ANs
im not dead :D
sorry for not updating for 3 month, i lost a lot of motivation with summer break and stuff and ive been doing not the best mentally
this is i think the longest chapter by now and i hope that u enjoy it
-
Luz closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep again, wishing she could ignore the throbbing pain in her body and the bad shaking despite the covers. The antidote had probably started to work, her whole body didn't hurt so much anymore. Either that or she was just used to it. It was probably an improvement. She could feel sticky blood in her right palm. She could taste metal in her mouth and her stomach had curled into a ball because of course.
Anne was still asleep on the sleeping bag beside her, her back turned to her. Luz groaned painfully when she tried to sit up to get a better look around the place. Anne woke up, sitting up sharply, quickly looking around at her surroundings in panic before her gaze rested on Luz. Guilt immediately stung the short haired girl when she saw the dark bags under Anne's eyes.
''Good morning.'' Anne said simply before stretching and yawning. ''Or is it morning? Either way... How are you feeling?''
''Hmm I've been better...'' she said, relaxing back onto her sleeping bag. ''It still hurts. But less,''
''Wait, did you just quote a meme? Anne shook her head. ''I don't think I should be surprised. You're not on any painkillers right now so the medicine Maddie gave you should have kicked in.'' Anne said. ''Did you sleep well? Or as well as you could. You woke up coughing a few times in the evening. I think you coughed up blood too, but Hop Pop said that was somewhat normal.''
Luz swallowed tightly. ''That explains the taste of metal... Otherwise, I slept fine!'' she lied.
''Glad to hear it.'' Anne believed her. There was a small pause before she continued. ''Would you like some breakfast?
Luz thought for a moment. ''Yeah, why not. I'll give it a try.''
Anne disappeared upstairs, leaving Luz alone with her thoughts. She tried to relax and clear her thoughts again, closing her eyes. However, this was interrupted by the door opening again and the sound of a quick sprint down the stairs. She opened her eyes again and tried to lift her head so she could see who had entered the room.
Maddie was standing in front of her sleeping bag, looking at her feet and fidgeting with her hands, looking nervous and worried. ''Are you okay?" Luz turned her head.
The light blue frog jumped in surprise. ''Oh, didn't see that you're awake.'' she muttered. ''Anyway... I came to give you your dose of the potion, which you'll have to drink for about a week until the poison clears from your body. Also-'' she said then took a deep breath. '-I'm so sorry!" she said her voice breaking. ''All that wasn't worth it for some honey for a potion... I'm sorry, I'll give you everything for your cure and be out of your life!'' she choked out. ''I just... no one cared about my magic like that...''
Luz realized what she was talking about ''Hey, it's okay, look I'm fine now and I'm recovering!
''No you're not! Do you know how close you were to death? And there is still a chance! I've never treated anything like that and-'' the frog broke down crying. ''You're the only one who's ever cared about what I do... and I was going to kill you...''
Luz's stomach tightened. She knew what it was like to have no one who understood you and cared about your interests. ''I still want to study magic with you. It's not entirely your fault, I still agreed because I wanted to do it, you warned me it would be dangerous.''
''You forgive me just like that?'' shook Maddie's head. ''I don't think I deserve it!'' she protested.
''Maybe you don't, I don't know, but I forgive you. After all, if it weren't for you, me and Anne might not be alive!'' Luz tried to cheer her up, the frog just sniffled. ''I'd give you a hug too, but... I don't think I'm in the condition right now.'' she laughed lightly.
Maddie wiped her tears and turned to Luz with a small grateful smile. However, their moment was ruined by the cacaphony coming from the kitchen.
Hop Pop and Anne could be heard arguing heatedly about something through the hatch. ''Ugh, I'll go check what they're yelling about.'' Maddie said annoyed and climbed back up the stairs.
Once she got closer to the kitchen she could hear their argument better now.
''Anne, for the third time I'm telling you, you can't put the onions in the eggs!" shouted Hop Pop to the girl. ''Nobody does that!''
''Well, in my world, there are plenty of recipes with eggs and onions, HP. Just give it a shot! It wouldn't hurt you to try something new!'' Anne defended herself, trying to reach the cutting board on which the onions were chopped.
''No! I won't let you waste food like that! And don't call me HP!" Hop Pop continued to argue.
Anne looked at him a little offended. ''I don't waste food, dude! I wanted to do something good and make you breakfast!''
''Anne you're from another world! What do you know about culinary in Amphibia? You've been here for less than a month!'' Hop Pop stood his ground. ''Maybe onions taste different in your world!''
Anne opened her mouth to say something, but stopped herself. ''Actually, you're right...'' she said and took out the small pieces of chopped onion and put it in her mouth. After a few seconds of silence, she swallowed and continued. ''It's exactly the same! I don't see what you have against me putting onions in the eggs, dude!''
Sprig who had only been listening to the argument the whole time, awakened by it, joined in defending Anne. ''Hop Pop! Let her cook breakfast! When she cooks at least the kitchen smells good! Whenever you cook the whole house smells like a cave that toads lived in!''
''What did you say about my cooking?" Hop Pop croaked offended, turning to face Sprig who froze.
''Uuh..'' Sprig choked on his words.
''Guys, are you really arguing over eggs?" asked Maddie in disbelief. ''Hop Pop, just let her make breakfast, she cooked in the cave and she can cook pretty well.''
Hop Pop huffed and turned around to his room angrily. ''Okay, I'll let you cook! But im not helping you clean up!" he slammed the door to his study behind him.
''Dang, what's up with him?'' asked Anne.
''I don't know, he's just old.'' shrugged Sprig. ''Sorry about all that.''
