Chapter 2

He smelled food immediately as he walked in. Theodore was scurrying around in the kitchen, cooking today's dinner, while Alvin sat on the couch watching TV. There was no sign of Dave, so Simon figured that he was most likely in his workroom trying to create some new songs. "Hey Simon, how come you are that late? Dave was worried!" Theo peeked out of the kitchen waggling around with his cooking spoon. "I'm sorry, we just worked on our project a little longer." Simon was certain, that a simple, uncomplicated lie wouldn't raise too many questions." I forgot to let you guys know, we didn't keep the time in mind while working" he explained and smiled at his younger brother. "Oh okay, but you should tell Dave that you are back. He is in his workroom." "Sure Theo I'll do that,and the dinner smells delicious." Theo blushed a little, and smiled back at his brother." "Thanks Si, I hope you'll enjoy it. I made cheese tortellini." "Looking forward to it." said Simon, watching his brother turning towards the stove again.

"Dave?" No answer. "Dave I'm home!" Nothing. Simon pushed the door open and saw Dave sitting at his desk tearing his hair. He seemed to be listening to a part of a new song as he had his headphones on and was tapping his feet to the beat. "Dave?" repeated Simon again. "I'm sorry I … " but he didn't get to finish his sentence. "THIS DOESN'T WORK GODDAMNIT!" Dave jumped out of his chair throwing his headphones away and crumpling the piece of paper he used to write some notes on. Still cursing quietly he turned around. Yet in his fury his eyes fell on his son. "Simon! Where have you been I've been worried sick!" The chipmunk took a few steps back, his eyes widened, and he started stammering. "I.. I.. I'm sorry D-Dave…" Simon got scared by the look in Dave's eyes; he felt a cold chill running down his spine as he saw his father being in such a fury. Dave shook his head, realizing that he had talked way too loud and aggressive, still in anger about his work. "Oh Simon, excuse me for yelling at you. I'm just so swarmed with work and I can't seem to get a single good song out of my head. I'm going crazy here."

The little chipmunk felt his heartbeat return to normal again, and he went a few steps closer to his father. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for being late, we extended our work time at the meeting and I forgot to call." "Okay Simon that's alright, but next time try to call me." He smiled at Simon and started tidying up the mess he made during his blowup. Simon observed his father. It was an unusual sight. Most of the time, especially while working, Dave always had a slight smile on his face, or he was whistling away to himself. But now he seemed to be sweating, his hair was ruffled and, almost too cliché-like, his shirt was buttoned up wrong. Simon jumped onto the desk, while Dave fell on his chair, releasing a deep sigh. "You know Dave..." said Simon while getting his buttons in order "If you need any help with the songs I could lend you a hand. Maybe I can give you some advice which will help you find your inspiration again." "I don't know Simon, you kids have a lot of school stuff to do, and it's kinda my job to write the songs. I wouldn't feel right giving you more work." "C'mon Dave" replied Simon calmly, "If I had no time, I wouldn't offer my help. After all, you have done so much for us since you became our father. I'm more than glad if I can help. Two brains are better than one." Dave smiled."Thanks a lot Simon, you're the best."said Dave, as he pulled his son into a hug.

"Dinner is ready everyone." Theo announced from the kitchen. Dave and Simon moved apart and Dave said "Well, we better get going." He raised himself out of the chair and went into the kitchen with Simon in tow. The dinner was quiet once again. Dave and Simon realized that Alvin was behaving unusual. He didn't seem to be eating too much and he was just picking at his food with his head held down. Simon shared a knowing look with Dave and opened his mouth to say something, but it was Theo who broke the silence first. "Doesn't it taste good, Alvin?" Alvin kept his head down, muttering something to himself. "Is there something wrong with you?" inquired Dave.

