And like that he was gone.
“Hello? Is anybody there? Anyone?” He called out only to get silence in return. After pouring his feelings out to his beloved Chandlo, he got nothing
he turned back around and put his glasses back on. One of the lenses was smudged and the other still dirty.
He peeked his head out the mill's door. “Chandlo are you there?”
But of course he wasn’t there. Only the snaks from Gramble’s barn acnolaged him. With a disgruntled sigh he returned to his cleaning.
That night he stood in front of his conspiracy board Looking over his meticulous work. Red yarn linked drawings of his theories together. Yes it looked like a bunch of random papers pinned to the wall but that didn’t matter.
But no matter how much he tried to focus on what the grumpinati was planning for him. The thought of his confession to Chandlo plagued his mind.
The way he didn’t even react to what he said then ran off after Beffica. It disturbed him. And the way he said “terrible secrets” Was weird too. Chandlo doesn’t have any secrets. So why would he ask about that?
Unless that wasn’t Chandlo…
“Dear grump. Has the grumpinati already figured out how to make clones? Perhaps lifelike robots?” He went to his small shelf and took some paper. He made a drawing of two Chandlo’s and wrote the word impostor on top of one then hung it up.
“Terrible secrets, huh? My love doesn’t have any!” He mumbled to himself. “Its ai is possibly the best I’ve ever seen. When I get my paws on it I’ll Tear it apart and turn it against you!”
He cut some red yarn and connected the drawing to the grumpinati symbol. “I’ll foil your plans once again, just you wait.”
Snorpy squeaked when he heard his best friend (with benefits) greet him, but Everything seemed normal about him… so far.
“Ah Chandlo, it’s just you.” He said as he gave him an awkward smile. “Or is it…” he whispered
“How’s your day been? Any new invitations?” Chandlo asked as he took off his cap, letting his shaggy hair fall out.
“Of course you would ask about my inventions, Impostor.” He said under his breath
Chandlo sat on his bed “Huh?”
“Oh nothing “Chandlo” my day was wonderful!” He smiled. “Say…”Chandlo” If you’d like we can talk about your terrible secret now.”
“… what terrible secret?” Chandlo asked. “You know I wouldn’t keep any secrets from you.”
“Oh so you don’t remember what we were talking about earlier?”
“No? I haven’t been here since this morning.”
Snorpy turned back to his board “ah, so I see that you're not the imposter then.”
Chandlo got up “Huh??? Snorpy, what imposter?”
“Oh it’s nothing.” He dismissed
“Why would you think I’m an imposter?” Chandlo said as he now stood in front of Snorpy.
“Well if you insist, When I was cleaning my glasses you came to me and asked about a “terrible secret”. And after I spoke to you, you ran off after Beffica. but since you have no recollection of that ever happening, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two of you.”
“What? Bro that’s impossible. Maybe you just confused me for someone else?”
“Hmm perhaps. But who would ask me such a question?”
“Maybe Beffica? She did have pinkle arms and I’m pretty sure I saw her with one of my jerseys. You might have thought she was me.”
“Hmmm I suppose that is a possibility. She is known for being in others business, no matter how private.” He said as he adjusted his apron. “But I still think you should keep an eye out for anymore of you. Just to be safe of course.”
Chandlo gave him a warm smile “anything for you snorp-dawg!”
Stars now filled the night sky as the mill’s wide doors now let in A nice breeze. Snorpy gently pulled the glasses off his face and set them on his shelf. Chandlo was already in his bed on the other side of the room.
Snorpy sat on his bed “Chandlo?” He called out softly
“Yeah Snorp-dawg?” Chandlo responded sleepily
“Since that wasn’t you earlier… I’m guessing you didn’t hear what I told you? About the “terrible secret”?”
Chandlo sat up in bed looking Snorpy in his eyes although all Snorpy could see was a green blob. “Something you wanted to tell me?”
“I- uh… no. No I-it was nothing” and with that he laid down in his bed “good night Chandlo.”