I finished the thirteenth chapter! Wow, how did that happen? I'm on a roll. It pays off putting my all into this story.
Alright, so, Hogarth's friends finally meet Elias. We see the general in this chapter. I was really iffy on how to write the part where they meet the general. I did my best with that part. So much for watching Criminal Minds over and over. -_- Well, at least I tried.
I won't give out any spoilers, but we might get to see a certain someone in the next chapter. Till then, enjoy this chapter. ^_^ You won't be disappointed. :D
Hogarth let out a chuckle as he ran up to a bench, jumped on and then jumped off it.
"Coming at ya!," shouted Michael, picking up a pile of snow. He balled it up and threw it at Hogarth.
Hogarth ducked. "Missed me!"
Michael laughed.
"Hey!," hollered Duncan, waving.
Hogarth turned around. Duncan threw a snowball, only for Hogarth to duck and miss; the snowball landing on a tree trunk.
There was a chorus of laughter among them. They gathered together and went on their walk. Hogarth checked his pockets.
"You guys okay in there?," he queried.
3 and 4 poked their heads out of the left pocket and 9 and 5 peeked from the right one.
"We're all right," said 9, smiling.
Hogarth beamed.
"Hey," said Michael, "could you take them out of your coat for a minute?"
Hogarth lifted an eyebrow.
"I just wanna see them." Michael forced a nervous grin.
"Okay," said Hogarth. He looked around the plaza. Everybody was going about their day, not paying him or friends any mind. He had to choose a well-hidden spot to reveal them. He chose the nearest bench and quickly pulled them out of his pockets. All four of them were placed on the bench, taking Michael and the others by surprise with their ensembles.
"Wow," said Duncan, "nice wardrobe."
"My Mom made them for them," said Hogarth.
"I like 9's sweater," commented Terrence.
"Thank you," said 9. His sweater was green, and by the looks of it, it was cobbled out of an old sweater that belong to Hogarth.
"I like 5's," said Duncan.
5 chuckled sheepishly. His sweater was a dark maroon, made of the same fabric as 9's.
3 stepped up, showing off a sweater the color of umber.
"Hey look at 4," piped Michael, stopping down before the bench.
4 was clad in an elaborate white dress that reached to the floor with angel sleeves. 4 lifted the skirt, did a twirl and ended with a curtsy. This brought a smile from Michael, a giggle from Duncan and a snicker from Terrence.
"What kind of fabric is that made from?," asked Terrence.
"Mom said it was called charmeuse," replied Hogarth.
A brisk breeze blew in. Hogarth noticed 4 shivering.
"Not very warm, huh?," said Michael. 4 smiled and shook her head.
"I told you to wear the coat," said Hogarth. 4 wrapped her arms around herself, walking up to the boy and a small white doll-sized coat was pulled out from his pocket. The hooded stitchpunk donned the coat, feeling a thousand times warmer.
"It was nice of your mom to make those outfits for them," commented Duncan.
"Yeah," said Hogarth. The stitchpunks clambered into Hogarth's pockets.
"Ooh look!," chirped Duncan, pointing. "The bakery! I'm'a go get some cookies."
"We'll wait right here for ya!," called Michael, hand cupped around his mouth.
Once Duncan was gone, Terrence piped up a question.
"So," he uttered, "have you heard from the infamous Elias Wolfe?"
"As a matter of fact," quipped Hogarth, smirking, "I have. Two days ago."
"Oh yeah?," muttered Michael. "What did he say?"
"He said that he's tracking down Kent Mansley," replied Hogarth.
"Kent Mansley?" Michael lifted a brow.
"You know?," reminded Hogarth. "The guy who almost got us killed? Remember?"
"Oh," murmured Michael, grimacing. "Man, that chin of his can be used as a can opener."
"I know, right?," retorted Hogarth.
"Hey!," cheeped Duncan, waddling toward them, a small paper bag in his hands, the other hand holding half-eaten snickerdoodle.
"Got enough for everyone?," remarked Terrence, raising a brow.
Duncan looked at his half-eaten cookie, then at the bag and at the cookie again.
"Hand them over," said Michael, holding out his hand.
