[It wasn’t easy to see in this case, but one could glean from the tone in Hershel’s telepathized voice that he wore a smug grin on his face.]

(You’re so insistent on telling me how I should feel about all of this. Did Ma never teach you any manners?

And by the way, you may not want to communicate this way in front of your associates, unless you want them to think you’re a complete lunatic.)

[His thoughts once again wander to his best friend, and how they’ll certainly reunite when this nightmare is over. Randall’s presence often gave Hershel the courage to backtalk, and he decides to use this to his advantage. He wasn’t going to let this man intimidate him further.]

[So, this is it… Unless by some miracle someone were to come by them and rescue him, Hershel had no chance of escape before they’re taken god only knows how far away from Stansbury. His heart sinks into his stomach at the realization, and he’s desperately trying to steady his panicked breathing.]

(I’ve heard Randall mention it once or twice in passing, but no, I have no idea what it is. Randall seems to have a pretty negative opinion of it. Is it a person? Maybe a group or a place?)

[Hershel raises an eyebrow in confusion. What on earth are they doing at Norwell? If Randall was able to decipher it using the scrawlings on the inside of the Mask of Chaos, what good is it to be here without it? Hershel’s attention gradually shifts to the silhouette of something behind a tree.]

[Hershel blinks away some of the tears that had formed in his eyes. He sighs, taking in as much of his surroundings as he can with his limited movement.]

(…If you’re not going to let me go, can you at least tell me where you’re taking me?)

[Bronev’s promise to discard Randall’s body made Hershel’s face crumple up in anguish, his disembodied voice now frantic and distressed.]

(You can’t do that! Randall may be an otherworldly shambling husk of his former self, but he’s still my best friend! And by extension, he’s YOUR best friend!)

(I can’t drink nor can I drive. I CAN’T MOVE, RANDALL.)

[The boy is weary, having already spent most of his energy and adrenaline trying to previously escape. Despite this, he still can’t help but occasionally try to wiggle his way out of Theodore’s grasp.]

[Hershel has been hesitant to use telepathy, but the cat is well out of the bag at this point. So he speaks, not with his mouth, but with his mind, his voice sounding perfectly clear.]

(…Excuse me. You’re going to regret this, you know. Things will only become much worse now that you’ve upset him.)

[A stifled scream escapes Hershel’s mouth before he’s ripped from his hiding spot and swiftly silenced. He can’t communicate much beyond muffled protests and fruitless writhing, so he instead opts to call out via telepathy.]

(Randall! Please, do something!)

[Hershel has been hesitant to start making noise out of fear of endangering his parents, but he feels he has no other choice.]

MA! PA! SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP ME!

[He then glances around him, as if looking for someone.]

…RANDALL! RANDALL!!

[His right hand begins to glow, and a bit of teal glimmers in his right eye. It looks as though he’s trying to fire some kind of warning shot, but it only comes out as a few measly sparks from his hand, and he groans in frustration at his dwindling options to protect himself.]

[Hershel bares his teeth at the intruder and retreats further beneath the bed, as far back as he can go (which isn’t very far back at all…)]

Stay back! I’m warning you!

(That’s very thoughtful of you, but I still feel like I’m going to be sick.)

(I don’t like the texture of beans, Randall. Forgive me.)

(NO, I DON’T, RANDALL. I FEEL LIKE I’M GOING TO THROW UP.)

(RANDALL.)

Randall I swear to god if you don’t eat that Crunchwrap Supreme QUIETLY

(Uno?? Randall, there’s no way he wouldn’t hear us playing card games under my bed.)

[Images flash across his mind. The pitch-black outdoors. Fragments of Randall’s face. The darkness of the hallway.]

(…Randall? What’s going on?)

[If he wasn’t in the doorway, surely he hadn’t seen him, right?… Hershel tries to steady his breathing, soothing himself from the thought of Randall’s physical presence beside him.]

(He’ll just think he heard the sound of my parents. It’ll be fine, it’ll be okay…)

[The door creaking was enough to make Hershel’s heart drop into his stomach. He abandons his tea and scrambles to the floor, taking refuge behind the covers beneath his bed.

(No, no, no, no! Randall, I think he’s inside my house!)

[Despite this, Hershel finds a still somewhat warm kettle of water sitting on the stovetop, seemingly left behind by his Ma. He breathes a comforted sigh of relief, pouring himself a cup, taking it to his room and placing it on the desk by his window to let it steep for a few minutes.]

(Randall?…)

[The boy shuts the door behind him, and, for the first time in a long while, fully locks and bolts it for good measure. He takes a full minute to catch his breath and gain his bearings. Judging by the low lights, it would appear his parents had already gone to bed.]

[Hershel can only run for absolute dear life as he clutches his journal close to his chest. The rush of adrenaline shooting through his veins manages to carry him out of the forest, through the quiet town streets, past Memory Knoll, and eventually down the road to the safety of his home.]

[It takes him a moment to regain his footing, but Hershel quickly manages to recover and dash off in the other direction, down the winding road and toward the entrance of the forest at the edge of town.]

(Randall! RANDALL! I think he’s trying to take me away like they tried to take my Pa!)

[Hershel grits his teeth in frustration, refusing to acknowledge the fact that he very obviously just used telekinesis in front of the man.] Th-that’s none of your business! I don’t need your help, really!

[He takes another step backward, stumbling on the massive snake tail behind him.]

[As Hershel leans down to pick up the book with his right hand, it appears to move on its own, shaking for a brief moment before lifting off the ground and moving into his hand. He clearly hadn't intended to do that based on the shocked expression on his face]

(Wh-what in the-?!)