A/N: Aw, Sabertooth! *Hugs her back* You know I admire you and your works -
heck, you inspired me to write my series in the first place! Thankyou very
much. You are truly a DM author and one day I bet you you'll win a prize
for your series!
OK, anyway, sorry about the delay in chapters, everyone. I've had a music project, but it's finished now (thank Thunderbird) so now the fun can REALLY start!
*
Chapter 2
"Kim? I want you and Penfold to go down to the newsrooms", hissed DM to his second assistant. "When you get there, peek through the door and then radio me on the telecom. Then stay exactly where you are, out of sight. They say Duckula is lurking around there somewhere".
The trio had snuck into the studios through an open back door. They had taken refuge in a room filled with storage, and had been outlining their plan from there.
"Right, DM", said Kim. "Be careful, alright?"
"I always am".
DM went to the door and peeked left, then right. He turned to Kim and Penfold.
"The coast is clear", he whispered. "Good luck".
He left the room, and going to the door, Penfold watched his friend disappear down the narrow corridor.
"Come on, Penfold", said Kim to him comfortingly. "Let's go and find this vampire duck!"
*
DM wandered through the main hallways of the studios, trying to resist looking at the pictures and awards on the walls. He passed a changing-room, and then stopped, frowning.
"It's quiet", he murmured to himself. "TOO quiet..."
At that moment, however, there was a bang and a scream from a nearby room. DM rolled his eyes.
"Famous last words", he muttered to himself. Then he ran towards the sound.
When he finally found the source of the screams, he found himself to be in a sort of living-room. He realised he must have walked into the middle of a TV set. He didn't recognise it from any TV program he had ever seen - they were probably making a new one.
In the corner, a man, a woman, and several others, including the director and camera-men, were huddled together. Towered over them and pointing guns, there was a guinea-pig and a chipmunk. Both were dressed in grey clothes and looked to be quite young.
"Alright, stop right there!" barked Danger Mouse. He switched to a karate pose. "Let's take this outside".
"Ah, DM", sneered the guinea-pig, as he turned around. "We were wondering when you would get here".
DM lowered his arms, confused.
"C'mon, Mac", snapped the guinea-pig. "Let's get him!"
DM was immediately thrown into turmoil. He jumped into a cartwheel, right past the guinea-pig, but the chipmunk took a chance and grabbed his leg. DM fell over to the floor, one leg dangling in midair. He stared hard at his opponents, and then kicked with his other leg at the chipmunk. It hit the chipmunk in the stomach, and he fell back with a cry of "Ooof!"
DM turned his attention to the guinea-pig. He performed a backflip and when he landed, he punched the guinea-pig in the face. The guinea-pig fell back, a black eye beginning to form, but he still managed to run back at DM. The mouse merely sighed, hopped onto one leg and when the guinea-pig was inches away, he gave him a good hard kick. That finished the guinea-pig off - he fell back, finally out cold, a large bruise clouding over his face. DM mopped his hands.
"That wasn't so hard", he muttered. "But I'll have to find Kim and Penfold. We've walked into a trap!"
He ran from the room. The crew in the corner looked at each other in sheer amazement.
"Er - page twelve in the script, right?" tried the male actor.
*
In the newsrooms...
Duckula looked at his watch impatiently. The newscasters, still cowering under their desks, whimpered. This guy really scared them!
Where IS he? Where is the stupid mouse? thought the duck.
At that moment, a movement by the door caught Duckula's eye. The duck turned with a start to see a hamster face duck out of sight through the small door panelling. He smirked to himself. Penfold.
"L-looks like t-the mouse is h-h-here after all", said Duckula to himself. He patted his pocket, where he had hidden his gun. He hadn't planned to shoot Penfold first - but it would be nice to see DM suffer as he realised his best friend had died.
Duckula started walking towards the door. But suddenly, it opened and a white whirlwind came crashing in, followed by a little brown one and a taller red one.
"D-D-Danger Mouse!" cried Duckula.