''Eh, no problem, my parents yell at me for stupid things too, sometimes I don't know what their problem is.'' Anne went back to the board with chopped onions. ''The omelet is almost ready, are there any plates here?
''Yeah, I'll set the table.'' jumped Sprig.
''Alright buddy'' Anne placed a frying pan with eggs, tiny onion cubes and tiny canned meat cubes over the fire. ''How are you doing, Maddie?''
''Eh, I'm fine, just came here to give Luz the potion, I came up here again because of the commotion.'' she shrugged.
''Dang, did we cause that much noise?''
''Not that much, the walls are just thin and you can hear everything.'' said Sprig from the living room.
''Ah, that explains some things from last night... Anyway, the omelette is ready.'' Anne picked up the pan and began to spread the omelette, which looked more like scrambled eggs on six plates.
''Oh, don't make a plate for me.'' Maddie waved her hands. ''I'm just here to give Luz a dose of the potion, I already had breakfast at home.''
''Are you sure?'' Anne asked her and she nodded. ''Okay then, but tell me if you change your mind.'' she said and put away the sixth plate. ''Who's going to call Polly and Hop Pop?
''Polly will come in a bit when she smells the food. I'll call Hop Pop.'' Sprig said and walked towards his room.
Maddie clapped her hands lightly. ''Alright guys, I'm going downstairs to give Luz a dose of the potion and then I'll be going because my dad probably needs help at the bakery.'' said the light blue frog and disappeared into the basement.
Anne heard hopping from the stairs and the tadpole came into the living room with a hop. ''Do I smell breakfast?" asked Polly.
'Uhh yes! I made something like an omelette, but now it looks more like scrambled eggs.'' Anne tried to start a conversation. ''Pick your plate, we're waiting for Hop Pop and Sprig when Maddie gets back and Luz will come.''
''Okay.'' said simply Polly and sat on one of the chairs before starting to devour her plate.
Anne stood there for a moment, surprised by the little Pop's appetite and aggression before composing herself. ''Gee, I hope you enjoyed it! I'm going to see if Luz is alright.''
She turned her back going towards the basement. ''It's amazing bea- er- Anne!" shouted Polly behind her. Anne spun around. 'Oh really? Well, thank you, it's not that much, just a simple meal.''
Polly continued devouring her plate happily. Anne was going to open the trapdoor leading to the basement, but Maddie did that for her. ''My work for today is done, now I have to go. Please tell me if anything happens. Bye!" the frog said and ran out the front door.
Anne grabbed onto the trapdoor, almost falling, but successfully making it down the stairs. ''I made breakfast!" she said to Luz, who was now in a sitting position. ''How are you feeling?
''Better than yesterday. I think the potion Maddie gave me worked, or at least I hope so.'' she said, turning her head a little. ''Maddie gave me some stuff for my shoulder too, I don't think I'll be able to move my arm for a while.''
''Sorry about that.'' mumbled Anne. ''Should I change the bandage on your shoulder or put some of the potions on your wound?'' Anne regretted saying that, images from yesterday invaded her mind and within seconds, the sight of the wound, how the blood felt on her hands and clothes, as if she could still hear the buzzing of the hybeenas and Luz's cries, it all became too loud.
''I'll put this off until after breakfast because I'm a wuss.'' Luz confessed, snapping Anne back into reality.
Anne laughed lightly and relieved. ''Hah, yeah I see.''
Luz grabbed the wall with her left uninjured hand and tried to pull herself up to a standing position. She managed to make it halfway before stumbling, Anne managing to catch her in time. ''Careful, do you want me to be your support?
Luz nodded. ''Thanks for catching me. And yes, I'll need it.''
Anne let her put half her weight on her. ''Are you sure you can walk? It hasn't been a whole day since that thing stung you, I don't know if it's safe-''
''Pfft, Anne, I'll be fine, it doesn't hurt so much anymore! And plus, I have to keep moving because I'll forget how to walk!'' Luz waved her left hand before sniffing the air. ''What did you make for breakfast? And why were you shouting with Hop Pop?''
''I don't know, he came over and started lecturing me about how I can't put onions in the eggs for some reason.'' Anne shrugged.
''Huh. That's a little funny. Can you help me walk up the stairs?''
Anne picked her up in her arms, which surprised the other girl a little. The bushy haired girl climbed up the stairs and let her stand on her feet with her support when she reached the top. She guided her to one of the chairs on the table where Sprig, Polly and a grumpy looking Hop Pop ware already sitting. Anne pulled up one of the chairs to sit and began to eat her breakfast. ''So! How's the food, Hop Pop?''
He swallowed and sighed in defeat. ''It's good kid, sorry about earlier.''
A wide victorious grin stretched across Anne's face. ''So you're admitting you were wrong?
Hop Pop gripped his fork. ''Don't push it kid!''
''Alright, alright!" waved Anne's hands, still smiling. ''What are your plans today?''
''I'm thinking of letting you or the kids watch over Luz while me and the others work on the farm.'' said Hop Pop.
''Hey! I don't need a babysitter!'' Luz immediately objected.
''Oh yes you do, kid. You were stung by a hybeena yesterday! We still don't know if your condition will worsen!'' Hop Pop waved his fork.
Anne immediately shivered and clutched her fork, immediately feeling sick. She looked at her plate trying to block out the memories of the day before. She thought she heard the sickening sound of ripping skin and muscle again as she pulled the sting from Luz's shoulder. She quickly looked away from the dish, feeling it make her even more nauseous. She couldn't stay here, she needed to distract herself with some activity, maybe this way she would forget and stop thinking about it.
''...I guess Anne will want to stay here-'' Anne was brought back to reality when Hop Pop mentioned her name.
