MCYT RANDOMNESS 2

Involuntary Exile pt 4

GoodTimeWithScar whispered to you: jingle

A cold dread fills me as I see the message on my communicator. I glance at Joe and Jevin, playing TCG below, Cleo insulting both, Ren half-asleep next to me. My heartbeat is too loud and fast, as I take a deep breath and speak.

‘We have a problem.’

‘Yeah? What's up man?’ Ren glances over.

‘What kind of problem?’ Joe frowns.

‘Scar just sent a codeword saying that the Permit Office is incredibly dangerous, and we need to tell Xisuma, and hide before they hurt us.’

‘Dangerous? In what way?’ Jevin asks, clearly nervous.

‘I don't know specifics, but they’ve already intentionally kept Scar in a death loop outside the world border.’

‘What?’ Cleo turns to me, eyes flashing with vengeance.

‘They hurt Scar? What the heck dude?!’

‘Cub and Grian hurt Scar.’ adds Jevin. ‘This is… oh my god… I need to tell No-Poe about this… Cub has turned against Scar.’

‘From what Scar was saying, Cub’s being- like- possessed? Or something out of his…’ My communicator buzzes.

Grian whispered to you: PO meeting

‘Oh fuck I’ve been summoned for a meeting… what do I do? Scar told me to hide if he sent that message, but they hurt him before. When I wasn’t there. I need to go and protect him.’

‘Agreed. Ren, go tell Xisuma we’ve got trouble with the Permit Office…’ Joe turns to Ren. With a nod, he darts off. ‘Skizz, what was the codeword he gave you?’

‘Jingle?’

‘Ok… this is really bad…’

‘You know that codeword?’

Grian whispered to you: NOW

‘I’s complicated, but vex are involved and Cub’s not doing this intentionally…’ is Cleo’a explanation, stepping over, looking me in the eyes. ‘Ok, Skizz, go to the meeting, and spy for us. Stay on call with me the whole time, so we know what’s going on and can get you out if it’s dangerous. Ren’s telling Xisuma. Jevin, you hide and don't come out until this is all over. Joe, stay with me.’

‘I can do that,’ I say. Cleo nods.

‘Good. Now don’t die, and don’t get exiled. We will do everything we can to keep everyone safe. Ok?’

‘Ok.’

I feel like my heart would win a drumming record with how fast it’s beating as I reach Cub’s office. I managed to call Cleo. She can help if it goes wrong. Hopefully.

‘I am so, so sorry I’m late, Rubba-dub Cub… I was halfway through Hungry Hermits and just wasn’t checking my communicator…’ I explain.

‘You will be on time in future, Skizz. The higher-ups don’t appreciate lateness,’ Cub replies, colder than usual. ‘Scar, shuffle over so Skizz has space to sit.’ He does, despite the haunted look in his eyes, his arm hugged close to his chest. My concern turns to utter horror as I realise it's covered in bloody bandages.

‘Alright, now that everyone is here and in position, we can actually start… Skizz, the higher ups won’t be happy with your time wasting.’

‘I’m sorry, Manager Cub. I will do better in future.’

‘Now, our work over in the exile area has been very successful, so our attention will turn to exiling other hermits. We will create a list of disobedient hermits to banish… traitors, No-Poe, anyone who doesn't give up their permits. We start with Jevin. And then-’