Okay, I realize how un-actiony this chapter it. To make up for it, I'm gonna have the next chapter FILLED with action :D enjoy!
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"I actually live in this Cottage alone," Polly explained to the two, "My dad disappeared about 5 years ago, and my mom is usually out on business trips. So because of that, I'm usually working outside on the farm. I guess that … thing got attracted by the smell of food and started to chase me. "
"Gee … It must be hard to live all by yourself." Claus said as he sipped a bit of juice from the wooden cup he was given by Polly.
"It does get hard, but I can handle it. Mom does come home every now and then, but it's usually for a short while. And this farm, though tiny, it always gave me what I needed." Polly smiled brightly at the two "So I'm fine."
She served the two their omelets she had promised them earlier, and they both shoveled it down even before she could sit, "My, you two were hungry …"
"We haven't eaten all that much, actually …" Lucas said, his mouth filled with egg "Our rations were running out and -."
"Why would you have rations?" Polly asked.
"We're actually on a journey ourselves." Claus said, "My brother here thinks our mom may be alive and out there somewhere, so we were heading in one direction until we hit something."
"That … doesn't sound like a smart plan …" Polly said, slightly giggling.
"Well, it was the only plan we had." Lucas said, "I was actually about to give up … I'm still thinking about it …"
"Your mother …" Polly piped, "What does she look like?"
Lucas swallowed his omelet and looked at Polly "Well … she's very tall-."
"-And slim" Claus added.
"She has Golden eyes like I do …" Lucas continued
"And Reddish-brown hair." Claus said, "Sort of … like your eyes, Polly."
Lucas Snickered at Claus's comment, but was bumped by his elbow hard soon after.
"Actually …" Polly said, thinking "A couple of weeks ago, when my Mom and I went to Hometown for my birthday … I think I remember seeing a lady like that."
"R-Really?" Lucas said, excitedly "She IS alive!!"
"Calm down, Lucas." Claus said "We don't know if it's even her. It could be any lady."
"But like it or not, it may be your only lead." Polly said in a shy tone.
Claus sighed "She's right. Lucas, are you up to it?"
Lucas nodded excitedly "Of course I am! If anything, at least some one would recognize her …"
"I do have to warn you, though." Polly said, "It's usually a vacation spot: She may have been a tourist there."
Lucas got up and started to pack his things "It's a better lead than any …" He stated, "Which way is Hometown?"
Polly got up, shocked "Are you actually thinking of going there on foot?" She asked them.
"Uh … why?" Lucas asked.
Polly sighed "Hometown is at least two to three days on train alone. You'd be mad to go on foot."
"Are you saying there's a train station near by?"
Polly nodded "It was actually built just 7 months ago. Shortly after Hometown was made."
"Hometown was only made 7 months ago? How did it become a big tourist attraction so fast?" Claus asked, confused.
"They serve good food, of course!" Polly said, smiling. "I'll tell you what. I'll come with you to hometown and help you look for your mom."
"You'd really do that?" Claus said, excitedly.
"Of course. I would do anything for some one who saved my life." She said, winking.
Claus blushed hard and stuttered "Well I wasn't … it was Lucas … he did all the …"
"Claus feels the same way." Lucas said, smiling. "Thank you so much for joining us … and for giving us food."
"It's my pleasure." Polly said, simply smiling
--
Duster, Flint, Boney and Kumatora had been following Lucas's And Claus's scent trail, almost 3 days into their journey. Flint had noticed how far they went and couldn't believe it: even he himself wouldn't think of going this far.
Then suddenly, right out of the blue, Boney started to cough and scratch at his nose, as if something had been peppered into it. Concerned, Flint kneeled down to Boney, who was holding both paws on his nose. "What's wrong?"
'I … I don't know …' Boney said, struggling to talk 'All the sudden, it felt like something shot up my nose … I can't smell the scent trail anymore …'
Flint's heart sank. No scent trail meant no way of tracking down the boys. But what made Flint really worry … there was absolutely nothing in this empty, vast meadow that could have cause boney to suffer like this … was some one watching?
Duster came to Flints side, concerned "Actually … it seems like the boys are heading north all the time. It doesn't seem like they would suddenly change direction."
Kumatora coughed and raised her finger. "It just may be good to keep on going. Lucas hasn't given up, so neither will we."
'I guess I have no choice but to follow …' Boney said, dejectedly, 'We're too far from home, so I can't go back there by myself.'
Flint nodded and stood up. He adjusted his hat slightly then looked forward "We need to keep on going."
"That's the stuff, Flint!" Duster said, encouragingly.
The four set off again, hoping against all hope that somehow, someway, they'll catch up with Flint.
--
Polly bought the three tickets for her, Claus and Lucas, and they immediately boarded the train. Once it set off, Lucas fell quickly asleep, catching out on missed rest.
This gave some time for Claus to talk to Polly, and for once, not have Lucas involved.
"So … Uh … Polly …" Claus said, trying to pick up a conversation, "You … lived at that cottage all your life?"
"Not all my life, actually …" She said, smiling, "That Cottage was only built at least 6 months ago …"
"You … lived in another cottage once?" Claus said.
"Yeah, but that one got burned down …" Polly said, sighing
"I'm sorry …" Claus said
"No, it's quite alright, really. That one wasn't worth much any way: this one is a lot nicer than my old one."
Claus looked out the window "There's … something fishy going on …"
"What is it?" Polly said, tilting her head.
"3 months ago, I woke up from a coma I was apparently in for four years. I keep hearing things that happened 8 months ago, never before or after … It's like … something happened to the world that I just missed out on."
"I … guess you could say a miracle of sorts happen … But I'm not quite sure what you're talking about." She said.
Claus sighed "No, it's alright. I wouldn't expect you to answer me anything, anyway."
Polly shrugged "You sound like you weren't very informed of what happened the last four years."
"No one would answer me when I asked." Claus said, "I know they're hiding something from me, I … just can't get them to say it."
"Maybe they're only hiding the truth to protect you, to keep you happy …" Polly said in a concerned tone.
"Yeah, well … I won't be completely satisfied until I know the truth." Claus said, staring out the window.
"I'm sure you'll find out in time, Claus." Polly said, smiling, "Just not now, people feel like you aren't ready."
Claus said nothing in return, but instead sighed. He looked at all the hills and trees that past, following them with his eye, until he, two, fell asleep.
Polly smiled to herself, remarking how cute the boys were when they slept.