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“Loggle, was it? Have you seen Sasha?”
“As a matter of fact, I have. . . n’t. I haven’t.” Grime growled and showed Loggle a frighteningly toothy expression. “Last time I saw her, though, she was headed back to the Plantars’ house,” Loggle offered. “She didn’t look too happy.” Grime didn’t care. He needed to find his lieutenant. And, perhaps more importantly. . . his friend.
The toad returned to their temporary home in search of Sasha, quickly finding her in tears in the basement, sitting on the floor among Anne’s abandoned items. What surprised Grime the most, though, was that her swords were leaned against the wall rather than on her belt. He knew she was far from defenseless, but there was definitely something wrong. He cleared his throat to get her attention.
“Sasha?” She straightened immediately and wiped her face before turning around.
“Grime! Is the town in danger?” She started to get up.
“No, no. I was just looking for you.”
“Oh.” She settled back on the floor. “Sorry, Grimesy. I just. . . I needed a minute.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes again. The toad approached her slowly, taking a knee by her side.
“I thought you moved past whatever it was about Anne holding you back.”
“I did. I have. This isn’t about that. It’s. . .” She took a shuddering breath. “I just did the math. I don’t know when exactly, but sometime in the last week or two was Christmas.”
“I’m. . . not following on the significance of that,” Grime admitted flatly.
“It’s a holiday back in our world, and I don’t remember the last year I spent it without Anne and Marcy.” Her voice cracked and she dissolved into tears again. “We always went to the parade with Anne’s parents, and then we’d go back to her place and they would cook this really great Christmas dinner, and. . .” Her shoulders shook so violently she couldn’t continue.
Grime wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t know how to react to Sasha’s emotional spillage. Comfort had never been his strong suit. He thought a hug might help, as she had engaged in quite a few with Anne and Marcy in their brief reunion. But again, he was clueless as to how to initiate such an action.
He opened his arms, looking doubtfully at them for a moment, before reaching them around Sasha. It seemed to shock her into momentarily forgetting her sorrow. She looked at Grime with a puzzled expression, and he retracted his arms quickly.
“I’m sorry, I’m not entirely sure how one is supposed to—“ She cut him off by throwing her arms around his neck. Grime started in surprise before awkwardly returning the gesture. “There, there,” he said, unsure of himself.
"Thanks, Grimesy,” she sniffled over his shoulder. “I— I’ve been wondering. . . What if I never spend another Christmas with them?”
“Don’t speak like that, Sasha,” Grime scolded softly. “Of course you will.”
“But Anne’s back in our world, and the king has the box, and Marcy. . .” She couldn’t even finish the thought. The last they had seen of her, she was lying mortally wounded at the king’s feet.
"The king now has access to technology neither of us ever thought possible. I’m sure your friend is fine.”
“But what does he even want with her? Why would he bother even keeping her alive?” Grime brushed her thick, blonde hair with his hand as he answered.
"I’m not sure. But if he’s the strategist I’ve heard about, Andrias has a reason for his actions. And as long as Marcy fits into the plan, I’m sure no unnecessary harm will come to her.” Sasha took another shaky breath and unwrapped her arms from Grime’s neck, prompting him to do the same. “It is easy to give in to despair, Sasha. Especially after everything that’s happened thus far. But if we give in to it, the very fate we fear will come to fruition.” Sasha wiped her eyes one last time before putting on a brave smile and strapping her swords to her waist.
“Then let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.” Grime gave a hearty laugh and roared his pride.
“That’s my lieutenant!” The two of them ascended out of the basement and returned to town, ready for whatever attack Andrias might send next.