It's Your Summer, Charlie Brown!
Chapter 9
Monday: Agate's Offer
Dear Pencil Pal,
It amazes me how much worse I make things as the days go on. Now, in addition to hurting Peppermint Patty, I've hurt Marcie. Things like this are the reason that nobody likes me to begin with. I can't be depended on to do anything right. I don't know what I'm going to do now; I have to find some way to win over both Peppermint Patty and Marcie now.
Once again any advice is greatly appreciated,
Charlie Brown
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You know that feeling you sometimes get, the feeling that says that absolutely nothing can conceivably go worse. And then bam, you get hit with more and more problems. That's what this morning has been like for me. Patty must have told Violet about everything that transpired last night because now it has spread like wildfire!
I can't even bring myself to look at Marcie or Peppermint Patty. I feel so ashamed. Neither of them wants to see me either; I think they've been avoiding me. I don't blame them; I wouldn't want anything to do with me either. Violet and Patty of course both think this is the most hilarious thing in the world, despite the fact that Patty initiated it all. Sometimes I really can't stand those girls! Most of the other kids at camp are giving me the cold shoulder as well, granted it's not like I talk to them much anyway. I guess at this point if it wasn't for Linus, I wouldn't have a single friend here at the camp.
Its breakfast time now and I have decided to sit alone in a corner of the mess hall where hopefully nobody will notice me. I know it's a futile effort though; Violet is going to go out of her way to make sure I feel as terrible as humanly possible.
"Charlie Brown!!!" I turn to see Linus walking towards me, a look of anger on his face. "Is it true?! Is it true what I heard you did?!"
Though I'm sure I know exactly what he has heard I still ask, "What did you hear?"
"That you kissed Patty?! In front of Marcie no less?! I've been hearing that from everybody, but that can't possibly be true!" He looks at me as I say nothing, in shame. "….right Charlie Brown?!"
I stare at the ground, "Um…well…I guess…it is…."
Linus eyes almost seem to bulge out of his head, "Are you kidding me Charlie Brown?! How could you do that to Marcie?! Why would you do that with Patty?! I can't believe you!!!"
"Well…", I begin to explain, "I didn't want that to happen…Patty just kind of came on to me…I tried to push her away and I sure didn't want Marcie to see…"
Linus screams, "Oh sure, Charlie Brown! Just keep making excuses! I can't believe you!" I look over to see Violet, Patty, and Shermy watching from a distant table, all laughing at me. Marcie is also at a table across the room watching everything unfold, a forlorn look upon her face.
"Linus I…"
Linus scowls, "Save it Charlie Brown! I know exactly what you are doing! The minute things finally go right for you; you begin to act like the king of the world. Peppermint Patty wasn't good enough for you, so you went for Marcie. And you didn't even give her a full 24 hours! You make me sick!" Linus storms off.
"Linus…wait!" A monster…he thinks I'm a monster. Maybe I'm that bad, did I bring all of this upon myself?! But Patty was the one who kissed me…and before that Marcie was the one trying to get between me and Peppermint Patty. Is this really my fault?
As Linus storms out the building I turn my attention to Violet and her little gang who are still busting their guts at my expense. Violet however stops when she notices me and looks me in the eyes, with an impish smirk. She has to be behind all of this. This once I know this can't all be my fault. This is her doing, and I'm going to get to the bottom of this!
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Violet and Patty are gossiping together over by the camp's water cooler. I'm going to walk up to those two and find out just exactly what's been going on. I'm going to give them a piece of my mind too! For years the two of them have demeaned me, excluded me, and just generally have gone out of their way to make my life as terrible as possible. But now they are dragging in Peppermint Patty and Marcie into all of this! I just know they are! I'd never want to hurt anybody, especially those two; they've been such good friends of mine. Except Linus and arguably Snoopy those two have been my only real friends for the past couple of years. And it looks like Violet and Patty want to take Linus away too! Well I've had enough! I'm marching right up to them and demanding the full, unaltered, truth!
"Oh look here comes our resident Pepe Le Pew!" Violet shouts, causing Patty to laugh along.
I remain resolute, "I know that you two are behind this! It's obvious! Why else would Patty just randomly come up to me and kiss; right as Marcie was there!" Patty blushes but Violet continues laughing. "I bet you guys convinced Marcie to go between me and Peppermint Patty too!" Patty looks down at her shoes, an admission of guilt I'm sure!
"Haha! We set you up?! HAHAHAHA!!!" Violet continues to laugh! The nerve of her!
