Meanwhile, the group of eight — well, six currently, because Kasai was still gone and Sasha was still trapped — were in the forest again.  Cory was especially anxious.

"Kasai's been gone for a long time...do you guys think she's okay?"

"Cory, we can worry about your girlfriend later.  Right now, we have more important issues on our hands." Flash muttered.

"Flash, he's right, y'know!" Zakk protested, elbowing Flash, which caused her to flinch.  

"Ow!"

The others stared at her.  "...what?" she said defensively, holding her arm.

"Are you okay?" Zakk asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, guys!" Flash protested, taking a small step back.

"Yeah, you're clearly not.  Zakk didn't even hit you that hard!" Katie said, her tails wagging slowly.  Her head was cocked to the side.

"Katie's right.  Somethin' botherin' ya?" Streak asked, putting his arm around Katie, which made her yip happily.

"I...n-no, I'm fine!" Flash repeated.  "Nothing's bothering me!  Why would it be?"

Doug gave a low growl.  "Lies."

"NOT lies!  I'm telling the truth!"

"Flash, please, tell me what's wrong.  I didn't mean to hurt you." Zakk said gently.

Flash hid a blush.  "N...nothing's wrong...you didn't hurt me!  I'm fine!  Everything's fine..."

She hid a flinch as one of her migraines sparked up again.  She often got migraines from her parents beating her over the head.

"I-I-I should go..."  She turned to leave, but Zakk gently grabbed her wrist.

"Flash.  I need you to tell me the truth.  We're all worried about you."

Tears filled Flash's eyes as she surveyed her friends.  Sure enough, they all looked concerned.  She finally sighed.

"I...I never wanted to tell anyone, but...my...my parents aren't just strict.  They...they actually abuse me."

The group froze.  Katie gave a startled yelp, followed by a quiet whine.

"Abuse you!?  As in hit you and stuff?"

"...it's worse.  Way worse."

"But...you don't look hurt." Cory pointed out.

"Because I hide it so you guys don't question me."

"Flash..." Zakk said gently.  "You should've told us.  We could've helped you."

Flash looked away sadly.

"... but really, I should go.  I...I have things to do at home.  See ya, guys."

She sadly started walking off.

"I hope she'll be okay..." Katie whined.

"I'm sure she will.  Flash is tough.  If she dealt with all that on her own, I'm sure she'll be fine." Streak muttered.

"But why wouldn't she tell us?  We're her friends...right?" Cory muttered.  Doug just put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

Zakk just watched Flash go before hesitantly following.

"Flash?  Flash, I'm sorry, I-"

"Just leave me alone, Zakk." Flash muttered.  "I'm not in the mood."

Zakk hesitated for a moment.  "It's gonna be okay.  I promise." he said, wrapping his arms around her in a hug.  "Everything's gonna be okay.  Kasai's gonna find Fuego and come home, we're gonna free Sasha, and we're gonna find Snow so we can end this blizzard.  Okay?"

Flash glanced at him and sighed.  "..okay."

Zakk smiled slightly.  "See ya." he muttered, racing back to join the group.  Flash gave a small smile before resuming her walk home.