Next chapter is up.

This one mainly has to deal with Randolph's image of every other monster he and Randall had come across. But he gets a surprise that he doesn't expect.

Enjoy.

Chapter 3 Heavy and Light Hearts

"So what happened next?".

"I…..I don't know if I really want to go on….Oh jeez….thinking about Randall and all".

"Come on…I was really getting interested…..here….next meals on the house if you tell me….".

"…..Emph…..Fine….I will….".

"Good…..let me top you off….so what happened? After you were in the bathroom?".

"Well……"

(NS)(NS)

"We ran here...Randolph was a little tired so we came here...and...that's about it I guess".

Randall had been explaining the past few events. Of course, Randolph never told him to mention where they were actually going or the event they had had.

"Wow...that's a story if I ever heard one...let alone a hard one like that". The waitress, Liz, had been cut a slightly different tone from what Randall had told her. Randall or Randolph hadn't told their story to anyone else, let alone anybody that would care. The effect was to Randall's surprise.

"Yeah...I...we didn't tell anybody...not even the kids at school...not that it would have changed anything anyway..." Randall said, starring at the liquid in his drink, a regretful look on his face. "So that's what you two sc...guys are alone out here".

"Heh...". Randall managed a chuckled from the comment. "Well..." Liz started, looking back. "Hmm...well I guess you guys are going somewhere pretty far...maybe a few things could help you out...".

Randall's fronds rose up. "Really!". She turned back. "Heck yeah...after all...not like anyone's gonna come back here any time soon...or new anyway...".

(NS)

Randolph had confined to himself not to take any time alone again. Right when he came back through the door, dropping every indication of his moment, he had had alone as he spotted the two. As he walked, his irritation of realization forced him to look right.

He had to at least thank it.

An old beat up car was parked near the gas station ahead of the diner, the owner coming up, a bleeding tentacle wrapped up with cloth signified that.

"(Oh crud...)" Randolph thought.

It was only a running walk to the counter that Randolph noticed his brother talking with the waitress. Needless to say, it wasn't what he expected. He climbed up the stool beside Randall's.

(NS)

"What's the matter?" Randall asked, taking their back from the counter, wondering why his brother was so frantic. "We have to get out of here now!" Randolph yelled. Liz was, obviously, confused. "Well what's the hurry? I mean..." she began to say, but was cut off when the door opened. In a quick burst of adrenaline, Randolph grabbed Randall and the bag and tossed both of them over the counter top.

(NS)

Liz barely had the time to look at them when Farris came in. Her attention shifted to him, and more importantly his bleeding tentacle. He came over to her at the counter, seeming determined and grouchy as he had always been.

"What's the matter Farris?" Liz asked as soon as she was face to face with her. "Liz...I had a run in with a couple of scalies steeling from my work shed! Came...running this way, you seen'em?" he asked.

(NS)

Randolph was laying his back against the counter, Randall on top of him with the bag. Randolph had his hand over Randall's mouth. Even breathing could give them away. Randolph's eyes shifted to Liz, who was talking with the farmer for whom he took an arm for an eye for. His thoughts were reminding him that they would be given away, he was sure of it.

(NS)

"A couple of scalies? What...did they look like" she asked.

Farris looked down for a moment, thinking. "Well ah...both were a...kinda purple...green eyed...eight slimy arms...sharp teeth...really sharp teeth...blue tailed...both of'em...and one has a scar on its eye thanks to me..." he said. Liz was right in her guess. These two, seemingly harmless, orphan scalies were the ones. Still, she never liked Farris, the way he was.

"Well?". She broke out of thought, seeing Farris look at her.

"Umm...well..." she started, looking to her side, acting as if she was thinking, though really looking at the two on the floor. Randolph had let go of Randall, knowing they would be caught. Randolph was looking down at his side, recalling. Everyone was the same. Everyone could choose the option to hurt him and his brother. She would tell him they were right beside her, behind the counter. He'd probably beat them both to death. He couldn't think of that happening to Randall, that was what he feared. He would probably, or anybody for that matter, make them slaves perhaps. Seemed appropriate, as it was a farm and all. Or probably send them to prison for such a stupid thing. Or just slit their tails off and watch they die slowly, probably gut both of them and sell their scales for someone to wear.

"(Stop it!)" Randolph yelled at his thoughts again.

(NS)

Liz looked at the two. The older one seemed serious, expecting the worst. He'd seemed like the little one's protector or something like that. But when she looked at the smaller one, Randall his name, and looked into his horrified emerald eyes, Liz just couldn't give them away. Not after what Randall had told her...

"Well? Have you?".

Liz looked away. "Well Farris...if your looking for'em...you'd better look somewhere's else cause you'll find only food and drink here...looking for something to buy?". Farris just mumbled. "Hmph...yeah sure...if you see'em call me..." he said, more angry than when he had come, leaving out the door.

(NS)

Randolph was shocked. It was something he never thought would happen for them. "(She...she helped us? Someone...helped us?)" Randolph knew that his encounter with the one who had given them the letter and them a way out seemed like somebody that wanted to help them or take them on a wild goose hunt...but. Regardless, it was something Randolph didn't suspect. For the first time in a while, he was thankful for that. Randall, on the other hand, was suspecting she would make the right choice. He was actually smiling when she looked at him and made her reply.

After a moment of silence, the two looked up at her. She didn't seem different from her usual self. "Well...that explains about your eye and that stuff in your mouth..." she said, looking at Randolph. Randall turned his attention to him, seeing his brother still serious. Although he didn't like admitting it, Randolph had to say he was thankful. Still...he was a little annoyed that he couldn't do it himself.

His forked tongue wrapped around a different word he never said to anyone else. He didn't look at her when he said it. "T...T...eh Thanks...".

That was it, that was all he wanted to say. Randall simply smiled, knowing he was appreciated enough. He got off Randolph, both getting to their feet. "Thanks..." Randall reminded himself to say. Liz brushed it off. "Don't mention it...besides...Farris deserved it anyway...".

Randolph cleared his throat. "Anywhere around here that gets to the city?" he asked, seeming to dismiss the earlier event. Liz thought for a moment, which gave the two time to get over the counter. "Well...there is a bus that passes by here...but the stop isn't for a mile or so...". Randall hopped onto the floor while Randolph remained on the counter.

"Doesn't it stop here for gas at all?" he asked. Liz shook her head. "Only if it springs a leak...".

Randolph sighed. It was the best they could do. He jumped down beside his brother, thinking that it was good enough. After all, they stopped for a good half an hour, had some food...yeah, they should be ok.

"Alright...lets go...". Randolph headed for the door, Randall giving a glance back to Liz. "He really is thankful..." he explained. Liz smiled. "Ah...seen men like him so I know one when I see'em. Randall turned around to leave, but Liz had one more question. "Um...what was your name again?" She asked.

Randall turned back, grinning. "Randall...Randall Boggs...".

Wasn't that suspenseful?

Hope it was, in some way. Anyway. That intro part. See if you can guess where it's going….

Anyway. Next chapter brings up trouble crossing Randall and Randolph's path, and more with Liz. Review, please.