A/N: Sorry about that long delay. I had major writers block, then I went on vacation for two weeks. Thanks for all your replies, they have really made my day! :)
This chapter is a nice long one....so hopefully it will make up for the wait.
MysticChic: LOL.You'll just have to read on to find out.
cassandra01000: I'm glad to hear that it is, I hope you like this chapter.
Tina: LMAO! Kissing Travis senseless?! I envy the lucky few who would be the ones to live and tell what his reaction is. LOL.
Allie-Dee: Thank you!
ShadySmog: Thank you very much too!
k-ville krazi: I am so glad you are liking this!
NaTHaNLuVSMeH: Thank you very much. A Tranielle pairing? Hmmm, maybe a sequel? ;)
Ava: I can't....:( deleted it, and since there was a virus on my computer, it's all gone.
Baby Girls Touch: I am glad you like the way the story's told.
Thanks again you guys! :D
Disclaimer: Fine....I'll admit....::deep breath::: I don't own RFR. But do you really have to rub it in?
Where Am I?: Chapter 12
I found myself back at the high school as soon as we had come to the realization of where the notebook was left. I mentally kicked myself for leaving it there in the first place as I scanned the hallway for any suspicious movement. It was a little bit after five, and the school was practically vacant, except for the couple of people I feared to run into....
Even with no sounds of oncoming people, I hesitated to come out from behind the corner and walk out into the hall. The distance between my locker at the middle area and me all of a sudden seemed much greater.
"Are you sure?" I whispered to Travis, who was standing quietly beside me. He diverted his gaze from the silent hall and gave me a questioning look with his cocked eyebrow.
"Danielle, it's no big deal...you know the plan." Travis explained as he pointed down the hall. "Just go to your locker, get your notebook and put it in your back pack." He pulled out a walkie talkie out of his pocket to show me. "If Robbie, Lily, or Ray sees anyone coming they'll let us know..."
I nodded my head and gripped my back pack strap in my hand. Travis gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder and whispered. "Go, I'll be right here..." With that I faced the hallway, inhaled a deep breath, and started down the hall.
My shoes echoed slightly as I reached closer and closer to my locker. I glanced quickly in all directions around me, being sure that no one was present. In the announcements earlier that day, it was said that the locker check would be after school, but it wasn't specified when. The silence that hung in the air was a sign that it hadn't started yet....which was to my advantage.
I sighed with relief as I reached my hand for the handle of my locker. Everything was going to be okay. I smiled broadly when the familiar black notebook, resting on top of my school texts came into view as I opened the locker door noiselessly. Hurriedly, I pulled it out from its temporary resting spot and placed it in my back pack. I closed my locker with a click and I was about to turn to Travis's way to show him my grin of victory ....but a voice stopped my in my tracks.
"Well, Miss Danielle, what a pleasure it is to see you..." A male voice came from the opposite end of the hall. My grin quickly fell from my face just like a bunch of toppling bricks. My hand, which was still resting on the locker door handle, was shaking like mad, but I didn't turn to the direction of the man. "Even though," The male voice continued. "It is after school hours, and there are no club meetings at this time if I am correct..."
It was Waller. He had caught me. I was so overcome with shock that I hadn't even taken a step from the spot in front of the locker. I was frozen stiff in my position. What do I do now?
Without turning my head, I slowly took a side long glance in Travis's direction, for him to give any aid. But to my distress, there was no sign of him there at all. I felt a large knot form in the pit of my stomach, causing me to have a nausea sensation. Travis wouldn't leave me here alone.....would he?
"Do you have any reason for being here during after school hours?" Principal Waller asked. I could hear the suspicion growing in his voice. I turned away from my locker to face him, desperately trying not to appear nervous, but to my horror Waller was busy looking at my backpack that was sitting by my feet with some curiosity. I opened my mouth to answer his question, but I was lost for words.
"Miss Danielle," Principal Waller began sternly, bringing his gaze up to my face, which was opening and closing my mouth uselessly. "Come into my office. Now." With last order, he turned on his heel and started for his office.