''Actually, can I help on the farm?'' Anne interrupted him when she realized what he was talking about. ''Look HP, I know we were at each other's throats a little while ago, but I'm still grateful for everything, and I'd like to repay you in some way by working on the farm to begin with.''
Hop Pop looked a little shocked for a moment, but quickly covered it up. ''Are you sure kiddo? I don't know if you'll be able to bear the labor of the farm, and it's true we're at the edge of town, but there's still a chance that some citizen may see you.''
That would have distracted her, she was going to be struggling in the heat too much to have time to think about the day before. ''If anyone comes I'll pretend to be a scarecrow or something! Please HP! I can really help!" pleaded Anne.
Hop Pop sighed. ''Alright kid. But promise you'll do whatever I tell you. Do you think you'll be able to clean the pests and harvest the vegetables?'' he got a nod from Anne. ''Okay. We'll go out the back door so you won't be seen. I'll also find you a cloak or something to hide with if anyone comes. Okay?''
''Got it.'' Anne nodded again.
Hop Pop got up from the table, taking his now empty plate and putting it in the sink. ''Alright, come with me to get your tools.''
Polly had already eaten her extra serving and was now scratching on the table with a small dagger.
''Why do you have access to a dagger?" Luz asked her.
Polly glared at her. ''You have one too. And I still don't trust you...''
Luz chuckled awkwardly, a little bit creeped out. ''Sooo, what are you guys planning to do today.''
''Lighting things on fire.'' said Polly casually.
''Polly no! I'm gonna get the blame cause I'm the big brother who must protect you! Hop Pop's gonna make me wash the dishes for a month!'' argued Sprig.
''That doesn't sound like a me problem.'' said Polly to annoy him.
Their bickering was going to turn to fighting but Hop Pop walked in again. ''Hey! Quit that! You are supposed to be responsible for the day!''
''Sorry Hop Pop.'' said Sprig and Polly at the same time.
''Okay, me and Anne are going out to do some farm work, I hope you too don't do something that you're not supposed to do while I'm out.'' the old frog said while making hand gestures towards Anne and then them. ''You take care of Luz, we don't know how ''hoomans'' handle the hybeena venom.''
''I don't need-'' Luz tried to argue again but was stopped by Hop Pop.
''Yes you do, you stepped one foot in the grave yesterday, we don't know if the venom will strike again.'' objected Hop Pop. ''Plus you don't have any movement in one arm and you can barely walk! It's a miracle you can stay on your feet for more than a few seconds!''
Luz thought for a moment. ''When you put it like that... You're right.'' Luz stood up holding onto the support chair with her functioning arm. She noticed that Anne was just looking at her half-eaten plate, looking paler than usual.
Anne noticed the other girl looking at her and quickly stood up and went to help her. ''I'll help you to the couch.'' Anne told her. ''I'll be right back Hop Pop!''
They slowly left the kitchen and when they did, Anne abruptly pulled Luz aside, unseen by the others, causing her legs to end up in the air for a second, visibly knocking the wind out of her. "Jesus, Anne, please don't do that again!" she said taking a few breaths. "What is it?"
"Do you think it's a good idea to tell them?" whispered Anne to her.
"Tell about what?" said Luz in a normal tone, Anne immediately shushing her.
"The box!" said Anne, still whispering.
"Ooh!" realized Luz, lowering her voice like Anne. "I think we can trust them, they saved my life after all! And Hop Pop seems like he knows a lot of things, maybe he knows about the box."
"I think the same." nodded Anne. " Should we tell them at dinner?"
"Yeah, sounds good to me." the other girl nodded back. ''Is everything alright Anne? You didn't finish your meal and you looked... I don't know, lost?"'
Anne's face changed for a moment, but she quickly covered it up. ''Yeah, everything's fine, I'm just a little nervous, that's all!''
Luz squinted her eyes suspiciously, but decided not to push her further right now. ''Also again, please don't do that again, I almost had a heart attack.''
"Sorry! I got a little carried away." Anne scratched her neck awkwardly and helped her to the couch. ''Do you need anything?"
"Nah, I'm good. thanks Anne! You are the best!" Luz smiles at her warmly.
Anne didn't even realize that she was smiling back.
Anne was always amazed at how happy, energetic and optimistic Luz always was. Even though she'd almost hugged the bouquet in an agonizing way the day before, she looked like the normal Luz now, somehow still a ball of energy despite not being able to move her right arm from pain. She was even a little jealous that she could move on the same way after something like this.
It was the first time she had seen the not happy and optimistic side of Luz on their first night here. That moment didn't sit well with her, it pained Anne to see her like that at that moment and she was going to do her best to keep the wholesome cinnamon roll happy.
"ANNE? ARE YOU COMING OR NOT?" Hop Pop's voice from the other room snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Coming!" she shouted back and the turned to Luz for a moment. "I gotta go now dude, wanna read Azura again when I get back?"
A look of surprise was written on Luz's face for a moment before she looked at Anne with stars in her eyes and a wide grin. "You really liked it?" she asked incredulously.
"It's fine. I finished the first chapter when you fell asleep, so I guess we'll start the second."
"I want to hug you so much right now-"
"ANNE!" called Hop Pop again
"I got carried away again. Later dude!"
"Yeah... later Anne." Luz was left still grinning like an idiot on the couch.
Hop Pop waited by the back door, already looking impatient. "Finally!" he exclaimed. "You ready to get out there and get started?"
"Yes. Sorry I'm late old man." Anne said, already beginning to regret a little that she chose to work outside in the heat.
