Chapter 12
Family Reunion
They were hearts alright.
As soon as we made our way to the ground floor and ran outside, there they were.
Two glowing orb-like hearts.
We all knew that they must belong to Anastasia and Nadallia.
But before we could set about getting home, there were things that need to be done.
First of all, after the mist cleared, Benjamin fell unconscious. But he woke up in a few hours. Emma was still worried even though Devashree and Dasharath had told her that he was just asleep, (they could read his mind and tell).
And of course, we all gave Emma and Katie some family reunion time.
“Oh, mom. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” Emma sobbed in her mothers arms.
“Oh, Emily. I knew from the moment I ended up in this city that there was something missing from my life. And it was you.”
“Mom, don’t call me ‘Emily’. I prefer to be called ‘Emma’.”
“Of course, sweet heart. You forgive a old dude like me, right?”
“Mom, you’re everything I remember. You’re cool and you have style and you sometimes act like a kid.”
“What happened to you when you lost me. I hear you ended up in a care home.”
“That’s right. Dad was a lazy old man, and he never did anything to look after me. He dropped me off at the care home one day and never came back.”
“And I was thinking about leaving him too! Oh, Emily. I’m sorry.”
“‘Emma’! And how were you supposed to help dieing?”
“I should have left him sooner.”
“But it doesn’t matter now. I’m here and I’m safe and I’ll be going home soon. I just have to find the rest of my friends and find the way home.”
“Oh, Emma. I remember you so much now. I remember everything. And this is my afterlife. This is where I’ll stay. And as rare as it was, I took the other half of the necklace with me… I just know it was destiny.”
“But now you remember me, right mom?”
“Of course, dude. How could I have ever forgot you? My daughter.”
Emma hugged her mother once again in a tearful reunion.
Later on, we met up with Emma and her mother once again to discus the hearts and how to get us and them back to Halloween Town.
“They must belong to Anastasia and Nadallia.” Emma believed. “When Emma commanded the demon to bring them back he sent down the hearts that he must have taken from them.”
“This means we must go back to Halloween Town.” I insisted. “Immediately.”
“So, we’ve go to fix the train, right?” Asked Dasharath.
“Not exactly.” Sarmoo began a suggestion. “I suggest that we go back on the train we came on and go through Christmas Town. I’ll bet that the door won’t be locked any more now that the demon’s gone.”
“Good idea, Sarmoo.” I agreed. “You always have a trick up your sleeve, don’t you, little fella?” I smiled at Sarmoo.
“Oh, Jack?” Dasharath began.
“Yes, Dash?”
“Me and Devashree have been thinking. Is it ok if Mr Maxi comes with us? I mean, we can’t speak your language without him and we are coming too, aren’t we?”
“Of course he can come. I’ll bet he’ll love Halloween Town. And you will too! All of you!”
“Yey!” Mr Maxi cried. “Did you hear that? I is moving out! Is moving to a town and leaving this city behind.”
“Well…” I began. “No one’s said how long you can stay…but we’ll work that out when we arrive.”
So, we put Sarmoo’s plan into action right away.
We headed down to the subway where we were met by Mr Maxi’s friends...and everyone else in Independence city was there. And so was the President.
“So, you’re the ones who saved my city, eh?” The President began. “Thanks a bunch. I owe you one.”
“Mr President has made a full recovery.” Katie explained.
“Yeah, but I can’t ever remember this, ‘Juro’ guy. The last thins I remember is having a snooze at my desk, then I can’t remember anything after that.”
Katie then saw Jack carrying Benjamin.
“Oh, the little sweet heart.” She came up to him to take him out of my arms.
“Hi, Katie.” Benjamin smiled. “Do you have any more sweeties?”
“Benjamin, you’ve had enough at the hospital.” Said Benny Bear. “That nurse gave you more ice-cream and jelly in one day than you’ve had in your life time.”
“Oh, and I see you’re back to normal too, Benny Bear.” Said Katie.
“Yeah. And for once I have this little fella to thank for it. Thanks for listening, Benjamin. For once.”
“Yeah. And I’m going to be a good boy and listen to Benny Bear from now on.”
“That’s what we want to hear.” Jack patted Benjamin on the head.
“Hey, Jack!” Emma called to me from inside the train. “We’ve gotta go! Everyone’s waiting for us!”
“Of course, Emma. I’m coming.” I took Benjamin back off Katie.
“And so am I.” Katie spoke and surprised the people of Independence city who were watching and listening.
“What?” The President didn’t seem happy. “Now, listen here, Anderson. You’ve got a job to do and...”
“No, you listen. I’ve got a child to look after and letting me have a vacation is the least you can do for me for saving your but!”
The President was stunned.
“That’s it, Mom!” Emma called out. “You’re the coolest.”
So, the President let Katie have the time off work to spend sometime with her long lost daughter.
I boarded the train with Benjamin and helped Katie take the big step with her awkward heals.
Soon enough, Emma, Katie, Benjamin, Benny Bear, Sarmoo, Devashree, Dasharath, Mr Maxi and myself were aboard the train.
Emma started the engine and set the train in reverse, (since we came in forward and the train drives both ways).
Everyone waved from the window and Emma even let Benjamin press the ignition button since he was stating to listen to his friends.
Emma carefully instructed him as Benjamin listened carefully. And he finally did what he’d been wanting to do. He drove the train.
We set off down the tunnel and out into the starry space once again.
Christmas Town was right in front of us.
Next stop, Halloween Town.
[Coming soon… Part 5: “Ashes”]
Emma Donnahue: Found
Anastasia Rose: Lost
Benjamin O’Brien: Found
Dasharath: Found
Devashree: Found
Ramona Lorenzo: Missing
Nadallia Chime: Lost
Mathew Cartwright: Found
Sarmoo Okoro: Found
Alex Scar: Missing
