Simon's POV
Once I got far enough from anybody that could hear, I let the antenna from my head extend. If I can link to 27, she might be able to help me with my problem.

Good news. She picked up right away.

"14, hello." She said, emotionlessly.

"Hey, 27. We might have a problem. She got marked by a witch." I said, as I saw her eyes glow a little.

"But, 1-14! You need–we don't–"

"I know." I said, expecting her response to be precisely like this.

"Well, let's see where you are and maybe I can-" she started to say, as she went on her computer and typed in something, but then stopped.

"Him... 14? There is a strong Chaos force nearby. Somewhere in the west." She said, her eyes glowing. She seemed a little concerned.

"How do yo-"

"Oh my sprites... 14, you have to get out of there. It's one of them. And it wasn't sent down by us. Go, while I'll stay online." She said, as I turned off my projection, keeping my audio on. Then I started to run as fast as my feet could take me.

I can't feel my boss, but mainly, I can't fail Ells. She is the only reason that I keep going with life I have now. She is the only reason...

I raced back to where the group was, and stopped in my tracks.

Astrid had crawled over, and managed to snuggle right next to Ells. His hands were around Ells' waist. Ells and Astrid's hair was already messy, but, in a good sleeping kind of way.

It looked kind of... cute...

"14! Why aren't you responding? Are you dead?!" 27 said, almost as if she was yelling at me.

"Oh! Uhh... right! Sorry!" I said, as I went and shook everyone awake.

Ells' POV
I was shaken awake, as I saw everyone rapidly racing to pack our stuff away. They all had panic written on their faces.

"What's going on? What's with all the rush?" I asked, rubbing my sleepy eyes, my hair a mess.

Simon was just about to open his mouth, but something broke through the forest trees. I darted around to see what I was looking for. It had big shadow-like claws, a pitch black body, and huge, blazing angry eyes.

"Chaos monster." I said, answering my own question.

"Grab the stuff you packed, at least rest behind! Let's go, go, go!" Simon shouted, as we ran as fast as possible away from the Chaos monster. But, it was chasing closely behind us, getting closer and closer with each footstep.

Then, I stopped. This problem won't disappear unless we face it ourselves.

"Ells, what are you doing?! Get away from that thing!" Simon screamed, but I didn't listen. I needed to focus. Not on the big shadowy monster, but on my magic. On me.

I closed my eyes, and began to focus on my magic, all sound slowly fading away.