"She really did that?" Cory's face showed a mix of bewilderment and disgust. "Man, I always thought Heather liked you and kind of threw herself at guys, but that—that doesn't seem like her."
"That's what I thought. But look." Jac dug around in his locker until he found his phone and opened the message.
Cory's eyes skimmed over the text and then at the picture. "Isn't that illegal or something?"
"I don't think so," Jac replied, looking briefly at the message again. "She's got clothes on."
"Barely," said a new, but familiar, voice.
Jac whipped his head around behind him, stuffing the phone away, and Cory turned in the direction if the voice. Gracie stood behind them, looking very amused.
"Did Heather send you that," she asked, pointing to the phone.
"Yeah. Or I think she did."
"Gross. She really isn't that pretty." Gracie snarled her nose.
"Seriously," Cory agreed. "What's with you and the girls recently? Since Bridgette left, it seems like every one of them is trying to get you to ask them out."
"Uh, hello? I'm still here." Gracie waved her hand in front of his face, rolling her eyes. "Haven't seen me doing that, have you?"
"Not yet, anyways. But I mean, first it was Jenna, then Heather. Who's next?"
"I don't know, and I really don't want to find out, okay?" Jac closed his locker, taking in a deep breath and letting the air flap through his lips.
"It's like she was a wall. Like they had to be in good with her or something. Weird." Cory seemed to be in his own world and was staring blankly at something down the hallway.
"Come on," Jac said, pulling him by his shirt. For the first time all year, he realized that they had three classes and homeroom together. Normally he walked to every class with Bridgette, since they'd gotten the same elective this term and had the same academic schedule. He hadn't really noticed that Gracie and Cory were in there too. The three of them walked down the hall to their homeroom. They took their seats just as a few stragglers wandered in.
Mrs. MacMillon wasn't at the front of the room. She was always at the front of the room, either taking attendance or writing the clues to an element for her first class on the board. But today, she was sitting at her desk, which was in a corner at the back of the room. The students sat silently, each noticing the same thing. They exchanged nervous glances, waiting for something to happen, until Mrs. MacMillon looked up at them.
"Homeroom will be a little longer today, guys. Mr. Cornell would like to speak with you for a moment," she stated briefly before going back to her papers.
Jac's stomach flipped. Mr. Cornell! What had happened now? The principal hardly ever talked to individual classes, and it was never good when he did.
Beside him, Cory whispered, "Nathan Houridan probably got beat up again and now he wants to talk about bullying."
Jac and Gracie sniggered, but that quickly changed when Mr. Cornell walked in. The principal was a moderately tall man, with buzzed hair and concentrating smile on his face. Jac thought he was probably one of the coolest teachers at the school, besides Mrs. Edwin, his seventh grade math teacher and Coach Stokes, his honors English teacher and cross country coach.
"Sorry to interrupt, but the community has become increasingly aware of a...an accident that has recently occurred in the town. A few weeks ago, one of the students at our school went missing. Some of you may know her, as she was in this classroom."
"Bridgette," many people whispered. Cornell waved his hand for silence.
"I guess you do know her, then. Anyways, the police have been searching very hard but have no leads at this moment. If any of you know something," Cornell looked at Jac, "please come see me in my office or go to the police straight away. That's all."
^..^
"Oh, my gosh, this is absolutely awful. What are we supposed to do! What are they going to do to us?"
"Bridgette," Farid started.
"You do realize what's happening, right? They're going to kill us—"
"Bridgette—"
"Or keep us captive—"
"Bridgette!"
"What!"
"Shut up."
"No. This may be the last thing I ever say."
Farid paled. He hadn't thought of that. But at least she was quiet now.
They were trapped with nothing but themselves, back to back, hands and feet bound, inside a dark tent. People had continued on their merry way, not bothering the two captive children in the tent.
"What happens if we…are obliterated? I mean, you're characters, but what about me? I'm not part of this. This isn't how the story goes."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." She sighed and leaned her head back against his shoulder. Then her head snapped up and turned as far as she could to look at him. "Farid. Farid!"
"What now?"
"Can you scoot closer? Just a little?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Just do it." Farid inched back until he felt Bridgette's spine pressed into his. "I think I can get you untied. Hold still and be quiet."
She fumbled with the rope that bound his for a few moments, sometimes pinching him. But eventually she got him untied. Farid turned and untied her bonds.
"I can't believe they didn't think about this. Talk about Hollywood." She rubbed her wrists and started to reach for her ankles. "Then again, Hollywood doesn't exist here."
"Where are they? In here?" a voice outside the tent said. The two exchanged a look before putting their hands behind their backs and turning around again, just before the door of the tent was tossed back.
"So, these were the spies we caught around the camp," a man said, and Bridgette recognized him as the Piper. He walked slowly around them in a circle, hands behind his back, glowering down.
"Who sent you," he spat.
"Please, sir, nobody sent us. My brother and I were just taking a walk when stumbled on your camp," Bridgette started, widening her eyes.
The Piper looked between the two children. "Your brother?"
