☂ 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 || 𝙵𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙶𝚁𝙴𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚂 𝚡 𝙾𝙲 || 𝐁𝐤. 𝟑 ☂

08. A CANDID CAR CONVERSATION

Elaina gazed out the window as they passed row after row of tall pine trees and vibrant green grass the further they drove into the country. Before long, they started passing cattle fields and conservatively dressed men and women that walked alongside the concrete roads in their hats and bonnets, observing the vehicle in curiosity and suspicion.

Following the address that Klaus carried with him on that teeny piece of crumbled paper, they made a turn down a dirt path that brought them to a quaint and quiet little village. Once they reached the end of the trail, Klaus threw the car in park and they all began to climb out.

As soon as they opened their doors, the overwhelming smell of cattle and farm life greeted them. Children ran passed them in a hurry in order to get to their daily chores, all while wearing the Amish conservative dress code of white and black.

Safe to say, Elaina's predictions about Klaus's mother were completely wrong the better they took in their surroundings.

"Son of bitch!" exclaimed Five, shutting his door. "Klaus is Amish,"

"Who would've thought?" replied Elaina, sliding her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose for a better view.

"This explains everything," mused Klaus, walking around the front of the car so he could reach the teens.

Both Five and Elaina scrunched up their faces in puzzlement.

"How does this explain anything?" questioned the boy.

"Because look!" cried out Klaus, his arms outstretched to showcase the scene around them. "Look at this place! This is everything my childhood was missing," 

"What? Mud pies and rabbits?" joked Elaina as she noticed a few wondering eyes watching them.

Five placed his fedora back on his head before jogging to catch up with the eager Klaus. "Hey, uh, Klaus? Wait a minute," he called out, stopping the man. "Doppelganger check. You feel anything strange?"

"Feeling any itching, sweats, gassiness, anything like that?" chimed in the girl as she pushed back a rebellious curl from Klaus's face.

No need in having him meet his mom looking crazy–well, crazier, right?

"No. No, I feel great," he said softly, almost peacefully as he lightly gripped the girl's hand. "Apart from the old rash on the tackle, but what can you do?"

Elaina blinked. "Um... put hydrocortisone on it?" she responded matter-of-factly. "That's concerning, Klaus,"

Klaus just gave her a smile and sweetly patted her hand before letting it go and leading the way to the village.

"Alright, good luck," called out Five, firmly planted in the same spot.

Klaus mini-skidded to a halt and pivoted around. "What? Wait, you're not coming?"

Elaina gave him a tender smile. "This one you gotta do alone,"

Klaus sighs. "Alone?" he asked, looking between the two teens and seeing them nod. "Yeah, okay. Yeah, I can do that, sure," he said, though it seemed to be words aimed more toward himself than them.

He gave them a parting nod and spun around, beginning his stroll into the village. Klaus walked with his arms folded in front of him, giving the occasional friendly wave to whoever looked his way.

It was a little comical to see Klaus, a man in a yellow flowery open shirt, with brown leather pants and open-toed sandals, walking among the sea of black and white clothed Amish.

"I'm nervous," remarked Elaina as they kept an eye on Klaus the deeper he went into the village.

"Don't be. I'm sure he'll be just fine. Besides, we'll be nearby in case of anything," assured Five, placing a pacifying arm around her shoulders.