Chapter 10: Torn Between Two Worlds

I can't believe it! How is it even possible! I'm totally freaking out right...

BEEP!

"AAAAAHHHHHHHH! OH MY GOD, WHAT WAS THAT?!" I screamed.

BEEP!

Eventually, the source of the noise became clear to me.

"Hey lady! Get out of the road! Are you and your friend crazy or what?!" some guy shouted. Wait a minute...me and my friend?

He was right though. Lying next to me was someone I had come to know very well...

"Come on! We ain't got all day!"

"Wha? Oh right, of course". I picked up "my friend" and ran to the pavement, I then bowed to the guy and apologised. "We are so sorry, please excuse us"

"Whatever" and he drove off without another word.

As soon as he left, I started analysing my situation. "Why do I always end up in the road? Oh well, at least I'm me again and not a mouse...that reminds me".

I turned around and kicked the thing sleeping on the ground.

"Penfold! Wake up!". No answer. "Penfold! Now!". Still no answer.

People walking by were giving me funny looks, so I picked him up again and looked for a quiet place where no-one would be around.

"This is so annoying..." I thought.

Continuing to walk on the left side of the road, I somehow managed to find an empty spot in the nearby park.

"Good, now no-one will be able to see or hear us..." I looked at sleeping Penfold and sighed. "Penfold this is your last chance, now wake up!". He still didn't budge.

"Right you asked for it!". I held his nose to stop his breathing and eventually he woke up from lack of air.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHH! "huff, huff" Oi, what did you do that for?! I need to..." he stopped and looked around. Then he screamed again. "AAAAAHHHHHHHH! HELLLLPPPP CCCHHHHEEEIIIFFFFF!"

"Penfold shush! You'll attract unwanted attention and...". But it was too late. What I thought was an empty spot, suddenly became filled with people seeing what all the noise was. Now I understand why he was screaming.

"Hey...is that a hamster?" one guy said.

"But it can't be" said the woman standing next to him. "Hamsters don't wear clothes and they certainly can't talk like us humans".

Right I think that's our cue to leave.

"Alright, Penfold...RUN!" I shouted and bolted across to the next field. When I looked behind me, Penfold hadn't moved. He was obviously frozen with fear seeing all those humans surrounding him. I huffed and bolted back to get him.

"Everyone move!"

They stopped staring at him and turned to face me. Seeing me charging back toward them, they all jumped in different directions. I then proceeded to pick him up and run away again.

The people eventually came to their senses and gave chase after us. "Hey, come back here! That hamster could make us all rich if we give him in to animal testing!" the guy before yelled.

I looked behind me in disgust and yelled back: "Over my dead body! Honestly, you people make me sick!"

"Look! It's the cops!" the woman said. "Hey officers, get after that girl!"

Oh great, now the police are involved. Looking for a quick way to escape, I spotted a man selling a motorbike across the street. "(Perfect! It's a good thing I took driving lessons)" I thought.

Regaining his senses, Penfold looked up at me and then looked at where I was looking. "Ere, what are you thinking?" he asked.

"Oh good you've snapped out of it. Well, currently we are running from the group of people from earlier and now the police too"

"Oh eck! What are we going to do?!"

"Let's just say if we haven't committed a crime yet...then we will now"

Once we made it across safely, I waited until the guy wasn't looking and jumped on. Penfold was a bit hesitant.

"Do you know how to drive? Because I'm not getting on if your just going to crash it into something"

"I've never driven one before, but how hard can it be?" I said

"That's not made me feel any better...WWAAAAHHHHH!" he yelled as I pulled him on the bike.

I then proceeded to start the engine. Of course, the guy turned around as soon as he heard this and shouted at us. "Come back here! You can't take it without paying for it!"

"Don't worry!" I shouted back. "My sister will bring it back to you later!"

The guy punched the wall and picked up his phone. He was about to call the police until he saw them zip past him.

"AAAAHHHHHH! Danielle, there still after us!"

"It's alright!" I said. "(I know exactly where I'm going)"

Meanwhile, while this is all going on here, back in DM's world the Professor and Jeopardy are discussing ways to get out of the cell...while DM keeps sulking in the corner.

"Right so, now that I've calmed down I've noticed Penfold is missing" Jeopardy said.

"I threw him in the portal after Danielle" the Professor stated, bluntly again.

"Why?"

She sighed. "I suppose I can tell you, but you've got to keep it to yourself"

Jeopardy looked at a broken Danger Mouse and then back at Squarkencluck. "Fine. So what's your plan?"

"Well for starters...you've seen him right?" she said gesturing to DM.

"Yes. I just looked at him...so what?" she asked back.

"You know as well as I do that we can't stop this mad rat unless your both working together"

"Ok I got that. What's next?"

Squarkencluck searched around for cameras or any listening devices. When she decided the coast was clear, she whispered to Jeopardy: "I sent Penfold after her with a new gadget I made that will allow them to come back here anytime they want".

