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“Ruby, this is our stop,” Chosen said, taking Dark’s hand. “You see the corn dog cart?”
Dark looked out the window and smiled as the bus came to a stop.
“You want a corn dog or a pretzel?” Chosen asked, picking Dark up and getting off the bus.
“Prez!” Dark exclaimed, hurrying over to the cart and tapping the side of it.
“One pretzel, coming up!” Umber said with a grin. “The same for you, Onyx?”
“Yeah, thanks,” Chosen said.
Dark hopped up and down as Umber got the pretzels ready.
“Here you go, kiddo,” Umber said, handing the pretzel to Dark, who snatched it eagerly.
“What do you say first, Ruby?” Chosen asked, tapping Dark’s shoulder.
“Tanks!” Dark said before taking a big bite of the pretzel.
“Sorry,” Chosen said, handing Umber money.
“It’s alright, my nephew’s the same way,” he chuckled, giving Chosen the pretzel. “Only when he was learning to say please and thank you, he’d just say ‘more’!”
”That was Ruby’s favorite word, too,” Chosen chuckled. “Still is sometimes.”
“Don’t be too worried, now,” Umber said. “He’s still learning, and I’m just glad he has a good appetite. Little Sticks need all the data they can get.”
“Books!” Dark said around a mouthful of pretzel.
“Ah, you’re going to the library?” Umber asked. “You two have a good time! Just don’t eat the books unless it’s metaphorically, okay?”
Dark grinned.
“Thanks, Umber,” Chosen said.
”Have a good one!” Umber said with a wave.
Chosen waved back, then hurried to catch up as Dark skipped down the sidewalk.
“Slow down a little,” Chosen cautioned. “The library’s not going anywhere and we can’t take food inside.”
Dark glanced up with a pout, but slowed down and finished the last few bites of his pretzel.
“There’s a garbage bin over there,” Chosen said, pointing to a street corner. “Let’s go throw our trash away.”
Dark nodded and skipped up to the bin, then stood bouncing on his toes while Chosen walked up.
“See?” Chosen said, throwing the pretzel wrapping into the bin. “These are here so the city won’t have trash everywhere.”
Chosen looked up at the aspen tree in a planter a few feet away.
”It’s good for Sticks and trees if we keep the city clean,” Chosen said. “That way everything stays nice.”
Dark stood on his tiptoes, wobbling a little as he put the paper in the trash.
“Good job!” Chosen said, steadying Dark. “Let’s make sure to always throw our garbage away in the bins, okay?”
Dark nodded, then glanced around.
“The library’s this way,” Chosen said. “Not too far.”
Dark smiled and started skipping again.
“What do you want to read today?” Chosen asked. “More books about the mouse and the cookie? Or maybe about Sagwa again?”
Dark nodded eagerly and began skipping faster.
“Careful,” Chosen sighed. “You don’t want to trip.”
Dark suddenly stumbled, but before he could fall a medium green Stick walking by steadied him.
“Thanks!” Chosen said.
”…Sure,” the green Stick muttered, stepping back with his arms folded.
Chosen stared back for a moment.
“You’re Clover, right?” he asked.
“…I gave you directions at the bus stop back then,” Clover muttered.
Chosen took Dark’s hand and let out a slow breath.
”Thanks for helping Ruby,” he said.
”Ruby?” Clover asked, frowning.
”A User gave us our names,” Chosen said. “We picked new ones.”
Clover raised his eyebrows.
”So you escaped from a User,” he said quietly.
”…Yeah,” Chosen muttered. “Don’t really want to talk about it in front of him though.”
”You didn’t just…change your names to…” Clover began, but faltered and slumped his shoulders.
”Yeah?” Chosen prompted sharply.
”Forget it,” Clover mumbled, glancing away. “Hope you like your new names.”
”We do,” Chosen said. “Come on, Ruby, let’s get to the library.”
A low growl came from Dark.
”What’s wrong?” Chosen asked, looking down in surprise to see Dark open his mouth and let out a long hiss.