Feeling absolutely hopeless, I leaned over and pulled my backpack up from the hallway tile, and followed him down the hall, dreading every step. I tried to erase the thoughts of how much I was about to put RFR's future in jeopardy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tip.... Tap...click. I tapped the pencil eraser against the wooden armrest, trying desperately to distract myself.
Tip.... tap.... click...
I was in the enemy's lair, the lion's den, or in this case...the Cougar's den. I hadn't spoken a word since I had taken my 'doom' seat in front of Waller's desk. I was partially afraid of something slipping, or to give something away that would answer to Waller's obvious suspicions.
Tip....tap....click
Or maybe it was so I wouldn't let the lunch I ate earlier that day come up and exit. With the silent nervous fit I was having...it could have well happened.
Tip.... Tap....click
Even being dead nervous as I was, I tried not to show it as I gave Principal Waller a bored look as I continued to tap the pencil on the armrest...even though I was slightly amused every time he flinched at the tap of the pencil.
Tip....tap-
"Please..." Principal Waller said, slightly annoyed. Refraining myself for one more tap of the pencil, I placed it on the front edge of his desk. As soon as it was put down, he retrieved it and put it in his desk drawer, and locked it with a key.
After hearing the final 'click' of the key, announcing the pencil was now out of my reach, Principal Waller folded his hands on the surface if his desk, and eyed me curiously. The sound of him clearing his throat told me that now he was now going to speak. I leaned back in my chair with a cross of my arms and stared at him straight in the eye.
Bring it on Wally, you're not going to get anything out of me.
"So, would you like to amuse me with your explanation of being here after school hours?" Principal Waller asked with his trademark smirk of knowing all. I cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Excuse me?" I said, finally finding my voice. "But Principal Waller, there was homework in...science, and I need-"
"I have heard from your teachers you had failed to bring in their work that was assigned to you yesterday...." Principal Waller interrupted over my feeble explanation. "And I daresay you wouldn't be so careful about it now..."
Principal Waller was now grinning from ear to ear at my bewildered look. I opened my mouth, prepared to say something in my defense, but Waller once again cut me off.
"You are aware, Miss Danielle," Principal Waller continued, leaning across his desk while remaining in his seated position. "That there was a locker check scheduled this afternoon?"
"Yes...." I replied, looking down into my lap, while gripping the arm rest tightly.
"And it was for people that I suspected to have any information at all about the foursome behind RFR." Principal Waller continued, his voice getting sterner with each word. I shot my head up at him with his last sentence.
"And that would explain..."
"You must have some idea of what I am talking about..." Principal Waller continued while he opened up one of his desk drawers.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked through gritted teeth. I was gripping the arm rest so tightly now that my knuckles were turning white.
"You heard me, Miss Danielle." Waller said with an exasperated tone.
"I know I heard you, but I was more in the direction of why me?" I stated, a little more rudely then intended. Principal Waller hadn't seemed to notice as he pulled out what he was looking for: his Roscoe snow globe.
As if I hadn't even questioned anything, he lifted the snow between his two hands, while his arms were propped up on his elbows. For a few moments he silently stared at it before looking over the top directly at me.
"Do you know what this is?" Principal Waller asked quietly. I nodded my head, not really sure of where this was going.
"The high school....."
"Exactly. And do you know how I like the high school?" Principal Waller asked, his eyes boring into me. I remained quiet and didn't answer. I just sank back in my seat with my arms crossed, and watched as he began to gaze into the globe.
"Calm, peaceful." Principal Waller said, while moving the snow globe around with his fingertips. He gave the impression of being in a daze as he continued. "Harmonious, civilized-"
"Wow, you sure don't need a thesaurus...." I muttered under my breath. Principal Waller snapped his gaze back at me, narrowing his eyes. I didn't flinch, and gave his stare right back to him.
"Now, let me show you an example of what some people in this school have caused..." Principal Waller said, not moving his eyes from my glare. He then began to shake the snow globe so violently that it made the impression of the water inside to be pure white.
