The forest was dark and cold as the sun dipped below the horizon. Barely enough light to see, and one could even see their own breath. If there was enough light. It wasn't quite frigid, however it was uncomfortable cold. Especially if you don't have a source of heat, or a jacket. Like Taco.
She was sitting on the stump. Seemingly frustrated at the cold. She rubbed the side of her arms, she was trying not to shiver. But something like that was inevitable. She groaned in frustration, before attempting at making a fire.
Piling up a couple sticks, before she grabbed one and placing it straight up and down on the largest stick in the pile. The placing her two hands beside each other with the stick in between and made it spin really quickly, trying to create enough friction to generate heat, or even better. A spark. It took a few tries, but eventually the wood started to smoke, she blew at the smoking piece of wood, and it began to flare up into a fire. Thank god...
She sighed and leaned back on the stump. "God... it's so fucking annoying..." she spoke in a low tone of voice, clearly frustrated, uncomfortable, and upset. She looked to the side at Mic's Diary. She had left it here, even after thier fight. Mic didn't bother to take it back. Taco sighed, and looked back towards the fire. She couldn't help but feel terrible. She finally managed to make a friend, and she messed it up. How could she do that? She felt like an idiot, before lightly hitting herself in the head. No, she can't think like that. She couldn't AFFORD to think like that. After all, there's a new 'kill on sight rule' after OJ spotted her near the hotel. And Mephone deleted Taco from the revival logs a WHILE ago. If she were to keep thinking like this, she could be killed.
But she couldn't help but think about it. How she believed Mic hated her now, maybe she should try talking to her? No... this fire is risky enough as is. If she were to actually attempt to sneak into hotel OJ? It's like asking to be killed. She's done it before. But she had Mic to back her up then. Now, she was certain everyone wanted her dead.
"I... ugh... I can't believe this... I'm stuck in this DAMN BLOODY STUPID FOREST! with NOTHING! UGH!" Taco stood up with frustration, and kicked a pebble across the ground. It hit the tree making a small tap as it hit the ground below. "I shouldn't have been so RECKLESS! I—." Taco cuts herself off before quieting down. "I shouldn't have pushed her that far... Ugh! I'm so horrible..." She mumbled, placing both her hands over her eyes, sitting back down.
Taco hadn't noticed this, but not to far away Mic was watching. She was quiet as to not alert Taco of her presence, because she was a bit jumpy, and still had her gun... Mic didn't really want to be shot. I mean, who DOES? However she is still mad at Taco, but wants to talk with her again. She nearly takes a step forward, but decides against this. She's not ready to stop being mad yet. Though, she does feel bad too. Especially because Taco ACTUALLY did want to be better. Mic could tell, Taco felt horrible for what she did. And for what it's worth, Mic also kind of missed talking with her.
However, it was getting late. Mic needed to get back, and that she did. Creeping away before running back to the hotel. Though she stopped running about the half way mark, and placed her hands inside the pockets of the sweater she was wearing. She mumbled things to herself. "Why did I even have to go there in the first place...? Now I just feel even worse... Ugh..." Mic was walking rather slowly now. Being a safe distance away to have a valid excuse for being outside. At least, a safe distance away that there's no possible way for Taco to be drawn into this.
There was enough light here to see. It was about sunset, so the forest was dark, but the open field and the path through it wasn't. She shuffled closer to the hotel, it was now in view. But she also saw Lightbulb rush out, and run behind the building. Mic was curious to what she was doing, but didn't want to investigate herself. She wasn't that kind of person.
She approached the doors, pushing it open. To be greeted by OJ, who turned to her. "Hey Mic. You were out pretty long." He commented. Picking up some paperwork, and putting it in the bag he had.
"O—Oh, Heh. Yeah... Just on a walk!" She replied cheerfully, as to hide her mood. OJ looked at her for a moment, his face shifted to concern. Before starting to walk over to mic directly.
