A Cry for Help
By: Digitalice
Chapter, 10
Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Luckily for Peggy, she had her right arm wrapped around the cement rail. She used her left hand to push off the outside wall, while using the momentum to swing herself back up, and just in time, as her legs were almost at a vertical angle with the wall.
She cautiously looked over the edge at the tree line below and heaved a shaky, but thankful sigh.
Scott's feet didn't even touch her floor as he soon was out on the balcony. He grabbed on to her belt, and pulled her back away from the wall.
Peggy began to chuckle, as Scott looked her over in trepidation. "Well... that sure beats a can of caffeine," she commented lightly. Obviously she was untroubled by what happened which bothered Scott.
In the meantime, Tin-Tin reached her hover-sled. She had seen that Peggy managed to get herself back over the edge, but wanted to be sure Peggy was all right. Tin-Tin brought the hover sled near the balcony rail and peered over it.
"Peggy, are you okay?" She asked terrified. "Scott?"
Peggy looked at her right forearm that was scratched up, and already showing some bruising.
"I'm fine Tin-Tin... thanks," she replied absently. Scott didn't look, but acknowledged her question with a nod.
Relieved, Tin-Tin began her descent, then called out, "Okay then. I'll be right there."
Scott looked at Peggy. The look of consternation on his face, and in his tone, could not have been any more pronounced. "You think that was funny? How could you crack a joke about what just happened?" He then moved closer to her.
"I'm fine Scott. Don't worry." Peggy repeated. She wanted the whole ordeal to drop, but with Scott staring at her, she'll need to be a bit more convincing, and on top of being a little high, it was going to take all her concentration on proving so.
Scott bent down in front of her and looked her straight in the eyes. "Don't worry? You may be fine, but I'm not. I'm going to live with the image of you going over that rail for the rest of my life, and you tell me not to worry?" Scott's voice was filled with exasperated fear.
As Scott spoke, Peggy watched the vibrant colors come out of Scott's mouth. She began to relax. "Don't go all melodramatic on me. I didn't go over the edge. I had a grip around the rail."
Scott shook his head as he continued to look at her. He knew she was stoned. Her pupils were dilated and nearly covered the iris in her eyes. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "Peggy, what is going on with you?" He quietly asked.
That morning, Scott Tracy's day headed off to a bad start, and it seemed like it was going to end the same way. Finding the photo of his sister with her friends, and catching her yet again, outside on the deck reading a book, nearly set him on a tirade. Not wanting to spoil breakfast by making sure she ate something, he was going to wait until afterwards to chew her out. Gordon took him aside and explained that Peggy was acting funny, and he insisted she sat out with him as he did his laps in the pool. He could keep an eye on her, he explained. Then after he warned her before, she continues to dangle over her balcony, and almost kills herself.
"Nothing... I'm okay Scott... really," she insisted with a hint of irritation in her tone. He was ruining her buzz.
Scott's jaw dropped at her boldness. She should have been scared half to death, he knew he was.
She pulled herself away from him and continued, "You know, Alan, Fermat and Tin-Tin were in far more danger when the Hood fired up the engines to TB1, when they escaped through the exhaust tunnels. They could've been fried to a crisp!"
Scott stood back and thought about what she said. Since Peggy was away, thank god, during spring break, she relied on Alan for information during that time. Gordon wanted to spare her the morbid details of what could've happened, and their father didn't want to talk about it at that time. Alan, on the other hand, probably glorified the many times they escaped, unharmed, to make him out to be the hero of the day, and with help, he was.
Running a hand through his hair, Scott sat down against the wall. "Peggy, what all did Alan tell you about that time?" He asked questioningly. 'This ought to be good.'
