[WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS THEMES OF: Death, Adult Materiel]

[Note 1: This is a fan made story based on another fanfiction byToshi-the-Panda-1996. Most of the concepts were not made by me and were made by her.]

[Note 2 (IMPORTANT NOTE!): The previous stories centered around this one are extremely graphic (both mine and Toshi's) and contain very disturbing content. If you wish to seek them out, BE ADVISED THAT YOU WILL BE TRIGGERED!]

[Note 3: This is not canon to Toshi's original work.]

Sitting and sniffling in a chair in the police station is a Mobian owl by the name of Bruno. His son, Cameron, or "Cam" for short hides his face up against his legs next to his Father. He's just as upset as his Father is, but more expressive. He could hide himself away for the rest of time out of sadness it seems. Just then, a nicely dressed Mobian macaque with a binder enters the room and sits across from the two.

"Hello, mister Langstrom. Or do you prefer your first name?"

Bruno: *Sniff* "N-No, last name is fine…"

"I see. My name is Aeron Ray. I'm an investigator working with the police force and I'm here to get a full background of your missing son. Artemis was his name?"

Bruno: "Th-That's correct…"

Investigator Aeron Ray: "Mhm… Can you tell me what he looks like?"

Bruno: "I have…" *Sniff* "I have this photo of him… Soon before his disappearance…"

Bruno hands over a printed piece of paper of a joyful blue fennec holding a stuffed rabbit, looking straight at the camera and giving Bambi eyes.

Investigator Aeron Ray: "A blue furred fennec with hair almost draped over his eyes. You said he was how old in your initial report?"

Bruno: "Eight…"

Aeron looks back at the photo, then sets it down on the binder. He then opens it up and flips through it. One of the pictures inside contains a photo of a woman. Same species as both Bruno and Cam. The photo's labeled "Karol Langstrom" with black sharpie and shows the woman wearing a brown leather overcoat. Something a stereotypical prostitute would wear, which unfortunately aligns with theories that Bruno was coming up with for years on why their marriage was so horrendous.

Bruno: "And you suspect your wife is behind this?"

Bruno: "She… Straight up admitted that she… She…"

More tears roll down Bruno's eyes thinking about what his wife said about Artemis that fateful day.

—

Karol: "Artemis? Hmmm… Artemis… Why does that ring a bell? Oh! You mean that useless blue mutt? Yeah, I gave him away to some platypus guy. Forgot his name. Very charming fellow though"

—

Bruno could hear another sentence in his head that wasn't there in real life to begin with, but his assumptions about his wife being a hooker made him think of her saying after that last sentence; 'Yeah, we also fooled around as my special thanks to him. Goodness! Talk about platypus penis! I could take that shit all day! He's WAY bigger than you are, you two-inch punisher! I should've married a real man!' Bruno just sits there, helpless on what else to do. Investigator Ray hands over a tissue box and Bruno takes it, blowing his nose.

Investigator Aeron Ray: "This wasn't the first time you reported your son going missing, right? Ten days prior you reported him missing and the police couldn't find him. Now you think you have a new lead regarding the purpose of…"

The investigator looks at Cam.

Investigator Aeron Ray: "I think it'd be best if your son left the room"

With that, Cam perks up. His eyes slightly bloodshot from the tears he's collected up.

Cameron: "Huh? W-Why?"

Bruno: "Grown up stuff, Cam. Is there anywhere he can go for the time being?"

Investigator Aeron Ray: "There's an entertainment zone in the building for waiting children"

Ray goes for his radio.

Investigator Aeron Ray: "Dispatch? This is Ray speaking. Will one of you relocate this person's son to the entertainment zone? Over"

"Roger that, we'll send someone over now. They should be close by to pick them up, over"

Not too long after, Cameron is taken out of the office by a female Mobian yellow poodle who's on the force. Once the door closes and the shadows of the two leave the glass' reflection, Bruno and Ray go back to talking.

Investigator Aeron Ray: "I assume you believe that your son is now being sold off to trafficking"

Bruno: "NO SHIT! WE NEED TO FIND HIM!"

Investigator Aeron Ray: "Calm down, Langstrom. We'll find your son and take your wife in for questioning. You're lucky to have me start up this investigation again, otherwise the police would have pushed it aside. I sacrificed a lot of my time to convince them to open this back up"

Bruno: "Really…? Why would you take your time to do that…?"