"The one and only", smirked the mouse. "Now, look Duckula. We've taken out your accomplices and there's no way you can fight us three alone. Why not give up, and hand over any weapons you've got?"
Suddenly, Duckula remembered the gun. He raised his head and smirked back at the mouse.
"I don't t-think I'll be handing over T-THIS, DM", he snapped, as he snatched the gun from his pocket and held it out at the mouse's face. Behind him, Kim and Penfold both gasped in horror.
DM gulped inwardly. A gun. He hadn't been expecting that. He had his martial arts moves, sure, but Duckula could easily shoot him, any way he liked.
"Wait", snapped Kim. "Put the gun down. Don't hurt him".
Duckula's finger tightened on the trigger. So, this one liked DM? Well, she would have to suffer too.
Suddenly, Duckula felt something clamp his ankles together - Penfold had sneaked away from DM's side, and had captured Duckula in his famous rugby tackle. The vampire duck swayed, and then fell to the ground, the gun still clasped in his grip. Before he could get up though, he felt someone pinning him down.
"Don't move", snapped DM's voice. "You're going to jail, Duckula".
"You f-f-fool", hissed the duck.
"Not as much of a fool as you".
Duckula could not see over his shoulder, but he was sure he could still aim. No-one had tried to take the gun off him.
Penfold, however, saw that Duckula still had the weapon in his hands - and DM, who was pinning Duckula down, could not reach it. The hamster ventured forward - he hated guns, but he didn't want his best friends to be shot.
Suddenly, Duckula clumsily raised the gun, twisting his hand to aim it over his shoulder. Penfold's eyes widened, and behind him, Kim shouted a warning. Penfold ran as fast as he could at Duckula...
...Duckula pulled the trigger...
...The bullet missed DM...
...Penfold screamed in pain and sank to his knees, clutching his shoulder....
...DM gasped, and accidently released Duckula...
The vampire duck leapt up, and looked over the scene. DM and Kim were both leaning over Penfold. Duckula smirked, and ran out of the room. He had managed at least to weaken Penfold - and that in turn meant weakening the team, even if it was just Penfold.
"Penfold!" cried DM. "No!"
"Chief", murmured Penfold weakly. "It hurts...it hurts so much..." Tears of pain began to brim. Blood began to stain his shirt.
"Kim! Call the agency hospital on your telecom!" snapped DM at his other asisstant. "Get them to send some medics over!"
"Right". Kim stood up and looked at the concerned newscasters, who were coming out from behind their desks.
"Should I call a doctor?" one asked.
"No, I'm just about to send for some. Please - just go to another room", said Kim. It was an order, not a request.
"Your vampire duck's escaped", said the male newscaster.
"What - oh no!" Kim turned around, and sighed when she saw the open doors. "Well - there's nothing we can do now. Now, go and keep everyone out, and make sure there's room for the medics".
The newscasters nodded, and headed off for the doors. A few people were starting to gather out of curiosity.
Kim put a call through to the agency hospital. She could hear Penfold whimpering behind her, DM's soothing tones, and said a silent prayer for her little friend's safety.
*
At the agency hospital...
"Gangway!" yelled the medics, as they ran through with Penfold on a bed. Nurses and doctors moved aside for them.
At that moment, DM and Kim came through the doors, and gazed down the corridor after their friend. Kim was crying, and DM put his arms around her. One of the medics - a rabbit - extracted himself from Penfold's bed, and came down to see them.
"DM?" he asked.
"Is he going to be alright?" asked DM desperately.
"Please say he will be", pleaded Kim.
"We're going to put him a private room, and take a look at how much damage the bullet has actually done", said the medic. "We'll get back to you soon. In the meantime, why not sit in the waiting-room?"
"Alright then. I need to make a call anyway", said DM. He wasn't looking forward to telling the Colonel that Duckula had escaped.
"I'd better go", said the medic. "Go to the waiting-room, and we'll be back later".
