Au: It's Halloween and the Tracys find themselves having to save people trapped in a ghost house at a festival.
A character from a previous story makes an appearance but this is not set in the same plotline.
Thank you so much Janetm74 for checking my work x
This is from my chapter based story, Thrill House written last year.
Screams echoed around the park and music boomed from the stage where a band were playing dressed up as skeletons that glowed in the dark, and Natasha gripped Wayne Rigby's arm as a zombie jumped out at them.
"You're such a coward, Nat." Wayne chuckled as they walked past it.
"Am not!" She hit him back with a laugh. "You can't even face seeing blood in the infirmary."
"Touché. Okay, where shall we go next?"
"Hmm, how about getting some popcorn and checking out the haunted house?"
"Sounds good. You're buying the popcorn."
Natasha smiled. "That's fair."
They approached one of the stalls and Natasha got out her money as Wayne took the bag from the vendor.
"I can't think of a better way to spend Halloween, well, I can but International Rescue can't take the day off," Natasha smiled.
Wayne grinned back. "That's why it's better to be in the GDF."
"Oh, knock it off. We're not exactly taking a day off from duty you know?" She rolled her eyes and helped herself to some popcorn, "I've never been to a proper ghost house. I hope there aren't any nasty surprises."
"One way to find out."
The two went into the mansion with a small group of people and split up, deciding to explore.
"You go upstairs, and I'll meet you later." Natasha smiled, "you have my number if things get too scary."
"Very funny. See you."
Screams sounded from upstairs, and Wayne laughed as a fake spider fell on him before he entered the bedroom. Downstairs, Natasha walked into a room of mirrors and chuckled at the yelps. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted movement behind her and turned to see a member of the group she had gone in with, they laughed at each other's reflections they had been startled by and continued to walk around the room.
Suddenly, there was a piercing scream from above and shouts from outside, and the room began to shake violently causing the mirrors to break. Natasha spun on her heel to see dust billowing in from the hallway and there was a loud crash as the ceiling above caved in blocking the way out of the room she and two others were in, she grabbed the woman in their group back but not in time as a wooden beam fell on her leg causing her to yell out in pain.
"I've got you! It's an earthquake!" Natasha shouted over the rumble.
A man huddled close to them and spoke softly. "Keep close together, it'll stop soon."
Screams continued to echo around the park and the shaking stopped, Rigby stood up to survey his surroundings and turned round to face the group he was with.
"Bad news, it appears we're trapped!"
"Trapped?"
"I'm going to call International Rescue." He got out his phone but texted Natasha first.
'Nat, are you okay? We're trapped upstairs. I'm going to call International Rescue, don't give yourself away.'
'Roger that. We're stuck down here too.'
The woman in Natasha's group moved closer to her with a sob. "What are we going to do?"
"Just stay calm, I'm sure we'll be rescued soon. But the first thing I'm going to do is to check your leg," Natasha smiled supportively at the two people she was with.
Upstairs, Rigby was on the phone after pressing his emergency button which took him straight to Thunderbird 5.
"Is that International Rescue?"
"This is Thunderbird 5. Go ahead?" John replied, recognising Rigby's voice immediately.
"We're in Orlando, Florida, at the Halloween festival. We've just experienced an earthquake and there's been an incident at the haunted house. I'm with two other people but there's another group upstairs with us, and my friend is downstairs."
"We've just recorded it too. The emergency services are on their way. How many are upstairs with you?" John asked, sending the information down to the island.
"Three. Me and two women, and I think there is a group of four across the landing."
"FAB. Stay calm. We're on our way." John hung up and paled slightly, "dammit. International Rescue, we have a situation, specifically for Virgil."
"Why do you say that?" Virgil frowned, walking over to his chute to save time in delaying a launch.
"That was Wayne Rigby, he's in trouble and…"
"Natasha! She and Rigby were on an assignment!" Realisation dawned on the second eldest as he interrupted his brother.
"Yes."
Scott nodded. "Destination?"
"Orlando, Florida."
Jeff brought up a hologram of Florida and an alert was shining over Orlando. "An earthquake. Get out there, boys, this is a big one. Gordon, Alan and Kayo, join them. I think this will need all of you."
