Chapter Eleven
Butch and Buttercup huddled together as they read the code aloud:
March 4, 1933
I hope you haven't been searching too long for this code.
123456789
Now, at the back of the laboratory there is a switch. You dial this code into the switch and press the button. Then you run out as fast as possible, for a laser of the highest intensity will signal that you are in need of help.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can reverse the tests done here. Still, the river will be endless if stumbled upon, and still no superhumans will have their powers.
Warning: If all else fails (and you will know what I mean if it does) go to the front of the laboratory and press the purple button.
Good luck to you.
Buttercup hit herself in the forehead at the irony. "How could he not remember that one?" Butch, too, seemed frustrated by the stupidity.
"Well, I could have guessed that," Butch said.
Buttercup smiled and Butch then noticed there were tears in her eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked. "We're finally going to be out of this place."
She nodded, wiping her tears. "That's just it. We're finally going to be out of here! Doesn't that mean anything? We're going home. That's all I've wanted this whole trip... we're finally getting help."
Butch didn't quite understand, but pretended to. "Okay, let's do the honors."
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Brick tried to be as careful as possible. One mistake and you're dead. He breathed out and continued to make his descent. One mistake and you're dead. Brick had never told himself kind things to make himself do well. His biggest critic had always been himself. But now even his critic was unsure of what to say, except for One mistake and you're dead.
He kept thinking that he saw Blossom already standing at the bottom of the cliffs. Every time he looked down to see her face again, he lost concentration and almost fell. Each time, Blossom gasped and closed her eyes, helpless.
He never lost total balance, though.
One mistake and you're dead.
He shook the phrase from his head. It wasn't entirely true -- besides, it wasn't helping any. He changed his own motto.
One mistake and you'll never see Blossom again.
That made him concentrate.
He smiled as he pictured her, smiling. He closed his eyes and stepped one ledge off the pattern --
-- suddenly he was sliding down the rocks, bits of his skin being caught on the rough and scratchy rocks, the pain unbearable. He realized he had made a mistake. Faster and faster he went, and now as he looked up a trail of blood lay where he had been.
Blossom screamed bloody murder, seriously contemplating if she should or should not jump down and help him.
He slid faster and faster, closing his eyes in brutal agony. The sound of his own flesh ripping apart as his clothes tore, and the embarrassment of doing it all in front of Blossom was so... so horrible.
He opened his eyes and looked down a moment, still sliding down the rocks at a terrifying speed. The sharp rocks were fast approaching now, and he saw his life flash before his eyes -- but what life? All he saw flash was Blossom.
He said his final goodbyes to himself and shut his eyes tightly, preparing himself for death.
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Brick had slipped and now was falling very, very fast. Boomer felt a wrenching sadness in his stomach. His own brother was going to die, and he could do absolutely nothing. He had never felt so pathetic in his life.
Bubbles was sobbing hysterically. She had hurt so many bad guys in her life, but never, never had she seen one die. Death was not real in her mind -- only a word. But now she was going to witness it first-hand, and to someone she knew.
Boomer watched, in a state of shock, unknowing what to do.
"Boomer, don't just stand there!" Bubbles yelled suddenly.
Boomer nodded, and ran quickly towards the rocks. He climbed on top of the tallest, most pointy one he could find and reached his arms up in order to catch Brick.
He suddenly felt weight hit him at a very fast speed. He had caught Brick and saved him, but Brick's weight made Boomer's leg press down on the rock. This penetrated Boomer's skin, which made his scream out in pain, dropping Brick to the ground.
"Oh my gosh, is he okay?" asked Bubbles, rushing over.
"He's alive," Boomer said, "thank goodness he only fell about ten feet."
"Your leg," Bubbles whimpered, looking sad.
"It's fine. Worry about my brother, I can take care of myself."