sorry that I have caused you pain. I will try my best to help in any way I can. My people do not age, and although we become hungry, we will not die of starvation. We are very strong and difficult to injure or kill, but we do not mean harm. We travel, exploring the mysteries of the wonderful infinity of universes," It's voice carried a sense of calm and wonder.

Sammy wasn't sure exactly what to think about the creature, and if he should be worried for Mika.

Well if it promises to be careful. There is little danger now but that may change with time or dimension. For now it's stable. Be sure to tell that despite that Mika is lucky to have such a protector and you are sure if something goes wrong it'll get her out of harms way.

Does it really want us to keep calling it creature or can we call it by it's species? Also specify that gender pronoun might help alleviate this verbal communication problem. Not that it has a hypnotic angelic voice that makes you want to buy it flowers. What did it think of the book?

Tell that you just want to know because among your species it's easier to identify someone by name and gender, just that.

Ask about what it just said about the ghost. Did the doctor just travel away just like you did? Ask if it saw your ghost "leaving" when you went to the station. Or if it saw you coming back.

Now that we appear to have some time, we should milk some information. Ask about the creature that hurt it. The "gray". Who is it? Why dit the grey hurt it? Is it dangerous for Sammy and his friends?

"You have to be careful," Sammy said, "We don't know how stable you will be when we keep crossing gates, or if we take too long," he sighed, "but I'm glad you're here to keep Mika safe." The creature seemed to reflect a sense of pride and happiness, "What did you think of the book?"

"It said many interesting things," the creature replied, appearing solemn.

"About your gender, or a name or even a species name," Sammy said, "It makes things hard as far as communication goes. Among our people, it's easier to identify somebody by name and gender."

"Would knowing my gender change the way you think about me?" the creature asked, that hint of mischief in its voice again, "There is no communication problem for you, though, even without a name. If you are speaking to me, I will know it. A name of any kind would be a burden for me."

Sammy decided to let it drop for now. "What about the Doctor's ghost? Did he travel like I did? Did you see my ghost? And what about the 'gray men' that captured you? Are they dangerous for us?"

The creature ran the tip of its triangular, deep blue tongue across the front of its black teeth, seeming to reflect on the questions. "No. A blue spirit came from the doctor's body when he went to sleep, although his sleeping body remained. It opened the gate and left, and I have not seen it return.

You tossed and turned, and then your body began to bleed through this reality. It vanished entirely for a significant length of time and faded back into existence a short while ago." Its expression was serious. "The gray men are a species I had seen before in my travels, although they had not before caused me harm. They have technologies that I do not entirely understand, and make a practice of attempting to use their science to explore other realities."

"Vuthoi," Dr. Browne said, startling Sammy, "Black eyes, a single ridge instead of separate teeth? Some of them have horns?"

"Yes," the creature replied, it's melodious voice humble, "You are much more knowledgeable than me on such matters."

"Perhaps," Browne said, "Although I appreciate that you may know more than you present. The Vuthoi have a variety of cultures and races, but some of them have focused on world traveling. The methods they have to rely on are much, much more dangerous than my own, however, so some of them have focused on attempting to find more stable methods of crossing gates. I imagine that is where you came in," he tipped his had toward the creature, "They use weapons that are much more advanced than what we have - ray guns and things - although their body armor looks a lot like what our military uses. More importantly, it seems you have recovered by supplies somehow," he looked at Sammy, "This is very beneficial. I scouted through the gate with my dreaming body last 'nigh,' and have some relatively distressing news. This gate leads to an abandoned building in a large city. The city appears to be under assault by an alien force of some kind, and both sides have been having shootouts in the street. I managed to locate the far gate, but the going will be dangerous. I don't know what the situation will be like when we go through. I was spotted close to the far gate, and fled rather than leading anyone back this way. We should probably wake Mika and have a breakfast." He stood and stretched, his joints popping as he yawned, "I am famished."

Give the backpack to Browne so he can get those easy-to-eat meals for breakfast. Go and gently wake up Mika. Have breakfast and discuss best course of action to not get shot during an alien shootout.

>>288919
I think the Guy is implying that you are trying to find out if you should be flirting with them. Heheheh.

Ask Browne if he was able to tell who the aggressors are. We should at least know who we should shoot if it comes to it.

We must go through a warzone? Did he happen to get a look at the sides and weapons that are employed? How about the routes to the gate, how do they look?

Sammy had no idea what the Guy was up to. He tried not to think about what the creature might be implying with its evasive answer.

It nuzzled Mika softly behind the ear, and she slowly woke up. There was a tiny smile on the end of her long muzzle, and she blinked blearily and smacked her teensy mouth as she stretched and looked around the cave in a state of mild confusion.

Dr. Browne opened two of the packages and showed Sammy and Mika how to activate the heating pack to cook the contents. He ate some peanut butter and cookies, and shared some with the Guy. As they ate, he explained the layout in more detail.

"There are two different species of aliens. I think the natives are creatures that float in some kind of metal skirt-thing with glowing spheres on the bottom. They have long arms with three fingers, a bright red, spherical head with glowing eyes, and some kind of spade-shaped hood. The whole thing might just be some kind of body armor or something, I have no idea. From what I can tell, they have weapons that are a lot like ours. The city is gray, mostly concrete. We will enter into a warehouse in a sort of crowded area that has been damaged by what I assume is artillery fire. There were ships overhead in a sky black from flame, flying and firing weapons that caused explosions in the distance.

The invaders are some sort of mottled, fleshy cone with two thick, featureless limbs. On top is a clear glass cube that seems to just rise out of the meat, with a bright red core suspended in the center. They didn't seem to use weapons. They could fire some kind of energy from their heads.

There was a wide street with barricades and some collapsed buildings a little distance from the warehouse. From there, it's a tangle of narrow alleys and broken buildings, with a few other plazas or piles of rubble in between us and the second gate. It is in another, smaller derelict building, although that one was made of stone and seemed quite sturdy. I have no real experience in making my way through warzones. Any good ideas are more than welcome."

"Well, don't look at me." said Mika, her eyes wide.

"I will try my best to protect Mika" the Guy said. Sammy noticed that the wound on his chest now showed the interior of Dr. Browne's truck at night.

>>290194
Making your way through warzones... hm.
-Keep to cover, always. Move quickly from one relatively protected spot to another.
-Stay low, move fast. Avoid open spaces where someone might be able to see you for more than a few seconds at a time, so that they can't target and shoot you.

That's all I've got for basic advice. I would not anticipate stopping in the next world, though you might; everyone should eat up, drink up, go to the bathroom, and what have you right now.

Tactics for civilians? Okay then.

Everyone get a good feel for the direction, distance and look of the place you're going to. Keep moving at all times when in open and only rest in cover. If group is split up due to enemy just keep moving toward your destination seperately and try to cross paths on the way there. When you reach the portal wait as long as possible for everyone to reach it. But try not to split up.

Also if there's any overhead cover use it at all times. If those ships have any thermals you're going to be targeted immeadetly. Good luck and may cub Jesus look after you.

"I don't know," said Sammy, "I guess we should all go to the bathroom and everything before we go through, and we should try to go fast and stay hidden."

Nervous energy radiated from the group in the cold, dark cave as they disposed of their trash. Dr. Browne reached through the blank stone wall, pulling open a gleaming, white disk that cast odd shadows against the rough stone walls. He gripped his shotgun tightly against his chest. "Here we go," he said, stepping through.

Unlike the gate onto the Well Road, there was no disorientation or sense of disappearing. He stepped into the light and was immediately inside of a huge, littered warehouse. It was hot and dusty, glaring light from outside shone through massive, broken windows on the front of the building, catching huge columns of dust particles that drifted chaotically through the air. Broken concrete pilings and dented metal barrels littered the open area near the front of the warehouse. The majority was filled with huge metal storage containers in a variety of colors, all rusted and many dented.

