"You just have to keep going even life would crush you, reality is really cruel you know?"

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Brooks's P. O. V

I started to run around this mysterious city I was lost in.

Brooks: Where the hell am I? Those creepy dudes brought me here. This is inconvenient. Looks like it's far away from Inkopolis.

Then I remembered something, I need still to run away as fast as I can from that weird place before the Octolings get me and capture me.

So I ran, for quite a long time, I was surprised that my stamina would last that long. But I was gassed out and started panting on the sidewalk.

Brooks: *pants* I... Gotta get back quickly...

Meanwhile at Inkopolis Plaza...

Nikki's P. O. V

For the last two days, me and Cross were searching so hard for Brooks who has disappeared from the Plaza and cannot find him anywhere else. Me and Cross concluded that Brooks was kidnapped by those who texted him that day he disappeared. We could ask some people but that's not an option since Brooks is a human and the Inklings have no idea that humans still exist. We could contact the F. A. O but Cross disagreed with the idea I had. The reason why is the F. A. O, when lost an Agent and asked to find that specific Agent, that would apparently make a huge commotion in Inkopolis Plaza and Square, and other places surrounding it so that's not an option but there's one more option, that we been doing all this time but it hasn't worked and proves that Brooks is kidnapped. Calling his phone...

Nikki: Cross, it has been two days, well almost 3 days since Brooks is missing. Should we just try the phone tactic again?

Cross: That's definitely an option but I don't think we are getting any answers anytime soon.

Nikki: One more time, I feel it now that phone will respond. Brooks or not.

Cross: Alright... Let's get back home and call him.

Nikki: Thanks, Cross!

Cross: Don't thank me, we are finding my bro here. We really can't celebrate yet without him.

Nikki: *sighs* Yeah, you're right. But I miss Brooks already.

Cross: Shouldn't you say "worried"?

Nikki: Yeah, I do. But not that "way".

Cross: Hm...

Nikki: No! Just, let's get back home and try to call him. We are running out of time...

Timeskip to the trio's apartment...

We arrived inside the apartment and the signal of that apartment was really high for some reason that's why we went home so we can call him clearly there. Our apartment has really big perks that come with it.

Cross: Alright. Let's try one more time.  *starts typing Brooks phone number*

Nikki: *silent* ...

Cross's P. O. V

I called Brooks number and after a long while of waiting and suspense, it responded and the first sentence I said was.

Cross: Brooks? You answered! Where are you?

Then someone responded with a tone that I know well.

Brooks's P. O. V

Someone called my phone and it was Cross! Yay, a lifesaver after all this time.

Brooks: Yeah, I am. How are you two right now?

Cross: Where are you?

Then I interrupted.

Brooks: I'm currently trying to find that now. Hold on give me a minute.

Cross: Alright, don't take it slow. Are you in a familiar place right now?

Brooks: I would love to but I don't know where I am.

Cross: The kidnappers put you in an unknown place?

Brooks: Wait, how did you know that I was kidnapped?

Cross: Well, via "Professional Assuming".

2020 A-kun: This.   ↑↑↑

Brooks: Great profession dude. And by the way, is Nikki okay?

Cross: Oh, she's fine. She's actually worried about you.

Brooks: Oh, she is? Tell her that I will calm her down when I come back.

Cross: Alright. How about this then, Brooks.

Brooks: A plan?

Cross: Yeah, I will go contact F. A. O and check on your phone about your whereabouts.

Brooks: Yeah thanks, dude. But make it quick please so I won't waste any more time...

Cross: Okay, I'll call you when I know your whereabouts. Bye for a bit. *hangs up*

Brooks: Alright. *hangs up* *sighs* Really? I gotta wait? That's a hassle.

Then some truck went next to me at the sidewalk.

Brooks: Huh? Oh, no... A truck. *confused*

Then I heard some weird noises... Then the truck has a laser pointed at me. Oh, crap a hostile?! Really? Just now?

Brooks: Gah! *moves out of the laser's way*

And just as I thought It fired, and it exploded. I just wonder who would have tech like this... Oh yeah!

Then an Octoling comes out of the back of the truck to chase and restrain me or something. But that's not gonna happen. Not on my watch. Oh boy, just when I don't need these people.

