Sue's Bad Boy 4

By CrystalQuirt

Tobue, romance, adventure.

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There was plenty of light coming through the aquarium glass at one end of the fake log; enough that Sue could see Tobey's bruises clearly while he was sealing the opening with the rock and lying down. She felt terrible that he had been so beaten up. Sue found his hand and held it gently. Tobey gave her hand a squeeze and shut his eyes.

"Tobey, are you alright?"

"Just a little sore." he rolled toward Sue and put his arm across her waist.

Poor Tobey, he protected me in the flooding sewer and from the snake just now. He must be exhausted. I know he was knocked around a lot, but I hope he wasn't injured badly. Of course we wouldn't be in this mess if he hadn't jumped down the manhole in the first place . . . or if I hadn't let my present blow off my bike. Or if I hadn't gotten him out of his bed this morning. This is just so stupid. Sue lay quietly to calm her erratic negative thoughts.

On the hard ceramic surface inside the log Sue never went to sleep, but she appreciated the chance to lie quietly and rest. Tobey went to sleep almost right away. He didn't snore, but his breathing was soft and regular and she could tell he was asleep. Both on their right sides, he held her tightly even in his sleep and held on even tighter if she tried to roll over. Not wanting to wake him, she stayed still as long as she could.

After at least an hour and there had been no sound outside the log. Sue had to move off of one of her many bruised places and rolled over to face him. Tobey moaned and when he tried to hold on, she gently held his arm up while she finished getting comfortable. He mumbled, "No Sue, don't go – I will protect you – Please!"

He was still asleep but she answered him anyway just to see what would happen. "I know you will protect me. Tobey, I love you."

Tobey smiled in his sleep and mumbled, "I love Sue. I would die before . . . Hey! Give me one of those bananas."

Sue had trouble suppressing laughter as she thought, Bananas? He must be hungry too . . . and did he say - he loves Sue! He loves me! She gently put his arm across her waist and reached under to put her arm around him. Any other time it would have been way too hot for such closeness, but Sue didn't mind at all. She only wished she had on her favorite soft cotton shirt, instead of the leather top and really hoped Nana could help her get the sewer stink out of it - her present from Tobey.

Now Sue could see Tobey's face really up close and she looked carefully over every inch, and really liking what she saw. He really is cute when he sleeps. Actually, he is cute all the time, not just when he sleeps. Tobey moaned in his sleep and licked his lips like he was dreaming of eating ice cream. Sue looked closely into his face and kissed the corner of his mouth. Wow, his breath is nice, even after all this we've been through. I feel like I still have sewer water in my mouth. So not fair.

Still sleeping, Tobey pulled her closer, hugging her like he was dreaming he had a big pillow, or teddy bear to squeeze. Watching him, and temporarily forgetting about their situation she started to wonder about the important stuff. I wonder if he really keeps dried out shrimp under his pillow like Sid said. It doesn't even matter. I don't know why I didn't see how wonderful he is sooner. He is the most compassionate, nicest guy I've ever met. Tobey really is the smartest, strongest and handsomest.

She suddenly stopped this line of thought too. Stop drooling over him – now is not the time! I have to figure a way out of this. We need a long rope to climb down after we get out. If we can just get back to Nana, well, I hope she can return us to our normal size. But I have seen nothing that we could use for a rope. She gazed out through the glass, the area brightly lit by the lights above the tank. Maybe I haven't seen anything like rope, but do know about something we cold use!

"Tobey, wake up!"

He startled, "What - the snake?"

"No, he's been quiet, must be sleeping off his last meal."

"Good," Tobey rolled over on his back and stretched. "But why did you wake me up?"

"I had an idea! We don't have to fall to our deaths off the table. Those lights will have cords plugged in near the floor. We can use them like ropes to get down."

"Your right Sue – good thinking! Lets go . . . but carefully. If we see the snake, run back here and pull the rock over. We will only leave it open wide enough to jump through. Okay?"

"Right, but hopefully we will get out of here, and never see the snake or this ceramic log again!"

Tobey pushed the rock away a little at a time watching for any movement. Everything was quiet and still so they came out and looked around for how to get up to the lid.

" I bet if we go up the branch, it will put us close to the lid on the other end. We will be able to see once we get up higher than these plants." While he planned, he was pulling at a loose piece of wood off the end of the branch to take it with him to pry the lid open.

"Ready Sue?"

