A/N: A shout out to my anonymous reviewer! Glad you liked it. :) Thanks!
Chapter 22
Arif and Boq wandered the fields that led toward Upper Apperlue. It had to be done on foot, mostly because the tall corn crops would not allow a horse through, but also because the Tin Man was too heavy for a horse. They didn't speak, trying to move stealthily, but of course how stealthy was a man made of metal?
They were in luck though as the Tin Man's joints weren't the loudest thing they heard. The unmistakable sound of tools on rocks and earth met their ears as the moved closer to the edge of the corn field. Arif had Boq stop moving and he continued on alone, just to the edge of the crops.
The Councilman looked at what he saw before him and quickly retreated. He reached Boq and indicated they better head back to Upper Munch. Carefully, they made their way towards the dirt road, which ran parallel to the crops. They couldn't exit too closely to the area they discovered but they also couldn't walk inside the crops for the entire distance back to Arif's relatives.
A little while later, darkness was slowly beginning to envelope Munchkinland as the two finally felt safe enough to exit the corn field. They made idle chit chat, not wanting to remain silent the whole way back to the safety of their temporary residence. Boq could tell that the Councilman had seen something that he wanted to talk about, but they had no idea who could overhear them and they did not want to take any chances.
"Ah there you are. We were about to send out the search party," Arif's grandmother, Belma, chuckled from her rocking chair on the porch of the home owned by Arif's parents, Cemile and Furkan.
"A nice walk turned into quite a hike," the Councilman smirked.
"Oh, I bet it did. Cemile is making dinner. Tin Man, have a seat," Belma said. It wasn't a request. Arif nodded at his friend and headed inside.
"Mama Belma…" Boq started.
"You're a Munchkin under there aren't you?" She asked.
"I'm me," Boq wasn't sure how to handle the question.
"Uh huh. You know you can trick these villagers, but you know you can't trick me," Belma gave him a look. Boq heaved a sigh.
"Yes Mama Belma, I'm a Munchkin," he admitted.
"Who did this to you? Or do I even need to guess?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The person who did this is no longer alive," it wasn't the full truth, but the fact was the person who started the chain reaction that caused this was indeed dead. Belma just nodded. They fell into a silence for a few moments before she said,
"Don't let anyone know back in the big city. They already think all us Munchkins are horrible people. You made a name for yourself, keep it that way."
"It's up to me and the Councilman to show the rest of Oz that Munchkins aren't horrible people," Boq pointed out.
"They'll never believe you with the current regime. I've seen zealots like him more than I should have. You know what they're doing. You've seen it. They only care about themselves," she told him.
"Yes, Mama Belma. Have you told your grandson?" Tin Man wanted to know.
"He's got a lot on his plate. Keep him safe. Now go on. It's time for you both to return to the City," Belma said. Boq nodded and left her on the porch. He headed inside thinking that Mama Belma and the residents of Center Munch knew more than they had said. They were afraid that there were those with ears who would spill their secrets. The elder Munchkin was right. It was time to return to the Emerald City.
To Be Continued…
