Hard Truths
Dave stepped through the front door feeling a little tired, but very happy to have gotten some decent exercise and spent some quality time with his eldest son.
"That was great wasn't it Alvin" he said happily, taking a breather. Alvin was not so happy. He crawled through the front door panting for air.
"Yeah (pant) that was (pant) great (pant)" Alvin wheezed as he collapsed on the floor. After staying up all night, being tossed around like a chew toy by a werechipmunk and then having to go for a 2 hour jog around the neighbor, Alvin was just about ready to die.
"We should do this every weekend" Dave said happily as he headed for the kitchen to have a glass of water.
"Yeah (pant) sounds good" Alvin coughed. As soon as his father left the room, he started to crawl up the stairs and slowly slid under the covers of his bed. He didn't even care that he was all sweaty; he was just so tired that nothing in the world could keep him from falling asleep, except a little chipmunk in green. Theodore's sensitive nose immediately picked up the stench of Alvin's sweaty body the instant he entered the room.
"Alvin, you stink, go take a shower" Theodore said disgusted, pinching his nose with his fingers.
"Not now, I'm tired" Alvin moaned from his bed. He was not in the mood. Moments later Simon awoke and he too picked up the horrid smell.
"Alvin, jeez, go shower or something, you smell horrible" he cringed, trying to wave the smell away from his nose. Alvin let out an angry moan then pulled himself from the bed.
"Fine, but once I'm done you are letting me sleep, got it!" he cried out pointing his finger angrily at Simon. The startled chipmunk had no idea why Alvin was suddenly so angry, but he nodded his head in response. Alvin grumbled and trudged out of the room. Moments later the two chipmunks heard the sound of running water emanating from the hallway.
"I wonder why he is so cranky this morning?" Theodore pondered turning to Simon to see if he had a response.
"Well, maybe with helping Jeanette last night and by the looks of it, jogging this morning with Dave, I think he might be a bit tired. Let's just let him go back to sleep when he gets back and hopefully that will calm him down" the blue-clad chipmunk said. Theodore nodded.
Eleanor and Jeanette were sleeping soundly when a loud screech caused them to jump out of bed and fall to the floor.
"I told you guys not to touch my stuff!" Brittany screamed at the dazed Chipettes lying on the floor.
"But we didn't Brittany, what are…" Eleanor started, rubbing her eyes, when Brittany cut her off.
"If you didn't touch my stuff, then why is nothing in the right place!" she cried and pointed to the girl's dresser. Last night the dresser had been one of the many pieces of furniture that had been knocked over by a hyperactive Brittany. After Alvin had left, the girl's had put everything back in its original place, but it seemed that some of Brittany's items that had been on the dresser had not been put back exactly right.
"I uh, bumped the dresser last night when I went to; um… grab a glass of water. Yeah I sort of knocked everything a little so I tried to put them all back properly" Jeanette lied, making a sad face. Brittany looked at her suspiciously, but believed her.
"Fine well, next time be more careful Jeanette" she growled and stormed out of the room. Eleanor and Jeanette exchanged a sad sigh. Brittany may have been cursed, but she was really starting to get to them.
"Girl's breakfast" Miss Miller called. Jeanette and Eleanor sighed again and went downstairs. A few hours went by. Alvin managed to fall asleep again until about midday, and the Eleanor and Jeanette got to rest as well. The rest of their families weren't sure why they were so tired, but they ignored it and went about their own business. Finally, Jeanette decided that it was time to see Madam Raya.
"Ok Eleanor, let's go get Alvin and see that Madam Raya person he spoke about. The younger Chipette nodded and the two of them started off for the chipmunk's house. As they approached they saw Theodore in the front yard practicing his lines for the play. As soon as he spotted them he happily rushed over.
"Hi Jeanette, hi Eleanor. What are you two doing here?" he asked cheerfully giving them both a hug.
"We came to uh, speak with Alvin" Jeanette said to the green-clad chipmunk giving him a smile.
"Oh, ok. He is just asleep in his room" Theodore said. He was about to turn around and go back to his practicing, when he became confused.
"Wait, why do you want to speak to Alvin?" he asked. The two girls looked at each other.
"Um, it's… private" Jeanette said shyly. Theodore was still confused, but he didn't want to try and pry the answer from them.
