It's a glorious and a rainy Saturday. It's all Typhoon Falcon's fault. It's cold, but probably not as cold as your countries' weather today. Yes, yes you. You in the green shirt and you in the gray hoodie. Yes you. I'm talking to you. Gotcha!
Anyways, I'm wearing a pink hoodie right now. Yeah! I like it a lot. It's my favorite and living in a tropical country, I rarely get the chance to wear it. I feel so Korean-ish. Haha.
*sighs* Yeah, the comma problem. I type without my glasses on sometimes. I'm sorry and I do have a flair for putting and removing commas unnecessarily, don't I? I'm sorry *bows low*
DISCLAIMER:
ME: (typing) And I am so thankful for all your reviews. Mwahaha.
Mr. Manager~sama: What a weirdo.
ME: (typing) DISCLAIMER: Uh... Uh... (looks at manager) What should I write?
Mr. Manager~sama: snore, snore, zzz, snore, snore.
ME: (typing) Thanks a lot, Manager. You're such a big help. And I still don't own The 39 Clues, but The Medusa's Plot is on its way. As well as The Son of Neptune. That's a FACT!
Read on, my fellow citizens! Read on, I say! (Because I'm feeling speech-y)
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Chapter 9: The Challenge, The Fight and The Threat
Amy had to roll her eyes at the statement. Fancy meeting you here? Have they forgotten that they are in their field? "Look, Meilin –"
The Asian girl – Meilin - put a manicured hand over her lips in mock surprise. "Oh dear! Wouldn't you look at that? Amy, the Stutter-Brain, Cahill is talking!" She glanced at the other three girls. "What a surprise, isn't it, girls?" The other threesome – one brunette, one red-head, one blonde – nodded enthusiastically and giggled. Then their smug faces stretched into a huge acerbic smirk.
Dan had enough of this. Those guys just had to mess up their day every time, huh? "Listen, dumpling!" Dan bravely charged at their group. Like lightning, the boys behind the antagonists made a barrier-like fort in front of the girls. Even the fashion-less guy stepped in front protectively. A blonde one, who is nearly as tall as Hamilton and probably the same age, roughly pushed Dan. The thirteen-year-old stumbled unceremoniously on the dirt.
"Dan!" Amy yelled, running to her brother's aid. Ian was suddenly near her. He held an arm over Amy's waist to stop her. His other hand was busy dusting off hay and grass from his navy blue Armani button-down shirt. He had his calm face on, but was radiating seriousness. Hamilton grinned like everything was going to be interesting from here on out. Ned and Ted looked plain disgusted and angry. They nearly killed their sister. They looked at each other thinking, You ready to kick some low-life butts? Jonah immediately wore his sunglasses to avoid identification, and plasted a huge smile. Phoenix squirmed out of Keight's grip, and rushed to help Dan. "You okay, bro?" he asked, holding out a hand. "Yeah. Thanks, dude," Dan said, accepting the help and glaring at the scene in front of him.
"What'cha gonna do, wimps?" the blonde guy demanded, looking at the two of them with disdain. He raised his palm again, getting ready to push Phoenix and Dan. A hand gripped his wrist. "That's enough, don't you think?" Hamilton declared, smiling dangerously. Ian made his way at them slowly and lazily. Ned and Ted had their sleeves drawn up to their shoulders like gangsters. Imagine professor-looking teenagers looking like they could kill hundreds. Yeah, unimaginable picture. But the twins have spent years in bullying younger students. Jonah slung his arms on Dan's and Phoenix' shoulders, looking mildly interested. He slyly scanned for possible weak spots from the enemy.
They were feet away from the Cahill girls, so the ladies had a hard time hearing what they were talking about. "What do you think are they going to do?" Angelle whispered excitedly.
Sinead shot her a look. "Don't you think it's an off-time to be excited about all of this?" she hissed back.
"I-I a-agree with S-Sinead," Amy breathed, tugging at her shirt. "Wh-What do we do?"
