(Trudy's P.O.V.)
Vera came to me.
"Victor fired me. And I have some news for you, concerning Jerome."
"What about him? Is he safe?"
"He is, but I don't know how long for. Do you remember the tall person in black?"
"Oh, yes. That strange man, who likes old and creepy dollhouses? What's he got to do with Jerome?"
I continued packing up the exhibition.
"He's taken him. I don't know why, but he is threatening him."
I gasped and turned to Vera.
"What? Where is he? Do you have the number? Call him from my mobile. I want a word with him."
I was going to lie my way into rescuing Jerome. I didn't care if this nasty man killed me for it, I was going to help Jerome. Vera handed me my ringing mobile.
"Who is it?"
"I think you recognise my voice?"
"Ah, yes. Trudy. What do you want?"
"I want to give you the information I've discovered about the dollhouse that you were so interested in. I did a bit of digging about and now I want to trade the information for Jerome. But if I don't get Jerome, you don't get the information. It's a fair agreement, so take it or leave it."
"You're right. OK, I'll bring along Jerome. No tricks. But if you have no information, you lose Jerome."
"Fine. I will."
"Meet me on Jepwoood's Heath in half an hour."
"I'll see you then."
Vera looked at me in horror and shock.
"What are you doing? You don't have a clue about that dollhouse."
"Yes, but I have a way to rescue an innocent life. And if I take this-" I held up the replica mask "-I'll have a new way out of it. But if it comes back to him killing me in return for Jerome, then I'll pay that price."
"What?! Are you crazy?!"
"I think I am, but I want to rescue Jerome. I am going to help him. I know you hate me, but will you do me one favour? Please don't tell Jasper what I'm planning to do. He'll want to help or stop me from going."
"OK, Trudy, I won't tell him. But be careful, for your sake and Jerome's."
"I'm always careful. Well, almost always."
Vera smiled at me. Then I had to grin back.
"Could you tell Jasper that I said goodbye if I don't get back with Jerome?"
"Yeah. But I'm sure you'll be back with him."
"I really hope so. But I mostly hope Jerome gets away first."
With that, I gave Vera a hug.
"See you later."
I ran the way to the heath. I was early, by about 5 minutes. When this man arrived, he held Jerome.
"OK, tell me."
"I want you to let go of Jerome first. Let him go."
He gave me a glare, but released Jerome, who walked to my side.
I whispered into Jerome's ear "I need you to run for it, now. I'll try to escape with you, but I'm not promising you. Go."
He left me alone with Rufus.
"OK, you got the boy. Now tell me what you've got about the dollhouse."
"I got Jasper to tell me more. I found out that the dollhouse gave the kids clues to tasks in tunnels under Anubis house that led them to the mask of Anubis. And this mask needs this gem to activate. Purple, little... And now I have this. I saw the dollhouse was crushed, but with any good luck, this might help you."
I was making it all up as I went along, but I wondered how much he'd swallow. These power-thirsty idiots you usually see on the telly always swallow the lies they want to hear when they're desperate. He took the mask out of my hands.
"Look, there's a little circular indentation just above the eyes. Where the gem fits in place. It needed a third eye."
What am I saying? I don't have a clue if this is even true!
"You clearly have much more knowledge than you ever let on in the first place. Come with me. You can help me with it."
"With what?"
"Getting the gem into the mask."
"Oh, come on! There's no way that's difficult! You pick up the gem, put in the indentation and bang, done! How in the world is that hard? It's not rocket science."
"Ah, I see. You don't want to help me, do you?"
"I gave you the information I had. That was our bargain. And don't you try to tell me that we didn't make a bargain, because I know we did. I have nothing more to give you now."
I hoped he wouldn't say I could give him my life, because that would be very annoying.
"You do."
"What is it?"
"Come over here."
"I need to know what you intend to do with me, before I come anywhere near."
"I'm not intending to kill you. Not yet. Just come here."
I went up to him, amazed by my own sure and confident step. He actually grabbed hold of my shoulders and kissed me. I felt my jaw drop in surprise. Whatever I was expecting, to be kissed was definitely not it. I kissed back, trying to make sure he got off me as soon as possible. I think he started to enjoy himself. I felt aware of somebody watching us and I tensed.
Then a loud shout.
"HEY! GET OFF HER!"
I looked about. Jasper stood there, furious with us.
"Let go of her, now!"
Rufus let go of me and glared at me.
"You told him."
"No. I had Vera dial the number... Vera! I asked her not to tell anybody!"
Jasper said "Vera didn't. Jerome called me and told me that Rufus made you go and kiss him, that I needed to help you before he took you away again."
"Jerome? Where is he?"
Jerome came out from behind the tyre wall, looking slightly embarrassed and like his five year old self.
"Why did you tell him, sweetie?"
"I was worried about you, Trudy. When he made you kiss him, I panicked and thought he'd do something worse if it progressed. I called Jasper in the hope that he'd rescue you."
"Sweetie, you should trust me in the future. OK? But thank you, darling. You're growing into such a fantastic young man."
I hugged him, despite being in public where anyone could see us. He hugged back, and I could feel his smile as he gently squeezed me.
"Well, this is all very touching and that, but... Trudy, we need to pack up the exhibition and I'm sure Jerome has classes to go to. Rufus, in the future, do not use the students and staff to get what you want. And I think that trying to win Trudy around by kissing her is a pretty stupid idea."
"Fine. Maybe I could do this to get help from you?"
And he pulled out his knife and pushed it into me...
What do you think's going to happen? Please R&R. Until next update, Random Dizzy. :D
