The axe spun gracefully through the air and landed dead - on in a chopping block, its blade buried deep.
Grofo froze, because he had no clue what had just happened, even though he usually didn't consider himself slow. But to his complete amazement, the message was picked up- not by him, but by the least likely candidates. Batilda scratched behind her ear, then plunged her hand into her tangled mane, dug out some debris and even a dead bug, then declared:
We'll chop Then you give us mash, sis. - Yup, - nodded Erik and was the first to start tackling their new
Within thirty seconds, things were in full swing in front of Petra's house. The twins were nearly fighting over the axe, each trying to outdo the other in hopes of earning a better reward. It was shaping up to be another brawl, but this time Grofo decided not to get involved. Instead, he slipped under Petra's arm and into the house. She didn't object, just gave her usual clipped instruction:
Suzy's in her Take off your shoes and dust yourself off. You look rough. -
So he did just that. Then he bounded upstairs like a gazelle- or any other speedy animal- and found Suzy mid - meditation. She had covered the floor with every cushion she could find, plus a bunch of strange embroidered throws (probably a recent purchase with her mom). She was chanting something that sounded foreign and intense:
Hún lytir á mik - (Old Norse: - She listens to herself. - )
Her eyes were wide open, full of madness, and her lips trembled. Grofo wanted to casually lean against the wall but quickly decided against it- he hadn't had the best luck with walls lately. So he just sat across from her, burning with curiosity about what she'd do next.
He wasn't afraid at all. On the contrary- his weird friend gave him loads of inspiration for his future stand - up sets. And he really appreciated Suzy for being so strange. Everyone else avoided her, but why throws away the raisins? She was way cooler than any cherry on top.
Suddenly, the girl slapped her palms against the floor, rose sharply, and cried out:
Hún veit hvar þau leynask! - (She knows where they're hiding!) And just like that, her face returned to Calm and clear, she said: You're Tell me what happened while she was gone. What did Valdis say?
Grofo launched into a fast, emotional summary of everything that had happened. Suzy nodded silently, as if she weren't listening at all. Then she stood up with a jerk and motioned for him to leave the room so she could get dressed:
We need to go to the Fate awaits us there. And I don't like my sweater with embroidered bulldogs. - She added out of nowhere, clearly annoyed with her loungewear.
Grofo nodded sympathetically. - Imagine there's a bulldog out there somewhere wearing a sweater with embroidered pictures of you. He might be really sad too. So don't be mean to the dog. -
For some reason, he was the only one who could make her smile- and now a faint grin played across Suzy's lips. She ushered him out of the room to get ready, and after they'd both geared up, they stepped outside- right into Roman, who was panting like he'd just sprinted a marathon.
Hey, bro! Hey, Suzy! - He shouted. - I ran into your mom- she was heading to work, but I told her the whole town's looking for the The sheriff's missing! Your mom went to join the search party. They invited us too, by the way. I'm not going, 'because it's dangerous with a psycho killer running around, but you guys can go to the town hall. That's where everyone's gathering. What do you mean missing?! Seriously?! - Grofo gasped. - I waited all night at the station but figured she went off on some mission. Kristina called her at home, no answer- but that doesn't mean anything! Why's everyone freaking out?
Roman squeaked:
I told them she went out
You little gossip! - Grofo - Why'd you stir up a panic?! Well, who else was gonna do it? You two? Budget detectives? - Roman shot back, barely dodging a smack from Grofo, who for once didn't hold back.
The twins had been watching the whole conversation with keen interest- though not because they cared about what was being said. They'd only chopped a couple of logs before flopping down for some well - earned rest. But now they were eyeing Grofo with mournful expressions, and it was clear their concern had nothing to do with sheriff drama.
Grofo caught the hint, waved off his halfwit brother, and asked Suzy:
Got anything for them to drink? They're clearly not gonna chop more wood, so let's just treat them for free. -
Getting a subtle nod from Suzy, he dashed back into the house, headed straight for the fridge, and came out with a couple of beers. That earned him a pair of loud, disappointed sighs.
He shrugged.
Few logs, few
All he got back was gloom and sorrow. But the twins quickly snapped out of it. They realized they had another card to play- another way to squeeze something out of Grofo. But he was quicker.
Grabbing Suzy and Roman by the arms, he bolted like a madman.
The others followed without complaint, while behind them the thunder of enormous boots echoed against the ground.
Move it! - Grofo yelled, his cheeks burning from the morning - This is awesome!
His laughter rang out, while Roman gave him a reproachful side - eye. Suzy, meanwhile, wasn't really there at all. Her lips moved in a whisper he could barely hear.
We need to go to the We must go there.
There was nothing to do but trust her. She was speaking to someone- something- in a trance, and that presence had just stoked the fire of her thoughts again.
Suzy always knows. That's just how it is.