"I'm glad. And I'm not that old!" he handed her a cloak. "Take this just in case. If a citizen comes to talk to me cover yourself as much as you can with it and pretend to be a scarecrow or something." He handed her a couple of tools and empty pouches as well.
"Okay okay. Are we going out yet?" said a visibly impatient Anne.
"Yeah." Hop Pop opened the door and told her to follow while muttering about something along the lines of how impatient today's kids were.
The two made their way to the far back of the farm. The sun was already relentless, and it wasn't even noon, which made Anne rethink the decisions she had made. She set her tools and pouches on the ground and wiped some of the sweat already forming on her forehead.
"Alright Anne, a creature of your size should have good physical strength as well. So you'll fend off the bugs while I harvest the mature vegetables and water them a bit. Okay?" Hop Pop prepared a few of his tools.
''Crystal clear, Hop Pop! There's no way a few little bugs can stop me right?'' chuckled Anne, but Hop Pop only hummed. He gave her a shovel and a scythe.
The old frog stuck his shovel into the ground to bring up something that resembled a turnip. The soil rose to reveal the vegetable well, which Hop Pop bent down to pick. However, out of the hole crawled what looked like something between a white worm and a centipede with many legs as thick as Hop Pop's arm. The creature passed its confused state and became aggressive making a screeching noise and trying to reach Hop Pop.
''Anne!''
''On it!'' Anne pressed it to the ground with the shovel, but it turned its attention to her. She screamed and in a moment of panic, she accidentally cut off its head with the scythe she was holding in her other hand. The thing, however, began to thrash around panicked, now headless, spraying green blood, some of it spattering Anne's face. She screamed again and scooped it up with the shovel and threw it into the air at a surprising height.
Hop Pop just followed the thing with his eyes which fell next to a tree, now motionless. "Guess that works too." he shrugged. "Good job."
Anne gave a thumbs up still shaken and trying not to throw up from the blood on her face. "Thanks..."
A few 'little' bugs might stop her.
"And this is General Bogbreath!" Sprig showed off a handmade action figure. "Pretty proud of how it turned out!"
"Cool! I have a few at home, but they weren't handmade by me, which makes your's even more valuable!" exclaimed Luz.
"Really? I'm glad someone finally understands how valuable they are-" Sprig was interrupted by Polly who bumped into his leg. He stumbled and the figurine flew out of his hands, but he caught it with his tongue before it fell to the ground. "'Polly! Careful, I was about to lose General Bogbreath!"
"Whatever." the pollywog rolled her eyes. "Can we do something else instead of listening to you talk about your boring dolls?"
Sprig gasped clearly offended. "They're not dolls, they're action figures and they're not boring at all!"
"Guys, please. Can't you try to get along for a bit? Okay, what if we do something that's fun for both of you?" suggested Luz hopefully.
The siblings looked at each other. "Can we trow stuff?" raised Sprig's hands. "I have a slingshot, Polly has knives, I can give you a slingshot- Oh wait. I'm sorry, I forgot you can't move your arm." he scratched his neck slightly embarrassed.
"No no, that's a good idea, I think I have an idea." she fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a rubber band. "I am ambidextrous so I can use my left hand for that too."
"Is that even a real word?" squinted Polly. "What does it mean?"
"Oh! It basically means someone who doesn't have a dominant hand and can write, draw and do actions equally with both hands. However, I find it harder to write with my left, but I can draw with both." explained Luz. "But for example, I can't throw things with the same power and accuracy with the left and me can do some things with the right which evens things out.
"Hmm. That's cool." said Polly simply. "Are we going to throw stuff now?" Polly pulled out a knife.
Luz chucked awkwardly. "Isn't that a little dangerous and forbidden?"
"Meh. I've done this before, and Hop Pop isn't here so everything is allowed." said Polly casually.
"I don't think it works like that-"
"Less talking, more throwing things!" insisted Polly.
"I think I'm going to regret this..." muttered Luz to herself.
The insects were really starting to get on Anne's nerves. She wasn't even that disgusted with them anymore, they were just annoying her. Somehow out of every third vegetable a new worm would come out from under the soil, which she had to chop a few times to die because the bug just split in two and kept wiggling when she cut it in half. On top of that she was getting rashes from their blood because why not.
But the beetles were more annoying. Every once in a while there would come a big as a cat Colorado potato beetle that wanted to eat the vegetables that were ready picked. They were faster, they bit bad and the buzzing coming from them drove her crazy. The worst part was that it reminded her somewhat of the buzzing of the hybeenas and she couldn't help but wince every time one of the beetles passed too close to her head.
"Anne, two more Colorado beetles are coming!" Hop Pop had already harvested half of the crop and half the day had passed. Anne thought it was taking too long, but he assured her that with her help it was making things happen twice as fast.
She wiped the sweat from her brow and ran slightly, standing between Hop Pop with the gathered vegetables and beetles. One tried to fly past her, making a loud buzzing noise next to her ear, making her wince. Not a hybeena... just a beetle, no big deal. It tried to bite her, but she didn't let it do that and smacked at it hard with her shovel, sending it to the ground. She stuck the shovel into the beetle, splitting it in two and set about killing the second one that was buzzing around her aggressively.
At least the beetles weren't very smart, she quickly memorized the concept of it flying around her and managed to intercept it and hack it with her shovel before doing the same thing she did to the first one. She looked at the two now split beetles, shuddering in disgust.
"Thank you Anne. You're doing great! Do you want a break?" Hop Pop had put the already harvested vegetables into crates. "We'll have to get the crates somewhere safe, and they weigh a lot and you look tired."
"I won't refuse a break. Can we go to the shade? I think I'll get even worse sunburns, if that didn't happen already." Anne perked up immediately.
