Beatrice is at a local market when she overhears something that makes her freeze. She edges closer to the man from out of town, who's telling a small crowd about his experience a few weeks ago.

""...This traveller— he was just a child— but yet he said he'd been travelling with his brother and they'd found the Train"
The crowd gasps. Some of them clutch at amulets that they wear. A young woman steps forward, "He survived it?" she asks incredulously. The man nods simply and there are more gasps.
"He didn't board, but his brother did. And he said that his brother was able to leave later, completely fine! We weren't sure what to think, but our elder, Gertrude, she said that the Train felt different. She seemed to believe the boy, and if she does then so do I! Listen to me, and hear that the Train is nothing to fear anymore! The Beast is gone and in his absence no harm will come to those who board the Train!" He smiles, wide and hopeful.

His speech does seem to convince some of the crowd, but others aren't so happy. A particularly grumpy looking old man steps forward.

"Lies! Deceit! Is it not still the Beast's train? Is it not still the Old Black Train of the Unknown, stealer of souls and killer of hope? Are we to believe that something of it's nature could change, just like that? No! I say this man works for the Beast! His story is as fake as his heart! We've all heard the rumours of those cowardly and weak enough to take orders from the Beast in a pitiful attempt to guarantee their own safety. Those vile, selfish people that lurk in the shadows and worship the songs of the night. Leave, and tell your lies no longer! We do not want you here."

Quite an impressive speech for a man who looks like a gentle breeze could topple him.

And seemingly a more convincing speech than the man from out of town, who is swamped by angry townspeople. He backs away stammering pleas and swearing that his story is true, but he soon gives in and runs off. A few people chase after him, but most just sigh in frustration and get back to what they were doing.

Beatrice is concerned though. The man had spoken of a boy, a boy travelling with his brother. It was way too familiar for Beatrice to feel at ease. It could be a coincidence sure, or the whole story could just be a lie, but she can't help but worry.

Because when she thinks about it she realises…
she'd never actually seen Wirt and Greg make it home safely.

—

When Beatrice leaves her house early the next morning it's pitch black, and the lantern she carries to guide her brings back bad memories. The path is wet and slippery with rain, and the wet branches reflect her lantern-light back at her like glowing eyes. It doesn't help that this is where the Woodsman had chosen to live. She comes across numerous Edelwoods, some felled and dripping oil like tears, some still standing but bearing axe marks slashed deep in their wood like fatal wounds. Sometimes she passes an empty spot devoid of plant life, and she knows that an Edelwood would have once stood there. Nothing new could grow in a cursed place like that.

The forest is filled with death.

She can only hope it hasn't yet taken Wirt or Greg.
…And that it won't take her too.

She'd discussed the matter last night with her parents. Or… at least partially. She'd told them that she'd heard something that made her believe Wirt and Greg could still be lost, but she'd neglected to mention that the Beast, or the Train, could have anything to do with it. No need to make her parents worry— they probably wouldn't have let her go look for the brothers if they thought it'd put her in danger. As it was, they still had taken some convincing. Beatrice had agreed to return within a week, and was given strict instructions not to throw stones at any bird, creature, or witch should she come across one.

—

By the time the sun has started to rise she's made good progress, and her fear is starting to ease. The sunlight paints the trees fiery orange, burning away the shadows. Birdsong fills the air and Beatrice thinks of that infuriating bluebird. She's still mad at it. For weeks it had been eating all the berries from her family's berry bushes, and when she finally retaliates it turns out to be a magic bluebird and curses not only her, but her entire family. If she finds whoever saw fit to bestow magic abilities upon a bluebird she's going to make sure they regret it.

She's so caught up in bluebird-hatred that she misses the signpost for Pottsfield. When she realises, it's already getting dark and she's way off track from her planned route. She punches a tree in frustration, then immediately regrets it as her hand flares with pain. It's too late to turn back now. Better to just find somewhere to rest for the night. The path she's on right now looks vaguely familiar, although she can't remember why, so she decides to follow it in the hopes that it'll lead somewhere with a bed or a shelter, because she's not too keen on camping out in the forest, especially with the dreaded "soul stealing" Train about. Before long she arrives at a schoolhouse.

"You've got to be kidding me…" Beatrice mutters as she steps into the clearing.

—

The school is bigger now, more impressive looking. She'd heard a few months ago that the school was still doing monthly fundraiser concerts after Wirt and Greg had helped start the tradition, and it seemed that the money had greatly helped.

