By SaL
Chapter Nine: Everything Falls Apart
A/N: Happy New Years Eve everyone! Umm this chapter like I said is climatic and a bit dark so enjoy it the best you can. Don't forget to review!
~*~
"Alright, perfect, perfect. When should we do it?"
"Daylight, when they're selling their papes."
"Are you sure? That's a bit risky."
"I'm positive. They'll never see it coming. When do they start work?"
"I recall David saying that they wake up at four and head over to the distribution center when last he was here."
"Good, good if we play our cards right things will go perfectly as planned." Wilhelm paused a brief moment to put the cigar to his lips. "Remember, everybody wins."
~*~
Meanwhile the Lynn mansion began coming to life as its residents started preparing for work. Spot, who was up half the night keeping watch over the house, rolled lazily out of bed and in doing so nearly ran into Hotshot who was searching frantically for her brother. "Spot have you seen Blackjack this morning?"
"Na, last time I saw him was when he took watch around eleven thirty. Why?"
"I can't find him anywhere. I was hoping to talk to him before I left. I'll probably hang around here this morning and sell with Specs. If you see him tell him I was looking for him, alright? Oh and to meet me at Tibby's. Ok?"
"Ya, sure. I'm headed over to get me papes now. I'll let him know."
"Thanks! See ya round!" She ran back to her room to grab a coat and cap. She hastily threw them on while running downstairs. Hotshot raced through the kitchen grabbing a muffin before Rosa could say anything. "I'm late!" She called back to the woman and proceeded to the front door. Hotshot opened it just as a young gentleman rang the doorbell. "Can I help you?" She inquired looking the young man over suspiciously.
"I'm here to speak to a Mr. Lynn."
"What for?"
"I understand he's a lawyer and I need one right now."
"Well he ain't in at the moment."
"Do you know when he'll be back? I can wait."
"No one gets in without an appointment and I know for a fact you ain't got one."
"If you could just let me in."
"You'd have better luck down at his office. Now get lost or I'll have you arrested for trespassing."
"Look maybe I've caught you at a bad time but-"
"Damn straight you did! I'm late as it is and you just delaying me further!"
"But I-"
"Good Day sir!" She yelled slamming the door close behind her as she stormed past the young man. She didn't intend to be rude it was just that this particular person sent chills down her spine. Hotshot got the feeling that nothing good could come from him and hurried to the distribution center where she could tell the newsies and have some of them sell near the mansion.
The young man glared after Hotshot swearing that she'd pay. He then turned back to the door and rang the bell a second time in hopes of a better result. When the door finally opened it revealed a young blonde maid. 'Jackpot' he thought grinning wickedly. "Can I help you Monsieur?" He said nothing and just eyed her intently.
"Sandra" he hissed causing the girl to back away in fear. Just as she was about to close the door he moved swiftly in the way clamping a hand over her mouth and an arm around her waist. Producing a dagger from his belt he began to speak to her in harsh tones. "Now listen here Sandy if you value you life you'll do what I say no objections. Are we clear?" She nodded. "Good, now I'm going to take my hand away from your moth and we're going to take a little walk down the street. If you say anything, make any noise at all I'll be sure that you die a slow and painful death. Will you cooperate?" Again she nodded and his hand was removed. The two could then be seen walking down the street his arm never leaving her waist with the hidden dagger held warningly against her.
~*~
Blackjack rushed into the distribution center quickly scanning for signs of Jack, Spot, or Wolfgang. He spotted them near the statue and ran over. "Guys we need to talk."
"Well speak of the devil. We were beginning to wonder what happened to you."
"Why were looking for me?"
"Na but your sister was. She wants you to meet her at Tibby's. I believe she had something important to discuss with you."
"Thanks Spot but I really need to talk to you guys. I noticed some guy creeping on a rooftop near our house last night when I started my watch. I didn't trust him so I followed him down the street he went about two streets over to the Lorant mansion. He stayed the night talking to Mr. Lorant they seemed to be acquaintances. I knew the kid was Wilhelm when I overheard him mention David's name. I couldn't pick up much more but they seemed to be planning something."
"Great Liam's in on it! This isn't good."
"What isn't good?" David asked as he approached the group with Les in tow. The group exchanged a few glances then returned their gazes toward David speechless. "What? Come on guys this isn't funny. What's going on!" David yelled his patience wearing thin. David looked expectantly at each one of his friends all of whom turned away except Jack to kept eye contact with his friend. "Wilhelm's got Liam helping him Dave." The two never broke eye contact neither one seemed surprised with the news they acted as though they expected it.
"Spot! Blackjack!" AA feminine voice rang out breaking the silence. "Whew! I'm glad I caught you! Listen I was just leaving the mansion when this guy comes to the door asking to talk to Pa. So I told him he wasn't in and he kept persisting. I got the feeling that he just wanted to get into the house I have no idea why though. Anyway I basically told him off I hope he took the hint."