Jeopardy gasped in shock. "Oh! So that's why...". She was cut of by the Professor hand.

"Shush! Do you want whoever's listening to know!" she whispered angrily.

Jeopardy pushed her hand away. "Alright, I'm sorry...I just they don't take too long to get back..."

Back to London in my world...

Still being chased, we almost made it to my house when suddenly I remembered the train tracks I had to cross to get there. At this current time, a train was about to pass this way and I had a plan to shake off our chasers for good.

"Alright Penfold, I have a plan. You won't like it, but it's all I can think of to get rid of them" I said to him.

"Right now, I'll go with anything!" he shouted.

"Are you sure?"

"No, but do it anyway!"

"Ok then" I revved up the engine. "Hold on tight!"

Once the train was in view, the bike went faster as my idea eventually clicked in his mind and his eyes widened in horror.

"NO! Your not going to beat the train before it goes past are you?!" he asked, shaking violently.

"We are indeed! So get ready to jump!"

"WHAT! Wait I'm sure we can find a safer way to do this!"

The police also caught onto my idea and stopped sharply. They then got out the car and one starting shouting at us. "Miss stop! You'll kill the both of you!".

"We'll take our chances and besides it's better than being caught by you!" I shouted back. "Now Penfold! JUMP!"

"OOOHHHHH EEECCCCCKKKKKK!"

We jumped off the exact moment the bike hit the tracks and went flying across. The train was right in front of are faces and we were lucky to land without either of us getting injured. As soon as we made contact with the ground, the train sped past and crushed the bike underneath it.

"Ouch! That hurt and that was completely...!" I cut him off.

"Come on lets get out of here!" I said, pulling on his arm.

We ran as far as we could before the train left and the view became clear again. When it did, the police could see that we'd disappeared and that even the bike had been destroyed.

"What a waste of a life..." one said. "Let's go lads! They're gone!". And they got back in the car and drove away.

When I realised that the coast was clear again, we stopped running and walked at a normal pace. After what felt like hours (in Penfold's case), we finally made it to my house.

"Cor...I'm glad that's over with. Can we go home now?" he said.

"No...we can't just yet" I sighed. "I've got to tell my family what's going on"

As I reached for the door handle, Penfold suddenly gasped.

"Uhhh! What is it now Penfold?"

"Um...I just noticed..." he looked around getting nervous.

"What?! What did you notice?!"

"You still have your tail"

In a fit of panic, I quickly whipped my head down and looked at my bottom. As he had said, my white mouse's tail was still attached to me. My face paled and of course I did the one thing I do so well...

I screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Inside, my father was watching TV with my two sisters. All of a sudden, this massive scream came out of nowhere and made them all jump about 10 feet into the air (not really).

"What's that?! Dad is someone going to rob us?" my youngest sister asked.

"No I don't think that's it...Elise go outside and see what's wrong" he said.

"Yes father"

I was still screaming rather loudly. Penfold covered his ears and tried to calm me down.

"Danielle stop! My ears are hurting and you don't want anyone to find you like this do you?!" he shouted at me.

I stopped screaming and looked him straight in the eye. "Your right! I don't want them to know about this, but how do I get rid of it?!" I said, grabbing him by his collar.

"First, let go of me and second, why don't you hide it under that silly dress your wearing?"

"That's a great idea! I'll wrap it round my body so no-one will notice"

Luckily for me I had managed to hide it before Elise came outside. She looked around the back and shouted: "Is anyone out here?"

"It's just me and Penfold!" I shouted back.

"Danielle?" she came to the front of the house, "What are you doing back so early? You weren't supposed to come back for another two weeks"

Thank god she doesn't know what actually happened to me. "Yeah about that..."

She then spotted Penfold standing next to me. "Is this the friend you went with?". She leaned in for a closer look and Penfold started to blush. "Are you a hamster?" she asked.

"I am indeed madam" he answered politely.

She gave me a blank expression. "You, my dear sister...have a lot of explaining to do"

I gulped and prayed they didn't kill me. Making our way into the house, I noticed that everything was exactly the way it was before I left. Which in turn makes me wonder just how much time has passed here, if any at all.

We eventually came to the living room where everyone was sitting. When I saw one particular person my tears gave way and I cried in joy.

"Daddy..."

"Danielle? Welcome home dear, I wasn't expecting you back ye...OOMF!". I ran for him and hugged him as tight as I could.

"I missed you daddy, I'm so glad your ok" I said still crying.

"Danielle what are you talking about? Of course I'm alright. You've only been gone for 5 days"

So, time goes the same here too. It took me another 10 minutes before I was calm and that's when the questions started to get thrown at me.

"So first off...who is this?" she said, pointing at Penfold.

