Chapter 38: The Surveillance of Corn Chip Girl

Corn Chip girl was in a state of emergency and she had no idea who to turn to. What she had just heard than witnessed was nothing short of shocking! Gus had been shanghaied! Or kidnapped rather, for those that don't know that sort of terminology.

For her it had all started when her father gave her a surveillance kit. It wasn't the usual kind of toy kit, and in fact it didn't seem very much like a toy at all. And it likely wasn't if she knew her father. You see, Cornchip girl's father was in the navy, which was actually what military son Gus and her had bonded on some months back when they first got to talking.

Since then, the two had gotten very close. So close in fact that some kids would giggle to her that she must be dating him even though in her eyes he was a bit to old for her and she wasn't quite at the point where that sort of thing flattered a girl, instead it was just embarrassing.

Nevertheless Cornchip girl was not one to avoid him because of these rumors. And in fact, she had every intention of showing Gus what her father had given her. A part of her, which could admit to a little bit of a competitive nature, also sort of wanted him to test it out to see if he was impressed by it or if he thought his father's surveillance equipment was better. Although Gus and she didn't fight about such things, there fathers had, and a part of her had her Dad's competitive edge. Although hers of course, was much more subtle, and better off for it.

Perhaps for this reason or simply because it was her gift, she felt that she should get to play with it first, especially if something was wrong with it. She wouldn't want to brag about something or pump something up if the thing didn't work. Cornchip girl decided to do a scan. She put the headphones and binocular-like goggles and held up the listening device scanning the area as she walked around.

At first all she overheard and saw was the usual things. King Bob giving out orders, the Ashley's gossiping, Randall muttering to himself as he wrote down things to tell Finster. It was so mundane that as she walked Cornchip girl almost took off the equipment in disappointment. But just as she was going to take off the headphones the satellite looking audio piece fell out of her hand and rolled across the ground facing the dumpster.

Cornchip girl gave a sigh as static filled the headphones, but just as she reached down to pick it up the static cleared just enough to hear a familiar if muffled voice saying,

"W-w-what you were l-looking for?"

Cornchip girl froze in alarm. She recognized that voice. Her close friend Gus. With the reflexes and urgency that perhaps only a military child could have, regardless of the branch, CG grabbed the device keeping it straight where the audio was coming from as she turned and faced the direction to see as the voice said,

"Insurance."

The goggles were a little too good for CG's tastes. She was too far away to help. She began to run as she watched none other than Kurst the Worst pick her friend up and throw him over her shoulder like she was some sort of cave girl or like he was a sack of potatoes.

Cornchip girl was very aware of the route the girl was taking, she knew that from that odd alleyway looking area one could exit the school. Had Kurst the Worst moved from stealing lunches to stealing people? Could it be called Kidnapping if it was being done by an actual kid? Cornchip girl felt that she had never moved so fast in her life, but being a strategist she realized there was no real point to running after Kurst. CG was no match for Kurst in size or strength and if she yelled after her she knew that it was more likely that Kurst would simply run faster once she knew someone was after her. But she needed to be in the area, find the closest person that could help.

As she ran she noted that Kurst had frozen and looked off somehow. Has she been caught? CG wondered, until Kurst again took off, although there had been a vulnerable moment. Someone in the class with the way too small opening of the window had almost seen her, someone who Kurst either feared or cared about. CG figured that was a person to involve. She could see from her goggles that the window was too small for even little old her to get through, but there was a much bigger window open, clearly being aired out. As soon as her little legs reached there, Cornchip girl climbed up to the window and slipped in.

It was no great shock that this room was being aired, now that she was inside she could see why. She had entered one of the schools art rooms and clearly some fumes were being aired out. But CG had no time to inspect or contemplate on these things. Instead she headed out that classroom and then ran in to the classroom that Kurst had paused in front of.

She looked up and up and up until she finally reached the person who may hold the key to Gus' return. CG paused, the shock of witnessing a kidnapping having caught up with her. Because of who was there she took a few seconds to debate. Mikey Blumberg was known to associate with Kurst the Worst. They were friends so CG wasn't sure that she could trust him. She didn't know him very well. But then she remembered that he was one of Gus' most trusted friends. And that was going to have to be good enough.

"Corn Chip girl, what are you doing here?" he questioned her as the girl pulled a pair of headphones off of her head.

Cornchip girl was at an impasse, there wasn't time enough to explain the situation and catch up with Kurst, especially considering that Mikey was not built for speed. She couldn't waste time though. It was a long shot, but maybe if she explained the situation on the way they'd have just enough time. After all Kurst was also not built for speed.

Grabbing his arm, CG attempted to pull him behind her but at first was met with resistance. Mikey, having no idea what was going on, did not seem inclined to follow her without some kind of explanation. CG turned to look back at him, letting out a frustrated look and tug at Mikey as she turned around to try to explain something so he'd just move.

"There's no time, we have to help him! Kurst has Gus!" she said feeling herself nearly pleading with Mikey to just follow her.

But although she had no other way to express the direness of the situation, she still almost regretted telling him in such a way since his expression instantly dropped.

"Wh-what?" Mikey practically whispered his face full of both grief and disbelief.