Duncan wordlessly handed the bag over to him, where Michael grabbed one then held the bag for Hogarth and Terrence to take one.
"Keep eating like that and you can be Santa Claus in the Christmas parade," teased Terrence.
"Shut up!," piped Duncan. Cookie crumbs were hanging off his chin.
"Alright, alright." Terrence waved him off.
Duncan huffed a breath.
"So," said Michael, taking a bite of the cookie, "what did this Elias say?"
"He told me a lot of things," said Hogarth.
"Did he tell you where the Giant was?," cheeped Terence.
"Yeah, actually." Hogarth took a small bite of his snickerdoodle. "He told he was seen in the Arctic."
"The Arctic?," uttered Duncan through a mouthful of cookie.
"Oh yeah."
"Okay," said Terrence. "Aside from the Giant, did he say anything about..." His eyes darted over to Hogarth's coat, specifically the pockets.
"Oh," said Hogarth, looking down at his coat. He patted the left one, letting the twins know to show themselves. 3 and 4 poked their heads out, optics flickering quizzically. Their gaze fell on Terrence.
"Did he?," uttered Michael, raising an eyebrow.
"He did," replied Hogarth. He bit into his cookie.
"And?," said Duncan.
Hogarth waited to chew his cookie before he could answer. He looked in both directions, in the hopes that no one would hear them. A gentle ringing of bells and the laughter of children indicated that no one would overhear them.
"Well," began Hogarth, "Mansley stole some top-secret blueprints for some portal. This portal was to open gateways to other worlds." He nudged his right pocket with his gloved finger. 9 and 5 stuck their heads out, looking up at Hogarth curiously. "That portal brought them here, and I found them."
"We pretty much know that by now," reiterated Terrence. He took a bigger bite of his cookie.
"Yeah," said Hogarth, "but he did tell me that the stitchpunk can be sent back home."
"That's good," uttered Michael, "right?"
Hogarth paused. "I know, but Elias says that the portal will have to be destroyed once they're back to their own world."
Michael's face fell. Duncan blinked, his half-eaten snickerdoodle held close to his mouth. Terrence simply frowned.
"So, there's a chance they can go home," said Terrence, "but they can't come back to visit?"
"That's pretty much what Elias said," responded Hogarth, shoulders slumping. He held out his gloved finger to his pocket. 9 grabbed and he was pulled out. Hogarth lifted his hat and placed 9 on his head, readjusting the hat so it'll stay in place.
"But," said Michael, "is that what you want?"
"Not really," replied Hogarth, looking him in the eye.
"But is that what they want?," asked Terrence, pointing to the stitchpunks.
It took Hogarth all his strength to come up with an answer.
"They wish they could come and go between worlds," he said after a while, "but they're always reminding me how they need to return to their world and watch over it. And it makes me feel bad for keeping them here."
Michael laid a hand on Hogarth's shoulder. "I understand that," he said gently. Hogarth smiled softly.
It was a good thing Hogarth turned his head for he almost would've bumped into the person who was about to pass them. Hogarh's eyes protruded in surprise.
"Elias!," he chirped.
Michael's eyes bulged, while Duncan stood still as a statue, and Terrence stood, eyes slightly narrowed. Elias regarded each of Hogarth's friends, observing their faces to remember who they were.
"Hogarth," he uttered.
A silence thundered between them. All eyes were on Elias, like he were an elaborate art project.
"What brings you here?," asked Hogarth.
"I was just on my way to the market," replied Elias.
On top of Hogarth's head, 9 lifted the hat up an inch to look at the man. In the coat pockets, 5, 3 and 4 watched him with mesmerized optics.
Remembering he was surrounded by his friends, Hogarth did the civil thing and introduced them.
"Elias," he said, "these are my friends: Terrence, Michael, and Duncan."
"Hi," muttered Michael.
"Hey," said Duncan.
"How's it going?," said Terrence.
Elias gave Terrence a nod, then he looked at Hogarth.
"I wanted to tell you," he began, "that the general and his troops are coming tomorrow."
"Yeah?," uttered Hogarth, eyebrows scrunched together.
"Yes," said Elias. "They're going to show up in the forest. You should let your parents know, so they'll be prepared." He looked over at the other three, his gray stare stripping them of their willpower. "You can bring them along, too, if you want."