"This is my new friend Penfold and I also have a few others too. There's Professor Squarkencluck, Jeopardy Mouse and..." I started rambling, but was stopped when a hand covered my mouth.

"Professor Squarkencluck?! Jeopardy Mouse?! Danielle, who are these people?"

"Actually they're all animals"

She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "Just where have you been and how did you get there?"

In the background, Penfold was making himself at home and telling stories to Darcy.

"Danielle! Answer your sister!" our father yelled.

"Fine! Just stop shouting...right I'll tell you, but promise to listen to everything I'm about to tell you and don't freak out"

"We promise" they all said.

I then began my long winded story about everything that happen since I've been away. Throughout my story, my sisters and father gasped and gave confused looks and at one point they even got angry. When I finally finished, the room went silent.

"Well that's pretty much it"

"Wait a second, do you have any proof about the whole you being a mouse thing?" Darcy asked.

"I didn't want to do this, but..." I pulled my white tail from out of my dress, "See is this enough proof?"

They doubled back in shock.

"So it really is true..." Elise whispered.

"I could of told you that" Penfold boasted.

"Penfold shush!" we all shouted.

"I was only saying..." he looked at the clock, "Danielle, we're going to have to leave soon or it will be too late!"

"But..." I looked at my family and cried again. "Do I really have to?"

"No I guess not..., but what about DM?" he said.

"He can look after himself and I'm sure if you go back that will be enough for him to save the world again"

I seriously didn't want to leave them again. I mean, I just got them back and I'm sure...

"Danielle"

I turned around to face my father, tears in my eyes. "If you love him then you need to go back" he comforted.

"But I don't want to leave you...what if I never see you again?" I sobbed.

"No matter where you go, we will always be here should you decide to return"

I looked at them all and then at Penfold. Finally, I'd made up my mind.

"Tell mother that I'm sorry and I love her. Come on Penfold...we have a world to save" I said with determination.

"Oh good! Now let's see how this thing works"

He took out the Professors gadget and placed it on the floor. I have to admit it did look really complicated. Penfold pressed a green button and the machine sprang to life.

"Please place something of yours in the slot" it said.

"Oh eck! It's alive!"

"Hmm...oh! I know". I got a pair of scissors from a draw and cut my hair to my shoulders. "This should do it. Penfold put your glasses inside"

"I hope this works"

We placed our things inside and a bright light came shooting out of it. "Step into the light and you will be taken to my creators location". We did as it asked and it felt like we disintegrating into nothing.

"Ooh, I don't like this!" Penfold shivered.

"Take care my daughter! We'll see you soon"

"Yeah and don't forget to invite us to your wedding!" Darcy shouted.

I was crying, but I laughed. "I won't! I love you!"

"Take care both of you!" they said before we disappeared for good.

Once we were gone, they sighed. "Do you think she'll be ok?" Elise asked, concerned.

"Don't worry...your sister can take care of herself" he said as they all went back to what they were doing.

In DM's world, things were going from bad to worse as it was almost time for Ratcliffe's plan to take action. Pacing around the cell, Jeopardy was about to lose it and punched the wall.

"Ahh come on! How much longer! It's almost dark and we're running out of time!" she yelled, frustrated.

"What do you want me to do about it?! I can't make them come back!" the Professor yelled back.

"And you!". She turned to look at DM. "You and your stupid moping around is getting on my nerves! Get out there and do something about it!"

DM clenched his fists, go up off the floor and looked her straight in her eyes. She backed away a little, pure fear on her face as she practically saw the anger radiating off him.

"I have just lost the two most important people in my life and all YOU can think about is THE GOD DAMN WORLD! THE WORLD SHOULD LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF! WHAT WOULD EVERYONE DO IF I DIED HUH?! TELL ME!" he screamed at her.

"I..I d..don't know I...". She was lost for words. DM sighed and hung his head low.

"I'm sorry...I don't know what I'm doing anymore, I..."

All of a sudden, the room started to shake and a bright light appeared out of nowhere.

"Looks like they got back just in time" the Professor smiled.

DM looked at her confused. "What are you talking about Professor?"

"The world needs saving whether you like it or not, so I sent Penfold after Danielle so they could..."

"Come back together..." he gasped.

"Exactly"

The bright light suddenly faded to reveal me and Penfold lying on the ground. After a few minutes, I eventually regained my sight and looked around. Then I looked at myself and smiled.

"(I'm a mouse again)" I thought to myself. But then I strangely started to get angry.

"I've had enough of this! No more changing form, no more moving to different dimensions and no more getting caught ever again! From now on I'm staying in this world, living out the rest of my life as a white mouse and beating the crap out of..."

"Danielle..." someone whispered.

I turned around shortly to find all my friends in a cell. Once I set eyes on DM all my emotions came flooding out and I had to resist the urge to jump in his arms.

"Danger Mouse..." I cried.

I'm happy. I'm home...and I'm never leaving again.