I stamp my foot, "This isn't FUNNY! Things were finally going well, why do you always have to do this to me!?! None of my friends want anything to do with me!"
Violet sneered, "Oh look at this, are you finally trying to grow a spine, Charlie Brown?! This is priceless, absolutely priceless!"
How can she do this?! How can somebody be so heartless and cruel! Does she really enjoy making others so miserable?! "I want an answer!"
Violet snorts, "Why don't you tell him Patty. Why'd you go up and kiss him?"
"Ever since that marbles tournament I thought that Charlie Brown was actually a winner! The kid who we suffered under for years at baseball finally won something! I was so happy that I actually found myself attracted to you, Charlie Brown."
I'm not falling for that, I wasn't born yesterday! I may be dense, sure Lucy can constantly trick me into going for that football, but I'm not that dumb! "You'd never like me! I could become the President and you two would hate my guts! And even if what you say is true, then why did you only kiss me once and then just leave the minute you knew Marcie was watching?"
Violet sneers, "Well I should think that obvious."
Patty nods, "You're just that terrible of a kisser, Charlie Brown!"
"Wha--?!" No way, that can't be true! Well I mean I'm sure I am a terrible kisser and all but no one is superficial enough to stop liking someone based on one kiss! They were planning this all along. And looking at Patty's stance, she was pressured into doing this by Violet! "I don't buy any of it; I know you were behind this! You wanted to split up me and Marcie! And I bet it was you who got Marcie to split up me and Peppermint Patty! And now just for kicks, Linus hates me too!" I swear if they weren't girls, I might actually try and hit them!
Violet stops laughing, "Excuse us, this is our fault!?! You could have stopped Patty quickly when she went to kiss you. Did you? No! You just stood there!" Well…I…she's right… "And you can't blame us for Marcie interfering! You and Peppermint Patty had that coming to you; the way you two just blatantly ignored her!" Ignore…we didn't ignore Marcie…did we? "Just face it Charlie Brown, not only are you a total wimp and blockhead, you are also an all around terrible person! In the past nobody wanted to be friends because you were just a loser. But now that we all know the true you, it's quite apparent that you don't deserve any!"
!!!!!
She's right, I am a terrible person! Why would anyone want anything to do with me, especially now! I don't deserve anyone… "Come on Patty, let's get out of here. We don't want people to think that we associate ourselves with this monster!"
Patty nods, "Yeah, of course, Violet." The two walk away, Violet snickering while Patty gives me a quick double take.
I'm all alone: away at camp with no friends… I guess the only people I really have now are my dog, who clearly only keeps me around for food and possibly Lucy…who'll probably hate me for the fun of it when she hears about everything that has happened. I mutter, "I can't think of how this could get any worse."
Of course I speak too soon, "Those girls sure know how to rip you apart, eh kid?" Joe Agate, always good for throwing salt into an open wound.
"Look Joe, I'm really not in the mood…"
Joe pats me on the back, "Hey man, I'm not a complete monster. I heard what those girls said to you. That was harsh, even by my standards kid."
"I'm used to it." I mutter. A half truth, I sure have come accustomed to such things, though it's hard to believe that one can ever truly get used to it.
"Come on Charlie Brown, I heard everything. Linus, Marcie, Peppermint Patty. None of them want anything to do with you. And I haven't seen that beagle of yours around either. You got no one." Talk about hitting the nail on the head. "Come on, why don't you hang out with me for a bit? Me and the boys got this really cool hideout."
A hideout? Here, at camp? "Um I dunno…"
"Come on man, we got some great imported root beer! No higher quality!" Imported root beer? That even exists?
"Well I…"
He smiles, "Please Charlie Brown, I insist. Let's bury this dreadful little hatchet we've had since this week began, eh?"
I can see a glimmer in his eye; I know I shouldn't trust him. But he's right; I have no friends right now. I suppose I can at least hear him out. Plus I could really go for a root beer.
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[Lucy]
Sometimes I really am in awe of my own stunning genius. Sally and I need money to get to camp? Well what better way to obtain it than by capitalizing on my radiant (and Sally's so-so) beauty. I've converted my psychiatric booth into a kissing booth. With Charlie Brown gone, I've lost my market in that field. It's time to diversify and branch out into potential markets!
I'm sure all of the males in the county will be lining up for a little lip action with me! Of course I plan on only kissing the best of the best; Sally can handle the rest! Yes sir, any minute now all of the boys should be lining up.