”Wha—?!” Clover burst out, stepping back, his eyes wide. “What’s wrong with him?!”
Chosen swept Dark up into his arms and put him over his shoulder.
”He’s just tired,” Chosen said quickly, striding past Clover and walking for a bit before breaking into a jog.
Dark growled.
”Dark, what’s the matter?” Chosen asked, setting Dark down once they’d reached the library. “Were you tired of waiting?”
Dark shook his head.
”What, then? Were you mad about something else?”
”Cwover,” Dark growled.
”Why are you mad at him?” Chosen asked.
”Cho sad,” Dark said with a pout. “Cwover bad.”
”No, he’s not bad…” Chosen sighed. “We just…don’t know each other well. He didn’t do anything bad. I’m alright, okay? As long as you’re alright, I’m happy.”
Chosen picked Dark up and hugged him, and got a hug back.
”I didn’t mean to make you upset,” Chosen said, setting Dark down and patting his head. “Everything’s alright. I promise.”
Dark frowned, but nodded.
”Alright…do you remember which books you want to check out?”
Dark smiled brightly and nodded.
”Okay then, let’s go,” Chosen said, taking Dark’s hand and heading into the library.
Dark looked around while they waited in line behind a gray Stick.
”Hello, Onyx,” Daisy said with a smile when it was their turn. “Good to see you again! I’m glad Ruby likes reading so much.”
”Me too,” Chosen said, handing her their library cards; after she scanned them Chosen handed the books they’d borrowed the previous day back.
”You got some more Reader points,” Daisy said. “I’ll put them in your account. If you need any help, let me know!”
”I will, thanks,” Chosen said, taking Dark‘s hand and heading for the kids’ corner.
Dark immediately began tugging on Chosen’s hand and pulling him towards a green bean bag.
”Alright, I’ll pick out some books,” Chosen said, letting Dark’s hand go after glancing around.
Dark flopped into the green bean bag with a giggle, then got up and jumped into the other bean bag.
”See one you like?” Chosen asked, spinning one of the shelves slowly.
Dark clambered out of the bean bag and pulled out a book that was at his eye level.
”I thought you’d get Sagwa again,” Chosen asked. “You like that she gets into trouble, don’t you?”
Dark smiled at the fluffy Siamese cat and nodded.
”Alright then. Let’s pick out three more.”
Dark got two more books, then left the kids’ section and stared up at the second floor.
”Should we go up there?” Chosen asked.
Dark pulled on Chosen’s arm.
”Alright, let’s go. Be careful on the stairs. Don’t go too fast.”
When they got to the second floor Dark tugged Chosen to the dinosaur section.
”Is one dinosaur book going to be enough?” he asked, and Dark thought for a moment, then nodded. “I guess if you want to read more we can just come back tomorrow.”
Dark nodded eagerly and quickly searched the shelves before taking a small book and holding it up to Chosen.
”Okay, let’s go check out,” Chosen said with a smile, carrying Dark down to the front desk.
”Did you find everything alright?” Daisy asked, and Chosen nodded.
”We did, thank you.”
Daisy scanned the books and put them in Chosen’s cloth bag.
”Have a good day!” Daisy said with a wave as they left.
”You too!” Chosen said, and Dark waved back.
”Late?” Dark asked, looking up at Chosen.
”No, I think we’ll be right on time,” Chosen said. “Mango and Purple are probably going back home right now too.”
Dark gasped excitedly and began skipping down the sidewalk, swinging the book bag.
”Dark, hold on!” Chosen exclaimed. “Not too fast, remember?”
Dark suddenly tripped and fell heavily, dropping the bag of books.
Chosen caught up quickly and carefully stood Dark up.
”Are you okay?” Chosen asked, looking Dark over. “Did you get hurt anywhere?”
”M’okay,” Dark sniffled, but Chosen noticed with a jolt that his legs and face were scraped and leaking a bit of code.