"Ready." They jumped up near the end of the branch that rested in the gravel. It was plenty wide enough for them to run with Tobey leading the way carrying the piece of wood. The high end of the branch was very near the heat lamp and it got hotter and hotter as they got closer.

At the highest point on the branch, Sue could reach if she stood on her toes. She pushed as hard as she could, but couldn't lift the edge or the heavy wire lid enough to get the end of Tobey's lever in. Tobey joined her. He pushed with one hand while he poked the end of the lever between the wire and the top edge of the aquarium. The wire barely moved, but he got the end of the lever in. They tried to lift it higher, but still couldn't get it up high enough to crawl through.

"Tobey, we're gonna need something else to lift it higher; maybe another piece of wood?"

"Come with me Sue, we have to go together, I'm not leaving you up here alone."

They ran back the length of the branch and still didn't see the snake. There wasn't another loose piece of wood at the end of the branch, but Tobey found a plastic palm tree that he could pull out of the base. The tree was a little taller than he was and to make it lighter, he yanked most of the palm frawns off of the top as he followed Sue back to the branch.

"Where do you think the snake went? We've been almost the whole length of the tank and haven't seen him."

"He's probably under something. Maybe he's behind that pirate ship statue. Or look Sue, there's a motorcycle over there, and a jet ski and even a stove. Too bad we don't have time to go for a ride on the motorcycle."

"Right Tobey, too bad, lets go back up so we can get out of here."

Tobey ran a little ways, but slowed down panting in the heat and humidity. In between breaths he managed to tell Sue, "You know, this place looks and smells like they just poured most of the water out of a fish aquarium and put the snake in here. Poor thing isn't gonna live very long the way they are caring for it, do you think Sue?"

"I'm more worried about us not living very long, hurry up Tobey." The humidity was bothering Sue too, but she was too focused on getting out and away from the snake to let it slow her down.

Since she was in such a hurry, Tobey let Sue pass him on the narrow branch and he followed close behind her using the tree to balance like he was walking up a tight rope. Once they got to the top Sue mashed down on the wooden lever that they already had in place with all of her weight, which wasn't much – but she did lift the lid up a little more with Tobey's help and they got the wider, base end of the palm tree stuck through.

"The space still isn't big enough for us to climb through and the cord from the lamp is not close. We have to get the lid up high enough to climb out and get on top to find the cord before we can start down."

"Well, we can try putting the wood lever, under the plastic tree. That should lift it a little more."

They both braced and lifted with all their might and they both screamed when the branch they were standing on gave instead of the lid. The branch only slipped an inch down the glass side it leaned against, but it was enough to almost toss Sue and Tobey off. Tobey grabbed the plastic tree and caught Sue's hand to kept her from falling.

"That was close." Tobey was still smiling, but Sue was not happy at all.

"Yeah, and now we're down even lower! We won't be able to get enough leverage to lift the lid and even if we try, the branch will just fall again." Sue leaned against the glass and rubbed her eyes. "Its no use and I think I'm going to pass out from the heat."

Tobey put his arm around her. "Don't worry Sue, we will figure something out. Lets go down and get wet again, that will help cool us off."

"Yuck, that water is so nasty, and it's just as warm as everything else in here. I wish we had a fan." Sue sat down.

"I know what!" Tobey plucked another plastic palm frawn of the end of the tree and started fanning Sue with it.

"Oh Tobey, that feels nice . . ." Sue shut her eyes and leaned back on the glass for a few seconds. ". . . but Tobey, you will make yourself too hot doing that."

"I'm fine, and I want to help you feel better . . . Oh no!" Tobey stopped fanning and carefully passed Sue on the branch.

"What are you doing?"

Tobey didn't answer; he didn't have to. Sue looked passed him and saw the snake coming up the branch after them.

"Tobey! Snake! The branch moving or you screaming when the branch fell must have woken him up!"

"Hey! You screamed too Sue – it's not fair to blame me!"

"You screamed louder – and it surprised me – and I'm scared, I couldn't help it!"

"And while we're arguing, he's getting closer!" Tobey paused when he saw the tears in Sue's eyes, "I know Sue, Don't worry – just keep working on the lid and get out – I'll keep him away from you and follow once you are safe!"