Hop Pop put his tools down and brushed the dust from his clothes. ''Yeah, we'll go under that tree.'' he pointed to a tree on a small hill that made a large and thick enough shade.
Anne cursed to herself, seeing that the tree was on a hill, but after a few minutes they both reached the shadow. From there they could see the whole farm and the back of the house. Anne sat up leaning her back against the tree, again wiping the sweat from her brow.
''Want some water?" Hop Pop waved two waterskins.
Her eyes went wide and she practically snatched one of them and downed half of it in one go. "Oh uh, sorry!"
"It's okay." Hop Pop sipped from his waterskin. "Why did you even want to help me? I wasn't acting the best to you."
Anne leaned against the tree. "I'll tell you quite honestly. I'm grateful to you. For helping us, for letting me and Luz in and letting us stay. If it was you Luz would be dead!" Anne made hand gestures as she spoke. "I know I probably look like an ungrateful child to you who doesn't know better than to complain, but I really appreciate and respect you."
Hop Pop looked surprised for a moment. "Thank you, Anne. You know you don't have to help me with the farm work, you don't seem to like it at all."
"'Tis true I hate everything about this, but I want to help and repay you in some way. And you said yourself that harvesting goes twice as fast with me," she said. "And I was hoping to prove myself to you somehow because I think it's clear you don't particularly like me."
Hop Pop was silent for a moment. "Believe it or not, I know how you feel." he said and pulled out a bag of something. "Do you want some dried cicadas?" he opened the bag to see that there were indeed cicadas inside.
"Uh no thanks, I'll pass." she waved her hands, trying de hide her disgust.
"Eh, you're missing out! More for me!" he said while chewing. His expression became serious again and he looked at the farm with maybe even a hint of regret. "You know Anne, you're not so bad after all. I'm sorry I acted like that to you earlier, you're a good kid. I underestimated you."
"Um, thanks I guess. And no problem. I underestimated you too." Anne was visibly surprised that the old toad was apologizing to her.
"We'd better get the harvest in, it'll be getting dark soon." Hop Pop broke the brief silence and stood up. "Tomorrow we'll finish the other half or whatever's left of the other half."
"What do you mean by 'whatever's left'?" raised Anne an eyebrow.
Hop Pop sighed. "Well, the pests come out at night and eat the crops. There's nothing we can do because everyone's asleep then. And we can't put anyone on watch for the night. I have to work or sell vegetables at the stand during the day, Sprig gets distracted too easily and will probably fall asleep, and Polly's still too little and there's no chance I'd let her guard the farm, especially at night.''
''What if I stay awake at night and watch the farm?" offered Anne immediately.
The old frog was surprised by this. ''Anne, no, there's no need, this happens every year, there's no need to waste sleep and energy. I don't know if you'll even be able to stay awake for the whole night.''
''I'll be fine, Hop Pop, trust me. Didn't you say you were selling the vegetables? The more vegetables, the more money you'll make!'' Anne protested.
''That's true Anne, but you don't have to do things like that for what I helped you with, I did it because I want to.''
''I know Hop Pop, and I'll do it because I want to help! There's usually no way you can make me kill giant bugs, but now I want to, so take advantage of it!'' Anne said.
Hop Pop sighed again. ''I guess I can't change your mind? You're so stubborn.''
''I can tell you the same.''
The frog laughed. ''Okay, you're starting to annoy me, let's go harvest the vegetables before it starts to get dark.'' he stood up and dusted off, Anne doing the same.
''Aaaand it's done!'' Luz showed the paper origami crane.
Sprig was trying to fold the paper properly but heard the sound of tearing paper. ''I don't think it's turning out.''
''It's fine, my first origami crane didn't work out either, you just have to do it a few times to get the hang of it.'' Luz put the crane down to pat him on the shoulder. ''You can have mine!''
His eyes lit up. ''Really?
''Of course buddy!" she smiled at him. ''Polly, how's it going for you-''
Polly tore her paper into small pieces, visibly irritated. ''Uuh, I don't think that worked.''
There was the sound of the back door opening accompanied by the voices of Anne and Hop Pop causing everyone to turn towards the door. Something wasn't right. Anne and Hop Pop were talking normally and not fighting? That seemed a bit impossible.
''-In our world, they're much smaller and don't really have blood and stuff.'' Anne was saying something to Hop Pop.
''Then do you have something like food farms?" asked Hop Pop.
''Not on insects, in our world not many people eat insects.'' replied Anne.
''Say what? I really can't imagine living there!'' exclaimed Hop Pop. ''Otherwise good job and thanks again, I'll make something for dinner.'' he went into the kitchen.
Anne sat down on the couch with an exhausted groan. The others were still a little stunned by the fact that Anne and Hop Pop were having a calm and civil conversation on their own accord. ''Luz, did you know that the Colorado beetles here are as big as a cat?''
''First, that's cool but also terrifying, second-'' Luz was interrupted by Sprig.
''Did you just have a normal conversation with Hop Pop!?'' the pink frog finished.
''Actually yes, believe it or not the old man isn't that bad. We learned to get along while working together.'' Anne shrugged, but then narrowed her eyes, noticing something in the wall. ''Why is there a dagger stuck in the wall-''
''SHHHH!'' Luz immediately shushed her, putting a finger in front of her lips. ''We were shooting at targets and maybe Polly kinda completely missed the target while bickering with Sprig. And maybe we couldn't get the dagger out of the wall. Do you think it would pass for a coat hanger?''
''How- Why-'' Anne gave up. ''You know, I'm not going to ask. Anyway, I'll stay up for the night to keep the crops safe from pests, tomorrow we can probably finish the rest with Hop Pop. I'll be on that hill where there's like a ruined wall or something? I don't know what it is but I'll be there.''