After a few seconds of murderous shakes, Principal Waller held it still between his fingers. I watched as the snow flakes whirled around and around the plastic building inside, settling one by one down on the bottom of the globe.
"And do you know who those very special people are?" Principal Waller asked. I glanced up at his face, and shrugged my shoulders. I mean seriously, if you wanted to make Waller's life a living hell, you had to remain anonymous.
"Doesn't everybody know?" I replied, as if it was obvious.
"I do not like your attitude you are giving me, Miss Danielle."
"I wasn't really aiming to please." I answered, giving Waller a cold stare. Taking one look at my expression, Waller narrowed his eyes even more.
"It's true then that your little friends you have made have rubbed off." He said coolly. A knot once again formed in my stomach: Travis: One of Principal Waller's prime suspects, including Robbie. "And you wonder why I have my suspicions about you, especially since you came back into school to retrieve something from your locker..."
Waller ducked down behind his desk, and to my horror came up with my back pack that he was keeping for 'safe keeping' while we had our little chat.
"Miss Danielle, I know you know who those special people are...but do you know them personally is the real question...." Waller grinned while he gripped the back pack between his two hands. "I feel this might be proof of that. I feel that is too much of a coincidence: you wandering the school halls when I had Ms. Carlile announce the locker check for any clues..."
"But, Principal Waller-"
"Bite your tongue Miss Danielle." Principal Waller snapped. I sat there, helplessly watching as Waller greedily began to unclasp my back pack.
A million thoughts were zipping through my head: How would the gang react, how would the school take this, the future of RFR, ruined, Cougar Radio taking over, what would Principal Waller do to Travis, Ray, Lily, and Robbie?!
"NO!!!!" I jumped up from my seat and on instinct, reached my hand to snatch the back pack from Waller's hands. The consequences of doing that had slipped my mind at that exact moment. But as soon as I had stood up, I knew I shouldn't have.
But at the same time during my sudden outburst, the sound of glass shattering almost deafened my loud plead, coming from the hallway.
I stood there, hand only a few inches away from the back pack strap. I didn't have to worry about being questioned for my suspicious actions, because Principal Waller had jumped out of his seat too.
"What in the name of Roscoe...." Principal Waller exclaimed in utter disbelief as he ran to his office doorway. To my luck, he hadn't seen my attempt to take a hold of my bag. While he took a couple of glances out in the hallway, side to side, to see the cause of the noise, I pulled my hand away.
Waller turned to back to me, and gave me a hard look, as if something clicked in his mind. I still stood there, looking as if I had no apparent reason for doing so.
"Sit back in your seat, until I come back. Do not budge, Miss Danielle, I'll be back to finish our...... little investigation." I slowly sank down into my seat, keeping my eyes on the backpack, sitting only a foot away from me.
Sure that I wasn't going anywhere, Waller fled from the room.... probably seeing if he could catch the thing, or even someone who caused the breaking of the mysterious object.
As I sat there, I stared hopelessly at the backpack; it was so close...yet so far. For a second I thought about grabbing it and making a run for it, but then decided against it. It would lead to further questioning tomorrow....and would even make me seem more suspicious.
I sighed and hung my head down. This sucked, absolutely sucked. Why did I have to be the cause for this? Why did I end up here...in a TV program, and ruin everything?! How did I get here? Why was I here? How do I get home? And where the hell was......
"I guess it worked...." A deep voice remarked from behind, causing me to jerk my head towards the doorway.
"Travis?!" I nearly cried in relief, jumping out of my seat. He was leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed. "You're here!...Wait...." I raised my eyebrow at him. "You're still here?"
Travis chuckled out loud at my confusion. "Yep, I'm still here...why? Did you miss me?" He said with his dry sarcasm. I put my hands on my hips and narrowed my eyes ever so slightly.
"This is no joking matter, Travis, you left me all by myself..... I'm serious!" I said when Travis gave me a crooked smile as he stepped into the office. "Where were you? And what 'worked'?"