"What did he look like?"
"Well by the way he was dressed I knew he was a wealthy gentleman. He was tall and muscular with black hair and umm grey eyes."
"Fuck!" David shouted as his eyes widened in recognition.
"What? Who was he?" Hotshot asked only to be rewarded with a string of curses.
"Shit! What did I do?!" David cried out frantically searching his surroundings before he began to run in the direction Hotshot had arrived in. "David wait! Calm down! Come back!" Wolfgang called after him. "He knows! Wilhelm knows! I gotta do something! I've gotta protect Sandy!" David called over his shoulder while hopping onto a horse. "Yah!" he yelled nudging the horse faster with a few taps of his legs.
"David! It could be a trap!" Blackjack cried out but it was to late he was too far-gone.
"I get the feeling I'm missing something." Hotshot prodded.
"I followed Wilhelm last night that's why you couldn't find me this morning. To make a long story short Liam's working with Wilhelm now and they've got something big planned. That was no gentleman at the door that was Wilhelm."
"Oh God. I should have known I could have done something!"
"Hey, it's not your fault, ok?
"If anything happens to Sandy I'll never forgive myself."
"Now isn't the time for this we need to go after David before anything happens to him."
~*~
David slid off the horse as he neared the mansion and took off in a sprint toward the open door. He ran inside screaming her name searching every room for her asking where she was and each time he received nothing. "Sandy! Sandy where are you! Has anyone seen her? Has anyone seen Sandy?" He yelled when he reached the front door again. Davy slumped to the ground leaning on the frame of the open door. There he sat in despair with his left arm hugging his left knee to his chest his right leg sprawled out the door arm hanging limply at his side. "Sandy" he whimpered, "What have I done?" Dave dropped his head to rest on his knee when he noticed laying there on the ground next to him the scabbard of a dagger. He picked it up with his right hand and examined it as he turned it a small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to his leg. It had two words written on it: Docks 10:00 tonight.
He crumpled the paper as a few stray tears fell from his eyes. When the others arrived they found him in the same position fifteen minuets later. Les threw his arms around his brother and noticed the paper in Davy's hand. He handed it to Jack who read it out loud. "Docks 10:00 tonight. Hey Dave, I'm sorry man."
"You don't have to go alone you know. We'll be there with ya don't even try to talk us out of it cuz it's not going to work." Blackjack added.
"Come on Dave let's get inside sitting out here all day isn't going to help anyone. You need to get some rest and prepare for tonight." Wolf said helping David up and guiding him into the house.
~*~
17 hours later Blackjack, Spot, Jack, and Dave, saw off Hotshot who was extremely disappointed at being left behind when she could have the chance to get back at Wilhelm for what he did. However she knew better than to argue with her brother when he was so determined to send her home. She knew he didn't want anything to happen to her and she was a bit relieved because she didn't want to have to witness another death or another one of her friends being hurt. So Hotshot left in the carriage with mixed feelings.
An hour later the group was on the docks prepared for the fight of a lifetime. Wilhelm appeared five minuets later with Sandy bound and gagged he shoved her effortlessly to the ground before him. David ran forward. "Sandy! Sandy are you ok? He didn't hurt you did he?" he asked anxiously. "Step away lover boy or you can say goodbye to your girl friend." Wilhelm threatened aiming a revolver at Sandy. David stood from his position and stepped to the side. "Why are you doing this Wilhelm? What's in it for you?"
"Oh, I don't know Davy boy, money, power, Mina. Take your pick."
"I'm not marrying Mina Wilhelm. I never even proposed."
"You didn't have to it was already decided. But don't worry your delicate head David Lorant Duke of Neuschwanstein; I'm going to make sure you don't marry her."
"Wait a minuet, wait a minuet David, David Jacobs a Duke? Don't be silly!" Spot exclaimed, "That's impossible!"
"Why David, I'm shocked! Shocked and amazed! You never told them? Never. Didn't they wonder why you had to keep on going to Germany every year?"
"What's he talking about Davy?" Jack asked knowing that this was the key this was the answer he had been searching for. "I haven't been entirely truthful with you guys, Jack. You know that I went to Germany but I never told you why because I'm ashamed. My Uncle hates me because when my Grandparents took my mother and me in they and made me heir to the family fortune. When Liam dies I will be the Duke of Neuschwanstein, which basically means that if the King of Germany and all of his sons were to die then I would be next in line to be king. So obviously the Lorant's are very rich and Liam doesn't want to leave the inheritance to me he does not deem me worthy of the title." Then he turned to look Wilhelm in the eye. "Let's just say that if it were my turn to be king and I died then Wilhelm, who is also a Duke, would be next in line to be king."
"Oh"
"Yes well you will die David! You do not deserve the Lorant name and I will not have you disgracing the royal family by breaking off the wedding!"
"Fine! I didn't ask for the name! I don't want to marry Mina! Go ahead shoot me! Shoot me! Pull the damn trigger!"