"Wait, aren't you going to sleep or something?" Luz stood up. ''I know you want to help but trust me, you can't function properly when you do all nighters! I've done plenty accidentaly when I start a new fanfiction."
"I'll be fine, it'll only be for a few nights, it'll probably mess up my sleeping schedule, I'll fix it though." Anne brushed it off.
"I don't think that's a good idea Anne, I know what you can do and that you want to prove yourself to Hop Pop or whatever it is you want to do, but you could really hurt yourself." Sprig joined in looking worried.
"I don't really care, but it's going to be night and if something comes and eats you we won't hear a sound from you!" said Polly completely serious.
"C'mon, you know I can handle the insects around here! And this is the town, there's not likely to be things like the huge praying mantises in the woods.'' Anne continued to insist. ''I'll be fine, I promise! Even Hop Pop agreed!''
''Well that sounds like a valid argument.'' Sprig shrugged. ''But know that if I wake up in the night I'll come see what you're doing. Please don't mistake me for an intruder or anything, I value my life quite a bit.''
''I promise that I will try not to kill you, buddy.'' Anne patted his head, shifting his hat.
''Hah, I hope so.'' Sprig moved his hat back. ''We'll look for something we can cover the dagger in the wall with just in case.'' he put Polly on his head and climbed the stairs to his room.
Luz's expression became worried again. ''Anne? Are you alright?''
Anne's eyes widened in surprise. ''Oh yeah! Of course! Why do you ask?" she laughed awkwardly, trying to cover herself up.
Luz squinted her eyes suspiciously. ''Are you sure? You know you can tell me if something's wrong."
Anne looked guilty for a moment. "No no, everything's fine. Really. I'm just a little nervous about the whole we're going to show the box to the Planters thing." it was partly true, but it still stung with guilt for not telling the full truth. But it would be better this way, she'd be fine with it herself, no need to drag Luz after her too, she got it worse after all.
Luz sighed and turned her gaze to the ceiling. "Me too. But I'm worried about you too, it's not like you to insist on staying up all night just to help with something like this."
"Really, I'm fine, I'll just stay awake for a few nights. A few sips of my Blam Berry Blitz will keep me up all night with no problem!" said Anne.
"Are you still carrying that thing?" chuckled Luz. "How has it not gone bad by now?"
"Its expiration date is in 5 years, it's still good." said Anne.
"I don't even want to think about actually what its made of!" exclaimed Luz.
''Okay. Is it time for the box?'' Anne picked up her backpack that was lying on the ground next to the couch, holding it close to her body.
''I guess...'' sighed Luz.
"KIDS! TIME FOR DINNER!" called Hop Pop from the kitchen.
"So we're leaving it for after dinner?" raised an eyebrow Luz.
"Yeah, I think it would be better that way." agreed Anne.
Luz got to her feet, leaning against the couch. Anne stood next to her and let her use her for support, the two successfully making it to the kitchen where the others were starting to gather.
Hop Pop had made something in the shape of soup that looked and smelled a little suspicious, but Anne hadn't eaten since breakfast and completely ignored that and ate the bug soup. Luz gave her a slightly disturbed look before she too started eating the dish out of respect for Hop Pop.
''So am I not seeing correctly or is there a hat on the wall in the living room?" Hop Pop scooped out of his soup.
Sprig and Polly immediately looked at each other, but Anne decided to try to save their skins. ''I didn't see a hat on the wall.'' she shrugged. ''Anyway, Luz and I wanted to show you something we thought was important...'' she lifted her backpack onto her lap and unzipped it, pulling out something wrapped in cloth. She unwrapped the cloth from the thing revealing the calamity box.
''Wow. Shiny!" Sprig's eyes lit up.
''This is the thing that actually got us into this world.'' Luz said. ''It's no longer working or its has run out of battery. I think the stones had different colors before.'' she pointed to the now gray three stones on the box.
''It's some crazy music box or something. Have you guys seen anything like it before?'' asked Anne.
Hop Pop squinted his eyes. ''May I?''
''Sure. I mean, it's busted.'' Anne shrugged.
Hop Pop lifted the box off the table to get a better look at it. He brought it up to his eyes and opened it a few times with the familiar creak of the lid before closing it and putting it back on the table. ''Nope, never seen anything like it.''
''Aww...'' sighed Luz sadly. Anne placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, causing Luz to hiss in pain.
''Shi- I'm so sorry! I forgot! Wrong shoulder!'' Anne immediately felt guilty.
''No biggie, don't worry.'' Luz waved her hand before looking again at her now empty bowl sadly, Anne doing the same.
Sprig looked up from the table. ''Guys, I promise. We are gonna find a way to get you home.''
''Thanks Sprig. I'm sure we'll manage somehow.'' Luz tried to smile a little.
Hop Pop pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. ''Alright kids, I've got enough excitement for today, I'm going to bed.'' he moved the chair to the table again. ''Good luck with the night shift, Anne!'' he closed his room door behind him.
Anne sighed. ''Well, it was worth the shot.'' she got up from the table. ''Are you two going to bed?" she asked Sprig and Polly.
''I guess.'' said Sprig.
''It's not like I have anything else to do, and it's getting pretty late.'' Polly jumped up from her chair. ''Good night guys.'' she climbed the stairs with hopping.
''Good night from me too!'' Sprig followed her up the stairs.
Anne offered her hand to Luz. ''I'll help you get downstairs and I'll have to get going.''
''I can come with you for company-'' Luz was interrupted by Anne who put a finger in front of her lips.
''Nuh uh. You can barely walk, what if something we have to run away from comes?'' Anne said.