DM nodded, and guided a sobbing Kim back down the corridor, and into a deserted relatives room.
"DM - he's so small", said Kim, as he sat her down on the sofa and rubbed her back gently.
"He's going to be alright", said DM shakily. "He's going to pull through".
Kim took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. Then she turned to DM, taking a hankerchief out of her pocket.
"Yes - we musn't go jumping to conclusions", she said, wiping her eyes. "But he's all alone in there, and - "
"If we went in there, we'd only get in the way", soothed DM. He hugged her tightly, and felt her arms wrapping themselves around his waist.
At that moment, the door creaked open. DM pulled away from Kim to see Woodruff standing in the doorway. He had a fleece on over his wrestling uniform and he was panting.
"What happened?" the collie asked urgently. "Agent 57 told me - he said Penfold's been shot!"
"Yes. The bullet went into his shoulder", said DM.
Woodruff growled, and DM caught a glimpse of his sharp teeth as the collie tightened his hands into fists.
"Who was it?!" hissed Woodruff. "Who shot him?"
"It was Count Duckula", replied Kim.
"Count Duck - oh, you mean the guy who wants a TV show", said Woodruff, as he sat opposite on the other sofa.
"Yes. He wanted to shoot me". DM put his head in his hands. "I wish he had".
"Don't say that!" cried Kim.
"Well, he tried to get the gun off Duckula!" said DM. "He didn't want him to shoot anyone - he's got such a big heart, but he's been hurt in the process!"
Kim could easily see it from DM's point of view when her friend put it that way. She nodded and patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"When I get my hands on Duckula - I'll - I'll - I'll beat him into a pulp and use him for a basketball", snarled Woodruff. "No-one messes with my friends and gets away with it!"
"Tough luck, Woodruff", smiled Kim ruefully. "He doesn't come out often".
"Shame", growled the collie. "He would have made a perfect punchbag".
"Don't act so reckless, Woodruff", said DM. "Duckula can turn into a bat - he'd escape you easily even if you DID manage to track him down".
"Then curse him!" said Woodruff.
"Alright, Woodruff, calm down", said Kim, slightly alarmed at the dog's temper. "We're all just upset and worried. Right now, let's focus on Penfold".
"You're right", said DM. "We want his wound to heal, and fast", said DM. "I only hope he can get out of hospital quickly enough - he gets so scared in strange places".
"You mean they'll have to keep him here?" asked Woodruff.
"Probably. Penfold isn't going to get better overnight".
Kim and Woodruff exchanged glances, and sighed. Then all three looked up as the rabbit medic entered the room.
"Well?" asked DM anxiously.
'Penfold is stablising", assured the medic. "He's going to be fine".
"ALRIGHT!" Woodruff couldn't resist punching the air at those words.
"Please, sir, keep your voice down", said the medic. "This is a hospital".
"Sorry", said Woodruff, quickly putting his hand down.
"You have no idea how relieved we are to hear that", said DM, giving a huge sigh of relief. "And his wounds? How did they affect his body state?"
"Well, the bullet tore through his skin tissue, but luckily missed his collarbone", said the medic. "His arm was slightly grazed as well. He will need to stay in the hospital for a while - a week at most. He will have to wear a sling for a while, and he's likely to have a scar. But he should make a speedy recovery".
"Can we see him?" asked Kim, as DM took in the medic's information.
"I'm afraid not", apologised the medic. "I'm sorry, but we need to fix his shoulder up and move him to a private ward. But you could bring him in some pyjamas, and anything he might want to keep himself amused?"
"Yes, that would be the best option", said DM. "But please be gentle with him. He gets so scared around strangers".
"We'll take good care of him. If it's any help, we'll enlist the nurses to keep an eye on him. I myself shall be fixing up his bandages". The rabbit smiled. "Don't worry, we'll make sure he doesn't too homesick. You're welcome to come back and see him tomorrow".
Seeing as there didn't seem any point in sticking around, DM and Kim said goodbye, and took Woodruff with them to the Mark III.
