Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 16: His Sister's Help

"Goldtin, we should go see Peter Crange and find out if he knows anything about Mira. Peter is a friend of Mira's," Landa explained.

"Fine with me," Goldtin answered. "Better go wake up the sleepyhead." He was referring to Logan.

Landa knocked on his door, but received no answer. She tiptoed inside and seeing a radio, tuned it to the Rock Music Station. Loud rock music played. Logan immediately bolted to a sitting position and was wide awake.

"Turn it off!" Logan ordered. Landa refused, so Logan walked up behind her, picked her up so her feet were dangling in the air, and twirled her in circles. Landa playfully kicked her legs and laughed. Logan set her down and turned off the loud music.

"We're going to Peter Crange's house today," Landa announced.

"Who's that?" Logan asked. Landa tossed a shirt at Logan which landed on top of his head, covering his eyes. Landa giggled.

"He's Mira's friend," she finally answered.

Logan then took off his night shirt, revealing his naked chest and upper body.

"Logan, be modest!" Landa exclaimed.

"Sorry, but you don't have to look," he replied, quickly putting on a shirt.

"All the same, you have nice muscles and abbs," Landa told him.

"I do not have abbs," he argued.

"I think you do," she argued back. She went over to him and said, "See?" while trying to pull up his shirt, but he moved away from her.

"Where's your modesty?" Logan joked and Landa pushed him.

"Let's go down," she suggested.

Logan and Landa rang the doorbell of the Crange residence while Goldtin hid in a nearby bush, so he could hear and see everything, but not be seen. They didn't want to explain all about a talking rabbit again.

A man who resembled Peter answered the door. He had smooth brown hair like Peter and hazelnut-colored eyes like his son.

"Hi, I'm Landa Polymer. You are Mr. Crange?" Landa said.

"Yes, I am. I've heard some stuff about you when Mira comes around to visit Peter," the man replied in a deep voice.

"Yes. And this is my friend Logan," Landa introduced Logan. "Is Peter at home?"

Mr. Crange paled and shook his head. "Hold on a minute. Let me get my wife." He hurried back into his house. Logan and Landa exchanged glances, but did not speak.

In about a minute, Mr. Crange reappeared with a fair-faced woman who evidently was Mrs. Crange. Introductions were made again and the question was repeated.

Mrs. Crange also paled and shook her head. "We haven't seen him in a week. We're afraid he was kidnapped. About a week ago, we left Peter at home with his little sister while my husband and I ran some errands. When we returned, Peter was gone! We asked his sister, Leona, but she told us a crazy story, hardly believable. She is only six, hardly trustworthy. She is mad at us for not trusting her."

"How do you know it's not true?" Logan spoke up.

Landa nodded and added, "Bring Leona here. I'd like to hear her story."

The parents were dumbfounded. Someone trusts a six-year-old? Why? They could not understand it, but they called their daughter anyway.

A blonde-haired little girl appeared, carrying a stuffed bear. She looked sad and angry. Her face was tearstrained and her hair disheveled.