Sorry I wasn't able to update yesterday. Had my day full of cleaning, cooking and then my house flooded thanks to the washing machine -_-

But here it is! Just so you know now that Skye is in the picture, thing will take a little more on the dark side. As much as I loved the comedy chapters, the plot must go on!

This has been edited~ :3

Gretel opened her eyes and met with a white ceiling and fluorescent lights. Her whole body ached. She remembered the attack and heard the machine that regulated her heart beat go up, making a warning noise. She heard a door open and looked. She saw Blue with a sympathetic smile.

"How are you feeling?" Blue said, pulling a chair to sit on.

"Like I got ran over by a herd of cows." Gretel said. She used the buttons on the side of the bed to make herself sit up. She smacked her lips. She was thirsty. Her head ached and her hand burned.

"Do you remember anything?" Blue said.

"I was attacked. Someone tried to kill me. He was as tall as you, lean. He was wearing this tacky purple spotted coat, and had silver hair." Gretel explained. Blue chuckled.

"You don't have to explain in detail. We got him on camera, and we already know who he is." Blue said.

"Oh. So who is he?" Gretel asked and Blue's face became serious again.

"His name is Skye. He was a known thief in Forget-Me-Not Valley until something made him turn into a hired killer. He's very well known and you're the first one to survive. He usually doesn't make mistakes when taking down someone." Blue said.

"Why haven't you caught him?" Gretel said, stretching out and feeling her muscles.

"No evidence. He was just in and out of the police station. The camera that we have in our interrogation rooms were down for maintenance. Besides a few people that saw him running down the street, there's nothing." Blue said.

"But he shot me! Those bullets should be there!" Gretel said, pointing out the window. Blue shook his head.

"Besides broken glass, there was nothing. Just remnants of your fight and his blood, which has already been put in the system. He's good which is why we haven't caught him. But that's beside the point. Are you ok?" Blue asked. Gretel let out a shaky breath and put her face in her hands. She started weeping and Blue patted her head.

'So much for peace. I'm being targeted. I'm gonna die if I'm not careful.'

She looked at her bandaged hand. The doctor said that he had to use stitches. He mentioned she's gonna need to keep it clean. She sighed, knowing that she has to recruit someone to help her. She didn't want to inconvenience anyone but she won't be able to work with her hand like this. She got up and went to the service desk for a call. It rang a couple of times before someone picked up.

"This is Mayor Felix of Zephyr Town! How can I help you?" Felix said.

"Hi Felix. It's...Hansel...things got a little out of hand while I was out. I'm gonna need some help with my farm, if you don't mind." She said.

"I see. Are you alright?" Felix said.

"Yeah. Just got in a scuffle. I'll be heading back tomorrow." She explained.

"As long as you're alright. Don't worry about anything. If you need help I'll ask some of the villagers if needed. Just stay well Hansel." Felix said.

"Yes Mayor. Bye." Gretel hung up, her hand stung. It was pulsating slightly with pain. She stayed overnight in the hospital. They put clean bandages and gave her antibiotics as well as pain relievers. After being discharged, Gretel finally got her hair dyed. She took the clothes that Blue bought for her and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like she got into a brawl. Well, she did, but it was still shocking. She looked at her hand. She was gonna have to go in the hospital later to get them removed. She was gonna have to be careful. Blue didn't take anymore chances and decided it would be best if Felix got her instead.

He came up in a black classical car and they took the ride back home. Gretel explained the stitches and the way she looked. Felix was tight lipped.

"I'm sorry. You went through real danger. Know that even though your brother signed the contract to be placed, you are much as part as our community than everyone else. I will personally drive you back to the town in every other time to make sure you are well protected." Felix said.

"Thank you." Gretel said sincerely. They arrived in the late afternoon. Gretel realized that even though she was gone for two days, it felt like forever due to her experience. She strolled into the square with the Mayor. Dirk and Shelly were at the outside table like usual.

