[Chapter 11]
Ree was running for her life, once again. But by now, ten days after the first encounter with Lucifer, the Cr00kz had ceased to intimidate her.

Much.

I'm just annoyed, Ree told herself, trying to calm her shaking limbs. Her eyes quickly adjusted as she burst into the gatehouse's protective gloom.

The town gate swung shut with a heavy thud. Ree whirled around and slammed her fist into the wall of the gatehouse in frustration.

"I'll lock the gate, Miss Ree," Copper said after a moment.

"Yeah. Sure," Ree said in a defeated tone. "How... how's Nook been doing? With his deliveries, I mean?"

"None have been coming through, Miss Ree," he replied calmly.

She searched his eyes for hidden meaning, and saw something surprising there.

"You've known for a while now, haven't you? That I am who I am."

Copper nodded slowly and deliberately. "As the keeper of Never's gates, I see many things. Many things, Miss Ree..." he trailed off, giving her time to consider the implications.

"Then I might have need for you. I'm getting tired of being trapped here, and I want to do something about it." Ree lowered her voice so Booker wouldn't hear. "Come to the Roost tomorrow night at eleven o'clock."

Copper's only answer was a salute, but Ree was happy with that.

Gabi was unhappy. Ever since Dotty moved in, her life had gotten more and more complicated. She didn't like complicated. No, Gabi much preferred a simple, happy existence. One filled with sunshine and flowers and cute clothes and shiny jewelry. Dotty had forced scheming and missions into the picture, leaving Gabi resentful.

The door to Nookington's chimed open, letting out a blast of cool air. Dotty was off doing who-cares-what, so Gabi took the opportunity for a little retail therapy.

She appeared to have stepped in on an argument. Tom Nook shot her a harassed, embarrassed look, then turned back to the irate Buck.

Gabi could hardly lift out of her dark mood enough to be curious anymore, but it would be nice to hear some juicy gossip again. She drifted closer to the pair, pretending to look at a pack of sky paper.

"-but I ordered my Flab-Blaster 9000 a week ago!" protested Buck in his usual arrogant tone.

"I know, I know! But it just hasn't been delivered yet! I can't sell you items I don't have, hm?"

Gabi sighed. Nothing interesting, Buck was just being Buck. She trudged over to the stairs leading to the second floor.

"I paid ten thousand Bells up front, but you won't be getting the other seven thousand if my exercise machine doesn't come in soon!" Buck demanded, stomping out of the shop. The sound of Tom Nook's sigh and another entering the shop barely registered in Gabi's mind.

There was nothing worth her money upstairs. In fact, it seemed to be the same unsold furniture from a few days ago.

Maybe the Able Sisters will have something, Gabi thought dully, strolling slowly down the stairs. Whispers of a soft conversation drifted to her sensitive ears.

"I knew it! I knew you had something to do with the delayed deliveries, Ree!" Tom Nook's voice raised with anger.

Ree!

Gabi froze midstep. What if Ree knows what Dotty's been saying about her? she thought fearfully. What if she blames me for it?

Ree and Tom had gone back to their mumbled conversation. Now that Gabi really looked at him, Tom Nook didn't look so good. There were deep-set bags under his eyes, and his skin seemed to be sagging off his frame, as though he wasn't as well-fed as usual. His normally immaculate suit was crumpled, matching his unusually dull and weary eyes.

Ree was leaving. "Remember: tomorrow night, the Roost, eleven pm," she said, looking Tom in the eyes.

Gabi's heart skipped a beat as the sliding doors closed behind Ree. Dotty will want to know about that, she thought, taking another step.

She froze again. Dotty's voice played out in her imagination.

Ree's planning something at the Roost? This proves she's evil! I want you to risk your life and infiltrate the meeting, all in the name of my creepy obsession! Gabi growled to herself, but it's what she'd mean.

Maybe that's not what she'd say,

The white rabbit fiddled with her ears for a moment, then deliberately forgot the whole conversation.

It'll be better for Dotty if I don't tell her, Gabi thought, biting her lip nervously. Maybe she'll get over this whole thing sooner.

Ree walked into the town hall just as the clock chimed midnight. Her footsteps echoed around the empty room. Although the hall was open twenty-four hours a day, most citizens mailed their letters during the daytime.

Ree was not most citizens.

She crossed over to where a pink pelican was snoring with her head on the mail counter and gave her a sharp jab in the arm. "Oi. Philly. Wake up," she called loudly as the pelican stirred.

"Don't touch me, I might catch your disease," Phyllis grumbled, only half joking.

"Ha ha, Phyllis. This is serious."

"Why? Is something really dangerous going on? It is, isn't it?" the pelican said, giving Ree a sharp look. "Because I know you know that no mail is making it out of the town, and I know you couldn't care less about town tunes or the environment. You have no reason to be here, except to see my smiling face. Alfonso's been in here at least seventeen times asking for his Chilling Magazine, and Pete hasn't shown up for work in days."

"Not one to beat around the bush, are you?" Ree said darkly, taking a deep breath. "You're right. But, for once, I'm not causing it. The truth is, we're all trapped here. Could I persuade you to leave the hall and come down to the Roost tomorrow night, say, eleven pm?"

"Leave my work?" Phyllis said in a tone of fake shock. "Whyever should I do that?"

Ree snickered. "Just be there. I'll explain everything, and I might even need your help."

She grinned as she strolled home. So far, so good. Now I just have to convince them.

She was Ree. There was nothing she had to worry about.