"FAB Dad." Alan threw his ePad aside and wriggled onto the armchair as Gordon sat down in the one beside it, "Thunderbirds are go! I can't wait to see this Halloween festival!"
"Well, I'm glad one of you is in a good mood," Virgil muttered before tilting backwards on his chute.
Thunderbird 1 took off first, followed by Shadow and lastly Thunderbird 2. Scott pushed his ship to top speed taking note of the facts John was relaying to him from the scene.
"Virgil, you at top speed?" Scott asked opening a comms channel with his brother.
"Sure am. If I could go faster, then I would. What's your ETA?"
"I'm practically there. John tells me that the emergency services have arrived and moved everyone out of the park. They've taken care of any injuries, but they don't have the equipment to get into the mansion Natasha is trapped in."
"FAB. I'll try to cut down on arrival time."
"Once I'm on the ground I'll send Thunderbird 1 up again. Thunderbird 2 can stand the aftershocks, my ship not so much."
"FAB. Good luck."
Scott cut the communication channel and followed through on his own instructions, Thunderbird 1 hovered above him and he made his way over to the mansion where the fire crew were tending to a couple of small fires.
"Scott Tracy, International Rescue. How many are inside?"
"Our readouts say ten. Three are trapped downstairs, and seven on the upper levels. I'm afraid two signals went dark before you got here."
Scott nodded sorrowfully. "It's not your fault. The rest of my team will be arriving shortly, what can I do in the meantime?"
Thunderbird 2 arrived, and Virgil spotted Thunderbird Shadow on the ground with its feet bolted around a block of concrete to keep her from tilting if an aftershock hit. Virgil landed his ship and went to suit up in the exosuit as Alan prepared a Repair Pod. Once they left, Gordon took flight control of Thunderbird 2.
"Good timing Virgil," Scott praised.
"Just tell me where to go. Nat is in trouble."
"It's the end of this mansion. If Gordon can get the people upstairs to safety, then Alan can clear a path through the house."
Virgil nodded. "Let's get to it. Alan, help me move some of this debris. Kayo, go and assist with the evacuation then come back and help us. Use your jet pack, Scott. Once Gordon has got the roof off, you can get those out on the top floor."
Kayo nodded noticing Virgil's distress. "FAB."
The rescue got underway, and Gordon fired the grabs at the roof which came away easily to his surprise and he pulled it away.
"The roof is off, Scott. I can see those trapped; four in a huddle to the left of the stairwell, and three in the bedroom."
"Going in now. Bring the chair harness in, Gordon," Scott activated his jet pack and flew into the house.
"You've got it, Scotty."
Scott rolled his eyes with a smirk as he flew up the remains of the grand staircase. He approached the first group and landed as carefully as he could. "It's okay, we're going to get you out of here. Is anyone injured?"
A teenager looked up and nodded. "I think my wrist is broken."
Scott held his hand out. "Mind if I check it?" They shook their head in response. "You're lucky it's not, a tiny fracture is all. Support it like this." He took their other hand and curled their fingers over the bone, "you'll be okay, I promise."
"Heads up, Scott!"
Scott looked up as the chair harness came down. "Good timing. Thanks, Gordon. Okay, all of you find a seat and pull the restraints down. Gently," he added to the teen. "You all look great by the way." He smiled at their costumes then moved back. "I'm going over to the other group now, Gords."
"FAB. I'll keep the chair out."
Scott approached the other group and scanned them for injuries, winking quickly at Wayne to keep his identity undercover. Satisfied that there were only cuts, he got them to their feet and told them the same instructions as the last group. "Okay Gordon, take them away and let the emergency crews know that one has a fractured wrist and others should be checked for head injuries. I'm going down to join Virgil and Alan."
"FAB."
"Thanks, International Rescue," Rigby smiled at Scott and got his phone out to text Natasha that they were coming for her next.
"Good job Gordon." Scott praised his brother as the rescued victims clung to the restraints.
"Thanks, Scott. Going up."
Scott watched the chair disappear up into Thunderbird 2's module then opened his comms with Virgil. "Virgil, I'm coming down to you. How is the cleanup going?"
"Slowly. Most of the ceiling has come down. I'm relying on sound to lead me to them."
