Penny didn't sleep that night. She laid awake in bed, racked with guilt. She had, unintentionally, brought about the destruction of the group that had rescued her when she was a child, she now knew. In doing so she'd prevented the rescue of other children around the world. And she may have even caused the deaths of the ones who had rescued her as a child, Bernard and Bianca. She didn't know for sure; they could have been among the ones captured to be experimented on. Or they could have not been there at all. Sixteen years is a long time. Maybe they were retired. Or already dead. But the mere possibility of them being dead because of her was unbearable.
It was Sunday. Though she'd been looking forward to her weekend break on Friday night, the wait now was agonizing. She'd go straight to the lab Monday morning, and the moment she was alone she'd look through the cages and find the new mice, see if Bernard or Bianca was there. And if not, she would ask the mice there if they knew where Bernard and Bianca were.
For now, Penny laid in bed, clutching her teddy bear, her eyes baggy and bloodshot. She knew the bear was just pretend, but the mice had been real all along. All of that therapy and being teased in school, and she had been right the whole time about talking mice. It made her bitter to look back on it. The world had forced her into becoming something she wasn't. Penny became a torturer of the animals she'd once rescued because she'd been so brainwashed into believing they didn't have real feelings. She looked to her broken mirror in her room. She'd become a complete mess in the past week. The disarray her apartment was in seemed to reflect that.
The phone rang beside her bed. She turned toward it, and reached for the phone, but stopped herself. She froze for a moment, and then brought her arm back, clutching her teddy bear. She didn't feel like speaking to anyone. It was probably just her adoptive mother wondering why she hadn't called all week. They didn't know what she did for a living. They thought she just created new medicines and treatments to help people with psychological problems. That's what she'd told them, because at the time that's what she thought she was doing. But no. She was a murderer. A tormentor.
The answering machine came on.
Hi, you've reached Penny Stacy. If you'd like to leave a message, leave your name and number after the beep.
*Beep*
Why hello there Penny, I do hope you're enjoying a relaxing weekend in New York!
Penny sat up. It was Dr. Nimnul speaking.
Tomorrow we have all sorts of fun planned for you at the lab, hehehe! I want you to tell me everything about these Rescue Rodents, and I mean everything. Got that? So start digging up those suppressed childhood memories. There's no use in lying to protect them, we have six of them here, and the rest are dead! Oh but don't worry, today we're just getting genetic samples from the remaining six to see what kind of mutation is causing them to be so darned bright for their species, they'll still be quite alive by tomorrow. Whether or not they survive to the end of tomorrow might depend on you. Well, ta ta!
*Beep*
Penny shuddered, her head spinning. How did he think he was going to get away with this? How did he think she was going to tell him anything after what they'd done? Could he be spying on her right now? He seemed to think she was still in New York, so maybe not. She closed the blinds, just in case, and then rewound the tape, listening to Nimnul's message again. That bastard. So smug. She took the cassette out of the answering machine and began violently pulling the magnetic tape out from it, before hurling it against the wall.
Work was going to suck tomorrow.
Abigail awoke with a start, jarred awake by the sensation of being lifted in the air by that one-eyed owl. She gasped and panted, waking up Willy and Michelle, who were both sleeping against her on top of a blanket laid over the ground.
"Mmph…you okay?" Willy murmured.
"Y-yes, I am," said Abigail.
Michelle yawned and stretched, "Is it morning?"
"I'm not so sure," Abigail answered, wiping her brow, just above the bandage.
"You had a nightmare, huh?" Willy asked.
"Yes, but I'm alright," Abigail said.
Michelle rose to her feet, and stepped over Edgar to tip-toe upstairs and see if it was light out. She opened the door to see that it was indeed sunrise.
"The sun's up! Wake up everybody!" she shouted.
Russell and Edgar groaned.
"We've got all day, can't we sleep a little longer?" Russell complained.
"I bet she wishes she had that bell at Cornelius' house," said Edgar.
Gadget, Dale and Zipper awoke to her shout as well, slowly rising up taking the leaves off the plane, and coming inside.
