Underdog didn't say much on the walk. But neither did Lewis. Lewis' mind wasn't really saying much either. He saw trees, and grass, and bushes, and sky, and he comprehended them, sure, but did he have thoughts aside from that? Absolutely not.

It was… a forest alright. The first branches were above the both of them, but Lewis figured they were just both short. Maybe at height of Underdog's roof, at least. He wanted to climb them. He climbed the trees in Central Park all the time and injured his abdomen from having absolutely no wobbly-and-or-round-ground coordination at all. Polly always got so worried but Lewis never cared, that was part of the game. How far can you boomerang yourself out of a tree without breaking any ribs. A fun time. It was banned at school instantly.

Oh god. Polly. Polly was probably way more worried about him now than she'd ever been about his reckless tree climbing! It'd been days, oh my god! And he still didn't tell her! And he still didn't have an idea of what to tell her about this! "I went to West Virginia because I'm a stupid idiot and a look-alike of my special interest might live their and I may have gotten killed, kidnapped, or mugged but I didn't and also I brought him back!" Polly would never accept that. And it's not like he had the service out here to call Polly in the first place, if he ran away to town looking for it, Underdog would just get worried about him!

...right?

Now wasn't the time to worry about if he cared about him that much, he had more things to worry about!

Polly might've given up at this point, sad as that thought was. Manhattan was too big. And if that one guy and Underdog looked enough like him, imagine how many people might look even closer to him. Not many people were named Lewis but… if cartoons taught him anything it was that brainwashing was stupidly easy if you had bad intent.

That's a stupid idea. Those cartoons are only based in reality. But what if it was true? Oh no.

He took a few quick steps forward to catch up with Underdog, and nervously grabbed his hand. Underdog seemed to snap out of whatever he was thinking about, looking down at him, but staying silent. He looked up, away.

"When I was a kid I absolutely tore the shit out of my stomach on one of these trees."

Lewis blinked up at him, all thoughts fading. "What?"

Underdog nodded. "My brother and I were climbing trees and I started falling, stupidly thinking I could save myself with my pathetic noodle arms, and trying to pull myself back up just tore up my stomach and I fell anyway."

Lewis laughed. "Yeah I... pushed people out of trees on purpose."

Underdog heartily laughed, "Fantastic! Why did you do that that's so mean."

"Because when I was in elementary and intermediate I had a lisp and those were the kids who bullied me for it!"

Underdog made a noise of understanding before going silent again. What was Lewis thinking about, again? Before he could remember the thought the trees thinned out and it got brighter and brighter, until he and Underdog were standing at the edge of a large clearing. Lewis looked to either side, it was empty as far as he could see. When he finally looked forward he discovered the unprotected railroad tracks.

Underdog tightened his grip on Lewis, seemingly more for his own safety than Lewis'. He seemed hesitant to go over them. From the limited knowledge Lewis had of active railroads, he knew you'd hear a train way before you'd see it. And it was silent but for the sound of gentle breezes blowing dry leaves. He stepped in front of Underdog, still holding his hand tightly, looked back, and smiled. When Underdog noticed, he sighed, and cautiously nodded, letting Lewis guide him over.

When they made it several steps away to the other side, back into more trees, Underdog let out a heavy, nervous sigh. Lewis made a mental note that he dared not say out loud. You crossed the thing that caused your father's death, you can heal further.

Underdog didn't seem to be having any similar thoughts. He was breathing deeply, free arm wrapped tightly around himself. When he finished he looked at Lewis and nodded solemnly. He felt a bit proud of himself. They continued walking, no more traumatizing roadblocks in the way. They made it all the way to said mine. A moss-covered wooden opening in the side of a relatively stout hill. Barely tall enough to fit Underdog, but nonetheless they went in. Dark, very dark.

"There're some air holes a ways down," Underdog muttered, "That's light and good air." He turned sternly to Lewis, "Do not lose me."

Lewis nodded. They kept walking. Not particularly looking for anything. You couldn't really look for anything if you tried, at least Lewis couldn't. After a bit, they came across a large opening, an air hole dead in the center. It was moderately bright. There were three tunnels, Underdog looked around, stepping into the middle. He took in a deep breath.

"I BLESS THE RAINS DOWN IN A-A-FRI-CA!"

Lewis bust out laughing. So did Underdog.

"I have always wanted to do that," he said in between laughs, turning back to Lewis. Lewis went up, breathing deeply, readying himself.

"NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP, NEVER GONNA LET YOU DO-O-O-O-OWN!"

That just made Underdog laugh even harder. Seeing Underdog so laughy made Lewis laugh too. They laughed for a long time. Eventually they collected themselves, heavily breathing.

"Alright," Underdog gasped, "Choose a cave to go down, and then we leave, alright?"

Lewis nodded, heading down the rightermost one. Underdog followed a few beats behind. Lewis was still very happy, and wasn't really paying attention to where he was walking, more the walls. Caves were so neat.

Then the ground stopped. It was curved and sharp and only had hold on half his foot. Lewis didn't notice until too late. He started falling forward, screaming.

"LEWIS!" screamed Underdog, immediately, running up and grabbing onto his closest arm. He pulled Lewis back as hard as he could, both tumbling a bit. Lewis panted, crying, terrified. Underdog too, without the tears, his grip not loosening.

"We're going home." he decided, not asking Lewis anything.

Lewis didn't know why he was still so panicked. He didn't actually fall and it was ten minutes ago.

They were midway to the tracks when a horrible, screechy, loud noise rang out. Underdog froze, terrified. Train whistle. He started breathing heavily, then took in a deep breath and stopped.

"Maybe we can beat it." he said, more to himself than Lewis. Lewis wasn't as hopeful, but then again maybe that was his anxiety talking. Underdog looked down at him just to make sure he was still there, and tightened his grip. His pace fastened a bit, but not enough to Lewis to be unable to keep up. When they got to the clearing, Underdog made a move to ready himself for a sprint. He must've done this before his dad got killed by one, Lewis thought but dared not say.

Before he could start going, the train whistled again, and swept up quite the wind as it drove by, unwavering. Underdog tumbled back, tears streaming down his face, heavily breathing again. Lewis understood what was happening. He was having a anxiety attack, and a bad one.

Poorly attempting to collect himself, Lewis went up next to him and hugged him tightly. Underdog seemed focused on the train, still going past. They stayed like that for a long time, long after the train had gone and was off whistling in the distance.

Still holding him, Lewis felt something negative, he couldn't pin down just what it was. Sadness and anxiety weird child, who knows. Whatever it was, it made a single thought repeat through his mind:

How can such a fun time turn bad so fast?