21: Are you okay, Twe-

9: Leave him alone, Twenty-One.

21: 😕

9: So... What do you think we should do?

21: It's either you or him.

9: UHHHHHHH... No no no... Let him do it...

21: Hm... Stay here.

They hear another whine from 26.
21 goes to 26 and sits beside him.

21: Are you okay, Twenty-Six?

26: *sniffs* No!

26's voice was cracking, he could barely speak properly.

26: W-whenever I try to h-help or say s-something... Nine j-just shuts m-me up... I-I didn't do a-anything wrong.. did I?

21: Oh dear... Well, you actually did do many things... And there's a reason why it's specifically Nine who's mad at you.

26: W-why?

21: Well, when the hunters were here, they bought you in case of keeping Nine from dying or getting killed, and after Eighteen knocked you out, it looks like you forgot everything that happened before.. And you're probably the reason why Fifteen is in this situation...

26: Wh-what did I do to get this?

21: You said you'd stay back, but instead, you left her and came to the others to kill Sofia.

26: I... I did... D-does that make me a b-bad friend?

21: We can't tell, Twenty-Six...

26: H-how can I make up f-for this m-mistake?

21: Help us by doing what we tell you.

26: But Nine doesn't-

21: Who cares about what Nine says? It's about you, Twenty-Six! You're the only one who can rescue my child!

26: O-okay... I'll try...

21: No. Don't try it. Do it. I believe in you, Twenty-Six.

26: Thank you, Twenty-One. *hugs 21*

21: Y-you're welcome. 😳

21 and 26 go back to where 9 is.
21 nods at 26, as 26 goes to 15, and starts the process.
9 just gave 21 a blank stare and glare.

9: What have you done?

21: I got him out of his comfort zone.

9: Really? *raises his eyebrow*

21: It's not as if you could do better, anyways.

9: And I took that VERY personally.

21: Does it look like I care?

9: Can we not?

21: 🙄

After nearly an hour, Twenty-Six looked up at Twenty-One in a worried manner.

26: She's not getting up!

21: This has taken too long... She should be awake by now... Its supposed to take 30-45 minutes...

26: What if she's dead....?

21: NO NO NO!! We can't give up!! Even if this takes all day, she's gotta wake up!! 😢

9: Do what you need to do. I'm gonna go check on the others and help out whoever REALLY needs it.

21: You're not helping, Nine.

9: Does it look like I care?

21: YOU-

26: Calm down, Twenty-One..

21: Hmph! 😤

9 leaves the shed as 26 continues the process.

21: I'm so sorry, Twenty-Six... I'd rather be killed instead of her... I guess me and her.. are.. too much for each other...

26 lets out an exhausted sigh and stands up.

26: Don't worry, Twenty-One. I'm sure she knows that she's a hero to everyone. Whether she's alive or not.. she saved all of us.

21: Y-you're r-right...

They both suddenly hear a cough. They weren't sure of where it came from.

21 & 26: Did you cough? No, I didn't.

21: Oh?

26: Uh...

21: Oh.

26: .....

21: OH!! LOOK BEHIND YOU!!

26 looks behind him to see 15 struggling to sit down. Both of their eyes lit up from happiness like a fire in a forest. 21 helps 15 to sit down and looks into her eyes.

21: Fifteen, you're alive! *hugs 15*

15: Wh...

21: *still hugging her* You don't need to say anything, I can see it all in you. You've had enough trouble for an entire year. Let's go back home, shall we?

15 nods, even though she has no idea what 21 just said.
26 helps 21 to take 15 back to 21's house. They go inside and 21 puts the sleeping 15 on her (21's) bed. 21 looks down at 26 and starts crying from happiness. 26 smirks.

21: Thank you so much, Twenty-Six! I don't know what I'll do without you!! *hugs 26*

26: I don't either.

21: What do you mean?

26: Well... When I was a compound, you tried your best to help me to figure myself out.

21: But it was-

26: And when we were at the shed, you gave me courage. You have the true heart of an explorer.

21: I really appreciate your help and everything you've done, Twenty-Six. 😌

26: No problem. Anything for a Roarin' Twenty *nudges 21*

21: Heheh.

Suddenly, a big bang was heard from downstairs. And then, the door of 21's room broke down open. 18 had knocked them down. 21 and 26 gasped as 15 shivered from the noise during her sleep.

12: Sorry....

18: NO TIME FOR APOLOGIES, I HEARD FIFTEEN IS ALIVEEEEEEE!!

26: Shhhh!!

18: Oh.. Whoopsy daisy..

12: *whispers* So, she's okay.

21: *nods excitedly*

12: You both did an amazing job. But where's Nine?

26: Who cares about him anymore?

18: What did he do?

21 & 26: Don't ask. 🙄

12: Okay then. Let's go outside so that we don't disturb Fifteen.

21: Good idea.

They all go to the living room  and talk about all the trouble that happened that day, while 26 fixed the broken doors.

21: This was one heck of an adventure.

12: I can't imagine what could happen next!

18: Me neither. *eats a cookie*

12: Eighteen, where did you get that from?

18: From the jar?

21: Where's the jar from?

18: From the cupboard?

12 & 21: WHAT CUPBOARD?!

18: Twelve's cupboard. •ω•

12: You found it-

18: Yehehe.

12: You're never gonna change, brother.

Suddenly, they heard a multiple bangs. After a while, it stopped. They looked behind them to see 26, face on the floor, because he fell down the stairs.

21: OH MY GOD!! ARE YOU OKAY, TWENTY-SIX?!

26: I'm fine... For now.. heheh..

They all look at each other for a while before they share a laugh.
26 stands up and brushes the dust off himself.

12: How did you fall off anyways?

26: Two reasons. Firstly, I tripped over my own leg. Secondly... I'm double unlucky.

12: Right. I definitely never thought of that.

26: So, uh.. I fixed the doors. Anything else?

21: Thank you, Twenty-Six. There's nothing else. You can go and take a rest.

26: Okay. Just call me if you need anything.

21: Alright!

26 leaves the house.

18: Sometimes I wonder how he never gets tired. Even I get tired while using my rays.

12: Because he's not as hyperactive as you are.

18: Oh. •ω•

12: OH MY GOD, STOP WITH THAT FACE!!

18: Okay. ^ω^

12: ..........

After a while, they all hear footsteps coming downstairs. They all look upon the stairs and see a rather short rectangle stepping down, slowly.
21 gave a wide smile when she saw the one she has been waiting for the most, coming towards her. 15 reached down, and looked up at 21 with the most innocent face ever. She held out her arms, asking for a hug.

21: Awwww!! *hugs 15*

15: I'm so sorry if I scared you. I never thought I'll see you again.

21: It's okay, Fifteen. You're Numberland's biggest hero. You should be proud of yourself. 😊

15: Thank you, mom. 😄

12: *to Eighteen* I wish you were like that.

18: Bruh. I literally saved your life.

12: As if.

18: Stop.

12: No.

18: Yes.

12: No.

18: Yes.

12: Yes.

18: No.

12: 😆

18: Oh, wait what-

They all laugh at 18's little and silly mistake.
12 and 18 walk back to their home as 15 and 21 wave them goodbye.

___________________________
That's the end of this chapter.

I hope you enjoyed!

🖐🏻High Five!⭐