Ok everyone! This little chapter here has many surprises in store. Its main function is to lead you into to, roughly, the main reason this story was made. You'll see what I mean. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 14 Unknown Circumstances
"Eh..."
Randall stirred in his bed, moving around. He stopped and turned on his back. He raised his top left hand to his head, feeling a slight pain jolt. He slowly opened his eyes, feeling light from the window shinning at him. "Morning already?" he groaned with a yawn. He leaned up and placed his head in his top hands, trying to hold the pain away. "Dang headache....". He took off the sheets that covered him and got onto his feet. He would've tripped if he didn't place his right hands on his dresser, leaning onto it. "(I wonder what mom and dad we're talking about......ow...jeez....first I'm tired now this...)" he thought. He waited a moment before getting out.
He took a peek in the other room to see Randolph resting on his side, still sleeping. "(Priceless)" Randall thought. He got on all his limbs and slowly made his way over to the bed. He slowly rose and moved his hands back and opened his mouth.
"You can try that on dad...but not me" Randolph said. Randall halted. "How did you?!". Randolph leaned up, awake. "You should really practice on Caylin" His brother chuckled. "You just.....just have more experience...." Randall said, walking out, feeling a little awkward that his scare didn't work. "Hmph....still a kid..." Randolph said, shaking his head. "Oh yeah....where was I......". He placed himself back in bed.
*
"Jeez....a sleep over or what?" Randall whispered. He was half-way down the stairs before he noticed everyone in the living room. Caylin on the couch, mostly thinking about food. Leia and Joy on the other one, sharing a blanket. Sean in the chair near them, and Midnight on his back, laying on the carpet. Randall slowly went down, not trying to wake everyone. He neared the door and reached for his scarf on the rack.
(Yawn)
He stopped, waited....then continued. "Oh.....Randall?". He turned his head to see Leia looking at him. "Ehh" he grinned. "Where are you going?" she asked. "Uh...to.....the....factory" Randall confessed. "What?....Why?". "I....just wanted to know what the problem is....that's all...." Randall responded, taking his scarf and tieing it around his neck.
"Not alone your not....I don't want anything happening to you" Leia told him, about to get up. "Err....ok...if you that worried, I'll take Cay...." Randall said, moving over to him. "Uh...you sure about that?" Leia asked. "Ehh! Of course....Ehh! Besides....he's my assistant" Randall informed, trying to pull Caylin from the couch.
"He won't budge....believe me I've tried" Leia said. "Not this....." Randall said, he got close to Caylin, and placed his bottom right hand on his mouth. "Aunt May Caylin...." Randall said. "Pham Yay!?" Caylin yelped. His yell was halted by Randall's hand. But that wasn't enough. He jumped up and landed in Randall's hands. "Hide me!" Caylin whispered loudly, looking at the door. "Eh! Get...whoa....whoa!" Randall began, but was cut short when Caylin's weight was too much for him. They both fell to the floor with a slight thud. Leia peered over the couch at them, seeing Caylin right on Randall, who had his tail and fronds in front of his eyes. "Need help boys?" Leia chuckled. "Oh ha ha......Cay....get off!" Randall said. "Hehe ehh...Sorry Rand...". Caylin got onto his feet. Randall got onto his and starred straight at Cay, trying to fix his tail.
"....Hey...where's the kid?" Randall asked. "Oh her? She's in the kitchen...." Leia replied. "...Well as long as she's still here...." Randall said, walking over to Caylin, who was getting their things. "We'll be back soon...." he added, getting his coat on and leaving with Caylin.
*
"Burr...its cold" Caylin said as they stepped out. Randall locked the door and placed the key in his pocket. "That's because its nearing winter time...." Randall responded, transcending the steps. He looked up at the sky to see dark clouds forming. "Looks like its gonna rain soon, better get there quick" Randall said as they got onto the streets.
"Hey Rand....think I can borrow a tail warmer from ya?" Caylin asked. "Cay....every time you borrow something from me....I either got you pleading to me, or the cops show up with you" Randall recalled. "That was only one time!" Caylin said. They stopped talking an moved on, but then Caylin remembered something.