Brooks: *puts up hood*... *runs*

I ran as fast as I can...  I actually forgot my Ink Tank in the place I was kidnapped in so I didn't have a chance of beating this Octoling Girl in a firefight. And as I expected, all the other Inklings started running and some started to video it, jeez you guys call the Polizei for crying out loud.

Octoling: Come here you scum!

Brooks: No u. U scum. *looks back at the Octoling Girl*

As I looked back, the Octoling Girl had an auto-weapon so that was not fun. And the Octoling just started to bomb the streets with purple ink.

And while I was running into an alleyway said.

Brooks: Look, Octoling. The Inklings have a hard time mopping your mess up. They have to close the road just to freaking clean this crap.

Then the girl just got angrier.

Octoling Girl: Shut your mouth! Now come here!

Brooks: Again, I said no thanks! *jukes her*

I gave her the master jukes by faking to go right I ran up the wall and ran left and she got lost very quickly. And my phone ringed again. Hm? It's Cross now no doubt.

Brooks: *answers* Cross? Are you good now? *while running*

Cross: Yeah, and dude.

Brooks: Yeah? *panting*

Cross: You're talking while running, don't ever do that. You might bump to someone and your identity would be uncovered.

Brooks: Okay, I get it. Gimme a few moments to lose the people who are chasing me...

Cross: Wait, Is that the Octolings?

Brooks: Yep! But gimme just a little bit more time...

After some time later...

I hid at a park in the middle of the forest. The forest was not too thick neither it is too little trees. I saw on a rock podium.

Cross: Okay? Are you good now?

Brooks: Yeah bro. Where the hell am I right now?

Cross: It says here... you're in Old Squid County.

Brooks: It's called "County" but it looks like a city.

Cross: That's what it says ya dingus.

Brooks: I see, I see. But how do I get to Inkopolis?

Cross: It's pretty easy... Just take a bus home. It's a pretty long ride.

Brooks: Just any bus going to Inkopolis?

Cross: Yeah bro, and if I were you, I would run straight to the bus station around there. It's near peak traffic jams on most roads. Probably including that place...

Brooks: *starts running* Yeah, I'll see you back at the Plaza Cross! Bye! *hangs up*

I ran to the bus station near my location of hiding and went into the bus instantly. And by convenience, as soon I took a seat, the bus started to go to Inkopolis Plaza.

After a long bus ride...

I woked up at the sound of the speaker saying that we are here at Inkopolis Plaza... I went out of the bus and it was around the time of 9:00 pm. The lights in Inkopolis Plaza on a normal night are so dark but I managed and went to the walkway going to my apartment.

Cross's P. O. V

Me and Nikki are still awake because of waiting for Brooks to come home from getting kidnapped and I'm glad he came back alive and atleast well. And someone knocked on our door.

Cross: I think that's him now. Nikki, open the door.

Nikki: Really?*opens the door*

And lo and behold, It was Brooks at the door alive with his backpack and he's almost unscathed.

Brooks: What's u- *gets tackled*

Nikki: Why did you let yourself get kidnapped you idiot?! *hugging Brooks*

Brooks: Um...Sorry?

Cross: Very good.

Brooks: And Cross.

Cross: Huh? What is it now?

Brooks: The people who "kidnapped" me. I got their names...

Cross: Good! Now, who is it?

Brooks: First is Michael.

When I looked at Nikki, she trembled at the words he said.

Brooks: The other was named Carl...

She trembled even more...

Brooks: And the leader was named Cristovelle.

She just trembled so hard that she went to the ground shaking in fear...

Brooks: What's the matter, Nikki? Are those people I mentioned are relevant to you?

Nikki: The truth is, they are the group that almost killed all of my friends.

Brooks & Cross: WHAT?! *shocked*

And that was a shocking revelation I just heard. So those people were the cause of Nikki's suffering?  No wonder Inkopolis is in great danger. And I hadn't shown them the "Gun" I found. So that's another revelation to have later but that experience from earlier this morning till now, I think that is "Made For The Strong-Hearted".

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Word Count: 1598 Words.

7:17 PM
7/5/20