"Yes, sir, we're siblings. But his father died soon after he was born, and my mother remarried to my father. We didn't hear anything." She shook her head rapidly, hoping he would buy it. Bridgette turned her head enough to look at Farid, who had taken the hint and was going along with the story.
The Piper stood towering over them, trying to read their faces. "Unfortunately for you, we can't be sure of that and are not going to be able to let you go. We will be departing for the Adderhead's castle tomorrow, and you will accompany us. We have only to finalize the plan before it goes into action."
"Plan," Farid said in a questioning voice.
"Once at the castle, Firefox will lead part of an army to meet the one the Prince of Sighs is planning. I however, will take the other part to seize Ombra from his grasps for the Adder's rule." The Piper looked at Bridgette, who was still trying her best to snivel.
"Sleep well," he said cautiously, and left the tent.
Bridgette gave him enough time to get a good distance away before scooting around to face Farid. She looked him in the eye a long time. "Let's go," she said, undoing the bonds on her ankles. Farid hurried with his and stood up to help her. They poked their heads put of the tent door. Guards milled around, but none were paying attention to them, and there was no one between them and the hill.
"On three. One...two...three," she said, and they made a wild dash for the hill.
^..^
"Jac," Andy Wellton said in the locker room after school. "Hey, Jac!"
"What," Jac answered exasperatedly. He didn't really like Andy, and after all that had happened in the past few days, plus the race today, he really didn't want to talk to him.
"Think we'll win today? I mean, one of our fastest runners is gone, so the girls will have to step it up. She's a good runner, you know?" A sly smile appeared on Andy's face. "Bet you think she's good at other things too, don't you?"
Jac was silent while he processed this comment. The shoe he had been about to put on was still in his hand. Everyone in the room stopped and stared silently between the two. What had Andy meant? That they were dating? "I wouldn't know." He slid his shoe on and started to tie it.
"Oh, come on, Mason. Everybody in here knows you just gave a complete lie. Anyone with common sense would be able to figure that out."
"Shut up, Wellton. You're just mad she wouldn't give a pervert like you the time of day." Ethan Pearson said, sticking up for Jac.
"Really. Just because you liked her doesn't mean everyone else did," Cory added, and everyone laughed.
"Guys, let's go," Coach Stokes yelled from outside the door. "You're slower than the girls."
"Ignore him," Cory said quietly as they boarded the bus.
"I was. Just forget it," Jac replied.
^..^
"Are you sure this is what you heard?" the Black Prince asked. Bridgette, Farid, Meggie, and Fenoglio were all standing inside the ten.
"No, we heard him say he liked riding magic ponies to Ombra for kicks, but we thought this sounded better, so we told you. Yes, we're sure! How can you misunderstand that? Seriously, just tell me how. I really want to hear this," Bridgette ranted.
"What are we going to do," Meggie asked softly.
"Way to sum up the question of the day," Bridgette snorted. "But since I saw the future in a past life, I know that the Adder is scared of death. So, we need to tie that into our deviously diabolical plan."
"What are you suggesting," Meggie snapped back. "We just storm the palace?"
"Not a bad idea," Farid said, making his voice heard for the first time in a while.
"No, there's not enough of us, and not everyone fights," the Black Prince said thoughtfully. "But she is onto something. Fox—"
"Who?" Bridgette looked over her shoulder.
"Stop that," Meggie mumbled, tapping her shoulder lightly.
"It's time to put yourself to use. But we need your friend."
"And that would be..."
"The Bluejay."
"Ah." Bridgette sighed and rubbed her temples. "Give me an hour or so and he should be here. But, I'm going to need a horse and Farid."
"That's an odd assortment, but your wish is granted."
^..^
"So why am I needed?" Farid finally asked. The two were riding along a path on a horse they had been allowed to take. He hadn't exactly understood why Bridgette had insisted that he come.
"Because we're meeting a friend of yours. And I don't think we'd be joined by this friend if you didn't come along." She removed her hand from around his waist just long enough to brush her hair from her eyes. Horses were much scarier than trees; they may be shorter, but trees couldn't run, throw you off, or trample you under their sharp, little, pointy hooves. Which was the third reason she'd made Farid come—so he could drive or whatever they called it. "Actually, I'm surprised you've gone this long without this friend. Surprise! Again. How many would that make today?"
They turned onto the narrow dirt road; a farmhouse loomed in the distance. Farid pulled in on the reigns as a goose ran around at the horse's feet, and Bridgette tightened her grip on him. They were going to die on this thing; a flying carpet might be safer.
Two figures appeared in the doorway, and Farid went rigid. She saw the more masculine figure do the same.
"Let's go," she said. Farid stopped the horse and helped her down. The two children stared at the two adults in the doorway of the house.
"Dustfinger," Farid breathed.
"Who's this," Roxanne interrupted the silence that followed.
"Just a kid who started following your husband around. No, he's not what you're thinking. Now, hugs and kisses and a tearful reunion follow, we're done." Everyone turned from looking at each other to look at her; an odd look passed over Roxanne and Dustfinger's face. Might as well have some fun, she thought. "I am the Fox. I have news regarding the Adderhead, and I believe I need your help. May we sit and talk? I have another appointment to make."