"Broke the Cougar Radio glass pane." Travis explained casually as he walked across Principal Waller's desk, tracing his finger across the edge. I let my arms hang down at my sides and gaped at him. Travis looked at my reaction, and rolled his eyes. "Well, did you really expect me to leave you here?"
I closed my jaw, and gave him a sheepish smile, since at first I really thought he did. But as he stood there, absorbed with examining a picture one Waller's desk, I realized how foolish I was. "No," I said quietly. "That wouldn't be like you at all."
Travis glanced back at me from the photo giving his trademark smile. "Come on, we better get out of here before Principal Waller finds the baseball in the Cougar Radio tech booth." With that said, Travis headed to the doorway, expecting me to follow, but I stayed planted in my spot, uncertainly.
Not hearing my footsteps behind him, Travis spun around and wore a puzzled look when he saw me standing there."What's wrong? We have to leave before he comes back."
"I know...but what will Principal Waller think? He'll suspect...."
"Who cares what he'll suspect?" Travis said urgently "It's better that he suspects then knows." I nodded slowly in understanding. "Okay, then get the backpack and let's go."
Excitedly, I lifted the backpack off from the desk. With great relief I threw the strap over my shoulder. It felt good to have it in my grasp again. I was about to follow Travis..but something caught my eye.
"What are you doing?! He could come down the hall any minute!" Travis said anxiously checking outside the doorway.
"One sec..." I said with a mischievous grin. I reached over the desk and quickly clutched Waller's precious snow globe. With great glee, I walked over to the paper waste basket sitting beside the desk, and dramatically dropped it in, making a small 'thump' sound as it hit the papers at the bottom.
I laughed as I walked past Travis while brushing my hands. "That'll keep him busy."
Travis shook his head and chuckled as he followed me out the office door.. "You're okay, Danielle." I grinned at him while we started to walk down the hallway.
"That's-"I started, but was cut off.
"Floyd!!" Travis and I stopped walking as the voice of a very angry male came echoing from somewhere behind us. "Finally Floyd, there you are!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Waller." We heard Floyd say cheerfully. "What's the problem?"
"There seems to be a scheme in progress...."
"A scheme you say?" How about that!"
"Yes, a scheme." Principal Waller repeated. "I was having a little investigation in my office when suddenly I heard a loud noise of glass shattering."
There was a low whistle. "You wouldn't say.....I didn't hear anything, I was just cleaning up that mess the kids made in the cafeteria." Floyd chuckled. "Kids these days..."
"Yes, back to my point...I came out of my office and went to look for the trace of the problem, and I found the Cougar Radio tech in broken glass, along with a baseball."
There was a couple of seconds pause in the conversation. Travis's eyes were getting wider and wider as we listened on. My knees were shaking like crazy. I looked over my shoulder, but I could find so sign of the older men. Which led me to believe they were just around the corner at the end of the hall. Not that it was so much better, but at least they couldn't see us..... yet.
"You have a feeling a student threw that here ball?" Floyd finally asked.
"Not a feeling, I know, Floyd." Principal Waller stated confidently. "Which means that there is more then one student here..."
"Who could that be?" Floyd asked, not understanding Waller's sudden excitement.
"It could only be one thing...." We both heard Waller say. I glanced over at Travis fearfully. "RFR."
I had a sudden urge to hurl my lunch.
"RFR?"
"Yes, RFR." Waller said. "The girl clearly knew some information about the secrets behind the station, and RFR or someone from RFR was trying to disrupt the investigation."
"That's a pretty big assumption Mr. Waller..." Floyd said, uncertain.
"Or..." Waller continued as if a lightbulb had clicked on, ignoring Floyd's doubts. "Or..... they are still here, in this building and....."
I felt Travis flinch next to me. My heart was beating uncontrollably as Waller continued with his realization.
"Dear Lord, Floyd, they are here! They are here right now! I knew that girl was trouble! She knew something...the back pack! There was something in that back pack that had to do with RFR! The locker check! That's why she came to school, and RFR is in cahoots with her. Now RFR is trying to get her! The breaking of the window was to distract- Floyd, we have to catch them!"
