CHAPTER 4 - SUMMERVILLE

The twins continued their arduous grind through the dense forest. Cody stayed close to his brother. He wanted to check for danger up ahead, but he felt that left Zack susceptible to danger sneaking up from behind. The best method to keep Zack safe, was to stay by his side. Zack was using his walking stick to balance his weight, but Cody could tell he was struggling. It was hard to keep his eyes from Zack's leg. Zack suddenly stopped walking.

"Look, I know what you're doing," he said.

"Doing?"

"Knock it off, Cody. I know you're concerned about my leg, but if you keep staring at it, and treating me like this, I'm gonna use my new walking stick to hit you!" Zack had enough of Cody's protection. He was glad that his brother was concerned, but he didn't have to be so obvious about it. To prove he wasn't messing around, Zack lightly tapped Cody on the shoulder with the stick. Cody nodded, and the two continued walking.

The twins still had no idea where they were going, and the paths in the forest were even less defined. The thick canopy also allowed few rays from the sun through to the forest floor. Zack and Cody were truly wandering without a direction. The two walked for hours and the already dim forest became darker. Night would soon fall.

"We should consider setting up a camp soon," Cody suggested.

"In the forest of death? I don't think so!" Zack called back to him. "I say we walk until we're out of the forest!"

"I already can't see well, and there may be other creatures in this forest. I don't want to die here!" Cody argued back. He wasn't fond of the idea of spending the night in the forest either. He felt sure they were being watched by dangerous creatures, and they were waiting for their opportunity to strike. At least if they stopped to build a camp, they could at least see what they were fighting. "Please, Zack? We don't know how big this forest is! We've been walking all day!"

Zack stopped again and glared at his brother. He wiped his sweaty bangs out of his eyes. Zack knew that Cody raised a good point, but he didn't trust the forest. He could feel the monsters watching both of them. If they stopped to make camp, they might as well wrap themselves up for the creatures. He didn't want to give them that chance. At least if they quickened their pace, maybe they could reach the end. Then Zack got an idea. He held out his hand. It began to glow with the blue aura, lighting up the area around Zack.

"Light problem solved." Zack grinned. "Let's keep walking."

"Zack…" Cody started to protest, but Zack ignored him and walked away.

"I'd recommend you keep up, Cody! It's gonna be really dark soon, and you said you can't see!"

Cody was in shock. He knew Zack was stubborn, but how did he not see that Cody was in the right. His leg was still injured, and he could use the rest. Cody was even willing to keep watch for the full night to allow Zack to get the rest he needed. The more he thought about it, the angrier Cody got. He'd had enough of Zack's cavalier attitude, and it was time to confront him. Cody walked in front of his brother, and stopped. Zack seemed annoyed, but was smirking.

"What?" Zack snarkily asked.

"We're gonna set up camp, and rest your leg," Cody said as forcefully as he could.

"We're almost at the end of the forest," Zack said matter of factly. Cody's mouth dropped.

"You say that based on what?" Cody motioned to the continuous trees around him. "It's been nothing but trees for hours! Nothing's changed!"

"My gut tells me we're almost out," Zack smiled to himself, puffing out his chest. Cody gritted his teeth. He was at his breaking point. With two fingers, he jabbed Zack in the stomach, causing him to double over in a coughing fit.

"Your 'gut'!" Cody yelled "Is what got us in this mess in the first place! If you hadn't jumped for those tools, we'd be at home! You don't pay attention, Zack!" Zack looked up at him pathetically, but Cody was on a roll. "Your reckless behavior might be fine running away from Moseby, but here, it could kill you! Do you get that?"

"I get it," Zack said meekly.

Cody ran his fingers through his hair, looking away from Zack. He knew his brother would play meager for sympathy. He didn't want to fall for it. Although, Cody knew he didn't need to blow up. Zack didn't get a free pass because he was hurt. Cody heard the cracking of leaves, indicating that Zack had stepped closer.

"I know this place is dangerous. I understand what you're saying, but I know I'm right," Zack said softly. Cody's jaw dropped as he watched his brother walk by him. He stood frozen, as Zack began to shrink into the distance. Zack walked, but didn't turn around. His ears were at full attention, waiting for Cody to hit him, or to stop him. The two had agreed to work together to get out of their predicament, but they'd both done a bad job of that. He felt bad for how he was treating Cody. Zack had often taken advantage of his brother's nature to get what he wanted. This was another one of those times. Eventually, he heard the pounding of feet coming toward him indicating that Cody had caught up. Zack gripped his walking stick tightly.