As much as she didn't want to have to talk to Langtree again, or listen to a single educational love song, it's too dark by now to be picky. Taking a deep breath, she knocks on the door.

A few minutes later the door is opened by Langtree, who's arm in arm with her lover. Do they walk everywhere like this? Langtree looks down at her disapprovingly, "You're late! Class has already ended. If you continue this behaviour I'm afraid I'll have to send you to the dunce box!" Her frown lessens, and she starts herding Beatrice inside, "Come now, it's meal time and I'm sure you don't want to be late for that. Tomorrow though I expect you to arrive before the bell rings!"

Beatrice is about to protest against her forced school enrolment. But then she remembers this is exactly how Wirt and Greg got food and a bed from Langtree, and so she lets herself be lead to the food hall. She is infinitely glad that Wirt can't see her now.

The food hall is much larger than she remembers, and the amount of students appears to have doubled since she was last here. The piano still stands in the corner… and Lantree's father is playing "Potatoes and Molasses" on it with surprising enthusiasm. Sure enough, every student has a small jug of molasses by their plate. It appears fundraiser concerts weren't the only thing the school picked up from Greg.

Beatrice takes a seat that's empty and is served a plate of food. Not just potatoes this time, but also some other vegetables, a chunk of bread and, of course, her very own jug of molasses. She starts eating slowly. It's not the best but… still better than dirt. Anything's better than dirt. Or worms. It's good not being a bird anymore.

After about half an hour, most of which Beatrice spends attempting to question the students about Wirt and Greg, Langtree announces that it is time for bed. Beatrice takes the opportunity to ask her about Wirt.
"Oh, you mean the boy who freed my dear Jimmy here from that awful gorilla suit?" She looks over lovingly to where Jimmy Brown is. He's wearing a gorilla hand-puppet on one hand and using it to entertain the children as they clear the empty plates. "I haven't seen him since then I'm afraid… do give him and his brother our thanks though if you find him, won't you?"
Beatrice sighs. Seems there's no leads here then. She'll have to keep looking tomorrow.

She just hopes she can fall asleep with an endless loop of "Potatoes and Molasses" playing in her head.

—

Sharp, painful sunlight wakes Beatrice. Langtree is striding through the dormitory, swiftly pulling the curtains open to the complaint of her students. "Now everyone, be sure to arrive before the bell today," She looks pointedly at Beatrice. "Remember: once the bell has rung, class has begun!"
As soon as she leaves Beatrice is up and out of bed, hurriedly throwing her clothes on and pulling her bag out from under the bed. She has the horrible feeling that if she doesn't get out, now, then Langtree's going to make sure she sits through a whole school day here. Soon she's hauling herself up through the window and out, drawing a few stares from the students. Ahead is the path she'd taken to get here, and finally she's back out on the road and on track to find the brothers.

It takes a couple of hours to find her way back to the main path, but once she finds it it's easy enough to follow the path back towards Pottsfield. She figured Pottsfield would be a good place to start searching, as it's where a lot of travelers seem to end up. Forever. While Wirt and Greg might not be there, with that many ex-travellers surely someone would know something. Not only that, but Enoch was… unnervingly observant. Perhaps he'd seen something helpful. Beatrice takes a deep breath as she arrives at the signpost. Don't interrupt anything, she reminds herself, don't touch the crops, don't make them angry and you'll be fine. The worst they'll do is give you some farm work to do— that's nothing you can't deal with. She'd really rather not visit the skeleton town, but it's the best plan she has.

Beatrice steps out of the forest at last and makes her way down to the town, taking care not to step on the pumpkins spilling out over the path. She can see the residents of Pottsfield ahead. Some are dressed in pumpkins, like when she last saw them, but it looks like most of them only dress that way for the harvest festival. There's a few others dressed in various vegetables, but the rest are simply walking around as skeletons. She can see a large black cat who looks very pleased with itself, and it appears to be talking to…
Talking to…
She can see a young boy.
A young boy who wears an oversized green jumper and carries a frog in his arms.
And she knows, even without seeing his face.

It's Greg.
Greg is in Pottsfield.

And he's alone.

Hey look! It's another chapter!

As much as I hate writing dialogue, writing the old man's speech about not trusting the Train was surprisingly fun. Hopefully I'll get more opportunities to write dramatic people giving dramatic speeches

Thank you once again to everyone reading this, hope you enjoyed this chapter! It's quite a bit of set-up but it should be worth it later

-Also side note, if you have any questions etc, you can send an ask on my Tumblr (Pottsfield-CM)

— Pottsfield CM