"So Abigail, ready to see that owl today?" Russell asked.
"Nooot particularly," Abigail sighed.
Mrs. Brisby walked out of her bedroom.
"Oh, good morning children," she said with a cheerful smile, "Good to see you're easier to wake up than my children."
Gadget and Dale greeted Mrs. Brisby as well.
"The plane has limited seating, so I was thinking four of us could ride over there while the rest stay around here until we get back. It could hold more, but I don't think it's a good idea to bring too many."
"I suppose I'm going?" Mrs. Brisby asked, "I'm not overly fond of flying, but…"
"You'll be in the front seat Mrs. Brisby, as the navigator. We'll need two others to help with the wings. Volunteers, anyone?"
"I wanna go!" said Michelle.
Everyone looked at Michelle, and it was silent for a few moments.
"Oh alright, I'll stay here, as usual," Michelle sighed, kicking the ground.
"So…I don't have to go if I don't want to?" Abigail asked.
"I guess not," Gadget answered.
"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Mrs. Brisby asked, "I have a feeling you would be able to state your case much better than anyone else here."
"Really? What makes you say that?"
Mrs. Brisby smiled, "I can just tell something about you. The way you care for your friends, how you've been through so much but haven't given up. Michelle told me a lot yesterday. You may have a deep-seated fear of owls, but I know you can conquer it. You have courage of the heart, Abigail, and I think the Great Owl will see that."
Abigail was flattered, folding her arms around her back and looking down, rocking on her heels, "…okay. I'll go."
"One more seat then," said Gadget.
"I'll go too," Willy volunteered.
Abigail gave him a small smile. He really would follow her just about anywhere, no matter the danger.
"Okay, it's settled then," said Gadget, "Come on up. Dale, you can be the babysitter."
"Suits me," said Dale, not wanting to meet some scary old owl, "So uh, got any board games around here?"
"Board games?" Timmy cocked his head, "I dunno about that, but maybe we can play stickball."
"Hm, kinda like baseball is it? You probably haven't heard of that."
"Behave yourself, kids," said Mrs. Brisby, starting to walk up the stairs, "I won't be long."
"Yes mother," said both Timothy and Cynthia.
"Be careful up there, Abigail," said Edgar.
"I will," said Abigail, hugging Edgar and then Russell, and finally Michelle, "I'll be back, don't worry about me."
Willy took her hand, "Ready?"
Abigail nodded, and the two of them followed after Gadget and Mrs. Brisby, going outside and walking up to the Ranger Wingamathing.
"The important thing is to not let the owl intimidate you," said Mrs. Brisby, as she climbed into the front seat, "It's going to be scary, trust me. But you have to be straightforward with him. If you tell him why your problem is so urgent maybe he'll listen."
Abigail nodded, listening to the advice attentively, but also feeling her fear rise. She and Willy got into the back seat and began cranking the winder-uppers. Mrs. Brisby watched in amazement as the wings began to flap, and the aircraft lifted off the ground. Gadget fastened her seatbelt, and Mrs. Brisby watched her, getting the idea and somewhat clumsily fastening her own seatbelt, fumbling with the buckle for a few moments before fitting it together.
"Neat, huh?" asked Gadget with a smile.
"It's nicer than riding a bird, " Mrs. Brisby remarked, looking upward and then over the edge.
"You should have seen how it originally was built. We added the wings up there after our batteries ran out."
Mrs. Brisby looked to Gadget, "Are you from…well…I suppose you'd have told me by now if you were."
"Am I from what?"
"You just seem so intelligent, I couldn't help but wonder if you were from NIMH too."
Gadget giggled, "Nah, I was just born this way. My dad used to be a pilot too."
"So you're just gifted," Mrs. Brisby said, "It's just that a contraption like this is just the sort of thing one of those rats would come up with. Oh, but I shouldn't say too much about them."
"I can't take all the credit. The kids' teacher from Dapplewood forest invented a plane made of leaves and twigs and things, and that design is what our wings are modeled after. We added it after our little mishap yesterday."
