Author's Note: I am really sorry that I haven't updated in so long! Everything has been kind of up in the air. But, BACK TO THE STORY! Let the adventures begin again…
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own the Mysterious Benedict Society- ANY OF IT!
Kate clutched the edge of the roof and peered out into the night. Her breath spiraled out like a puff of smoke into the sky as a slight chill tingled down her spine. It was nights like this that made her feel positively alive! I wish I could share this with Milligan, She mused to herself. The mistake was made though, and Kate was helpless as a bout of heartache seized her. She heard her breath come out in a sharp whistle as she tried to force the self-pity out of her system. Kate glared backwards at her friends. She was trying to concentrate her energy into stealth mode, and they were being very distracting.
Sticky was quivering in a cold sweat and his teeth sounded like static in the back of her mind. Kate had realized long ago that none of her comrades would be quite as quick as she was in these situations, but she had hoped that perhaps they could get a little faster. Judging by their heavy breath, Kate was sure that they were all just as nervous as they had been when they'd first met. She could also tell that her idea of a silent, graceful escape was not to be. This group was about as nimble as a brick wall, and loud enough to overpower a jet during takeoff! Well, maybe they aren't that noisy, Kate thought, but they sure are clumsy!
Sticky had landed face first on the roofing when they had leapt out of the window, and had knocked about a dozen tiles loose. Constance had tripped and landed on top of Sticky, mumbling something about how "the roof is even less comfortable to land on than a horse's hoof." Other than herself, Kate considered Reynie to be the only one capable of escaping without letting the whole house know. He had stumbled a bit following Constance, but had managed to land on his feet somewhat softly. Reynie grimaced in Kate's direction as they heard shouts erupt from the attic. They only had a few moments before Mr. Washington would climb out the window searching for them. And then… No one truly wanted to consider that ending to their adventure.
Reynie glanced up warily at the window, preparing to leap the twenty feet off of the roof if necessary. Kate shook her head gently- she would be able to manage it, but Reynie? No way. At least not without breaking a few bones that is.
Pop! The lid to Kate's trusty Bucket-of-tricks flipped off easily, exposing the neatly organized compartments within. As Sticky struggled to sit up without losing his balance, it seemed to him that Kate's hands were blurs of movement. He readjusted his spectacles and breathed in the frigid air, trying frantically to make some sense of the situation. Everything swirled around in his mind as he attempted to compartmentalize each item. After a few moments, when it seemed like he had a firmer grasp on reality, Kate gently shook Sticky's arm. The last thing she wanted to do was to draw attention to their escape, but she had startled Sticky.
"Whoa!" Sticky yelped as he lost his balance. His feet skidded across the slate as he slid closer to the roof's edge. Sticky made a wild grab at his glasses, then at the roof, and he managed to latch onto… something.
Reynie glared at the window, as though he could make it locked and barred so no one could follow the society onto the roof. He fought back the urge to slide off the edge and into the thicket below. Only a moment before, Kate had shot him a disapproving glance, warning Reynie not to take that route. Grudgingly, he had nodded back. Reynie knew that Kate could manage the situation, and could judge what was an intelligent move… and what was not. Reynie glanced around at his friends, checking that each was still clinging to the roof. Silently, Reynie was furious at his friends. They could have let him take this one! Reynie's friends always had his back- the least he could do was to look out for them, just this once. He looked around once more, letting the danger of the window slip from mind. As frustrated as Reynie was, it was practically impossible to stay mad at Kate, Constance and Sticky for very long. He turned his slightly eased frustrations back to glaring at the window. He didn't glare for long.