Mika followed quickly behind Sammy, then a bright flash and an awful screech, like tearing metal mixed with an almost-animal roar as the Guy destroyed the gate behind them.

They could hear the chattering of gunfire somewhere outside, explosions in the distance. The sun outside was huge and yellow with black fingers of smoke rising across its face.

Dr. Browne lead the way, followed by Sammy, then Mika, then the creature. They wove through the containers and out a large side door into an alley about eight feet across. They all stood blinking in the bright, harsh air, but the heat was a momentary blessing after the frigid darkness of the cliffside cave.

A tangle of massive concrete buildings spread out around them. Behind them were more warehouses with curved metal rooves, many collapsed into piles of concrete and metal that belched columns of greasy black smoke. They moved quietly down the alley. It abutted a wide street with tall stone buildings on the far side. There had once been a tree-lined median dividing the lanes of the road, but it had been reduced to dirt and rubble. They could see the broken fingers of skyscrapers in the distance, and see fast-moving ovoid aircraft scream across the sky, leaving lines of ear-splitting explosions in their wake.

Only a few feet to their left, the road had a makeshift barricade of strange, wheeless boxy vehicles and doors from the shops across most of its length, although there were blackened scraps of some of the vehicles where the barricade had been breached in several places. Keeping low, they ran as quickly as possible across the broad expanse of open space. A collapsed building covered most of the road several hundred feet to their right. They saw no one and no shots rang out as they hurried into the shade of the far alley.

They kept to the narrow alleys as much as possible, crossing streets as quickly as they could. They saw no one, although at times the gunfire seemed to come from around the next corner. They made good time until they came to an open plaza.

Dr. Browne stopped everyone as they crowded close to a splintered barricade. The plaza had a shattered fountain in the center, spraying a plume of water thirty feet into the air. Three of the creatures Dr. Browne had described were on the far side of the plaza, hunkered down behind more makeshift barricades. Sammy could see the red, spherical heads and pointed, metallic green hoods occasionally peeked around the side of the barricade, but they were pinned down by one of the other creatures. Its massive body was in front and to the right of Sammy and his group. It was a massive, greasy cone of mottled flesh some eight feet high and six feet wide, with a pinkish, undulating fold that moved it forward across the rubble-strewn ground. Two thick arms waved seemingly blindly, ending in useless-seeming stumps of flesh. The clear cube with its pitted red core that the creature had instead of a head did not turn or move, and released bursts of whipcracks that left little lines in the air and threw up little clouds of stone and wood from the barricades the other creatures hid behind. It was slowly advancing on the group behind the barricades, keeping them pinned down.

>>290337
Hmm. Double check to make absolutely sure everyone is fully behind cover, then Browne should fire off a shot to get its attention. We can catch it in a crossfire, basically.

The waving stumps indicate it sees without eyes making just hiding difficult. If backing up some way and taking a side route from the right or left is possible do it. I would rather not go through such open ground.

If there's no obvious way around take everyone without a gun behind a corner to minimize exposure. The shotgun isin't going to do nothing to creature that big and you have to be too close to comfort anyway. Best you can do is take a potshot at the cube or appendages and duck behind opposite corner. Should it take the bait and follow the creature could probably take it out from behind.

Yeah, if you can take a side alley or something to walk around this mess, I would advice doing it. Otherwise, get everyone ready to make a run for it, then tell Dr. Browne to shoot the cubehead creature a couple of times, then take cover.

Luckily it'll distract it enough so the cornered aliens can counterattack, giving you time to make a run for it in the confusion.

>>290337
You do not want to draw attention here. Do not shoot anyone or otherwise participate in this war. Keep out of sight as much as possible and circle around the plaza and the combatants.

We don't know who are the good or bad guys, if any. Helping them could give more information on THE OTHER WORLD but they could just turn around and kill Browne anyway. And that's only if helping them works and everyone doesn't get killed by the fleshmonster.

Best avoid it, it isn't your war and you don't know enough to take sides. Furthermore you don't know anything about how dangerous the enemy is, and fighting what you don't know is a bad idea.

Definitely try taking a shot at the thing. If it is simply aware of its surroundings you have basically no chance of getting past it either way. The fact that the hooded aliens actually have cover and AREN'T massive (since the architecture is roughly appropriately-sized to you) implies that they are, in fact, the locals.

If the war is still -going- they obviously have a way to fight the thing. And they can probably point you through if you help them out, they'll almost certainly be thankful.

tl;dr -- Shoot it in its stupid cube head.

Sammy turned and whispered to his companions, "Can we easily go around?"

"I don't know," Dr. Browne whispered back, "We would have to backtrack. We aren't far, though."

Sammy had a niggling feeling that it would be wrong to abandon the creatures behind the barricade anyway, but had secretly hoped they could avoid the confrontation. "I think we should do something then. We don't know if the creature will see us or not, even though we're behind it. I say you take a shot at it, Dr, and then we run for it. Hopefully the other creatures will fire back when it's distracted."

"We shouldn't get involved," Mika hissed, trying to pull Sammy further down the alley, back the way they came. A series of explosions threw a cloud of grit across the sky from somewhere nearby, and they felt the shock wave through the pavement under their feet. "This isn't our war. We don't even know who the good guys are."

Sammy waited for his heart to stop racing before he answered, stubbornly refusing to retreat. "The big gray guy is the intruder. Everything we've seen so far has been sized about right for the guys with the cowls. This must be their home."

"Astute observation," said Dr. Browne, "Let's hope they're thankful."

"I should be able to communicate with them," the creature whispered, a massive, shadowy shape lurking in the alley behind Mika, "I can understand any language."

Dr. Browne waved for them to take a step back, then leaned around the corner of the barricade and fired his shotgun. The report was deafening up close, and Dr. Browne immediately slipped back behind the barricade. "I got it!" He shouted, "Right in the cube!" He peeked around the corner briefly. "It worked, It's coming this-" his statement was cut short as two holes appeared one right after the other in the barricade. There was a sharp crack from Dr. Browne's pocket, and a line of blood trickled down the side of his face from a scorched groove in his cheek. The stench of burned fur and seared flesh made Sammy want to gag. A few seconds later, they heard chattering weapons fire coming from across the plaza. Dr. Browne leaned out again, "They are shooting the hell out of it. Do we run, or see if our help here is appreciated?"

If the thing can shoot right through the barricade, you should probably move whether you end up sticking around or not. Changing location is pretty much your immediate priority.

Try to keep in the vicinity though, if it turns back towards the cowl guys you might end up needing to help them out again, and if they take it down you might get a chance to approach them without getting shot.

In summary: Get the fuck out of where you are and to somewhere safe, try to keep tabs on what's going on once you've got a breather.

Yeah, your position is compromised, make a run for it and look for another place to cover behind. If the thing is still alive, tell Browne to shoot it again, then run to another position before it has time to shoot back.

You have distracted it so that the other guys could fire. It has probably turned to react to them now, but just in case Browne should move whilst hidden behind cover so that the creature loses track of him. Firing another shot would mean revealing Browne's position again, so only do that if the monster attacks the other guys.

Sammy and others... Uh. Hide? Run out and smite it in the name of the lo- Hiding sounds like the best idea.

They had certainly distracted the creature, now was the time to move. Keeping low, they dashed across the broken courtyard. Dr. Browne was first, shotgun ready, wincing in pain, then Sammy, followed by Mika and the creature. The hooded creatures had moved out from behind cover and were advancing on the creature. It's head was filled with white mist and laced with cracks. It listed drunkenly, spraying oily black blood as its limbs flailed wildly and and it fired its weapon in useless, random bursts.

