Detective Pin: The Memory Thief (Book 4 of the Detective Pin Quadrilogy)

Chapter Nine: The Encounter

Starring: Jasper and Aspen

-Jasper's POV-

"Here comes Lightning Man coming in with the final blow!" Jasper announced, flying his action figure into Aspen's.

"Nooo! Not Scarlet Cougar!" Aspen dramatically yelled.

Aspen threw her action figure into a baseball bean bag nearby.

"Ha! I win again!" Jasper cheered.

"You always win!" Aspen protested.

"My action figures, my rules," Jasper explained.

"Well, if you didn't take my job to wash Mrs. Campbell's windows, I'd be able to buy myself my own!"

"Aspen, you would have given up-"

"Jasper! Aspen! Everything okay up there?" Asked their dad.

"Yes, Daddy!" Aspen said innocently.

"No fighting! Okay?!" He said.

"Okay, Uncle Dad!" Jasper said in annoyance.

Aspen gave Jasper a raspberry.

"Whatever!" Jasper yelled, scooping up his action figures, "I'll go play with Uncle Popcorn!"

"Fine!" Aspen yelled angrily.

Jasper stomped down the stairs and left to the outside.

Stupid Aspen.... she's always getting on my nerves.... always thinking my stuff is hers..... I-I worked hard for these...

As Jasper was about to go look for Pin, a strange creature walked up to him from a bench nearby.

"Hey, kid," the creature said.

Jasper looked around for anyone.

"My parents taught me not to talk to strangers," Jasper stated.

"You just did," the creature said.

Oh, I guess I did....

"Those are some great action figures."

"Thanks!"

"Uh... you seem smart. Can you help me out with something," the creature asked, looking around nervously.

"Um. Okay," Jasper said.

"Great! Thanks! Do you know where I can find the nearest train station?"

Oh! That's a strange question! But I'm always happy to help someone in need!

"Yeah! It's behind the courthouse," Jasper explained.

*plap!*

A poster flew into Jasper's face.

"Thank you!" He said, quickly running away.

Jasper took the poster from his face and read it.

"Ahh!!" Jasper screamed, noticing the creature on the wanted poster was the thing he was just talking to.

This is so scary!

Jasper looked frantically around.

But I have to help! Sorry, Uncle Popcorn, there's no time to lose! Just like what Lighting Man said in issue #38 when a scary ticking time bomb was placed by Scarlet Cougar in Town Square!

Jasper stealthily followed behind it.

This is almost as intense as Lighting Man issue #43 when he has to chose whether to save the town or his girlfriend!

Jasper watched as the mysterious creature entered in the train station avoiding all eye contact.

Jasper his behind a wooden crate, and watched as the creature got a ticket for the train.

What am I going to do! Yikes!

"Stop right there!" Jasper yelled heroically, jumping from out behind the crate.

The creature whipped in Jasper's direction.

"Uh! There's no escape for you!" Jasper yelled, slowly losing confidence.

The creature came up to Jasper and whispered,

"Look, if I give you candy, will you leave me alone?" He asked.

Quick, Lee! Think fast!

"Help! Help! I'm being harassed!" Jasper screamed.

"Dang it!" The creature yelled as people started to gather.

*kick!*

"Gah!" Jasper screamed as he hit the stone floor.

Gasps went around as the abusive stranger jumped onto the moving train out of Animalia.

"Are you okay, buddy?" A stranger asked.

Jasper looked back at the stranger and got up.

*sniff*

"I'm fine! Where's that train headed?" Jasper asked.

"Wingington. Why?" The stranger asked.

"I've got to go!" Jasper announced, quickly running out of the station.

I've got to find Uncle Popcorn!