"Mr. Waller, come down..." Floyd said quietly. "Don't get all excited now. How about you go into your office and check that-"
"There is no time for that!" Waller yelled impatiently. "I know RFR, and they probably already have her along with that back pack! We have to split up. You go down that end, and I'll do the other. Search the building for any signs of them! I'll get them if it's the last thing I do!"
I don't think I have ever run so fast in my life. At Principal Waller's last words echoing down the hall from behind us, Travis and I didn't bother trying to be quiet anymore. On instinct, we sped towards the opposite end of the hall as fast as we could, turning on the corner as we reached the end.
I followed Travis as he ran a ahead of me, with my backpack hitting my back wildly with every step. I didn't know where we were running....we just were. I knew we couldn't run forever, if we did, sooner or later Waller or Floyd would catch us. I tried to erase the thoughts of what the consequences would be....
Suddenly, Travis halted in his tracks right in front of me.
SMASH
I wasn't able to stop running soon enough, and with my black uniform healed loafers, it didn't help. I slid on the tile and collided right into him, sending us both to the cold hallway floor.
I laid flat on my back, my eyes trying to come back into focus. "I really need to get new shoes..." I muttered as I slowly propped myself on my elbows. Travis was already pulling himself up from the ground.
"Are you okay?" Travis asked as he bent down offered his hand to me.
"Define it, would you?" I asked as I grabbed his hand and hauled myself up from the ground, my back pack still clutched tightly in my other hand.
"They have to be here somewhere." The annoyed voice of Waller came loudly from just around the corner. I didn't speak a word, but gave a frightened look to Travis that asked 'What now?" I prayed that Waller hadn't heard us crash, but even so, he was heading right towards us. Once he turned the corner into this hallway, we would be plain in sight.
I noticed Travis was still holding my hand as he gripped it hard in his own. With every closer footstep of Waller, I pleaded 'Please, no, don't let him find us. Anything, please don't.' Travis was glancing anxiously around, looking for any way to escape. I gazed at the end of the hall which Waller would appear at in any second....
Suddenly, Travis whispered behind me. "Danielle, in here."
I was about to ask where 'here' was, but Travis was already pulling me by my hand towards a closed door that was only a few feet away from us. I was still confused when Travis quickly opened the door and yanked me inside.
Once I was inside, I knew where we were.
Ah......, the essence of the Janitor's closet.
The musty smell of dirty moist mops, soap, and chlorine filled my nostrils with an unpleasant fragrance that almost made me gag. As my eyes started to adjust to the dim light, I glanced at Travis who was standing on opposite side of the small closet.
"What do we-" I began to ask what do we do now, but Travis silenced me, putting his fingers to his lips. I nodded my head and stood quietly.
Within seconds, we heard footsteps outside the door. Through the bubbled glass window on the door, I saw the silhouette of an angered Principal Waller stomping past. I held my breath, not daring to make the slightest sound. Travis motioned to the doorway, and we both leaned against it to listen.
"They have to be here...somewhere.." We heard Waller tell himself. "Just wait till I get those Underground Monkeys....then I'll have the last laugh...." As the sound of his grumbling drifted off, we knew he was down the hall.
I sighed with relief when I heard no more signs of Waller. "That was a close one."
"Too close." Travis agreed, finally speaking. He pulled his ear away from the door. Even in the dim light, I could tell that he was also relieved.
"We can't stay in here." I said. "As soon as he sees that the halls are empty, he'll check the closets, lockers, everything."
"Then will have to get out of the school."
"And how are we supposed to do that? We have two men searching the school for us. If we get caught......." My voice drifted off. If we got caught, they would find Travis, then they would...
"There has to be a way." I heard Travis say thoughtfully to himself, but I wasn't paying attention to anything else he was rambling on about, I was absorbed in my own thoughts.
If Travis and I did get caught trying to get out of the school, Waller would have even greater suspicions of Travis being linked to RFR. Not only that, he would find the notebook with Robbie's name on it and all the RFR broadcast ideas. If he sees anyone besides me, they might as well hold up a sign that says WE'RE RFR, ISN'T THAT COOL? The risk of going out there was bad, but so was staying here.....