A yelp shattered Reynie's concentration, accompanied by a panic stricken slap on the back of his right calf. An iron grip latched onto Reynie's ankle, dragging his legs out from beneath him. Reynie gasped. Slate shingles scratched at his face as he struggled to slow his descent. The edge of the roof seemed suddenly very close, and Reynie was still slip sliding haphazardly down the slant. The grip around Reynie's ankle was desperate and sweaty and Reynie was forced to restrain himself from kicking off the squirming owner of the hands. There was no way to get to Kate or Constance- it had all happened too quickly. Kate had reacted equally quickly, but she was still just out of Reynie's grasp. The edge seemed like a razor blade as it grated across Reynie's knees. To his left, Reynie noticed a random dash of color against the grey night- Kate's rope! The neon cord was fastened tight around the rigid old weather vane, and it was only a few inches away from Reynie's hand- if he could reach for it…
Sticky stopped short, jerking toward the roof as his handhold climbed back onto the roof. From pure surprise, Sticky nearly let go of the "something" he had determined to be Reynie's ankle. Only fear kept his grip locked. Silently, Sticky blessed the darkness, for it hid the shade of crimson that his face had turned. He hadn't meant to fall! Or to drag Reynie with him for that matter! If he had cost the society this mission, Sticky wouldn't ever forgive himself. A shadow flashed next to him as the roof ledge scraped over his chin and stomach. A pair of strong hands gripped Sticky's arm, heaving him totally onto the slate. Sticky could barely make out Kate's anxious whisper.
"Hurry, hurry!"
Reynie glanced upwards to the window and watched wide eyed as the shutters were flung open. Gulp, breathe, focus- Reynie ignored the new danger and focused on getting the society out of this new dilemma. Kate had tied two cables to reach the earth, and with both help and luck, Reynie had managed to use the first cord to pull Sticky and himself upwards. He glanced at the window again and felt a cold sweat break out on his back. Mr. Washington was leaning out the window.
Sticky was still slightly dazed when Kate whistled under her breath. A sharp falcon cry shattered Mr. Washington's concentration, as well as Reynie's. He couldn't help but smile, Even if she might not be my first pick for a rescuer, Madge is still awesome. Kate slapped Reynie's arm as she wrapped the nylon around her fist. Kate might not have been telepathic, but Reynie recognized that look anywhere. Madge had provided the distraction they had needed. They had about three seconds to get out of that situation.
Reynie swore he saw the whites of Constance's eyes as Kate wrapped an arm around the squirming eight year old. A squeak escaped the panicked girl's lips as she had tried to yelp, "HELP!" In a matter of a second, Kate had clipped her belt onto the rope and assumed the position of a professional rock climber getting ready to repel down Mount Everest. One quick hand lashed Constance to Kate, as the other saluted Reynie. He gasped slightly as his friends plummeted to the earth below. Kate was in charge though, and Reynie should have known better than to worry. They touched down in the rose garden without any hitches or interferences. Now, it was the boys' turn.
Sticky was only too well aware of his father's presence as the booming voice rung out across the wide sky. He wanted to do something, distract his father perhaps and provide Reynie an opportunity to escape, but he was paralyzed with fear. All of the years of dealing with evil geniuses and warped twins, henchmen and the like seemed far less formidable than an angry patriarch! Vaguely he felt something wrap tightly around him- too tight to be comfortable really. A rough voice whispered in his ear, "Meet you at the Monk Building. Tell Kate. Good Luck!"
Then Reynie's whisper was lost, replaced by a rushing wind against his face. Blindly, Sticky clutched at his spectacles again. A jolt shuddered though his body, making Sticky nauseous as the ride came to a shuddering halt. Wide-awake now, Sticky felt Kate tug him free of the ropes, and whisper something in his ear. Her voice was barely audible, and completely muted beneath the pounding of Sticky's heart in his ears. Whatever question Kate had asked was lost to the night wind. Sticky glanced back at the roof.
He could hear his father screaming something. Reynie stood poised to jump. Kate yelled something next to him. All Sticky could hear though, was Connie-Girl's nervous, exasperated complaint echoing inside his head. "Nice going George Washington."
