Chapter 47: Traveling to Mercia
Hours have past, and no one could find the missing teens. Spines and Alice however remained on the train, still wondering on where to get off at.
"Alice...Alice wake up!" Spines said, trying to wake his sister.
Alice's eyes opened slowly, trying to wake up. "W-what happened?" She asked.
"Listen...we're getting off at Mercia." Spines replied.
"What? Why there?" Alice asked.
"Because...we have no where to stay, so we might as well stay with my Grandpa John and Grandma Dizzy." Spines said.
"Ah, are they Amy's parents?" Alice asked.
"Yep."
"Well...okay since we have no other choice." Alice said.
Spines smirked at his sister. "Don't worry, they're good people." he reassured. Alice nodded and waited for the train to stop at Mercia's train station. The duo got off the train and Spines escorted Alice to the only cottage in the fields.
"This is their home?" Alice asked.
"Yep, I know it's not what you're used to but...I love it here." Spines said. Alice nodded, agreeing that it is a nice and simple place. Spines knocked on the door.
"I'm coming!" a voice said. The door opened, revealing Amy's mother Dizzy, a kind and motherly woman. The red hedgehog's blue eyes brightened when she saw her grandson.
"Spines….it's you...you look so big and strong.." She said, hugging him tightly.
"G-good to see you, Grandma…" Spines replied, squeezed by her hug.
"Honey, who's at the door? Is it that pesky newspaper boy?!" A man's voice called from inside.
"No dear, it's our grandson! He's back!" Dizzy cheered. A white hedgehog who resembled Sonic appeared next to his wife, his scowl melted away when he saw Spines once again.
"Well well well...My boy, you look well!" John, Amy's father, said giving Spines a pat on the back.
"Good to see you too, Gramps." Spines replied. "How's your back?"
"Pffff, my back is as strong as ever!" John said with a cocky smirk before looking at Alice. "And who's this young lady?"
"The name is Alice Acorn….sir." Alice said.
"Why, you're King Sonic's daughter aren't you?" Dizzy asked. Alice nodded sadly before Mrs. Rose gave her a welcoming hug while a frown appeared on Mr. Rose's face when Sonic was mentioned.
"Please, come in." Dizzy said. The duo walked in as Alice admired the nice simple decor and baby pictures in the cottage.
"So, what brings you here to our home?" John asked.
"Oh and how's your mother, dear?" Dizzy asked Spines, concerned for her daughter.
"And you better not lie to us, boy." John threatened.
"Well...truth is, we actually ran away…" Spines admitted. "We would like to start new lives...without our parents knowing."
"Oh dear…" Dizzy whispered, covering her mouth.
John however shook his head and crossed his arms. "Foolishness..so you ran away from your parents and expect us older folk to help you?" He asked.
"Uh...yessss...just until I get a job to support both of us." Spines said.
"Well...fine then." John decided. "You two can stay...BUT you must do chores."
"Sounds reasonable." Spines said.
"Now Spines, your job is to cut the grass." John instructed. "And Alice, your job is to help my wife around the house."
"Oh har har, just because I'm a girl, you think I should stay in the kitchen?!" Alice complained.
"...fine, you clip the grass and Spines will help his grandmother." John said.
"Dammit…" Alice muttured.
"Come on, Spines. Let's make some cookies!" Dizzy cheered.
"Okay!" Spines replied, following his grandmother into the kitchen.