Two days had passed since the mysterious ailment that Coraline had apparently suffered. During that time she wasn't really seen much. But today, she was seen once more playing outdoors with Wybie. Wybie was notably a bit softer with her, not being as loud or insulting or rough. Coraline herself also seemed different, much more friendly and less feisty than before. Joey was confused about all this as he walked alongside the two. The snow had been melted for a while so there wasn't as much mud on the path. William was busy trying to fix the fireplace at home, as Wybie's grandmother had come to inspect and visit them. Maintenance was to be done on their flat within the next three to four days. Joey was enjoying the time he spent with the two, when Coraline gave Wybie a light punch on the shoulder , "Well Jerk-wad, today is Saturday. That means we don't have any school for the entire weekend before-" She pulled a dramatic pose. "-Monday. Ugh. I hate Monday...and Tuesday...And Wednesday..." Wybie interjected, "Stop complaining about it, we all know you complain and gripe any day there is school." Wybie was rewarded with a harder punch to the shoulder. The nerdy boy rolled his eyes in response. Joey took a seat on a stump and listened to the two talking for a few minutes before taking note of the scenery. When the sun shone overhead the local area looked kind of beautiful, albeit in a rustic way. He wondered what William would think of it. His thoughts were interrupted by Wybie, "Earth to Joey! You alive over there?" Joey shook his head and turned their attention over, where Wybie was repeatedly poking Coraline on her nose. Coraline responded with a harsh bite to his finger. The two really did seem to get along well in their own comedic way. Wybie looked at Joey and said, "Help! She's a piranha! Her bites hurt like hell!" Joey laughed and spoke, "I'm not in this." Coraline winked at Joey, "Smart man."
Overall, the neighbors had been quite decent. Mr. Bobinsky and William had talked several times whenever the two happened to meet each other outside. The older Russian man loved to talk about his younger days in the Soviet Union. The downstairs neighbors, April Spink and Miriam Forcible, were apparently retired actresses, always speaking in theatrical terms. The two were a couple together! That was rather surprising to Joey. They absolutely loved talking about their days of performances. Melanie and Charlie Jones were a rather happily married couple, albeit it was apparent that Melanie's fierce temper and spirit had passed down to Coraline, then there was Coraline, Wybie, and Wybie's grandmother. So far things had been quite nice, albeit William and Joey weren't really living in the "real world". Soon, they would have to go back to school and William would have to go back to work. It was a bit saddening, but Joey was excited to get into this new school and hopefully make new friends. The last school wasn't exactly the best, but it wasn't the worst either. The trio walked back down towards the apartments, where Wybie spoke. "Well, it seems like today is calling for nothing but sunshine. It is still cold as all get out though." Coraline nodded and said, "We could go to my place and just hang out, watch a bit of tv, whatever it is you feel like doing." Joey wanted to join them and spoke, "Would you like to come inside and eat a bit of soup? Bro made plenty and I know he won't mind sharing." The other two shrugged and Wybie said, "Meh, we can if you want. I have never been in that other flat before." Coraline herself seemed interested and the three ventured through Joey's door, where they noticed William wasn't anywhere to be seen, and there were no notes left anywhere. Joey called out his brother's name, but didn't get a response. Coraline and Wybie looked around awkwardly, and the nerdy boy asked, "Uh...is he playing hide and seek or something?" Joey shook his head, looking around for his older brother. However, nothing was shown to be missing and there were no signs of a break in. Joey was concerned, and he spoke, "Come on Willy! This isn't funny!" William hated being called Willy, but still, no answer. This worried Joey, and Coraline and Wybie could see it. Joey's worry only grew when he saw that William's shoes were missing. However, he relaxed and said, "You are probably right honestly. He.. Oh! There's a note!"