Kate spun around violently and hurtled towards the ropes. She could hear Mr. Washington screaming at Reynie, demanding an explanation that Reynie wasn't prepared to give. Kate had watched Reynie and Sticky apprehensively as they struggled to get back on the roof. And when Sticky came down alone… Reynie might be intelligent, and he might underestimate himself sometimes, but now was not the time to experiment! Kate wrapped the rope around her fist and launched herself at the wall, forcing herself to scale the weather beaten sides. Quickly she glanced at Sticky and Constance, and then back to the roof.
"Mr. Washington, please! Go back inside!"
"Reynard Muldoon! You will come here right now! Get away from that ledge – you might hurt yourself! And where are the others?"
The panic that had stricken her when she heard the desperation in Reynie's eased slightly, as Kate realized that Mr. Washington only knew about Reynie on the roof. Then again, her appearance might spoil this advantage. Much to Kate's dismay, her logic drew her to a halt, swaying in mid air. Kate scowled slightly. Reynie and Sticky were beginning to wear off on her about this "logic stuff".
"Mr. Washington! Watch out!"
Kate sprang to action, fearing the worst when she heard these words accompanied by a "thud". The nylon was burning into her fingers and palms, but she didn't care. If Reynie needed her…
Phwoomp! A heavy mass slammed into Kate, nearly knocking her off of the rope. If it hadn't been for her vise-like grip, surely she would have tumbled down into the garden below. Her assailant clasped onto the cable as well, clinging for dear life. His back was turned, and in the shadows under the eaves, Kate could make out a toned- though not really muscular- body. His hair was short and smelled of sweat and… something familiar. With one hand she lashed out, seeking to smash her free fist into his pressure point. If one of Curtain's goons had hurt her friends and was planning on using HER rope as an escape- he had another thing coming! Kate pulled her punch at the last second, stopping within an inch of his neck when she heard his voice. Reynie tried to turn around to face her, but discovered that there wasn't enough space on the nylon to hold on and turn about.
"You first, down." He whispered hoarsely. Above then, the duo could hear frantic footsteps, and Mr. Washington's ferocious, " REYNARD MULDOON!" Kate nodded slightly, and began a quick descent.
" I told Sticky that I'd meet you all at the Monk Building! Why didn't you guys get a head start?" Reynie demanded as the duo touched down on solid ground. Far above, Mr. Washington could be seen scrambling back through the window, howling with rage at being disobeyed, and sweating with concern for the children. Reynie unclipped his belt sprinted after Kate.
"That must be where they headed, Reynie," Kate called over her shoulder, nodding in the direction of the swinging gate that someone had hastily passed through and forgotten to shut. Reynie put on an extra burst of speed to catch up with Kate. His adrenaline rush from the rooftop was beginning to wear off as his breath was forced out in ragged gasps. Kate flew across the sidewalk, only skimming the surface like a seagull on the water's edge.
Right or left? Which way was faster to reach the Monk Building? Kate swore under her breath, why did Mr. Benedict have to sell the office? More importantly, why on earth did Milligan board up the passageway? You never know when an escape tunnel would come in handy! Like right now for instance. Reynie was a few steps behind her as he blindly dragged himself down the street. Right, she decided, it would be faster to cut across the harbor than to race through town. With an added burst of energy, Kate set off down the lane, dashing through the shadows and keeping to the darker patches. She felt comfortable, so long as She could hear Reynie's thumping footfalls behind her. Well, Kate almost felt comfortable.
She couldn't help herself from feeling… unnerved, confused, anxious… maybe just plain hurt, since Reynie had tried to leave without them. Did he think they were delicate little flowers? Did he have something to hide? Was he angry with them? Questions swirled like the eye of a hurricane, rampaging through her mind. Kate desperately wanted to trust Reynie, to let him take the lead, to fall back on him when she felt that deep sorrow overcome her again. Reynie was always there for her- always. Until now. She knew that he struggled with this… lack of trust, this fear of opening up for longer than she had been friends with him. Kate couldn't even really blame Reynie. She understood how it felt to think you were abandoned, how it felt to be totally self-reliant, to not want to trust. But it was simply Kate's nature to open up, to be funny, and free, and friendly. Reynie… he manifested these doubts in a darker side. Could she stay angry with him for that?
