Chapter 18

Damien and Penelope had scarcely gotten through their first month as a married couple when the Hooded Claw had scooped her up again! This time, he'd hung her by her wrists from a rope above a vat of acid."Prepare for oblivion, Penelope Pitstop!"

Penelope narrowed her eyes. "It's Thorndyke, you fiend!" She cried.

"And this time… I had a little help!"

A figure stepped into view. "Hello, dear sister," she said darkly.

Penelope gasped. "You're working with him?! Pandora, why?"

"It's simple. Once we get rid of you, I'll be Pandora Thorndyke!"

"He would never!" Penelope cried. "He'd find you out and have you thrown in jail!"

"He has to survive first," said the claw. "Now then, when your lovely sister pulls the lever, the cage containing the alligator will open, allowing it to eat those juicy steaks counterbalancing that hundred pound weight. The weight will lower onto the pressure plate, releasing the rope from the vice grip holding it in place. Then, my dear, you will be a delicious Penelope smoothie!" He called maniacally. "Pull the lever, Pandora!"

The alligator waddled to the steaks, starting to eat them.

"I do hope my husband and the lil' old Anthill Mob can reach me in time," said Penelope casually.

Damien and the Anthill Mob were piled up in Chugaboom and headed to the scene.

"Sorry to pull ya outta the office, Damien," said Zippy, "but it was a dire emergency!"

Damien nodded. "She should be…"

"Right in there," said Clyde. "Let's go!"

Damien smiled. "Watch." He walked over to the Bully Brothers, who were guarding the door. "Afternoon, fellas," said Damien as the Mob snuck around to the side entrance. "You like working for the Claw?"

"Uh… not really."

"Does he forget to pay you?"

"Yup. Treats us wrong too."

"I can pay you double. And on time."

Their faces lit up. "Double?!"

Inside, the Alligator was on the last steak. As Clyde and Pockets held the Claw down, Zippy quickly scooped up the now falling Penelope.

"Gotcha, Penelope!"

When Penelope was back on her feet, she sighed. "Thank you ever so ever, fellas!" She said.

Damien walked in with the Bully Brothers. "Hello sweetheart," he said.

"Damien! Why I thought you were at the office!"

"Not when my wife's in trouble!"

The Claw growled. "Blast! Get him, he's right there!"

"We quit," said the Bully Brothers. "We work for Thorndyke now."

"Blast!" the Claw practically screamed as they left with Damien, Penelope and the Mob.

Pandora, meanwhile, decided to make herself scarce.

When Damien got home, Penelope sighed. "I can't believe Pandora is working with that fiend!"

"Why would she help the Claw?" Damien asked.

"She thinks she can do me in and marry you."

"Not happening," said Damien with a scoff.

"Before you go back to work… there's something I have to tell you. Something wonderful."

Damien smiled gently. "It has to be," he said as he held her gently. "Why, you're shaking like a leaf."

"Damien," Penelope whispered happily… "I'm pregnant."