Prisoner of the Molepeople

Chapter 2 - Sand Demons

Something about the way he’d said that reminded me way too much of Lenny. Turning around, I glared down at the moleman. “For your information, I’ve been adventuring all day.”

Was that a smile stretching across his face? “Really. Tell me about it.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything. I’m late for an appointment.”

“What kind of appointment?”

“None of your business.”

“Is it more important than a visit with a queen?”

It’s not like Lenny and I had a shortage of each other. And knowing Lenny’s budget, he probably wasn’t going to take me anywhere special. He usually didn’t. “Yes, as a matter of fact, it’s much more important.”

“I see.” His voice was too calm. “And I’m sure your … adventures … are much more exciting than a trip to an underground fantasy world.”

“Yes, as a matter of fact …” I didn’t like where this was going. “What do you mean fantasy world?”

“A world so amazing, I can't even begin to describe it.”

“That sounds like a sales tactic.”

“Don't believe me? See for yourself.”

“Look, I don't trust you, okay?”

Bobbert’s little jaw dropped. “My dear Ann, are you implying my intentions are less than sincere?”

“I don’t know what your intentions are.”

“What does your heart say?”

“That I should run back to my car.”

Stumped, Bobbert scratched the back of his head before saying, a little less hopefully, “What does your brain say?”

“That I should run back to my car.”

“All right, all right. I’m a scary stranger, and you’re not supposed to be talking to me. But if you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt for just a moment longer, I have an object lesson that may shake your very foundation.”

“Object lesson?”

“Just a moment.” Brushing off more layers of soil from his body, Bobbert reached into a side pocket and procured a handful of aluminum foil. He blew off some dirt, unwrapped the foil, and revealed a squished mess of something that looked like chocolate cake. “A Ho Ho.” He let the words sink in.

“A Ho Ho?”

“A Christmas Ho Ho. With red sprinkles.”

“It’s March.”

“Which is why it was on sale.”

“I really don't have time –”

“From outward appearances, the Ho Ho is nothing but a mess of chocolate. Except for on this side.” He flipped the Ho Ho around, masking the portion he’d already bit into. “But from this side, there’s nothing visible to the naked eye but –”

“Chocolate, I get it.”

“Yes. And you, my dear Ann, are like this half-melted sprinkle right here. All you know is what’s on the outside.” He took a sumptuous bite out of the deformed cake. “But if you were to take a deeper look, you would discover –”

“Cream filling.”

Disappointed at being beaten to his his punch line, he found consolation in stuffing the rest of the Ho Ho into his mouth. “Precisely.”