"Do you want to stay with us tonight, Woodruff?' asked DM as they jumped in. "We can all go and see Penfold tomorrow".
"OK, then. If it's not too much hassle?" said Woodruff.
"None at all. You can use the spare room", said DM. "We'll go and fetch some of your things first. Then we'll go back to the pillarbox and have a cup of tea. I need one at any rate".
"You're not the only one", said Kim. She smiled sympathetically at the mouse as the Mark III started off. But then she felt a prickling on her neck and turned to see Woodruff looking at her. He had looked away as soon as she had turned around, but she knew he had been looking at her. She raised an eyebrow, then shrugged and thought nothing more of it.
*
Count Duckula sat in his study, deep in thought.
He had shot Penfold. The weakest, the most vulnerable - but also the most adored. He knew DM, being worried for his friend, would let his guard down easily and not focus on the job at hand. This meant Duckula had a better advantage and could easily carry out his plan without interruptions.
Unfortunately, there was still a problem - Duckula was having trouble trying to fit his plan together. Sure, he wanted to ruin Valentine's Day, but HOW? It wasn't easy to show the whole of Britain - the world, even! - that love didn't mean a thing. They all seemed to believe in all sorts of things in February: love letters, love potions -
LOVE POTIONS!
Duckula remembered his mother telling his sisters about love potions when he was a child. It was a potion that caused people to fall in love with the first person they set eyes on. Duckula hadn't believed it then - no-one could make a love potion! People could make medicines, but never something like that!
Could they?
"M-maybe - if I used t-the right ingredients..." wondered Duckula out loud. Then he got up, left the room, and made his way to the laboratory. As soon as he entered, he ran to the bottle cabinet. He flung it open, and looked through the liquids. A smirk came over his face. He grabbed some bottles and dashed to the clear surface. He dumped the liquids down and grabbed a beaker. He took one bottle, held it up, and then poured a great amount of it into the beaker.
"This is g-going to be one love potion - with a d-difference..." he murmured evilly.
Two hours later, the clock struck midnight.
And Duckula still didn't look up from his work.
OK, anyway, sorry about the delay in chapters, everyone. I've had a music project, but it's finished now (thank Thunderbird) so now the fun can REALLY start!
*
Chapter 2
"Kim? I want you and Penfold to go down to the newsrooms", hissed DM to his second assistant. "When you get there, peek through the door and then radio me on the telecom. Then stay exactly where you are, out of sight. They say Duckula is lurking around there somewhere".
The trio had snuck into the studios through an open back door. They had taken refuge in a room filled with storage, and had been outlining their plan from there.
"Right, DM", said Kim. "Be careful, alright?"
"I always am".
DM went to the door and peeked left, then right. He turned to Kim and Penfold.
"The coast is clear", he whispered. "Good luck".
He left the room, and going to the door, Penfold watched his friend disappear down the narrow corridor.
"Come on, Penfold", said Kim to him comfortingly. "Let's go and find this vampire duck!"
*
DM wandered through the main hallways of the studios, trying to resist looking at the pictures and awards on the walls. He passed a changing-room, and then stopped, frowning.
"It's quiet", he murmured to himself. "TOO quiet..."
At that moment, however, there was a bang and a scream from a nearby room. DM rolled his eyes.
"Famous last words", he muttered to himself. Then he ran towards the sound.
When he finally found the source of the screams, he found himself to be in a sort of living-room. He realised he must have walked into the middle of a TV set. He didn't recognise it from any TV program he had ever seen - they were probably making a new one.
In the corner, a man, a woman, and several others, including the director and camera-men, were huddled together. Towered over them and pointing guns, there was a guinea-pig and a chipmunk. Both were dressed in grey clothes and looked to be quite young.
"Alright, stop right there!" barked Danger Mouse. He switched to a karate pose. "Let's take this outside".
"Ah, DM", sneered the guinea-pig, as he turned around. "We were wondering when you would get here".