Luz fell silent, completely defeated.
Anne helped her downstairs and settled her on one of the sleeping bags, even going out of her way to tuck her in. ''You know I can do this on my own, right? I'm not a little kid.'' Luz said with a joking offense. ''What else? Are you going to give me a goodnight kiss?''
''Maddie told me that you shouldn't strain yourself. And yes I can if you want.'' said Anne. Luz blushed a little but didn't say anything. ''Comfy enough?'' The other girl nodded at her. ''Alright, goodnight, don't miss me too much!''
''Yeah yeah, good night to you too.'' Luz said, pulling her backpack to herself.
Anne took her own backpack and walked out the basement door. She looked around and picked up the scythe that was propped against the door before continuing towards the hill with the ruined wall at a fast walk. She got there successfully and sat down so that she could see most of the vegetables that hadn't been taken out yet, leaning against the ruined wall.
She tried to focus on watching the farm and forget about everything else. She turned her gaze to the lake. Amphibia's red moon tinted the waters of the nearby lake a beautiful red. Red. She remembered scrubbing her hands the night before while washing them in the sink, trying to remove every trace of red on them. She looked away from the lake.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Everything was so quiet and for now nothing was happening. Still, only a few minutes had passed. And that was better, she didn't want to dream either.
She heard something moving in the corn and immediately turned that way. Something was indeed making the corn move. She picked up the scythe and ran over to the sound. With tentative steps she entered the corn following the sound deeper. She waved the plant in front of her face with her hand and saw the insect making the sound. It was some kind of beetle, but she couldn't see it very well because of the darkness. The red light of the moon was reflected in the insect's eyes. It buzzed angrily and tried to jump towards Anne, but she killed it with a quick swing of her scythe.
That wasn't so bad. Anne inspected the damage before leaving. Several ears of corn had been eaten. She cursed silently before returning to the hill.
Several nights had passed successfully, most of the crops untouched. The same could not be said, however, for Anne's sleep schedule. She was on less than five hours of sleep and had a few more nights before the entire harvest was harvested. And her Blam Berry Blitz had been drunk down to the last drop. There was no way she was going to make it through the next night without falling asleep.
She'd been sitting on her sleeping bag for a few minutes now, staring at the floor without moving, which was starting to worry Luz.
''Anne? Are you okay?" she asked timidly.
Anne turned around and tried to smile, in the light of the basement the dark circles under her eyes looked worse than usual. ''Yeah, I just need to figure out how to get through this night without falling asleep. Because I ran out of the energy drink I was able to stay awake with.''
''Anne, I don't think that much caffeine and that little sleep is good for you.'' Luz put a hand on her shoulder worriedly. ''I'm sure Hop Pop won't mind if you stop doing night shifts-''
''Hop Pop! He'll probably have something!'' Anne immediately stood up. ''Thanks Luz!" she said while climbing the basement stairs.
She quickly reached Hop Pop's room and opened the door peeking inside. Hop Pop was sitting at his desk cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief. A thick book lay in front of him. ''Hop Pop?''
Hop Pop immediately jumped in surprise when he heard her voice. ''Next time knock kid!''
''Sorry! Anne immediately apologized. ''What are you reading?'' she walked over to his desk seeing a bit of the book page. Is that the calamity box?
The old frog immediately closed the book. ''It's not important kid. What did you come to me for?''
''Oh yeah!'' Anne seemed to have completely forgotten about the drawing of the box on the page of the book. ''Do you have something that will keep me awake at night? Like coffee or something?''
''Oh so that thing in the colored bottle ran out? I can give you some of the tea my mom used to make.'' said Hop Pop. ''But you can stop watching the farm at night, you've done enough already.''
''No no! I don't mind! Really!'' objected Anne.
The orange frog sighed. ''Look kid, Luz is pretty worried about you, and so am I. We don't want you to overwork yourself.''
''I'm fine, I promise!'' the girl continued to object.
Hop Pop sighed again. ''I haven't known you for that long, but I already know you're too stubborn for me to change your mind, so I'll let you stay for one more night.''
''Thanks-''
''One night.'' Hop Pop said again. ''You won't be on the night shift anymore. Besides, we got more healthy vegetables out of it with your help than we did in the beginning, it wouldn't hurt as much to lose a few of the pests.''
Anne thought for a moment. She knew that she wouldn't last much longer. But she didn't want to dream again. When she passed out from fatigue the nightmares didn't catch up with her and she could sleep without dreaming. ''Okay. Can I have some of the tea?''
''Yeah, wait for me in the living room.'' the frog got up from his chair and reached over to one of the shelves pulling out a can.
Anne went back into the living room and after a few minutes Hop Pop gave her a cup of hot tea. ''I'm going to go to bed. Come over if there's anything.''
''Will do HP!''
The old frog closed the door to his room grumbling about something.
Anne decided to clean her scythe, the blade of which had various colors of dried blood from all the bugs she had killed until the tea was cool enough to drink. Though this would be her last such night she was hopeful. She was better now, almost not thinking about the fact that what she was cleaning out of her scythe was dried blood. Everything was fine now, she'd sleep like she normally slept, after all the whole hyena-bee situation was in the past and Luz was getting better now, there was no reason for her to think about that again. Or at least that's what she liked to think.
Anne looked down at the blade of scythe for a moment before she brought it down. The tea should be cold enough by now. She drank it in one go and immediately noticed how disgusting it tasted.
''What did Hop Pop put inside?" she muttered to herself looking at the empty cup in disgust. ''Time to go I guess...'' she lifted her scythe and stood up, but immediately collapsed, falling back onto the couch. She opened her eyes again and looked around in confusion. Were the lights from the lamps that bright? Was the couch blue? She tried to stand again, this time she didn't fall. It was as if her movements had slowed. Did her clothes always feel like this on her skin?