The hooded creatures wore some kind of armor. It was green, like a pleated, metal skirt, and they levitated above the ground. Sammy could barely make out a bright, yellow light from underneath. Two thin arms with clawed hands were positioned on the front of the armor, holding strange, smooth weapons that chattered and smoked, tearing chunks of flesh from the creature. Their small round heads (or maybe helmets, it was hard for Sammy to see them clearly) had two round, yellow glowing eyes, peering out from the tall, spade-shaped cowls.

Sammy and his allies rapidly crossed the cracked, rubble-strewn courtyard. They crouched behind the barricade on the opposite side. The weapons from the defenders ceased firing, and Sammy heard something shatter loudly. He had to assume the gray monster was Dead. Sammy wondered if he should try to make contact with the defenders they'd saved, or just leave.

Don't waste time with idle chat. You know your destination so it'd be wise to continue on and not let them know more than you've already presented. Just because they are being invaded does not make them suddenly good guys. I'm sure they are grateful for your help and won't immediately fire on you, but it'd be better to just make it to the next area as fast as possible.

If we can get some report on what areas are safe to cross, that would be of immense help. We should talk to them. Maybe we could even score an escort? I wouldn't straight up ask for one but requesting directions would be alright, I think?

Directions would be good okay yes. Also maybe see about procuring some sort of firearm for the service rendered to them? You may believe violence to be an unchristianly thing, Sammy, but we still don't know if we can trust the Doc all the way, and it would be good to have an extra bit of defense rather than the shotgun Doc has. You will not want to be defenseless if Doc is otherwise distracted and something comes for you, or worse, Mika.

Sammy decided it was best to at least determine the safest way to reach their destination, and maybe see if the defenders had any spare equipment or supplies. He turned to the creature. "Did you say you could talk to them? What do you think Dr. Browne? Is it safe to try and talk to them?"

"It might be useful to know the quickest way. I can tell them where we're trying to get."

They slowly rose from behind the barricade, walking slowly toward the center of the courtyard. The strange creatures hovered around the corpse of the gray creature. The cube was shattered - jagged fragments jutted from its stump of a neck. Sammy could tell that the appearance of the creatures was some sort of armor or suit. He couldn't be entirely sure they weren't completely mechanical. One listed slightly, green gas leaking from a puncture in its armor. The smell burned Sammy's nose, and he didn't approach too closely. The creatures chittered to one another, pointing excitedly at the creatures and gesturing. The guy leaned in looking as if it understood what they were saying. After a moment, it began chattering back at them. Dr. Browne told the creature where they were attempting to travel. Some chittering later, with accompanying gestures on both party's parts, and they were on their way. Before they left, one of the creatures shoved its weapon into Sammy's paws.

The device was smooth, made of some dull green metal with insectlike, organic curves. The creature held his paw in its metallic grasper, placing one paw against the handle, and putting his finger over a button at the top of the handle. There was a click. It moved his finger off of what he assumes was the trigger, then placed his other hand on a smooth tube on the underside of the weapon. It pushed one of his fingers against a groove in the weapon's underside, and he felt it press in, then pointed at the trigger. The mechanical digits of the defender moved rapidly and forcefully as it clicked in its harsh, mechanical language. Sammy felt like he understood the basics of the gun, and soon they were on their way into the debts of the ruined city.

The intelligence of the creatures served them well. Knowing where the fighting was allowed them to rapidly make their way to their destination without further incident. The destination building was old, and made of large blocks of fitted stone. A barred wooden door was set deeply into the wall, opened a sliver. They rapidly ducked inside, away from the smoke, dust and noise of the war zone. There was only a bare chamber with an ornate archway Set into the far wall.

"This is it," said Dr. Browne. "I would personally like to rest, although I feel like this may not be the best location."

If anyone can identify the source of the creatures in this world (the gray thing will be pretty difficult, but the other ones with the hoods and the skirts should be doable) then the character of their choice will get a "save" if something terrible were to occur to them. One guess per person for each of the two beings, you only have to correctly identify one of them. Put your guess and the character you want to protect (so, up to two characters could gain protection) behind spoilertext in your suggestion.

Get some rest, the professor needs it. Just don't stay for too long, be alert and take turns to watch the perimeter. The good thing is that you're just in front of the archway. Set camp next to it, if the aliens attack, don't even try to fight back, just everybody jump into the gate.

>>305537

This is a good plan. It may not be the best location for a rest, but we don't know what awaits around the next corner, and it could be far more dangerous.

>>305530

The hooded dudes are based on the Flatwoods Monster. For once JRPG playing pays off! I'm totally sticking my save on Sammy, poor guy needs a break.

That's right! Sammy gets a save. He's already saved, so I guess he's saved twice now.

Sammy and his companions decided to take a rest. They didn't know what was beyond the portal, but here at least they ahd thick stone walls and a heavy door and there was no immediate danger. After the stress of the warzone, it was nice to be able to sit back and rest.

The creature laid back against the door, its eyes glittering in the darkness. Mika clicked on a flashlight and leadned against the creature's side. It's dim beam cast heavy shadows across the smooth stone walls.

Dr. Browne leaned against the archway itself, slouching and pulling his hat down over his eyes. His hands rested lightly on the body of his shotgun. Sammy sighed, leaning back against the wall in between Dr. Browne and the Creature. He felt shaky and exhausted, but it had probably only been a few hours since they woke up. The creture turned sharply, looking at Sammy. "He's gone through the gate," it said. The doctor's body was still there, snoring quietly.

Then Mika began to retch. Snot was dripping from her nose, and she was shaking. "I- I don't feel good," she said. "I think it was that gas from that thing. I feel sick." She listed sideways, shaking and curling into a ball. She heaved, and Sammy felt a little queasy when he heard her mouth fill up with fluid. She managed to chew it back, tears streaming from her eyes."

Uh, shit, we don't have any way of knowing what that gas was or how long the effects last. We have no idea how to treat her either. Ask the creature if they know anything about what's wrong with her. Also, does he know know where that gate led? If it led to the Well I think that Dr. Browne has decided to try to use it for his own ends.

>>306334
Well, son of a bitch. Who knows how bad that gas was- or if anyone else was significantly exposed. Mike could easily die here, and what do you know how to do about it?

If you can figure out what you would need to treat her, then you might be able to go to sleep and get it from the real world. I doubt that the natives here would have any kind of medicine good for her, given their appearance. Failing that... shit, I don't know the first thing to do about a health situation that bad. Hold her hand to try and comfort her and pray, I guess, if nothing else seems viable. Won't hurt, and surely Jesus would have mercy for someone like Mika, whose good-hearted nature compelled her to enter into danger for the sake of a friend.

Sammy didn't know what to do. There was no way to tell what the gas was or how to fix it. He felt confused, but he pushed the feelings of helplessness away as he stood. The flashlight laid sideways on the floor , and as he walked across the small room, it cast his enormous shadow back against the wall. He supported her under the arm, helping her to sit up. Her body was moist, burning, dripping with sweat. The sharp stink of her sweat assaulted him. "Do you know what's wrong with her?" he asked the creature, "or where the gate goes?"

"I do not know," the creature said, it's large, shining eyes reflecting concern and fear. It leaned down, wrapping both Sammy and Mika in its massive arms. Sammy smelled the spicy, otherworldy scent and felt its smooth skin and soft, silky hair brush against his cheek.

Mika vomited loudly, convulsing as she retched. Fortunately, it was clear and thin - she hadn't eaten since they'd woken up - and sprayed mostly away from the huddled group. The pungent stink of bile rapidly filled the tiny room, overpowering everything else and making Sammy's eyes water as she continued to retch and heave.

Sammy forced back his own waves of nausea and closed his eyes, pushing thoughts of clean close from his mind. He could feel Mika's heat, the creature's warmth all around him. He could hear the creature whispering to Mika that everything would be fine, he would keep her safe. Sammy prayed. He knew Mika wasn't a Christian, but God could at least give her respite in her mortal life, even if he didn't have anything nice waiting for her after. She really didn't deserve the crappy life she'd been given, and had only tried to help those in need, to help her friends in the face of grave danger. She was a good-hearted person. Mercy, please, he prayed.