Kate shook her head, trying to shrug off these nagging doubts. She wanted to trust Reynie, but part of her just couldn't. Not after he was about to abandon me. But Kate was Kate- the totally self-reliant, adventurer, falconer, secret agent extraordinaire, the great Kate the Weather Machine! She would pull through this just fine. But it's Reynie that I worry about…
A few feet behind her, Reynie trudged on. His feet felt like lead, weighing him down more and more every minute. Without meaning to, he furrowed his brow in thought. Kate hasn't said a word since the yard… he pondered. In his daze, he tripped over an ancient tree root that poked through the cement. A second more, and Reynie would have cracked his head on the unfeeling cement, ending the mission then and there. Only a last second hop for balance saved Reynie from humiliation and shame. He ground his teeth together. If she's mad at me, let her be! I'm not about to make an idiot out of myself just because I'm nervous that I might have upset her earlier! What kind of rescuer am I? Fresh determination washed over Reynie, drowning his doubts and rinsing away his aches. A rescuer that will succeed.
" Come on, George Washington! You think your idea is so cool? You're just gonna make yourself look like a fool! When it comes to hopping a fence you're slow as a mule! If this is a joke, it's pretty creul. Fool, mule, creul, what else rhymes with cool, Human-Encyclopedia?"
Sticky was only vaguely aware of Constance's nervous chatter as she trotted along side him. It was harder for her to keep up with his pace, but by anyone's standards it was an easy jog when compared to galloping after Kate. Anxiety prowled around the depths of Sticky's mind- fear for himself and Constance, fear for the friends he'd left behind, fear for what might come ahead, fear for what might…. His thoughts were so rudely interrupted by a low hanging branch and a chorus of snickering taunts from his young partner in crime. I HAVE to watch out for those branches! Sticky reprimanded himself.
Connie-girl had been loath to leave Kate and Reynie alone on the roof, and even now she was hesitant to go too far ahead of their comrades. But Reynie had said "meet you at the Monk Building." As sure as Constance's apprehension, Sticky remembered Reynie's words. Part of him wasn't entirely sure if he should follow through on these orders. I mean, a moment ago he attempted to depart without us…
Sticky shook his head rigorously. If he succumbed to these doubts he would soon find himself cowering. Remember what Mr. Benedict said! No, he wouldn't cower. He would hop this fence, and the next one too. He would meet his friends at the Monk Building. He would save Mr. B, and all of his friends. He would pull through this, and so would Constance. That is…if he could just get over this next fence!
" Constance, do you need a lift?" Sticky glanced at his accomplice. She had done better than he had when they had to jump the first fence as they cut across neighbor's lawns. Even still, this fence was much taller, and Constance… well, she still was much smaller in stature. The pouting face snorted indignantly.
"I will be perfectly FINE climbing this fence. If I have to explain this, then you are obviously TOO DENSE!" Constance growled as she flung herself at the wooden hurdle.
Who does he think he is? I'm doing perfectly fine on my own! Irritated at being treated like a child, Constance set about scrambling over top of the wall like she had practiced chasing after Kate so many, many times before. Sometimes, it was ok to be treated like a younger sibling. After all, the youngest sibling always gets the most CANDY! Then again, when there was trouble, everyone expects me to be helpless… When the going got tough, helpless was the last thing on Miss Contraire's mind. Rather, she wanted to be in the thick of it, a battle of insults to the very last. And with the stakes so high… Constance pushed the thoughts away. Luckily, with the intense situation, it was not difficult to divert her attentions. Mentally, Connie-girl shivered t think what she might do if she stopped to consider the reality of the stakes. Amid candy mountains and comical characters, behind the façade of indignant juvenility and the obnoxious rhymes, there was something quite serious- hidden, always. It was a dark place, and it was a place that Constance would rather NOT visit again. Last time… NO! CLIMB! She shuddered and vaulted over the top and onto the next lawn. The impact of the ground meeting with her stocky legs sent shockwaves rippling through her body, jarring her teeth and definitely not improving her new headache. Still, she stuck a perfect ten landing and had to smirk grimly to herself. Now where was Sticky?