Peggy shrugged, "Well, TB5 was struck, and you, dad, Virgil and Gordon went to help John. After you left, Alan and them spotted a sub emerging from the ocean. Then they decided to enter the house through the vents, and made their way to command and control. They overheard the conversation between dad and the Hood, and how you guys saved the Hood's brother Kyrano and not him. Then they escaped one of the Hood's henchmen, as they went back through the vents, after Fermat sneezed a couple of times." She paused to recollect, "Oh, and they made down TB2's silo, and that Fermat and Tin-Tin used the fire-fly on the Hood's henchmen to distract them, while Alan used the Thunderizer on TB1's silo door."
Scott listened as Peggy ranted on. Alan didn't mention it was a missile that hit the space station John was manning that day. He could've been killed.
As she continued to talk, he noted that Alan also didn't mention that while he was playing around with the machines, the rest of their family was trapped, due to the Hood cutting off their communications and access to their systems, on a deteriorating TB5. They went to help, and retrieve John, not knowing their own lives were in imminent danger. 'Amazing' he thought.
Scott held up his hand to shut her up, "I heard enough... Peggy, I'm going to mention to dad that we all need to sit down and talk about that day. Obviously, Alan left out some significant details."
Peggy blinked at him quizzically, then became lost in thought. 'Man am I ever buzzing. The adrenaline rush really kicked the acid in. I better take something to slow myself down.'
Scott sighed deeply, to expel all his aggravation and frustrations. He wished their father were home. "Are you sure you are okay?" He asked once more. He wondered what she was thinking, since she was engrossed in thought, and snickering. "Peggy?" He spat.
Peggy snapped out of her thoughts, "What? Sorry... I wasn't... "
"Paying attention," Scott finished while standing up. He rubbed his face, "You know... forget it. Get cleaned up before dinner. We'll talk later."
Waiting until she closed her bathroom door, he closed the sliding windows to her balcony. As they hissed shut, he locked them and took the face off the panel next to them, and removed the function chip that controlled her windows. "She won't be going out on her balcony anymore," he mumbled, while replacing the face to the panel.
Peggy filled up the bathtub and made sure the water was hot enough to cause steam but not to burn her. She put fragrant oil in as well. Between the steam, oil and ventilation fan, nobody would be able to detect the smell of pot.
Pulling out a beer and digging around in the box, she began to panic at not being able to find her pipe. She even double-checked the cut out, but remembered she had it on her the other night. 'Where did I put it? I better check my pockets from the other night.'
'Thank god for back-up,' she pulled out a glass pipe and packed it.
Peggy picked up a picture she kept in the box and grabbed the can of beer. Getting into the tub and sitting in the water, she lit her pipe, popped open the beer, and looked at the photo of her, Tara, Susan and Sara.
'What a blast that day was,' she mumbled while fondly reminiscing.
Peggy used the fake e-mail account she set up for her dad, and had 'him' request a leave for her that weekend to stay with Susan. With the school getting permission from her father, they granted her the pass for Friday night to Sunday night, and Peggy spent the weekend at Susan's along with Tara and Sara. Susan's parents were always gone, and didn't keep close tabs on her whereabouts, which Peggy envied, and she honestly wasn't sure Susan had parents, since she never even met them.
That Saturday morning, they went into Chicago to walk around the Museum of Science and Industry. After that, they hit a bowling alley and played a couple of lanes, while teasing the guys who bought them beer. They didn't work at Mic's that weekend, so they accepted an invite from the guys to go eat and hit a few clubs afterwards. They eventually ended up at Kryptonite, Mic's place, and a couple photos' were taken outside the club, with both Susan's cell camera, and a cell camera of one of the guys they were out with.
Concentrating on Susan, Peggy never understood how they became close. Susan was a fiery redhead and basically could be a bitch. One wrong little look from someone, would set her off. She stood up for the underdogs of the school, and Peggy concluded Susan maybe thought she was a sissy geek, who needed guidance and protection. The fact was, Peggy didn't want to be bothered by anyone, so she proved Susan wrong; she proved all of them wrong.
