Finding Them

        It had been three days now since the boys had met the travelers, to say they were easily forgotten was just a blatant lie. Tommy had seen them quite frequently actually. Once at the fruit stand. Another time he saw them going to a local pub. The last time he saw them leaving the little inn that was on the outskirts of town.

Today, however, Tommy was going to Tubbo's house. Last night he had scored with $5.00. A little less than two meals, but anything was better than nothing, and Tommy could stuff himself with as many of Niki's cookies as he could.

"You know those people you ran into the other day?" Tubbo asked absentmindedly, Tommy nodded.

"I hear they are looking for their brother. They said something about a reward for finding him too." This caught Tommy's attention. Money? Or better yet he could possibly just stay with them. If they were stupid enough, he could earn himself a home, and if not, he could still possibly earn himself a couple dollars. Either way the outcome seemed okay. All he had to do was seize his opportunity. The boys played for another couple of hours before the sun started to sink over the horizon.

"Alright, I have to go home now. My parents wanted me home early for something tonight," Tommy lied easily. Slipping away as fast as he could.

Tommy made his way back to his dirt home. It was cold, muddy, and cramped, but it was his. Tommy knew that they knew what he looked like. That's what led to the dirt, mud, and clay mixture caking his hair. It effectively turned his hair grey-ish brown. He also tried to cover up any identifying features of his clothing with the same mixture.

Deeming his appearance complete, Tommy headed out for the town square. Ready to trick his way into some wealth. He remembered seeing them leave the inn, that was his next destination.

"Excuse me miss," Tommy greeted the lady at the counter, "are three older boys staying here? One has pink hair, another wears a beanie, and the shortest has a green and white hat." He described them as best as he could. The lady thought for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, they are currently staying here."

"Do you think you could let me see them? I'm their little brother." The lady narrowed her eyes at him. He looked homeless and others had tried to trick her into a free stay before as well.

"Very well, but if they kick you out you are no longer welcome at this establishment." She handed him a piece of paper with the door number on it. It took Tommy several minutes to find the matching door. Seeing as he was illiterate and innumerate.

He stood in front of the door, taking a deep breath. Think of the money. His hand hit the wooden door three times. It opened almost instantly. The same pink haired man was stood on the other side facing him. He looked Tommy up and down before calling over his shoulder.

"Phil. There's a child at the door." The man with the white and green hat came over to greet him.

"You look familiar."

"No I don't," Tommy defended quickly, "sorry, it's just have you been looking for a brother of yours as of late?" Tommy's question piqued their interest.

"Why don't you come in," Phil motioned him towards the sofa, "Yes, we are looking for our brother. Do you have any information you can give us?" Now is when Tommy would find out just how smart they were. He could only hope they had rocks for brains.

"Well, you see, I think I might be your brother," he said timidly, trying to play his part. Phil looked hopeful.

"Alright then, what's your name?"

"Uh," Tommy had to think quick, "Bert, Bert Lagnouson." His voice wavered slightly. He could only hope that they hadn't noticed.

"Alright Bert. Would you mind reading this for me?" Phil handed him the fourth scroll. Tommy's heart sank. He didn't know how to read.

"Yes, obviously." Tommy tried to cover his nerves with confidence, but even he could tell he was doing a poor job. The only thing Tommy could do now was recite the only story he knew. One he memorized when he still lived at the orphanage.

Techno and Wilbur were both watching him now as well, curious. Once Phil gave him the scroll, he ultimately refused to even look at it, knowing wouldn't be able to understand a word written there. And so, he started reciting the story he knew as, "James and the Rabbit."

"One day, a young boy named James was tending to his mother's garden. In the garden grew carrots, lettuce, and beets. James was proud of his work and couldn't wait to share it with his family. The next day when James came out to tend to the garden, he noticed some of his produce missing. He tried to find the culprit but to no avail. James tried to disregard this missing produce as a miscount, but when more was missing the next day, he knew something was wrong. There were three options of thieves that could have taken the produce, so he'd set up multiple traps.

The first trap was medium sized, specific for groundhogs. He had seen them around the garden before, but they had never messed with his things either. The next trap James set up was meant to stop a human. People could be stealing from him seeing as the town was very poor. The last trap James put up was that for a rabbit, the common thief of the town. Once the traps were set up, James hid in a nearby bush. He waited all day and into the night. He sat and watched for the culprit, but soon the weight of his eyelids was too much.

When he awoke the next morning, he checked his traps. His human deterrent was left untouched, as was the groundhog trap. When he went to check the rabbit trap however, low and behold, the thief was caught.

"So, you're the one that's been stealing from me." James was furious and ready to get his justice, "To atone for your crimes, you will be my dinner tonight," he declared.

"No! Why would you make a magical rabbit into stew?"

"A magic bunny? There's no such thing!" James exclaimed. Surely the rabbit was pulling his chain.

"Oh, but I am," said the bunny, "don't cook me tonight, instead let me dine with you. Then you will see just how magical I am." In the end James agreed, if the rabbit was telling the truth it would bring him great fortune. After dinner that night James asked the rabbit to show him it's magic.

The rabbit replied, "Not yet, you must give me a warm bed to sleep in first. In the morning I will show you my magic." And so, James set a warm bed for the rabbit to sleep in. The next morning James asked the rabbit to show him it's magic once more.

"Not yet," It said again, "give me three days' worth of hospitality and then I shall show you my magic." And so, James gave the rabbit what it requested. On the third day James came to the rabbit and asked it to show him it's magic.

"I must rest in my home before showing you. Let me go and when I return, I will show you my magic." And so, for the last time, James did as the rabbit asked, trusting it to come back.

Weeks passed and the rabbit never returned. James was upset, he had done everything he was asked. And yet, in the end he was tricked. From that day on James questioned all requests made of him. Never forgetting getting tricked by the magical rabbit."

Tommy finished reciting the story, hoping they wouldn't question him. But the men in front of him weren't the stupid ones.

"Isn't that just the story of James and the Rabbit?"