The Ugly Hashbrown 3

Back at the house, or what was left of it, Hashbrown's mother and Brownie were huddled together crying. They had seen the smoke from town and rushed home to find the house fully engulfed in flames. Now the fire had died down. The ambers crackled as they worked to incinerate whatever they could. The evil stepfather never made it out of the home. His charred remains left evidence of his fate. Could he have passed out mid-stride in his pursuit of Hashbrown? Maybe he tripped and knocked himself out? Whatever the cause he was not alive anymore. Had Hashbrown been there, alive and well, her mother and Brownie would have nothing to cry for. 

The villagers that had followed to investigate the cause of the smoke combed through the ruins and the trees nearby to see if they could find any sign of Hashbrown. They did this until all daylight diminished. Many offered lodging to the now homeless duo. With the season still being mild, Hashbrown's mother decided she wanted to stay in place in case Hashbrown came back. She did not want to entertain the possibility she may have lost her elder daughter. They set up "camp" under the pergola that still stood.

A boy from town named Beonut brought soup and bread to them that night. He had wandered into town when he was 9 years old. No one could find his parents and he would not speak a word about his past. The town butcher took him in as his own. He was one of Hashbrown's few friends in school but one of the many boys that secretly had a crush on her. He was not much for reading but he frequented the library to have an excuse to hang out with her. Hashbrown's mother invited him to stay and eat with them. He was comforted his company was welcome. 

After they were done eating they lit candles to stay burning throughout the night to guide Hashbrown back lest she still be wandering in the night. Beonut went back home with the promise to be back in the morning to check on them. Brownie and her mother slept with aching hearts but otherwise the night was serene. The full moon made it's way slowly across the sky speckled with bright stars. Crickets sang just far away enough to not be irritating. The peaceful night beckoned for all to be right. All they could do was pray.