>>18553320The Toadmaster gestures towards Nikki's slightly damaged phone on the ground by a tree which Amy scoops up with both hands and holds it close to her chest.
"There is a battle raging inside Nicole, she gave up hope but the other person inside her kept her light burning. You two have a special bond, so I believe you may understand what I speak of? You have a strong bond with Jennifer too - she's shouting at me, she says she's been yelling for days but only you were able to hear her - that is your strength and you'll need the power of those bonds when the time comes. For now I must rest, your human language is very exhausting. Follow the path northward and you'll find your friends, keep going and you'll find a trail down to the beach where Nicole rests. She needs fresh water, warmth and the love of all three of you."
Amy pulls herself to her feet and bows to The Toadmaster.
"Thankyou Toadmaster, if there's ever anything I can do for you please ask."
"Mixtape."
"I'm sorry?"
"Nothing."
"Did you say you wanted a mixtape?"
"..."
"I'll... whip up something really special for you. If you enjoy it I'll let you sit in the booth the next time I'm doing a gig. You'll love it. Goodbye."
As Amy leaves the pond she hears The Toadmaster ask Sapphire to remain behind. Having a single bar of signal on her phone she marks the location on Waifoogle Maps and follows the trail as instructed and as promised the forest eventually becomes less dense and the path becomes wider and easier to traverse. After an indeterminate amount of time the unmistakable figure of Colby Jefferson appears in the distance followed by Priscilla Divine shortly afterward, Amy shows them the phone and suggests they head towards the sound of the crashing waves speaking nothing of the Toadmaster. They'll be time for that later.