Sara and Tara were twins. Both were blond, beautiful and wanted to become lawyers. They had two younger siblings, while Susan was adopted and an only child. Susan wanted to continue in the arts, and hoped to become an actor. All three girls lived off campus.
Peggy remembered returning to her dorm that Sunday afternoon. She had homework to cram in before the morning.
Entering her room, she noticed there were a dozen messages from home. Pam, who was one of the monitors that covered for her, swiftly walked into Peggy's room. She told her to call her father, since he threatened to show up if she didn't call back. Pam told Peggy that she didn't like her dad. He scared her, she told Peggy. Peggy just nodded to Pam and grinned. She assured her that her dad had that effect on everyone, and that there was nothing to be afraid of, unless he was your father.
Peggy looked at her clock and guessed it was around midnight island time. She connected to the island via vid-link and Jeff promptly answered.
As usual, Peggy apologized and explained when she got the messages it was either too late to call, or that she was out working on her science project, and would sarcastically jab him that he knows what being busy was like. As usual, Jeff would tell her he didn't give a damn what time she called, she could at least leave a message letting them know she was alive.
Peggy didn't expect Jeff to ask why she didn't use her meal card regularly, and especially why she didn't use it that weekend. She would forget he would check online to find out what was due in any of hers or Alan's courses. The meal cards were linked to the dinning hall. Using the access code off their card, parents could monitor their kids eating habits.
Peggy told him if she ate as much as everyone back home, she would be as big as TB2. Jeff wasn't amused, and mentioned that a bagel for a total day's meal was not a healthy diet. Peggy often mentally flipped him off and would tell him if the food actually tasted like something, it would be more tolerable to choke down. Jeff reminded her, that there were lots of varieties of cuisine to choose from. Certainly, she could find something she liked.
She relinquished, and lied about her card. She told him she misplaced it, and had paid cash for her meals. She assured him she would get a new one in the morning, and get reimbursed for what she bought.
It was those same arguments that didn't seem to have a particular pattern, which baffled Jeff, and pissed Peggy off. Both of them would sign off on a sour note and end up not speaking to each other until Jeff called a truce.
Shaking her head of the memory, Peggy felt bad. Alan was the one to give Jeff grief, not her. If he would just leave her alone, there wouldn't be any need for the arguments. The fact of the matter was, is that the amount of drugs she did, caused her lack of hunger. Some days she would feel so sick, she would actually puke.
After her long soak, Peggy got out of the tub; put a robe on, then placed the glass pipe and photo back into the box. Before leaving the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and placed the box in it's hiding spot. She also hid the empty beer can in there, until she was able to discretely throw it away.
Opening her door, she was surprised to see Tin-Tin sitting on her bed.
"You sure do take a long time," Tin-Tin joked.
"Really?" Peggy looked at her clock and thought she better hurry and get dressed. "You're right."
Tin-Tin smiled uneasily.
Grabbing some clothes, Peggy went back into her bathroom and left the door slightly opened. "How long have you been waiting?" Peggy added while getting dressed.
Tin-Tin stood up and walked over to the bathroom door. She stood with her arms folded across her chest, as she leaned against the wall. "I bumped into Scott as he was leaving your room, if that gives you an idea."
"No it doesn't Tin-Tin, since I have lost all track of time since I've been home," Peggy murmured under her breath.
Tin-Tin looked towards the door, "What was that?"
Peggy stepped out into the room, "I said, I'm sorry to make you wait that long." She worriedly faced Tin-Tin while holding up her jeans with one hand.
"What is it?" Tin-Tin asked while returning her gaze.
Letting go of her jeans, they slipped right off her, and were down around her ankles. Peggy laughed as Tin-Tin's mouth dropped open.
Tin-Tin's mother told her how thin Peggy was, but now she was able to see this herself. "Peggy, I don't think that's funny."