He didn't know how long they stayed there, but eventually her convulsions slowed, then stopped. Her breathing became slow, steady. Sammy opened his eyes. Mika's long tongue drooped from her open mouth and laid wetly across the front of her shirt. She was leaning back, eyes bloodshot and half-closed. Her claws clasped Sammy's hand tightly. "Oh God, Sammy, I'm so sorry," she said weakly, "I threw up on you. I-" She sniffled, snot dripping down her snout, "Thanks. I think I'm OK. I feel a little woobly, but I think I'm OK."

>>306880
Lord be praised. She's alright.

She should replenish her fluids. Give her a little water. Also uh... maybe after she's feeling a bit more stable she could eat something. Start slow though, she shouldn't eat more than a few bites. If the nausea returns well there's no point in eating is there?

>>306880
There are more important things to worry about than a little vomit here. I mean, honestly, what kind of shitty person would care about getting nasty stuff on them when their friend could be dying before their eyes? Hug her and tell her it doesn't matter and you're glad she's okay.

And thank God for answering your prayer. Even if she'd have been fine anyway, it can't hurt.

She could probably use some water. And if all else seems normal, you might consider going to sleep- find out what size clothes Mika wears, and maybe you'll be able to get both of you a change, as well as some more supplies, before the professor returns. No telling how long he'll be, after all.

"That's OK," Sammy said, "I'm just glad you are OK." he silently thanked God for granting mercy to her. The acrid stench from the clear, slimy vomit splattered across the floor burned their eyes and made thoughts of eating for either of them fairly impossible, but Sammy got some water and helped Mika drink. He thought about taking a nap to go and get some clean clothes, but before he could really consider it, Dr. Browne started to stir. Sammy didn't think there was really very much vomit on either of them and hoped the awful stench was only because of the small, unventilated room they were in.

Dr. Browne began to cough and rub his eyes when he came to, sputtering and getting unsteadily to his feet. "What on earth happened? Oh dear god that smell! I don't care if we get shot, crack the door!" He pulled the collar of his jacket up around his muzzle and inquired as to exactly what had happened. Sammy explained that he guessed the gasses from the creature had made Mika sick, but she seemed mostly OK now, and Mika nodded and got to her feet as well.

"Okay, well, nothing immediate then," Dr. Browne said, "Let's go. It's some kind of plain grassy area through here that doesn't smell like vomit and there isn't currently a gun battle going on."

He reached through the solid stone archway, pulling open an oval of white light, as before. "Hurry up," he said, "I can't bear this smell much longer."

Sammy walked through with Mika, still holding her claws in his hand.

****

Sammy stood in a shimmering field of tall, green grass and the sky overhead was a slate gray mass of boiling, racing clouds. Wherever they were, it gave the impression of smallness - he could make out the curve of the "planet" easily with his naked eye. Obscured partly behind the planetary curvature was a tree with a figure sitting beneath it, and further away was a smooth, white mountain range, probably several hundreds of feet long and utterly dominating the skyline. He took several steps forward and heard the creature and then Dr. Browne emerge. It was utterly quiet and still, other than the roiling mass of clouds that made up the entirety of the sky. Something about it made Sammy uncomfortable, though.

"No wind." Dr. Browne said, "That's what makes it off-putting."

>>309539

Try to get a better look at the creature sitting beneath the tree. Keep as much distance as you can, and try to avoid detection if at all possible until you know what you are dealing with. Do you have binoculars? (Inventory check~~)

>>309539
Right, well, first thing's first. What direction is the next portal? That will decide our next move.

This isn't really a sightseeing expedition, as tempting as it would be to explore.

>>309539
Ask where the next portal is. You've got places to go.

That said, how long have you been awake and on the move? How much energy have you guys got? I can't imagine Mika is up for much more serious travel until she gets the chance to rest and eat something.

Sammy guessed that it had been seven or eight hours since he'd woken up in the cave, and he hadn't eaten anything since then. Out of obvious danger, his limbs protested and he wanted nothing more than to rest. He doubted he could sleep, though.

"Which way is the portal?" he asked.

"That way," said Dr. Browne, pointing past the tree, toward the mountain. Sammy mentally went through what he knew they had. Shotgun shells, four MREs, a canteen with not much water left, Peanut butter, cookies, whatever else Dr. Browne had in his pockets, two flashlights and a first aid kit, plus the gun he'd gotten from the previous world.

The grass shimmered, and the clouds continued to race overhead, even though no wind blew.

Sammy stared under the tree, attempting to make out any details of the figure. It looked like a person of some kind, wearing a coat and a wide
brimmed had. It looked like whoever it was was napping under the tree.

There's nowhere else to go but towards the tree! It's only one guy so he probably isn't much of a threat.

Suggestion 2011/06/07(Tue)09:29 No. 310181 ID: b64752
File 130746417554.png - (11.50KB , 500x500 , Sammy Van Helsing.png )

>>310162

Onwards and upwards, let's meet this tired stranger. Also a wide-brimmed hat? If talking engages, you may need to request that hat as the first step into gathering the pieces to your class upgrade costume. You need that hat.

There was no apparent sort of danger, so they began to walk straight toward the stranger and the tree. As they walked across the tiny world, more of the white mountain rose above the curved line of the horizon. It was starkly white, and it's surface looked smooth. Sammy could make out a line of bumps along its crest, some faint ridges along the side. He noticed it became irregular toward either - folds, wrinkles, ridges. It vaguely reminded him of something he'd encountered before, but he couldn't quite place it.

He realized that the tree was now quite close. It looked like an oak to Sammy - heavy, gnarled branches radiating out from a thick, sloping trunk. Broad, green leaves rustled faintly, and the wide circle of shadow beneath it looked cool and inviting. The figure resting against it was also more clear. It looked like something out of a western novel - long, brown canvas coat, undyed linen pants and collared shirt with a pair of leather suspenders. The hat was a circular gray felt piece that Sammy rather liked, pulled down over the creature's eyes and obscuring its face as it slouched against the bark of the tree. That was where the creature's resemblance to the familiar ended. Sammy saw its slender fleshy gray tail draped over the roots of the tree, and could see its hands - three fingers and two thumbs without claws or paw pads - resting, fingers interlaced, across its stomach. Its legs were splayed out in front of it, ending in wide, black hooves with a long, curved talon on either side.

"He's a Vuthoi" Dr. Brown said, looking down at the creature apparently sleeping under the tree.

Jesus told me that you probably forgot about Vuthoi. They're discussed in >>288919

Mika grabbed Sammy's shoulder, her grip almost painful. "It's alive" she whispered, sounding terrified.

"Of course he is," Sammy started to say, before he turned and saw the horrified expression on her face as she pointed with one claw in the direction of the mountain. He could see it - loose, wrinkled skin, the hip and leg at the rear, shoulder at the front, long tail and neck on either side. Its arms, legs and head were still obscured by the curvature of the planet, but he could see it.

"It's breathing," she whispered, pressing against his side. Sammy hadn't noticed, but following the line drawn by Mika's claw, he could see the outline of its ribs, and the slow, steady rise and fall of its breathing. Realizing it was a living thing made the sense of familiarity even stronger. Where had he seen something like that before?

"It has to be a mile long," Dr. Browne said slowly.

>>310563
well, from what you've heard the Vuthoi arn't inherently evil of anything, and I doubt the type that do crazy experiments on people dress like this. Try talking to him, maybe ask him what in the name of God that huge thing is.

>>310567
He's asleep. Perhaps we should not disturb his rest. Besides, the Guy might not like the idea of talking to him, considering what his kind did to... uh, the Guy. Damned pronouns and not revealing gender.