Neither Terrence nor Michael said a word. Duncan ate what was left of his cookie, his eyes never turning away from Elias.
"So, uh," muttered Hogarth, "tomorrow?"
"Yeah," retorted Elias, "that's what I said."
"What's the game plan?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow on the way." Elias cleared his throat. "If anything goes bad, I already have the sheriff and the mayor informed on this expedition."
"And will he be able to help?," queried Hogarth, brow raised.
"If everything goes as planned," said Elias, "everything should be okay. But if there's call for emergency, all I have to do is talk to them through my walkie-talkie."
Hogarth glanced at the twins and at 5.
"I think you should trust him, Hogarth," spoke 9.
"You think?," said Hogarth.
"Yes," uttered 5.
Hogarth looked at the twins, wondering what they had to say.
'I think 9 and 5 might be right,' said 3 through optic flickers.
'Elias seems to have everything under control,' said 4, though her expression told Hogarth that she had doubts about Elias' plan. 'We don't have any other options.'
Hogarth glanced over at his friends. Though they remained silent, he could tell that they were ready whenever he was ready. If Hogarth's call was to trust Elias, then so would they.
"Tomorrow," said Hogarth, facing Elias, "we'll...we'll join you and the general to the location of the shelter."
"Are you sure about this?," reiterated Elias.
The answer was burning on Hogarth's tongue. "Yes."
Elias looked at each of Hogarth's friends before speaking.
"Very well," he said, "I'll be there to escort you all to the forest, where we'll meet with the general and discuss the plan."
"Great," said Hogarth.c
"I'll be seeing you." Elias walked away, leaving the four with their faces pale.
A loud burp resonated through the air, startling Hogarth and the other two. Even the stitchpunks were taken aback. Everyone turned to look at Duncan. Hogarth raised a brow while 9's pupils widened, and Terrence was trying to hold back laughter. 4 put her hands on her hips, a stitched brow arched.
"Excuse me," he said sheepishly, smiling coyly.
"That was a loud one," commented Michael.
"Sorry, but I had to wait until he left to let it out," explained Duncan.
Terrence shot him a confused glance.
"He would've been grossed out," added Duncan. Terrence merely shrugged.
The four continued walking.
"So what do we do?," asked Michael.
"I don't know," said Duncan, "maybe a movie?"
"No, I mean," corrected Michael, "what are we going to do about tomorrow?"
"Meaning?" Terrence quirked an eyebrow.
"Should we all sleepover at Hogarth's?," said Michael, hoping he got his message across.
Hogarth raised a brow. A sleepover sounded like a good idea.
"What's a sleepover?," asked 9.
"A sleepover is a party where you go sleep over at a friends' house," explained Hogarth.
"Sounds like a lot of fun," quipped 5, glancing up at Hogarth.
"Sleepovers are fun," said Duncan. "I've slept over at Michael's, Hogarth's..."
"What about Terrence?," asked 9, pointing his thumb at the boy.
Terrence turned away, shoulders slumping. 9, 5 and the twins glanced at him quizzically. Duncan and Michael traded worried looks before changing the subject.
"So hey," chirped Michael, "let's say we get some snacks for the sleepover?"
"Are we really doing this?," quipped Hogarth, eyebrow arched.
"Yeah," said Duncan, "why not?"
Hogarth mulled it over for a moment.
"Alright," he responded, "but I'll have to tell Mom about it, and about tomorrow and how Elias is going to take us to the woods to meet the general."
"Great," cheeped Duncan.
"Hey," said Terrence, eyes brightening, "I've just thought of something."
"What?," said Michael.
"If the stitchpunks really are going to go home," he said, "shouldn't we send them off with souvenirs?"
Duncan quirked a brow.
"Souvenirs, huh?," muttered Hogarth. "What would we give them?"
"Uh..." Terrence tapped his chin with a finger.
"My mom has some marigold cuttings she's saving for spring," retorted Michael. "Maybe I can take a few and give them to them." He looked at Hogarth. "After all, you said where they're from there's no organic life."
"Not yet," clarified Hogarth.
"Incidentally," uttered 9, "grass started growing back, and some trees began growing green leaves."