Investigator Aeron Ray: "Because the amount of families losing their kids to various scumbags is something I personally don't take lightly. Sometimes the force doesn't take these things for granted, but I do. No need to thank me, mister Langstrom"

Bruno: "You're… Too kind…"

Investigator Aeron Ray: "Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

Bruno: "No… I just want justice…"

Investigator Aeron Ray: "We all do, Bruno"

— —

Kitsunami Origins

Written by: SuperNaturalBoden

Specially Requested by: Toshi-the-Panda-1996

— —

Six years ago today, a cloaked figure holding a cardboard box walked through the hard rain during the night. Whimpering and crying can be heard from the box, as the figure tries their hardest to keep the obvious baby dry and quiet. A crack of lightning scares the two of them and the baby cries even louder.

Cloaked Figure: "Shhhhh! Be quiet, you're okay… Everything's gonna be okay…"

The cloaked figure sees a nearby house in the shape of a tree with its lights on and decides to approach it. The baby stops crying as loud as before as the figure sets him down.

Cloaked Figure: *This will be your new home. I hope these guys will take care of you better than I can… Oh Chaos… I…* *Sniff* *I don't wanna leave you… I don't! But this is for the best… I don't think I'll be alive much longer after this…*

The cloaked figure picks up their kid and hugs them one last time.

Cloaked Figure: *No matter what happens to me… No matter what happens to you… I only did this for your safety… Mommy Loves You… Mommy will ALWAYS love you…*

The cloaked figure kisses her son on the forehead, bringing him comfort and giving one of the cutest smiles. This makes the cloaked figure tear up even more than she already was. She sets her son back into the box and stands up.

Cloaked Figure: *Goodbye… Forever…*

The figure rings the doorbell before running away into the night. Never to be seen by her baby ever again… The baby starts to whimper and cry again before the door is opened by a younger Cameron.

Cameron: "Hello?"

Cam looks down at the baby and gasps.

Cameron: "Dad! DAD! THERE'S A KITTY AT THE DOOR!"

Bruno: "By Chaos… That's no cat!"

Bruno rushes in and picks up the box.

Bruno: "That's a BABY!"

Cameron: "A BABY!?"

Bruno: "Who left a baby at our front door?"

Cameron: "Why is he crying? Does he miss his Mommy?"

Bruno stops for a second and stares off to think. Whoever left this kid at his front door probably had issues going on, so much so that they couldn't take care of their own child anymore.

Bruno: "Yeah… I think he does… Here, help me get him out of this soggy blanket…"

Cameron gets a new blanket out and sets it on the soft floor in another room, where his Father lays the baby down. He carefully unwraps the blanket to reveal that this baby is in fact a fennec. The baby's ears flop out onto the floor, which surprises Bruno.

Bruno: "Oh my… I haven't seen one of THESE Mobians before…"

Cameron: "Is he a cat?"

Bruno: "No, he's a fennec! Pure fennec too! I've only seen fox mixes in my time"

The little baby fennec keeps crying, which starts to irritate Cameron.

Cameron: "Ooohh… Dad! He's hurting my ears!"

Bruno picks up the fennec and cradles him.

Bruno: "Cam, get a towel. He's soaked"

—

Eventually, the baby stops crying and is asleep in Bruno's arms. A makeshift diaper was made for him to replace the one that was soaked and partially soiled too.

Bruno: "There, there. All better now. You're safe with us, little guy"

Cameron: "Dad?"

Bruno: "Yes?"

Cameron: "Can we keep the baby? I've always wanted a little brother!"

Bruno: "Well, we have to find his real parents first"

Cameron: "But you said they left him here. Why did they do that?"

Bruno stays quiet for a second and looks at the baby.

Cameron: "Dad?"

Bruno: "Tell you what? If the police don't find this baby's parents, then we'll keep him. We could use a new addition to the family anyway"

Cameron bounces around with joy, but that's quickly stopped when someone ELSE comes home…

Karol…

Karol: "I'm home! GOODNESS! You won't believe the day I ha-"

Karol quickly notices the baby and frowns at it.

Karol: "Care to explain why you're holding… That!?"

Bruno: "We found him on our doorstep! Someone left him here!"

Karol: "Likely story, Bruno Langstrom!"

Bruno: "Do you take me for a liar, woman!?"

Just then, the baby fennec wakes up and starts to cry.

Bruno: "Oh no! shh-shh-shh-shh-shhhhh! It's okay, it's okay, you're okay. Someone just doesn't like company…"

Karol: "I hope you find a home for that thing soon!"