"Ok, well he's asleep in our room like I said" he said and turned back to his rehearsing. Eleanor and Theodore listened to him as they approached the house.
"He is getting pretty good" Jeanette said watching. Eleanor let out a smile. She really admired how brave he was being. She could tell he was still really scared, but he was trying his hardest to get the lines right and act scarier.
"Jeanette, you go inside and get Alvin. I'm going to go listen to Theodore for a minute" she said happily, then skipped towards the green-clad chipmunk. Jeanette watched her and smiled. She knew that Eleanor really liked Theodore, and Theodore really liked her. It was nice to see them together; they made a really cute couple. Jeanette walked inside to see Simon in the same position he had been yesterday, sitting on a chair in the den reading while guarding his chest. Simon looked up for a moment to see Jeanette looking at him. His face blushed read and he hid it behind the book. Jeanette let out a giggle. She had really had fun with him the day before on their 'date'.
"Hello Simon" she called out happily. The nervous chipmunk lowered the book down. He was still red in the face.
"Hi Jeanette" he said nervously. Being in the same position he had been yesterday, he felt quite nervous to see her again. He really liked her, and he couldn't believe that she had wooed him into a date.
"I'm just here to talk with Alvin for a moment she said as she continued towards the stairs.
"Oh, ok. I had fun on our date yesterday" he blurted out. Jeanette turned and looked at him. His face turned a deep scarlet and he covered his face again. Jeanette giggled a little and blushed herself.
"I had fun too" she said before continuing up the stairs. Simon watched her from the corner of his eye. When she was out of sight he let out a loving sigh. She had been brave enough to ask him out. He was going to have to try and do the same. Although he wasn't sure when.
Jeanette opened the door to the boy's room to find Alvin snoring peacefully in his bed. She let out a giggle. She had never seen him so calm. She slowly approached him and gave him a gentle nudge.
"Alvin wake up" she said
"Five more minutes Dave" he said groggily, not opening his eyes.
"It's me Jeanette. We need to go see Madam Raya" she said a little louder. Alvin slowly opened his eyes and looked up at her.
"Sorry about that. You have no idea how good that sleep was" he said and hopped out of the bed.
"Don't worry, I know" she said. Alvin grabbed his cap off the end of the bed and slung it on his head.
"Alright, let's get going. Madam Raya's studio is in the centre of town so it will probably take us a bit of a walk" he said. Jeanette nodded and followed him out of the room. As they passed the den again, Alvin caught Simon blushing and ducking behind his book as Jeanette passed. When they were outside he turned to her.
"You know, he really did have a good time yesterday. He went on about all through dinner. I think he wants to ask you out, but he's not sure how" Alvin whispered to her. Jeanette's face turned bright red.
"Really? He wants to ask me out" she asked him quietly. The chipmunk in red gave her a nod and she let out a giggle.
"Well, we'll worry about that later, right now we need to stay focused" Alvin said after a moment. Jeanette let out a sigh, then turned back to him and regained her focus.
"You're right. Come on, let's get Eleanor and we'll go' she said and the two chipmunks approached Eleanor and Theodore. Eleanor was saying her lines in the play to help Theodore with his. With her there he seemed even more confident, and he actually managed to pull a mean sneer.
"Looking scary Theodore. Keep up the good work" Alvin chuckled. As much as he wanted to be Mr. Hyde, he had to admit, giving the role to Theodore was really helping him. The chipmunk in green blushed.
"Ok Eleanor, we should get going now" Jeanette said to her little sister. Eleanor nodded her head. She hid her look of disappointment. She really wanted to help Brittany, but she had been having fun with Theodore.
"I'll see you later Theodore" she said. Theodore smiled and gave her a hug.
"Bye Ellie" he said. As he turned back to keep practicing, Eleanor caught the blush on his face. She smiled, then joined her sister and Alvin and started to head off down the street. The three of them walked for a few hours, but eventually they made it to the studio. It was bristling with people as rushing to and fro.
"How are we supposed to speak with her with so many people around?" Jeanette asked looking worried. Alvin smiled.
"Don't worry, I know a shortcut to her trailer" he said, giving both girls a wink. He walked over to a fence and beckoned them over.
"Ok it's just over this fence. Keep an eye out. Sometimes there are security guards" Alvin whispered. The Chipettes frowned at him, making him give out an involuntary chuckle.
