Not So Sweet Candyland

XXVI: Developments are just Tiny Towns

Berry led Chase onto a street. The grass was pink and the sky was pink at the time, which meant something, but Chase didn't want to ask or else he'd get a slap to his face.

"Remember that I told you that developments exists? Welcome to the Pudding Development. Oh, and by the way, normally if this is considered an official town or city or if it has a natural biome, then the sky will be blue or another color. Don't ask me why, the sky just does that."

Chase nodded.

"If you are 100% curious on this kind of place, think of it as a little village. Well, it is technically, but the people call it a "development" just like a development in your neighborhood. In every place, though, the houses are the same, but are a little bit different every time that you go to a different development. For example, every house here is cream just like vanilla pudding. All of these houses are identical, except for the house numbers of course. Trick question, can you guess how many houses are in this development and how many people live in the developments?"

Chase looked around, puzzled. He really had no idea.

"I don't know actually."

"I'll just tell you because I'm nice. There are 10 streets, each street has 100 houses. So, that would be 1,000 houses. Tightly cramped Houses, that is. And, you won't ever guess this number, but in every development, there is a total of 57,000 candisons and divide that by 4 and you get 12,250 candisons."

Chase's mouth opened.

"B-but? How?"

"Let me explain. The developments were created for the people that wanted a leisurely life, no big city or town life, just a place to call their own and raise a family. The king set aside about 2 miles worth of land, and built 1,000 houses for the people. The people, at first were enraged because the kind refused to build a house for every family. But, eventually, they came up with an idea: house sharing. The houses can be divided into apartments for up to 4 families since there is a ground floor, 2nd floor, attic, and basement on every house."

"But, the houses look so small, how can 4 families fit in there? Other than the floor sharing."

"It's called being creative. You won't get tons of space, but if you want to live on your own here, then this is a good place to start."

"EXCUSE ME! MISS AND MISTER!" Somebody screamed from the porch of one of their houses.

"Yes?" Berry answered back and looked at her.

"Oh, you two are just kids. For a second, you two looked mature from the back. Well, I guess that's what kids are like these days." She giggled. "Do you know that today is the Starlight Jubilee?"

"The what?" Chase whispered.

"I'll tell you later." Berry whispered back.

"Oh yes, we know, but he's a little new to this culture. Because his family is very uptight and does not believe in holidays. You know, he's from Pocky Factories. His parents were never home to raise him, and because of conditions in the factory development, his family could not afford to get him a babysitter. So, he grew up a sheltered life."

"Oh no, you poor kid!"

"We've been friends for years, and he lives with my family and I."

"Where are you from exactly, young miss?"

"I'm from Licorice City actually."

The woman raised an eyebrow.

"To be honest, I'm impressed. You don't look too raggedy and I'm assuming that you came from a lower class family?"

"Yes ma'am. That's how him and I met. I was in Pocky Factories and he fell out of his window trying to get a toy from the window."

The woman cooed.

"And you two have been friends ever since. Wow. That's so sweet. My daughter is actually a single mother, and her husband got executed on behalf of the king for "treason of the throne." I hope that nothing like that happens to you two either. Because you know why? It was scary seeing the guards come in the house, take him, and then we never see him again. Bit, come inside with me, I have a secret to share with you two."

Chase, Berry, and the women went inside the house and sat in the first floor kitchen.

"Please do not tell any of your family members about this. Promise?"

"Promise."

"Good, I know you two are good children from unfortunate households. Us developments, we are our own people. We hate the king in every way, shape, and form. The way that he treats everybody, it's not normal. Back when the developments were made, we were sick of being considered "homeless" and "travelers" or even worse "spies." They made 1,000 cookie cutter houses and then when people were having big families and these awkward looking houses, how can they fit 4 families with about 20 people total? Us development people were sick of the towns and cities, so we became our own people. A place on the map, someplace that people could call home and live a homey life. We just don't have much to give, or have. Places like this are made for people who like the simple things and want a simple life."

"All I really wanted was a simple life." Berry said.

"I can see that you had a lot of hurt in your eyes, what happened to you?"

"My mother left when I was 12 for a new life. She left Candyland for good."

"What was happening at home?"

"My father was an abuser. And she couldn't take it anymore. So she left. And I feel the trauma everyday. I miss her so much."

"You know, you look just like somebody that came here about 8 years ago. I remember, that she had brown hair and grey eyes. She knew a lot about the world. She said her name was Marissa."

Berry's mouth opened.

"That's my mother."

That's when the woman stopped everything.

"Oh poor baby, she said that one day that you would come back. Vanessa, is it?"

"That's who I am."

The woman hugged her.

"I'm so sorry that she left you. When I heard that she teleported, I remember sitting with her for tea. She really was a nice woman, and I can see you in her."

"My goal is that one day, I'll see her again."

"Of course, because you are her true daughter. You are Marissa O'Leary's child. And, she would be ecstatic to find out that you are taking her journey as well."