Bruno: "I'm gonna call the police and see if they can find his parents! Calm down!"

Cameron: "Mommy! Daddy! Stop fighting! You're making the baby cry even more!"

Karol gives her husband the stink-eye.

Karol: "Then do it…"

—

"Thank You for reporting this to us. We'll have his blood drawn for a DNA analysis to find out who his parents are. For the meantime, we'll take him off your hands if you'd like"

Karol: "Please do. Thank You!~"

Bruno: "Wait! We could take care of him for the time being. We wouldn't mind"

Karol: "WHAT!? Are you nuts!?"

The officer puts the baby in a baby car seat and straps him in the vehicle.

Bruno: "Karol, Cameron's taken a liking to the little guy. And so have I"

Karol: "I HAVEN'T! I MEAN, HE'S NOT EVEN THE SAME SPECIES AS US!"

Bruno: "Why does THAT matter!? He's no different from the rest of us!"

Officer: "If you two can't figure it out, then we'll keep him with us"

Bruno: "No, no! That won't be necessary! Karol, I know I'm asking for a lot here, but do this for Cameron, if not for me"

Karol: "Ughhh! Fine! We can keep him until his parents show up…"

—

A few days go by after doctors take a blood sample from Kit and compare it to any matching person in the database, only to be found with… Nothing. Mostly nothing at least.

"Strange"

"What is it?"

"There doesn't seem to be any matches"

"No? That's impossible. How can there be no matches?"

"I assume whoever dropped him off scrubbed all their records somehow or cleverly dodged documentation their entire life"

"What about grandparents? Uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, anything?"

"That would take even longer to process. Even with Mobian technology we're limited"

"So… I guess we'll have to find them the old fashioned way"

—

Karol looks at a piece of paper with a photo of the baby on it saying "HAVE YOU SEEN ME?" in all caps, bold font.

Karol: "This oughta get you out of my life eventually…"

Karol sets the paper down and looks at the real thing in front of her, suckling on a small purple pacifier, also looking at her without a care in the world. What an innocent being. Karol makes a face at the child representing disgust.

Karol: "Look at you. You sicken me. Out of all the homes you could've been dropped off to, it was THIS one. Of course! Chaos hates me! Why? I dunno!"

The baby tilts his head to the side and twitches his ear.

Karol: "Oh, don't act all cute towards me. You're not cute! You're gross!"

The baby then starts to tear up and his pacifier falls out of his mouth before audibly crying. Bruno and Cameron rush into the room to calm him down.

Bruno: "What did you do!?"

Karol: "I didn't think he'd understand me!"

Bruno: "Cam, take the little guy to your old crib in your room, please…"

Cameron: "O-Okay…"

Cameron takes the baby upstairs.

Karol: "And you repaired that old crib we were supposed to throw out a long time ago for him!?"

Bruno: "Where else is he supposed to sleep? You want him to sleep in our bed? Because I'll happily arrange that for you!"

Karol: "Ew! No!"

Bruno: "Listen, I'll be doing all the work here! You won't have to do a single thing! I don't know why you're so mad to begin with!"

Karol: "BECAUSE HE'S IN OUR HOUSE! You let a random baby stay here!"

Bruno: "Just stop, okay!? You can deal with another kid living with us for a little bit, alright?"

Karol: "That kid's parents better show up soon…"

—

Bruno reads the baby a bedtime story while wearing his reading glasses. The baby's eyes start to droop and his head bobs up and down.

Bruno: "…And they lived happily ever after. The End"

And with that, the baby's off to sleep. Bruno smiles and sets aside the book and glasses before setting the baby in Cam's old crib.

Bruno: *Goodnight, little fella*

The Mobian owl then leaves the room and shuts the door before heading downstairs back into his own room, only to see it less of his wife. He sighs.

Bruno: "I swear, that woman is cucking me…"

Bruno lays in his bed and faces the wall. A single tear sheds from his eye as he recalls the happier moments with his wife in a short montage in his head, accompanied by the song "Paris", by The Chainsmokers for whatever reason. To be fair, Karol once said she wanted to go there, but that was during the peak of their relationship. But there shouldn't be any reason for that song to be there. Either way, Bruno slowly falls asleep.

