Chapter 11

A portal opened onto a long stretch of road, with woods surrounding it. Theodore first stepped out with Eleanor, his feet planted safely on the ground. Next Alvin, Simon, Brittany , Jeanette, and Emma came walking through. As the portal closed. Alvin could hear his voice being yelled from the portal. Emma turned her head "come on this way" Emma said pointing north. The boys looked around deja vu. As they walked Alvin noticed a rabbit that again he had thought he had recognized. "Martin?" Alvin started to wonder off but was caught by Emma. Emma grabbed Alvin's shoulder. Emma shook her head and pointed in the direction that everyone was walking. Everyone walked around the bend. Simon suddenly stopped. He turned to Emma

"really you could have just said we are going to the cabin."

" Its not your cabin, uncle Simon."

Emma started to walk ahead Simon and Jeanette finally noticed an important detail. Emma had a tail. Jeanette gasped, but Simon hushed her. Brittany chimed in quietly "but how?" Simon shook his head not knowing. In fact Theodore had paused to look down at Eleanor, as he held Eleanor, he had noticed a few changes in her body. Some of which he knew was not there before. Emma had opened the door by touching her paw\hand to the scanner.

"How long ago was this built?" Simon asked.

"six months ago" Emma replied.

Everyone walked in slowly and looked around.
This did in fact look like Dave's cabin.

"put her ...over here, Dad-I mean, Theo. "she huffed in frustration. "Theodore did so placing Eleanor on the bed in the side room bedroom. Theodore decided to stay in the room with her for a bit. Emma and the rest went into the kitchen \ living\ dining room area. The cabin had all the comforts of home. A television with cable and satellite, gaming systems, a lab was in the basement that was also a shelter. The cabin had dark brown walls lightly colored furniture. Everyone sat on the couch but Emma who stood in the center of the room. Emma took a deep breath.

"well I am sure you have noticed by now" she said.

"we have" Simon replied.

Well, I guess there is no need to hide this. Emma turned around and waved the girls into the other room. Once in the room, they were stunned. Emma was not just a chipmunk but an adult chipmunk human hybrids. "this is not for my uncles I had to show you" Emma turned around, She had all of the features of a human and that of a chipmunk.

"but why show us? Jeanette asked.

"because Eleanor is no longer herself. She is more like me than you, her body is a perfect combination of an chipmunk and human. " The longer you stay here you will change as well. We had to rush the process with mom. She was dying. Eleanor's sister s gasped.
"but she will age differently now" Emma said.

"what of Theodore?" Jeanette asked.

"They would be compatible if they were to-" A sudden scream came from the other room. No one knew if it was Eleanor or Theodore, but both groups converged on the bedroom door. Another scream could be heard. Alvin went for the knob but it would not turn "jammed" he replied. Alvin along with Simon rammed the door opened. As they came through glass could be heard breaking. Everyone entered the room. Eleanor was on the floor Theodore was gone and the window broken. Eleanor was left sizing Brittany rushed over to her sister and Jeanette rushed the guys out of the room "out!" she demanded. Alvin and Simon knew better when Jeanette yelled to do as she said. Over the years Jeanette had gotten more vocal like her eldest sister, but only when the situation demanded it. "mom?" Emma tried speaking to Eleanor. Eleanor , however, was not quite awake just yet.

"she is coming too." Brittany said.

"Eleanor honey I need you to talk to me" Jeanette ask her sister.
"I need you to tell me if you are okay?" Jeanette questioned.
"did he hurt you?' Jeanette questioned.

Jeanette stood up and stepped out of the room. Jeanette was going to tell the boys to sit in the living room but they were not there. They were gone.
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"Alvin wait we don't know what is going on"

"we have to find Theo"

"I agree but we don't know if he was taken or if he flipped out"

"Theo doesn't flip out Simon"

"you go back then if you want but I am looking for Theo"

"alone?, by yourself?, you might "

"might what Simon?" Alvin turned angrily to his brother

"might cause a problem? You better bet I am going to cause a problem"

"but" was all that Simon could get out.

"no butts Simon, either you are with me or back at the cabin"

"and besides you once ask if being a brother meant anything to me" "well now Simon I am asking you the same question"

Simon stood there in shock. Alvin had always stood up to Simon trying to stop his attempts to solve the situation that Alvin had usually created . However now Alvin had not created this situation and Theodore was missing.

"fine' Simon replied in frustration. Just let me go back in to get a few things first so that we don't get lost and that we can get into contact with the girls if we need to okay Alvin?"

"fine" he replied. He knew Simon was just being careful . He knew if they found Theodore they might need help.
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The girls were in the bathroom cleaning up Eleanor. By this time she was awake and being quite disagreeable. Simon approached the door. " I can wash my-self Jeanette, thank you very much". All of the girls were shoved out of the bathroom , Simon catching a glimpse of Eleanor in her natural state. Simon had to quickly regain his composure. By this point though the girls had noticed the look on his face. "she is quite ah, feisty is she not she?" Jeanette furrowed her eyes. Simon drew the attention away with a question of his own.

"compass,water, snacks?" he said Emma pointed to a green foot locker. Simon promptly went in that direction. "Simon?" Jeanette looked over to Eleanor then back to Simon. Simon shook his head, then pointed to Jeanette.

"we should be back by morning, hopefully," Simon drawing Jeanette in closer kissing her, and whispering in her ear, "you know I love you and want to be with you" he replied. Jeanette smiled in response knowing that Simon's lapse in judgment was not meant to happen. Meanwhile, Alvin was waiting impatiently outside of the cabin for Simon. The door opened. However, Brittany came out, walking straight to Alvin giving him a deep passionate kiss.

"for you, and there will be more when you come back' she said.

"bring Theodore home, for Eleanor, will you" she said looking deeply into his eyes. Alvin stared back nodding his head in response. Brittany glancing back at the cabin thinking of Eleanor. Simon finally came out the front door, with the gear bag in hand, tossing it to Alvin.

"let's go." Alvin said with fiery determination, marching away with Simon, and the gear bag on his left shoulder.