Tobey ran down the branch right toward the snake without giving Sue time to argue. Sue covered her mouth with both hands and held her breath as she watched him get dangerously close to the snake. He smacked it in the nose with the palm frawn before he leapt off the branch and landed in the gravel below. Tobey danced, wiggled his hips as best as he could in those tight leather pants, turned and pointed at his butt, "Na - Na - Snake you cant touch this!"

The snake turned and went after him. Instead of being relieved that the snake was going away, Sue was more frightened than ever for Tobey! She muffled a scream when the snake got close enough to strike at him. He jumped and rolled and when he jumped back up to his feet – he had two of the purple rocks to throw at the snake. He took off running again, and when the snake didn't follow right away he bounced a purple rock of its nose.

"See, you want to follow me don't you snaky? Sue is sour, I am sweet!" Tobey's loud sing-song tone echoed eerily in the aquarium an gave Sue chill bumps. Tobey seemed to be slowing down and Sue could tell. She tried to do what he said and reached up to work on the lid. But she couldn't reach – even on her toes.

"Ahhhh!" he screamed when the next strike was a little closer than he meant for it to be. Sue spun around to see why Tobey screamed.

Sue couldn't look away from Tobey and the snake to try work on the lid again. She saw the snake strike at Tobey over and over - he rolled and ducked out of the way each time keeping its attention away from Sue, but she was terrified one of those times he would miss and the snake wouldn't! He was definitely slowing down and already breathing hard from the heat and humidity. The leather pants were hot and made his movements harder.

"Tobey's not gonna make it alone!" Sue mumbled, then she yelled at him, "I'm coming down!"

"No - Stay up there Sue – get the lid open! I got this." Tobey ran to a rock and leaned on it. He was out of the snake's line of sight, but Sue could see him. The rock appeared to be the only thing holding him up. Staring at the light above, he leaned back holding his chest as he tried to catch his breath.

"No he's in trouble, I have to help him." Sue mumbled as she started down the branch.

The snake came around the rock looking for it's black and white haired prey. Tobey smiled at it and instead of leaping out of the way he waited for it to strike. Tobey held his ground and palmed the snake hard in the snout! It hissed and slithered quickly into the plastic plants nearby.

Sue still up on the branch stopped and watched Tobey walking back toward her. "Tobey! You did it! You are really brave!" He stopped below to look up at her gloating about his victory.

"I taught him to mess with us! I was all like, yah and rah."

Tobey palm-struck the air. Sue smiled at him and waited for him to run to the other end and climb back up, she rubbed her stomach, itching from all the sweat running out from under her leather top. Looking down at her stomach, she saw the plastic bush below her move.

"Watch out!" Sue screamed as she jumped down.

Tobey looked around, too late, the snake had his mouth open already striking! He covered his head with both arms and screamed. Sue landed next to Tobey and pushed him out of the way, but as she jumped away the snake buried its fangs in the back of her thigh, close to her knee. When she hit the ground, instinctively she chopped back at the snake with the side of her hand. Her aim was good, but she broke the snake's fang off in her leg. It hurt so bad, she couldn't help but scream.

Tobey landed face down in the water and came up coughing. He turned to look back right away when he heard Sue scream. The snake was dragging her along the ground to take her away!

"Sue!" he screamed and ran at the snake taking out the only weapon he had, his pocket knife. Knowing it would only make the snake madder, he still attacked, determined to make it let go of Sue.

He jumped up on the snake's back near its head and buried the knife up to the handle in its scales. It dropped Sue and turned quickly to try and rid itself of the pest attacking it. The quick movement hit him and made him fall. "Ow – my leg!"Sue groaned and curled into a ball where she landed. She held her wounded leg with both hands and looked back in time to see Tobey fall.

". . . Tobey just run! - Nooooo!" She saw, he couldn't run. Tobey fell on his back under the snake. Mouth open, the snake came at him. He had no time to even roll away so he held the knife out straight at the snake's nose to defend himself.

As the snake tried to grab him, Tobey's hand with the knife went in its mouth. He gritted his teeth and jammed his arm in farther. A scream of determination escaped through his clenched teeth as he stabbed the roof of the snake's mouth. The snake snapped its jaw shut and jabbed him in the shoulder with his one remaining fang. Tobey screamed in pain as the snake dragged him by his arm away from Sue. They didn't make it far before the snake fell limp. Tobey fell flat with the snake, his arm still in its mouth.

Sue saw the snake stop and saw too that Tobey wasn't moving! She tried to get up to go to him, but fell back on the gravel when her leg wouldn't support her. "Tobey! Tobey! Can you hear me?"