"I'll give it a bit more time, but if we don't see the end, we're stopping. I don't care if I have to tackle you to the ground," Cody said flatly.

"Fine."

The two walked in silence. They had gotten through another fight. Cody always relied on their bond as twins to get them through these disagreements. He knew he allowed Zack to push him around more than necessary, but they needed to be together. Cody felt more confident in himself since waking up in this place. He felt a toughness, he'd never felt before. He probably could survive without Zack, but he knew that Zack couldn't without him. His leg was in bad condition, and he was definitely weakened. He'd be easy pickings. Cody needed to look out for him, no matter how frustrating he was.

After another hour of walking in silence, the trees began to let up. The thick forest gave way. The trees became more sporadic, and the twins found themselves in a small village. The brick buildings were quaint and set up evenly along little dirt roads. The two brothers did not acknowledge each other at their accomplishment. The roads were lit with fiery torches allowing for a crude sense of direction. There wasn't anybody else on the streets at this time of night. The duo heard a great deal of noise coming from one of the larger buildings. It sounded like music. Someone was playing a piano. A glow seemed to emanate from the building, drawing the twins toward it.

The building had a large sign hanging off the door frame. A custom painted beer glass said, 'TIPSY FLAGON BAR & INN.' Cody started to walk towards the front door.

"Something you want to say to me?" Zack asked. Cody turned to him and pondered the question.

"Nope." He opened the door to the inn, leaving Zack on the street. They hadn't fought like this in awhile, and Zack knew it was his fault. He'd make it up to Cody later. He brushed off the argument and followed his brother inside. The tavern was filled with an array of tables. Each one had four stools lying upside down on the tabletops. There was a woman playing a piano in the back corner of the establishment. She was a skilled player as she effortlessly hammered the keys and sung her song. The twins didn't know the words, but smiled at the familiarity of it. The two went to a table and pulled two of the stools down. They sat and listened to the concert.

When she was finished, the boys clapped for her, which surprised her. She turned to face them, embarrassed. She picked up her patchwork dress at the knees and ran over to the bar. She easily mantled over it, ready to serve.

"Now, what kind of customer doesn't ask to be served?" She pulled down to glasses. "What's your poison, boys?" She pulled a blue bottle from a shelf, spinning it in her hands. "Not often we get strange dressed folk like you." Maybe you're from 'cross the country? I got a friend over there. She sent me this bottle. Potent stuff, from what I hear!" She put the bottle down on the bar. "Or perhaps you two need a room for the night?"

"Actually, we're just trying to figure out where we are. We just came from the forest…"

"The forest?" she interrupted. "What were y'all doing in the Endless Forest?" her bubbly expression had grown dark. She eyed the twins with suspicion.

"Kind of a long story," Zack muttered.

"No point in being dishonest," Cody said as he stood up. "We woke up here today, beyond the forest. We've walked all day, looking for any other person, and we found this town. We don't know anybody, or anything here. We just want information." Cody kept the story simple and was as clear as he could be. He was certain the woman would be receptive to the twins, but he wanted to be cautious.

"A bed would also be great," Zack added. "My everything is tired." Cody rolled his eyes. The woman paused for a moment. She seemed to nod in agreement with herself and hopped back over the bar. She looked at each twin in turn and started to laugh.

"I can help you two out!" She exclaimed. "You two are in Summerville. Nicest little town this side of the Shoal River!" She mentioned her town with pride. Cody nodded at the new information. At least this place had a name. "As for a bed, i can get you that too. This is an inn after all."

"That'd be great," Cody's ears perked up. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of the gold they'd obtained from defeating the giant rat. He handed it to the woman. She moved it between her fingers, inspecting it closely. She put it up to her lips and bit down on it. Zack and Cody exchanged confused looks.

"It's a trick to tell if it's fake," she said. She tossed it back to a confused Cody. "On the house."

"Sweet!" Zack was happy to hear they didn't have to part with the gold.