—

It's been about half a month now, and the baby's family has yet to be found. During this time, Bruno and Cam agreed on calling him "Artemis", as that's what he looks like to them; an "Artemis". Artemis has learned how to crawl on his own during this time and has even learned how to stand up slightly. He's learned so much in little time.

As Bruno feeds Artemis at the table one day, he hears his doorbell ring and sets down the food.

Bruno: "I'll be right back, Artemis"

Artemis whines as he reaches out for his food that's too far from his reach. Bruno answers the door to see a police officer.

Officer: "I've come to bear news about our recent findings on the fennec's parents"

Bruno: "What's up?"

Officer: "We found his Mother, however…"

The officer takes off his hat and places it over his chest.

Officer: "…She was already dead…"

Bruno's heart skips a beat.

Bruno: "You're… You're kidding…"

Officer: "No… I'm not…"

Bruno: "Where did you find her?"

Officer: "Under the old bridge leading out of town. She was shot several times in the lower abdomen, and one pierced through her spinal cord. We suspect that it was part of a hate crime organization primarily targeting Mobians. I'm sure you're well aware of the KAA?"

The KAA, otherwise known as "Klan Against Aliens" is a group of hateful cultists with similar attributes to other hateful groups. Similar to their filthy racist predecessors, these people wear fancy white leather suits and coverall white masks that go over their whole head and leave room for the eyes, constructed with goggle pieces. They carry rifles and target Mobians from more rural areas while riding horses, inspired by the older times. These awful human beings see Mobian people as disease ridden parasites that need to be wiped off the face of the planet for no good reason.

Bruno: "Who isn't? And how do you know she's his Mother?"

Officer: "Her body hadn't rotted completely, so we were able to sample her blood and trace it back to her son. We still don't know her name or background however. We're labeling her as Jane Doe"

Bruno looks at the struggling Artemis, then back at the police officer.

Bruno: "So… Am I eligible to adopt him?"

The officer puts his cap back on.

Officer: "One-hundred percent"

Bruno: "Oh my… I'll fill out the forms right now!"

—

Karol: "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

Bruno: "I need your input, Karol! Cameron and I really want to adopt him!"

Karol: "I said I didn't want to see that thing ever again, and I MEAN IT!"

Karol takes a big swig of alcohol and belches.

Karol: "And… Chhhhhhhaos, you have SUCH an ugly beak…" *Burp!*

Karol's eyes droop as the beer kicks in and saliva seeps from her beak.

Karol: "Actually, you know wha…? Heh… Haha… Maybe it'll be nice to have-" *BURP!* "-A new kid that didn't come from my vagina in the house… Yeah, that's it…"

Though disgusted by his wife's drinking, Bruno takes this opportunity to have her fill out paperwork. The least she can do to repay him for all the negativity she's brought him is by having her unknowingly consent to adopting a kid. Although drunk, she DID say she wanted the kid, so that's all that matters.

Bruno: "Hey, uh… How about you write your name on these blank spaces here?"

The husband presents his wife a pen, who then snatches it cartoonishly.

Karol: "YOOOUUUUUU… GOT IT, ya chipmunk! I like chipmunks… Knothole… Heh, I could use one up my-" *Burp!*

Karol starts writing while Bruno just frowns. Each and every day, his assumptions of his wife having affairs behind his back grow more and more. A pit in his stomach makes him wanna throw up and cry, but he swallows that feeling back in his gut and waits for his wife to be done with her signing.

—

Artemis plays with plastic building blocks and continuously pushes his small towers he's building that Cam's helping him build.

Cameron: "You like pushing stuff over, Artemis?"

Bruno: "I think that's his way of having fun, Cam"

Cameron: "I don't hear him laughing or see him smiling, Daddy"

Bruno: "Maybe he doesn't convey emotions the same way we do right now"

Artemis tosses a small block into Cameron's lap before awkwardly clapping his hands.

Cameron: "Daddy! Daddy! Look! Artemis knows how to clap!"

Bruno: "Wow! Good job, Artemis! What a fast learner!"

Cameron: "If only you could talk. Not with your binkie in your mouth all the time"

It's been about two months now since Bruno adopted Artemis, and during that time, for whatever reason, the baby blue fennec always needs his pacifier except during meals and bedtime. Every time someone removes his pacifier, he almost immediately starts to cry without putting up a fuss first. This was first discovered by Karol, as she was being a jerk towards the baby. Bruno could've blamed Karol's actions for being the sole reason why Artemis is like this, but he instead thinks it has to do with something else mentally.