Cornchip girl attempted to use this surprised and confused mindset to get him to move. He was a rather big kid, but she was pretty sure he could fit through the wide art window. Instead of answering him she focused on the problem at hand even as Mikey continued, although now he was moving, albeit very slowly as if on autopilot.

"She's taken him right out of school, threw him over her shoulder like it was nothing!" she exclaimed.

"You must be mistaken," he implored back as they entered the hallway, CG leading the way as Mikey continued, "Kurst wouldn't do that, she's really not bad once you get to know her."

CG pulled him along with her through the art room door heading for the window,

"I saw it with my own two eyes…well plus surveillance equipment." She said a little annoyed as she felt he was calling her a liar.

His face was mixed with emotions, but he continued to insist as CG slipped out of the window and began trying to pull Mikey through it,

"That can't be. I'm sure it was a trick of the light or something. Kurst would never do something like that. She's been real nice to me ever since we bonded over our similar food tastes."

Cornchip girl sighed as Mikey got stuck in the window. He was only a little stuck though, so she was sure that he could make it with a bit of help. CG placed her feet on the outside wall under the window and grabbed his wrists pulling with all her might as she said,

"Yeah well, being nice to you doesn't always mean being nice to your friends."

Mikey shook his head still unable to believe it, yet when he thought back not to far he did remember seeing a lock of wild orange-red hair. A very familiar lock now that he thought about it. He stayed quiet as he pondered this and as CG pulled.

With CG's help Mikey all but flew out of the window. CG urged him to hurry up,

"Look I don't have time to convince you, but if you hurry up you might be able to see it yourself. Unless your slowing me down purposefully so you don't have to face facts."

Cornchip girl was not feeling very generous. Not only was Mikey making her do all the work he was also implying that she was a liar. She wondered whether Mikey were truly more Gus' friend or Kurst's. If the latter was true then she had chosen wrong and Mikey could be holding her back purposely. For a few seconds as he stood up CG debated this and fought internally about what to do. She was running out of time and options. There was none of which to go around and find someone else. At this rate she'd have been better of going alone, even though she was no match for the other girl. She was just about to start yelling at Mikey and then running off towards Gus if the other boy still refused to act, when Mikey himself began to run.

CG watched as a slow start ended in the fastest running that Mikey had ever done. It was not record breaking to the average kid, but for him he was hauling it. So much that sweat poured down the sides of his face, his breathing was ragged, and you could tell it was rather painful for him, but still he went on. Cornchip girl was startled into admiration. She quickly caught up despite his efforts and was about to continue talking to him about what she had seen, until she figured out what Mikey was saying to himself under his breath.

"It can't be Kurst. It's just a mistake. She wouldn't do that. And Gus is fine, just fine, I'm sure of it."

Cornchip girl kindly shut her mouth, while it would be a low blow for Mikey, it was better for him to see it for himself.

Soon both kids made a quick turn and found themselves at the opening to the school, Mikey used his last remaining energy to rush right outside of school property to pause in the street. Perhaps he could have even managed more if not for what he saw ahead of him.

She was unmistakable with her similar to Mikey frame, her wild orange-red hair, and Gus thrown over her shoulder. All of Mikey's determination and stamina was stolen from him in that moment. His eyes began to water as he watched her back. It couldn't be real, he hoped it was all a nightmare, but even with his imagination he'd not have been so cruel as to conjure up this image.

He couldn't do anything to stop the scene. His legs gave out under him and his knees hit the ground hard. Mikey wanted to help his friends, Gus from the situation and Kurst from the biggest mistake she may have ever made, but his body wouldn't let him and his heart hurt so much that it caused tears to form in his eyes. The only thing he could think to do was to scream,

"Why Kurst?! Why has it come to this?! Why are you doing this?! This isn't who you are!" he implored.

Kurst froze at her distance in the street as if she'd been punched. Her head turned towards him although she did everything she could to keep her body straight,

"You're wrong Mikey," she said softly, still not being able to speak harshly to him.

Cornchip girl used the pause to catch up to Kurst and tried to grab at Gus to pull him down and escape, but as she had estimated, Kurst was too much for her, Kurst glared down at the girl and shoved her hard to the ground.

"No! Don't hurt her!" Gus cried in horror as he had watched CG's hard fall, he hoped that she hadn't hurt herself.

Mikey tried to stand up just as Kurst looked away. Coldly, but quietly Kurst turned her face back to the road,

"They don't call me Kurst the Worst for nothin' Blumberg."

She continued her walk slowly and then just before she passed the point of being able to be heard she said,

"If you want your friend back, tell Spinelli she'd better not chicken out. She'll know what that means."

And that's how she left. With Gus still over her shoulder crying,

"Don't tell her Mikey, it must be a trap!"

With CG sporting bruises and a possible sprain, and Mikey with a broken heart and a job to do.

It took ten minutes to let it all out and compose himself, it took ten minutes to escort Cornchip girl to the nurses office, and it took five minutes for Mikey to come up with an idea of what to do next. By the time recess was over Mikey had made up his mind about the goals he had for today. He was going to get his friends back and when he said this, he was including all three he had lost.

"No more friends shall be taken." Mikey announced to himself as he made his way into the science classroom.

He knew what his first move had to be. It was time to speak to Gretchen.