Loose, wrinkled skin, long tail... sounds like an animal you've seen before, Sammy. White elephant? Shaved cat?

hmmm a guy, dressed like he's from the old west, sleeping near a huge beast... y'know there were a lot of ranches and cattle in the west; maybe this guy is the owner of the beast?

Sammy wasn't sure what exactly it reminded him of. It was something from one of the dreams, maybe, but he couldn't quite place it. Mika was certainly upset by it, though.

"Hey, don't worry," Sammy said, "Maybe it's this guy's animal. He looks like a old west dude. Besides, it doesn't look dangerous or anything, I guess."

Mika smiled halfheartedly, letting go of Sammy's arm. "I guess," said, her voice wavering.

Sammy wasn't sure what the Guy would think about the Vuthoi on the ground. He glanced over, but the guy was just standing there. Its body was hunched forward, its muscular arms hanging down limply. The sinuous neck stood out horizontally and its face was blank, dull. Its waterfall of golden hair cascaded down the far side of its neck and across its back, shimmering in the light, but that was the only part of the creature that moved with any semblance of the liquid grace it normally possessed. It shuffled forwards behind Mika, staring off into the middle distance. Sammy didn't figure the creature would object to much of anything.

"Hello?" Sammy said, moving toward the sleeping Vuthoi.

"Howdy," the vuthoi said. His voice had a tinny echo, almost sounding like he was talking through a can. Something about it was unnerving. The Vuthoi cracked his knuckles, slowly disentangling his fingers and lifting the brim of his hat slightly with one knuckle. Sammy had never seen a creature like it. His face was the same dark gray as the rest of his skin, but he had no muzzle. He saw a pointed chin and wide cheeks, fleshy lips and two slits for nostrils below the brim of the stylish headwear.

"Name's Caphus. This is the world of the Sleeping One," he nodded toward the living mountain in the distance. Sammy noticed that instead of individual teeth, Caphus had a notched plate on his top and bottom jaw. He also noticed that Caphus's lips and tongue didn't match the sounds Sammy heard. "Where are you fellas headed?"

Hmm... White, thin... do the mountains remind you of that strange woman with the fire-blood?

OH I forgot to mention something. When Mr Browne got shot at, something shattered in his pocket. We should ask what that was about.

Tell this guy... uh... well, just point in the direction you're headed. Do not tell him you're on the Well Road, that's an invitation for trouble.

>>310750
His lips and tongue don't match his speech? Maybe he's using some sort of translating techology.

>>310750

Introduce yourself. After all, he gave you the same courtesy. May be reading into what he said a bit much, but it seems like he already knows about things like the Well Road and traveling like you do, but don't mention exactly where you are going, just the direction with a cool phrase like "just my next destination pardner" while tipping your air-hat :B

oh yeah see if he is generous enough to give you his hat or at least trade it for something

That was it! Sammy remembered now! It was the first time he'd gone to the place with the mist! The ghost, up on the ridgeline! Sammy remembered her talking about some strange power or something. Maybe this was related. Jesus told me I should probably link to the discussion with the ghost. >>235410 >>235871 >>235935

The dude had to be translating somehow, or maybe Sammy wasn't really hearing what he said. It made sense, though - how else would they be able to understand each other? It made Sammy feel a little more at ease to have figured it out.

Sammy decided not to reveal more than he had to. "My name's Sammy," he said, extending a paw, "We're just traveling on to our next destination." He tipped his non-existent hat toward the white mass in the distance. The vuthoi, Caphus, rose slowly to his feet in response. He was slightly taller than Sammy, and his eyes were large, almond-shaped, and pitch black. Sammy could also see some darker gray ridges on either side of his forehead. He returned the handshake, wrapping a long thumb around either side of Sammy's paw.

"That's a nice hat," Sammy said, but before he could continue, Dr. Browne interjected.

"I was here earlier and saw some... things near the Sleeping One, you said? I am concerned as to their danger, as we are traveling in that direction."

"I reccon that's the only direction to go," Caphus said slowly. "Nah, those are the Supplicants. The Sleeping One dreams, and its dreams roam in other worlds. People can feel its light inside of them, and call out to its sleeping brain. Eventually, it can pull them up here. See, the Sleeping One can connect itself to anywhere in all of existence while it dreams. It can jes reach out and punch a hole to anywhere in any reality with its hands. But where your dreams are all inside your head, the Sleeping One's dreams are real things that wander around outside its body."

"So, they aren't dangerous, then? Just to be clear?" asked Dr. Browne.

"Supplicants? Nah. Just little sacks o meat. Jes dreamin' away with the Sleeping One, like little pockets of its own mind now. Not much left to their brains, really," He sighed. "Feel free to set a spell if you like. Don't get many travelers around these parts."

>>310898
Well, we are quite fatigued at the moment. We could sit for a moment. Tell him that you met something that told you a tale of how the Sleeping One affected other worlds. Describe the cold white being with flaming blood, but leave out the part of how you traveled between worlds and well, anything you don't really want to talk about personally.

>>310898

Hatblock'd :C

Doc Browne being a gat dam hat-hater is what this is >:I

Also accept Caphus's invitation to set down and rest for a while and the above suggestion to share about the ghost and what not is a good idea too. He doesn't seem terribly dangerous. At least, there hasn't been any mention of signs that say "dead lion storage" last I read.

Stay a while and rest with the nice stranger.

Sammy glanced back at Mika and Dr. Browne, who both shrugged. The guy stood behind Mika, staring blankly off into space. "Okay, I guess we can stay for a little while."

They sat on the soft grass, in the shadow of the tree's outstretched branches, and allowed their exhaustion to settle into their tired limbs. It was too early to actually sleep, so Sammy told Caphus the story about the ghost he'd encountered in the misty valley.

"Yup. I reccon the Sleeping One has a hand in that world. All the people who feel his light and draw on it eventually start to change. If nobody pushes Its hand out of the world, It'll eventually start to draw that world in and bring it here. Not on purpose, It's asleep, after all. Just wants to reach out and experience things. Its dreams are real in that world, the land changes and its ideas walk around. Its mind feels the minds that call out to It and It doesn't feel so lonely as It sleeps. I reccon some fellers killed the folk that were dealing with It, or some of 'em anyway, and that one turned into a ghost." Caphus sat cross legged in the grass with them. Dr. Browne had taken a spot leaning against the tree, glancing off toward the white bulk of the creature visible in the distance. Sammy lay on his back in the grass, head on the backpack. The guy had apparently just slumped to the ground. It laid sideways in the grass, limbs askew and glassy eyes staring at nothing. Mika lay against it.

Eventually, Sammy started to doze...

****

Sammy woke up in the cab of the truck, disoriented an confused. Moonlight illuminated the gravel parking lot. The moon was high overhead - Sammy guessed it was probably after midnight. He didn't realize how hungry he'd been before he drifted off to sleep, but he could feel his stomach growling now, and the bookbag was nowhere to be seen.

Not much to do but to wait until you wake up in the other world again. The bookbag is there and you can eat once you're there. Going out of the car to find something to eat in the ghetto doesn't sound like a sensible idea to me.

If you're really really hungry... do you have any money? Are there any stores nearby which would be open at this time? How much time would it take to get back home? Would it be easy to sneak back in?

>>316729

It wouldn't do to just waste an opportunity to stock up on things that you need. Check how much money you have, if any, and determine whether or not there are any convenience stores near where you are currently at. There's usually at least one or two near rural or poorer urban areas. If you have the money, buy some cheap foodstuffs and water.

Sammy decided it would be foolish to waste the opportunity to stock up on supplies. They only had four MREs and some peanut butter and cookies, and not very much water. It wouldn't take him long to walk through the ghetto as long as nothing happened, but it would take several hours at least to walk all the way home. He knew there were some gas stations that stayed open all night and he opened the door and set out, walking generally in the direction of home. The gravel crunching underfoot sounded far too loud, and he jogged through the grass on the side of the road until he reached the first decrepit clapboard houses.