"Alright ladies first" he said and made a step out of his hands to hoist them over the fence. Jeanette looked nervous so Eleanor moved first. Being the smallest she found it the most difficult to get over the wall. She couldn't reach the top from Alvin's hand so he had placed her on his shoulders. As she heaved herself up she took a look around. There were a heap of actor's trailers all lined up. She didn't see anyone around.
"In your own time" Alvin grunted. Eleanor blushed; she had forgotten she was standing on his shoulders. She pulled herself up and jumped down to the other side.
"The cost is clear" she called out. Moments later Jeanette climbed over the wall.
"How are you going to get over Alvin?" Eleanor asked as she helped her sister down.
"Just give me a second" he called back. The girls waited for a moment. Suddenly Alvin sailed through the air over the wall, a large stick in his hand. He stumbled to the ground on landing. As he got up and brushed himself off, he gave a large grin.
"Nothing like a good pole vault to start the day" he chuckled. The girls rolled their eyes.
"Ok, this way. She keeps her trailer toward the back" Alvin said and he started off, the girls right behind him. As they walked through the rows of trailer's, they had to stop every so often to avoid being spotted by a security guard or a staff member. As they approached the back of the studio, Alvin pointed out one of the trailers.
"That's hers" he whispered. As they approached, a thought came to Jeanette's head. She turned to Alvin.
"Hey Alvin, how do you know which trailer is hers if no one is supposed to be back here" she asked. Alvin blushed as he answered the question.
"Let's just say I have… looked for a way to see her for some time" he chuckled nervously. Both Chipettes let out a sigh. Alvin had been obsessed with monsters for a while. They weren't that surprised that he had attempted to break in and speak with the TV host from his favorite monster show.
"Well, she had better know something that can help us" Eleanor said.
"She will, she will, don't worry" Alvin said. As they approached her trailer, Alvin gave a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" came a nasally voice from the other side.
"Um, some people who need a little advice" Alvin said. The door slowly opened and s skinny woman looked down at them. She had a long nose and dirty red hair.
"And exactly what kind of advice do you three kids need?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"We're having… monster troubles" Jeanette said quietly. The woman looked at her watch and sighed.
"Ok fine, I've got some time before my next show starts" she said and allowed them to enter. The trailer was messy. Chinese food boxes littered the floor and old monster outfits and makeup were dumped in piles.
"So what do you need advice about?" Raya asked as they entered.
"Well our sister…" Jeanette started, but Alvin and Eleanor gave her a glare, "I mean, uh our great Auntie, has been given the curse of the werewolf"
"Is your 'great Auntie' (Raya rolled her eyes as she said it) a chipmunk like yourselves?" she said. The three chipmunks nodded. Raya moved over to a cupboard and looked inside, flinging books and magazines everywhere.
"Uh here we go" she said as she pulled out an old green book. She turned back to the chipmunks.
"This book can probably help. Werechipmunk's are very rare, but they aren't unheard of. This book has some details about it" she said and handed the book to Eleanor.
"Thank you, but what we really want to know is, how do we cure her from being a werechipmunk?" the youngest chipmunk asked.
"Well that's easy" Raya said and waved her hand like it was such an easy question it wasn't worth her time.
"How?" Jeanette asked.
"Simple, shoot her with a silver bullet" Raya said. Eleanor and Jeanette gasped. Alvin stepped forward.
"Um is there anything a little less drastic we can use to cure her?" he said. Raya thought for a moment.
"Well, you could pop her on the head with something silver" she said after a moment.
"Really? How hard?" Alvin asked.
"Hard enough to…" Raya started and made a movement with her finger across her throat.
"We want to cure her, not kill her! Is there any way we can do that?" Eleanor said startled.
"Normally people just want the werewolf dead, why would you want a cure?" Raya said surprised. Eleanor and Jeanette gaped at her.
"Because we care about her. We don't want her dead. We love her" Alvin said firmly, taking step forward. Jeanette and Eleanor were very surprised. They hadn't expected that kind of a response from Alvin.
"Well, I can't think of anything. I suppose you could try hitting her with something silver, slightly less hard, but I don't know whether that would work very well. Sorry, but in all the years I have known about monsters, not once have I heard of a cure for the werewolf" she said and shook her head. All three chipmunks bowed their heads in sadness.