"Is that so?" Mrs. Brisby glanced back at Abigail and Willy, who were hard at work getting the plane airborne, "Michelle's uncle you mean?"
"Yes, Cornelius," Abigail answered, "He's one of the ones that the humans took away."
Mrs. Brisby turned back to the front of the plane, looking down, "You know, I can't quite guarantee anything's going to come of all this."
"What do you mean?" asked Abigail.
"I mean that the rats, well…even if the Great Owl decides it would be worth telling you where they are, I can't say for sure they'll even help you. When you reach them they may not even let you…n-nevermind. I'll tell you more later."
Gadget studied Mrs. Brisby's face. Maybe they were being overly optimistic with this plan. Suppose the rats didn't like outsiders? Gadget did want to know what Mrs. Brisby had to do with them, and what had led to her taking an oath of secrecy. Obviously they were hiding from humans, but what threat did other rodents pose to them? Just how was Mrs. Brisby going to finish that sentence before she stopped?
After flying over the forest for a time, Mrs. Brisby spoke up again, "We're getting close. I think that's the tree down there."
"Okay, unlock the wings and we'll land on a branch."
Willy and Abigail did so. They circled a tree that had a hollow opening in it. Just the sort of place an owl would nest. Abigail's fur stood on end, even seeing it from afar. She was brought back to that night when the one-eyed owl took her into its den.
The plane landed on a branch.
"So…do we all go in?" Abigail asked.
"I guess I'll stay by the plane while you three go in," said Gadget.
"I need to be there so the owl knows not to eat you," said Mrs. Brisby, undoing her seatbelt and climbing out of the plane.
"Okay," Abigail climbed out as well, followed by Willy.
As they walked down the branch Abigail grasped his hand so tightly it hurt, but Willy didn't want to say anything, already self-conscious over the fact that she was physically stronger than he was. He was however, just as frightened as she.
"Hello?" Mrs. Brisby called into the darkness, "Great Owl?"
There was an ominous silence.
"I guess he's not home…" said Abigail, relieved.
"Who goes there?" came a booming, deep voice from inside.
"It's…it's Mrs. Jonathan Brisby…do you remember me?"
Even Mrs. Brisby was nervous, her voice shaky. There was a silence again.
"Who is with you?" came the same loud voice.
"Um…other mice…ones who want your help, i-if that's alright…"
"Send them in, or go away."
"Alright," Mrs. Brisby glanced over at Abigail and nudged her head toward the hole, "Come on."
Abigail swallowed hard, holding Willy's hand, and began walking forward.
"Just you!" he bellowed from within.
"Wh-who…me?" Mrs. Brisby asked.
"No. The one who requests my help."
"But…but all three do…"
"I heard a girl. Send her."
Abigail looked to Mrs. Brisby pleadingly, "I can't go alone…"
"Enter, or leave!"
"Why can't I go with?" Willy asked.
"You dare question me?" the voice growled.
Willy shivered, "N-no, Mr. Owl sir, s-sorry 'bout that…uhh…"
"I will not repeat myself again. Send the girl in, or go away."
"Go on, Abigail," said Mrs. Brisby.
She looked back at Willy, her heart beating out of her chest. She let go of his hand, and he took it back, massaging it and moving his fingers.
"Good luck, Abby," said Willy, trying not to wince due to his hand.
Abigail nodded, and turned toward the opening. She closed her eyes.
"Remember Cornelius…remember daddy…"
Slowly, she walked into the tree. It was dark. There were cobwebs everywhere. Abigail kept her eyes open and alert, not sure what would jump at her from the shadows. She saw some spiders scurry along the walls, and in her distraction she tripped over something, falling forward. When she turned to see what it was, she saw the skeleton of a mouse. She gasped and crawled away quickly, until bumping into something soft and shrouded in spider webs. She stepped away, wiping the webs from her furry muzzle, and looked up. The owl stared down at her with glowing yellow eyes.