Shrugging, Peggy stepped out of the jeans and picked them up. Holding them up, Peggy laughed even harder, "It's funny, because these are 'Alan's' jeans. God I wonder what he has of mine? If you see him modeling one of my thongs to Fermat, will you tell him to return them to me? Better yet... tell him to throw them out."
They both started laughing hysterically.
Hearing someone knocking, Peggy quickly grabbed another pair of jeans, and ducked back into the bathroom. Tin-Tin opened the door. Gordon popped in, "Where's Spiderwoman?"
"Oh for crying out loud Gordon," Peggy cried out, while coming out of the bathroom and began combing her hair. Tin-Tin and Gordon laughed.
Even though Gordon joked, Peggy could see the worried look on his face.
"Can I look at your arm?" He asked.
Peggy showed him her right forearm as he whistled low under his breath, "You're arm is going to be sore for a while," he revealed whilst trying to be careful not to touch the obvious bruising.
She concurred, "Tell me about it... The oil in the bath water alone, stung like crazy."
"Have Virgil look at this Peg, that is a deep cut on your arm. By the way, Scott took the function chip out of your window panel. Don't get any ideas of hanging off 'my' balcony," he warned before adding, "Speaking of which, were you in my room today?"
Her reply was hesitant, "Yes... I was. I watched your television. I hope you dodn't mind?"
Gordon turned, and headed towards the door, opening it; he motioned for Peggy and Tin-Tin to head out.
Walking down the hall, Gordon looked at Peggy. "Yes, I do mind. If you were caught, everyone would think that I let you watch it. You know you're not supposed to."
"I know... I just wanted to watch the world news to see... never mind," she snorted disconcertingly. She didn't find any news on the accident her friends were involved in which aggravated her even more. 'It couldn't have been that bad' she thought.
Entering the kitchen, everyone including Kyrano and Onaha surrounded her.
Peggy flinched as the lecturing became heated. Even Kyrano, disappointingly shook his finger at her. Peggy's mind began to reel and she needed to get a drink for her cottonmouth.
John pulled her back and hissed, "Don't walk away while we're talking to you." He then coincided with Scott, that Peggy was stoned.
She looked over at Scott, who was leaning against the counter glaring at her.
"Peggy, we should put ice on those bruises and better clean those cuts... A couple are kinda deep." Virgil said while looking at her arm."
Peggy pulled her arm away, "Ouch Virgil... I cleaned them already. I just need a couple of bandaids," she grumbled.
"Leave her alone you guys, and leave her to dad." Scott said. He grinned at the look on her face.
"Big mouth," Peggy grunted, while walking past Scott.
Scott shot her a sardonic grin. "Love you too," he returned in an icy tone.
A short time after dinner, Scott, John, Peggy and Alan sat and played their favorite board game Monopoly. Gordon was, of course, swimming and Virgil being a little uneasy around Peggy, made himself scarce. Scott thought he would get the two to talk after the game. Tin-Tin and Fermat were off on their own somewhere.
"There's a tropical depression heading our way," Virgil informed while entering the room. "It should be making landfall in an hour," he finished excitedly. If there were one thing Virgil truly loved, it would have to be storms. The more the merrier he would always say.
Scott stood and stretched triumphantly. "Let's call it a game... I'm winning anyway. You guys need to know how to better manage your money."
John looked down at his properties, and what little money he had in the bank. Looking up at Scott he began to laugh. "Oh yeah... Who was the one that ended up in the poorhouse while playing life? As I recal,l you had a wife and four kids. Ever think about them?"
Placing his hands on his hips, Scott looked at John in bemusement, "Man John... that was... eight years ago?" He rubbed his chin and glanced down at Alan. "I stopped thinking about them after Alan here, put the car with my family in it into his mouth, and swallowed them whole."
The room filled with laughter while Alan blushed.
"I did not," Alan defiantly retorted.
Peggy broke in; "Yes you did Al. I remember dad dragging me with you to the doctor. God knows what other game pieces you have lodged in your intestines. You were always putting things into you mouth. And from the size of your jeans, you still are."
