So, I received official word this week, I am moving to Nevada with my grandma next weekend. I am really lost. I don't think I will have internet access. So updates will be infrequent. I'm sorry.

_Chapter 2_ Not Stopping_

Eratothenis startles awake when Taralyn bursts into the room.

"Erato!" she yells, "They aren't stopping at the station!"

"What?" Erato pulls away from Grace, causing the wolf to get cold quickly.

"We need to get everyone off this train." Eratothenis is in sudden leader mode. Calm, quick, and smart.

"Get Crystal, Quartz and Reika off. Chev with them."

Grace rises slowly to her feet and surveys the surroundings. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon and it glistens against a new layer of snow.

"Grace, you're with Taralyn and the others."

"What about you?" Grace asks, panic slipping in her voice.

"I have to-" Eratothenis races out the door drowning his words.

"Erato!" Grace runs after him.

Taralyn tries to catch Grace, "What are you doing? We need to get off!"

Reika and Chev were already standing by the door, ready to go, when Taralyn collides with the bear and both

tumble off the train.

"Taralyn!" Chev recovers quickly and steers the fox sisters and the wolf couple to the door. "I'll take them. You get Eratothenis."

Chev watches the others jump and nods at Grace, then leaps off the train.

"Erato!" Grace calls. The train is now empty, no sign of Eratothenis anywhere. Grace takes a step forward and

feels the floor shift slightly. "Erato!"

"Grace! Jump!" Erato's voice slips out.

"No! What is going on!" Grace demands back.

"Just go!"

Grace springs forward, the floor gives way under her back paw, and she is slammed into the wooden floor.

"Erato! Seriously! I need your help."

Human voices meet Grace's ears. They are closer to the train car then before.

"Erato?" Grace whispers. "Please?"

The humans enter the cart and don't notice Grace right off, until Erato jumps from behind the crate, grabs Grace

by the back of the neck and pushes her out the train car door.

The wolves collide with the ground hard. It doesn't help that Eratothenis lands on top of Grace.

Grace opens her eyes to see Erato still laying on her. "Uh, hey, Erato."

"Hey, you have really cool eyes."

"Well, since we are being honest. I am looking for Aatu and Jorinde. My name is actually Kvela, and I am a secret

agent from the United States. I joined the army in an attempt at suicide, but, obviously, failed."

Erato tilts his head and rolls off of Grace. "You won't find him. Aatu. You can't find him because he is dead."

-Skipper-

"Momma, what are you doing here so soon? I didn't see this coming." Skipper smiles empathetically.

"I missed my beautiful son and thought we could spend some time together. You never come home any more."

Elouise sports a huge smile.

"Well, you know that you are always welcome, but- Marlene!" Skipper spots his neighbor, "Look who's here! It's

my parents!"

Marlene instantly winces at Skipper's attempt at sarcasm. His natural defense against the unknown.

She ventures over anyways. "Hi, Elouise, great to see you again. You must be Skipper's dad, I'm Marlene, Skipper's neighbor."

"Mark, this is Marlene. Skipper's girlfriend." Elouise smiles.

"Just his girlfriend? What you haven't asked her to marry you yet?" Mark grumbles.

Marlene backs away quickly.

"Dad, hush." Skipper hisses, "Marlene and I are taking it slow. Very slow."

"What about that hot wolf? Did you lose her too?" Mark glares at his son.

"Oh yes, dear. Where is Grace? I have a gift for her from Bluea and Gin." Elouise smiles.

"Grace is in Denmark." Skipper answers begrudgingly.

Mark gives his son another disappointed look, "And to think I wanted you to be a General. You has the right

genes."

"Well, dad. We don't always get what we want." Skipper's voice turns threatening and his blue eyes flash.

"Ah. Elouise. You're back in town. What a pleasant surprise." Kowalski looks between Skipper and Mark.

"Kowalski, lad. How's the inventing coming along?" Mark playfully slaps Kowalski on the back.

"It's uh, well... Along." Kowalski answers shyly.

"Oh Mark, be nice to the boy. He can't help it." Elouise cuts in.

"I need to go fetch some supplies." Kowalski scampers away before Skipper can stop him.

"So, what brings you in?" Skipper sighs. "The retirement home kick dad out?"

"Skipper." Elouise hisses, "Be nice."

"Why are you here?" Skipper demands again.

"Your father has been asked to take over as commissioner of ACIS." Elouise smiles again, "Isn't that exciting?"

"That's Grace's job." Skipper says slowly. "That's all she has ever talked about, taking over ACIS. How- You don't even agree with the whole concept!"

"Skipper, just calm down." Elouise pleads.

"No! I'm flipping gosh darn sick of all the crap you've put me through dad. Get the h-e double hockey sticks out of my zoo this instant!"

"I'm sorry you feel that way son." Mark storms off.

Elouise burries her face in her flippers and starts sobbing.

"Skipper-" Marlene starts.

"Save it Marlene." Skipper exits as well. Leaving Marlene alone with crying Elouise.