Karol: "You wanna take it outta his mouth? Be my guest"

Bruno: "Don't, Cam"

Cameron: "I won't…"

Cameron looks at the baby, who shakes a building block before tossing it towards his side. He looks at Cameron before crawling up to him and paws at his lap. The owl boy smiles and picks up Artemis into his lap.

Cameron: "I wish you could stay a baby forever"

Bruno: "Don't wish too hard, Cam"

Karol: "Please don't. For your Mother's sake"

Cameron can't look at his own Mother anymore at this point. She was never the kindest Mother and said some things to Cam when he was a little younger that scared him. Like once, she randomly started talking about the concept of death, to which Bruno had to come in afterwards and tell his son that it was too early for him to learn what death was.

Cameron: (No. I don't think I will, lady…)

Cameron smirks to himself after making that remark in his head.

Bruno: "It's getting close to suppertime. I'll make you some macaroni and cheese for you, Cameron"

Cameron: "Yum!"

Bruno: "And as for you, Artemis, you get some baby food"

Artemis spits out his pacifier and smiles while making raspberries with his mouth.

Bruno: "Looks like someone's excited for a meal!"

Karol: "Count me out. I'll get something to eat at the diner"

Bruno: "You never appreciate my cooking, Karol…"

Karol: "It's just mac and cheese, Bruno"

Karol grabs her overcoat and purse before leaving the house. Bruno sighs and sits on the couch, covering his eyes.

Cameron: "Daddy? Why does Mommy hate us?"

Bruno: "Huh? She doesn't hate us, Cameron. You know that"

Cameron: "But… She doesn't like Artemis…"

Artemis lays backside on the ground before rolling to his side like a feral animal.

Bruno: "She's just… Getting used to him, that's all… L-Listen, let's just get supper rollin' here"

Cameron: "Okay"

—

Cameron comes home from school one day in a horrible mood. He walks past his Father without saying a word and heads upstairs.

Bruno: "Cam? Cam! What's wrong?"

Cameron slams his door before crying on his bed.

Cameron: "I HATE EVERYTHING!"

Just then, he hears someone knock softly on his door.

"Hewwo? Cammy?"

Cameron: *Oh no… Artemis noticed…*

Artemis: "Is evwyting awite, Cammy?"

"Cammy" was a nickname given to Cameron by Artemis, as he doesn't know how to say "Cameron".

Cameron: "Y-Yes, Arty! Now-w…" *Sniff* "Please leave me alone!"

Artemis: "Aow you show?"

Cameron says nothing for a moment before he opens the door. Standing there looking up at his older brother with Bambi eyes is Artemis, wearing a blue striped shirt with a white collar, jean shorts and holding a plush rabbit.

Artemis: "Why aow you cwying, Cammy?"

Cameron: "C-Come in…"

Artemis steps inside and sits on the floor.

Cameron: "I had a really bad day at school today, Artemis… I lost one of my best friends… He was so close to me… We've been friends since first grade for crying out loud!"

Cameron continues to tear up.

Artemis: "I'm sowwy, Cammy… Don't cwy…"

Cameron: "That's easy for you to say…"

Artemis tosses his stuffed rabbit onto his brother's bed next to him and starts climbing up the frame to sit next to Cameron.

Artemis: "You'w be okay, Cammy"

Cameron: "No I won't…"

Artemis picks up his plush rabbit and waves it in front of Cameron's face to comfort him.

Artemis: "Mistow wabbit says you'w be okay, Cammy. Wiw you wissin to mistow wabbit?"

Cameron smiles and picks up Artemis to hug him.

Cameron: "I'll listen to you, little buddy"

Artemis hugs his brother back. From the other side of the door, Bruno listens in and is happy to hear that everything's going okay. He walks downstairs to see his wife snoring on the couch. Ugh, so uncivilized. He rolls his eyes before he notices something sitting on her chest. A magazine. Bruno slowly picks it up and looks at the front cover. It's a Playboy magazine, Mobian version. On the front shows a jacked male Mobian tiger in a bright red thong. Bruno sighs quietly before he's the one shedding tears. He walks over towards his paper shredder in the other room and starts shredding the magazine into pieces.

Bruno: (I'll never be happy around that woman…)

—

Cameron and Artemis run around the playground with the other children while Bruno sits on the park bench keeping an eye on his kids.

"That one yours?"

A human woman nearby lays her arms on the empty side of the bench Bruno's sitting on while pointing at Cameron.