"Say Rand....you think its ok to go? I mean the girls are gonna get up and get worried about us" Caylin asked. "Well....they'll be fine...." Randall responded. "......Hey...what's with you and the ladies Rand?" Caylin wondered. Randall chuckled. "Cay....I'll tell you....its hard to find a nice girl and its harder to get a girl friend....I can't quite explain how to..." Randall started. "Five bucks?" Caylin asked. "Dinner and a movie" Randall replied quickly.
"Really? That's it?" Caylin asked. "No...that's just step one" Randall said, speeding up. "Oh man! Eh...We there yet? I don't want you to trick me into asking you for something else" Caylin said. "Ok.....step two is ten bucks" Randall replied. "Deal!" Caylin jumped.
*
The two reached the company and went inside, Randall who held the door for Cay, who tripped upon entry. Randall caught him and hoisted him back onto his feet. "Thanks". "Reflex's Cay....". Caylin brushed himself off as Randall looked around. "Strange...everything seems alright here...." Randall said, walking ahead. "Celia's still not in....must still be sick" he added. "Maybe Sully and Mike are upstairs?" Caylin asked. "Yeah I know they can tell me what's going on..." Randall replied.
They headed down one of the halls and found the elevator. They got on and went to the highest level. Randall was at one of the corners with his hands crossed. Caylin was enjoying the music from the speaker. "(I wonder whatever happened to Slade....and that Carmyne.....I hope they're doing fine...)" Randall thought, looking down. He looked back up to see Caylin, dancing to the music. "....Cay....you know you can't dance....".
*
They reached the top floor and the doors opened. "I just don't get it Sul" was the first thing they heard. "Motor Mouth Mike" Caylin chuckled.
"How can a whole company have its scarers get sick?".
"And Silk Carpet Sullivan" Randall chuckled. The office was right next to the elevator. The room they had entered seemed like a waiting room. Pictures of Sullivan and Wazowski was on. Randall smirked to find his picture in the spot labeled "Scarer Of the Month". The place seemed more like small place of Monstropolis employees.
The two went over to the glass door and opened it. Inside, Wazowski was walking back and forth as Sullivan was near the window, looking out with a clipboard in his hand. They stopped and looked at the two as soon as the door opened.
"Liz...." Mike began. He shut up as soon as Randall glared at him. "Uh....Randall.....what are you doing here?" he finished. "We were told by your parents that you went into the human world" Sully said. "Yes I was.....saving a friend" Randall said. He looked down, but then back to Cay. "Eh....Cay.....could you leave us alone for a sec?" Randall asked. "Well uh" Caylin began.
Randall pulled out a dollar. "Here, buy something from one of those machine's" Randall said, handing it to Cay and pushing him out. As soon as the door was closed.
"....I thought you wouldn't ever go back there...." Sully said. "Sullivan...forget that for now....Don't remind me of those horrible thoughts in the morning...." Randall told him. "Sorry". "Anyhow....away from that subject....what's wrong?" Randall asked. "Well on account that everyone's sick, we've been having recent blackouts...." Mike informed. "Congratulations Wazowski....you seemed intelligent there for a second" Randall said sarcastically with a chuckle.
"I overheard what you two said....if it was just the power....why didn't you call?" Randall asked. "Well your mom and dad told me not to.....said you all needed rest...." Sully said.
"Yeah....plus your always grouchy in the morning too" Mike said. Randall quickly slithered up to Mike and loomed over him. "Don't forget Wazowski! I can still let my old self handle you!" Randall shouted. Mike shut his mouth as Randall lowered down. "Anyhow...." He began, moving his fronds back and Turing to Sullivan, while letting his tail hit Mike at the same time.
"I'll grab Caylin and head to the floor...." Randall said, heading to the door. "Randall" Sullivan began. "Sullivan....unlike you...I'm dedicated to my job....I won't let a door from New York be sent in ok? Just send enough power to activate the rails....I'm sure my dad and brother gave you enough..." Randall said, heading out.
"But I wanted to tell you that...." Sully began, but the door shut. "Ehh.....". "Sully, you sure about this?" Mike asked. "....Yeah.....I'm sure...." he replied.
*
Meanwhile.......
"YOU BUMBLING IDIOTS!". Back in the underground facility......