"Hello Dad. Oh my goodness! What happened Hansel?" Sherry said, getting up and getting close to her. She lifted her hand to touch her face, but she stopped when her hand was just a breath away.

"I'm fine. I just got into some trouble." She said. Dirk was oddly silent. "Oh um, I know it's probably too much to ask, but I'm gonna need some help with the farm for a bit. I uh, well..." She started, lifting her bandaged hand. Sherry gasped a little and held it gently.

"I will help as much as I can!" Sherry said.

"Thank you." Gretel said.

"Me too. I've got your back." Dirk said, standing besides Sherry. Gretel felt a huge weight come off her shoulders and she sat on the ground.

"You ok?" Dirk said, sitting next to her. She started to giggle and then laugh, tears in her eyes. Sherry and Dirk looked at each other confused. Gretel choked back a sob and hugged Dirk. His face became really red and he became extremely stiff, not knowing what to do.

"Thank you." She whispered into his ear. He resembled a tomato at that point.

0-0-0

Sherry fluffed her pillow, her dad skipping dinner. She had never seen him so tired before. She wondered if it had something to do with what happened with Hansel.

'Hansel, poor Hansel.' She thought. He explained after he calmed down. He had gotten into a fight and defended himself with a shard of glass; cutting his hand. He had to get stitches in his hand and couldn't work with it. Dirk and her agreed to help him out on his farm but she couldn't help but be curious as to what really happened. Although Hansel explained it, Sherry knew he was keeping the truth from her. Why did he have to lie to her? Why is he covered in cuts and bruises? Why was her dad so quiet and angry? What really happened?

She sighed, taking off her hat and running the bath. She checked the water to check the temperature. Satisfied, she stripped down and climbed in, a rubber duck floating in the water. She thought of Hansel, that distant look in his face when he came. The relief in his face when she decided to help and the despair that followed after. It hit her then, that she didn't even know anything about him. Here she was, a childish crush blooming, and she didn't even know him. At least she spent time talking to Lloyd that she knew who he was, but Hansel was still a mystery.

A mystery that needed solving. Finally feeling clean she came out and lightly blow dried her hair. Putting on her nightgown she sat on her bed. She sighed wistfully and her cheeks reddened thinking about Hansel. She didn't know why she felt so attracted to him. He was a competitor with Lloyd. Lloyd was charming in his own way. He was mature, confident, and sure of his business, but Hansel was so different. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He gave her sincere compliments. He made her feel girly and gave her gifts just because. Before she knew it, she thought less of Lloyd and more of Hansel.

Even though she was fond of Hansel, even though he was so kind to her, there was a wall between them. A wall he keeps around himself from everyone. Why? She wanted to know more about him and his circumstances. Why Zephyr Town?

Her mind kept swimming with thoughts that she couldn't get to sleep but eventually sleep won.

0-0-0

It was an extremely windy day. Dirk was brushing down the cow while Hansel was with the chickens in their outdoor coop. He watched Hansel. He had a far off look in his eye. If Dirk thought that his sadness was deep before, it seemed like a never ending pit now.

Dirk didn't know what happened in the city to cause this sort of reaction. It must have been that fight he said that happened. Even so, why would it affect him so much? Dirk didn't understand. He wanted to. He felt awkward around Hansel with his spirits so low. He was hoping that they would grow closer since he was helping him. But with the way he was now, he was seriously doubting it. He noticed that Hansel stood up and the wind was playing with his hair. It had grown longer. Finally the cow mooed happily and went over to Hansel.

A smile played on his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. He went over to the side of the barn and got the milk bucket and stool. He sat down, working the udder with one hand. Dirk felt helpless. He didn't like it. He didn't know how to handle these types of feelings. He was fidgety and didn't know what to do or what to say.

"Hey Hansel. Um, how do you do that with one...hand?" Dirk said awkwardly.

"I grew up with animals. As soon as I could, my parents made me help out. I have plenty of practice, that's why I don't usually use the milker. Even though it takes me longer. I think it makes our bond stronger." Hansel said, the happiness reaching his eyes. He patted the cow and it mooed happily.

