Chapter two

It took a moment for Surly and Buddy to Acknowledge what had happened but the second they realized it they're heartbeats revved up like race cars. Before them sat a seemingly regular girl, pouty and tarnished but yet, thought some remarkable or freaky twist of fate or something, she was able to understand everything that they were saying. Surly felt his tail puff up like he'd been struck by lightning and he felt his paws tremble a bit. His pupils grew wider as he faced the little girl that had spoken to them. He was so awestruck that he didn't even bother to look at Buddy and see that he was doing, for he could greatly assume that Buddy was busy having the same reaction he was.

"You," The words were like augmented pieces of coal from a smiting fire in his mouth "You can understand us?" As he said that Surly felt each syllable burn his tounge.

"Yes, Yes I can." The little girl said "While some people doesn't understand you, say all they hear is chirping and squeaking, I can hear you speak English perfectly."

Buddy near floated towards the girl and he placed his head on her bent knee. She raised a hand and gently petted the little rat's head. "Hey there little guy, I'm Hayden." The child said.

This was almost too impossible to be real. Surly knew he had to make sure he wasn't dreaming the whole thing. He ran over to the nearest puddle of water he could find and jumped into it, splashing cold liquid on his face and everywhere else, shivering up a storm before he shook himself dry and he sighed before he walked back to Hayden and he said "Ok, now, let's start again." Then he yelled, making her flinch "DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY BUCK TEETHED MOUTH?!"

"Yes, and you didn't have to yell. I can hear you just fine." Hayden said as she sat down

"But… how… how can… when…" Surly stammered

"Since always I guess." Hayden said "I was born with this ability… but it made me different. Kinda made me… an outcast."

Her stomach growled very loudly again, briefly startling Buddy as he backed away a bit and Hayden rubbed her middle saying "Sorry, I'm just really hungry. I haven't been able to find anything to eat for a long time."

"You're not going to start thinking about eating us, right?" Surly asked

"No." Hayden said as her stomach let out a very loud rumble that demanded food "But I'd be very happy if you can find me something I can eat. Pretty please?"

"Find you food?" What do you think we look like kid? Caterers?" Surly asked as his spine stiffed. He had only just met this girl and now she was asking them for favors? Even among the animals of the park this was highly absurd. The squirrel watched Hayden sniffle, she didn't seem like she was lying. And she was unquestionably talking to them.

Surly watched as the girl wrapped her arms around herself and shivered a bit. He was about to say something else when then and there Buddy placed a paw on his shoulder. He turned to look at his pesky little friend and saw that the rat was on the verge of tears. Buddy felt an unusual amount of sympathy for this human and it bothered Surly for some reasons he couldn't see to verify. However, even though Surly wasn't very fond of the human girl, he did value Buddy's loyal friendship.

Before he even knew it Surly found himself leaping back up the metal staircases towards an open window he'd seen in the alleyway. The window had a wooden beam that held it open and he assumed that the humans had left it open for ventilation. He stepped inside and scurried onto a marble counter and the air conditioning was rattling as a cold, frosty breeze coursed through his fur, sending goosebumps across his body before he shook it off and looked around.

"Food," he said out loud "Where would humans keep food in a dump like this?"

Buddy whistled and Surly saw him standing over a counter that had a wide selection of food. Surly smiled for a while but now the problem was how was he going to get the good back to the girl outside? Then he had an idea.

When they were sure the coast was clear they stole the nearest meals they could find; which were a blueberry pie, oatmeal cookies and freshly ordered Pizza for the workers in the mall. It was a bit of a challenge to sneak them out by using wooden boards as elevators for the food, mainly the pizza, but together they took the meals back to Hayden and she smiled happily as she took the cookies and gave some to Buddy and Surly. "Thank you, here you go." She said.

"Ah, don't mention it kid." Surly said

As he nibbled his cookie he watched Hayden eat happily and quickly. Suddenly a warm smile appeared on his furry face. It turned out that feeding this human child didn't turn out as bas as he had thought it would be and it… kinda… sorta… made him feel… proud. After she ate Hayden patted her tummy and let out a loud burp, cookie crumbs, blueberry and tomato sauce were still on her mouth as she licked her lips "Excuse me."

"No worries." Surly said "So… what are you doing out here? Don't you have parents waiting for you back home?"

At that Hayden's expression changed into a sad one "Well, actually no… I'm an orphan… and I'm a runaway. Nobody cares about me at the orphanage, they always bully me so I ran away and I'm not going back… of course, now I don't have any place to go to."

Buddy looked at Surly again with the same look he had before, as if begging him to help her once again, and the squirrel gave in and said "Ok Buddy, you don't have to keep flashing those big eyes at me. We're taking her to the mill. She'll be safe there and no human would ever find her in there." Buddy was so happy he hugged his friend and he hugged him back.