Natasha checked the time. "I can hear voices, we should be free soon," she turned to the woman and man. "I'm so rude, I haven't even asked you what your names are."
"I'm Alexis."
"Philip. And You?"
"Natasha. I'm a GDF medical officer."
"Pleased to meet you," Alexis smiled.
"GDF? What are you doing here?" Philip asked raising his eyebrows.
"I was on duty, just to make sure that the festival went without any problems. And now look!"
"Are you here with someone?" Alexis asked, noticing her texting.
Natasha chuckled. "No, just a friend, he's a Halloween fanatic and dragged me here. My boyfriend works for someone else. What about you, are you here with anyone?"
"There was someone. A couple of years ago, but it went wrong and we just drifted apart," Alexis sighed sadly. "He worked at really odd hours whereas I needed something steadier."
Philip smiled at her sympathetically. "I know what that's like, but when you find the one, it's great."
Alexis hissed as she clutched her leg. "This is definitely broken."
"It's alright, it's not. But you'll have a huge bruise," Natasha smiled then checked her phone subtly. "I'm sure International Rescue will find us."
"I know they will," Alexis said which made Natasha raise an eyebrow.
"You seem very optimistic?" Philip frowned.
"I've seen them pull off loads of rescues, and I'm sure they've been called to something like this," Alexis replied as she wrapped her arms around her leg.
Virgil grunted as he threw a large slab of concrete aside and heard Alan yelp, he turned quickly and apologised. "Sorry."
"It's okay, but you could've shouted move or something, you almost hit me."
Kayo ran into the house and stopped beside Scott. "The area is clear of people. How's it going in here?"
"Nearly through," Scott replied firing a line at the wall to keep it from falling on his brother. "Could you fire one to the opposite wall please, sweetheart?"
Kayo nodded. "Of course. Pass me a cable."
Virgil moved the final piece of concrete aside and quickly threw himself into the room before anything else came down. He stood up and turned to face the three remaining people. "International Rescue. I'm…"
"Virgil?" Alexis gasped.
Natasha frowned. "You two know each other?"
Kayo smiled noticing Virgil blush. "Let's play catch up later. You guys need to get out of here, the roof is about to cave in."
"Let's move," he held his hand out and Natasha took it gleefully.
Alexis retracted her hand as realisation dawned on her. "Oh."
Kayo helped Alexis to her feet, but she cried out in pain. "Are you okay?"
"A wooden beam fell on my leg, it's hard to walk on."
"Scott, give me a hand!" Kayo called out to him as Virgil helped Natasha outside.
"Who is she, Virgil?" Natasha asked, crossing her arms as they left the house.
"I should've told you. We said we wouldn't keep secrets, and I'm sorry," he sat down on the steps of the mansion with a sigh. "She's my ex-girlfriend. We broke up a couple of years ago."
"Who broke up with who?"
"She broke up with me. I was away for too long and there were things in her past she didn't want to get in the way of our relationship."
"But now you've just moved on as easily as pie?" Alexis limped down the steps barging past Natasha, who frowned angrily.
"I haven't just moved on. I rescued Natasha on a film set and it went from there, Alexis."
Scott raised his eyebrows as he passed them, taking Philip over to an ambulance. "Glad we're not caught up in that."
Gordon landed Thunderbird 2 and opened the module for Alan to return to, then ran over to the group. "Wow. Hey Alexis! Long time no see."
"Oh, so you've met the whole family too?" Natasha huffed.
"Nat, this is between me and her. You've done nothing wrong." Virgil assured her as he stood up to remove the Jaws of Life, "this isn't revenge, Alexis. It's called moving on with my life, something you told me to do."
"I didn't tell you to find someone else."
Gordon whistled. "Then what does 'moving on' mean?"
Kayo elbowed him. "Shut up."
Virgil rolled his eyes. "Can you all just give me some privacy please?"
"In an active quake zone?" Scott's voice rose in surprise as he rejoined the group.
"Just wait inside Thunderbird 2 or your own ships. Please?"
Kayo nodded and pulled Gordon and Alan back. "Come on."
"Nat, please?" Virgil tilted his head to the side seeing her not following the others.