More laughter ensued, and Alan bulked in embarrassment.
"Well at least Alan made sure your family didn't starve Scott," John said.
"Yeah and neither did Alan," Peggy chided. "What did you guys call him for a while... 'Alzilla'?" She and John burst into laughter, as Alan gave her an indignant glare.
Scott put his hands up to silence the room. "Virgil, get Gordon. The rest of us are going to shut the windows around the villa. Don't bother with the library or your room Peggy. Those have been taken care of," he laconically offered.
Later that night, and after several attempts to jog Alan's memory, both Scott and John believed him when he told them he knew nothing about any hiding spots in Peggy's room, or of any more in the library, only the paneled up closet, which impressed Scott as well. He was going to ask their father for the blueprints of the villa. He wondered what else could be walled in.
Scott then left Peggy and Virgil alone in the kitchen to talk. Sibling rivalry was something both he and Jeff wouldn't let go on too long. Everyone had to live, and work together. With all indifferences set aside, they can function as a happy family unit. He did however, stay close in case any pots or pans could be heard flying around the room. Peggy was too unpredictable these days.
"Man that was close!" Gordon exclaimed, as he watched the lightning hit a palm tree in the distance. John agreed as he stood next to him. The wind alone howled and in the flashes of light, they could see the debris that was in the pools and on the deck.
Scott stood next to them and stared out the window. He prayed they wouldn't be called out in this weather. Virgil checked and Tracy Island was the only thing in its path. But he knew too well how quickly that could change.
"Kyrano is already grumbling, he spent four hours today transplanting orchids. I told him we would help with the clean-up." Scott braced himself for the storm that was about to hit him.
Gordon started, "What? Great Scott, next time you volunteer our time, can run it by us first?"
John rubbed his forehead. He was tired of hearing nothing but arguments for the past few days, and wanted to head off another, "Shut up Gordon... A couple of hours out of your swimming lessons, won't kill you. Besides, you'll be glad to be out of the house. Believe us," he stoically said.
"Thanks John," returned and appreciative Scott. It wasn't everyday he would receive back up from his younger siblings. And there was some truth in what John said; Scott himself didn't want to be anywhere near the island tomorrow.
Scott could hear the familiar beeping sound coming from Jeff's office, and he sprinted towards it with John on his heels, leaving Gordon alone to sulk.
Scott's finger hesitantly hovered over the switch. "Brace yourself," he softly advised before hitting the switch.
In an instant Jeff Tracy's weary face appeared.
Scott began, "Didn't expect you to be calling this early," he eyed their father while maintaining a placid look.
John sat down next to Scott. The controlled fury he witnessed on his dad's face, unsettled him.
Jeff leaned back in his seat, and stared into the screen. "I didn't think we would be finished this early. It's two in the afternoon. I am grateful things went well, and didn't have to stay another day," he replied, while feverously clicking the pen he held.
Scott discretely nudged John, while keeping his focus on the screen.
After a brief pause, "So is your meeting is over?" Scott asked since noticing Jeff was in the penthouse suit.
"Yes," Jeff succinctly replied.
Tension could be felt throughout the room.
A loud crashing sound could be heard from outside as both John and Scott jumped, and looked towards the windows.
On seeing the alarmed looks on his two eldest, Jeff leaned closer to the screen, "Who else is with you?"
"Tropical depression... Although, I believe it's much worse than that," John supplied, settling back in his seat.
"Things are a mess outside right now dad," Scott quickly confirmed. This small talk was driving him nuts.
John was one not wanting to beat around the bush, "Dad, did you get our e-mail?" He asked.
Jeff leaned back and through his pen out in front of him, "Where's Peggy?" He queried.
"Talking to Virgil. I wanted them to hash it out before you returned," Scott offered then added, "Virgil called you right?" Scott did not want to go through that with their father, especially after telling Virgil to call him personally.
