Chapter 6: Exploring the Stomper House

Once she reached the Stomper House, Daphne stopped. It was so big!

"Wow," she said softly.

She walked onto the porch and opened the door. Sure enough, it was empty. It was so different from her home in Moonhaven. Nothing was made of leaves. And it was huge!

She walked upstairs and found a small bedroom painted green. On the dresser was a picture of a family. There was a man with messy light brown hair and the same glass goggles as her, a woman with short brown hair, a little girl with red hair, and a small animal.

This must've been the Stomper family that lived here, Daphne thought.

She went back downstairs and found a very big room. Most of the things were covered in dust and there were many screens.

Daphne went over to where several cases were. The contents looked so familiar. She realized they were belongings of the Leafmen! There was a saddle, a helmet, a sword, and so much more.

The Stompers knew about us? Daphne wondered.

She caught sight of another picture. There was the same man in the other picture and another girl with red hair. She looked so familiar.

Daphne gasped, realizing who it was. "Mom?" she asked aloud.

"Enjoying your little growth spurt?" a voice said.

Daphne looked on one of the screens. There was Mandrake with a smirk.

"Mandrake! Yes, I am."

"Now, Daphne, I think there's something you must know."

"Anything for a Leafman."

"I'm not a Leafman. I am a Boggan."

Daphne's eyes went blank. "A...B-Boggan? No. They aren't real."

"Oh, they aren't? Tell me: How do I do this?" Mandrake took out a wand and shot it at a flower. It died instantly.

Daphne gasped, "Mandrake, what's going on?"

"I destroyed Moonhaven, that's what! And I've taken your little parents too."

"You're lying."

"Oh. Am I?" Mandrake held up Nod's saddle and MK's shawl.

With tears in her eyes, Daphne asked, "What have you done?"

"The real question, Daphne, is 'What have you done?'"

The screen turned black.

Daphne felt for the pod in her pocket. Sure enough, it was there. She ran into the forest back to Moonhaven.