Northern Downpour

Part 2

By the time you made it to the apartment building where Toad lived, the sun was up and shining bright. Bigby had been telling you and Snow in on his fight with the Woodsman.

He gestured to the crushed car parked in front of the building. "And then we ended up going out the window and I landed on Toad's car."

"You guys made a real mess," Snow said.

It was then you noticed the giant hole in the second story wall.

"It looks worse in the day," Bigby muttered.

"Because it must've looked so nice at night," you said.

Movement inside caught your eye. Someone was lurking around inside Woody's place, you could see them through the giant hole. You nudged Bigby and pointed.

"Hey!" You called.

The figure froze, then bolted. Bigby took off inside, you hot on his heels. Snow stayed behind. You skidded to a stop in the doorway. No one was there.

A broken lamp lay on the floor. A bedframe was overturned against the wall, the sink was broken, and a razor blade was in front of your feet. You kicked it away.

"This look worse in the day too?" You asked, a hint of a smile on your face.

Bigby rolled his eyes. The two of you went back downstairs. Snow was standing in front of what you assumed was Toad's door. You could hear someone crying on the other side.

"Is that his son?" You whispered.

"Toad's? I think," Bigby replied.

You knocked on the door. The crying stopped as it gently swung open by itself after the first knock. Toad and his son were standing there. You found it a little odd that Toad was wearing his hat indoors.

"Bigby! Blue!" Toad exclaimed. "And Miss White! Surely you didn't come all this way just for my bother?"

You raised an eyebrow. He turned sheepish.

"It's embarrassing to have to admit, but uh, I thought there was someone else in Woody's place. There wasn't though, not when I checked. Nothin' but a leaky drainpipe. Imagination must've got the best of me!"

"There was someone," Bigby said. "But they took off when we got here."

"Is that right?" Toad glanced at TJ. "Guess your dad's ears have got a year or two left. Haven't gone totally to the dogs, eh?"

TJ didn't respond.

"Are you alright?" Snow asked.

"He's fine, Miss White," Toad replied. "Just stung his little toe. Better swimmer than walker, just like his dad."

You exchanged a look with Bigby and Snow.

"So I guess you'll be taking off now," Toad said.

"Someone was here," you hissed. "And something is going on, and just so this trip wasn't a complete waste of time, we're gonna take a look around."

"Alright, alright, I just don't wanna waste your time is all," Toad relented.

Snow went and crouched in front of TJ. "Grown-ups, am I right?"

TJ only offered an "um" in response.

"Flycatcher said you had a pretty awesome insect collection," she tried. "I'd really love to see it. Is it in your room?"

TJ hesitated. "It has a weevil."

"Cool!"

She stood, and TJ, smiling, lead her in his room. She shut the door behind them.