"Look, werechipmunk's are different to werewolves. I haven't fully read that book. Maybe it can give you an answer" Raya sighed.
"Ok, thanks anyway" Eleanor sighed as the three chipmunks headed for the door.
"Wait, there is something you could try. This usually only applies to vampires, but you could give it a try. If you defeat the werewolf that cursed her, it may lift the curse, but remember this, whether you find a cure or not, after the next full moon, your sister I mean auntie will transform fully into a werewolf, and there will be nothing that you can do to save her then" Raya said warningly.
"Ok. Thanks" Alvin said before the three chipmunks departed.
"Alvin, now what do we do? How are we supposed to hunt a werewolf?" Jeanette asked timidly.
"I'm not sure Jeanette, but we have to try, for Brittany" he said quietly, before giving a sigh. As they walked back towards the wall, he kept his head down and his hands in his pockets. Eleanor and Jeanette watched him. They had no idea how to hunt a werewolf, but Alvin would normally have been incredibly keen for something like this. It was exactly what he would have wanted to, and had done on numerous occasions. Jeanette remembered Simon showing her the book he had made with an accusation of nearly everyone in town being some sort of monster.
"Alvin, what's wrong? Since when would you not want to go werewolf hunting?" Jeanette asked concerned. Alvin sighed again and turned to face them.
"I'm just really worried about Brittany. You heard Madam Raya, she doesn't know if bopping her with silver or hunting down a monster will cure her. She may be stuck like this forever. I don't know what I would do if she became a… a monster forever" he said quietly, then he started doing something that Jeanette and Eleanor didn't think he was even capable of. He started to cry. Eleanor and Jeanette didn't know what to do. They had never seen Alvin cry in the entire time they had known him. Awkwardly they moved closer and hugged him. To their astonishment he hugged back, almost clinging to them.
"You really care about Brittany don't you" Eleanor said. Alvin gave a small nod. Jeanette and Eleanor had always known that Brittany and Alvin were closer than most friends, but they didn't think he actually cared about her more than that.
"Look Alvin, we're worried too, but you can't give up hope. Brittany needs us right now" Jeanette said kindly. Both girls still felt rather awkward trying to comfort the usually egotistical chipmunk.
"We will find some way to help her alright. Even if hunting down a werewolf doesn't work, we can't give up. We will keep searching for as long as it takes. We know she would do it for you" Eleanor said. Her words impacted upon Alvin.
"You're… you're right. I have to be strong for her" he said and smiled.
"Thanks guys" he said and hugged them both again. They smiled at him.
"Don't mention it" Jeanette said happily.
"Alright, let's go hunt down a werewolf" Alvin said bravely and he pumped his fist into the air. The group continued towards the wall, when Eleanor let out a giggle.
"What's so funny?" Alvin asked.
"So you have feelings for Brittany" she said slyly. Alvin's face suddenly went bright red.
"Uh, well I uh…" he said chuckled nervously. Both girls let out another giggle. Alvin continued to blush when he came up with an idea.
"Well, I happen to know that you two have feelings for my brothers' he said slyly. Abruptly their giggles stopped and they blushed.
"Uh, well…" they both said nervously. Alvin let out a chuckle.
"You know, they like you too" he said and turned to keep walking. Their faces turned from red to scarlet.
"Really?" they both cried out in unison. Alvin looked at them over his shoulder and let out a chuckle. He continued to keep walking.
"Wait Alvin!" they both called out and chased after him.
Miss Miller looked at the clock. It was starting to get late. She walked up to the girl's room to find Brittany trying model a set of clothes in the mirror, waving her bushy orange hair about. Miss Miller was still confused how her hair had suddenly changed color.
"Brittany, have you seen your sisters?" she asked. The pink-clad Chipette turned to face her.
"I think they went over to the chipmunks place" she said.
"Would you mind going and getting them dear. It's starting to get late" Miss Miller said, looking out the window at the warm orange glow from the sun.
"Ok Miss Miller" Brittany said went back into the closet. Moments later she returned in her regular outfit again.
"Thank you dear" Miss Miller said and returned downstairs. Brittany exited the house and started to walk down the pathway towards the chipmunk's house. As she entered the yard she saw Theodore sitting under a tree. He looked exhausted, as though he had been running around.