Roxanne gestured towards the house and led the way to the kitchen; the four sat down at the table.
"Where are your children," Bridgette asked. Roxanne looked surprised, but answered, "I've sent them out to the barn."
"Very well. It doesn't really matter either way. But I'm getting off track. The Adder plans to launch two attacks on the Laughing Prince in order to take Ombra. I have a plan to stop it, but I need your help, Dustfinger. Will you do it?"
"And what exactly do you have in mind?"
^..^
Bridgette was mad.
There were other feelings there too, but mostly mad. Dustfinger had agreed to help them, and the four had gone back to the camp; that part was fine. But once there, Farid had left her for Dustfinger. He had refused to steer the horse. So now she not only had to steer the horse she was on, but she now had been forced to take another one along to get her other passengers.
That was not her idea of having a good time. Especially when she'd never ridden a horse herself, and now had to take another one to trample her in case there was a bump, or a snake, or a fairy to spook the things and make her fall off.
The cave was in eyesight. She pulled the horses up to the mouth and hopped off. Resa and Mo were sitting just inside, watching her with a mix of fear and curiosity.
"Hello, Bluejay. How are you this lovely evening? Remember me?" She sat down on the floor next to Resa, who gave a slight nod of the head. "Well, I'm Bridgette, but you're going to need to know me as the Fox, alright? Supposedly I'm your sidekick, even though I don't see how, because I'm pretty sure that a fox would eat a blue jay. Anyways, I need your help to save Ombra. Okay?"
Mo looked thoroughly confused. "What?"
"Look, if you just come back to came with me, I promise everything will be explained. Okay? Easy enough to understand?"
^..^
Jac toed the line. Around him, the boys were all doing the same thing. He had managed to forget Andy's words and was now intensely focused on the race. He saw a man raise the gun into the air from the corner of his eye. Jac tensed up, ready to spring from his position to the head of the pack.
A crack was emitted, and it echoed out over the starting field. The pre-race silence was broken, and the bystanders screamed and cheered for their team or runner.
As much as he loved running cross country, he really couldn't wait until school soccer started.
He bolted from his spot in line and was at the front of the pack in no time. He was tempted to look behind him around, but knew from past experience that it wouldn't go well if he did. And there were only a dozen or so boys in front of him.
He felt good. One of the first times in a month or so. He felt better than good. He felt on top of the world. Jac sped up, catching the boys that were ahead of him easily. He hadn't realized how fast he had been going, since the finish line couldn't be more than a quarter of a mile away.
There were two boys in front of him, and the finish-line hill was just right there. And Jac thought he could run another mile at least. They rounded the hill, and Jac sprinted down the incline, faster than he'd ever gone before. The coaches and girls' team were waiting at the end.
Jac moved away from the finish line and went to find his water. Bridgette would have loved that race.
^..^
"It won't work!" Dustfinger protested.
"Yes, it will! All we need is to—" Bridgette put her hands on her hips and cocked a foot out to the side. She and Farid had repeated their adventure to the group. It still amazed her how they'd practically just untied themselves and walked off.
"Not go through with it! Prince, tell her it won't work!" Dustfinger turned towards the Black Prince, who merely sat there calmly.
"I think she's right," Mo began.
"Of course I am!"
"You're not honestly going to listen to a twelve-year-old! She's just going to get us killed."
"I'm fourteen! And where's Fenoglio? Fenoglio! He's not here when you need him, that's for sure!" Bridgette poked her head out the door of the tent and looked around, finding the elderly man on a log with some other men. "Hey, you old codger! Come here, you're actually needed."
Bridgette thought Fenoglio took his time getting up, but eventually he made it into the tent. "Listen, we have a plan, and we need your help."
"So, you need my help now?"
"Shut up. All of you just shut up and listen. If we get Fenoglio to write out what happens, and Mo or Meggie reads it, then we should stand a very good chance against the Adder."
"And what exactly am I supposed to write? What if I make a new Cosimo?"
"Then trust me when I say this, but things are gonna get really bad really fast. But I know what will happen. You just have to trust me. All the Motley Folk need to go on a trip to Argenta."
"It's impossible! You can't know everything that will happen." Dustfinger exclaimed. Turning to Fenoglio, he added, "Can she?"
"She's not supposed to."
"Why won't you believe me," Bridgette huffed. She stamped her foot and glared into the eyes of everyone there.
"She has been right about everything so far," Meggie spoke up. "When we first came here, she knew what was going to happen and where everything was and...it was strange."
"This is bigger than just knowing the way to Ombra, though," the Black Prince said. "We could be putting the lives of everyone in danger."
"She's right." Farid stepped forward to stand between the two girls. "It was strange, but we got through."
"Let's take a vote. All those in favor of going along with my plan, raise your hand." Bridgette stepped slightly out of the circle with her hand raised. One by one, Meggie, Farid, Mo, and Resa raised their hands. The Black Prince thought for a moment before nodding and raising his as well. Dustfinger looked around like they had all lost their mind.
"I guess we go to Argenta," said the Prince.