"You do know there's gonna be an animal festival during summer right? This year its for cows! Maybe you can enter yours!" Dirk said animatedly. Hansel gave him a thoughtful look.

"Hmm. That would be fun, but I'm gonna have to pass." Hansel said.

"But why?" Dirk asked.

"Although I've had Red here for a bit, she's not ready. Maybe next time." Hansel said, getting the bucket full of milk to put it away.

"Here." Dirk took the bucket to put away the storage. As he came out he saw Hansel at the top of his cliff looking down at his field. It had radishes sprouting with Sherry taking out the weeds. The wind playing with his clothes and hair. It would have made him look dashing, but the empty look just made him seem foreboding.

All of a sudden, rage filled him. He didn't want Hansel to be so sad. He couldn't handle him being so sad. He wanted him to feel anything but that. He couldn't control himself and he took a swing at Hansel. No more sadness!

"What is with you!?" Dirk shouted which made Sherry come over. "I don't know what happened in the city but get over it!" Hansel looked surprised before he growled and tackled him to the ground.

"No! Stop it!" Sherry shouted but it fell on deaf ears. Dirk and Hansel went at it, punching at each other. With every hit that Hansel was able to connect, Dirk felt a stab in his heart. Dirk didn't know why he got so mad. He just wanted to see some life in his eyes, even if it was anger. Finally Hansel grabbed Dirk and tossed him over his shoulder. Dirk landed roughly on his back. It robbed him of his breath and coughed a bit.

"Stop!" Sherry said, getting between them. Hansel's bandaged hand was flowing freely with blood.

"What...would..."Hansel started. "What would you know what I went through!? What would anyone know!? You don't know anything about me!"

"That's because you close yourself inside this stupid shell! Just tell us what happened! We're friends aren't we!?" Dirk said, getting up.

"I can't!...I can't...you..." Hansel said, gritting his teeth. Tears in his eyes but he wiped them angrily away. "You don't understand. I can't tell you. I...I just can't!..."

There it was again. That empty far away look in his eye. "Stop. Stop being so sad. I can't...I don't know how to deal with that." Dirk said quietly. He got up and started walking out of his farm.

"We...we need to get that looked at..." Sherry said quietly.

Dirk knew he was just acting on impulse. He knew that Hansel didn't deserve this fight but he felt betrayed, hurt. Why couldn't he just tell him? He could help. Whatever he was facing, he didn't need to do it alone.

0-0-0

Gretel flinched as Lloyd dabbed her cuts with a cotton ball with alcohol. The last time she got into a fight like that, was with her brother. She forgot why they fought, but it was a really good brawl.

"Ow..." She said quietly and Lloyd tsked at her.

"If Dirk is your friend, why did you fight?" Lloyd asked.

"He started it." She whispered and Lloyd scoffed, taking out bandages.

"You guys scared Sherry." Lloyd said. Gretel just stared at the floor.

"No one understands and I can't even explain myself either." Gretel said.

"That's your choice." Lloyd said, getting up and getting a roll of bandages. He took off the bloody ones on her hand and soaked it in warm water. She hissed as he started to clean it up. He put some alcohol after he examined that the stitches were still in place. She was gritting her teeth while he wrapped it up. After everything he put away the first aid kit. Gretel stared blankly ahead of herself.

"Do you...never mind. Thank you Lloyd. I'll apologize to Sherry." She said, getting up and heading towards the door.

"We're having a storm tomorrow. Be careful." Lloyd said and she nodded.

Another doozy of a chapter, I'm more than halfway through this story as well! I'm up to chapter 19 so far :3 If the inspiration bug keeps hitting me I might change it to updating weekly.

Scarlence: Maybe he will know _ Yeah right, I kinda think of Dirk as an oblivious sort of dude since he's young and all. In the Tale of Two Towns he's a lot more mature. Yes Blue was being a dunderhead but it's procedure you know? :3