Behind Constance she heard a startled yelp, a THUD, and she was sent sprawling by a heavy mass collapsing on the back of her legs. A panicked yell had barely escaped her lips before she was sent flying face first into a muddy slip-and-slide. Sticky scrambled around on all fours desperately seeking his lost glasses. He squinted in Constance's direction.
"Sorry." He managed to mumble sheepishly. Constance scowled back at Sticky, preparing a whole new barrage of insulting rhymes. This is going to be a long night, Sticky mused.
Kate paced restlessly, more like a tigress on the hunt than a teenage girl with a mission. Reynie checked the building clock once more before returning his head to rest hopelessly in his arms. He had collapsed on the front steps nearly half an hour ago when Kate came bounding up the path. His determination and vigor had long since abandoned him, leaving an empty shell of the reckless leader that set out on this mission. Kate leapt up the steps to face him again.
"You are 1000% positive that you told Sticky that you would meet him at the MONK BUILDING? 'Cause if you accidentally said monkey building or something, I might just flip out!"
Reynie had been through an identical interrogation not even five minutes before, and for the millionth time he had no answer that could satisfy Kate's anxiety. He wasn't sure if she trusted him or not, and he had absolutely no clue where Sticky and Constance were. Had they been kidnapped? Intercepted by their parents? Fallen in a pit somewhere where they were trapped? Had Mr. Curtain lain in wait as they made their exit? Well, this mission is going just great!
It had been a good long while since the Society was forced to always be on their guard, and yet Kate and Reynie fell directly back into the edgy lifestyle. Like riding a bike… Reynie mused to himself as Kate continued to storm up and down the sidewalk. If they stayed here too much longer, the adults might find them. On the other hand, if they left… Constance and Sticky might never find them. The thought nearly made Reynie nauseous with worry. Why the hell did I suggest we split up! That has to be the stupidest scheme I have EVER even considered! Reynie glanced back to Kate.
Her proud posture was half slumped, defeated with worry. Reynie wanted to slap himself, how could he be so self-centered? Kate's dad was on the line here! And nearly all of her best friends were suddenly missing! And he had managed to crack Kate's unfaltering trust. What kind of a friend was he? Part of Reynie wanted to slink away to the shadows, to hide like the idiotic, arrogant, coward he felt like. And yet… remember the white knight. Perhaps it wasn't quite time for Reynie to throw in the towel just yet. Kate watched Reynie as he slowly, determinedly rose to his feet and padded over lightly to her. For less than a second, Kate actually hesitated. Could she trust Reynie, after he had just tried to leave them?
Lately he'd been becoming more distant- "caught up in his studies", or so he said. He was still one of her best friends though. So… So many emotions swirled around in her head, her head was swimming. Fear, frustration, mild panic, excitement, nervousness, curiosity, pain, and the sudden adrenaline rush certainly didn't help calm Kate's hyperactive ranting. The faces of her friends and family passed before her eyes- the pleasant happiness of the memories replaced by the terrified masks of pain Kate was sure they would be wearing.
