Once again, Ghent assumed that Elayra was joking. Judging by appearance, she appeared petite and he didn't think her capable of handling herself, let alone capable of killing. "Just keep your hands where I can see them, alright? I'm serious!"
	Although Elayra seemed sincere in her denial, Ghent remained skeptical. This wasn't something he could readily believe; he wasn't sure[i] what[/i] to believe.

	"This isn't a joke, huh? Prove it." Proof came sooner than intended. Ghent stared at Drust the way William stared at Elayra's pendant: he couldn't take his eyes off of him. To see a face from the past came as a shock, and he staggered back a step, only to trip over the slide. Smooth. 
	"I don't believe this. This is too weird." Ghent didn't bother getting back up, he held William to his chest like a stuffed animal while fearing for his own sanity. "I mean. I-it's been so long, and...you were so small...but it [i]is[/i] you...I...I never thought..." The mess of words trailed off into nothingness, but Ghent was far from through. "Drust...you didn't age, man. They said you weren't real...Wonderland wasn't real...I got sent into detention three times because of you guys!" 

	While Ghent was rambling on like a lunatic, a vehicle pulled up and honked twice. The headlights were blinding, and Ghent recognized the sound of Mrs. Saxon's Sedan. "Oh, crap! Don't move, okay?! I'll be[i] right[/i] back." Looking half crazed, Ghent got to his feet. The last thing he wanted was for Mrs. Saxon to discover them. The woman would have given Elayra and Drust the third degree; she was relentless. 

	Ghent dashed off, and William hissed in protest to be jostled in such a way. "Hey, uh...Mrs. Saxon?! I found him!" 
	The door opened so fast, Ghent was almost hit by it. Mrs. Saxon had her hair in curlers, a tell-tale sign that she'd returned home a while before this. Apparently, William wasn't worth risking a bad hair day. 
	"Oh, William! My baby! Come here," Mrs. Saxon thanked Ghent tearfully as she stroked William's fur, and then she put her 'child' to the passengers side. "Here." A nail polished hand passed Ghent an envelope, and he stared at it in confusion. 
	"Huh?" For once, money was the furthest thing from his mind; Ghent was in a daze. 
	"Your payment, young man." Mrs. Saxon viewed him as if he were mentally ill. "Get in the back, I will give you a ride home."
	[i]Of course William would get shotgun.[/i] "Uhh. N-no thanks, Ma'am...um...my mom is already on her way. I wouldn't want to worry her by not being here."
	Mrs. Saxon didn't argue. Ghent was a mess, she didn't want him in her car.

	Goodbyes were exchanged, and Ghent returned to the playground, his mind reeling. What was he supposed to do with this information? This changed [i]everything[/i] -- he wasn't even from this world. 
	Face paler than it should have been, Ghent looked from Elayra to Drust. Where could he take them? Home? No. That would not do at all. 
	"Right...alright...I'll trust you." Elayra's former threat echoed in Ghent's mind as he looked to Drust's katana. If they'd wanted him dead, he'd be dead. If he wanted answers, he had no choice but to trust them. "I know a place where we can talk in private."