Who knew the underground had many passageways and hiding places. Teal knew the way through the halls like the back of her hand. She thought it's an excellent way to create some distance from the Stonekeeper and the village. Thanks to the glowing snail, they can see where they're going. It spooked Fleem a little. Percy meanwhile safety in a jar, is amazed by these passages. Eventually, Teal found her cave they can stay.

"So...uh...this is sorta your quiet place, huh?" Fleem ask. He looked at her drawings on the wall.

"I would hide here to for alone time in my youth, but now not so much. But now serves as a hiding place." The two sat down on the ground with the snail as their only light source as darkness surrounds them. Fleem put the jar to the side while Teal took a breath and spoke out.

"I know why you guys are really here."

"You do? Did someone tell you? I bet it was Cornell!"

"No one. I found out when I overheard your friends and my stepfather arguing about the Smallfoots."

"So you know your stepdad has been capturing Smallfoots? To get rid of them for good?"

"Yes! I was even part of it! I captured them!" Teal exclaimed and pushed her head into her hands. Fleem is a bit stunned by her statement. She still recalls her stepfather telling her by doing this would better protect the village from any outside intruders of any kind. Although learning the Smallfoots existences was shocking, she was first told they are monsters, and they only care about themselves. Meanwhile, Cornell was kept in the dark for the most part.

"I thought I was doing something right, but that was a lie. The Pure of Heart, the Glistening shield, Smallfoots being monsters, it's all lies!" She looked away from Fleem. Fleem had no idea how to react or what mood he should feel. He looks down at the ground.

"How do you know Smallfoots are not monsters? How can you be so sure?" Fleem asked, his eyes is still glued to the ground. Isn't he and his friends trying to save them? Does he think Smallfoots are monsters? Perhaps he was forced on this quest. Unknown to her, Fleem is testing her. She gazed at the glowing snail on the ground, who started back at her. She had a story to tell.

"In one of my outings, I was ordered by my stepfather to go to the biggest Smallfoot village their is and capture a few there. And I did. I managed to capture a Smallfoot in its sleep, but that's when a...couple saw me from their home. They fleed before I could get there." Teal told and took a breath and continued.

"I looked all over the village for them; then I found where they hid. I took one of them. And just when I was about to grab the other...it looked at me in the eyes, telling me not to do this, why are you doing this, let her go. I never saw a Smallfoot do that before, showing love to each other, a connection."

"What did you do next?" Fleem asked with great sadness.

"I left him there, knowing it may never see his mate again." Teal started to cry into her knees to shild her tears. Telling the story brought thoughts of disturbing images back to her head that she thought she had overcome days ago. That red Smallfoot where shell never forget. The fact she may have destroyed a beautiful relationship made her feel such guilt.

"That's why I know not all Smallfoots are monsters." She managed choked up. Fleem was no good at these situation, but his test worked. He knew exactly who she is referring to. The Smallfoot that came with them. The Smallfoot in the jar. Fleem picked up the jar and opened it. Percy is not pleased to be cramped in a jar for so long.

Fleem took him out of the jar and had him sit on his hands. Percy was about to say a word until his eyes settled on Teal a few inches away from them. Then Percy noticed she's crying.

"Is she okay?"

"Teal, you may want to take a look."

Teal took peek, thought her watery eyes, her heart nearly came to a complete stop. No, It can't be. This could not be real. The Smallfoot she saw in the village-is here, and Fleem is holding it with ease. It blinked at her. She froze for a brief second; her mind is failing her.

"H-How did it get here?" She stutters at Fleem. Percy can tell she is freaked out by his presence. Perhaps she never saw a human before?

"He was in the jar the whole time."

"What!?"

"He also wanted to come along with us to save the other Smallfoots." Teal looked at Percy sadly. She knew he couldn't recognize her without the white paint on her. The Smallfoot tilted his head a, little confused by her sadness.

"Is it okay I hold him?" Teal asked. With no response, Fleem handed Percy to the Stonekeeper's stepdaughter. Her hands couldn't keep still with the precious weight and her hands.

"Shhh, it's okay. I don't bite, I promise." Percy assured her with an assuring smile. Teal sighs at him; she brought him closer to her face.

"Do you remember me from that night? That night I took your mate?" She asked with a serious tone. Percy gazed at her facial features that he had in front of him. Again, there is something familiar about her, and Percy couldn't figure out what. But now he was closer, bells in his brain are going off.

"You know, he can't understand you, right?" Fleem pointed out.

"I know."

Percy's eyes narrowed. Why do I feel like we met before? Then his eyes met hers. It was the eyes! That's it. The eyes looked familiar. Now the question is, where has he seen those eyes before? The redhead took a gaze at her eyes. Then a traumatic memory flashed before his eyes. Her eyes are compared to the yeti that took Brenda and thr villagers that cold winter night. Percy came to a horrifying conclusion.

There are the same, no question. Percy's mind is blown.

"...It was you — that night...it was you." Percy is stunned.

"You should hate and fear me for what I did to you, and the fear brought to your village." Her voice is breaking; she looked away from him, not bearing to see him frightened of her. Fleem saddened as he stayed quiet at this moment. Percy, however, is not terrified nor angry at her. Only surprised and speechless. From his point of view, she looked guilty and of her actions.

Regardless, what she did was horrible and unforgivable. But seeing her first glance, he wouldn't think she would do such a thing.

Unless she was forced to, why else would she take villagers?

Percy touches her furry cheek and has her face turned him. She turned to with teary eyes and confusion. Percy felt like he was going to cry himself.

"I forgive you."

The Smallfoot leaped up and hugged her tight around her neck. Teal was still confused by that, it was so unexpected. She looked for help. "W-Why is he doing this? He should hate me."

"I don't think he hates you; I think he forgives you."

He forgives me? Why? She thought she also wanted to ask him that, but she knew she couldn't. In return, she lightly hugged him back. She has never in life came in contact with a Smallfoot like this before, it felt nice. Even though she believes she should not be forgiven, he forgave her anyway. Percy let's go of his hold on her and send a smile up to her way. A determined smile appeared on her face.

"Let's go save your friends and return them home!" Teal exclaimed. A big old grin quickly appeared on Fleem's face.

"Yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!"

To Be Continued...