"Yes, he did. I couldn't believe it. If I so ever hear one of you say anything remotely like that again to one another... God help you. So now you're warned, and I will let the others know as well," Jeff furiously admonished through his clenched jaw.
Scott nervously sighed. Johns knuckles turned white from clenching his seat. There was no doubt in their minds that he meant what he said.
Jeff continued, "I'm also going to talk to Kyrano... Never, ever, do I want something like that kept from me again. She could have been seriously injured."
Another pause, then Scott proceeded with caution, "Dad, John and I looked. We couldn't find the alcohol or any drugs. Alan doesn't know of any hiding spots in her room, and we double checked the library."
Jeff looked intensely at his two sons, "Are you sure about her being 'high' today? And this so called pipe you found, how do you know what its true use is for?" It wasn't that Jeff was in denial, he wanted sound proof before confronting her with such an accusation.
Scott shifted uneasily.
John looked knowingly at Scott. He would have chuckled if the situation were different. Scott told him about his 'encounter' with marijuana while away at college. Scott told him that after a couple of those 'wacky tobacies,' he had enough. He especially, didn't want it to interfere with him joining the Air Force. They randomly drug tested.
Scott was adamant, "I know the smell dad... I went to college remember? And yes she was high... You should've seen her pupils. She had no fear about going over that rail this afternoon. I wouldn't let her go back to her room tonight."
Jeff slammed his fist down so hard on his desk, his monitor shook. John and Scott apprehensively waited, while their father paced the room then took his seat again.
"Dad the photo..." John began.
Jeff abruptly cut him short; "I don't even want to talk about that right now," he gruffly answered. "I will say, that in the morning, Brains is going to get a blood sample. I'll explain to her that it is to check her blood sugar, in which we will, but also, run a drug test off of it. With all the ammo we have, there won't be any doubts, and she won't be able to deny it."
"And her friends?" Scott asked.
Jeff's face turned grim, "I'll give her another chance to come clean. If she continues to lie, then I'll tell her what happened outright. I kept the articles from the paper. She can read it herself."
Scott and John cringed but nodded in agreement.
Jeff continued, "Brains and I are about to head back. Should be back around 2am-island time. Don't say that I called. Keep an eye on Peggy. I'll be the first thing she sees in the morning."
"Sure thing Dad. We'll talk in the morning," said John while Scott nodded.
After cutting off the link with their father, both brothers sank heavily into their seats.
Another clap of thunder, and the flickering lights, brought them back to the edge of their seats.
"We better go and see what's going on." Scott suggested.
Heading back into the lounge, the two older smiled as the rest of their siblings were huddled around the window. Even Kyrano and Onaha were watching the storm.
"Virgil, do you have an update?" John asked as he put his arm around Alan. "Maybe you guys should move away from the windows."
"Storm is at the end," Gordon offered, then jumped at the next crack of thunder. He moved closer to Peggy.
"Gee Gordon... Never thought you would be afraid of a storm," Peggy said in a cocky tone.
"Hush spiderbones! I'm more afraid of you, than the storm." He winked while nudging her.
Peggy looked around and spotted Scott, "Scott, was that Dad?"
Scott looked over at her and shook his head. "Penny."
Looking around she decided to call it a day. She slipped out of the room, while nobody was watching.
The following morning, the bright light from the sun came through Peggy's windows.
Peggy groaned, and thought she would at least ask Scott to put the control chip back in so she could darken them.
She pulled the covers up over her eyes, and lay awake while taking a mental exam on how she felt. 'Nothing bad to report,' she thought.
As her senses caught up with her, she thought she could smell her fathers' cologne in her hair. Her eyes popped open when she heard some shifting next to her bed. 'I'm awake... not dreaming.'
Pulling the covers down off her face, she looked in the direction the noise came from.
She blinked twice before looking into the seemingly angry eyes of her father. 'Oh shit.'