DM lowered his arms, confused.
"C'mon, Mac", snapped the guinea-pig. "Let's get him!"
DM was immediately thrown into turmoil. He jumped into a cartwheel, right past the guinea-pig, but the chipmunk took a chance and grabbed his leg. DM fell over to the floor, one leg dangling in midair. He stared hard at his opponents, and then kicked with his other leg at the chipmunk. It hit the chipmunk in the stomach, and he fell back with a cry of "Ooof!"
DM turned his attention to the guinea-pig. He performed a backflip and when he landed, he punched the guinea-pig in the face. The guinea-pig fell back, a black eye beginning to form, but he still managed to run back at DM. The mouse merely sighed, hopped onto one leg and when the guinea-pig was inches away, he gave him a good hard kick. That finished the guinea-pig off - he fell back, finally out cold, a large bruise clouding over his face. DM mopped his hands.
"That wasn't so hard", he muttered. "But I'll have to find Kim and Penfold. We've walked into a trap!"
He ran from the room. The crew in the corner looked at each other in sheer amazement.
"Er - page twelve in the script, right?" tried the male actor.
*
In the newsrooms...
Duckula looked at his watch impatiently. The newscasters, still cowering under their desks, whimpered. This guy really scared them!
Where IS he? Where is the stupid mouse? thought the duck.
At that moment, a movement by the door caught Duckula's eye. The duck turned with a start to see a hamster face duck out of sight through the small door panelling. He smirked to himself. Penfold.
"L-looks like t-the mouse is h-h-here after all", said Duckula to himself. He patted his pocket, where he had hidden his gun. He hadn't planned to shoot Penfold first - but it would be nice to see DM suffer as he realised his best friend had died.
Duckula started walking towards the door. But suddenly, it opened and a white whirlwind came crashing in, followed by a little brown one and a taller red one.
"D-D-Danger Mouse!" cried Duckula.
"The one and only", smirked the mouse. "Now, look Duckula. We've taken out your accomplices and there's no way you can fight us three alone. Why not give up, and hand over any weapons you've got?"
Suddenly, Duckula remembered the gun. He raised his head and smirked back at the mouse.
"I don't t-think I'll be handing over T-THIS, DM", he snapped, as he snatched the gun from his pocket and held it out at the mouse's face. Behind him, Kim and Penfold both gasped in horror.
DM gulped inwardly. A gun. He hadn't been expecting that. He had his martial arts moves, sure, but Duckula could easily shoot him, any way he liked.
"Wait", snapped Kim. "Put the gun down. Don't hurt him".
Duckula's finger tightened on the trigger. So, this one liked DM? Well, she would have to suffer too.
Suddenly, Duckula felt something clamp his ankles together - Penfold had sneaked away from DM's side, and had captured Duckula in his famous rugby tackle. The vampire duck swayed, and then fell to the ground, the gun still clasped in his grip. Before he could get up though, he felt someone pinning him down.
"Don't move", snapped DM's voice. "You're going to jail, Duckula".
"You f-f-fool", hissed the duck.
"Not as much of a fool as you".
Duckula could not see over his shoulder, but he was sure he could still aim. No-one had tried to take the gun off him.
Penfold, however, saw that Duckula still had the weapon in his hands - and DM, who was pinning Duckula down, could not reach it. The hamster ventured forward - he hated guns, but he didn't want his best friends to be shot.
Suddenly, Duckula clumsily raised the gun, twisting his hand to aim it over his shoulder. Penfold's eyes widened, and behind him, Kim shouted a warning. Penfold ran as fast as he could at Duckula...
...Duckula pulled the trigger...
...The bullet missed DM...
...Penfold screamed in pain and sank to his knees, clutching his shoulder....
...DM gasped, and accidently released Duckula...
The vampire duck leapt up, and looked over the scene. DM and Kim were both leaning over Penfold. Duckula smirked, and ran out of the room. He had managed at least to weaken Penfold - and that in turn meant weakening the team, even if it was just Penfold.
