**Note From the Author** Hello readers! It has been a few days since I posted a chapter. I hope you can forgive me. I am also working on the previous chapters to fix grammar, and other mistakes. As always, feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and or ratings.**

Hammond stood in front of the fireplace sulking. How could his wife do this to him? She questioned his decision! He drew hard on his pipe in huffs. He gawked at the portrait, looking at her, "You wanted children! Bah!" He shook his pipe held fist in the air, "Look at what children do! They get themselves in danger, and trouble." He suddenly felt foolish for speaking to himself. With a low groan, he sat heavily into his chair. He cared about the children in his community. Some he would treat as his own. He cared so deeply about the families that he went to each household to warn everyone to stay away from that accursed Death Ally. Within the past ten years, four children died, and another three that went missing. He warned them all! The only reason children go there is for the prospect of food. The food there is quite nice if it isn't poisoned, or guarded by rodents of all sizes. That was probably what Drexel's boys were after. He shook his head while closing his eyes. Yes, he was the mayor, and some of these decisions were difficult to make. He hoped that his wife would soon understand.

Melinda returned to her seat by Daurius. The young boy kept his head low, and all his mother could do is be close by. She looked up Janine, "Thank you for coming. I am sorry that we are not much company right now. Please, have a seat." She waited for the mayor's wife to be seated before speaking again, "I am guessing that my husband came to the mayor for help? I do hope they find our boys, soon. This has been so difficult for Daurius." She placed a gentle hand over her child's shoulder. Nothing she seemed to say could take that guilt away.

Janine bit at her lower lip, not sure what to say at that moment. It would certainly cause more of a panic if she explained her husband's decision. Especially since Drexel was no where to be seen. Perhaps, he went in search of others to help him? This was not the sort of situation she had hoped to come into. Why did Hammond have to be so stubborn? "I am in good spirits that your boys will be returned safely." She lied through her teeth but there had to be some sort of hope for this poor family. "My husband will do all in his power to find your brothers, Daurius." She noticed that the young boy didn't even flinch.

Drexel waited at the border of the black path, gulping as the way seemed clear. He would have to make a sprint to the other side. One giant's vehicle could crush him or send him flying to his death. Neither of those scenarios seemed pleasant. How were his children able to do this? They were able to cross during the day while it was busy with vehicles. Did they run the black path? No, there had to be a different way. Drexel hiked back up the steep slope. He looked around until he found the answer. The giants had large poles with wires that connected from one side of the black path to the other. That had to be the way. He stared up the pole, gulping hard. Drexel hated heights more than anything. There was some sort of bent metal that went straight up to the top. It seemed sturdy enough to climb. With a deep breath, he grabbed the first bar, and began the climb upwards. One bar after another. He kept his mind on the boys to keep himself going. It was about halfway when his heart began to beat wildly. His palms started to sweat. He began to get lightheaded. He stopped moving to try and calm himself. He wiped one hand off, and then the other while trying to keep a good grip on the bar. It was then that he heard the scattering sound of a creature ascending toward him. His eyes shot wide open. His whole body began to shake.

Maxwell scampered through the streets with that cloth in the clutches of his mouth. In his travels about the city, he learned where traps lay in wait, and cats enjoyed stalking about. Even though there were many detours from one home of a Tiny to another, he was still quite faster than them. A small group of them found him stuck in a drain. He nearly drowned. After that, he would help them as he was doing now. He was hoping that the crumbs of cheese would be waiting once he returned. He would need a snack before going to sleep. He came upon the doctor's home at last. After a few scratches at the door, he appeared in his striped pajamas. One look is all it took for the older gentleman to dash about for his medical bag, a blanket, and a few other odds and ends. A few Tinies had created a harness like device to help Maxwell transport them. The doctor stored it at his home since that would usually be the first stop along the way. Getting the device on the mouse was a team effort. Even when Maxwell lay on his belly, the good old physician was still very short in comparison. The whole process took close to an hour but it was well worth the time and effort. Supplies were loaded, the doctor changed into suitable clothes, and they were ready to leave. A special saddle seat rested on top of Maxwell's head with belts to secure the driver. Once he was secured, he whistled to let the mouse know it was time to go. It was close to daybreak when the pair set off toward Death Ally. This meant Giants would start emerging. Maxwell stayed away from the sidewalks when possible. The fastest route would be at the very tall pole that Drexel began to climb. It was while they began to ascend that the doctor noticed the father clinging for dear life. Maxwell came to stop beside Drexel. The physician tilted his head, "Mr. Drexel? Are you alright?" The sigh of relief that came from the tired looking man told it all. Drexel took a side saddle, securing himself as tightly as allowed. The ride was most uncomfortable as being on the side meant being tossed about. Drexel bounced off of Maxwell's body and he was sure to get bruised. In the end, it was better than being unable to move on that poll and see his sons.

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    Caurius awakened shivering, reaching for bed covers that were not there. After a few moments, he realized that he was not safe at home. He quickly became aware of his surroundings. Baurius lay beside him, shivering as well against pain and cold. "Barius?" There was only a mumble in response. He snuggled against his brother to try to keep Baurius warm or perhaps to warm himself. Was it day time yet? Were his parents looking for them? Of course they were looking, or at least Dah was. "Don't worry, Baurius they will find us. I know they will." Caurius wiped tears from his eyes as their situation seemed quite desperate. There was no water, no food and it was pretty cold in the dark tunnel. Their only hope lay with Daurius making it home safely to tell their parents what happened. It had been so long that even that hope seemed to be fading. It was beginning to become noisy outside. It would be hard to hear if anyone called for them. He had to get outside of the tunnel somehow but he tried everything. After laying there thinking for a while, he heard scampering on top of the tunnel. Was it that big furry beast coming back? There was more noise, thuds as if someone were walking on top of them. Caurius stood up immediately, "Help! Can anyone hear me? Help!"

    Drexel was the first to be out of the restraints, landing on what he thought Daurius described as the tunnel. He walked the length taking notice of how stuck it was against a corner. Both sides were jammed tight. The good thing about that was no animal got to the boys. The bad news was that it would take a while to get to his sons. The doctor soon joined him, both were thinking of how they would get the tunnel free when they heard a noise from inside. It was hard to understand because of the surrounding noises but Drexel knew it was one of his boys. "We need to get them out of there." Without thinking, Drexel took Maxwell's tail, jumping down the side. The mouse let out a squeak of irritation. Drexel knocked on the side of the tunnel, "Baurius? Caurius?" A few moments later, there was a knock in response. The three began to work at getting the tunnel unstuck. Pushing against it did not seem to help. They tried pulling but that didn't work. Finally, it was a metal instrument left on the ground by Giants that was used to pry the tunnel free. Drexel was the first to enter, followed by the doctor. Caurius grabbed a hold of his father, "Dah, Baurius is hurt."

    The doctor examined Baurius quickly trying to assess the damage. He looked at Drexel, "We need to get him to my office." He then began giving out directions to gather items that he needed. By the time they were finished, Baurius had splints against his body laying on a straight board. He was covered with the blanket and then surrounded by the cloth Janine gave to Maxwell. The mouse carefully picked the cloth up while the others strapped themselves in for the journey back. Caurius was dropped off at the house so that he could inform his mother of what was happening. Drexel went with the doctor. At the office, he waited to hear about his son's condition.