Daylight
Chris was woken by the sunlight streaming in. He shielded his eyes with a hand and squinted up at the ceiling, noting for the first time the skylight mounted in the sloping roof overhead.
"Chris," whispered a soft voice.
He looked around him and noticed that both Pon-chan and Honlon were possessively grasping his arms. He disentangled himself as quietly as possible and peered out the skylight. As he watched the rising sun bathing the mountainside in golden colors he felt the familiar chill. The latch on the skylight was open. He pushed open the window and peered out onto the snow-covered wooden shingles. Clothilde was sitting on the lower edge of the roof below him, her hair unbound and streaming behind her in the cold breeze.
(Uh…Clothilde?)
She turned with a small gasp.
"Oh Chris, it is you," she said as she put a hand to her heart, "You startled me." Chris looked worried.
(I'm sorry.)
"Do not be," she said, "I was just watching the sunrise." Chris' expression brightened again.
(Can I watch it with you?)
"Certainly," she said, "Just do not go out on the roof." Chris climbed out of the skylight and held out his arms as he carefully made his way down to the eave. He tugged at her sleeve.
(What was that?)
Clothilde quickly stood and grabbed his hand fearfully.
"Kleines Entlein!" she cried out, "Das ist gefährlich!" She pulled him close and sat down again.
(Oops.)
"That was very dangerous what you did Chris!" she admonished.
(Sorry.)
"As long as you do not try that again," she said in a more subdued tone. Chris looked up at her and saw that the morning light gave her hair a fiery glow. He then turned his attention to the valley below.
(Sure is pretty.)
"Yes," she said with a sigh, "I watch it every morning." He frowned in confusion.
(Doesn't it get boring?)
"Not at all," she said with a secretive smile, "It is a different sunrise each time." Chris frowned for a moment, deep in thought.
(I never thought of that.)
They watched the valley in silence together. Chris found himself wishing his mother was here to see this with him. That thought brought tears to his eyes, which immediately began to freeze in the bitter cold. Clothilde wrapped her thin arms around the boy's shoulders.
"What is troubling you my son?" she whispered. Chris sniffled and grasped her hand.
(I…miss my Mom; she died giving birth to me.)
"You poor thing," she said sympathetically, "C'est horrible."
(My sister Sam told me I killed her after I broke her doll.)
"She just said that because she was angry," said Clothilde softly, "Have you spoken to her since then?"
(No, I mean I haven't said anything since that day.)
"Then maybe she is not mad at you anymore," she added, "But you will not know unless you see her again." Chris shook his head.
(Sam's right though. It is my fault.)
"I do not think so," replied Clothilde, "Most mothers would gladly give their lives for their children." Chris gaped at her.
(That's what Madam Sultana said!)
"Madam who?" she asked with an arched eyebrow.
(Madam Sultana! She was another pet who lived in the store, and….)
Clothilde leaned over and peered at Chris inquisitively; he looked suddenly bashful.
(She, uh, looked like Mom.)
"I see," she said simply. Chris waited for her to add to that but she merely stared out at the vast expanse before them. The wind began to pick up a bit, rattling the shutters.
(I've got to go soon. My brother is doing a stakeout.)
"You are going nowhere until you get a decent breakfast," she said sweetly but firmly.
T-chan glowered at his bowl of porridge. What he wouldn't give for a leg of human, or lamb for that matter. Hell, at this point he'd kill for a strip of beef jerky. Pon-chan daintily sipped from her own bowl, savoring his torment as much as the food.
"You had better eat it before it gets cold," said Clothilde as she refilled Honlon's bowl from a black iron kettle.
"Yes mother," he said with a sneer.
"You'd never make it as a vegetarian," said Pon-chan gleefully.
"Damn straight, Goldilocks!" he roared, pounding a fist on the table, making the silverware rattle. Chris tensed up, but Clothilde put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"I apologize for not having any meat on hand," she stated, "There was simply no need until now."
"Don't humor him," warned Shuko, "He's used to getting his way."
"Are you aren't?" countered T-chan. She smiled serenely back at him, saying nothing.
(Thanks for the grub!)
"It is nothing," she said modestly.
"Thanks for everything really," said Pon-chan, "But we have to be on our way." Clothilde held out a hand to Chris. He stared at her in puzzlement for a moment and then pulled out the key from his pocket and handed it to her. She crossed over to the chest in the corner and unlocked it. Inside were jackets, shoes, hats and mittens, all in children's sizes.
"You need to dress warmly," she explained as she handed the key back to Chris, "I do not want you catching your death out there." Chris tried to suppress a smile.
"Yes mother," said Pon-chan and T-chan in a chorus. They began to don the winter gear. For once T-chan was happy. A shirtless vest just wasn't going to cut it in this climate. He punched two holes in a knit cap and put it on his head so his horns fit. Honlon stared at the sleeves on her jacket; they were so long she couldn't see her hands.
