Ch. 29 The Climb
Fortunately, the gang did find an exit that happened to be a small passageway that led to an elevator. When they got in the elevator, they saw 4 levels. They happened to be in the basement.
"Where should we go?" asked Laura looking to Jennifer for advice.
"I had no idea there were this many levels in this place." Joshua stared at the numbers.
"Just looking at those numbers makes me afraid of heights." said Anne.
"Let's go to the top so we can get out of here!" Jennifer hit #3.
They rode the elevator to level 3 which was to the inside of the clock tower. When the door opened, they saw a ladder. Everyone exited the elevator and looked up. The ladder seemed to be a long way up. The gang looked at each other as they hesitated who would go first.
"I don't think I wanna go up there." Anne stared up the ladder.
"Can we go to another floor?" whined Laura.
"I think the other floors will have us trapped." Said Joshua.
"Come on guys, we've got to keep going! At this point, there's no turning back!" said Jennifer trying to keep order.
"So who's going first?" Anne looked at Jennifer with crossed arms.
Jennifer looked at Joshua. "Josh, you're the man! You go first!"
"I agree." agreed Anne.
"Yeah!" Laura smiled at him.
They all looked at Joshua to lead the way.
Joshua threw his arms up in surrender. "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! I may be a man here but I'm also a gentleman! I'll let the ladies lead the way." He put his arms down.
"What!" exclaimed Laura.
"You can't be serious!" Anne frowned.
"You know what they say…ladies first." he replied.
That irritated Jennifer. 'After everything we've gone through, he can't even lead the way? What is he, a wimp?' she said in her head. "Really Josh?"
"Yes really! And since you always seem to know where to go, why don't you lead Jenny?" he looked her in the eye.
"Hmmm, I never would have thought of that. He does have a point. So yeah Jennifer, why don't you go first since you seem to be the leader anyways?" teased Anne with a smirk on her face.
Jennifer shot Anne an aggravated look. 'Oh you wanna side with Josh? You're only agreeing with him just to irritate me and get next to him!' she screamed in her head.
Anne folded her arms once again and widened her eyes as if to say 'what!'
"Please Jennifer?" cried Laura with a sad look.
Jennifer looked at Laura's sad face. She then realized that they all were looking at her. So finally, she sighed and said, "Ok fine! I guess you guys are right…I'll go first." Jennifer then turned around and looked at the ladder for the last time. 'If I can climb up a hill, I can definitely climb this ladder.' she said to herself. Jennifer took a deep breath before beginning her journey.
The gang watched as she slowly climbed up the sky high ladder.
Remembering that they all had to climb up the ladder, Joshua encouraged the others. "Let's follow her!"
"You still want us to go first?" asked Laura.
"Yep! Ladies first, remember?" he smiled at them. He then wrapped each of his arms around their shoulders and walked them to the ladder.
The girls felt secure with Joshua around.
"I'm so glad you're around Joshua!" exclaimed Laura smiling at him.
"Same here! You're always here to encourage and protect us. If you weren't around, I don't know what we would do." confessed Anne.
"Anytime girls, anytime! Now let's catch up with Jenny!" he let go of them and watched them.
Anne climb up, then Laura and finally Joshua. Last time, Joshua climbed down the ladder first into the cave but this time, he wanted the girls to believe in themselves. Joshua always had the girls' backs, whether he went first or last.