"Penfold!" cried DM. "No!"
"Chief", murmured Penfold weakly. "It hurts...it hurts so much..." Tears of pain began to brim. Blood began to stain his shirt.
"Kim! Call the agency hospital on your telecom!" snapped DM at his other asisstant. "Get them to send some medics over!"
"Right". Kim stood up and looked at the concerned newscasters, who were coming out from behind their desks.
"Should I call a doctor?" one asked.
"No, I'm just about to send for some. Please - just go to another room", said Kim. It was an order, not a request.
"Your vampire duck's escaped", said the male newscaster.
"What - oh no!" Kim turned around, and sighed when she saw the open doors. "Well - there's nothing we can do now. Now, go and keep everyone out, and make sure there's room for the medics".
The newscasters nodded, and headed off for the doors. A few people were starting to gather out of curiosity.
Kim put a call through to the agency hospital. She could hear Penfold whimpering behind her, DM's soothing tones, and said a silent prayer for her little friend's safety.
*
At the agency hospital...
"Gangway!" yelled the medics, as they ran through with Penfold on a bed. Nurses and doctors moved aside for them.
At that moment, DM and Kim came through the doors, and gazed down the corridor after their friend. Kim was crying, and DM put his arms around her. One of the medics - a rabbit - extracted himself from Penfold's bed, and came down to see them.
"DM?" he asked.
"Is he going to be alright?" asked DM desperately.
"Please say he will be", pleaded Kim.
"We're going to put him a private room, and take a look at how much damage the bullet has actually done", said the medic. "We'll get back to you soon. In the meantime, why not sit in the waiting-room?"
"Alright then. I need to make a call anyway", said DM. He wasn't looking forward to telling the Colonel that Duckula had escaped.
"I'd better go", said the medic. "Go to the waiting-room, and we'll be back later".
DM nodded, and guided a sobbing Kim back down the corridor, and into a deserted relatives room.
"DM - he's so small", said Kim, as he sat her down on the sofa and rubbed her back gently.
"He's going to be alright", said DM shakily. "He's going to pull through".
Kim took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. Then she turned to DM, taking a hankerchief out of her pocket.
"Yes - we musn't go jumping to conclusions", she said, wiping her eyes. "But he's all alone in there, and - "
"If we went in there, we'd only get in the way", soothed DM. He hugged her tightly, and felt her arms wrapping themselves around his waist.
At that moment, the door creaked open. DM pulled away from Kim to see Woodruff standing in the doorway. He had a fleece on over his wrestling uniform and he was panting.
"What happened?" the collie asked urgently. "Agent 57 told me - he said Penfold's been shot!"
"Yes. The bullet went into his shoulder", said DM.
Woodruff growled, and DM caught a glimpse of his sharp teeth as the collie tightened his hands into fists.
"Who was it?!" hissed Woodruff. "Who shot him?"
"It was Count Duckula", replied Kim.
"Count Duck - oh, you mean the guy who wants a TV show", said Woodruff, as he sat opposite on the other sofa.
"Yes. He wanted to shoot me". DM put his head in his hands. "I wish he had".
"Don't say that!" cried Kim.
"Well, he tried to get the gun off Duckula!" said DM. "He didn't want him to shoot anyone - he's got such a big heart, but he's been hurt in the process!"
Kim could easily see it from DM's point of view when her friend put it that way. She nodded and patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"When I get my hands on Duckula - I'll - I'll - I'll beat him into a pulp and use him for a basketball", snarled Woodruff. "No-one messes with my friends and gets away with it!"
"Tough luck, Woodruff", smiled Kim ruefully. "He doesn't come out often".
"Shame", growled the collie. "He would have made a perfect punchbag".
"Don't act so reckless, Woodruff", said DM. "Duckula can turn into a bat - he'd escape you easily even if you DID manage to track him down".
"Then curse him!" said Woodruff.
