Chapter 1: Cooped Up at Christmas
Walter sits in his hospital bed after months of being at Critterpolis Hospital General next to him is Paul the skunk. Both animals have eaten the strange sweets that were given outside their homes. Neither animal realizes what sort of wider conspiracy they were thrown into.
“So, how long have you been here?” asked Paul.
“Since the early fall” replied Walter, “I was told I couldn’t get back home without taking the antidote. I still have some craving of sweets!”
“Well, they’re not going to give us any sweets as a precaution during Christmas” sighed Paul, “I already miss the holidays.”
“Yeah, me too” replied Walter.
Suddenly both Izzy the bat and Liz the hen burst through with Christmas cheer.
“Surprise, Merry Christmas!” declares Liz.
“Yes, just because you two are here in the hospital doesn’t mean we can’t have some Christmas spirit!” adds Izzy.
Izzy spreads around the Christmas joy with Walter and Paul still in their beds. A bright smile grows around the Scottish terrier, it’s the only thing that’s keeping him alive all the months. Still, he glances at his cellphone and looks up to see how Merri’s Café is doing.
“Still thinking on what’s going on at the café?” asked Izzy.
Walter nods.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your presents from Johnny and the rest of the gang arrive” replied Izzy.
“Ah, thank you very much” smiles Walter.
“Oh, and I hope my neighbors haven’t forgotten about me either” adds Paul.
“Nope, Norville, Anja and Patti all remember you” continues Izzy.
Liz observes Izzy’s interaction with her, she sends a text message to Miranda, her sister who is the Regional Leader of the Merri’s Café.
“The patients seem happy” types Liz in a text message to her, “we still don’t know who sent the treats to either Walter or Paul.”
Miranda glances at the message, already the café she maintains already has barred any incoming sweets. Even as an ingredient to the pastries which drew some complaints to some customers.
“Hey, this croissant doesn’t taste the same like before” adds an owl customer.
“I’m sorry, new city regulations” replied Miranda.
Miranda glances back at the text message from her sister Liz.
“Keep a watchful eye on Izzy and anything else that’s strange” types Miranda.
Liz nods to the message on her end as Izzy continues to spread the Christmas joy. Meanwhile at the café that Johnny Brunus Katz manages, he observes the empty space where Walter use to help out Emily and Aula.
“It’s so quiet without him” sighed Emily, “it’s only been just a few months since he got sick.”
“Yeah, I know how it feels” replied Johnny, “I hope he gets better.”
Johnny still didn’t seem to trust the antidote that Destin showed Dr. Benjamin Adler a few months prior. He knows something’s up, but can’t do anything about it, only hope for Walter’s full recovery in the end. Meanwhile, Dr. Adler is going over paperwork of Lex the cougar who just passed an interview and is ready to join the rest of the hospital.
