Elijah sat at the window seat "I must admit Rosalie, your plan to rescue your family members was not all for not.. it was quite clever."
Rosalie scowled at him, being tied quickly by Andrew, She growled "You won't get away with this.."
Elijah walked to the door, sighing romantically "Don't you look at me like that.. I already have.. Ciao!"
Rosalie and Nellie were quickly tied together, wrists tied in the back, tightly. Andrew pulled hard on the ropes, Rosalie winced "How could you do this Andrew? You we're Ratigan's right hand man. You were kind to me, Nothing asked... You knew this whole time... I should have known.. The newspaper was a fake wasn't it?" Rosalie shook her head.
"You catch on fast!" he retorted "The newspaper was a nice touch, the only copy of its kind, Elijahs idea, which is a real shocker. We needed a way for you to get to us fast." Rosalie looked away "Why would you do this?"
Andrew stood, dusting off his hands "I can't afford for him to slip up because of a pretty girl that flattered his ego. He'll thank me when this is all over."
"He'll kill you before you have a chance to explain." Her eyes narrowed, threatening him "He'll look for me."
"He doesn't care, girl! Remember that sweet note he wrote about you?" He watched her eyes dart to the floor, hiding her gaze, "That's what I thought." he grabbed the keys off the table "So long ladies.." The door closed and there was complete silence. The room was dark, barred and boarded on the balcony and windows.
Nellie nodded "So... a letter?"
Rosalie sighed "Yes."
Nellie stayed quiet for a moment, "What was he like? The professor... I've heard some truly rancid things.. But who knows?"
"He was 'rancid' at the beginning.. Kind of how Elijah is now. Just awful and cruel.. Full of himself.. But when I had my chance to escape, which I took to go back home, and.. he saved me." Nellie raised a brow "Saved you?"
"He saved me from a gang that tried to kill me." Rosalie said. Her back was turned but she can feel Nellie gasp from behind her "After that, he changed somehow.. And so did I. He became kind.. I became patient.. He learned how to respect others.. And, I learned about second chances.. I guess that's why I stayed so long. Despite being away from you, it was actually wonderful... and I miss him." she admitted.
Nellie smiled, beaming at her new Neice shining and gleaming behind her "I may be an old mouse, but I think I know what love is." Rosalie scoffed "He doesn't love me.. The letter-"
"And if I may be so bold, do you really think he would say such things about you?" Nellie added "Don't think me rude.. But it seems strange he would say such cruel things about you..
"How would you?-"
"I nabbed the note while you were talking, he doesn't have a real good source of grammar does he? Well, do you?" Rosalie was quiet, she sighed heavily, the air depleting out of her chest "I don't know..."
Nellie placed the letter back in Rosalie's pocket "I hope this whole time you've learned who to trust.. If that is the case... I wouldn't trust anyone like Elijah to disclose this kind of information... especially Elijah." She bitterly added. Nellie squirmed in her ropes "Who knows? He could be on his way to you right now.."
Rosalie looked to the barred balcony, seeing a small sliver of starlight beginning to melt into dawn.
"Is this home?
Am I here for a day, or forever.." she begun to tear up again.
"Shut away.. From the world until who knows when?"
Touching the note in her pocket, she gazed at it once more "I think you're right... I won't give up hope.."
"Nothing lasts, Nothing holds, all of me.." She smiled, thinking of Ratigan and the hope he'd find her.
"My hearts far.. Far away.. Home and free."
Nellie grinned "Tell me more, what happened when you first saw him?"
Rosalie sighed, grinning "I woke up in a horrid place I've never seen, I quickly woke up when these two thugs poured cold water on me.. Then I tricked one of them..."
Nora and the others ran down the pipes. Suddenly they halted at the grate. Bill went through first, opening the large grate. Nora was next, Fidget helping her up. Nora looked around "This is it?"
FIdget pulled at her hand "It's not much but it's home! Cmon lady!"
The children walked out of their room. Alex holding Victoria close "What are you doing? Trying to torment us further? Who's this?"
Bill stopped at the children's door "Rosalie's in trouble, This is Miss Nora, she came all the way from Rosalie's house!"
Victoria gasped "What happened?" she broke away from her brother's embrace "Rosalie's in trouble?! Oh no!" she followed the others to the bosses room. Alex paused for a moment, then in turn followed.
The bosses door was closed, quiet on all sides. His barrel was pristine and shining. No sound, not one. Bill and the others froze, no other person could have the courage to walk through. Nora looked around and scoffed "What are we waiting for? Let's go!" she was about to knock on the door, Bill quickly grabbing her hand "He's a little down at the moment, it's best to leave him be."