"It's true," said 5, nodding.
"Well, take the marigolds anyway," insisted Michael, "then you can plant them when you get home."
"That's an awfully kind gesture," quoth 5.
"I'm doing it out of the goodness of my heart."
"And it shows," retorts 9.
"Then it's settled," said Hogarth, "we'll get souvenirs for the stitchpunks, we sleepover at my house and we head into the woods Elias and see if Mansley will show his ugly face."
"I could punch it into shape," declared Terrence, cracking his knuckles.
"Oh, you're so scary," said Hogarth in a mocking tone.
Terrence grinned.
A light shone from the upstairs bedroom, laughter resonating from the half-open door, which prompted Hogarth to close it.
"It was nice of your mom to let us sleepover," said Duncan. He was seated in his sleeping bag on the floor.
"Yeah," said Hogarth, flopping back on his bed.
"So, who wants to start with ghost stories?," suggested Michael.
"I don't like the sound of this," said 5, shrinking back behind the picture frame.
"Why not play truth or dare?," offered Duncan.
Terrence shrugged.
Hogarth turned off his lamp and turned on his flashlight.
"I know," he chirped, "let's ask 9." He flashed his flashlight on 9, was seated next to him on his left. The zippered stitchpunk waved shyly.
"Tell us," said Michael, "and we all have to do it."
"Oh, um," muttered 9, chuckling.
3 and 4 scampered over to 9 and flickered something that the others didn't understand. Their reactions made the situation more enjoyable.
"What are they saying?," said Terrence.
"Okay," uttered 9. "The twins want to know...," his smile became mischievous, "...if any of you are infatuated with someone."
"Infatu-what?," muttered Duncan.
"He wants to know if you have a crush on someone," said Hogarth.
"Oh," quipped Michael.
3 and 4 covered their mouths mans giggled.
Duncan scratched his head, Michael cleared his throat while Terrence darted his eyes left to right.
"I'll go first," announced Hogarth, raising his hand.
"Do tell," said 5.
"Okay," said Hogarth, "I...have a crush on Hannah Perkins."
"Ooh!," chorused Michael and Duncan in unison.
"She's a beauty," said Terrence.
"I know," said Duncan.
"I could lose myself in that blond hair," uttered Michael.
Hogarth grinned proudly.
"What about you?," said 9, pointing to Michael.
"Oh, me?," uttered Michael. "Well," he cleared his throat, "I've always kinda had a crush on Janice Michelson."
"Ooh, she is fine!," hooted Duncan.
"Yeah," said Terrence, "it's the eyes that grab you."
"What's special about her eyes?," queried 9.
"They're amber," replied Hogarth. "And that's a rare eye color."
"Totally." Michael nodded.
"I know for a fact that Duncan here has a crush on a snack food," jeered Terrence, pointing his thumb at Duncan.
"Hey!," shouted Duncan.
"Sorry," squeaked Terrence, falling back, pounding his fist on the ground.
"What about you?," retorted Hogarth.
Terrence laughter receded. He promptly sat upright.
"Who do you got a crush on?," quipped Duncnan.
"Uhhhh," said Terrence, voice cracking. His eyes darted from the left to right. He scratched the back of his head.
"Come on; out with it," cheeped Michael.
Duncan gave a toothy grin.
"Uhhh...," muttered Duncan. "... Shannon Prowse."
"Shannon?," uttered Michael.
"Ooh, she's out of your league," remarked Hogarth.
"Yeah," said Duncan, "she's like a white whale; hunting her will kill you."
"She's unattainable," bemoaned Michael, shaking his head.
"You're right; I know," uttered Terrence, he rested his chin on his knees. "But a guy can dream, can't he?"
"Yeah," said Duncan, shrugging.
Hogarth glanced over at 9. "Think he has a chance with her?"
"I don't know," replied 9. "I'm trying to say this in the nicest, possible way..." He glimpsed at Terrence, trying not to sound negative.
"I get it," said Hogarth.
"If I were human," uttered 5, "I'd want to be with a woman like her."
"You deserve it," encouraged Michael.
5 offered a smile.
"Oh hey," said Hogarth, pulling out his sketchbook. "I made these sketches of 9's friends."