She laughed, she didn't know why. She laughed again because she didn't know why she laughed. The colors seemed so different and fun.
She lay on her back on the floor, looking up at the ceiling as she tried to catch it, laughing to herself.
Sprig woke up seeing it was still night and immediately tried to go back to sleep, but his mouth felt too dry. He saw the shape of a glass on his nightstand however quickly determined that it was empty. He got off his hammock and took the glass with him to fill it in the kitchen.
Somehow his still sleeping mind remembered that Anne was out right now and he decided to go see what she was doing for a bit after drinking some water. From the stairs he saw that the living room lights were on. That's strange, if Anne is outside they shouldn't be on. Maybe someone else had just gone for water too. He walked down the stairs finding himself in the living room.
''Huh. There doesn't seem to be anyone here-'' he glanced in front of the couch. ''ANNE?''
The frog quickly walked over to Anne who was lying on the ground, looking rather dazed. ''Anne? Are you alright? Why are you on the ground?''
She looked at him with a distant dazed look and laughed again.
He walked over and grabbed her arm in an attempt to help her up. She didn't like that though and started to fling her arm away, but Sprig didn't let go and she bit him. It took Sprig a few seconds before he realized what had just happened, but as the information registered in his brain he screamed and jerked to the side.
''WHY DID YOU BITE ME?" cried Sprig in panic.
''Sprig?'' Anne looked like she was trying to focus on him. ''Why are you blue?''
Sprig stopped for a moment completely confused. He heard footsteps and turned around to see Hop Pop in his bedroll. ''Sprig? What's going on?''
'Anne's acting weird!" he waved his hands in panic.
Hop Pop got a little closer to it. ''Wait a minute... Is it from the tea I gave her? Of course! Maybe it's affecting her differently!''
''What are we going to do?!" asked Sprig still panicked. ''What if it gets worse?''
''I don't think so. She seems fine, just a little dizzy, like she's inhaled fumes from wavy seagrass. They have are similar effects.'' Hop Pop said. ''Help me get her to the basement to Luz to go to sleep. It will probably pass in the morning.''
There was a hopping on the stairs and Polly came into the room. ''What is that noise?! Some people are trying to sleep!'' she shouted but then she saw Anne on the ground. ''What's wrong with Anne?''
''I gave her some of my tea which was supposed to wake her up but instead sent her in the clouds.'' said Hop Pop. ''Go back to sleep.''
Polly nodded and climbed back up the stairs.
Hop Pop helped Anne to her feet and gave Sprig the task of acting as her support while he led her by the hand. The old frog opened the hatch to the basement, seeing that Luz had started up the stairs. ''What's going on upstairs?" she asked.
''I'll tell you in a minute, get away on so we can get Anne downstairs.'' said Hop Pop. Luz did as she was told.
Somehow they managed to get Anne downstairs without anyone falling and now she was lying on her sleeping bag while laughing at the ceiling.
Luz looked at her in disbelief. ''Did she high again?!''
''Again?!" said Hop Pop and Sprig at the same time.
''Oh yeah, you weren't there.'' thought Luz. ''Anyway, what happened this time?''
''I gave her tea which was supposed to keep her awake for the night, however it affected her in a completely different way and that's what happened.'' the old frog made a hand gesture towards Anne. ''She'll sleep it off, don't worry.''
Sprig yawned. ''Anyway, I'm going back to sleep. Night!'' he climbed up the stairs.
''Me too. Tell me if something else happens, Luz.'' Hop Pop said and started climbing the stairs.
''Will do! Night!''
''G'night.'' he said before closing the door to the basement.
Luz sighed and turned to Anne. ''Alright. You should go to bed. Take off your shoes- your shoe.''
To her surprise, Anne listened and took off her shoe before lying back down on her sleeping bag. ''You have a pretty face y'know that?" Anne giggled at herself when she said that.
Luz blushed a little. ''Me?''
''You!'' Anne pointed at the other girl and giggled even more.
''You are really out of it, aren't you?'' Luz chuckled but that quickly passed and her expression changed to sad. ''Why did you want to work on the farm so much? I know it's not just the fact that you want to help, something else is bothering you. It's like you want to distract yourself from something.''
Anne shivered. ''I didn't want to have bad dreams.'' she said like a little kid who just dropped their ice cream. ''I didn't want to think about those bee-hyenas... bees... things and what happened to you. I wanted to forget.'' Anne looked like she was about to cry. ''I don't know what's wrong with me, you got it worse, I'm just overreacting...'' she teared up.
''Anne no! Why didn't you tell me?'' Luz brought her sleeping bag closer to hers. ''That was a traumatizing event! You have all the right to feel like that! You aren't overreacting at all!''
''I just don't wanna think about it.'' she choked on her tears and curled up. ''I don't wanna lose anyone.''
''That's not going to happen! I'm here and I'm recovering well! I can even walk now!'' Luz put a hand on Anne's shoulder, but she flinched and Luz pulled her hand away.
''I don't wanna talk about it.'' sniffled Anne.
Luz looked at her sadly. ''Okay, if you're going to remember this at all, please tell me if you want to talk.''
To Luz's surprise, Anne put her head on her shoulder. Luz put her arms around the other girl. ''It's okay...'' she felt herself tearing up. ''Let's go to bed, you're a little dope right now so everything probably feels different for you.''
''M'sure.''
Luz pulled her sleeping bag up next to Anne's and lay back down next to the other girl, who was still holding onto her t-shirt like it was life or death.
This time Anne slept without dreaming.