THE INBESTIGATORS (EZRA'S LOVE STORY)

(12) LOST CHILDREN

The weather was mild and warm, so the Inbestigators went on a picnic at the park.

Me: Stop. Just because I helped make them doesn't mean I'll eat any.

Maudie: Are you sure Ezra? They're pretty good.

She took a bite of the sandwich and then taunted me with it.

I thought of taking a bite but I remembered that she bit into it so it would be an indirect kiss.

Me: No, thank you.

I said with a red face.

I don't really mind eating it, but I like having Maudie's attention.

Kyle: Can you guys quit flirting already? You're going to make me vomit.

Kyle was holding a sandwich in each hand.

Ava: Shush! Let them be.

Ava brought popcorn for some reason and she's not sharing with anyone.

Maudie stopped teasing me and had a pink hue on her face.

She might be embarrassed that they could see and hear everything she was doing for the past couple of minutes.

I smiled at the thought.

We finished eating and started to pack up when two kids stumbled near us.

Ava: Ohhhh, you poor little children. Wait a sec, I have a first aid kit in my bag.

She went and got her kit and started treating the children.

Maudie: Hello, kids. My name is Maudie. What are yours?

The two kids were the same height and holding hands.

Child 1: My name is Elizabeth, seven.

Child 2: My name is Phillip, we're twins.

Ava: Both of you sound so adorable. I'm Ava. She's Maudie. That's Ezra. And that's Kyle.

Kyle: Twins? But they don't look the same.

Me: They're dizygotic twins, or more commonly known as fraternal twins that's when they are formed from two different egg cells instead of a single cell that splits into two like in identical twins.

Kyle stared at me blankly.

Ava: How do you know these things and why?

Maudie: We were talking about it one time.

Ava finished treating the children

Ava: There. All done. Do you want a lollipop?

Elizabeth: Yes
Phillip: Yes
Kyle: Yes

Ava chuckled

Ava: Here you go.

She gave a lollipop to all three of them.

Maudie: You're going to be a great mother, Ava.

Ava blushed.

Ava: You should go back to your parents.

Elizabeth: We don't know where they are.

Me: I guess this is a job for the Inbestigators.

Kyle talked with a lollipop in his mouth.

Kyle: Elizabeth, Phillip, what do your parents look like? Where did you see them last? And can I get another lollipop if we solve this case?

Kyle looked at Ava expectedly.

Ava: Fine.

Phillip pointed east towards the duck pond.

Maudie: Let's go.

We reached the duck pond with a single tree beside it.

Elizabeth pointed to a hat at the top of the tree.

Elizabeth: Please.

Kyle: I'll get it.

Kyle climbed onto a branch and attempted to smack the hat off the tree.

He failed.

He took off his shoe and threw it at the hat.

The hat fell onto the ground but Kyle's shoe fell into the pond.

Kyle jumped back down.

Elizabeth picked up her hat while Kyle used a stick to fish out his shoe floating in the pond.

He got the hat down but now he has a wet shoe.

Elizabeth went up to Kyle and said with wide eyes and plump cheeks.

Elizabeth: Thank you, Mr. Kyle.

Kyle looked like his heart throbbed at Elizabeth's cuteness while his face is trying to stay calm and cool.

It was hard to stop myself from laughing but I did it.

Elizabeth returned beside Phillip.

Ava went to tell Kyle something.

Ava: That was really sweet. Sorry about your shoe.

Kyle: I'm fine it's not a big deal.

Ava and Kyle talked for a bit while Maudie took care of the twins.

I was looking around to see if there were any people nearby.

I could hear a distant voice.

Me: Maudie can you hear something?

Maudie paused and looked around.

Maudie: I think I can hear voices coming from that direction.

Maudie started rushing towards that direction, but not fast enough that the twins could not keep up.

Me: Kyle, Ava. Let's go.

We all ran after Maudie and the voice sounded clearer as we drew closer.

(Voice): Ellie! Phil! Where are you!?

I could see a woman who looked very anxious yelling for her children.

The woman saw us and started running towards our direction.

Maudie stopped running so I did too.

Kyle and Ava slowed down after but the twins kept going.

The woman and the twins hugged each other as soon as they reached each other.

The twins were crying and the woman looked very happy.

The four of us looked at the heartwarming scene in front of us.

I was busy trying not to cry when I feel a warmth in my hand.

I was shocked to see that Maudie had been beside me, holding my hand as the crying family hugged.

I thought it would be nice to stay like this for a bit longer.

To be continued