"Aw really?," said Duncan, leaning over in his sleeping bag.
"You really did?," quipped 5.
"Sure did," retorted Hogarth, opening his sketchbook to the middle to end part. He turned it over. "Here they are," he said.
"Whoa," uttered Michael, eyes as big as the moon.
"Which one's that?," asked Terrence, pointing at the drawing.
"That's 1," replied Hogarth, pointing to the sketch of the stitchpunk.
The stitchpunk had, what Hogarth could describe as, high cheekbones. On his face were a stitch work that it made look like he had "wrinkles." He had at least two buckles. His hands were sharp, made of some kind of metal. He had three toes on his feet. On his head was a topknot.
Michael grimaced. "Ugh! He is so ugly."
"I know, huh?," said Hogarh, nodding.
"He reminds me of the school janitor, Mr. Britons," commented Terrence.
"At least that guy is only like six inches tall," said Duncan, pointing.
"Yeah, that's a relief," reiterated Hogarth. He turned the page. Another sketch of one of 9's friends.
"Who's that one?," asked Michael.
"That's 2," answered 5. 3 and 4 nodded.
"Were you two close?," queried Michael.
"Like any other human parent would be with their child," replied 5.
The three observed Hogarth's sketch. 2 had shoelaces on his front and wearing some kind of vest. He had what appeared to be a metal plate on the back of his head. He was holding a cane, indicating that he was elderly. There was a patch on his upper right thigh. From the looks of it, he had wooden feet.
"He's like a kind grandfather," said Hogarth. "At least, that's how I see him from how much 9 and 5 talk about him."
"When I met 2," interjected 9, "he told me that some things are better left where they lie, but if you know where to look, that these ruins are full of riches."
"Whoa," gasped Duncan, "deep."
"I'll say," retorted Michael.
"He truly is the wisest of all stitchpunks," said Hogarth.
"And still is," chimed 5.
Hogarth turned to the next page. This sketch was of a black-and-white striped stitchpunk with mismatched optics. The left being bigger than the right. He had pen nibs for fingers. He wore a key around his neck. On top of his head, he sported a messy mop of black yarn hair.
"Who's he?," asked Terrence.
"That's 6," answered 9.
"The artist," said Hogarth, as to be specific.
"Cool," said Duncan.
"Also," quoth 5, holding up a finger, "his left optic is gold while his right optic is silver."
"Neato," said Michael.
"Not only that," said 9, "but he would get visions of the future."
"Could he predict the weather?," asked Duncan.
"No," replied 5, "nothing like that."
"Oh."
"Next," said Hogarth. He turned the page, revealing the next stitchpunk.
"Oh, wait," announced Duncan, "don't tell me; that's 7, right?"
"Sure is," said Hogarth, nodding.
7 had an emerald brooch holding her seam in place as well as a thin rope tied around her waist. She was holding a makeshift spear, cobbled out of several miscellaneous parts. She had a brown armband. She wore a bird skull on her head with two bones that dangled down the sides of her head, making it look like she was wearing earrings.
"She's pretty," said Michael.
"I would so date her if she were human," remarked Duncan.
"She'd be flattered," said 5, chuckling.
3 and 4 nodded.
Hogarth turned the page over to reveal the last stitchpunk to be shown.
"Let me guess," said Michael, "8?"
"Yeah," said Hogarth.
"He's kinda fat," said Terrence, raising a brow.
"He and Duncan can be a perfect match," said Michael.
Duncan, who was about to open his mouth to argue, let it go and proceeded to let Hogarth continue with the introduction.
8 was indeed thicker than the other stitchpunks. He had three markings on his mouth. He wore a collar made of some kind of metal. He held a knife, the point faced down; behind him was a scissor blade, which no one understood how it stayed in place. His had buckles holding his seam together. He had shovel-like feet. And the number eight was written on his upper right arm.
"So he's...," uttered Michael.
"The bully? Yeah," said Hogarth.
"But his job is mostly to be a guard," said 5.
"And he obeyed every order 1 gave him?," retorted Hogarth.
"Yes."
3 flickered to Hogarth, grabbing everyone else's attention.
"What's he saying?," queried Terrence, brow raised, head titled.