"Are you afraid?" the owl asked.
Abigail took a few steps back, and nodded slowly.
"But you've come into my den anyway. Alone. Into the den of something that could eat you in a second if it wanted to."
Abigail stepped back until hitting the wall. She stared up at him, eyes wide.
"Fearful as you may be, it took courage to do that. I wanted you to come alone, to see if you would really do so."
She tried to speak, but at first no words would come. Finally she forced them out.
"I-I just…have had bad experiences, with owls…"
"Hm. Yet you live to tell the tale. You must have much courage. Fear is natural. If a mouse walking into the den of an owl was not afraid, it would have to be brainless. Courage is doing what needs to be done, regardless of your fear."
Abigail wet her lips, panting, but said nothing.
"What is it that you want, friend of Jonathan Brisby's widow?"
Abigail hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. This was important.
"I…I want to know where the rats from NIMH live. I need their help."
The owl glared at her, "Mrs. Jonathan Brisby brought you here to ask me that?"
Abigail nodded slowly, "Humans from NIMH k-kidnapped…everyone from where I live. From Dapplewood."
"Dapplewood. Yes. I've heard of it. Everyone, you say?"
"Yes. My father, my friends' families, my teacher Cornelius…"
"Cornelius? The badger?"
Abigail gave a look of surprise, "Y-yes, him…h-how do you know who he is?"
"His name is not unknown in these woods," the owl replied cryptically, "Student of Cornelius, if he and your family are at NIMH, there is almost no hope. Creatures taken there never return. The humans will not make the mistake they made with the rats twice."
Abigail looked down, "I can't give up."
"I say, almost no hope. The rats may have the ability to help you. But, they are very secretive, and weary of strangers. If I give you the whereabouts of their settlement and you go there, know that they may not help you. They also may not allow you to leave."
"What?"
"No one ever leaves Thorn Valley. They want its location to be a complete secret."
"Thorn Valley," Abigail repeated in a whisper.
"Are you prepared for the consequences?"
"I…I suppose I have no other choice. They're the only ones who know anything about NIMH."
"Very well. Thorn Valley lies beyond the woods, along the banks of the nearest river. There is a deep ravine, surrounded on both sides by a briar patch. You will find the entrance to their settlement at the trunk of a lone tree beside the river, surrounded by a thicket of thorny plants. Tell this to absolutely no one but those you plan on taking with you."
Abigail followed the words closely, memorizing them.
"Okay…thank you, Great Owl…"
"You are truly a courageous one. May you be successful. Now, leave me. I must slumber."
Abigail nodded, and quickly scurried away, hopping over the mouse skeleton and back into the light.
"Abigail!" Willy exclaimed, running up to her and hugging her tightly.
"Did he tell you?" Mrs. Brisby asked.
"Yes, he did," she answered.
Mrs. Brisby breathed a sigh of relief, and Gadget walked up to them.
"He knew who Cornelius was," Abigail said, resting her chin on Willy's shoulder.
"Golly, he did?" Gadget asked, "I guess we're really not too far away from Dapplewood."
"I still never found out how he knew my husband," Mrs. Brisby remarked, "What else did the owl say?"
"He said that if we go…they might never let us out again."
Mrs. Brisby looked to the side, "Yes…that's true. My other son and daughter, Martin and Teresa…they went to Thorn Valley to live with the rats, once they became adults. When Timmy and Cynthia are old enough I'll let them choose whether or not they want to go too."
"Why didn't you go?" Abigail asked.
"Well I…I wanted to give my children a choice. Timmy and Cynthia still need me. Maybe one day, if both my children decide to go, I'll go with them."
Abigail thought it must be sad having to decide something like that.
"Well, let's go get the others, and we'll go to this Thorn Valley place together," said Gadget, "Maybe we can convince them to help us and let us leave afterwards."
Abigail nodded, and Willy let go of the hug. The four of them got back into the Ranger Wingamathing, and headed back toward the farm. Abigail knew that facing the owl would be only the first fear she'd have to conquer before this was over.