#1 Orchard Run Gas & Diner

Frank saw an opening. Eager to capitalise on the situation, he quickly replied. "Aha! The more you protest, the more I begin to see the truth of things. I never suggested, though clearly had considered, that you would be the cause of this situation. Now you have hinted at your dark secret. So out with the truth! Before I am forced to summon the many and varied officials at my disposal! What did you do to the woman? Did you cast some sort of spell, perhaps. Or perhaps you are part of a covert organisation of mad women, intending to overthrow the government? The weight of your guilt is clearly unbearable to your delicate female minds"

Frank paused for a moment, slightly giddy from the reduction of oxgen to his brain brought on by his monologuing. He continued "I ask you one final time, unburden yourself of your secrets"

“ I... I swear, I ain't done nothin' wrong! It weren't my idea, see? I just... I just heard things 'bout Emilia, see? So, I spilled the beans to my boyfriend, that's all! I ain't got a clue what happened to HER! I reckon that's one o' them things money does to ya! ”

Mary’s voice was filled with growing uncertainty, fear, and paranoia. She periodically glanced out of a small kitchen window as if anticipating someone’s return. Frank could see that she was becoming increasingly open, sharing her story. She had no one else to trust.

Suddenly, Charlie’s voice echoed from outside the kitchen. His sister appeared to be growing more and more anxious about his whereabouts.

“ Frank? Brother? Ya in there? ”

Frank wondered whether he was going to get any useful information from the waitress. She was clearly mad and probably had no idea what she was saying. He turned towards the sound of his sisters voice.

Frank called out "Dear sister! I have been interrogating this woman and cleverly determined that she's wrapped up in some sort of shady business with Emilia. She is of course quite mad. Perhaps you likewise have used your initiative in questioning Emilia? What have you learned? Hopefully something more useful than the lunatic ravings that I've been subjected to"

Frank turned a moment to look back at the waitress and gave her a knowing look.

“ Emilia appears to be a familiar face around here. Everyone in the café seems to recognize her! ”

Charlie was confident in her observations. After all, they came from a family of accomplished reporters, wherever they might be.

“ Does the waitress know Emilia as well? Miss, are you acquainted with Emilia? Do you happen to have any information about what might have happened to her? She seems to have lost all her memory! But now that we know where she lives, my brother and I were thinking of going there and helping her get back home. ”

Charlie had always been known for her charity, while Emilia, standing behind Frank, appeared to be growing more distressed by the moment.

“Em... Emilia is indeed a local resident. But I'm afraid I don't know much about her.”

Franks dull imagination was illuminated by his sisters words. Home. Charlie knew were Emilia lived? And it was Frank and Charlies idea to take her back there? It did sound like the kind of brilliant plan that he would have conconcted. Had she told him the address earlier, while he was busy daydreaming? Frank blustered to his sister. "Ah yes! The mad womans house. We must go there at once! I trust that you have the address and I needn't remind you of this important piece of information? I think anywhere else would be preferable to this house of bedlam. Please assist Emilia back to the car".

Frank moved towards the door, hoping that his sister would follow. To conceal his ignorance, Frank added "I trust that you have obtained directions to the house? I was too busy interrogating witnesses to obtain those details and such secretarial work is better handled by you in any case"

“ What are you saying, Frank? She ain't mad! She needs assistance! ”

Charlie seemed quite determined about this notion, though she didn't entirely appreciate Frank's reaction. She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.

“ We're headin' there 'cause she's in need, that's the long and short of it...”

She followed him, casting a glance back at Mary, who remained in the kitchen, clearly unsettled by the unfolding events. Something peculiar was unfolding in this place, and it wasn't entirely clear what it was. The waitress had certainly behaved strangely regarding Emilia, but the only way to find out was to investigate in person. Charlie slipped her hands into her jumper pockets as she reentered the main restaurant floor, where she saw the faces of other patrons. Charlie definitely missed her coat.