”You’re going to be okay,” Chosen said, sweeping Dark into his arms. “Hold on tight, ok?”
Chosen quickly flew towards King’s house, spotting Purple and King walking up just as he touched down.
”Hey, Chosen!” Purple said, smiling a moment before noticing the sniffling Dark. “What happened?”
”Dark tripped,” Chosen said. “I—I can’t heal him...do you have any potions?”
”We’ll fix him up,” King said, putting a hand on Chosen’s shoulder. “Potions shouldn’t be necessary. Come on in and sit him at the table.”
Chosen hurried inside and sat at the kitchen table, putting Dark in his lap.
”Hang in there, alright?” he said, biting his lip when he saw code was still leaking from Dark’s scrapes.
”He’s going to be just fine,” Purple said, kneeling in front of Dark with a washcloth. “This will sting a bit, Dark.”
Purple dabbed the scrapes and Dark tensed, trying to squirm away.
”It’s okay, I’m almost done,” Purple said.
“I wish I could heal like Orange does,” Chosen muttered, taking Dark’s hand gently. “I know it hurts, Dark, but Purple’s trying to help, ok?”
”Do you want Bluebell kitty?” Purple asked.
Dark shook his head, sniffling as Purple finished cleaning the scrapes.
”Here, I’ve got the first aid kit,” King said, setting it down on the table. “Let’s see what happened…”
King examined Dark’s face, then his knees.
”You and Chosen flew all the way here?” King asked, and Dark nodded. “You were brave, weren’t you?”
”Mm-hm,” Dark sniffled.
”Well, you’re going to be okay,” King said. “We’ll make sure you feel better.” He patted the first-aid kit. “They won’t hurt as much when we put a cool bandage on them.”
Dark watched as King pulled a box of bandages out.
”See?” Chosen asked. “It has green and blue and purple, all your favorite colors.”
Dark reluctantly nodded.
”Almost done, buddy,” Chosen said, squeezing Dark’s hand. “You really are brave.”
”You are, and you’ll be just fine,” King said. “Which colors do you want?”
”Purr,” Dark sniffed, rubbing his eyes. “Gween.”
King put purple bandages on Dark’s knees, then green ones on his face.
”That’s better, isn’t it?” King asked, giving Dark a pat on the head. “You did well!”
Dark turned and hugged Chosen tightly, and he hugged him back.
“I’m right here,” Chosen murmured. “You’re going to be okay.”
”Hey, Dark, guess what Mango and I got at the store?” Purple asked. “Stuff for cookies! You want to help me make them for after dinner?”
Dark lifted his head and nodded slowly, a little smile appearing.
”I thought you’d want to,” Purple said, smiling back. “We’ll make chocolate chip cookies!”
”Hey, Purple?” Chosen asked. “Has Olive ever…hissed at anyone when she was upset?”
”Hissed?” Purple repeated. “No, why?”
”Dark and I ran into Clover today and Dark just hissed at him. I don’t know why…but I think he could tell I was on edge.”
”I mean,” Purple said, “you’ve heard Olive make plenty of other noises when she’s mad or can tell someone’s stressed, but I’ve never heard her hiss.”
”Maybe it’s a Hollowhead thing?” Chosen asked.
”Maybe,” Purple said. “Dark could tell being around Clover makes you anxious and wanted to protect you.”
”Clover almost asked why we changed our names,” Chosen said, clenching his jaw.
”He shouldn’t have,” Purple sighed, shaking his head. ”I’ll talk to him and Azure later.”
“We can figure this out,” King said. “Dark’s just a baby and doesn’t know how to deal with people he doesn’t like yet.”
“He was stressed because of me, anyway,” Chosen said. “He said Clover was bad because he upset me. I told him Clover’s not bad and he doesn’t have to worry.”
”That’s a good start,” King said.
”Maybe sometime we should invite Azure and Clover over,” Purple said. “If that’s ok with you, Chosen. It could help if they see for themselves that you’re not dangerous.”