"He's saying," said Hogarth, "that 8 had a magnet that he would hold over his face to use...as a...drug."
Michael's eyebrow arched. Duncan's eyes bulged.
"Huh," muttered Terrence, "so magnets are like...what booze is to humans."
"Sort of like that," said 5.
"That's how he ended up getting captured by the Seamstress," said 9.
"The Seamstress?," said Duncan.
"It's this beast," replied 5.
"Imagine a cobra snake with a doll's face and sewing needles for hands," said Hogarth.
"Euugh!," complained Michale, sticking his tongue out.
"It's scarier than it sounds," said 9.
"Well, that's enough for the night," announced Hogarth.
"I'm sure gonna be getting nightmares of the Seamstress," said Duncan, settling I it his sleeping bag.
"About it eating your snacks?," quipped Terrence.
"Shut up."
"All right, guys," said Hogarth, "that's enough. We've got to get up early tomorrow." He was about to turn the flashlight off when Michael brought up a question.
"Wait," he said.
"What?," muttered Hogarth.
"You say that the stitchpunks have to go their world, right?," he began.
"Yeah?"
"Well," he said, "and this is just off the top of my head, but why not bring them here to this world instead?"
9 raised a stitched brow. 5 looked over at 4, who shrugged while 3 scratched his chin in thought.
"What do you think?," queried Michael, looking blindly hopeful.
"I," uttered 9, "I don't know..."
"Just think about it," insisted Michael. "Here, you don't have to worry about getting attacked by beasts like that Seamstress."
"It sounds like a better idea," commented Duncan.
"Uhh..." 5 scratched the back of his head.
3 and 4 looked at one another, flickering their optics.
"Guys?," said Hogarth.
"Well," said 9, "this world is safer than our world... But we have a mission in ours that has to be completed." He rubbed his arm nervously, pupils darting away to not look Michael in the eye.
5 stepped up. "You know that the Giant is currently roaming the world, right? He's going on his own mission to help others in need. Just like him, we have our mission to protect our world." He paused for a minute. "It's what the Scientist wanted us to do. That's why we were created. We have to look after our world."
"Gee," said Michael, scratching his nape, "I didn't think about that. I just thought it'd be fun to have you all here."
"I know," said 5 appreciatively.
The twins flashed their optics.
"What are they saying?," asked Duncan, pointing at them.
"They're saying," began Hogarth, "that they're going to miss you all when they have to return home."
"I'll miss them, too," said Duncan.
"Me too," chirped Michael.
"Same here," said Terrence.
3 flickered to Hogarth.
"Translation," said Terrence.
"He's saying," he uttered, "that he can't wait to tell the others back home about you guys." It brought a smile on Hogarth. "And he's also excited to show them the souvenirs we got them. Speaking of—" Hogarth scrambled out of his bed and went for his coat, which he hung on the chair. "—this is for 4," he said. He went back and climbed back into bed. "I found this in the junkyard." It was a dangly diamond earring tied with a piece of rope. "It's a necklace." He handed it to the hooded twin. "Consider it an early Christmas gift."
4 held the earring up. It's surface shined in the light of the flashlight. She smiled as she put it on. With the white dress, the necklace completed the look. She gave a twirl and ended with a curtsy.
"Looking good," said Duncan.
"She should be a model," commented Michael.
4 beamed.
"Here's mine," said Michael, rummaging through his backpack. He pulled out a small plastic bag with dried up marigold flowers. Some of them were already turning brown. "These are the marigolds." He stood up and walked over to the nightstand. He handed the bag to 5. The bag was almost as big as him.
"I'll give you mine in the morning," said Duncan with a yawn. He stretched his arms. "I'm gonna get some shut eye." He laid down, settled in more comfortable in his sleeping back and readjusted his pillow.
"Okay, now that he's going to sleep," said Terrence, gaze turning away from Duncan, "I have my souvenir for you guys." He opened his backpack, pulled out an item and walked over to the stitchpunks. "Here," he held out a miniature scythe-like weapon, "this is for 3."
3 took the miniature scythe. He ran his hand down the pole. The blade appeared to be have come from a shaving razor tied to the metal pole with wires. 3 hoisted it up high, the light shining off the blade, then swung it like he were fighting an imaginary opponent. He stood up straight, scythe held to the side.
