The next morning, Annika woke up especially early, hoping to wake up before Bennett to do some more exploring. But Bennett was already up. He had eggs and toast ready. 

"Eat up. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," Bennett said. Annika sat down and ate. The meal was good. 

"Got any coffee or tea?" Annika asked. 

"No coffee. Fergus is allergic to the caffeine in it, and why drink coffee that doesn't keep you awake with that ingredient? I do have herbal teas, though," Bennett said. 

"Can anyone even be allergic to caffeine? I didn't know that could happen. Poor Fergus." 

"Oh, no, Fergus never drank coffee! I did before I got him, and I worked with another wolf. I could see then … we went into the mountains on a quest, and … I came back blind, and my partner didn't come back at all. So I slowed down, got Fergus, and quit drinking coffee." Bennett shrugged. "Enough of that, then."

Annika was curious, though. "What type of quest? Which mountains? How did you go blind?"

"Hush! My secrets are my own! Are you finished your breakfast? If so, wash your plate in the sink and mind your own business!" He snapped harshly. Once again, Annika was taken aback by this strange behavior. 

"Okay, then." Annika carefully did as the older man asked. "So, do you have any idea about what happened to Horace?" She finally asked. Bennett sighed. 

"I don't know. Give me time to connect some dots, child. Leave me." Annika didn't dare ask for more answers. 

"Do you need to feed any of your animals, Bennett? I could do that for you," she said, "I love studying animals. I'd like to be a wildlife biologist, but I don't have enough money for school." 

Bennett chuckled. "Nowadays all kids think they need fancy training to be any good. Work in the field is more important than all that, in my opinion. Perhaps tomorrow, I can help you get some. Go into town, child." Annika nodded, collected some of her things, and left towards town. She walked down the beat-up trail to town. 

There were some people mulling about. They all stopped and stared at Annika. Then the whispering started. 

"She came in the direction of that weirdo's house! The one who keeps wild animals!" 

"Is this his daughter?" "No, he doesn't have a wife!" "Or does he?" 

"Is she the Crazy Man's intern or something? We'd better tell her the rules! She can't bring any animals to town!" A smaller young woman cried. 

"No ma'am, I'm just a traveler. He was so kind as to take me in when I arrived late last night. My hometown, Horace, is gone now. I do believe he knows more about it than he's letting on, but he needs some time to think," Annika said. 

"What do you mean, gone? A whole town can't be gone all at once!" The woman laughed nervously. 

"Um, yes ma'am, it can. It happened to Horace … and it could happen to here, I suppose. But don't worry, your Crazy Man should be able to figure it out! He's a smart man." Annika said, coldness creeping into her voice. 

"Well, I have twin infants and a dead husband! I can't have my whole TOWN DISAPPEARING!" The woman cried out hysterically. 

"Relax, miss. You'll be fine, okay?" Annika no longer felt like being in town, but what choice did she have?