Janet awoke to the warm scent of pancakes. Her rumbling stomach was enough to get her off of the couch and into the kitchen. She was almost startled to see Ray and Jason sitting around the table, munching contently on their pancakes. Oh yea, it wasn't just a dream. The realization hit her like a blow to the stomach. Janet stopped in the middle of the doorway to the kitchen, suddenly feeling the urge to eat slowly slip away. Once again she was having trouble getting a grip on reality. I really am in a strange town, with a dragon, a jerk, and a couple of friends, almost getting myself killed by demons...

"Good morning, sunshine." Brandon's bored voice from behind her startled Janet back into moving.

"Grab some breakfast and enjoy it while you can, because today we're back on the road again." The windian guard made his way past Janet and over to the sink. He turned on the water and began washing his face vigorously.

"Man, do we have to go?" Jason stuffed a fork full of pancake in his mouth. "Can't we just rest for one more day?"

"No." Brandon's answer was plain and simple as he made his way back out of the kitchen.

"Jerk..." Jason muttered to himself as he took a swig of milk from the glass in front of him and tore off another piece of pancake.

Janet made her way into the kitchen and sat down in front of a full plate that had been set out. A glass of milk and one of orange juice was set there as well, along with a napkin and silverware. Janet picked up her fork and poked at the stacked pancakes on her plate, still not really in the mood to eat. "Anyone know where Lucy is?"

Ray and Jason shrugged.

"I'm glad you could help us all."

"It's nothing." Lucy shrugged and sighed. "I'm just really sorry about your son. I wish there was something we could do..."

Mrs. Anderson wiped a tear from her cheek and managed out a smile. "It's not your fault. He was just so sick and all... at least the other children are doing okay."

Lucy shrugged again. She didn't look over at Mrs. Anderson. She couldn't bring herself to. She just stared at Robert's empty bed. "I tried to help..."

Mrs. Anderson sniffed again. Lucy could tell she was crying. Wiping a tear from her own eye, she held back her own urge to break into sobs. It wasn't her fault. She had done all she could. Maybe though, if we had gotten here sooner.

"You'd better come eat." Brandon's voice broke into Lucy's thoughts. With a nod, she made her way to Mrs. Anderson, placing and arm on the woman's shoulder.

"I'm sorry..." Lucy could barely whisper it out. The woman's crying became louder. Lucy noticed that Brandon had already headed back downstairs. She was about to follow when Mrs. Anderson's hand stopped her.

The woman had taken Lucy's hand in her own and was staring up at her. Her eyes were red from crying, and lines of tears rolled down her cheek. With a sniff, Mrs. Anderson struggled to get her voice to work.

"Don't think that this was your fault." Lucy stared down as the older woman spoke to her in the calmest voice she could manage. "We all had a feeling he wouldn't make it, I'm just so relieved that you were able to help the rest of the children."

Lucy studied Mrs. Anderson's face for a while before managing a solemn nod. The woman let go of her hand and Lucy left her alone in Robert's room.

Janet had just managed to finish off her orange juice when Lucy entered the room. The windian shuffled over to the last spot at the table and sat down, staring silently at the plate in front of her. Ray was watching her quietly, a worried expression on his face. Brandon made his way over to his sister and stood behind her quietly. No one talked for a few minutes.

"The sooner we get out of here, the better." Lucy stared down at her untouched food. Brandon leaned over and tapped her arm lightly.

"We're not leaving here until you two girls eat your breakfast." He glanced from his sister to Janet, and then stood up again, making his way out of the kitchen.

"Yea, after all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Jason tossed his crumpled napkin onto his plate and stood up, stretching. "Best breakfast I've ever had."

Janet muttered and poked again at her pancakes with her fork.

"Well come on you two." Jason glanced at the two girls. "Get eating so we can go! Aren't you all just full of excitement to see what else is waiting for us on our journey?" His motions only emphasized the sarcasm in Jason's words as he preformed a few excited gestures. Ray ignored him. The two girls just stared at him. Jason glanced at his crowd briefly.

"Well? Anyone?"

Janet rolled her eyes. "Jason, shut up."