"Why do you look so tired Theodore?' she asked him. He turned to look up at her and gave a smile.
"I've been out here in the yard practicing all day. I really want to impress Eleanor tomorrow at school" he said happily. Brittany smiled. He really liked her sister. It was quite sweet, that he would devote his entire day to practicing just to impress her.
"Have you seen my sisters, Miss Miller wants them to come home?" she asked.
"Yeah, they are up in our room. They are doing something with Alvin. I'm not sure what. They said it was private" Theodore said getting to his feet. Brittany looked confused.
"With Alvin? I wonder what they would be doing with Alvin?" she asked. The green-clad chipmunk just shrugged.
"Well, I'm going to go up and get them" she said and walked into the house. As she entered she spotted Simon still reading on the chair. He looked tired and restless as he hadn't moved all day.
"Hey Simon, do you have any idea what my sisters are doing with Alvin? Theodore said they came over to see him" she said approaching the witty chipmunk. He put the book down and looked at her.
"I'm not sure. They left to do something earlier, and when they came back, they've just been sitting in our room" he said getting up and stretching.
"That's weird" Brittany muttered as she turned around and trudged up the stairs towards the chipmunk's room. As she got to the door she heard them whispering. She opened the door a crack to see the three of them on the floor huddled around a book.
"Well, we can start the search tonight. If we get everything sorted at your place, then we can go to where the attack was and search around that area" Alvin said. The girls nodded. Jeanette pointed down towards something in the book.
"Look, this explains why she transforms without the need of a full moon" she said. Alvin and Eleanor read the page as well.
"Should we be insulted by that?" Alvin asked.
"Forget it, we just need to keep checking to see if we can find a cure" Eleanor said. Brittany had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. Cure's, attacks, full moon, it sounded like something monster related, but what would her sisters be doing hanging around with Alvin discussing monster stuff. She wanted to keep listening, but Dave called from downstairs.
"Alvin, it's time for dinner. Come downstairs" he shouted from the kitchen.
"Well, sorry girls but it looks like you'll have to go now. When everyone goes to sleep I'll come around to your place and we'll get started" Alvin said getting to his feet.
"Okay, we'll see you tonight Alvin" Eleanor said. They moved to get to the door. Quickly Brittany raced back to the top of the stairs and made it look as f she had just arrived. When her sisters and Alvin saw her they froze.
"H-hey Brittany. What are you doing here?" Alvin stuttered. Her sisters just looked shocked.
"Miss Miller sent me to get my sisters" she said. She wasn't sure what she had overheard, but right now was not the time to question them about it. Miss Miller would get cross if they were late so she decided to wait until she got home to ask her sisters.
"Oh ok. Um, bye girls, I'll see you at uh, school tomorrow" Alvin said.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow Alvin" they both replied and followed Brittany down the stairs.
"So what were you guys doing hanging out with Alvin today?" Brittany asked as they exited the house. Jeanette and Eleanor exchanged a nervous glance.
"Uh, nothing" they lied. From the question they knew that Brittany must have overheard something. How much, they weren't sure. The remainder of the trip home the girls said nothing.
They came home and ate their dinner and watched a movie with Miss Miller. Finally they got ready for bed. As Miss Miller finished tucking them in and turned off the lights, Brittany turned to her sisters.
"Alright, what were you two doing with Alvin today and why is he coming here tonight?" she asked angrily, jumping from the sheets and placing her hands on her hips. Eleanor and Jeanette turned to each other.
"Uh well…" they started when Brittany let out a strange grunt. She suddenly fell over asleep and began to change. Her ears pointed, her hair slicked down, her teeth became fangs and her hands became claws. As she finished her transformation she awoke in her doglike state and started to happily trot around the room.
"Saved by the bell or in this case, werewolf" Jeanette sighed. They got up and got dressed.
"Well now comes the hard part" Eleanor whispered, and the two girls began the painful job of trying to coax Brittany into the closet.
Sorry this chapter wasn't that long. I had some difficulty writing it. I wasn't sure how to put madam Raya into the story, but hopefully it fits alright. Will the Alvin and the Chipettes be able to find the werewolf that cursed Brittany? How long until someone finds out what has happened to Brittany? And what will happen at school the next day? All will be revealed next update.