EPISODE TWO

Nina walked through the forest in the mountains, carrying a basket of flowers on her arm and searching for more flowers to pick. She loved her morning walks through the forest, but the flowers were scarce this morning. She soon started to skip, forgetting to look for flowers as she weaved in out of the trees.

A root that seemed to pop out of nowhere suddenly caught her foot, and felt onto her stomach and began rolling down a short hill, coming to a stop at the bottom. Nina sat up, feeling dizzy as she tried to get her bearings. She stood back up, leaning on a tree and brushing off her skirt. When she looked up, she saw she had rolled all the way to the Harvest Goddess Spring. She started to turn to climb back up the hill, but something stopped her and she walked slowly up the spring.

She cautiously kneeled at the water's edge, staring at her reflection. Something made her so uneasy…it wasn't the strangely wilted flowers, or the silence of the spring. It was the feeling of being watched.

She took a quick glance over her shoulder, not expecting anything to be there. But the Harvest Goddess was staring back at her. As she stared deeper into the water, she saw something reflected in the water behind her.

She took a quick glance over her shoulder, not expecting anything to be there, that the reflection was just a trick of the light. But the Harvest Goddess was staring back at her.

Nina did a double take. But it wasn't the Harvest Goddess. It was…a statue of her. How weird, Nina thought, standing up and taking a step closer to the figure. She held her breath, feeling like the statue would suddenly come to life. It was so realistic, but…it was silly to think that the Harvest Goddess was turned to stone. Still, Nina was creeped out.

She moved closer, her face inches from the statue's as she examined it closer. The stone seemed flawless, as if it had just been erected that day. Well, I guess it could have been, Nina thought, looking back at the spring. But wouldn't someone have said something? She looked back at the Harvest Goddess and gasped. A single tear was sliding down her stone face.

---

A strange greenish-gray haze hung in the air of the kitchen when Carl had first led her inside, and the smell of burnt Spinach was still strong, but Katie hadn't bothered to ask what happened.

Carl had given her a small tour of the back rooms before showing her all the equipment and ingredients in the kitchen. She'd demonstrated her cooking skills, and she could tell that her employer wasn't exactly pleased.

"Um…who taught you to bake Cakes?" Carl asked, eyeing the Cake Katie had set in front of him.

"Oh…my grandfather, Wallace," she said, feeling a sinking feeling in her stomach. Did she do that bad of a job baking?

"I see…" he said, nodding a little. "Well, I think your technique needs some work, but…I think you'll improve over time. You at least know all the basic ingredients."

Katie nodded, feeling a little relieved. But she still needed to try her best. She picked up her Cake and dumped it into the nearby trashcan with a sigh.

---

Dia was again in the forest, walking rather quickly now. She needed to get somewhere…

She stumbled forward, snapping her out of her daydream. She put a hand on a nearby tree to support herself. She shook her head a little. What just happened?

She looked around, realizing she was in the forest, but not the one in her dream. It was just the ordinary forest in the mountains. But how had she gotten here…? It was slowly coming back to her.

"I was going for a walk…" she muttered. She remembered now. She'd convinced Gina that she was fine, and the nurse let her go for a walk. But what had just happened?

She blinked, realizing that she was at the Harvest Goddess Spring.

---

Nina was running through town now, slowing down to catch her breath. She felt shaky and a little sick. The tormented look on the Goddess' face…

She tried to shake it off, saying that it was ridiculous to get worked up about a statue. But something seemed seriously wrong.

She slowed all the way down to a walk now, still panting. She could see the Calloway Café up ahead. Maybe some Cake, and a little Hot Milk, could cheer her up…

---

"What is wrong with her, Doctor?" Gina asked, walking up to Alex's desk. "Have you figured it out yet?"

Alex sighed, shaking his head a little. "I'd guess that it's just a cold, but…" He paused, frowning a little.

"…But?"

"I'd feel better if she comes back to the Clinic soon. I'd rather not have her leave again until I can figure out what's going on."

---

Katie and Carl looked up as the door of the café opened and a girl with bright pink hair came in, looking worried. Carl stood up, walking around the counter. "Welcome to the Calloway Café, Nina. I usually only see your mother here. Can I get you something?"

Katie looked away, bored. She sighed a little.

Nina started to answer him, but looked over at Katie. "What happened to Ann?" she asked, directing her question at Carl. Katie looked back at Nina as Carl answered.

"Ann, was, well…she got fired," he said, sighing tiredly. Nina gave a small laugh. "I'm not surprised."

Katie was a little offended that Nina didn't bother to introduce herself, and Carl didn't mention Katie either. She crossed her arms, glaring at him but he seemed to be unaware of her angry look.

"So, anyway, what can I get you? And are you okay? You seem upset."

Nina's worried expression returned as she sat down at the counter. "Hot Milk and…Cheesecake. And I guess I'm fine, but…Carl, have you been to the Harvest Goddess Spring lately?" she asked suddenly.

"Um…no…but why?"

"I just…I saw a statue, and her presence…I don't feel it anymore."

"Whose presence?" Katie broke in, feeling a little interested in the conversation now. But Nina gave her an odd look, and Carl sighed again.

"The Harvest Goddess, of course," Nina said critically, as if this was obvious. "And who are you anyway?"

Katie ignored her question as she replied. "The…Harvest Goddess," she said slowly, smiling wryly. "And who might that be?"

Nina seemed stunned. "How can you even ask that? You've got to be joking. The Harvest Goddess is the---"

"Nina…calm down a little. Katie is, uh, new," Carl said nervously, shooting a look at Katie. Katie only glared in return.

Nina shook her head, seeming sorry for Katie. "Carl, you believe me, don't you? Something is happening at the spring."

"Maybe you could be a little clearer? You said you saw a statue, correct?" Carl said patiently.

"Yes, but I…I think the Harvest Goddess has…has been turned to stone!" she said, her eyes wide. Katie snorted, trying to contain her laughter. This was getting too crazy.

"Katie, maybe you should be preparing my Cheesecake and Hot Milk," Nina said innocently, turning to Katie. Katie rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," she said, feeling a little disappointed as she went back to the kitchen. She wanted to stay and find out more about this goddess, even if it was far-fetched.