The Way Back Home's

Breakfasted

A few hours later, Farrell was waking up his two younger siblings. Libby seems very reluctant to leave the bed until Farrell says that Melanie's aunt has arrived. Then Libby's out. Milo is easier to wake up. He sat on the bed, rubbing his eyes, driving away sleepiness, checking his cell phone, hoping for a miracle against the signal.

“Is breakfast ready?” Milo asked.

“True once,” replied Farrell. It was his purpose to wake his sisters up. “Dan... Just my feeling or your voice is a bit hoarse, Milo?”

“Maybe I mostly eat chocolate.”

“Then avoid chocolate today and do not eat them.” Farrell glanced at the plate with a stainless lid on the table. Upon entering the room just now, Farrell had taken a piece of chocolate maple bar. It hasn't diminished since last night.

Milo wears a knotty smile, “I'll try as I can.”

“What will we do today?” ask Libby. “Watch TV?”

“Try guessing!” pinta Farrell's. His two brothers did not answer. So, he gave the answer. “Aibi brought some ski equipment for us.”

“Serious?” Milo almost jumped to hear it.

“No...” sigh Libby.

“Do not rush,” continued Farrell. “We don't have ski runs here. Aunty only rented out a few pieces of equipment for your photo session. You should thank him later, Milo.”

“Sure. Aunt Melanie is the best! Now, it's breakfast time!”

　

　

Milo and Libby, as usual, came out of the room as soon as they were ready. Farrell's still closing the door. They joined for breakfast at the restaurant. Like last night's dinner, Farrell only finds their family, Denise, with two other big guys.

“You looking for someone?” milo asked as he stood next to his brother and took soup.

“Just curious where the other guests are. Last night I found a large dining room at the back of the hotel. Lots of people there, but no one here.”

“Maybe not awake. Don't think of them.”

Farrell won't admit it, but he begins to feel his premonition move improperly. There is fear behind curiosity. There were some oddities that he discovered yesterday and just harbored. All just coincidentally, that sentence usually went well in his heart. Not this time. Even with all the delicious food on the table in front of him at the moment. At least he's grateful to be with Milo and Libby. Uncle and aunt sat with Denise.

Somehow when thinking about the inn, Farrell thought again of Christo. Her aunt said Christo had worked there for a long time since she was a child. Meaning Farrell had indeed met when visiting Eden’s Lodge first. It happened twelve years ago. Milo doesn't remember anything about lodging, what else is Libby. Milo was three years old and Libby wasn't even born yet. During this time, they only heard from the stories of his mother, uncle, or himself and got his picture from the photos. Farrell himself was surprised by the change. The inn was not only different from the one in the photo, it was barely even the same.

If Christo is there, observe the changes Eden’s Lodge from time to time. Means he was also there when their father disappeared without any news. It happened a year after Libby was born.

“Indeed what happened to my face?”

Milo spontaneously showed an ugly face with his mouth bent down. He also pulled the tip of his eye down. “Your face is like this. You made the taste of the food so terrible.”

“I was just thinking about... about..” Farrell let his sentence hang. He glanced at his two sisters across the street. “About.. how to wear ski equipment. I've never been at all.” Farrell chuckles. “Dan.. No, no. I'm not that face, Milo.”

Libby laughed. Toto was in his lap. “I don't want to ski either. Frighteningly. Besides, I heard the wolf last night. What if they're out there now?”

“Really?” Farrell thought he was the one who heard the howling of the wolf. “You also heard?”

Milo. “Hey, that's impossible. My uncle said there were no wolves here. Besides, if anything, the other officers would have run away. Maybe all you hear is the sound of a heating machine or something. I thought the chimney made a sound like that too.”

“Once, yes.” Libby nodded.

“Of course.”

Farrell fell silent. He can't lie to himself when he hears a wolf's howl. Even so, it's good not to talk about this in front of his sister. He didn't want to scare Libby and ruin their vacation. Maybe he can ask uncle again later.

“Pe— Excuse me,” Remy appeared beside him. “Sa— Me... bring dessert.” Remy moved the contents of the tray to the table. He put down three small white bowls. It contains bread pudding and raisins. Remy gulped before continuing. “Not contain coconut.”

Milo glanced at his brother after Remy left, “Special dessert, eh? Without coconut.”

Farrell just smiled. He started enjoying the pudding. The pudding is soft and warm. In addition to raisins, it seems Remy also mixes bananas and caramel. Remy may be a good dessert chef. “It's delicious. Not making an eneg at all. I think I can eat two.” Farrell expected the same reaction from his sister.

However, Milo put down his spoon. “I think it's better if we get ready for skiing soon. Who knew it was on the ski tracks below.”

“Hah?” Farrell frowning. He saw Milo's gaze staring outwards. Not only Milo, Libby is doing the same thing now. The two stared out of the window where a layer of snow lay boundless. “What ski trails? That place is closed, Milo. We're not going down there.”

“We must,” said Milo, still with an unfocused gaze. “Maybe—”

A DUG!

Water jars landed not smooth on the table. The water inside protested and rippled outwards, down the body of the urn, soaking a little tablecloth, even a little splashed into the pudding. Farrell was shocked and in disbelief with his two younger siblings. As if woken up from a dream, Milo shook his head quickly. Libby. Farrell himself gawks to the water urn carrier, Christo.

“Will anyone add drinking water or may I want to get you some warm tea?” ask Christo.

Farrell did not answer. My uncle called them from a distance. Milo and Libby rush to uncle's desk. I think I have another gift for them. Farrell can only be silent, not intending to talk to Christo. He stood up, leaving the officer.

But, had not been able to move, again Christo gave an odd sentence. “Go home! Hurry along! For your own good.”