Yuma ran. He ran with Astral close behind him. He found a window that led to a roof, and he jumped down.

Outside, Yuma crouched into the tall grass to hide. Astral looked around in search for Yuma. He held the knife in his hand, and he floated around.

It was a pitch black night. At least there wasn't a storm with the lightning. This was easier. Astral was more visible than Yuma.

"Yuma!" Astral sang. "Come out and play!"

Yuma snuck around on silent feet, circling around Astral. What he hoped was to get behind him, out of the spirit's line of vision.

Astral sensed around for Yuma. He turned his head, grinning madly. He clutched the blade tightly, ready for when Yuma came out. After all, he couldn't stay hidden forever.

Yuma hid behind a tree, watching Astral. He got down low and crawled in the grass, hoping that the sound wasn't loud enough for Astral to hear it.

"Yuma! I know you're around here!"

Yuma gritted his teeth. That wasn't the shy, afraid little Astral he knew. This was a psycho.

Maybe if I can physically get him to stop and calm him down, he'll get back to normal.

With that objective, Yuma crept closer inch by inch. Astral didn't seem to notice. He just seemed focused on calling Yuma out.

This'll probably be easy. Then again, nothing is this easy.

He got into the cover of another tree, which was the closest to Astral. Yuma narrowed his eyes, waiting for the right moment when Astral's back was turned. When that moment came, Yuma jumped.

Astral turned at the last moment, but he wasn't fast enough to block.

They both went down. Yuma tried to wrestle the weapon out of Astral's hand. It wasn't easy. Astral had a tight grip on the blade, but Yuma eventually got it out. He tossed it far.

"I'm sorry I had to do this, Astral," Yuma grunted as he and Astral fought.

Despite Astral's new-found confidence in fighting, Yuma was still much stronger than the spirit. When Astral tried to aim a punch, Yuma caught his wrist and twosted him around so that Astral's back was pressed to Yuma's chest. He grabbed both wrists in one hand and backed up until he was leaning against a tree, covering Astral's eyes. He slid down and pinned the spirit's legs with his own, rendering him helpless.

"Calm down,"Yuma whispered. "Just calm down, now."

He kept whispering reassuring things into Astral's ear. For a while, Astral struggled to free himself from Yuma's grip, but as time went on, his struggles got weaker.

"Everything's going to be okay," Yuma said soothingly to the now calm Astral. "You're okay. You're okay. It's all over."

He felt Astral become limp. Yuma let go, and he saw him unconscious. The past events must have really worn him down.

Yuma picked Astral up and carried him piggyback style. He made his way back.

Along the way, Yuma heard something in the forest. Out came a black figure. He looked familiar, and he looked frustrated. Black Mist.

"Hey," Yuma said to get the Number's attention.

Black Mist looked over to Yuma. Upon seeing Astral, his face flooded with relief.

"You found him," he sighed. "Good. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get there." He turned his gaze to where Yuma came from. "So, where were you guys?"

"You know the game Outlast, right?" Yuma asked.

Black Mist nodded, knowing where this was going.

"I guess we were in an asylum just like that one. I think Astral had a mental breakdown."

Black Mist took a closer look at Astral. He had blood all over his body, and he looked worn down. This bothered the Number.

"Details later. For now, let's go home."

Yuma nodded.

"I may know a way out of here, but it may not work," Black Mist said.

"Anything that will get us out of here."

While they walked through the forest, for that was where the exit was, Yuma listened intently to Black Mist's side of the story. He heard how Astral found them, how they traveled with Pewds, Stephano, Piggeh, and Mr. Chair.

From only that, Yuma could tell that Astral was about to break already.

"All that?" he asked. "Man, and this all started with a walk through the woods."

"Agreed," Black Mist said with a nod. "Also, I've seen Astral's memories from before that. It seems that something without a face, I'm guessing it's who you call Slender man, took you to be sacrificed for something, and that's how it all started."

Silence enveloped the two as they kept walking through the forest, keeping an eye out for any dangers. Those dangers included Slender man, Jeff the Killer, Ben the Drowned, Eyeless Jack, and others. They weren't too afraid of the wild animals since Black Mist was pretty much dominant over all of them.

Finally, after walking for a long time, they spotted the house.

"Wow. Who knew that the asylum was this close to my house," Yuma mumbled.

"I know, right?" Black Mist agreed. "Well, I had better get back. Bye." Black Mist disappeared into the Key, which was still around Yuma's neck.

Yuma sighed, braves himself for Akari's reaction, and walked over to his house. He opened the door, and he was assaulted by an angered Akari.

"YUMA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?" she exploded. "Do you have any idea how much Grandma and I worried!?"

"Um…" Yuma didn't know what to say. "A-Akari, we got lost. That's all."

"Oh, really? Then explain to me why your buddy there is covered in blood!"

Yuma had no response. Luckily, Haru came to the rescue.

"Yuma, what on Earth happened?" she asked gently. "You were gone for days. We were worried."

"S-sorry, Grandma, but I really need to get Astral some rest."

"Well, you must get him clean first. Look at all that blood."

"Yes, Grandma."

"In the morning, you will tell us what happened."

Yuma nodded and took Astral to the bathroom.