Stirred Up: Douxie X OC

Eleven- The Reveal

Chapter Eleven:

[The Arcadian Job]

[A House Divided]

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"Well, I guess I'm not then."

Douxie stares at me, trying to piece together my frustration and confusing bits.

"I... Had a nightmare about it."

"About the shadow realm?"

"Yeah..."

Douxie grips my hand, squeezing it to assure me that he's here.

"How about we figure out why Gumm-Gumms are here then?? Maybe that will take your mind off of it, if we try to figure out what is going on."

I bite my lip before nodding.

"Ok."

Douxie leans forward and places a kiss to my cheek. I hum a content note now that he's here by my side and we get up to get ready.

Although, he does have a point. We should focus on finding out why there are gumm-gumms in Arcadia. It is a top priority.

'''''''''''''''''''''

Douxie and I now sit at a table in the diner, a map of Arcadia Oaks spread out over the surface. Douxie takes a red marker and circles the spot in the forest -- where we were for the party-- or bonfire...

I take a sip from my cola and watch him draw circles around all the places in Arcadia where there have been strange sightings. He taps his finger on the marked spot from the forest.

"Ok, first sighting-- sources us. We saw and were ambushed by multiple Gumm-Gumms."

"Right."

He taps on the Movie Theatre.

"Archie said he found a Gumm-Gum's remains here. In the back alley behind the theatre."

Then, he points to the neighborhood near Claire's and the Arcadia Oaks High.

"And Claire told me that they were chasing a Gumm-Gumm through people's backyards about a week ago."

"So, where's their base...?"

I examine the map closely, looking for any patterns. But with Jim's involvement, it's hard to tell. The Gumm-Gumms could just be hiding in the most obvious spot, but we'd never know because of the Trolhunters being active and slaying them.

"We could always ask Jim and his friends if they know where the Gumm-Gumms are coming from." Douxie suggests.

"I want to figure this out on our one. We've cut close to them enough times."

"I suppose that would be wise."

"Plus, I guess I'm not ready to tell them about Morgana and mine's relationship."

"I can understand that. Alright then, there are a few places that I think they could be."

He pulls out a purple marker, highlighting four places on the map. The only problem is, they're each equally stretched out across town.

"There's the forest, the bridge on First and Seven, the Lake, and then TrollMarket."

I hum a long note, thinking rationally.

"If I were the head Gumm-Gumm, I would want a secluded place. Somewhere people wouldn't find us. Someplace we were shielded from sunlight, too."

I look up and meet Douxie's gaze.