#zokemas

“I don’t know Mike. It’s a lovely tree, that’s for sure. But it just doesn’t feel like OUR tree.” she said with eyebrows cocked.

“Well, what does OUR tree look like?” Mike asked with tired eyes. His morning cup of coffee was finally losing its effect on him.

“I don’t really know. But I WILL know when I see it!” Zoey explained with that same “child in a candy store” gleam in her chocolate brown eyes.

“Then I guess we better keep looking then.” Mike said with a sleepy smile.

“Aw you’re tired, I think we should leave.” Zoey said.

“No way. Let’s look at one more tree.” Mike said determinedly.

Zoey smiled a sweet little smile and grabbed Mike’s hand.

“Ok. But then we leave, with or without a tree.” She whispered.

“Ok.” Mike mumbled sadly and sleepily.

Zoey chuckled at his sleepy voice which was considerably deeper than his regular speaking voice.  It almost sounded like Mal’s but without the evil rolling quality that he had possessed. 

“One more tree.” Zoey pondered to herself.

She scanned the lot quickly, not sure what she was looking for, when suddenly, something caught her eye.

“MIKE. LOOK AT THAT ONE.” She cheered and dragged him by the hand to it.

“ISN’T IT PERFECT?”

Mike gazed at the tree with a smile.

The tree wasn’t too tall, but it wasn’t too short either. The branches weren’t too thick or too thin, they were the perfect shade of evergreen, and the top wasn't misshapen. But the best part of all, it was dusted over with sparkling gold flecks. It sparkled and shined in the early morning sunlight, and reflected gold dots on whatever it surrounded.

“Christmas lights would make the most beautiful wall and ceiling constellations on this tree.” Zoey said dreamily.

“It’s perfect. This is the one. This is the tree.” Mike said with droopy lids.

“This is OUR tree. Now let’s get going, sleepyhead.” Zoey teased and mussed with Mike’s hair.

He smiled at the comforting action and went to go grab the tree from the stand. Hoisting it over his shoulder he held it one hand and grasped Zoey’s hand in the other, and they headed to the car.

By the time they got back, Mike was falling asleep between footsteps. But his grip on the tree was still firm.

Zoey snickered at her sleepy, sweet boyfriend and gently pried the Christmas tree from his long, thin fingers.  She then put it gently into the back of Mike’s truck.

Mike had collapsed on the ground; fast asleep in that same pose Zoey had learned to love…Ass up. 

She gently scooped him up in her arms and buckled him up in the passenger seat of the car.

Stealing the keys from Mike’s jacket pocket, she cranked the engine and drove them home.

Mike usually never let people drive his truck.

“It’s my BABY.” He would say.

But what Mike doesn't know at that moment wouldn't kill him.  Besides he looked just so cute and peaceful snoring in the passenger seat, she just couldn’t bear to wake him.

                                       ……………………..

“Are we almost there?” Chester grouched from Vito’s arms.

“Almost, Pops.” Vito replied with an eye roll.

“How much further? Svetlana’s legs grow veary vith each step she takes.”

“No worries, mates. We’re here.” Manitoba smirks and let go off Svetlana’s hand.

“Manitoba, you should be ze vone to go check... You’re ze vone who did ze building of zis place.” Svetlana whimpered and ran her fingers through her hair.

“EY YO. Why don’t I go? The Crocodile Hunter over there always gets to do the explorin’. ‘Sides, if what we are thinkin’ happened has happened, I could rough him up a lil’. HEHEHE, LET’S RUMBLE.” Vito put Chester on the ground gently, and snickered obnoxiously as he cracked his knuckles.

“No. No. No. Vy you alvays got to hit someting, you Meat Head?” Svetlana teased.

Vito turned and glared at her.

She stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry at him, in return.

“First off, no one is gonna have a blue with anyone. Second off, let’s all just go in. The more time we spend out here arguin’, the more time the wily dingo could be using to fly the coop. Then we’ll have a much bigger problem at hand.” Manitoba hissed.

“Then vat is it zat ve are vaiting for? Let us go!” Svetlana cried with a brisk head nod.

Manitoba laced his fingers between hers, she reached for Vito’s hand, and he gave Chester another piggy back ride.  And with that, the group opened the door to the secret chamber that he had built.

“Watch your steps mates. It’s a bit dark and slippery down here.” He instructed as he advanced down the steps.

“I’m scared. Vat if he is really...”

“Don’t go there, Svetlana.” Chester said.

“Everyone just be...”  *CRUNCH*

 “Quiet...” Manitoba finished quietly.

His eyes grew to the size of saucers and filled with panic.

“Vat vas zat?” Svetlana whimpered.

Manitoba gulped, “I-uh...I stepped on some broken glass.”

Svetlana tightened her grip on Manitoba and Vito’s hands.

“NO. You all stay here. I’m gonna go take a squizz, er look, at the situation” Manitoba said and untangled his hand from hers.

There was only the sound of his footsteps and broken glass cracking, as he disappeared into the darkness of the chamber.

“Manitoba...” Svetlana called.

Vito held onto her tightly so she wouldn’t run after him.

“HOLY DOOLEY, HE’S GONE!” Manitoba shouted from the dark corridor.

“GONE?” Svetlana shouted fearfully.

“Yeah, gone! As in the cell is EMPTY. And the glass is broken all over the floor.” Manitoba replied.

“I can’t believe this! We keep him under control for a few months and then suddenly the confound kid finds a way to escape!” Chester grouches.

Svetlana breaks free from Vito’s tight grasp and goes rushing off into the darkness as well.

“EY YO TWINKLE TOES. WHERE YOU THINK YOU’SE GOIN?” Vito took off down the stairs, glass cracking under his feet as he stepped on it.  Chester bounced up and down on his back with a childlike grin on his face.

When everyone had made it down to the main part of the chamber, they were shocked to find that Manitoba was right, and that Mal had indeed escaped.

“He’s gone walkabout.” Manitoba said sadly with a defeated look on his face.

“What do we do now?” Vito asked with an equally defeated facial expression.

“There isn’t anything we can do! HE’S WON.” Chester shouts with a scowl.

“But vat about Mike? Ve simply can’t let him find out on his own. It vill be too late by then.” Svetlana kicked at the broken glass on the ground.

“I’ll think of something, mates. But for now we search all over for the bloke.” Manitoba said.