"Um, where did you get these clothes?" asked Junrei quietly. Clothilde looked unprepared for an answer.
"You may keep them," she said with a twinge of sadness, "They belonged to children that do not need them anymore."
Pon-chan and Junrei exchanged a worried look. Chris and T-chan didn't seem to notice.
"Let's move it," said T-chan as he tromped outside, followed by Honlon and Pon-chan.
"You don't think she's dangerous, do you?" inquired Pon-chan nervously.
"We are all dangerous," stated Shuko, "In our own way."
"Amen to that," chimed in T-chan with his hands on hips.
"I mean to Chris," clarified Pon-chan.
"I think she's a bigger danger to herself," said Shuko analytically.
"Speaking of the twerp…," said T-chan. They looked around, but Chris had not gone out with them.
"Now be careful when you climb that mountain," said Clothilde as she wound a scarf around Chris' neck, "Watch out for avalanches." He nodded vigorously, but with a troubled expression.
(I'm sorry to be such a bother.)
"Nonsense," she countered, "I enjoyed having guests after such a long time." He tried to muster up enough courage to ask his next question.
(Can I visit you again Clothilde?)
She looked startled for a moment, and then crouched down so they were at eye level. "I would love you to visit again," she said candidly, "But I do not think it is a good idea." He nodded, crestfallen.
(Sorry.)
"Never mind," she said quickly, "Your friends are waiting." Chris waved and ran out there door. She stood at the window and watched T-chan pelt Pon-chan with snowballs. Kanan immediately countered with a barrage that knocked T-chan down. He stared yelling but she couldn't make out his words.
"You must leave children," she said sorrowfully, "Otherwise I will not let you go."
As they climbed up the mountain, Chris glanced behind him. He could barely make out the cottage now. He then headed into the ice cavern.
"Thank goodness!" said Pon-chan as they crossed back through the door into the pet shop's back corridor.
"You shouldn't complain," groused Kanan, "At least you're not cold-blooded."
"Good, so why not go hibernate in that den of yours?" suggested T-chan.
"Why don't you make me!" she snapped.
Chris pulled out the key and carefully locked the padlock. He ran on ahead and found the Count and his brother sitting in the front room sharing blueberry cheesecake with tea.
"Honestly, where are your manners?" said the Count as he draped a napkin over Leon's lap, who promptly pulled it off and leisurely tossed it into an empty fishbowl.
"Woo hoo!" he bellowed, "Ten points!"
"What a Philistine!" said the Count with his arms folded across his chest.
"Hey, whoever heard of cake for breakfast?" retorted Leon.
"I saved some from yesterday so you could partake," replied the Count, looking wounded.
(Um, Count?)
"Chris," said the Count quickly, "There you are." Leon glanced over at him with red-rimmed eyes.
"Hello squirt," he said as he stood up, "You sleep good?" Chris nodded.
"'Well', not 'good'," corrected the Count.
(Count, can I talk to you?)
"My Dear Detective, could you wait here for a moment?" inquired the Count.
"Whatever," said Leon as he stifled a yawn, "Just make it quick." Chris followed the Count into his office. The bat creature flapped over and landed on Chris' shoulder.
(Hi Q-chan.)
"Is there something I can help you with?" asked the Count. Chris set the key on the desk.
(I met her Count. But I still don't understand why you locked her away. Is she really dangerous?)
"Chris, I'm afraid you have it backwards," explained the Count, "She was locked away at her own request." Chris blinked in surprise.
(But why?)
"She does not wish to be sold again," he said, "Her last experience was an unhappy one."
(Was it about the children?)
"What children?" asked the Count, tapping a finger on the desk. Chris gestured to his hat and jacket.
(She had a trunk filled with clothing like this.)
"The man who sold her to me did not mention any offspring," said the Count, intrigued. They regarded each other silently for a moment.
(I hope they're okay.)
"There is only one way to solve the mystery," said the Count, "But to do that you must return to that alpine chalet."
(Clothilde said it wouldn't be a good idea.)
"She said not to come back?" he inquired. Chris shook his head vigorously.
(No, she said she wouldn't mind, but that it wasn't a good idea.)
"That is for you to decide," said the Count with a faint smile, "This is yours I believe." He pushed the key back towards Chris, who took it and pocketed it reluctantly.
(What's going to happen to her?)
"For now, she'll remain locked away," said the Count, "But I was hoping she might relent if she met the right person."
(I hope she does Count.)
"I think she already did," said the Count with a knowing smile, "Now let's not keep your brother waiting." He escorted Chris out to the front room and watched him leave with Leon.
"Mother hens are most protective of their chicks, are they not?" he asked Q-chan. The bat creature twittered in a high squeaky voice and the Count nodded.
"Let's hope she takes good care of this one," he added.