Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 13: Gracie

That night, Landa went out again, without telling anyone. Logan was curious and suspicious, so he decided to follow her and find out. He quietly tiptoed behind her. After a minute of walking, Landa suddenly started running, taking Logan by complete surprise, but he followed suit and ran closely behind her. He suspected that she had put on a burst of speed because she could tell she was being followed.

They came to an intersection. Landa was able to pass through, giving her time to lose Logan, but Logan had to stop to let two cars pass. By the time he crossed the intersection, he could not see any sign of Landa anywhere. Disappointed, he hung his head low and turned around, making his way towards the Polymer residence. "Where does she go?" he wondered. He was left mystified.

Immediately after a hurried breakfast, quick good-byes were exchanged. Landa drove her car with Logan and Goldtin sitting in the back. They soon drove under an archway with a sign that said:

HIBERS' DOLPHIN ZOO

WELCOME!

They could smell the salt water. They breathed in deep gulps of the fresh ocean smell. Landa parked her car under a shady olive tree. They hopped out of the car and made their way towards the ticket area.

The man there immediately recognized Landa, as he gave her a cheery greeting.

"Howdy, Landa! How're you?" he exclaimed jubilantly, smiling widely.

Landa returned the smile and said, "I'm doing well. How are you, Ernie?"

"I'm well. What brings ya here? Gracie, I assume?"

"I'm here on business. I will see Gracie while I'm here. But, now don't laugh Ernie, here is a rabbit who talks." Landa moved out of the way and Goldtin made a neat bow. Ernie was shocked. His eyes opened wide. He could not laugh; he was too shocked, especially when Goldtin talked.

"What!?!" Ernie almost screamed.

"Now, calm down! Mira has been kidnapped-" Landa began.

"What!?!" Ernie yelled again.

"Ernie! Get a grip on yourself!" Landa ordered harshly. "Are you trying to get everyone's attention directed at us? Because this is kind of confidential and private! Listen carefully! We don't know who kidnapped Mira, but we have an idea where they took her. Now you might be able to help us." Landa paused and looked around. Then, she whispered, "Do you have any idea where Lost Surfer's Hollow might be! Be honest!"

Ernie shook his head and said, "Never heard of it." When no one talked, he continued, "By the way, Gracie is injured."

"What!?" Landa cried out.

"Now look who's not composing herself. But we don't know. We found her that way."

"Thanks for your info, Ernie." Landa entered into the zoo, with Logan and Goldtin close behind her. "Don't speak a word to anyone about what I told you," Landa added as an afterthought and waved to Ernie.

"Let's go see Gracie. I want to know what happened," Landa said to the others.

Landa pointed out different dolphins to Logan and Goldtin. She even told them stories about the dolphins. "This one here is Tinker. She was named that because she is always curious and tinkers with everything in her path. When they found her, she was hurt. She had a mousetrap around her nose, so even before she came here, she was tinkering."

"Who would throw a mousetrap into the ocean?" asked Logan.

As they got nearer to Gracie's area, Landa told the story of Comet. "Comet is a really fast dolphin, hence his name. He and Gracie used to like each other and they flirted a lot. The two of them had two baby dolphins together. They were twins and they were named Mastermind and Mischief. Mischief is a girl and her twin is a boy."