"We don't have time!" Nora shook her head "My family is in danger!" she burst through the door. Ratigan, sulking on his seat across from the fireplace. The fire roaring and crackling. Nora looked at the rat, not even acknowledging her existence. Ratigan was holding a single rose in his hand, part of the place setting from the dinner, and a crumpled piece of paper in the other. Bill appeared at her side "Ahem." he cleared his throat "Boss, Miss Nora is here to see you."
"Miss Nora?" he mumbled, too low to understand.
BIll nodded "She knows Miss Rosalie, it's urgent sir!" His eyes didn't move, he was stoic and silent.
Bill touched her shoulder "Just say what you need, I'll be right outside." Nora nodded, holding her small red shawl close on her body. The door shut, Nora began "Professor Ratigan is it? I'm from the Plunket estate.. Please I need your help."
He continued to stay silent. Nora hesitated, awaiting a response; simply nothing "You did in fact, keep Rosalie here ?"
Nothing. Not a word.
Nora sighed, standing her ground "She's told me so much about you, I feel I practically know you. When I finally saw her, Rosalie.. She changed.. In the best way I've ever seen. It's truly wonderful." she twisted her hands
"Now, Rosalie, is in trouble, her fiance is.." she shook her head "He betrayed all of us! Poor Rosalie is locked up in the house, being forced to marry that monster in order to save us all!" she begun to get upset, starting to tear up "Please, just listen to me! Our family is in danger."
"Dear lady.." he began "How does this apply to me? She's already been freed."
"Because of you!" She insisted, pushing past her fear of the giant rat "You freed her for her family, she needs you!"
"No she doesn't." Ratigan moved, his hand opening to the picture of Rosalie clipped out from the paper.
Nellie shook her head "She had nothing but good things to say about you.. and I couldn't believe her.. Speaking brightly and happily, just like when she was before this all started. When you took her... I was furious, confused, startled, and scared to death... I wanted to get here myself and give her kidnappers a piece of my mind" she sighed "I guess I expected someone else, someone who would fight for the woman he loves in an instant.
She laughed in disbelief "YES. I said love..." she crossed her arms "And I think she loves you back... but we'll never find out if she marries Lockson.. But I do know one thing, if she marries him, she'll die." no answer, nothing in a reply "Good day... I can see I'm not of any use to you anymore." she started out, but before leaving, she left Rosalie's gold necklace on the mantle of the fireplace "Good evening Professor."
Closing the door, the boys and children stood gazing at her. Nothing said. Nora teared up and nodded "Thank you for your help." beginning to walk, the door to the office burst open, Ratigan emerged, walking straight to Nora "Miss Nora?"
She turned, her seldom frown, slowing into a perfect small hopeful grin "Professor?"
He tucked the necklace into his coat pocket, with a kind smile, he took her hand, shaking it "Please, call me Ratigan.." he kissed it gently, The children, perked up. Alex grinned "Does this mean?-"
"We're rescuing Rosalie, and I need all your help." the children cheered, the boys clasped their hands. One thug grinned "Alright! We're getting our girl back!"
Nora shouted above the crowd "No mean to darken the mood, but how are we even gonna get in? He has thugs all around the manor! And a thug of your employ I might add!"
"Who?" Bill asked.
Nora shook her head, "He went by Aaron, Andy, Andrew?"
"ANDREW!" the boys shouted in unison. Uproar and rage within the men, when Ratigan raised his hand, all remained silent. Ratigan shook his head "I should have known, he wanted Rosalie to leave more than I did."
Alex pounded his fists "Let's go get her!"
Victoria jumped "Right! Let's storm the castle!"
"No NO!" Ratigan exclaimed "We need to go in with precision. It looks like we'll need some extra help.." he groaned. Fidget raised a brow "Oh boss, you don't mean?"
Bill scoffed "Psh, who's gonna help us! Everyone thinks ya dead!"
"All except one mouse.." Ratigan added, "And I truly don't want his help at all.. But I'll need him in order to get Rosalie back. A mind as quick and clever as my own.." he rolled his eyes "Fidget, my coat.." he patted Nora's hand "Not to fear my dear, Rosalie will be saved."
"Basil.." Dawson began, he sat at the couch across from Basil's chair, he watched Basil pace back and forth. Basil rubbed his chin "It's strange.. Why would they tell us they are no longer in need of us? The biggest scandal of London and they don't need ME?"
"Basil, they possibly took advice of law enforcement.. Perhaps the girl truly is gone for good."