"Why?" Cody was now the one to be suspicious.

"Shut up, Cody," Zack said through gritted teeth.

"Two of you remind me of my own kids," the woman said. "I got twins. They're off adventuring, and never visit." She gave a hopeful smile, remembering her children. "Also, if what you say is true, you probably don't have much of that." She motioned to the gold in Cody's hand. "It'd be smarter for you to use it to visit the shop tomorrow morning."

"Shop?" Zack piped up.

"Yeah," the woman folded her arms and leaned against the bar. "Arka runs it. Sells everything under the sun. He might give you a good deal, if I tell him to." She winked at the boys.

"What should we get?" Cody asked. "We have food and clothes," he added, adjusting the bag on his back.

"If the other clothes you got, look like what you have, I'd burn it," she scoffed at the clothes the two were wearing.

Cody smiled but Zack was shaking his head ferociously. "I'm not letting Cody burn a Paul Pierce jersey. It's bad enough that he has to wear it." Zack folded his arms in disgust.

"Maxine patrols this town with her group of bandits. She doesn't take kindly to oddly dressed strangers," the woman said in a hushed tone.

"We're not here to cause trouble," Cody said. "If you think it'll be good for us to change, than we will."

Zack rolled his eyes. Cody was pulling a teacher's pet routine. He had a way of charming people into getting what he wanted. Zack loudly stood from his chair causing the other two to look at him. He inquisitively cocked his head to the side and asked, "Where is our room? I'm really tired and would like to rest my leg." Cody glared at his interruption. The woman smiled.

"Follow me, boys"

Zack and Cody followed the woman up a small staircase. On the second floor there was a hallway with two doors on each side. The woman led them to the end of the hallway to the door on the right. She opened it up revealing a small room with two beds right next to each other. There was a small chest in the corner of the room with two drawers. There was no other furniture to be seen.

"You two can share a room, right?" the woman asked.

"We'll manage," Cody said quietly. "Thank you again."

The woman could sense the tension between the two brothers. She nodded solemnly as she made her way out of the room.

"If the two of you are up early enough, I can have a breakfast ready for you." she called over her shoulder.

Cody closed the door behind her. He took a deep breath and turned to Zack. He had thrown his backpack on the floor and was lying on the bed with his eyes closed.

"What is your problem, exactly?" Cody demanded

"I don't know what you're talking about," Zack said airily. "You seem to have everything under control. Keep doing what you're doing."

"Why are you acting this way? I thought we agreed to work together to get out of this." Cody said, not hiding his exasperation

Zack swung himself out of his bed and was in Cody's face in seconds. There was a harsh glow to his blue eyes. It caused Cody to back off until his back was against the wall.

Zack sighed. He knew this wasn't Cody's fault. He was just trying to keep the two of them alive, and he'd been successful thus far. Zack's frustrations had just gotten the better of him. He took a deep breath, and felt the tension leave his body. He walked back to his bed and resumed his resting position. Cody stayed against the wall.

"I'm tired, Cody. I'm frustrated. I'm sick of you treating me like a baby!" Zack vented all of his frustrations to Cody, who, to his credit, didn't say a word, or move as Zack spoke. "I can't help but think that you're right, and this is all my fault."

Cody stayed silent. He allowed his brother to get everything off his chest. Cody was frustrated too. He could vent about Zack's attitude, but kept it to himself. Zack couldn't bottle up his emotions as well as Cody could. So, he allowed Zack to vent as long as he needed. When he finished his rant, Zack finally turned to face his twin.

"I want to go home," he admitted.

"I do too," Cody said quietly. "I just don't know how to. What I do know is that this isn't your fault. I needed someone to blame, and you were right there." Zack's silhouetted figure gave a nod in agreement. Cody offered a thin smile. "We'll figure this out. We always do. Until then, we have to stick together. No more petty fighting." Zack didn't respond right away. Cody went over to the other bed. He heard short breaths coming from his brother.

"Good night, Cody," Zack finally whispered.

"Good night, Zack," Cosy whispered back. He put his head down on the soft, feather filled pillow. Hopefully he would wake up to the smell of his mother cooking breakfast. To the sounds of the bustling Boston sidewalks. It wasn't much, but the hope allowed him to drift into a restless sleep.