He felt exposed and alone as he stuck to the shadows, avoiding the flickering pools of intermittant light cast by the street lamps that actually worked. He didn't see anybody, although a few windows were lit from within. He could hear the weak, hungry wail of a crying cub through the thin walls of some buildings. Other times and thump, a scream, the quiet chatter of a TV. More than on the Well Road he felt a presence all around him - as if any number of the shadows held crouching figures waiting to pounce.

It was a little better once he made it out onto a main road. The streetlights all worked, at least, and he felt compelled to stick to the center of the side walk, hunched forward with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

There was a gas station, bright florescents streaming from its scuffed Plexiglas windows across the concrete lot. The supports for the awnings over the pumps threw long shadows out into the empty street. It must be late.

He pulled open the scarred door and heard an electronic chime announce his presence. A tall, thin crocodile behind the counter looked sleepily up at the sound of the chime, but the small TV next to his cash register quickly recaptured his attention. The smell of the place was offensive - cleaning agents losing a slow war of attrition against some noxious blend of odors that Sammy preferred not to think about.

The linoleum floor was a filthy, scratched black and white checker pattern, and the silence was filled mostly with Sammy's own footsteps and the metallic gasps of the air conditioning system. Water stains marked the drop ceiling, and Sammy could see the entirety of the store over the tops of the rows of shelves. There was a cooler in the back with sodas and energy drinks, and the gas station had the usual selection of goods - cereal, beef jerky, chips, some canned chili and salsa, a few toiletries, and other similar items.

Sammy checked his wallet. He had thirty four dollars and seventy five cents in cash. He needed to figure out what he should buy to take with him.

Buy three bottles of water and as many MREs you can with the money you have left. If they don't seel them here, buy something similar, like instant noodles or something like that.

Wait, don't spend it all in MREs, buy also some sweets for you and Mika. Like a couple of chocolate bars. It'll be a nice detail.

cereal, jerky, and maybe some toiletries. look for peanut butter bars if you get candy.

>>351744
Get a few bottles of gatorade, and a few energy drinks. Jerky and trail mix would be good too. Don't get any canned goods unless you can get/have a can opener.

Sammy looked around before deciding on some jerky, trail mix, and a few cans of ravioli. He made sure to get a can opener too. For drinks, he grabbed a six pack of water bottles, two big bottles of Gatorade, and two energy drinks. He thought it might be nice to get some candy for Mika, so he grabbed a couple of peanut butter bars. Trying to be as unassuming as possible, he hurried to the counter and placed his items in front of the skinny crocodile. The crocodile continued to stare sleepily at his little TV, scanning the items absentmindedly. After he'd set the bag full of items on the counter, his eyes slowly drifted toward Sammy, then sharpened in recognition. Sammy could see the green display behind the crocodile: $33.82

"Hey," the attendant said, pointing with one claw, "You're the kid from TV. Yeah, you're definitely him! The one that was kidnapped yesterday!"

Sammy threw thirty four dollars on the counter and grabbed the bag, trying to think of what to do.

Tell him you're not a kid and that you haven't been kidnapped. Hell if you was kidnapped, the kidnapper isn't a very good one if he lets you walk off to buy stuff. Grab the bag and wait for the change.

>>352727

What, kidnapped? Don't try to hide your surprise and ask the clerk what is he talking about?

Assure that, as he can see, you haven't been kidnapped, you're right here buying some stuff for your family. People often mistake you for other lion cubs of your age. Be curious about the kidnapping and what the news said about it.

"What do you mean, kidnapped?" Sammy said in surprise, "I'm just buying some groceries. Did somebody get kidnapped or something?"

"Two in the morning groceries?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "No, you're definitely the kid. Your hot mom was freaking the fuck out on TV. I remember there being something about a reward, so you just sit the fuck tight right here while I call the cops."

Sammy had his groceries in his hand and his money was on the counter. There was no one else around, but Sammy was now aware of the black domes on the ceiling. Some of them had to have security cameras in them. He didn't know how long it would be until he faded out again, and he figured that the next night he would fade back in wherever he left from. He'd have to think of something - somewhere safe.

Time to cheese it. Get running... and I guess you could find a subway station, get in the train and hide in the bathroom stall until you fade out. Can'think of a better idea right now.

Leave the money there and walk out quickly. If you know/remember/see where Katy lives, go to her place. If you know where a nearby payphone is, phone her and ask her if you can stay at her place for a few hours. She owes you remember!

Otherwise.. subway toilet it is!

It was time to go, so Sammy tucked his bag of food under one arm and ran, his cash still on the counter. He darted through the scuffed doors and out into the empty streets.

The sound of his tennis shoes slapping against the pavement sounded far, far too loud, and he expected to hear sirens any minute, to hear a helicopter chopping the air with its blades shortly before its spotlights pinned him to the sidewalk with their stark, white light. But there were no sirens. No helicopters, only the slap of his tennis shoes on the empty sidewalk, his panting, gasping breaths and the growing pain in his side. He saw a phone booth and ducked inside. He was near the edge of the ghetto, and headlights from the occasional passing car interrupted the silent stillness of the city. Mom had always told him that nothing good happened after two in the morning. He had three quarters, and the slip of paper Katy had given him with her phone number on it. He turned away from the street, trying to make himself more anonymous to anyone who would be passing by, and put the quarter into the slot. The quarter dropped through the guts of the phone with a noisy, metallic clatter before the scratched black handset came to life. He quickly punched the shiny metal keys, and waited.

It rang once, twice, three times. Sammy was about to hang up. This was stupid. It was early in the morning, what was he going to tell her anyway? This was stupid. He was just taking the handset away from his ear when he heard a familiar, albeit tired voice, "Hello? Who is this?"

She sounded mad. He tried to collect his thoughts.

"Motherfucker, it's two in the goddamn morning. You think this is funny?" He could tell she was waking up.

"It's Sammy," he said before he really thought about it too much.

The anger drained from Katy's voice, leaving it small and worried-sounding, "Oh, Shit, for real? Are you OK? Do you need a ride? What happened?"

Sammy wasn't sure exactly how to answer that.

Ask her to pick you up, and you will tell her when she gets there. There's only so much time you can talk on the payphone. Say you're okay and thank her for worrying.

Hmm, I don't really like involving her into this, but I guess we have no choice now. Tell her that yes, you need a ride, you'll explain when she gets here. Tell her where you are and try to hide in a corner or something while you wait for her.

>>352795
Tell her you're not kidnapped, first of all. Tell her we could use a ride, but you can't go back to your parents yet. Tell her we just need someplace safe to stay.

If she can come pick us up and get us to a safe place, we'll be better off next time we pop back in. If we actually make it to her house, we should warn her that we won't be around during the day. Only for a few hours at night.

Sammy asked her to pick him up and told her where he was. "What the hell, Sam? What's going on?"

"I can't talk very long," Sammy said, "I just need somewhere safe to stay for a little while. I'm not kidnapped or anything, I'll explain when you get here."

"Okay," Katy said matter-of-factly, "I'll see you in a few minutes."

Sammy hid in the entryway of a bank that was on the corner of the intersection, hoping the darkness would sufficiently mask his presence. He pressed himself against the rough brick and closed his eyes tightly as he heard sirens. It was probably an ambulance, but Sammy still held is breath and silently prayed that he wouldn't hear tires slowly crunch on the asphalt next to the curb. Then he heard tires slowly crunch on the asphalt next to the curb. He felt panic rising like unstoppable floodwaters before he recognized Katy's voice. "Sammy? You here?"

