Twisted Wonderland 2

One Big Family

You and the boys walk the long, winding road up the hill towards the town. You can see your breath and feel the cold seep through your jacket. You feel a shiver run down your spine and hold your jacket close in a attempt to keep warm.

"This is quite the long road." Sebek observes.

"It's called Harvest Road, and it's a major residential street that leads from the town entrance all the way to the center." Epel informs.

"Mrah..." Grim lets out a tired sigh. "No matter how far we walk, it's still apple trees all the way down. It just keeps goin' and goin'... How much longer is this gonna take?"

"Oh, we're not even halfway yet."

"Are you kiddin' me?" Grim exclaims. "We've been walkin' forever! I just wanna get to town and chow down on some apples!"

Epel chuckles. "My house is at the other end of the road, so just stick it out a little longer, okay?"

"In that case, let's pick up the pace!" Grim trots forward only to bump into Idia.

Idia doesn't seem to notice, only gazing at the mountain landscape in awe.

Grim tilts his head. "Hey, Idia! Why're you spacin' out like that?"

"I'm trying to immerse myself in our surroundings." Idia grins excitedly. "This is the world of Sled Over Heels. Here I am, actually walking through the setting of an anime! This is HYPE."

Epel shrugs. "To me, it's just the same ol' road I always take. I used to go down this street to get to school."

"I didn't see anything resembling a school on the map, actually." Jade says.

"Yeah, we don't have enough young folks in town to have our own school."

Sebek glances to the orchards. "Now that you mention it, I haven't seen any children at all."

Epel nods. "I went to school in the next town over. It's about a three hour bike ride."

Your eyes widen. "Three hours?"

Epel smiles at the memory. "It was rough goin' uphill, but I FLEW on the downhill slopes, I tell you what. And the roadside view was gorgeous. There were different types of apple blossoms every season! Plus, I got to see the apples grow day by day, until they hit full size. That was always exciting."

"You have an impressive amount of fortitude if you rode for three hours to and from school every day." Jade brings a hand to his chin. "I can see why you have such an abundance of energy, given your upbringing among such bounteous nature."

Idia chuckles. "Wow, L-O-L. Imagine going to that much trouble when you could just go remote."

Sebek grins. "A three hour bike commute sounds like excellent training. What would you do when it rained or snowed? Run through it?"

Epel shakes his head. "Oh, definitely not. I'd lose a whole day just trying to get there and back. I'd get my parents to drive me and pink me up on days like that. Cars are essential in places like Harveston. Every family needs one."

Jade nods. "I have noticed a number of vehicles going by."

"Harvest Road's a big, straight road, so it's always busy." Epel informs. "I loved going on car rides with my parents. My family takes the car whenever we need to deliver produce to neighboring cities. And I'd often tag along in the passenger seat. It was so much fun."

Jade smiles as he hums in thought. "It does seem like it would make for a very pleasant drive."

"One of these days, I wanna get myself a blastcycle and fly down this road!" Epel grins. "I bet it'd feel amazin' to ride with the wind whipping around me."