"Alright, Woodruff, calm down", said Kim, slightly alarmed at the dog's temper. "We're all just upset and worried. Right now, let's focus on Penfold".
"You're right", said DM. "We want his wound to heal, and fast", said DM. "I only hope he can get out of hospital quickly enough - he gets so scared in strange places".
"You mean they'll have to keep him here?" asked Woodruff.
"Probably. Penfold isn't going to get better overnight".
Kim and Woodruff exchanged glances, and sighed. Then all three looked up as the rabbit medic entered the room.
"Well?" asked DM anxiously.
'Penfold is stablising", assured the medic. "He's going to be fine".
"ALRIGHT!" Woodruff couldn't resist punching the air at those words.
"Please, sir, keep your voice down", said the medic. "This is a hospital".
"Sorry", said Woodruff, quickly putting his hand down.
"You have no idea how relieved we are to hear that", said DM, giving a huge sigh of relief. "And his wounds? How did they affect his body state?"
"Well, the bullet tore through his skin tissue, but luckily missed his collarbone", said the medic. "His arm was slightly grazed as well. He will need to stay in the hospital for a while - a week at most. He will have to wear a sling for a while, and he's likely to have a scar. But he should make a speedy recovery".
"Can we see him?" asked Kim, as DM took in the medic's information.
"I'm afraid not", apologised the medic. "I'm sorry, but we need to fix his shoulder up and move him to a private ward. But you could bring him in some pyjamas, and anything he might want to keep himself amused?"
"Yes, that would be the best option", said DM. "But please be gentle with him. He gets so scared around strangers".
"We'll take good care of him. If it's any help, we'll enlist the nurses to keep an eye on him. I myself shall be fixing up his bandages". The rabbit smiled. "Don't worry, we'll make sure he doesn't too homesick. You're welcome to come back and see him tomorrow".
Seeing as there didn't seem any point in sticking around, DM and Kim said goodbye, and took Woodruff with them to the Mark III.
"Do you want to stay with us tonight, Woodruff?' asked DM as they jumped in. "We can all go and see Penfold tomorrow".
"OK, then. If it's not too much hassle?" said Woodruff.
"None at all. You can use the spare room", said DM. "We'll go and fetch some of your things first. Then we'll go back to the pillarbox and have a cup of tea. I need one at any rate".
"You're not the only one", said Kim. She smiled sympathetically at the mouse as the Mark III started off. But then she felt a prickling on her neck and turned to see Woodruff looking at her. He had looked away as soon as she had turned around, but she knew he had been looking at her. She raised an eyebrow, then shrugged and thought nothing more of it.
*
Count Duckula sat in his study, deep in thought.
He had shot Penfold. The weakest, the most vulnerable - but also the most adored. He knew DM, being worried for his friend, would let his guard down easily and not focus on the job at hand. This meant Duckula had a better advantage and could easily carry out his plan without interruptions.
Unfortunately, there was still a problem - Duckula was having trouble trying to fit his plan together. Sure, he wanted to ruin Valentine's Day, but HOW? It wasn't easy to show the whole of Britain - the world, even! - that love didn't mean a thing. They all seemed to believe in all sorts of things in February: love letters, love potions -
LOVE POTIONS!
Duckula remembered his mother telling his sisters about love potions when he was a child. It was a potion that caused people to fall in love with the first person they set eyes on. Duckula hadn't believed it then - no-one could make a love potion! People could make medicines, but never something like that!
Could they?
"M-maybe - if I used t-the right ingredients..." wondered Duckula out loud. Then he got up, left the room, and made his way to the laboratory. As soon as he entered, he ran to the bottle cabinet. He flung it open, and looked through the liquids. A smirk came over his face. He grabbed some bottles and dashed to the clear surface. He dumped the liquids down and grabbed a beaker. He took one bottle, held it up, and then poured a great amount of it into the beaker.
"This is g-going to be one love potion - with a d-difference..." he murmured evilly.
Two hours later, the clock struck midnight.
And Duckula still didn't look up from his work.