He exhaled in a rush, shakily stepping out onto the sidewalk, clutching his bag of food to his chest. "Holy shit, Sammy, you're looking rough," Katy said, her familiar beat up red car parked next to the sidewalk. She was leaning against the car next to the open passenger-side door, just as tall and thin as he remembered, crooked cigarette dangling from her long fingers. She was wearing some baggy pajama pants - pink with little green grasshoppers - and a black concert T-shirt with holes in it. Her long mane was pulled back in a messy pony tale with a big red scrunchie.

"Sorry, I look like shit. I had to just grab some shit off the floor," she said absently, walking around the car and slipping into the driver's seat.

She blew a cloud of gray smoke out of her open window as Sammy climbed in and put on his seatbelt. She shifted the car into gear and they lurched out onto the almost empty streets. She finished her cigarette slowly, flicking the remainder casually away from the car. Sammy could see the butt throw up a plume of sparks as it hit the pavement behind them."So," she said, "want to tell me why you're hiding on the street after two in the morning with a bag of food?"

Sammy was just starting to think of what to say, or whether he should say anything, when the world began to fade and melt, colors and shapes running together. It sounded far away, distorted, but he could hear Katy's voice screaming "Sammy? Oh Jesus Christ what the Fuck Oh my God-" before he heard crunching metal and shattering glass.

****

Sammy fell over backwards onto the grass of the Sleeping One's World. Dr. Browne was already awake, but Mika was still fast asleep. The Guy was slumped on his side, staring off into space, exactly how Sammy had seen him last. Dr. Brown and Caphus the vuthoi were talking quietly, although their conversation ended as he appeared. Everything else was as he remembered. Racing clouds overhead, tall grass rippling in the absence of wind, and the massive bulk of the Sleeping One in the distance, the almost inconceivably vast creature that dominated the skyline of the tiny planet. "I have some food," he said weakly.

>>353286
Oh. Oh crap. How fast was Katy going?! Was she wearing a seatbelt?

Well, fuck... I guess we can't do anything for her now, other than hope nothing serious happened to her... Maybe it wasn't a good idea to warp into another dimension while someone with no idea of what was going on was with us. She probably saw Sammy fading out and freaked out.

Well, give the food to the professor. And tell him what happened.

Pray for Katy. It's all you can do for her for now.

>>353286
Oh Christ, Katy! She was only trying to help us... metal and glass means that the crash was likely a pretty bad one. Hopefully it was only her car, and not her, that got hurt. Pray for her safety. She was trying to do the right thing.

It might be a good idea to leave the food with the others and try to go back to sleep. Maybe you'll be able to get back in time to help her, somehow if you can calm down enough to return.

>>353306
>Maybe it wasn't a good idea to warp into another dimension while someone with no idea of what was going on was with us.
It's not our fault. We had no real chance to explain to her what would happen, and no way of predicting when we would shift dimensions again.

Going back to sleep if you can. There is some chance you can help Katy, or see if she is alright.

>>353416

>It's not our fault

Well we could've not involved her. We only had to hide for a few minutes. In the end calling her didn't help, and has likely hurt her. Possibly badly.

Sammy silently prayed for Katy. Even if he couldn't have predicted when he would fade out or what would happen when he did, he chose to call Katy and include her in this horrible mess he'd made of his life. He hoped she was OK...

Maybe he could go to sleep again, go back. Do something.

"Doctor Browne," Sammy said, trying to keep is voice from shaking, "My friend got hurt when I was waking up. I was riding in the car with her and the car got in a wreck and I need to go to sleep so I can help her," he choked, "please!"

"I don't think that's wise," Dr. Browne said, adjusting his glasses, "I've got some sedatives, in case I have an immediate need for my dreaming body, but I honestly can't see what good it would do to send you back. Besides, we have more pressing concerns." He waved a hand toward the Guy's insensate form. Its dazed, staring eyes seemingly seeing nothing.

"I know you've noticed," he said, waving one long-fingered hand, "that it seemed to be affected since we've come here, gradually growing less aware of its surroundings," he paused, "I have very little clue what to do about this problem. I've talked with our vuthoi host, and he knew something about the creature's biology, as such. Apparently, they are markedly metaphysically different than normal living things, and the presence of the Sleeping One may be affecting it negatively. I've done some scouting, and don't think that the next world doesn't seem immediately dangerous, although I must say, I'm glad you've replenished our supplies."

Sammy was too focused on Katy. He didn't care about the guy or the next world or anything else. It was his fault.

Get the Guy through the portal. He'll probably start waking up when we're through.

Also, slap yourself. You fucked up. You can't do anything about it now.

>>353690
Let's be realistic, Sammy. In an accident, the most you can do is remove someone from the wreckage. You're not a trained EMT, or anyhing like that, you're just a high-school kid. The accident seemed to occur in a civilized area, and accidents aren't quiet. Hopefully someone called 911.

Right now, focus on what you can work with - deal with the matters you yourself can solve. Get pango-girl talking to the Guy again, ad if need be, physically drag him to the portal. Get your tails in gear!

Dr. Browne was right, there was nothing Sammy could do if he went back. He'd have to help do something here. He put his hand against the guy's hot, red skin, but there was no response. He tried to pull on one arm, but the guy was far too heavy for him to budge. The soft, silky golden hairs slipped liquidly over his paw as he let go, the guy's arm flopping limply onto the grass.

He gently shook Mika's shoulder, and she slowly woke up. She stretched, yawning deeply and smacking her tiny mouth. She seemed comfortable and happy, until her expression slowly slid into confusion, and finally a hard, serious expression as, Sammy guessed, she took in her surroundings and recollected the events of the past two days.

"There's something wrong with the guy," Sammy said, "Dr. Browne thinks it might be because of this place we're in."

"I honestly have no idea what to do," Dr. Browne interjected. "You seem to have some connection with it, I thought perhaps it would respond to you."

Mika slowly got to her feet, stretching, and walked over to the guy's insensate form in the grass. Even all three of them would have trouble dragging the creature any distance.

"Wake up!" Mika said, shaking it's shoulder. There was no response. She walked to its wedge shaped head, lifting it into her lap. It's blank eyes stared forward like a lifeless doll, but Sammy could see its chest rising and falling.

"Wake up!" Mika said again, shaking its head in her hands. There was no response.

"Sammy," Mika shouted, looking over her shoulder at him with tears in her eyes, "What should we do?"

>>353949
ugh. Is there anything nearby you can fashion into a sled? It's way easier to drag someone than to carry them.

>>353949

The three of you try to pull and push him at the same time, see if you can at least make him go through the portal. If not, yeah, try to look for something to use as a sled. I don't see many alternatives here.

We have to get him through the portal. He may be comatose but there's a chance he can still walk, guided. Or we could roll him there. Kindof demeaning but we have to get him out of this place somehow.

Oooh, wait. He's basically asleep, right? Give him some energy drink!

They would have to move the Guy somehow. Sammy tried pulling on its massive arms, and thick, serpentine neck. He pressed himself against its body as he tried futilely to lift it, its soft skin hot to the touch. It was unresponsive - unconscious dead weight. "Come on, help me," Sammy said, struggling. There was nothing in this world from which they could even begin to fashion a sled. Working together, they managed to roll it over. The Guy's limbs flopped awkwardly underneath it, it's neck twisted and blank eyes staring off at nothing.

"this is useless," panted Dr. Browne, "He's far too large and heavy. I know you don't want to hear this, Mika," he began, but Mika cut him off.

"Don't you dare say it," she said, her tiny eyes glistening, "Just shut up right now." She grabbed one of the creature's massive clawed feet, sniffling as she tried to lift its leg over her shoulder.

"You're going to have to face facts," Dr. Browne began, but this time Sammy interjected.

"wait a minute," he said, digging through his bookbag. He sat down in grass that moved without wind, under the mass of writhing clouds overhead. He pulled out one of the energy drinks he'd purchased, and pulled the heavy, wedge-shaped head into his lap. The Guy's shimmery golden mane fell like liquid across his thigh.