"Cool," said Michael, eyes widening in wonder.
"7 would be impressed," quipped 5. 9 nodded.
"Goodnight," said Hogarth, turning off the flashlight.
"Goodnight," said 5.
Just as planned, Elias came personally to escort Hogarth, his friend, and his parents to the campsite that morning. The man was surprised to see that Hoagrth's friends spent the night. Elias had said to bring them along, he didn't think they would take his word. Elias didn't expect them to come.
The hike commenced as soon as everyone was ready.
A thick blanket of swirling mist snaking in and out of the tree trunks and connecting them like a maze. It was so thick that it couldn't be seen through at any distance no matter how close but resembled a mass of steam that clung to the very air.
The sound of feet crushing the snow could be heard with each step. Hogarth didn't know what was worse: having to go on this hike in the snow, or having to go on this hike with Elias. The man was at the head of the team, leading them to the location of their hideout. He gave him a suspicious glance every two seconds. 9 and 5 were perched on his shoulders, both dressed in the handmade sweaters.
He glimpsed over his shoulder. 3 was sitting atop Duncan's head and 4 was sitting on Michael's shoulder.
"So what's the plan?," asked Hogarth.
Elias cleared his throat, forcing out a cough.
"General Rogard will be having a few soldiers on surveillance at the campsite," he replied, eyes locked on the trail. "He and a few of his troops will go to the location of the shelter on foot." He looked over his shoulder. "I will be staying with all of you until the general says it's clear."
"Yeah?," said Hogarth, lifting an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Elias turned away and continued walking.
Hogarth grabbed at the camera he brought. He was going to take the time to take last minute photos of the stitchpunks when they get to the campsite.
"By the way," uttered Elias, snapping Hogarth out of his brooding, "remember when I told you about the dead deer I saw the soldiers take to the shelter?"
"Yeah? I remember," replied Hogarth.
"Well," said Elias, "last week I ran into that deer, except he had machine parts. His right eye was a bionic one and it glowed red. His legs were metal. But the worse part I could see its ribcage and I saw his heart—still beating."
A gag could be heard from behind and Hogarth looked over his shoulder. It was Duncan, who stopped and was bent over. The thought of a still beating heart made his stomach churn, almost wishing he hadn't eaten anything this morning.
Hogarth looked back at Elias. "What did you do?," he asked.
"I killed it of course," responded Elias. "I'm betting it was a relief to that deer machine." He glimpsed over his shoulder. "What would you call it?"
Hogarth thought on it. He said it was a deer with machine parts. Robotic eye. Robotic legs. Something came up, it was just on the tip of his tongue.
"Cervine," said Hogarth.
"That's a name for it," retorted Elias.
Hogarth glimpsed at 9, who shrugged. He hadn't see this beast, but he was glad Elias got rid of it. 5 also agreed with him.
"Well," said Elias, kicking away some snow, "we're here."
Hogarth lifted his head, eyes widening. Beside him, his friends flanked him from each side, getting a glimpse of what was coming.
In an expansive clearing, he saw several tactical trucks parked here and there. Hogarth deduced the were about twelve to fifteen of them. Soldiers in uniform stood, standing guard, guns held. Hogarth spotted the general standing a few yards away from the camp, his back to them.
"Whoa," said Terrence, head swiveling around.
"So," spoke 9, "these people will help us get home?"
"They'll infiltrate the shelter that Mansley's in," answered Hogarth, "they'll take down his cronies and arrest Mansley—"
"And once everything's cleared," interrupted Elias, who happened to be listening, "I'll take you down there personally to the portal, activate it and send you all home."
Michael held a finger up to 4's face. The hooded twin grabbed his finger with her two tiny hands. She smiled up at him, letting him know that it was okay.
General Rogard turned around and approached Elias after spotting Hogarth standing next to him.
"Is that their leader?," asked 5, pointing.
"Yeah," said Hogarth, "General Rogard."
"Agent Wolfe," said General Rogard once he as in close proximity.
"General," said Elias.
The general looked over at Hogarth.
"Good to see again, Hogarth," said General Rogard.
