Hello, sorry it's so late: I've been a busy girl!!!!
The Tunnel
Chapter Two
A busy, hectic and chaotic day had given way to a rather silent evening at Hope Island. The only noises that could be heard were eminating from Linka's room: the sounds of drawers opening, clothes and belongings being thrown haphazardly into suitcases. The remaining Planeteers had called an emergency meeting with Gaia, frustrated and shocked at the suddeness of Linka's announcement. Gaia had merely advised them to stand back and let her make her own decision. So it was after this meeting that the others were now seated around the kitchen table, pondering the consequences for the group.
"Maybe she just needs some time to herself?" commented Gi sadly. "I mean, we've all been doing this for over 5 years now. I know I need a break......."
"Yeah, but if you need a break, you take a holiday, Gi." Wheeler responded savagely."You don't just quit."
Shrugging his shoulders, Kwame lowered his head and rubbed his temples, as if a headache was developing.
"You realise that we'll need to find a replacement soon....." Ma-Ti spoke quietly. "We can't operate without her ring."
Swearing quietly under his breath, Wheeler continued to pick the threads out of the cotton tablecloth that Gi had brought back from Vietnam. Gi watched him silently, vaguely annoyed at the large hole that had developed in the expensive material.
Several minutes passed by, before Wheeler stood up suddenly and exited the room, slamming the door violently behind him. Kwame chose not to follow his friend, knowing he needed some time to cool down.
As if on cue, Linka entered the room, somewhat nervously. Feeling three sets of eyes fall on her, she shuffled her feet slightly and looked at the floor, as if pondering what to say. Finally, she moved over to them and sat down in the seat Wheeler had just vacated.
"You'll keep in touch, then?" asked Ma-Ti. Smiling through the tears that were beginning to fall, she replied that she'd ring every week.
The four sat and talked for about an hour, remembering the adventures, the villians and the fun times they had participated in.
Finally, Linka stood and collected her bags. It was now close to three in the morning, and her Grandmother and Mishka had been expecting her home hours ago. Kwame carried her bags as they made their way to the Geo Cruiser, as Gi had offered to fly her home to her native Russia. Bags and belongings stowed securely away, Linka hugged each of her friends in turn. Linka turned and surveyed the beach and buildings, bitterly disappointed that Wheeler had not arrived to say goodbye.
The men waved heartily as the plane disappeared into the night. Kwame vowed to "break his bloody neck" when he saw Wheeler next, and Ma-Ti had agreed, laughing. "He'll regret it tomorrow, though...." Ma-Ti commented.
The girls arrived in Russia at 8pm, local time. Gi touched down beside a barn that was in desperate need of a coat of paint. The girls moved her luggage into the old, crumbling building, since Linka had no desire to drag her belongings through the poorly lit trees and uneven ground.
"I'll get that stubborn Yankee to call you tomorrow" Gi promised with a grin. Feeling somewhat relieved, Linka hugged her friend tightly before Gi climbed back into the Cruiser.
"Are you sure you don't want to get some sleep, first?" asked Linka, aware of the long journey ahead of her.
"Nah, the thought of slapping Wheeler silly should get me through the night" Gi replied, a huge grin settling on her round face.
"Do you think he hates me?" Linka asked reluctantly. "Not a chance!" came the reply before the door was closed and Gi made her way back to the island, waving from the drivers window.
Linka grabbed her handbag and discman and made her way back to her childhood home. The moon cast eerie beams of light on the path as she walked, lost in thought and occasionally tripping over a rock or stone. As the house came into view, Linka noticed that the lights were off, a strange sight since Mishka's battered car was parked in it's usual spot. Frowning slightly, she hurried towards the front door and fumbled around in her bag for a key. As she blindly searched for the key hole, she sensed movement behind her. Turning wildly, the front yard was deserted, as deathly quiet as the house. "Shit!" she whispered, finally turning the lock and half falling into the hallway.
Looking around, Linka again had the feeling that someone was watching her. Dismissing it as nerves, she made her way into the kitchen, usually the hub of activity for her family. Plates and cups remained on the counter containing half-eaten morsels of potatoes and meat. Panic began to pervade her usually calm demeaner as Linka moved quickly throughout the rest of the house, flicking the light switches that refused to turn on.
Moving towards the bedrooms, Linka caught her foot on something and fell to the ground, cutting her shoulder and hand on broken glass scattered on the floor. Alarmed, she jumped to her feet as hands reached out in the darkness, muffling her screams with a piece of material. As the fumes entered her lungs and she was lifted off her feet and out of the house, Linka's last, frightened thought was the realisation that it was Mishka's lifeless form that she had fallen over.
Hey guys! Next chapter: The replacement Planeteer, Wheeler's feeling like a major scumbag and Ma-Ti's feeling slightly uneasy about something........wonder what that could be???!!!!