There was a knock at the door and King went to answer it.
”Is Purple home?”
”Hey, Azure!” Purple called, hurrying over. “Everything ok?”
”All good, I just wanted to check on you,” Azure said.
Chosen glanced over to see Clover was with him.
”Chosen…er…Onyx?” Clover asked. “You here?”
”Yeah…” Chosen answered, setting Dark down and walking over.
”You forgot your books,” Clover said, holding up the cloth library bag.
”How’d you find it?” Chosen asked.
”I was going home when I saw you and Ruby,” Clover said. “I tried to get your attention but you were too fast.”
”Oh…yeah…thanks,” Chosen said, taking the bag.
”Is he okay?” Clover asked, looking over at Dark.
”He just tripped,” Purple said. “You’ll be fine, right, Dark?”
Dark nodded, then smiled down at the green bandages.
”Gween!”
”Yeah, that’s your favorite color, huh?” Purple said.
“Clover’s green, too, see?” Chosen asked. “Not like Green is, but close.”
Dark looked at Clover with a little frown, then tipped his head curiously, the frown disappearing.
”Why don’t you come in?” King asked. “It’s starting to rain.”
”Oh, no…ah…I live just over there…” Clover protested.
”Then just come in for a short visit,” King said.
Clover and Azure glanced at each other, then walked inside.
”Thank you,” Clover mumbled, looking down.
”Can I get anything for you?” King asked, gesturing for them to sit at the table.
”No, but thank you for the offer,” Azure said. “So, Purple…what have you been up to lately?”
”Well, I’m still babysitting!” Purple said brightly. “Olive’s such a good little Stick. She’s starting to learn how to count.”
”Aww, that’s sweet,” Azure said.
”Yeah,” Purple said. “Onyx helps me babysit her sometimes too, and Ruby comes along.”
”He does?” Clover asked, raising an eyebrow.
”Yeah,” Purple said. “Ruby and Olive like playing games together. They’re getting to be pretty good friends.”
Clover’s brow furrowed and he looked down.
”Well…anyway…I just came to give the books back,” he said.
”Thanks,” Chosen said. “Can you say thanks, too, Ruby? He knows you would’ve been sad about not having the books.”
Dark looked up at Chosen, then at Clover.
”Tanks!” he said, smiling.
”Sure, no problem,” Clover mumbled, then glanced out the window. “It’s not raining, so I’m off. Thanks for letting me stay a bit.”
Clover gave a quick nod to Azure, then left, and Chosen patted Dark on the head.
”He really is just a baby, Azure,” Purple said quietly. “Nobody’s in danger.”
Azure gave Purple an anxious look, then glanced over at Chosen.
”Can he…well…can he use any powers yet?” Azure asked.
”Only a little,” Chosen said. “I’m teaching him how to use them the right way.”
”That’s good to hear,” Azure said with a small sigh. “Little Sticks are enough of a handful without having to worry about powers.”
Chosen looked down to see Dark raising his arms.
”Alright, up you go,” Chosen said, lifting Dark into his arms; Dark snuggled against his shoulder.
“I’d better go,” Azure said, glancing out the window. “Hmm…hope Clover got home. It’s raining now.”
“Don’t get too cold, alright?” Purple said.
”Thanks, Purp,” Azure said. “I’ll be careful.”
Azure stood and headed out, turning and waving before shutting the door.
”Thanks for helping me take care of Dark,” Chosen said.
“I’m glad you came here for help,” Purple said. “It means you feel safe.”
”I overreacted, didn’t I?” Chosen mumbled. “I didn’t even think. I panicked, even though I knew it wasn’t that bad.”
”That’s normal when your child gets hurt,” King said. “It doesn’t matter how minor an injury is. It’s just instinct to be worried.”
“Cookie!” Dark exclaimed, waving his arms. “Now!”
”Well, someone’s feeling better, hm?” King laughed.
”Come on, Dark, I’ll show you how to make them!” Purple said.