"This is stupid Lucy, it's not working!" Have I mentioned how much I hate working with Sally Brown? I don't know how Charlie Brown puts up with her! All she does is complain, complain, complain! Like she has anything to complain about! Hah! She hasn't lifted a finger this entire day. Who was it that did all the work changing my stand into a kissing booth? Me! She couldn't even get the advertising straight! I asked her to cut out cards that I printed up to distribute and she just cut diagonally through the paper, ruining all of my work! Once a Brown, always a Brown I suppose.
"We just started this a half hour ago Sally; you need to be a little more patient!"
"Hmph! I just hope you realize that if this doesn't work you've wasted a perfectly good day of my summer vacation! Robbed, pillaged, and looted! I'll never get this time back! My youth is at stake here!" Right, because Sally has so many better things to do. I'm sure that beanbag of hers is calling for her.
"No one said you have to do this Sally!" Sally looks like she is going to try and retaliate, but her eyes suddenly light up.
"Oh, a customer!"
I whip around to see Schroeder staring at us, rolling his eyes. I push Sally out of my way, "Let me handle this one sister!" I begin to bat my eyelashes, it is important to begin the sale right at the get go. "Welcome to our modest kissing both sir, for a mere 10 cents you'll be able to receive the privilege of sharing a kiss with moi."
Schroder sighed, "Lucy, I know you'll sink as low as possible for your own personal gain, but do you really need to drag Charlie Brown's sister down with you?"
"I'm just indoctrinating her into the wonderful world of capitalism." I grin at him, "It's nothing but patriotism Schroder. And don't you want to support your country anyway you can?" I shake our empty can, "10 cents for the best kiss of your life? Not a bad deal if I do say so myself."
"You are sick Lucy, you really are sick…" Schroeder turns away. The nerve of him! Turning a beautiful girl like me down! What's his problem?
I yell out to him, "You'll be sorry one day you blockhead! Beethoven's not going to comfort you when you're sick and love you until death's parting!"
Schroeder turns back and grins, "Yeah, but Beethoven isn't going to take me for all my money now is he?" Bah! Men! Who needs them!?! Let that blockhead say whatever he wants, he'll be sorry. Opportunities like me don't last forever and when I find someone better than him he'll be sorry!
"I knew this wouldn't work Lucy! This whole idea is so stupid!" Sally continues to whine.
"Shut up Sally, Schroeder's always like this, the next guy will be more open to this!"
"Well you better get ready cause it looks like somebody else is approaching." I don't know about somebody; something would be much more of an appropriate term. Is that a tornado? I've never seen so much dust since….oh no!
"Sally!" I quickly slap her on the back, "I think you should handle this one!"
"Wha? Why me…oh no!" Pig-Pen approached our stand.
"Hey ladies, I heard that you guys are selling kisses!" He grins at me, "Well sign me up!" Ew, no, no, no, no!"
"Well Sally, looks like you're up!" There's no way I'm going to kiss Pig-Pen!
"Wait, why do I have to do it?! That's no fair!"
I snap, "Hey, I was the one who did all the work setting all of this up. You need to do something!"
Sally is beginning to sweat, "No…I refuse!"
Pig-Pen is getting impatient, "Hey what's the meaning of this, I'm a paying customer here!"
I glare at him, "One minute you blockhead!" and turn to Sally, "What do you mean you refuse!? You can't refuse!"
She defiantly shakes her head, "Yes I can! I'm saving myself for my sweet baboo!"
Saving herself? Does she even know what that means?! "Oh give me a break! And besides, Linus is not your sweet baboo!"
Sally's face goes red, "SAY THAT AGAIN! LUCY! I DARE YOU! SAY THAT AGAIN!"
I clench my fists; I'm not letting Charlie Brown's sister of all people talk down to me! "I'LL SAY WHAT I WANT SALLY YOU LITTLE-"
"Ladies please. I don't know what the problem is exactly, but it doesn't matter." Pig-Pen interrupts. A devious smile finds its way on his face. "I'm not interested in a kiss from Sally anyway; I came here for you, Lucy!" NO! NO! NO!
"Get real Pig-Pen! I'm not going to kiss you! Not in a million years! I'd rather kiss Charlie Brown!"
"What do you mean you aren't going to kiss me?! I'm a potential customer, don't you want my money!"
Can somebody be this dense? "A girl has to have some standards! Plus it's a health risk! If I kiss you I might get salmonella!"
Pig-Pen glares at me. He's such an enigma! I don't know how someone like that can have any pride in himself, he's absolutely disgusting! "How dare you discriminate against me?! I can't control my dust problem! You see what happens every time I bathe, and I assure you I'm a regular bather!"