Alvin looked up at his family members, realizing that everyone was staring at him."The noodles are fine Theo, I just don't feel like eating, that's all…" Simon and Dave shared a quick look again. "Well, there is obviously something wrong with you Alvin, you look terrible" remarked Simon. He was right. Alvin looked like he hadn't slept in days; he was pale and could barely keep his eyes open. Dave looked over at his son with a worried expression on his face. "You look sick, so if you don't feel up to eating maybe you should go to bed and try to get some rest. Hopefully you'll feel better in the morning" said Dave. "I guess…" mumbled Alvin, pushing himself away from the table leaving his half-full plate on the table as he went upstairs. "He seems to have no energy." said Dave concerned.

After they finished eating and cleaning the kitchen, Dave went into his room to keep working on the songs, while Theodore threw himself on the armchair to watch his favorite meerkat documentary and Simon went upstairs to look after Alvin. Going up the stairs he noticed the door shut and it seemed to be dark inside, so he carefully turned the knob and pushed the door open. He went inside, trying to be as quiet as he could. Alvin seemed to be fast asleep; he noticed his brother's heavy breathing and made a mental note to tell Dave about it, as it sounded a little concerning. "Guess I have to do my homework downstairs." he said to himself. His heart skipped a beat. Homework. He had completely forgotten that Ryan and his friends demanded him to do their homework of them. The unusual happenings of the evening had kept his thoughts away from that problem. Entirely sunk into his thoughts again, he slipped out of the room, and went back downstairs. Of course, doing their work for them would save him any further problems, but that just wasn't right. He already couldn't bring himself to make the homework for Alvin and he sure as heck didn't want to break the rules for those bullies. On the other hand the level of aggressiveness they showed earlier today was giving him a queasy feeling. But no he couldn't do it. He was hurt enough by their constant bullying and he didn't want them to think, that their methods would work on him. It was time to stand up to them! A yawning voice next to him woke him up out of his thoughts. "I'm going to bed Si, you should come too it's late!" Theo was right. Simon didn't pay much attention to the clock, but now that his brother mentioned it he realized his body was crying for some sleep. "Okay Theo, I'll just grab my books and come upstairs." Still a little nervous about what would happen tomorrow, when he told Ryan that he won't do their homework, the chipmunk followed his little brother into their room, falling asleep as soon as he pulls his blanket over himself.

*Simon's Dream*

The sun was glaring. He instinctively narrowed his eyes and pulled his hand up to protect himself from the bright light. As soon as the shadow hit his eyelids, he opened his eyes, readjusting them to the unfamiliar surroundings. He seemed to be standing in some sort of an alley. On both sides of the street he saw some trees and soaring buildings under a slightly cloudy sky. Without any kind of a plan, or any clue where he was, he started following the road, looking to the sides to check for anything interesting or important. After a few more steps, he stopped when something caught his attention. Slowly stepping forward, he approached a grey locker which was standing next to a bench right in front of a bakery store. Simon observed it carefully. A part of him wanted to touch it, but something kept his hand from moving. He turned around, but the street were as empty as it had always been. Turning his head back he slowly moved his hand towards the door... The light was blinding him. Just like earlier he raised his arm to protect himself from the sun,but for some reason it didn't seem to work? Puzzled, he looked up to check the suns position, but surprisingly the sun was right behind the building. The light seemed to be coming from everything: the walls, locker and even his own body. Still dazzled and confused he heard a noise which kinda sounded like someone was coughing or choking. With narrowed eyes he glanced around. The sound was coming from the locker! He raised one of his shaking hands and grabbed the door ready to pull it open. But the second he contracted his muscles the door cracked open, pushing Simon to the ground. With unspeakable fear in his eyes he watched a deformed version of a man climbing out of the locker, slowly making his way towards the helplessly shaking chipmunk. He was coughing and spitting all over the place,with a constant, repugnant, far away choking sound coming out of his torn open mouth. Simon's body was paralyzed; he couldn't speak he couldn't even breathe; it felt like an iron fist compressed his lungs and limbs keeping him in place, leaving him being at the creature's mercy. The "thing" raised his fist... Simon was shaking; he felt his panic grow into barely endurable fear, but his body still refused to accept any orders from his brain; he wanted to scream, but no sound would come out. Then, all of a sudden he felt his lungs fill with air, while the creature's hand struck down… "Noooooooooooo…."