"This isn't a question of the girls disappearance, this is about me!" he slumped in his chair. Dawson poured him a cup of tea, starting to chuckle "Basil, think of that family-"
"That family has more problems to count! If it isn't the twins arguing about my affections, it's the madame forcing more search parties! And that fiance! Ugh! Such drama!" he sipped at his cup quickly "I think being imprisoned by Ratigan is suitable more than dealing with that man.. Can you hand me that folder?"
Dawson handed Basil a large brown leather bound folder, untying it, Basil leafed through the papers "His father took over the business when it was ransacked to the ground with gambling debts.." he fished through another piece, a mugshot of the young Elijah "Framed for stealing and arson? How could the family ignore this? Then after the arrest, reform school, charity work... no more evidence or crime, it was as if he's lying dormant for something?"
Dawson shrugged his shoulders "Maybe he really does care for Miss Hampstead?" he sighed "True love can change a person?"
He opened another part of the folder "Miss Hampstead has stocks, bonds, all kinds of inheritance.. Now what would he want with that eh? It seems very suspicious to me.. He's a high suspect.. WHO KNOWS!" he shouted "He could be hiding the girl inside the house this whole time! " he said suspiciously "If only we can get in that house..." he slumped again holding his violin "Quite frustrating." a knock at the door "Oh brilliant! Now who could that be?"
Dawson laughed at his partners antics, answering the door, he saw a sweet little mouse "Good evening my dear, are you in trouble?" he looked around seeing her just Victoria standing alone, with P.J in her arms "Good evening sir, are you Mr. Basil? I'm in need of some help."
"No, I'm not, I'm afraid I havent' introduced myself, I'm Mr. David Q. Dawson. What kind of trouble are you in?"
"I'm looking for my friend, Rosalie Hampstead?"
"Child," Dawson began "Where are your guardians?" he looked around the empty outside, beginning to turn into dawn, the morning was present "Are you all alone tonight?"
Victoria smiled "Well, of course not, my Uncle is here!" she motioned for the bushes "Come on Uncle James!" she turned to Ratigan "Sorry, he's shy."
Ratigan emerged from the shrubbery, looking more threatening than ever. The shadows under the awning gave him a menacing stance, which made Dawson quiver and shake. Dawson nodded and suddenly fell to the floor. Basil walked to the door "Now Dawson, you just can't-" suddenly, he froze. Both of the men silent. Victoria nervously watching them.
"I knew it."
"Don't think of calling the yard... I have your entire home surrounded."
"No one believed me.." He rose a brow "I knew it. You were hiding this ENTIRE time, underneath my grasp!" snapping his fingers "I KNEW IT!"
"We know!" Ratigan's voice rose. There was a pause "Now, Basil I need your help."
He shrugged his shoulders "Hm.. Give me one good reason why I should?"
"It's about Miss Hampstead... Her fiance is a fraud." he took off his hat, emerging from the menacing shadows "I need your assist to breech the place and save her-"
"Ha! Why shall I accept such a dastardly request! Surely you plan on harming Miss Hampstead and kidnapping her back for an even HIGHER ransom!" he laughed "Elijah isn't the enemy! You are!"
Victoria moved forward "Please Mr. Basil, my uncle needs your help! We all do!"
"Uncle?" Basil began, then his green eyes softened "This child is yours?"
Ratigan nodded, Basil placed the pieces quickly together "Rachel's offspring?" Ratigan nodded again. Victoria pleaded "Please, we need Rosalie back... she'll get hurt with that man! We want her back." Basil hesitated, then took a glance at the girls blue eyes. It was the same as Olivia all those years ago. He softened, then kindly smiled "Young lady.. What could you possibly need with an American girl?"
"She's our friend.. Right Uncle?" Basil rose a brow, looking at Ratigan. He saw something different, something kind and soft within his eyes, it was a change from the menacing passion and fire that once occupied his yellow eyes. "What happens if I help you? What in the world would be my reward for your torment on this once great city?" there was no answer.
Suddenly Ratigan replied "I'll renounce all my crimes, I'll give up on villainy if it means I'll have her back with me.. I care for her.." he admitted "It's unfair for such actions to be easy for others but me.."
"If I get one quip or complaint about my methods-"
"We'll need to work together, It can't be a one sided rescue.." he laid out his hand "Deal?"
Basil hesitated, knowing how his adversary's mind is a cruel and locked one. Looking at him up and down, he took one final glance at Victoria "Please Mr. Basil?"
They shook hands.. The deal complete.
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