"Tell it to someone who cares Pig-Pen!"
Pig-Pen clenches his teeth, it's not very often you see him this mad, "I will Lucy! I'm going to repot you to the Better Business Bureau! You'll be black listed! You won't get any customers!"
"It's not like we are anyway…" Sally sighs. Pig-Pen lets out one final snort and angrily storms off. What a stubborn idiot! I can't stand it when people get all fussy and defensive like that! It makes me sick!
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[Charlie Brown]
I definitely feel like I shouldn't be here right now. Joe's hideout is this creepy shack, located probably a good mile away from camp grounds. You know those movies where there is a murderer who lives out in the woods. This is that kind of shack. The windows are cracked, everything is overgrown, and there certainly are cobwebs abound.
The first thing I notice walking in the cabin are dozens of large crates. I meekly ask Joe, "What're in those?"
Joe, seemingly very proud, smiles, "All of the things my dad needs to run his business!"
"His business?"
"You thick or something Brown? You think you can earn a comfortable living working at the trading post at this dinky camp? My dad has lots of other merchandise." That sounds very…illegal.
"What kind of merchandise?"
"Oh well a lot of it are fireworks! He makes a lot of money off of that! I'd say that's what at least 60% of all this stuff is. As for the rest he usually doesn't tell me."
"Fire works? But aren't those outlawed around here?"
Joe sighs, "They don't call you blockhead for nothing huh? Why do you think he makes so much money off of them?!"
"But that's illegal!"
Joe rolls his eyes, "You're naïve kid. My pop always told me that we don't live in a black and white world. You got to bend the rules to fit you better!" That sounds like something Sally would rally behind. "Look, don't worry about that. Come on have a seat with the boys, I'll grab you a root beer."
I sit down at Joe's table with his two friends…Guildencrantz and Rosenstern or something like that. The two other guys stare me down; this is an incredibly awkward experience. I know these two guys could kill me before I finish blinking! I nervously smile at them prompting one of them to simply grunt at me.
Joe slides me one of his 'imported' root beers. "So Brown, looks like your so called friends ditched you, huh?" I don't say anything. "Well that's a darn shame, huh? Real friends wouldn't ditch one of their own so quickly." Joe's two associates begin to guffaw. There's something that tells me that these three don't really understand the concept of 'real friends'.
"Everything that has happened is my fault. I deserve it." I sigh.
"You see kid, you got the wrong attitude. My old man always told me to never accept blame for anything. Doing that means you are accepting defeat. There is always somebody else who is at fault. You can't bother to waste time hating yourself!" I wonder if Mr. Agate had anything to do with the Ford Pinto…
I sigh, "But what I am going to do without them? I'm all alone now."
One of Agate's cronies grunts, "What a wuss."
Joe cuts him off, "Quiet Rosencrantz! You're really thick, huh? Your friends turned their backs on you; you got to turn your backs on them! They did you wrong, you got to make them pay!"
Turn my back on my friends? But I've known them forever, I can't just do that!
"I don't know why you're so hung up on those losers anyway? I'm inviting you into my group right here? Seriously what are you going to be missing? I'd say the sooner you get away from that neurotic kid with the blanket the better!" I clench my fists from under the table. I don't care if Linus is angry at me, I don't really appreciate Joe making fun of my best friend! "And I don't know why you bother hanging out with that Patty and Marcie duo! Do you think you're going to get with one of them or something? Cause knowing them, I'd say that isn't happening anytime soon!" Joe and his two friends begin to laugh together.
I stand up, "I'm out of here. If I knew you were just going to bad mouth my friends the whole time I would have never came here with you." Joe's two brutes of friends begin to stand up, which I immediately admit that I feel my knees giving away in fear. Joe however motions them to sit down.
"Are you a moron? You're 'friends' don't want anything to do with you! I don't know why you are still under this delusion that they care about you at all? Why would they, you're a loser? Now sit your butt down and consider yourself lucky that I'm letting you hang out with us!"
Violet and her friends call me a loser, and degrade me all of the time, and it always makes me feel depressed. Usually I just give up, which is what I did when I confronted her today. But something about Joe Agate…I don't know what it is, but I don't feel like backing down! "Did you hear me the first time kid, I said sit down!"
I stare at him, "No, I'm done listening to your garbage!"
He smirks, "Garbage?! Is that what you think this is?! Do you really think any of your friends are going to want to take you back?! Think about it! You know I'm right!"