"Is something up? Ever since the last episode where you eliminated yourself, you've been acting... Strange." He asked curiously, genuinely wanting to know if she was alright. He tried to put his hand on her shoulder and speak. "Y'know if you wanna talk to anyone I—." He was cut off by Mic shoving his hand away.
"N-no... No I'm fine. I just. Haven't felt like myself lately." She muttered nervously. Her voice slightly colder then before. OJ seemed worried for a second. Before his face quickly turned to panic.
"Oh— Shit! I forgot...!" OJ yelled before rushing off down the hallway, taking a sharp turn in the process. Mic thought it was something about her, but he didn't come back. She assumed that he remembered something that he forgot to do earlier. and made her way towards the stairs.
She walked up them, still lost in her own world. Feeling horrible about recent events, and regretful about older ones. If she could've said or done something else... Would things be different? Would things be better? Mic now understood why Taco wanted to have 'Another chance'. Another chance to fix things... To make things right. But that's just wishful thinking. This was real life. And that option was lost a long time ago.
Mic eventually reached her room. She walked in, shutting the door behind her. There was a small Click in response. She flipped face first onto the bed. Feeling even worse now. She'd cry but, she felt like she didn't DESERVE to cry. So she just pouted instead. Not having much else to do.
She didn't even notice dinner being called. She was usually out longer then this, so she didn't even know the hotel served meals other then breakfast. It didn't matter though. She wasn't hungry anyway. The anxiety inside her was making her feel nauseous. Therefore, she didn't want to eat.
She didn't have anything else to do, but sleep. And that's exactly what she did.
———
Taco swore she heard something in the bushes behind her. She felt a bit hypocritical for being nervous by it. But she searched around anyway. There wasn't anyone. That was a relief. Taco sighed and put her gun away. Thankfully, nobody was here to kill her. She walked back to the stump. Watching the fire crackle and flicker. Taco then threw pinecones into the fire out of sheer boredom. The fire burning hotter and brighter for a few seconds in response.
"I hate this... why did I have to DO that?!" She thinks out loud again. She can't even write letters to Mic without getting her in trouble. What was she SUPPOSED to do? She hated feeling so... Powerless. Maybe it was best to just forget. Pretend it never happened, so Mic doesn't get punished for her own mistakes. After all, the punishment didn't belong to Mic. So it wouldn't be fair. Wait, fair? Did she actually just think about being 'fair'? Jeez... she really was changing. Not even on purpose. It was weird.
She had a thought about something, but immediately scrapped it. Everyone may want her dead, but doing that...? It's just incredibly selfish at this point. And besides... It would do more harm then good. She didn't have a proper reason. And it made her worried. Thinking that she subconsciously wanted to make Mic feel bad for fighting with her. by doing something like that. It... wasn't helping her anxiety. She pushed that idea deep below the surface. It wasn't like her. She wouldn't do it. She just... Can't.
Then, she heard talking. Close too. Who WAS that? Taco got up, immediately stomping on the fire until it went out. And hid in the bush. She then quickly realized that it wasn't talking, it was shouting. Someone was calling for Lightbulb. Taco recognizes the voice as it gets closer.
"LIGHTBULB?" Paint brush called out, their hands cupped around their mouth to project their voice. Why we're they looking HERE? In the forest? She hadn't seen Lightbulb come through here. Is this some stupid game of hide and seek? How annoying...
Paintbrush paused for a moment, and glanced around before shouting again. "LIIIGHTBULB?!" They we're pretty loud. Taco rolled her eyes, though froze the next time they shouted. "LIGHTBULB!!!" They shout once again, but this time they sounded notably pained, and worried. Taco flinched. It wasn't some stupid game? We're they actually looking for LightBulb as if she was... Missing? Taco was worried Paintbrush was going to see her. But that quickly faded because Paintbrush started walking towards the edge of the forest again, probably not wanting to get lost.