“ Indeed, the folks here know where she lives. ”

Charlie turned to the manager before leaving, saying a few words to him, to which he nodded. The man appeared satisfied that she and Frank had chosen to assist Emilia. It was a wise decision.

However, the rain outside continued to pour, and the thought of venturing out to find some place wasn't very pleasant. Nonetheless, she escorted Emilia, and they both headed towards the car to join Frank.

“ Emilia lives in Greenapple Acre Cottage. Isn't that right, Emilia? ”

Emilia, now seated in the back seat and wearing Charlie's jacket, simply nodded as she tried to wipe the rain from her face. She appeared more composed than before, especially after chatting with the folks inside Orchard Run.

“ Yes, I remember. I do. It's… It's not far from here. My granddad. We both live there together... I reckon? I can't really recall what happened, how I ended up here... ”

The young woman felt rather embarrassed about the situation, but she was grateful for the help from the siblings.

Frank barely heard the words his sister was saying as he blundered back outside. Then he heard Emilias voice and found himself suddenly moved. She sounded afraid, not mad. He vaguely recalled a distant memory of unkind playground laughter from his childhood. He paused a moment as he approached the car and turned back to his sister. "Char", Frank began, "I must appologise to you and Emilia. Well, I mean, no. But yes. Perhaps I have been too hasty in my usage of this 'mad' word. There are many reasons that a person might be upset. Why, I myself have sometimes been known to act strangely, though all who know me realise that this is because of my intensity of thought rather than some sort of defect. But all the same, well, I've already said it. Please let us make haste to return Emilia to her home so that we may proceed with our mission."

Frank proceeded to the car and opened the rear door, beckoning Charlie and Emilia to enter, moving the awkward conversation on by saying "Let us proceed to Greenapple Acre Cottage".

Charlie listened to Frank in silence, allowing him to share his thoughts before she licked her lips and nodded, her gaze shifting to Emilia. While she wasn't thrilled that he brought it up, she appreciated his honesty. Calling the poor woman "mad" was the last thing she wanted to do, so his candidness was comforting. But Emilia did not have to hear it!

“ Frank, it's alright. Our priority is helping Emilia, and then we can figure out what to do next. ”

Their passenger remained silent, gazing out the window as the road stretched straight ahead. Rain drummed on the car's roof, and Charlie couldn't help but wonder.

“ Do you ever think our parents went on trips like this? Meeting random people, exploring the unknown? ”

As much as she wanted to return to her normal life, thoughts of their parents frequently crossed her mind. In their frantic search and the various troubles they encountered, she couldn't help but wonder if their parents had wanted them to search for them, perhaps even find themselves in the process. She looked at Frank, awaiting his response.

Then, Emilia spoke up.

“ Here, this way! ”

A slightly weathered sign by the roadside indicated the path to a place called Greenapple Acre Cottage. The road remained unlit, and Frank could only see darkness and perhaps a meter ahead of his car. The rain further worsened visibility, making the journey up that rugged road quite a challenge, if Frank will choose to accept it, that is.

@Frank Flower

Frank listened to his sister while he stood with the car door open. As she talked about their parents, he felt a moment of sadness, but then welled with pride at the thought that perhaps they would be glad to think of him following in their footsteps. He looked down at the car door he was holding open, feeling a little uncertain at how to proceed. "Charlie, would you like" he began and then stopped himself. He turned to Emilia. "Young miss, would you like us to drive to your cottage, or are we close enough that you would prefer us to walk with you?". He turned back to Charlie. "Yes sister, I believe that our parents would very much approve of our investigative cleverness. Let us keep our wits about us and soon enough our family will be reunited"

“ Frank, I dont think Emilia should be driving in this state… Emilia, can you drive a car at all? ”

Charlie looked at her, and the woman nodded to indicate "no," looking a bit scared. The road did not look safe at all.

“ "I do not, no… My papa can drive a car. It's about few miles this way..." ”

Emilia seemed to be in distress about walking. She very much wanted Frank to drive up that road and take her to her family house.

@Frank Flower