Natalie yawned. "Don't worry about them. They are boys, after all. They love fighting. Ian would have them crawling at their feet in no time." She beamed at all of them positively. "Without raising a finger."
"Hammer will have them crawling," Reagan announced proudly. Madison bumped Reagan's shoulder enthusiastically. "Uh-huh. At their feet or without their feet."
Keightlyn assessed the situation quietly. "Remember, Phoenix is wounded," was all she said.
They were so caught up in their conversation that it was a shock when the boys and the newcomers advanced towards them. Hamilton looked irked at the red-haired girl clinging on his arm. He began subtly shaking her off when he spotted Sinead's raised eyebrows. Ian had his arms crossed, probably to avoid having the same fate as Hamilton. Meilin has her eyes locked on him and kept on trying to lock arms with Ian. The brunette and blonde girl did not approach any of the Cahills but instead linked arms with some of the boys in their group. Jonah busied his self pretending to be an over-caring brother to Phoenix and Dan.
"What do you want now, Vermoes?" Angelle snarled.
"Vermoes?" Natalie scoffed, crinkling her nose and pursing her lips.
Keightlyn poked her arm warningly. "That's their surname. At least, Meilin and Stephanie and the blonde guy and his brother."
"Is Stephanie the one with Holt?" Sinead gestured at the red-head with a tilt of her head.
"Yep. The blonde guy is Andrew and his brother, Peter, is the one with the brunette, Angela." Keightlyn glanced quickly at Amy. "Actually that Andrew guy has a 'thing' for Amy."
Amy heard what Keightlyn said. "No, he does not. He's a jerk," she blanched.
Natalie placed a slender finger on her cheek thoughtfully. "That's what you said about my brother, too."
"Y-You're not he-helping, N-Natalie," she scowled at the smirking girl.
Natalie just shrugged. "And who's the person who has color-blindness?"
Angelle looked perturbed. "I-I don't... know."
Reagan and Madison tapped the red-haired girl on the shoulder. "Hey, sister! That's our brother!"
"The name's Stephanie," the red-haired purred, pinching the twins on the cheek fondly. "And this guy here is your brother, not your son." Stephanie began shaking their cheeks, cooing.
Sinead fumed quietly at the nerve of that girl. The twin Holts had other ideas besides keeping quiet. They grabbed Stephanie's right arm and performed a perfect Judo move on her. Stephanie groaned, rubbing her rear. "What the heck is wrong with the two of you?" she spat, tugging feebly at Reagan and Madison's jogging pants. Her nice-innocent-girl pretense ended. Hamilton cocked an eyebrow at this and moved his sisters where Amy and Natalie are.
"The two of them -" Ned grumbled, opening and closing his fists. "- Are thirteen-year-olds, stupid," added Ted, the murderous look on his twin's face photocopied in his.
Andrew Vermoe shot them a menacing glint. "We can see that, weirdos. What is your problem?"
"You nearly," spat Ned, through clenched jaw. "Killed our sister, morons!" finished Ted.
Meilin looked Sinead over. She grimaced at Sinead's outfit. "You mean, this poor excuse for a girl is your sister?" she scathed, her lips curling. "How charming!"
"Enough." That one word sent chills through all of them. Ian seemed undaunted at their reactions. He remained where he was, still avoiding the flirting pheromones Meilin is giving out. "It would be disrespectful of you if you don't introduce yourselves before insulting us, now wouldn't it?" His voice sounded so official, so Lucian. The Vermoes just had to flinch at his words.
"Oooh... Accent. Hot," Meilin said, inching closer towards Ian. The British boy appeared ignorant. If anything, he moved away from her more.
Andrew's brother, Peter, nudged the nerdy boy. "Hey, Damien." The nerd boy staggered down. "Why don't you tell them why we're here?"
Damien pushed his glasses closer to his eyes. "O-Okay..." He bowed his head low, and started mumbling unintelligibly.
"Louder, you dolt!" Andrew bellowed.
Damien flinched. "We came to challenge you to a human chess," he blurted out.
"Excuse me?" Natalie cackled. "Challenge us? Do you know just who we are, you useless peasants?"