"Are you serious? I'm just as involved in this as she is!" At Virgil's silence, she huffed and stormed off in the direction of where Rigby was standing beside a GDF flier.
Virgil jerked his head to the side. "Let's go for a walk."
"Okay." Alexis held onto his arm as she limped beside him.
"I'm sorry if I've hurt you Alexis, but please don't take it out on Natasha. You're the one who said it wouldn't work for us."
"I'm not taking anything out on her!" She sighed. "What a Halloween this is turning out to be."
"I'm sorry but this doesn't change anything. I saved your life today, but that's all."
Alexis sighed, "how long have you been together?"
"A year. We've just celebrated our anniversary."
"One year?" She stopped and slipped her hand off Virgil's arm. "We broke up two years ago, and you've been with someone else for a whole year already?"
"Alexis, please?"
"Forget it. I want to go home." She turned and walked back still limping.
"At least let me help you back?" Virgil caught up with her and offered his arm.
"I'd rather you didn't."
Back at the park, Alan was getting impatient inside Thunderbird 2.
"This is boring, let's go into town and check out the Halloween celebrations."
Gordon sighed. "As if Scott will let us do that."
"But he's not here, is he? He's in Thunderbird 1 with Kayo."
"We're not going anywhere."
"Gordon?" Alan whined, dragging his name out. "What happened to my partner in crime? Come on!"
Gordon rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. But if Scott yells at us, I'm blaming this all on you. We'll take the back exit."
Alan punched the air. "That's what I'm talking about! Ooh, better go casual."
"Better yet, undercover. We'll wear the covert uniforms."
Alan grinned. "Great idea."
The two brothers got changed and scurried out of the back of the module avoiding being seen by anyone and headed into town. People were still being treated to after the earthquake, but a couple of bars had reopened in the street and were operating as normal. Music blasted out of one and Gordon smiled, recognising the song.
"This is the one. They're playing Thriller."
"Let's go in then. I'm starving."
"You're paying."
"That doesn't seem fair, but fine. It was my idea to drag you into town, I guess."
Virgil and Alexis returned to the park only to see Scott shouting and Kayo trying to calm him down whilst Natasha was on the phone.
"Hey, what's going on?" Virgil asked as Alexis sat down unhappily on the steps of the mansion again.
"Alan and Gordon have wandered off, and their communicators are inside Thunderbird 2," Scott replied angrily.
"Alright. First, calm down, Scott. It's Halloween, so they've probably gone into town or are exploring the park. Have you searched?" Virgil asked.
"We were waiting for you," Kayo admitted.
"Alan and Gordon are missing?" Alexis stood up shakily. "I'll help you find them."
"I doubt they're missing. Just been stupid and wandered off," Scott grunted. "Kayo and I will search the park. Virgil, and Natasha, can you two go into town and search? Alexis, you can go with them. And I suggest we get changed into our civilian clothing."
Virgil narrowed his eyes. "Perfect."
Gordon walked over to the bathroom sink of the bar they were in, and heard the door open, he acknowledged the person without a word and continued to wash his hands.
"Nice costume, buddy."
Gordon raised an eyebrow, "it's not really a costume, but thanks." He dried his hands and made to leave when the man stepped in front of him. "Excuse me please?"
"You remind me of someone."
"I can assure you- we've never met."
"Our idol mentioned your father a lot. He was the one who got in his way."
Gordon narrowed his eyes. "What?"
"How much would he pay if something were to happen to one of you, I wonder?" The man grinned menacingly and Gordon's eyes widened.
"Alan!" He pushed past the man and grabbed the door handle.
"Oh no you don't!" The man grabbed Gordon tightly and thrust a needle into his arm which released a powerful knockout drug, and he eased him to the floor. "There. Now let's get you out of here."
The man checked the coast was clear then took Gordon through the back door out to where a car was waiting. He chucked Gordon onto the backseat with an unconscious Alan and told the driver to go, pleased that no one had seen them.
Alexis watched as a car sped past them and shook her head. "Idiots. Drivers like that, cause accidents. Any sign of Alan or Gordon?"
Virgil sighed unhappily. "No. Dammit, why do they do this?"
Natasha rubbed his arm. "We'll find them. Let's ask around."