Wraith, a couple men, and a woman, we're in a huge room with rows of computers and a huge Vid-Screen covering the north wall. Wraith, the woman, and a few men were on an elevated walkway.
"That....boy and that lizard flooded the whole upper level! Even more so! They released the monsters and prisoners!" Wraith yelled, punching one man in the stomach, which made him fall to the floor as the two near him looked down to see if he was ok.
"Sir!".
Wraith turned to the female, who had just turned from talking with another man in an operations suit. "What is it?!" Wraith yelled. "The....boss wants to talk to you..." she said.
"Eh! Why now!" Wraith whispered. He turned back to the others. "....Dismissed!" he yelled. They seemed glad, heading off down the near set of stairs. Wraith grabbed the guard rail, that bordered the walkway, with both his hands and looked at the Vid-Screen. In a flash, the screen turned dark. The only light was from the top right side of the screen.
"Your pathetic!" a voice from the screen yelled. A darkened part of the screen moved, showing someone is in the picture, but could not be seen. "Its.....not my fault....the...." Wraith began. "Shut up!....I gave you those monsters and the information you needed!" the voice yelled. "Listen to me! I know my part of the bargain is not fully fulfilled....but neither is yours!".
"But...they escaped.....and..." Wraith said. "...You idiotic human! Very well....I think I know how to please us both...." the voice said.
"Rally some troops and head to the house....I have marked on the map here..." the voice said. The bottom left area of the screen turned into a lit map of New York. "But...." Wraith began. "Don't question me! Do it!" The voice yelled. Then the speakers went off, and the map filled the screen. A red dot appeared on one of the streets. Then it zoomed in until the red blink was on a house.
"...Eh...." Wraith mumbled.
*
"Come on! I give you dollar, you give me a back of Bug's ala Taco's!" Caylin said. He was in a hall near Floor Fm kicking a vending machine. "Come on!". He hit it once and a bag fell into the small container. "Hey! Now that's more like it....don't know my own strength....". He bent down and reached to pick it up. But when he got close, it was suddenly up and floating in mid-air. He fell on his back with a gasp.
"Its the ghost of the vending machine!!!" Caylin yelled, scooting back. "Hehehe!"
Randall materialized in front of him. "Randall!!". "You should've seen you face!!!" Randall said, laughing. Caylin got up and starred at him. Randall turned on his side, as he used his tail, which was curled around the bag, to drop it into Cay's hands.
"If the common thing don't work, use a tentacle or tail Cay" Randall chuckled. "Eh....you sure that's safe?" Caylin asked, seeing Randall walk off. "Hmm....." He turned around to the machine. He leaned down.
"A long tail Cay!" Randall's voice shouted. Caylin grunted, getting up, but followed.
*
"So what's up...." Caylin asked, opening his snack. "We're working Cay...." Randall responded as they turned into the floor. Randall stopped as soon as they passed Roz's office. "Why'd you stop?" Caylin asked, throwing his now empty bag into a nearby bin.
"....Something....doesn't feel right...." Randall said. "What? I don't feel anything.....do I?" Caylin asked. "No...not that....just..." Randall began.
(RRRKKK!!!)
Randall jumped back as the lights of the floor turned on and the board and stations flickered to life. Caylin turned to Randall, who looked like when he was surprised by Fungus long ago. "Hey.....you ok Rand? Sully and Mike just turned the floor on for us....." Caylin said. Randall calmed down, shaking his head. "Eh....sorry just....surprised heh heh....." Randall replied, heading to his station while holding his head. "That's weird....maybe he got a tail shock or something....maybe I shouldn't have hit that vending machine...." Caylin said, following to catch up. "Why are you so jumpy all of a sudden?" Caylin asked, feeling the need to know, as he caught up.
"I was just uncomfortable....." Randall replied, stopping at his station. "Listen....if anything bad happens, remember you have old Cay right here" Caylin said, grinning. "Oh thanks...that makes me feel allot better..." Randal replied, sarcastically.
"Well..." he began, turning around, "Might as well start somewhere....".
*
Meanwhile....
"Huh!?".
Back home, Sean burst awake, looking everywhere. He sunk back down into the chair, seeing everything alright. A few flashes of light came through the windows, and various taps told that a heavy storm was on. Even the wind was heard. "That was weird......" Sean said. He looked once again, seeing everyone asleep. He got up and headed for the stairs. He could see Leia rustling a bit, telling that she woke up recently. He took to the stairs and looked in his room, seeing Randolph asleep still. He then looked in Randall's room to find.....