Bruno: "Yeah"

Woman: "Who's his friend? The blue one?"

Bruno: "That's his brother"

Woman: "Oh. Is he related to your blood?"

Bruno: "He's adopted. He was at my front porch when I found him"

Woman: "That's sad. What happened to his parents? Do you know?"

Bruno: "His Mom was killed in a hate crime as far as I'm aware"

Woman: "That's horrible… What about his Father?"

Bruno: "They never found him"

Woman: "Wow…"

The woman takes out a cigar, puts it in her mouth and lights it.

Woman: "…I'm glad you were nice enough to take the little guy in…"

The woman inhales and blows smoke away from where Bruno's sitting.

Woman: "…He's the most innocent looking thing I've ever seen"

Bruno: "I agree"

The woman takes her box of Camel branded cigars back out and offers the next one poking out to Bruno.

Woman: "Want one?"

Bruno: "N-No thanks. I don't smoke"

Woman: "Fair enough. I'm probably gonna die at fifty if I keep this up. Ha!"

Bruno: "That's not a good thing to say about yourself…"

The woman continues to blow more smoke away.

Woman: "It's morbid talk for fun. You don't wanna know what that humor was like back where I used to work"

Bruno: "Where did you use to work?"

Woman: "Mortuary"

Bruno: "Oh…"

Woman: "I quit about a year ago. Maybe I caught a glimpse of that kid's Mom there"

Bruno: "Honestly, I just wish his new Mom was there for him…"

Woman: "Son of a bitch?"

Bruno: "…Yes, actually. She is a bitch…"

Woman: "Mmm… If there's one thing I hate, it's an unreliable parent. Putting all the stress on one parent makes me wanna bust the unreliable ones' eye sockets until they can't see anything"

Bruno: "I think my wife is cheating on me… She disappears and reappears all the time. Sometimes hammered, sometimes off balance, like…"

Bruno tries his hardest to hide his tears.

Bruno: "Apparently our quality time in bed wasn't good enough for her…"

The woman places her hand on Bruno's shoulder.

Woman: "Just pretend she isn't there"

Bruno: "How? She takes food from the fridge! The pantry! She sits around everywhere! How can I just pretend like she's not here?"

Woman: "Good point. Beats me"

Bruno: "It's one thing to seemingly have affairs behind my back, but it's another to have a horrible disliking to our adopted kid. She didn't show much affection to our first kid, but it was more than how she interacts with our adopted one… She always upsets him… And you know what? Our first kid rarely calls her "Mom" anymore… I remember him asking me, 'hey Dad, where did that lady go? The one that's always in our house?' and I just decided to go along with it because my love for her is… Gone… And so has hers for a long time…"

Woman: "Have you ever filed for divorce?"

Bruno: "I don't have enough evidence to support myself…"

Woman: "Maybe one day she'll slip up and you'll be home free with your kids. Hell, maybe you'll find a better woman"

Bruno: "If I do get divorced, I'm dodging all relationship opportunities down the fucking toilet. I'm not gonna do it. I can't!"

Woman: "Very smart choice… What's your name?"

Bruno: "Bruno. Bruno Langstrom"

Woman: "Nice to meet you Langstrom. I'll say, you have a very tough sounding first and last name"

Bruno: "I don't feel very tough…"

Woman: "Sometimes you don't have to be tough. Letting emotions show is all you really need to stay sane and healthy. It makes us who we are"

Bruno: "I guess…"

The two stay silent for an awkward half minute before the grown owl speaks.

Bruno: "You take your children or child here?"

Woman: "I don't have kids. I had an abortion fifteen years ago if that counts"

Bruno: "I'm sorry…"

Woman: "It's okay. As much as I adore kids, I decided I didn't want one. I didn't think I'd get pregnant anyway at first. I just like coming here to feel young and to appreciate God's humble creations"

Bruno: "At least you're humble"

Woman: "I am"

There's awkward silence again.

Woman: "Promise me nothing bad will happen to your kids. Especially your little blue tyke"

Bruno: "What do you mean? They're-"

As soon as Bruno looks back to where the woman was, she's gone. Like she was never here to begin with. Bruno doesn't say a word and just looks down at the ground.

Bruno: (What was THAT all about…?)

Bruno's kids come running up to him and tell him that they're ready to go home. Bruno smiles at his kids and obliges. They go home and Bruno makes lunch for the two.

[End of Chapter 1]