Chosen carefully set Dark down and watched him run over to the counter to stand on his tiptoes.
”It still feels strange saying he’s my kid,” Chosen said. “I told the doctor I adopted him, but I’m still used to him calling me Chosen.”
”If that’s what you’re both comfortable with, there’s nothing wrong with that,” King said. “Sometimes Gold called me Mango instead of Dad.”
”Why?” Chosen asked.
”Hmm…I think because he found out my first name one day and thought it was cool, or something. I can’t quite remember.”
”I picked new names for us,” Chosen said. “I wonder if he’ll ever use them. Maybe when he’s in school?”
”Maybe,” King said.
Chosen huffed.
”I finally pick my own name and I keep using Chosen.”
“It’s a big change,” King said. “You can take your time getting used to it.”
“Better not take too long,” Chosen groused.
”It was strange that Gold called me Mango for a while,” King chuckled. “By the time I got used to it, he switched back to calling me Dad.”
”Dad…you’re not telling embarrassing stories about me, are you?”
”Of course not,” King said, turning towards the front door with a smile.
”You are!” Gold exclaimed. “It’s not funny!”
”Alright, alright, I’ll stop,” King said. “Did you have fun flying around the city?”
”Yup!”
”Hey, Vic,” Chosen said.
”Hey. Whoa, what happened to Dark?”
”He fell down, but he’s okay,” Chosen said. “He felt better once Purple said he’d make cookies.”
”I want to help!” Gold said. “What did you do so far?”
”We need two eggs right now,” Purple said.
An egg lifted from the carton and cracked on the edge of the bowl.
”Dad, you’d better not tell the story of the first time I made cookies!”
King pretended to zip his lips.
”Good,” Gold said. “Okay, Dark, we need two eggs. Can you say ‘egg’?”
”Egg!” Dark repeated with a grin.
”And you gotta wash your hands but I don’t!”
Another egg lifted up and tapped against the bowl.
“We might have to get some cookbooks from the library next time,” Chosen said.
”You can borrow some of ours,” Purple said. “Or we can just print out recipes at the library.”
“More egg!” Dark exclaimed.
”We only need two,” Gold said. “You can help mix once everything’s in!”
“Will he be okay?” Chosen sighed. “Clover doesn’t trust me or him, and when Dark’s in school, what’ll it be like? What if no one trusts him either?”
”If Dark, Lazuli and Olive all go to the same school, then he’ll have friends already,” King said. “And even though it’s rare to see Hollowheads in the city, it’s not unheard of.”
”One of the schools Dark could go to is in a little outskirts town,” Purple said. “Chartreuse and Silver were talking about enrolling Olive in preschool there, remember?”
”I remember,” Chosen said. “But what’s that have to do with Hollowheads?”
“The Sticks that live there are a sort of Hollowhead,” Purple continued. “Not exactly like you, since their heads are colored in. But they’re used to seeing drawn Sticks like you and Dark.”
”So a lot of them are drawn too?” Chosen asked.
Purple nodded, then began stirring the cookie dough before giving Dark the spoon.
”Want to try?” Purple asked, and Dark beamed and began stirring the cookie dough.
”Do they want Olive to go to school outside of Stick City because it’s quieter?” Chosen wondered.
”Pretty much,” Purple said. “And safer. But when she’s older they’ll probably have her go to school in the city. I’ll show you the preschool later.”
”Thanks, Purple,” Chosen said. “Could we go to check it out sometime?”
”Yeah, I think that’ll be good,” Purple said. “You wanna come too, Dark?”
”Yeah!” Dark chimed, nodding energetically.
”Sticks usually start preschool when they’re three, so there’s some time before he has to enroll,” King said. “It won’t happen all at once…even though it seems like it.”
”I’ll come too,” Vic said. “I’ll check everywhere to make sure it all looks good.”
”Of course,” Chosen said with a wry chuckle. “And you should come to the library again sometime.”
”I hope they have recipes for ghost cookies,” Vic sighed longingly.