"What the!?"
.....that he was gone.
He quickly went back into his room and stood at the side of the bed. He grabbed the lizard's shoulders and shook. "Randolph wake up!" he yelled. He shook to the point that he woke up. "What is it!? And stop shaking me..." Randolph said. Sean stopped. "Randall's gone!". "What!?".
Randolph jumped out of bed and followed Sean down the stairs. The many yells from the second floor was enough to wake everyone downstairs.
"What's....going on?" Mary asked, stepping in from the kitchen, rubbing her eye. "Everything ok?" Joy asked. "Randall's gone!" Sean told them as Randolph got their things. "Wha!?" Joy responded, not seeming to be tired anymore as she got off the couch. "Caylin too!" Randolph added. From hearing his owner's name, Midnight got up, panting over to Randolph and circling around him. "If he didn't tell us where he was going, those.....people must've" Sean began, explaining to Joy.
"They're....ok....".
The group stopped. They all turned to Leia, who was sitting up on the couch. "What!?" they all said. ".....He....and Caylin went to the factory to find out what happened..." Leia confessed. Sean and Joy starred at her for a minute. Mary stopped near her and looked over and Randolph. He flipped a light switch near the door, but nothing happened.
"....The power's out....that's why...." Randolph said. "Leia.....why didn't you tell us?" Sean asked. "Well...I...." Leia started. "...Its ok Leia...." Joy said. "Well....ok...I mean we can just go down there and check up on them..." Sean said. Leia got up and stopped between the two. "If I know Randall....I'm sure he's fine...." Leia said. "Yeah well.... I wanna be sure..." Sean said. He tossed Midnight's leash to Randolph, who tied it onto Midnight. The group went over to the door, as Sean grabbed his coat from Randolph and went in front of everyone to the door. He grabbed and umbrella and reached for the door knob.
(Knock! Knock!)
They all stopped. They waited. "....Who....is it?" Joy whispered. "Could be Naomi and Rayford...." Sean suggested. "But just in case....". Sean grabbed the scabbard leaning near the wall. He tied it around his waist and grabbed the sword's handle with his right hand. He let his left hand grasp the knob. In a flash, he opened the door.
The sound of rain and crackle of thunder came. and standing on the top step to the house, having an umbrella over her head.....was Carmyne.
The group starred at her for a second. Sean lowered his hand. "I'm glad your home!" Carmyne said. "Who....are you?" Randolph asked, demandingly.
"Its hard to explain...but....I'm....." Carmyne stopped. "Well!?" Randolph ordered.
"I'm....Slade's sister....."
The four took a step back. "WHAT!?" they yelled. "Please! I don't have time to explain! Randall's in danger!" Carmyne yelled. The sudden shock in Sean went away. "Err! Fine! We'll clear this up later!" Sean said. Carmyne got down onto the side walk as the group came out, stopping near her. Randolph and Sean also had umbrellas to cover them from the drenching storm.
" Randolph! You go and get Ray and Naomi while we get to the factory!" Sean yelled. Randolph nodded and headed south as everyone else went north. "Why did it have to rain today!" Joy yelled. "Here!". Sean handed her his umbrella. "Thanks Sean!" Joy yelled back. "Don't mention it!" Sean yelled back, speeding up.
*
Randall had just exited his 83rd door. He coughed once or twice before heading to his desk. Taking a couple seconds, Caylin unhooked the canister, placed it away, then sent back the door. "Jeez pal....you look beat" Caylin said. "Yeah so....this is nothing....I hold the record for most doors in a day..." Randall responded.
"So.....I broke the record of most beetle taco's in an hour, but it doesn't make me sweat like that..." Caylin said. "I'm....just tired.....from last night....don't worry about it...." Randall said, wiping his forehead. He placed his head on the table as Caylin moved over to the door station. "Rand listen...why can't you just..." Caylin began, placing the folders of doors he had under his arm. "Oops....". They slipped out and skidded behind the station. "Ehh...like soap...Sheeesh...." he said. He went behind the station and picked them up.