Dan marvelled at Natalie's sudden bravery. "Wow, Nat's on the roll."
"You haven't seen anything yet," Ian sighed. Then he straightened up. "Human chess? Why the sudden invitation?"
Andrew smirked at him. "Because, Mr. Bean, we're going to battle for a prize." He gazed at Amy's direction. "A very hesitant prize."
Ian followed his gaze and saw Amy slightly shaking. "Amy Cahill?" he whispered. "You think Amy Cahill is a prize?"
Andrew nodded contentedly and pointed at Angelle. "And that blonde one." He eyed Sinead undecidedly. "Add that auburn-haired, too."
"Yo, yo, yo! What do you think of our ladies here? Some kind of high-breed chicken?" Jonah said, removing his arms from Dan and Phoenix. "Who in the name of rapping do you think ya are?"
Stephanie advanced near him. "Why does your voice sound so familiar?"
"Uh..." Phoenix had to think fast before his cousin could get into trouble. "He's done some cartoon voicing."
Stephanie shot him a threatening look. "I didn't ask you."
Phoenix nodded. "I know. But I answered, so what you gonna do?"
Keightlyn sauntered in their direction. "That, Jackie, is what burn means."
"Freaky little blonde."
Meilin tapped Andrew on the shoulder, scolding. "Andrew, the new ones do not know our... endeavours. Only those four," she glanced dismissively at Amy, Dan, Angelle and Keightlyn, "know why we're here in the first place."
Peter snapped his fingers twice. "Damien. Explain."
"Explain what, P-Peter?" he stuttered.
Meilin slapped his head hard. "The situation, doofus!"
"O-Of c-course. Uh... We..." Damien cleared his throat twice and started on a practiced speech. "We challenge these pathetic Cahills every moment we get. People from around here think that these Cahills are somehow better than us. We, the fearless Vermoes, have decided to put an end to those rumors. The prizes will be chosen by the winners. Anything will suffice. For us the prize will be the stay of Amy and Angelle in our manor for a week. And now..." He glimpsed at Sinead. "I'm sorry, what's your name again?" Sinead looked at him in disbelief.
"Never mind that," Dan retorted. "We never accept your challenges anyway. They're not worthy of a ninja lord's time."
"Says the little boy who got pushed down," Andrew mocked.
"I don't believe we're up to such ridiculous challenge," Ian said, his tone very near to a growl. "It's a pathetic taunt that can only be thought of by lowly people such as... you."
Peter smiled appreciatively, as if he was actually expecting him to say something like this. "Of course, whatever you say." His black eyes glinted. "Maybe you really are just hopeless cowards." Peter seemed to be directing the statement especially at Hamilton.
That word rang again and again in Hamilton's head. Cowards... Cowards... Cowards... Hopeless cowards... He remembered all those times his family were treated like dirt. His dad getting thrown out of Tomas meetings. People from their own branch thinking that the Holts are stupid. Emotions flared inside him. "You might want to pray before challenging all of us."
"Hmm... Interesting. Does that mean you accept our challenge?" said the blonde Vermoe. The four other acquaintances of the Vermoes have been so quiet, they nearly forgot they were there.
Ian saw through their act. They are trying to anger Holt, somehow triggering his competitiveness. If that's the case – "Wait, Holt –" he warned. He was too late.
"Cahills never back down from a challenge. Bring it, Vermoes."
Meilin clapped her hands cheerfully. "Perfect! We'll send you the rules via Facebook, 'kay? Toodles." And with that, they were gone, walking away from them like nothing happened. Ian watched in horror at the sudden turn of events.
Bloody hell.
XXxXXoXXxXx
"What in the name of blasted pigeons were you thinking, Holt?" Ian exploded the moment they stepped into the threshold of their own manor. "You fell for their teasing! Their lowly taunting!"
Hamilton Holt loomed over Ian. Ian might be a five-foot-eleven-inches sixteen-year-old, but Hamilton is a six-foot-six-inches seventeen-year-old who hates being yelled at. "What is your problem, Kabra? I saved our pride and dignity back there, if you haven't noticed!"