Tobey woke up and moaned when he heard Sue yelling, the pain in his shoulder made him look and he saw his arm was still in the snake's mouth, the fang in his shoulder. He gritted his teeth and muffled a scream when he pried the snake's mouth open and the fang cam out of his shoulder.

Sue saw him moving. "Tobey! Please answer me – are you hurt badly?"

"Yeah Sue, I'm okay."

Once his arm was free, his little knife still in his hand, he lie back on the gravel. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he covered the bleeding hole in his shoulder with one hand as he folded his knife to put it back in his pocket. With his arm hurt, it was even harder to push the pocket knife into his tight leather pocket.

"Tobey? . . . if you are okay, I could really use some . . . help." Sue begged, her teeth clenched from burning pain as she wondered what he was doing.

"Oh - Sorry Sue!" When Tobey looked over and saw Sue he forgot his own pain and jumped up to run to her. He noticed right away how weak she looked, but didn't see the wound on the back of her leg. "Sue, how badly are you hurt?"

Ignoring his question she rolled onto her back so she could see him, but everything was blurry. "Tobey – you're really okay? I'm so thankful."

"I'm okay, you will be too Sue. Look at me - where are you hurt?"

Sue stared up toward the light like she didn't see him, and spoke softly. "So hot, and rattlesnakes are poisonous, even if we were our normal size I'd be in trouble. Being this small I don't think I have a chance."

"Sue! Don't talk like that – the snake won't bother us anymore, we will get out of here and . . ."

"Tob – he already bit me, his fang is still in my leg." Sue painfully turned onto her side and grabbed her leg where the fang was causing great pain. "Ow – It hurts!"

"Sue, no . . ." Tobey sank to his knees next to her and leaned over her, trying to see her wound. ". . . I told you to stay up on the branch!"

"I-I'm sorry – guess my timing was off – but I couldn't let you get bitten." She spoke very softly with her eyes closed.

"Sue! Sue!" He started to feel around the fang, but stopped his hands in mid air, afraid to touch her in case he might hurt her more. Sue had her hand at the site of the fang; the end of it stuck out between her fingers.

"Sue, let me look, okay?"

Tobey guided her hand away from the fang. She rolled over onto her stomach so he could see better. The white, jagged end of the broken fang was sticking out of her skin through her pants and a matching hole made by the other fang had already made a large blood stain on her pants. At their small size, the tiny fang in her leg looked huge to Tobey.

"We have to get it out of your leg. The longer its in there, its probably putting more poison in your body, right?"

"Right Tobey, I'm ready." He tore her pant leg a few inches to get the fabric away from the wound so he could see.

"Ok Sue?" Sue's breath was getting raspy and louder. Sue gritted her teeth, tensed even more and shivered harder in anticipation. Tobey grabbed the end of the fang and pulled. Sue screamed and kicked involuntarily. Tobey panicked and let go before it came out.

"Ehh – Sorry Sue!"

"Come on Tob - use some muscle – I can take it! Once you get hold of it -pull hard– if you have to pull on it over and over it'll hurt more."

Tears welled up in Tobey's eyes as he grabbed onto it again. "I don't want to hurt you Sue!"

This time he pulled, even with Sue screaming through her clenched teeth, the fang came out. It made a horrible sucking sound and the blood that had backed up in the tissue around it spouted out through the hole. Sue whimpered and covered the back of her head with her arms. Tobey saw the wound bleeding freely, but had nothing to use as a bandage, so he pressed over the hole with his bare hand to stop the bleeding. She whined a little more, but soon stopped, then her shivering stopped and Tobey felt her muscles go limp under his fingers.

"Sue?" Tobey reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. "Sue!" he got no response.

Tobey picked Sue up across his arms and carried her out of the sight of the snake. It bothered him to look at it. "I wish I knew another way to have stopped the snake. That was terrible. I never meant to . . ." He was sure when Sue woke up she wouldn't want to see it either, then he worried, what if she didn't wake up? I will pass out from the snakes poison too, I will never see her awake again!

Tobey sat down in the gravel with Sue in his lap to cry. "I'm so sorry Sue. Sorry I couldn't protect you . . . . why did you have to save me? I told you to stay up on the branch where it was safe – you could have climbed out and . . ." Tears choked the words out of him. She never noticed, and he never told her he had been bitten too.

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Tobey continued . . .