Divided Page 03

Tawna walked into Eddy's kitchen with a worried expression on her face, "Hey Eddy... Can I-?"

"Hold that thought," Eddy said before the timer on top of his oven went off like crazy. Turning it off and putting on his mitts, he took out a tray of piping hot cupcakes and put them on the table to cool, "It's weird, Danny usually comes in at this time." when he turned to her, he quickly noticed her expression, "What's wrong?"

"That's the thing, I don't know..." she sighed, "It's Dan... Something is seriously wrong and I don't know what..."

"... It probably has something to do with his family..." Eddy looked to the side and sighed, "I don't know how Danny would react if I told you... But something might've happened back home. He's been trying to call for weeks. I'm actually trying to make him feel better by baking vanilla cupcakes for him..."

"His favourite flavour... That's so sweet Eddy."

"Yeah, where is he now though?"

"In his room. He's talking to some man, who I guess he knows?"

-----

"Should I knock or you?" Tawna asked, turning to Eddy who was holding a tray with some of the cupcakes, iced.

"Maybe you should?"

"Hey, what's going on?" Neal asked as he approached the two, "Eddy, Tawna, you're supposed to be at your work stations. The carnival's still open."

"Oh right, sorry Neal," Tawna sighed, "It's just..."

"It's Danny..." Eddy explained, "Something's really wrong and we want to try and help in some way."

"I heard he's been pretty distant lately. I've actually been meaning to talk to him."

Just before Neal could knock, the door opened.

"Um, who are you?"

"Sorry to disturb," Nick answered, "my name's Nicolas and... well... maybe you should tell them." he said, turning to Daniel who was... packing?

"... Danny?" Eddy asked, walking into the room.

Just hearing the voice of someone from Freebooter hurt, it being Eddy hurt even more... Daniel sighed and stood up, "... I'm sorry... But I can't stay here anymore. And I don't think I'll be coming back..."

"What? Danny, what's going on?" when Daniel didn't answer, he put the tray on the table and walked over to him, "Dan, you don't just drop news like that without an explanation. What happened?... Daniel, answer me!"

"It's to protect you!" Daniel yelled back, "And, if I tell you any more, you will be killed..."

"... What?"

"... Eddy," Daniel turned to face him, "I'm... so sorry about this... but, I have to leave..."

"But," Neal spoke up, "where are you even going?" Daniel looked to Nick this time.

"We're going to where my niece is, in Egypt. Well, he's going ahead. I need to stay behind and... take care of something..."

"Why Egypt?"

"That's something we can't tell you..."

-----

After saying his goodbyes, Daniel followed Nick to an arc with the same design as the one he used for Nora.

"... Please..." Daniel muttered, looking back to Nick, "Please keep them safe..."

"I won't leave until I'm sure they are," Nick said before whistling. Perry quickly came flying and landed on his arm, "Once he gets to Egypt, take him to Eleanora and explain where I am." Perry nodded and hopped from his arm to Daniel's shoulder.

Once they were transported, Nick turned and look in the direction of Freebooter, "Let's just hope I can keep my promise."

To be continued