The others looked on horrified at what David was saying and Sandy who remained on the ground had tears streaming down her face. "David! Stop this think about what your saying! You have a reason to live, David!" Wolfgang shouted just before a shot rang out. "No! David shouted as he fell to the ground his eyes began to water at the intense pain his heart was feeling. "No!" 'Why?' he thought 'why? Why had he been saved? Why had she sacrificed her life for him?' It wasn't fair the bullet that was meant for David found itself embedded in Sandra's stomach. She saw Wilhelm becoming caught in the moment, forgetting his promise to Liam and pulling the trigger. Sandra used the last of her energy to push David down and save him.
David hurriedly unbound Sandy checking her wound and looking for an exit hole on her back for which he found none. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion as he yelled for Jack and Wolfgang to get help when he notice Sandra begin to close her eyes he gently tapped her cheek whispering soothing words, "Shhh, shhh Sandy you've got to stay with me here ok? Just hang in there Jack's gonna get help everything's gonna be ok."
Her eyes became cloudy and nearly rolled to the back of her head as she attempted to focus on David's voice. "Ya gotta stay with me Sandy. Ya gotta stay with me, please."
"Hmmm" she moaned.
"Please Sandy! Please, you can't leave me now. You can't go. Promise, promise me you won't leave!"
"David" she whispered.
"Promise me Sandy, please!" He pleaded desperately as a single tear escaped his eye tracing its way down his face, landing on Sandra's chest.
"But I'm not leaving you" She replied, "I'll always be right here." She said tapping his chest where his heart should be. "I promise."
"No! Sandy you can't give up. I love you, I need you!"
"Don't cry Davy. I'm not sorry, not at all."
"Why? Why'd you do it?"
"Because I love you David. I love you no matter what."
"Oh Sandy." David sobbed as more tears spilled from his eyes. She offered a feeble smile while she brushed away his tears. "What are you going to do without me?" She laughed weakly. "Don't Sandy it's not funny. Don't talk like that help's going to get here and you're going to be just fine. Everything will be ok." Sandy began crying for David because she knew nothing could save her.
"Oh David, I give you my heart. I give you my heart so you will never be alone."
"I'll keep it safe" He smiled through tears.
"I have to go now Davy they're here the angels have come for me."
"No Sandy please don't go. I'm not ready to say goodbye to you too."
"This isn't a goodbye, it's more like a farewell, a see you later."
"Wait for me?"
"I'll wait for you forever Davy. I'll be seeing you." With a kiss Sandra parted from this world and followed the angels to heaven where she would wait for her love.
David's tears were soon replaced with anger and hate as he lowered Sandra's cold body to the dock. He stood with clenched fists and flaming eyes. "You heartless bastard!" He yelled charging Wilhelm only to be restrained by Wolfgang and Blackjack. "Let me go! LET ME GO!" He yelled struggling to break free. "Why? Why'd you do it, huh? You know I would have willingly given you my money, my power, my title! Willingly! It doesn't matter to me and you know it! You could have had it all! You would be happy, Liam would be happy, everybody would be fucking happy!"
Wilhelm remained silent and David grew impatient. "Well? What are you waiting for Wilhelm? Shoot me! Then you'll get everything you'll get the power, the money, the title, the fame, Mina. Kill me God damn-it! Just kill me!"
"No. You aren't supposed to die neither was Sandra. No David I want to watch you suffer then I can truly be happy."
Dave dropped to his knees his tears were uncontrollable now as he began to understand the extent of Wilhelm and Liam's plan. "It's over. It's all over. I've got no fight left guys. I've got nothing to fight for, there's nothing I can do." Dave said shakily before Wolfgang, Blackjack, Spot and Jack who just returned after finding no available help. "David Jacobs died tonight guys, you'll never see him again. This is goodbye. Take care of Sara and Les for me alright? Tell them that I love them very much. Tell them goodbye for me. Keep them safe Jack. He willing turned and followed Wilhelm to the Lorant mansion where he would be a servant to his uncle. David understood that if he stayed he would knowingly endanger the lives of his friends, and family. So he left, he gave up his freedoms for all those he cared about.
~*~
A/N: No, this isn't the end though I thought about it. I just couldn't end it w/o any hope. Anyway I just wanted to say that there most likely aren't any Dukes in Germany but just go with it, it fits into the story. But the whole thing about the King and princes dying making a Duke the king is true. Oh and Neuschwanstein isn't a city or town in Germany thought it does exist. Neuschwanstein is a 19th Century castle perched on a steep crag in the Bavarian Alps. It was built for "Mad" King Ludwig II it embodied his fantasy of the ideal castle. It also inspired Cinderella's castle in Disneyland. I have a picture of it too it's so cool that I just had to find a way to fit it into my story. Ok so enough with the history lesson I hope you liked the chapter and please review. I'll try to update soon.
SaL