I smile at him, I've been confused for a while about this, but now I understand! "You are right about one thing, Joe. I can't just go around being depressed about all of this. My friends are angry at me right now, that much is certainly true! But I've been through so much with all of them that I know we'll make up! I just have to win them back!"
Joe's smirk turns to an outright sneer, "Oh is that so? I'll tell you something, you're going to regret the day you spurned my friendship!"
I smile, "Friendship? You call any of this friendship? Trying to manipulate people's emotions against each other? Besides, to me it looks like all of your friends are just thugs who you keep around to protect you from people stronger than you!"
…..
Did I just say that?!
I just told off Joe Agate! Oh man did that feel good! I-I'm not used to telling people off, but this creep definitely deserved it. I know he wasn't trying to be a friend; he just wanted to use me!
Joe's sneer is replaced by an expression of rage, "You trash talking me kid?! Well why don't I show you just how good these 'thugs' are at doing their job! Rosencrantz, Guildenstern! Show this blockhead some hospitality!"
Joe's two friends begin to chuckle like hyenas as they approach. I suddenly feel all of my recently obtained confidence drain away out my body with my sweat.
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[Peppermint Patty]
It's funny; I was really looking forward to this week at camp. When I found out I didn't have to go to summer school this year the first thing I thought of was that I would get to go to camp, but know look at what a disaster everything's turned out to be. First off every night some darn punk is sneaking into the barracks that I'm in charge of, and I still haven't been able to catch him. The other girls haven't been cooperating on this issue one bit either! If I don't catch this creep it's going to make me look really bad!
The other three councilors aren't any help either! Molly Volley's a psycho, Joe Agate's a complete jerk, and Shermy doesn't seem to care about anything! That Joe Agate especially has been going out of his way to make these two weeks as terrible as possible for everybody. I hate bullies like him, using his father's power at the camp to do whatever he wants!
Of course the worst thing that's happened is everything between Chuck and Marcie. I heard about how he ruined everything between the two of them in record time. I would never pin Chuck on something like that; even all this flirting with Marcie I thought was mostly coming from her end. I don't know what's gotten into either him, but I sure don't like it. Past few days I've been trying to numb myself to it so I can focus on all the other problems I have to deal with at this stinking camp!
Also, as much as it may surprise everyone; I'm so sick of all this health food alternative choices that they're shoveling down my throat! I'm sick of this gruel that's supposed to be good for me! I want some donuts or something!
Sheesh, I almost feel bad for Chuck, I'm sure nobody in this camp will talk to him. I saw Linus before and he was absolutely incensed at the kid. I'm not going to do anything though, Chuck ruined everything with me. I wish him all the best, but I have enough problems without having to deal with him anymore! I should have expected this from a kid I could strike out in three pitches.
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[Marcie]
I'm not exactly sure what I should feel right now. Most people here at camp would say I should be angry at Charles. Others would probably say I should be lucky, "You almost ending up going out with Charlie Brown!" I can practically hear Violet or even Lucy saying that to me.
In truth though, I feel guilty. I brought all this upon myself. The only thing everything I did served was to break up Charles and Peppermint Patty; my two best friends. I think they were perfect together. I've known that for a long time. I used to always tease Patty about it, and she would get so annoyed. But I knew she got annoyed because she really cared about him. And watching Charlie Brown get turned down by Heather, verbally demolished by Violet, and bullied by Joe Agate and Thibault two weeks ago all ending up serving the greater purpose of him getting with Peppermint Patty. They were practically made for each other, and I had to get in the way. All because of some selfish crush…which honestly I think I only liked him because Patty did.
I know everybody else at camp hates Charles right now. But he didn't do anything…especially not to me. Violet and Patty have been behind everything…and I'm to blame since I let them play me like the fool I am. They knew I was lonely and felt jealousy towards Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty; and they convinced me that jealousy was justified. Then they convinced me to take action. That's the only explanation; it had to be set up. Why else would Patty kiss Charlie Brown? She can't stand him.
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[Charlie Brown]
Good grief, the last thing you ever want to do is let Joe Agate's friends show you "hospitality"! I'd rather not speak of what happened…after the third Indian burn I think I may have blacked out. All I know is I'm sore and I'm alone. I knew that hanging out with Joe would be a bad idea from the get go; I don't know why I went along with it. I guess some good came out of this though, I convinced myself that I need to start trying to win my friends back over, instead of just moping around.
It's rather late so I head back to the barracks, which are oddly locked. I knock on the door and soon enough find Linus staring at me through the crack he opened. "What do you want Charlie Brown!?!"