Sure enough, there was a scribbled note for Joey that his older brother had indeed went out for a stroll, trying to get some of that decent quality air. "He has asthma and walks are good for him. He thinks that with exercise his lungs aren't nearly as bad as they used to be." Wybie nodded in agreement, "Well at least he seems to be trying to take care of himself. Speaking of which, how old is he anyway?" Joey responded, "He is sixteen, due to be seventeen this year." Wybie rose a brow, "Really?! He's that young? He looks older! Wait, where are your parents? Why are you with him alone if he is that young?" Joey's face turned a crimson hue, not wanting to discuss the matter. He had only just met them and didn't trust them entirely. He spoke, "It's a long story. A story we don't have time for." Coraline got the hint and spoke suddenly, "Well Wybie, I think I'm going to get some of that soup." Wybie looked at her confused, before reading her face and speaking, "Oh right! Joey, is that okay?" Joey's face relaxed and he strode into the kitchen, letting his guests sit on the chairs of the table. He quickly divided up a portion of the soup and poured it into three bowls, chowing down with the other two teens. The three seemed to really like the food. They spent the better part of an hour chatting among themselves, the duo of Coraline and Wybie talking about their school. Joey talked about his school and how William would always walk with him home after the day ended. This chatting and talking ended up lasting a fair bit longer than expected, for Wybie got a call on his mobile. His grandmother needed some help at his home moving some furniture around. Wybie groaned but got up, preparing to leave, when Coraline said she'd happily join. The two invited Joey to come with them. "We could use the extra manpower if you want to come along. Grandma won't care." Joey smiled before remembering that William still hadn't come yet. He did want to go but he preferred not to make his older brother worry. Coeraline giggled and said, "He seems to care more than he lets on." Joey rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah sometimes." Coraline and Wybie nodded as they parted ways, heading in the direction of the woods towards Wybie's home.
Joey got on his bed, pulling the covers around his neck and huddling, trying to warm up. Supposedly, there was a pipe and ventilation system that was in the apartment to transfer the heat from the fireplace to his and William's rooms, but Joey hadn't seen any sign of such a thing. It seemed like quite an outdated measure. Maybe William could convince Ms. Lovat, Wybie's grandmother, to replace the fireplace with heat radiators throughout the house. That might be better. The younger brother waited for what felt like forever, until William trudged back in through the front door, finally back from his walk. His face looked red from the cold exposure outside, but his face also showed signs of relief, happy to have gotten some air. The older brother sat in front of the fireplace, and Joey came into the room to join him. "Hi Bro!" William tiredly smirked and waved back, putting his back against the warm wall of the fireplace, having already started a fire, the flames gently crackling. Joey spoke, "Did you enjoy your walk?" William nodded and responded, "I was out strolling for a while, and I had come upon this apparently abandoned well, way out there in the woods. You can see the Pink Palace from there, but it is quite a walk. At least a mile. It may not be that far but it certainly feels like it. It's basically in the same spot Coraline and Wybie were terrorizing you in." Joey rose a brow and spoke, "That sounds so cool!" William shook his head with a soft smile and spoke, "Be careful and stay away from it. I don't need you getting hurt from something like that." Joey moaned but nodded. The two brothers continued to gaze there in silence upon the fire, not talking and rather just enjoying their own company. They did that sometimes, not really talking, just peacefully coexisting.
The mood was interrupted by a knock on the door, and it was none other than Mr. Bobinsky. The tall man had to kneel a bit to talk, and he had that usual smile on his face. It was obvious to Joey that Bobinsky and William had formed some form of bizarre friendship, though Mr. Bobinsky had to have been at least in his late forties to mid-fifties. The Russian man spoke, "Ah, William! It is good to see you! I wanted to come visit to see if you were okay and check on how you are doing. Do you still have enough to eat?" William nodded and respectfully thanked the man. Bobinsky politely shook William's hand and looked towards Joey. Joey noticed a spark in the older man's eyes and felt a bit unnerved. William noticed this and spoke, "Joey? Are you okay? Mr. Bobinsky it seems you are intimidating my brother. Give it a rest would you?" The older man seemed to have been in a sort of trance, for he stared really hard at Joey. William began to feel his temper flare, a finger jerking in reaction to the uncomfortable silence. After several moments, Bobinsky seemed like he was actually not even there. He went from staring at Joey to staring right through him. William snapped his fingers several times, before the older man jerked. It was just a glimpse, the slightest moment of vulnerability...But Joey saw an intense sadness in that older man's eyes. However, the older man smiled again and spoke. "I apologize! Joey merely reminds me of my family from Soviet Union. Here is picture." Bobinsky pulled out an old, frail-looking wallet, flashing a photograph of what appeared to be another young man. Indeed the boy looked a lot like Joey. Joey breathed in relief at this, as William spoke, "Mr. Bobinsky, is he your brother or something?" Bobinsky suddenly looked a bit offended and spoke, "No! Is my sister! She is beautiful one of family." William and Joey both shared an uncomfortable glance. That young lady looked an awful lot like a guy. But regardless, the boys didn't want to upset the older man, so they both nodded in agreement. Bobinsky beamed and said, "Thank you for your kindness. I must be getting back now, I merely wanted to see if you are okay." The large man vanished with a chin-up to the top of the house. Joey and William both exchanged a look of confusion as he did so, not really knowing what to say.