"Pride and dignity?" Ian shot back. He chuckled harshly, his voice full of steel. "Pray tell me, what part there was the saving part, Tomas!"
Hamilton advanced inches more towards the British boy. Ian didn't move an inch. "Every. Darn. Part! Every darn part, you filthy Lucian!" he spat.
"Ian, please," Amy pleaded as Sinead said, "Holt, calm down." The others were simply trying to get out of their way.
Ian appeared as if he heard Amy's silent protests. He tried to calm down. "Look, Holt –"
"No, you look, Kabra," Hamilton interrupted. "Those fools were trampling on us! Didn't you see that? They had our pride under their feet. Especially those of Amy, Sinead and Angelle. And they were enjoying every minute of it! Didn't you see that?" His hands started shaking from the strain of his voice.
Ian massaged his temples briskly. "That was a ploy! A ploy, Holt! They were trying to –"
Hamilton crossed his arms over his chest. "And how do you know that? Everything you're spouting, how do you know you're right, huh?" he said, challenging Ian.
"Because..." Ian trailed off. How was he supposed to explain? "Can't you trust me on this, Holt? I just know, okay? I have proof but –"
Hamilton laughed. "But, what? It's not enough evidence?" When Ian did not answer, he continued. "See? You become angry for no apparent reason. And I thought Lucians were supposed to be the cunningly smart ones," he scoffed. "Hammy," Reagan and Madison warned, tugging at both his arms.
Ian glared at this. That is just crossing the pesky line! Nobody makes fun of a Lucian. "That's precisely why I can't tell you my reason! You are too hot-headed! You let your emotions control you. Didn't you see how those Vermoes used that?" he insisted.
"Ian, brother," Jonah said, tentatively, "don't they have to know Hamilton's attitude to play that game?"
Ian nodded curtly. "Exactly. And how would they know that?" He waited for the others to get his point.
Amy gasped, being the first one to get what he means. "One of them... No... All of them are Vespers. Is that what you're trying to say?"
Angelle held up both her hands. "Whoa, hold up. The Vermoes... Vespers? Amy, come on! They're evil, but not that evil."
Dan became serious Dan. Serious Dan mostly appears nowadays, especially after the hunt. "We can't know that, Angelle. Especially that new nerd guy. Damien, was it? Da-mi-en." He glanced at the others.
"Why? Is something wrong with the name Damien?" Natalie asked.
Keightlyn chewed on her lower lip. "That's the first name of Gideon Cahill's archenemy. Damien Vesper."
"Th-This is stupid," Hamilton spluttered. "If you are a Vesper, why would you name yourself Damien? It's too conspicuous."
Sinead nodded deliberately. "That makes sense. Strategically speaking, that wouldn't be very wise. Let's just say that the real Damien a while ago is wearing a disguise. For him to look less... suspicious." All of them nodded, catching up with her logic. "He'd go through all the trouble of dressing up like that and ruin it with his name? It's like you're an evil witch dressed as a super model and you named yourself, Evil Witch."
"It was a warning," Natalie spoke up. "A subtle message telling us, We know where you are."
Everybody, except for Ian, shuddered at her voice. "Precisely. And now we've fallen to their trap. Thanks to you!" he pointed accusingly at Hamilton.
"You said so yourself. That is not a very strong proof," Hamilton defended.
"Hah." Ian chuckled triumphantly. "Now you know how wrong you are. Next time, Holt, you might want to think. With what you have done, you endangered all of us. Even your sisters. Do you even care for their safety? What kind of brother are you?" He arched an eyebrow.
Hamilton lunged forward. There was a crunching sound as his fist connected with Ian's jaw. Ian staggered backwards, but regained composure. His amber eyes flared up, changing into a weird golden orange color. He mustered every strength he has to plant a solid kick on Hamilton's chest.
"Oh, my..." Amy rushed forward only to be pulled by Dan. Her brother was furiously shaking his head at her.
Don't get in their way, he thought at her.