"Same to you," replied Hogarth. He wasn't sure if he should've said that. Talking to Elias was hard enough, but speaking out of turn in front of the general was like unintentionally insulting him.
"Agent," said the general to Elias, "I've got a few things to discuss with you..."
Hogarth watched Elias walk away with the general. The boy ambled away, joining his friends who were standing next to a few soldiers. The soldiers in turn answered whatever questions the boys had. Hogarth smirked.
"Hey guys," said Hogarth, waving to them.
"Hey," said Duncan and Michael in unison.
"So, are we gonna take those pictures?"
"Yeah," said Duncan. He turned to the soldier he was talking to. "You want to take some pictures with us?"
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt," replied the soldier.
"Okay," said Hogarth, holding the camera to his face, "let's get a shot of you and those two soldiers..."
Hogarth took about ten photos of his friends with the soldiers. Annie had to take over when Hogarth wanted to be part of the fun. Annie took about eight photos with them.
"Now, let's get some with the stitchpunks," hooted Hogarth, raising his hand.
The stitchpunks, who were standing in the snow, responded to Hogarth's call and meandered over to him. The soldiers turned their gaze to the four stitchpunks when they were in close proximity.
"What in the...?," uttered a soldier standing between Michael and Hogarth.
"It takes time getting to know them," quipped Hogarth. He crouched down and held out his hand, then the other. The four carefully climbed on to Hogarth. They reached his shoulder, and Hogarth stood up straight.
"Hello," said 5 coyly, waving a tiny hand.
"Whoa," said a soldier, eyes protruding.
"Wow," said another soldier.
Hogarth couldn't help but laugh.
"Now, uh," said Dean, "huddle in; I want to get everyone in this shot." He waved to the soldiers closest to the group, ones that hadn't had the change to their picture taken.
Annie handed the camera to Dean. They watched the soldiers gather round Hogarth and his friends, their gazes locked on the stitchpunks.
"Okay," said Dean, holding the camera to his face, he took another quick once-over before clocking the button. "Alright; everybody smile."
The camera flashed. The photo was taken, forever immortalized for the rest of their natural lives.
"Alright," said Dean, lowering the camera from his face, "that's that. You all did great." He turned the camera, wiping the lens with his coat sleeve.
Hogarth traipsed up to him.
"I can't wait to get those developed," he said.
Dean handed him the camera.
"I'll bet they turned out great," quipped Annie.
Hogarth smiled.
"Attention!," barked the general.
The soldiers who were assigned to join the general filed into a line. About eighteen were left behind; the ones who were staying to check for any of Mansley's lackeys.
Hogarth looked over and saw Elias approaching him and his parents.
"General Rogard's heading in with his troops," he said. "So, I'm going to be staying here with all of you until he says he's captured Mansley."
Hogarth could hear the general giving orders to the soldiers. He could make out a few things. Something about Mansley and how they needed to get him and free his prisoners. Whatever strategy they were going to use, Hogarth trusted the general.
General Rogard gave the command to march, and the soldiers followed.
"Do you think they can handle it?," asked 9. He glanced up at Hogarth.
Hogarth watched the soldiers leave. Elias didn't want to disclose the location of the shelter, so it was the boy's best guess where it was. His gaze remained locked on the troops until they were gone.
"I know that they can handle it," replied Hogarth, turning away. He traipsed away from the others, approaching one of the closest tactical trucks. "You wanna know why?"
"Why?," remarked 5.
"Because," said Hogarth, "had Mansley once, and he's going to catch him again."
3 and 4 gave him uncertain glances. They looked more worried than doubtful. But when Hogarth told them something was going to be alright, it usually meant it was.
"I hope you're right," said 9.
Hogarth nodded.
"You've got anything to eat here?," asked Duncan to any soldier who would be listening.
A soldier looked around for anyone who would be able to handle his request.
"Don't worry," said Hogarth, "he eats like ten times a day."
The soldier blinked.
So, this is it. This is the chapter of a lifetime. I almost had a heart attack writing it. This is the moment we've all been waiting for. I almost didn't want to believe it. But it's here.
And that comment Michael made about Mansley's chin... Well, come on. That chin can do some serious damage. Eesh! X-[