Sammy noticed that the vuthoi had slouched back against the tree, his hat shading his eyes. "It's a pretty good plan," he said in his tinny, alien voice, "It'll probably work if you don't choke the thing."

Dr. Browne sat down on the other side of the creature's neck, helping Sammy to pry its mouth open. The fat purple tongue fell limply out between the glistening black teeth, and Sammy could smell that strange spicy odor that he'd first smelt in the train station seemingly ages ago. Mika sat down next to Sammy, laying her paws against the guy's neck. Sammy popped the top on the can with an audible hiss. He heard Mika whisper to herself under her breath "It just has to work. I'm not leaving him."

Sammy slowly dribbled the liquid between the creature's lips, Dr. Browne showing him how to make sure it didn't go down the creature's windpipe. They sat there in the pregnant silence as the seconds ticked by after the can emptied, Sammy feeling the creature's heat and slow breathing as it continued to lay unconscious.

Then, with a start, its head lifted slowly on its serpentine neck, and its claws opened and closed reflexively. A glimmer of life shone in its huge, reflective eyes, and it staggered slowly to its feet.

"We should hurry," Said Dr. Browne. Mika grabbed one of the creature's massive paws in her own and began to walk toward the massive white mountain in the distance. The strange terrain remained unchanged except for the tree with the vuthoi receding into the distance, and the mountain increasingly dominating the landscape. After what Sammy suspected was several hours of travel, the nature of the mountain was unmistakable. He could clearly make out the creature's massive limbs folded against its body - thick hind legs and proportionately smaller, thinner forelimbs. It's skin was wrinkled and loose and paper-white, it ribs and spine clearly outlined against its pale flesh. He could see that the ends of its forelimbs disappeared into the grass, as if pushed down into the earth.

As they continued to walk, it's enormous size filled him with a sense of revulsion and horror. It's smooth, massive head tapered to a proportionally small muzzle and was dominated by two bulbous eyes that were thankfully closed. He could see two nostrils flare open and closed as it breathed. Although they looked like tiny circles, each one was clearly wider than he was tall. The whole creature must have been more than a mile long.

"I don't want to be here anymore," Whispered Mika, "those things on the ground are creeping me out."

Sammy hadn't noticed them, fixated as he was on the bulk of the Sleeping One. Now that Mika had pointed them out, he couldn't look away. They were writhing sacks of pale flesh, liberally scattered across the grass all around. They resembled pillows made of meat, draped in the same loose skin, with an occasional random joint or partial limb protruding from their mass. Their skin bunched and relaxed in random, disturbing ways. The closer they got to the Sleeping One, the more thickly they littered the ground. Sammy was careful to avoid them, but occasionally he would feel something, some tendril or piece of flesh, press mindlessly against his ankle or the back of his leg. He saw The Guy trample one underfoot as it staggered forward. The sack of flesh exploded with a horrid squelch, spraying blood and unrecognizable tissue in a bright red fan. Sammy was worried. The other creatures seemed to writhe more desperately, flailing spastically when their neighbor exploded. Sammy was also worried about The Guy. Its neck seemed to droop, it's eyes flickering closed for a few seconds as it stumbled. A second sack of flesh exploded into a mass of gore under its weight.

Sammy thought he saw The Sleeping One twitch. A third exploded. Sammy was sure he saw the mountain shift. "Run!" Dr. Browne shouted, and no one questioned his wisdom. The Sleeping One increasingly dominated the horizon, more of the horrid sacks of flesh were reduced to bloody paste, and Sammy saw the white light of the gate open near the Sleeping One's muzzle and fell through right as its eyelid parted in a slim line.

For a moment, Sammy didn't understand anything, wasn't aware of his body or his surroundings. He'd seen that sliver of eye - black and wet, infinitely deep, staring into him in a way he could never articulate, could barely comprehend. It was vast, not only massively huge but infinitely alien, and Aware. Aware of him, of everything he thought and felt, and in return he was aware...

Cold water splashed against his face. He felt disoriented, lost. He blinked stupidly, staring around him in confusion. He was on his hands and knees in a few inches of water, Mika and Dr. Browne looming over him with worried expressions. The Guy stood back and to the side, seeming to have regained its composure.

Sammy blinked. The water was cool and crystal clear and cold, and he felt it soaking through his pants and shoes, reviving him somewhat. He could see stars, and bright, colorful galaxies beneath him, mirroring in the boundless void overhead. It gave him a nauseous sense of vertigo. In the distance, he could make out something that resembled a glowing castle, nebulous, as if constructed from rays of golden starlight.

"What happened?" Mika asked, worried.

>>362432
Try not to think about what you just experienced. Say that you saw its eye.

Remain calm and regard your surroundings. Just say that got a glimpse of Its Eye and the next thing you knew you were getting splashed water against your face. Not sure what happened between one thing and the other.

"I remember running, then I saw into Its Eye," Sammy tried not to think about it, but just saying the words brought flashes back to his mind, like his skull was peeled away and that black, liquid eye could stare deeply into him. He had never imagined something so vast, so much more than he was. Its magnitude was how he imagined the presence of God, but it shamed him to even compare that abomination to his Lord. It's gaze was cold, and terrifying and utterly devoid of compassion or understanding. It had not conveyed malevolence, just a horrid alien curiosity and attention. Even now, the fur on his neck tingled as if it were gazing down at him from the inky void overhead.

"I fear I have damned you twice," The guy whispered quietly, its thin gold hair spread in delicate filaments in the water around its feet and tail. "It is a creature beyond comprehension. I felt its presence since we arrived on that world, and slowly its sleeping thoughts drove all reason from my mind." Blood from the sacks of meat the Guy had trampled floated in an inky cloud in the water around it, obscuring the reflection of the strange stars and nebulae that crowded the black sky overhead. "I was barely conscious after you revived me. I have caused this tragedy as well, for I fear it will not easily release its hold on you. When it awoke, it disappeared from my consciousness." The guy glanced sideways at Sammy, its eyes full of sorrow and compassion.

"It's not your fault," Mika said, shivering slightly and taking a tentative step toward the Guy, "It's our fault for not noticing when you started to space out, we shouldn't have..."

Dr. Browne cleared his throat loudly before Mika could continue. "There is nothing we can do now except hope the Well can fix this new problem too." He kneeled down, refilling his canteen. "At least there is water here. I can sense the next gate - it's past the castle and we can avoid it if you'd like. I don't know what's inside of it, but this place isn't obviously dangerous so it might be a good opportunity to rest.

Sammy stood up, the cold quickly beginning to numb his soaking feet, and looked toward the horizon and the castle. The clear, flat mirror of water duplicated the alien sky and the castle itself - a seemingly insubstantial structure that rose from the plane of water - composed entirely of glimmering golden rays of light, marked here and there with white points of illumination. Had it been made of stone, it would have still been a narrow, delicate structure, with tall, thin towers and lofty buttresses like curled fingers.

>>363212
That castle looks super-cool, let's go check it out.

Take a minute to rest, if you need it. Go to the castle but at least check it out from the distance before going in. See if you can see menacing things, like severed heads on spikes at the doors, archers on the walls, stuff like that.

We should play it safe, curiosity isn't worth getting into deeper shit.

This isn't Dungeons and Dragons, Sammy! That game is nothing but the glorification of greed and wrath. We aren't adventurers, hopping from one dungeon to another, looking for loot! We have a very serious and important goal here that we should be focusing on.

There will be likely very many more worlds to come, and like with the warzone world, we might not always get to choose our level of non-involvement. That we get a choice here, let's take it and stay well away. I'm sure they'll be enough danger coming up that we don't need to find any of our own.

Sure there's always the chance that it will be something good without any catches at all, but if it's really so, then surely God will see to it that we don't go astray.

get some rest