But, Dan -
For the first time, Dan shot her a dead serious look. Just chill, Amy.
"You think you're pretty smart, huh, Cobra? You don't know anything about me!" Hamilton yelled, raising his fist higher to hit Ian again.
"Says the person who does not think!" Ian spat, returning Hamilton's every punch.
"You're not really a nominee for The Best Older Brother Award, Lucian," Hamilton scoffed. "Work over family. Look what happened!" He pointed a proving finger at Natalie.
Ian's nostrils flared. He knows whatever it is he has done wrong, but no need to point it out and rub it in front of everybody's nose. "You... You little imbecile!" Fists and kicks flew once more. Hamilton already had a nasty bruise coming out of his arm. Blood was trickling down Ian's nose and mouth. But neither wanted to stop.
"Reagan, Madison, stop your brother!" Jonah ordered, pulling a still-punching Ian out of Hamilton's reach. Reagan and Madison immediately went to work. They wrapped a vise-like arm cage around Hamilton's waist, pulling him backward. "Stop it, Hammer!" They struggled with Hamilton's weight. Dan hastened to help the twins. "Hey, come on, dude. Back off," he said in an undertone. Ned and Ted joined Jonah in stopping Ian. Natalie had her jaw wide-open. She was too much in shock to react. It's like the gauntlet all over again. The shouting, the hurting, the hitting. Keightlyn noticed this and silently dragged her out of the commotion. Sinead's shouts were drowned by the noise.
Ian struggled against his captors. With a grunt, he successfully disentangled his self. "Excuse me a moment," he growled, massaging his sore jaw. He briskly wiped the blood off his nose and on the base of his jaw, ignoring the sharp pain that came after he did so. With a final glare at Hamilton's direction, Ian stomped outside.
"Get off me," Hamilton snapped, making his sisters and Dan fall off from their grip. Then, he, too, walked off... towards the boys' dormitory.
"This," Jonah started as he watched the two boys walk away, "is the thing I've been dreading of."
Angelle placed an arm above his. "Not only do our branches clash, but our attitudes, too."
Dan and Amy glanced at each other.
Amy's jade eyes were large with fear. They hit each other, Dan. They. Hit. Each. Other.
I know, I know. I saw everything. Dan furrowed his eyebrows.
Those Vermoes just had to mess things up! If we fail... Everything we worked hard for... Then, we're all going to d-
Amy. Freaking. Out. Cahill. Sis, we'll think up of something. So what if Cobra and Hammer fight? It's only one fight, right? The two of us fight all the time, and we get by just fine.
Amy shot him a look.
Okay, so maybe you annoy me more than often, Dan amended. Another exasperated look from Amy. Lighten up, Ames. Just trust me, we'll be fine.
"So, guys, how do we deal with this?" Ned asked. For once, he and his twin didn't complete each other's sentences. Ted was unusually quiet. Sinead, too.
There were greeted by something they didn't need nor want.
Silence.
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Whew. Nine pages on Word.
I mean no offense for anybody reading this who got offended in any way. I don't believe in stereotypes either. I love people no matter what they look like. What I don't like is when they start acting and being mean to other people. *sighs*
So yeah, this is the start of the climax. The main story. Do continue reading :) I hope the excitement picks up from here on out.
Someone asked me how many chapters there will be... Hmm... I think this story will end before or on the month of August. I think. But I'm not so sure. I do hope, though, so that I could start writing other stories. I am not one who writes stories simultaneously, but I am a very good multi-tasker. Thumbs up for multi-taskers out there!
Question of the Day:
What is your favorite chapter so far? Why?
And... if I ever had a Twitter account, would you actually follow me? (Those who do not have an account... just take it hypothetically :)
Haha. What a random question. And just so you know, I am one of the 0.0000001 population who do not have a Facebook and a Twitter account. And I'm proud of it. Haha.
Oh well. Read and Review, guys!
A whole pack of egg-shaped chocolates with my name on it.
No, seriously. It does have my name on it.
If you'll excuse me.
Till the soccer balls,
MuchLove, PeaceOut!
AngelicSpring.