"Travis," I said interrupting his rambling of ideas for plans. "I know what we can do."
I placed my backpack on the floor and kneeled next to it. I opened it up and began to fumble with the objects inside. Travis stood there, watching me, absolutely bewildered to what I was doing.
"Do you know how to get in and out of the school without using the front entrance?" I asked as I continued going through the objects through my back pack.
"Yes, but-" Travis began, still puzzled, but I cut him off when I shoved what I had been looking for into his hands: Robbie's notebook.
"Take the notebook." I told him while zipping up my backpack. "We have to split up. You take the other way out of the school, and I'll take the front entrance. He doesn't know you're here, so if you make it out without being seen, that will drop his suspicions..."
"Danielle," Travis said while I straightened up with my backpack over my shoulder. "We should stick together, not split up. We have more of a chance-"
"Travis, we don't have more of a chance. Can't you see? It will be a lot harder sneaking out of the school with two people."
"Danielle, what if you get caught? You're using the front entrance." Travis said.
"It's better then if we both got caught." I said stubbornly. "If he catches me, I won't have the notebook, you will, and hopefully out of the school."
"Danielle, no one gets left behind." Travis argued. "If you get caught-"
"I don't care if I get caught!" I snapped, my voice rising slightly. "It's more if you, Lily, Ray, or, Robbie get caught that really matters! I will not be the cause of what you have all worked so hard to build be destroyed by a regretted mistake!"
Travis stood there looking at the ground, silent. I took a deep breath, and my face softened before I said quietly. "I just wouldn't stand for it."
Travis brought his glance back up to my face, and gave me a simple nod and said. "I know you wouldn't."
I stepped closer to the door and placed my hand on the doorknob. "Take the notebook, and as quickly as you can get out of the school. You have to get to Ray, Robbie and Lily before Principal Waller or Floyd do."
Travis took his ready place next to me in front of the door and asked "How will we know if you didn't get caught?"
"I'll meet you at Mickey's."
"Sure thing," Travis agreed. Then his gray eyes grew concerned, which took me somewhat of guard. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay?"
"Only if you do the same." I said with a small smile. Travis smirked and put out his hand.
"Deal." He said while I shook it.
"Okay," I said confidently "Then let's get out of here."
I creaked the janitor's closet door open very slowly. After hearing no signs of anyone out in the hall, I opened it wide, letting Travis and I step out into the bright lights in the hall.
Travis, losing no time, mouthed a 'Good Luck' to me before taking flight down the hall, with the notebook safely under his arm. I watched until he turned the corner before I went the opposite way.
With not a minute to spare, I ran down the halls trying to get to my destination as quickly as I could. I prayed to myself that I wouldn't run into anybody, and prayed that Travis had gotten out safely. What if he had gotten caught? I shook my head, not wasting time on thinking of the dangerous possibilities.
I did my best to ignore the constant 'thump, thump' of my bag hitting my back as I turned the corner into a familiar hallway.
There they were: The entrance doors. They were at the end of the hall. My heart raced with excitement. I wasn't caught, and they were no signs of Principal Waller or Floyd!
I sprinted down the hallway carelessly. My grin grew larger and larger the closer I came to the doors. I ignored the yellow Caution: Wet Floor sign as I speeded past it. Floyd had already cleaned here.
"Almost there..." I said between my fast paced breaths. Victory was in reach! The doors were only a few feet away.
But what happened next came totally unexpected.
Without warning, my feet slipped out from beneath me, sending me flying in the air.
Before my brain could register what was happening, I crashed flat on my back onto the wet hallway tile. The pain went through my body like thousands of splinters. My head was pounding in my ears.
The last thing I remember was shadows clouding my vision.
Then there was nothing but darkness.
.............................cyber slaps are accepted.
The last chapter is next, so you know what you got to do.....
REVIEW!!!
Hey, is it just me, or does that ryhme? :)