A wave of helplessness washed over Kate again. How could I let this happen? Kate nearly screamed. For an agonizing moment, Kate was back in the house, her arms wrapped around Milligan, murmuring wishes of good luck to her father. Kate choked back a sob. She could have stopped him, made them stay for dinner, help clean up Constance, play a game- anything! Kate had looked the opportunity to stop them in the eye, and she had walked away. Regret, self-loathing, despair- the emotions settled in the pit of her stomach. Where were her friends now? Were they lost because of her? Kate started pacing again, the quick movement helping her to clear her mind. No, she thought, I can fix this. I am Kate the great. We've been though stuff like this before. Milligan will pull through, and I will be there to greet him.
Kate straightened her posture, squaring her shoulders against the dangers that lay ahead of her. The seed of despair erupted into a rush of hope and energy. Reynie squeezed Kate's shoulder lightly, reminding her that she was not alone. Kate nodded to him appreciatively. She had made up her mind- Reynie could be trusted. She had also made up her mind that she wasn't going to let Reynie convince her to stay put any longer. Kate was on a rescue mission- find her friends, and then get her family back. She should have started this ten minutes ago. Kate made a mental note to ignore any logic Reynie or Sticky tried to use to slow her down.
"Come on Reynie," Kate whirled around to face him, "Which direction do you think Sticky and Constance took?"
The corners of Reynie's lips twitched upwards. Kate had forgiven him. Maybe it's time I forgive myself too. Reynie met Kate's level stare. Curtain had thrown down the gauntlet. Now it was Reynie's turn to throw the challenge back in Curtain's face. First, though, they needed to find Sticky and Constance. He looked in both directions. One path led back the way that he and Kate had run- a short series of streets leading along the harbor. The other direction would have taken a much longer route. Running through the town before turning towards the Monk Building, it would have been a much better choice to throw off any trails. Considering Sticky's slight paranoia, he probably would have insisted on the road, Reynie mused, then again… Constance probably would have put up a fight to leave. She would have made his life hell the whole way. A short cut maybe?
Reynie's thoughts were cut short by an insistent hiss from Kate.
"Get down!" Kate demanded as She dove for cover behind a set of garbage cans. In less than two seconds, Kate was invisible to the untrained eye. Reynie tried to dive for cover also. Holding his scraped knee against his chest, Reynie pushed himself further into the shadows. The blinding headlights of a car turned the corner towards the Monk Building. The brilliant lights sliced through the midnight darkness. Aside from the streetlamps, the only other light came from the car. Reynie sucked in a deep breath, fearful to release it in case the slight movement should attract the driver's attention.
In the corner of his eye, Reynie saw Kate slowly twist her body, inching forward ever so slightly to get a better view. Her arm was curled beneath her; her leg twisting a little more than was truly comfortable. In the circus, one of Kate's good friends had been able to contort his body so as to fit in a suitcase. Kate grimaced now as she twisted underneath the cans again. She was very flexible- far more than any one in Stonetown Harbor, and yet she would always still be amazed by her friend's litheness. She pushed one last inch- she wouldn't push her luck after that.
The car was small, fast and nondescript. It was exactly the sort of car that Kate would have chosen if she was trying not to be noticed… and/or caught. The thought only served to make Kate more anxious. In the corner of her eye, Kate noticed Reynie watching her. He wore an expression of absolute panic. Didn't he trust that she wouldn't get them caught? She turned her attention back to the more important car and her eyes widened involuntarily. The car had stopped. Someone was getting out.
"You led me off in such suspense! You quickly put up your defense, and wouldn't let me put in my two cents! Have you got no good sense? Can't you see I'm really tense? Suppose they aren't 'just past this fence'? Then you ran away on false pretense! For that, I take offence! And my next line will be more intense! I…"
"Honestly Constance! We're almost there! I swear, Reynie said the Monk Building. Please just give me a moment."
Reynie flinched in his hiding place. The bleeding had stopped in his leg, but he could still hear the blood rushing in his ears- that was mostly from adrenaline though. The car had stopped only a moment ago now. The man who had stepped out could be armed, and was most likely dangerous. Perfect Timing, Reynie thought, now they decide to show up.