"LIGHTBULB!" They shouted again. But only to be met with no response. Paintbrush sighed, walking out of view while rubbing their arm nervously. Taco waited a moment, before deciding it was safe to emerge from the bushes.
"What the hell was their problem...?" She muttered in a low voice. Slightly annoyed she had to restart the fire. And that she was cold again, then again... It was better then being dead. So I suppose it didn't bother her too much. "I wonder where Lightbulb even went. Clearly she's missing. Hmm... Perhaps she's lost? Mm, no... she wouldn't stray too far from the hotel. She never has... Then again I AM talking about the one that got lost in the fabrics of time and space." She slightly laughed at that last part, before returning to a more serious tone again. "Whatever... It's not my problem anyway..." She sighed. And started grabbing more fire wood.
Once she had the fire going again, she laid next to it. As if trying to rest. She'd usually sleep in the bushes, but it's too far from the fire, and was WAY to cold. But she was a light sleeper anyway. It was probably fine. Taco shut her eyes and began to drift off.
———
Lightbulb opened her eyes to a concrete room. It was dimly lit by a small light above that seemed pretty old. It was making a quiet buzzing noise as well. The room was pretty small, but had a small bed on the floor in the corner of the room. She was still pretty drowsy, and could barely comprehend what was going on, but she managed to sit up. And rub her eyes slightly.
What was she doing here...? How long has she been out? Something was wrong. Very wrong. But she can't remember what. All she could remember was playing with Baxter, then leaving... To do something. What was she doing? She doesn't remember at all. This doesn't make any sense!
"H—Hello...?" She half yelled, her voice tired and pretty quiet. She only realized that she was shaking when she looked down at her hands. Was she really that scared? She felt like there was a reason to. But why? "Is anyone there...?" She spoke, slightly louder this time. But still got no reply. The empty room had a slight echo though. I suppose that is somewhat entertaining.
Lightbulb eventually managed to stand. She looked at the door of the room. It looked oddly Tech-y. She walked up to it, and tried to open the door. Nothing, it didn't open. Why wasn't it opening? So many questions kept ringing through her head. She was starting to get a headache from it all. Which isn't normal, especially for her.
She was about to give up on the door when there was a small beep, and the door opened. It was Test Tube...! Wait. She's starting to remember... Test Tube got her to drink some sort of chemical and made her pass out— Why?! She looked at the other object with mixed feelings of anxiety, surprise, and fear. Not knowing what she should feel. "T—Test Tube! My Pal! Hehaha...! W-Why am I here...?" Lightbulb forced a nervous smile, and nervously did small finger guns.
Test Tube didn't respond, instead she yanked Lightbulb forward. Then grabbed her wrist, and took out what seemed to be a bracelet that clipped on. It didn't look comfortable to wear, considering there were spikes on the inside... Lightbulb panicked, and tried to pull out of Test Tube's grasp. "H—Hey! What are you doing—?!"
Test Tube placed the bracelet on, before roughly clicking it on. The spikes immediately pierced her arm, and Lightbulb could have sworn the scream that followed cracked her. "AAAGH! OW OW! WH—WHY?!" Lightbulb yelped, falling backwards, Test Tube had let go of her. Lightbulb's low pain tolerance wasn't helping. Test Tube stared at her for a moment a sigh then followed.
"Do you know why you're here?" Test Tube asked, standing near the doorway. She also tapped her foot in an impatient manner.
"N—no!" Lightbulb replied. She had been terrified, and cautiously looked up at the green vial.
"Alright... Well. The first experiment is in an hour anyway. I'm sure you'll see then." Test Tube turned her back to Lightbulb and shut the door.
Lightbulb immediately ran towards it trying to open the door. But it once again wouldn't budge. She banged on it with her fist. And called out to Test Tube. But was met with no response. Lightbulb began to tear up. And stumbled back in disbelief.
She then as quickly as she stood, collapsed onto her knees, curled up into a ball. And cried.
———