"Oh, well I kind of want to go to bed."
Linus sneers at me, "Yeah, well the other guys and I decided we don't want you around! Why don't you get lost?" The other guys, why would they even care? It's not like Shermy or Bad Call Benny have any stake in this!
"Come on Linus, this is stupid, just let me in! I've just been beaten up by Agate's buddies! I really want to go to bed!"
Linus grits his teeth, "Well that serves you right then! Unjust actions beget righteous punishment, remember that!" Linus then slams the door in my face. Just perfect…
I then notice an open window which I walk over to. I see some kid sitting on his bed, near the window. I whisper to him, "Hey, would you mind opening the front door for me? It's locked."
Without so much as looking in my direction he replies, "Shut up and leave me alone." Oh boy does that sound familiar. It looks like I'm sleeping under a roof tonight…maybe I can find a rock to crawl under.
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[Snoopy]
Spike's doomed, that's all I can possibly say. There is no way we can raise the money he needs! Not only does he owe Jack, but now he has gambling debts to that racetrack (which I am sure is tied to ole Cactus Jack somehow anyway)! I've run out of ideas, not even I can figure out some way for him to make all that money! He's been on the phone all day, trying to call up some of his "contacts" for help. Little good that did him since he owes most of them money anyway; he even inadvertently reminded some of them so! The few that may have been willing to help hung up the phone the minute the name "Jack Maihuenia".
"IIIII III IIIIIII IIIII! II IIII II III III IIII III! IIII 'IIIIII IIII' IIIIII II III IIIIIII III IIIII, III II!" Woodstock is freaking out: understandably so! Yet I can't just leave my brother!
I tell him, "We can't just abandon Spike, Woodstock! We need to stick this through!"
Spike, overhearing me sighs, "The bird is right Snoopy; there is no sense in going down with me!"
"Well, then it's decided, you are coming back to my place. You can hide out there until all this dies down!"
"I don't think it will…"
I stare at him, "Well it's the only chance you got! Now fill up some canteens with water, we got a long journey ahead of us!"
I open up the door of Spike's basement, ready to head to my motorcycle. I'm sure we can get some headway under the cover of nightfa--!!!!!!
"Going somewhere?" A particularly nasty looking Jackal asks, a grin the size of Texas on his face. He takes his sunglasses off, "You must be the brother; our contacts told us all about you." I look around. There are tons of different animals: all deadly looking and all wearing sunglasses. The exceptions are my brothers: Andy and Olaf who look incredibly nervous and guilty. What do I do?! I can't escape from these guys…should I warn Spike. I start kicking the metal part of the basement hatch.
Woodstock comes flying up, annoyed, "IIII III IIII II III III --- IIII IIII!!!!!!!" Woodstock immediately begins flapping. He seems to forget he can't exactly fly!
"Woodstock you idiot, no!"
The Jackal smiles, "Hey Adrian, you're up!" A hideous vulture, which was perched on Spike's cactus swoops down and grabs Woodstock with a talon!
"III IIII IIIIIII IIIII III II!" Woodstock is struggling to get free, but to no avail.
"Let him go! He has nothing to do with this!"
The Jackal nonchalantly sighs, "Accomplices are accomplices bub, now go get your brother or else Adrian here is going to have a little late night snack with your pal!"
I swallow my pride and yell, "Spike, you better get up here now!"
He walks up the stairs next to me confused, "Why, what's – OH CRUD! It's Pecos Jake: nastiest Jackal in the west!"
"Maihuenia sent me for you Spike, it's time you either pay up or face the music!"
Spike is sweating bullets, "Well Jake, you see, that is to say…" He whispers to me, "This is the part where you go World War I Flying Ace on all their butts right?"
I whisper back, "They have Woodstock hostage, I can't do anything!"
Spike sighs and then hugs me, "It's been good knowing you brother…" he then directs his attention to the crowd of thugs, "Alright, take me in! But leave my brother and the bird out of this! They don't owe you anything!"
Jake smiles that bone chilling smile of his, "Come on Spike, you know Cactus Jack's policy on witnesses! You're friends are coming with you, like it or not!"
The other goons begin to laugh. A bobcat growls, "Looks like we're going to be eating well tomorrow boys!" I feel anger overcoming me. It's one thing to be capture and threatened to be eaten. But that coming from a feline; that's an outrage!
Spike looks at me, "I told you not to get involved Snoopy…I'm sorry."
I reassure him, "It's alright Spike, we'll get out of this!"
Now if only I believed that!
To Be Continued…