Chapter 3

I got onto the metro to go to the Rainforest District, where my relatives live. They only recently started allowing me to take public transportation by myself.

I got off at the station and immediately walked to Riverbrook Lane (where my relatives live).

As I rounded the bend, I saw the familiar house. It was like the other houses in the area with two stories and next to a river. I went up to knock on the door.

As soon as I did, The door opened, and Ashkii was there.

"Alister!" she said as she came and hugged me, "So great that you came! I need you here now."

"So glad to see you again," I said, "I have something to tell you."

Suddenly, Corey and Piper came in. Corey was wearing a blue shirt while Piper was wearing a soccer uniform.

"Cousin Alister!" Corey said.

"AWISER!" Piper said as she mispronounced my name (she was 4).

They both ran up to hug me as well. I didn't normally do well around children but I did well around them.

"Now," I said as we all broke apart, "I have the important news."

Everyone looked at me attentitively.

"I have been kicked out of my house in Muskegon."

"Oh really?" Ashkii asked.

"Does that mean you will stay with us?" Corey asked.

"Yes it does," I said.

The two pups cheered loud and continued to run around the house.

"Are you gonna wive here?" Piper asked.

"That's what I want to do," I said, "Live in the basement."

"Oh Alister!" Ashkii said, "You can stoatally live with us. As you know, Emmitt has been missing for eight days now. We don't know where he is. One day, he went to the plant shop and didn't come back."

I started to feel sad.

"Tomorrow," I said, "I may continue to look for him. I'll ask some of his friends. I know one in particular. He is a fox named Nick. I buy "pawpsicles" from him whenever I visit here. I would usually go with Emmitt."

"Maybe," Ashkii said, "You could help find him. I've already looked everywhere and could not seem to find him."

"If we can't find him by the tenth day," I said, "I suggest we go to the police station and ask about his disappearance."

"That is a great idea," Mrs. Otterton said as she leaned in to hug me, "I know him. He would never disappear on me."

Corey and Piper were playing with their toys in the living room. Piper was kicking around a soccer ball while Corey was re-creating scenes with his action figures.

"GOAL!" Piper screamed.

"PASHONKA!" Shouted Corey.

Ashkii was making dinner as I got out my phone. I was looking at articles from Loudwire. Disturbed and Breaking Beaver were getting ready for a tour they were going to do this summer. Slipknotter also was doing a tour as well. I also had plans to go to my first Warped Tour as it was also coming to Zootopia and it never comes to Muskegon. I have only been to a few shows in Muskegon. One was a Three Days Graze show I saw with James McMarmot when I was 13. I also, of course, was forced to see Kid Rock that same year in Bunnyburrow. Otherwise, I went to a Gazelle Anthem Concert in 2013 in Zootopia when I visited my relatives. My first concert ever was actually to see Green Day in 2010 when I was 8 and it was with Emmitt and Ashkii. Piper hadn't been born yet and Corey was only 3.

Dinner was served. We were having Scottish fried rice with trout, a dish that Emmitt (who is half Scottish btw) had taught us. It was also my favorite dish of theirs when I visited.

"Where's daddy?" asked Piper.

"We're not sure," said Ashkii, "We have looked for him but now have an extra set of eyes."

"Yes," I said, "I will be out looking for him tomorrow. I do know some of his friends in the city as well."

"Alright," said Corey, "I want him to be back."

We finished dinner. Piper went over to watch soccer videos on her iPaw, while Corey went up to his room to play Minecraft. I went over and listened to Quillswitch Engage while unpacking my stuff in the basement.

Tonight was my first night as a permanent resident of the city. Tomorrow would reveal some surprises.