MCYT RANDOMNESS 2

Glitched out pt2

PoV: Joel

‘Right, we need to do a register,’ is the first thing Xisuma says as we gather in the emergency world. Everyone’s on edge - Grian’s shouting at Scar for wasting 30 seconds grabbing a box of supplies. Ren’s shaking, hugging close to Doc. I’m with Etho, both of us hiding our terror. But everyone falls silent at Xisuma’s words. ‘Bdubs?’

Silence.

‘Has anyone seen Bdubs?’ Xisuma repeats, louder. ‘Or know where he was?’

‘He was in Frogger,’ Jevin replies. ‘There were Frogger death messages.’

‘You can only leave Frogger through dying,’ Cub adds. Next to me, Etho’s growing paler and paler. I take his hand. ‘He might be stuck here.’

‘Shit. Ok. Me and Etho will head back for him… Etho, is there another way into frogger without dying?’

‘Through the redstone,’ he mumbles back. ‘It’s hidden.’

‘Great, right, grab gloves and a helmet from that shulker, read through the warnings of glitched worlds while I continue the register… Cubfan?’

I join Etho as he grabs the stuff he needs, unnerved by his distress.

‘He’ll be ok, right? You just get in, find him…’

‘Glitched worlds are dangerous. He could already be hurt, permadead, glitched out…’ his hands shake.

‘But… that’s really unlikely? Is it unlikely?’

Etho shakes his head.

‘...Joel?’

‘Yep!’ I call over.

‘This is all my fault, Joel. I got him trapped there. I didn't think about the world glitching out.’

‘Etho, it’ll be… do you want a hug?’

He nods, and we hug.

‘Thanks.’ He mumbles. I feel him still fidgeting with his gloves until X calls us back to attention.

‘Right, now Wels, Zed, you find Elex and get him here. Joe, Grian, you're in charge. Doc, be ready to help Bdubs. And no one leave this area or put yourself in danger. Tango, False, Scar, Cubfan, especially you. There may be vex hunters… Etho, ready to go?’

‘Uhh… I think so?’ Etho replies.

‘Just, cover your communicator.’

‘My communicator?’

‘If your communicator glitched, it’ll be very, very bad…’ Xisuma pulls the gloves Etho’s donned over his communicator. ‘There. That should be everything. Let’s go.’

‘See you soon, Etho. Love you. All the neck kisses in the world.’ I struggle to find something reassuring to say. Etho still smiles back, before donning his helmet.’

‘Thanks, Joel. Bye.’

And they leave, back through the portal. Joe’s calling instructions but I just stand there until Grian steps over.

‘Are you alright?’

‘I’m worried about Etho. I don't know how glitched worlds work. I don't know if they’ll be safe.’

‘Xisuma knows how to handle it,’ Grian assures. ‘Now-’

‘HELP!’

Attention turns to Skizz’s scream. And then to Impulse, paralysed, glitching. Doc’s over in seconds, forcing Skizz away.