Chloe listened quietly to their demands then stood. "No. I'm going to get Ca-"
The twins snapped and they were all suddenly in unreality.
Nico crossed his arms and nodded to a portal. "See that? That connects your dimension to unreality... And if you don't cooperate, we'll collapse it."
Nikki nodded in agreement. "We will. In fact, she should anyway... It's what Ambros wanted. But dad, Aria, and Al would just get mad anyways... So, cooperate or we'll have to destroy it. Do you understand?"
"I...I can't hurt her," Chloe frowned. "I can't leave the kids-"
"If you don't, the entire dimension will collapse thanks to you. Your choice," Nico stated.
Chloe teared up. "Okay... I'll help you with your plan... But only because I'm protecting Cadia from something worse..."
"Good... Was thst so hard?" Nikki asked, patting her head.
Chloe frowned. "Grace will find me."
Nikki and Nico exchanged a look and laughed. "No one's going to find you where we're going."
- - - - -
After a tearful goodbye, Chloe watched in defeat as the illusion played out. Her eyes were full of tears as she watched, but she didn't get to watch long. Nikki appeared and took her off to a hidden location, tossing her in a room and locking the door.
"Thanks for the performance... It worked wonders, kid," Nikki stated. "Oh, and don't bother calling for help. No one can hear you."
She walked out.
Chloe wiped away her tears and tried to escape. Everytime she tried, the energy field pushed her back with a slight shock. She tried a few times before sitting on the ground and letting out a sob. She couldn't do anything... For the first time since she was young, Chloe felt helpless. All she could do was hope she was found...
- - - - -
Chloe had lost count by now. Days had surely passed by now, right? But how many? How was Cadia? How was Soren, Clem, Hayes, Sadia? How was Amory? Grace? Even Ender and Nate? If she knew Arcadia, she knew the pain she must be feeling... It mirrored Chloe's own pain, she was sure. Chloe wasn't sure if it would be better to be able to see her and be unable to talk to her or if it was better to not know. Either one would break her... She wondered how the kids were doing... She had some concerns about John, but she never had time to do anything about them since the Mythos twins had shown up and wrecked her life.
Chloe had noticed she hadn't felt hungry, thirsty, or even tired at all since she came here. She would occasionally toss and turn, but she couldn't sleep. It didn't bother her for whatever reason, but it made time pass even slower. She had no clue how long it had been... She couldn't hear anyone, and as Nikki had so kindly told her, no one would hear her.
Chloe sighed and closed her eyes. When she heard Sadia describe unreality... Well, Sadia's description didn't do it justice. She felt uneasy...as if she didn't belong here. She desperately wanted to leave, but she was powerless here. Not only powerless, but no amount of clever thinking could change the fact that she was trapped so thoroughly...
- - - - -
Maze sighed. The twins had apparently been up to no good... He was checking their hideouts when he noticed a girl lying on the floor and staring at the ceiling, humming quietly. Hearing the twins come back, he quickly left.
Reviewing his mental image, he finally recognized her... That was Chloe Prince. Maze remembered her now. That was girl Sadia entrusted some of her abilities... There was only one thing to do now. He needed backup... With Grace and Zeus, they might actually be able to save her from the twins.
- - - - -
After the fight ended, the three Mythos shattered the energy barrier.
Chloe sat up and glanced over. She hesitated then stood.
Grace burst in and hugged her tightly. "Chloe, you're okay, right?"
Chloe blinked and hugged back hesitantly. "Grace...I...yes..."
It was Chloe's first hug in a long time... She was loving it.
"Let's get you home," Grace smiled, pulling away and offering her a hand.
Chloe smiled and took her hand. "Thank you..."
"Of course. I only regret I didn't know you were here sooner..." Grace said, teleporting them back.
Chloe's eyes widened then she glanced at Grace, tearing up and beaming. "Thank you so much... I have to go see Cadia."
Grace smiled. "I figured as much. Have fun!"
Chloe hugged her tightly then disappeared.
Grace smiled for a moment then yawned, shuffling off. She was exhausted... That was some fight.