"Hmm...don't remember this one....". He looked in one of the folders to find that it had no picture or filled out data of the door. "Uh...hey Rand...." Caylin said. He got up to see Randall was half-asleep.
"Hmm....maybe its lucky...." Caylin thought. He moved over and flipped the card through. As the door came in, Caylin went over to Randall. "Hey Rand....Rand?" Caylin said, shaking his arm. Randall burst awake, almost falling over. "What!?".
"Uh....n...next door..." Caylin said. Randall slowly went over to it, grasping the knob. "Never...and I mean...never..." Randall began. But without warning, the door opened. "What the!?". In a flash, a hand from the darkness shot out and grabbed Randall's neck. He couldn't yell. The hand then pulled him in and the door slammed shut.
"Ahh! Randall!" Caylin yelled. He backed up, but then turned to the floor's entrance. Coming through was Sean, Joy, Leia, and Carmyne. They stopped near him. "Where's Randall Caylin!?" Sean yelled as soon as he stopped. "What?! While you were having fun with the ladies, I just saw my best friend get sucked into a door!" Caylin said.
Sean quickly went over to the door, but found it was locked. "Fine!". He unhitched his sword and stuck it in the small crease between the door and its rim. "Hey....you know....I'm single...." Caylin said, seeming to loose his fear when he spotted Carmyne. "Stuff it gecko face..." she replied. Caylin took a step back, but went over beside Joy. "Got it!".
Sean opened the door and everyone followed through.
*
They found themselves in what seemed to be an empty warehouse. Lights covering the steel frame, bolted windows, and small boxes here and there. Caylin closed the door and looked ahead with everyone else. "You....." Sean said. Not too far away, in the middle of the warehouse......was.....Wraith.
Him, the female, and several armed men were around. Randall was between four of them, guns at his sides. His hands were cuffed, a restraint was on his tail to prevent him from moving it, and a gag was placed on his mouth.
After a moment of silence, Wraith clapped his hands. "Brilliant work lad.....entered my facility...released the monsters and prisoners....and destroyed the whole top level....and escape...." Wraith began, stopping beside Randall, who had his eyes fixed on Wraith. "And all in the end....." he began. He placed his hand on Randall's fronds and his hand and began stroking. He seemed to pet Randall as if he were and animal. Randall moved his head away, knowing it, as Wraith smiled evilly.
"I get what I want...." he finished. "Err! Let him go!" Joy yelled, coming beside Sean. "Yeah! Or I'll rearrange that grin of yours!" Leia said, coming beside her. "Or I'll grind you to pieces!" Carmyne said, coming beside Sean. Midnight, Mary, and Caylin stood in the back.
"I can't do that....this boy is what I need..." Wraith said, hitting Randall on his back, hard. Randall gritted his teeth under the gag.
"Its been years since then, and I won't wait any longer!" Wraith yelled. "This lizard is important to who I want....".
"Stop this! Randall's not an animal! Nor any monster!" Sean yelled. "Why are you doing this!?" Joy yelled. "Yeah! Who do you want!?" Leia yelled.
"He wants me...."
They all turned to the door entrance. Slade was there....
"Phade!" Randall tried to say. He was moved backward as Wraith's fist trusted into his stomach. Randall moved back, but stood his ground as Wraith turned around.
"Slade...." Wraith said. "Brother!" Carmyne yelled. Slade looked at her, then to Wraith. He moved forward until he was just ahead of Sean.
"I think its better if I explain everything...." Slade said. "You might as well Slade....everyone should know of my brilliance..." Wraith said.
"Very well..." Slade said. He removed his glasses. Randall moved back from shock as Slade turned back to everyone else. Everyone gasped except Carmyne. They starred into Slade's eyes. They were......bloody red....
"I'll....explain...."
Oh no. Looks like "Wraith's" has Randall! And why does Slade have those bloody eyes? And why did he keep them hidden for so long? Well, in the next two chapters, Slade will explain everything. That's right everyone, everything. You'll finally know who this guy is. However, there's one last piece I won't explain, I'll tell you later through. Get ready, its going to be a little different hearing Slade's account. Well actually, Ran's going to tell that part, seeing as its an emotional bond he and Slade have. It'll come to you soon.