Virgil smiled which made Alexis scowl. "FAB. Let's split up. Nat and I will go into that bar, Alexis could you check that one please?"
"Of course."
Natasha's pendant beeped and she opened it up. "Scott?"
"Have you found them?"
"Negative. We're going to start asking around. What about you?"
"Same as you, they're not here. Want us to join you?" Scott asked.
Virgil nodded and Natasha turned back to Scott's hologram. "Yes, please. See you soon."
"FAB. We're on our way now. Thunderbird 1 out."
Alexis looked back over her shoulder and sighed. Virgil really had moved on. But she had said she would help find his brothers, and that's what she was going to do.
"Hi, we're looking for a couple of boys, both blonde and teenagers. Have you seen anyone?" Virgil asked the barman who shook his head.
"Sorry, there have been so many people walking around in costumes tonight, it's been hard to distinguish anyone or see features."
Virgil nodded. "That's okay. Thanks."
"We'll try the next place," Natasha reassured him.
Alexis entered another bar and approached the landlord. "Hiya. Have you seen a couple of blonde boys around? One is about sixteen, the other early 20s."
"I'm not sure about their ages, but there were two boys in here about half an hour ago, but one of them left."
"Really? Oh, that's great! Hang on for a moment, I'll be right back." She paused and looked back at the girl, "what's your name?"
"Stefanie."
"Thanks." She ran out of the bar and spotted Virgil coming out of one opposite. "Virgil, I think I'm onto something!"
Virgil looked both ways and ran across the road with Natasha. "What have you got?"
"The woman who runs this bar may have seen Alan and Gordon. Her name is Stefanie."
Virgil followed her into the bar and over to where Stefanie was serving a customer. "Um, excuse me? Stefanie?"
"One moment please." She turned back to the customer. "Here you go darl. Okay, how can I help?" She asked turning her attention to Virgil and Alexis.
"My friend says you might have seen my brothers?"
"Ah, the two blonde boys? Yeah, I remember seeing a couple of boys sitting over there. They ordered a burger each and I left them to it. Then one of them left with someone, they looked like they knew each other."
Virgil frowned. "One of them left? What about the other one?"
Stefanie shrugged. "I never saw him leave, I assumed he must have gone later."
"We have to go, now!" Virgil turned and ran out leaving Stefanie staring after him in confusion.
"Thanks for the help. See ya." Alexis smiled and followed Natasha who had run after Virgil.
"They've been kidnapped, they must have been!" Virgil ran his hands through his hair aggressively as tears swam in his eyes.
"Hey, shh. It's okay, sweetheart." Natasha stopped him in his tracks and wrapped her arms around him letting his head fall onto her shoulder. "Shh."
Scott and Kayo walked up the road and spotted the group up ahead, Scott frowned seeing Virgil in distress.
"What on earth?" And he ran up the road.
"Scott, slow down!" Kayo called after him.
"Virgil, what's wrong?" Scott asked once his brother had composed himself.
"Gordon and Alan have been kidnapped," Virgil sniffed.
"That's a pretty serious accusation, Virgil. How do you know?"
Alexis spotted Virgil tear up again and spoke for him instead. "The owner of the bar told us that either Alan or Gordon left with a stranger, and they didn't see the other leave."
"Shit. Okay, let's get through to base and tell Dad." Scott bit his lip nervously and pressed the comm button in his ear.
Meanwhile, Jeff was having his own crisis and was fully aware of the situation.
"I'll give you anything, just don't hurt my sons."
"You are to go to the Trapezoid and do not let the GDF stop you in any way. Once you have freed the Hood, we'll let your sons go. But you better hurry, the water is already pouring in. Bentley will meet you on the road. Ticktock, Mr Tracy."
"And that's it?"
"Oh, one more thing. If you let anyone know what your intentions are, you'll never see Gordon and Alan again."
Jeff heard the line go dead and he looked down at his desk sadly, the rising sun lit up the lounge in an orange glow and he gazed across at the portraits of his sons with a sigh. Suddenly, the eyes of his eldest son lit up on his portrait and Jeff reluctantly jammed the signal stopping the hologram from getting through.
"I'm sorry son, but this has to be done alone."
"I've been jammed!" Scott shouted facing his family in surprise.
To be continued...