Chapter 18 (Cassie)
What do you call a fly with no wings? Asked Marco as we hid in the folds of Joseph's T-shirt.
I have no idea. What do you call a fly with no wings?
A walk. There was a lengthy pause. When I didn't laugh Marco muttered, It's a good job you aren't Rachel.
We sat for a couple of minutes. What now?
I sighed. I have no idea. I suppose we sit and wait for something to happen.
Another minute, then, Hellloooo! Anybody out there? Then Marco said to me apologetically, I got bored of waiting.
Marco? Is Cassie with you? called Jake.
I'm here.
Good, that means we have everyone accounted for. Where, and what are you guys?
We're flies, supplied Marco, sitting somewhere inside Joseph's T-shirt.
Is he okay?
Well… he's still unconscious if that's what you mean.
Jake paused. They'll find him sooner or later. If push comes to shove, I want you guys to bail. We'll always have another chance to get him out. I'll give you a buzz if anything new shows up.
Buzz? Ha! We're flies! Buzz! Geddit?
Uh-huh, groaned Jake as Marco continued laughing. I get it.
Movement! Lots of movement!
Uh Jake, we're moving.
I want you guys to bail, right now, ordered Jake is his leader voice.
I could almost imagine Marco shaking his head. No way. Ax and I didn't just bust him out of there to loose him again. Cassie can bail if she wants to, but I…
Don't be stupid Marco. I'm staying.
Why did everyone always assume I was going to bail out on them? Fine, I might not be the most blood thirsty of teenagers, but I knew where my loyalties lay. But I was scared out of my wits. Any number of things could go wrong. But I held my tongue and clung tighter with my gross little fly legs to the threads in Joseph's T-shirt.
A fly's sense of movement is incredible. I could feel us being lifted off the ground and practically being thrown, never mind carried, across the floor. You still here?
Afraid I'd chicken out on you? Sometimes those little Rachel-isms are useful.
Suddenly everything stopped. And thank you for riding fly airlines. Please do not leave until the human has come to a complete stop as there is a definite squish risk when you are around humans. Thank you. Have a nice day.
I scanned the scene with my fly eyes, and saw nothing but darkness. I think we've come to that complete stop.
You guys still alive down there?
Tobias? That you?
None other. Listen, Jake's got a plan but he needs you two to bail. There's no fly swatters involved but…
Where are we?
You've been set down on the blown out glass.
Okay, so we were outside the original building. Great.
The plan? Prompted Marco.
The plan being that we make a break for it out the nearest exit, out through the MacDonalds and try for the forest.
That's crazy! I blurted.
That's why Rachel gave it the go ahead. I don't think your mom'll have time to get what she needs and make it out there before we disappear.
I had to admit, it was a decent plan that could work. There was only one problem. What about Joseph?
Our Jake thinks of just about everything Cassie. Thought you'd have more faith in him than that. But we really need you two out of there, back here preferably with something big. We're going to need to bully our way out. Oh, and Marco?
I'm going to regret asking. What?
We have a special mission for yourself and King Kong.
Big Jim. Marco corrected Tobias tensely. He hates being mistaken for King Kong.