Chapter 8: The Map

Arden opened her bleeding eyes. She was all alone in Basil's main room. She was on Basil's big red chair. She felt weak from the powerful moments. When she got up, she almost fell. She heard a door open. She looked to see Mrs. Judson come in with a hot cup of tea.

"Oh dear! Arden you should sit down and rest. Basil told me everything! How many times must I tell him to be careful!" she said. Arden fell back into the big red chair. Arden was given the cup of tea. The cup was sitting on a little plate with a cheese crumpet.

"Thank you Miss…" replied Arden. Mrs. Judson looked at her.

"Judson, Mrs. Judson." replied the house keeping mouse. She gracefully stepped back into the other room. Arden ripped the crumpet in half. She started eating one of the pieces. While she was enjoying herself, she saw Basil coming in. He put on his robe and saw Arden there.

"Hello." said Arden. Basil smiled and walked up to her.

"I saw everything that happened." replied Basil.

"I know. I kind of figured that out when Mrs. Judson told that you told her what happened." replied Arden. Arden saw Olivia coming in.

"Look who came to visit." said Basil. Arden smiled. Olivia walked up to her.

"Hello Olivia! I trust you had a good day while I was away." said Arden.

"I was really worried about you." said Olivia.

"What happened?" asked Olivia.

"Well all I can remember is me shouting and running." replied Arden. She then told Olivia what happened at the Rat Trap. Olivia was shocked by what she heard.

"I don't believe what I just heard!" exclaimed Olivia. Arden put her hand on Olivia's shoulder. Arden had enough strength to get up. Arden finished her tea and crumpet. Arden looked directly at Olivia.

"Do you want to go outside for awhile?" asked Olivia. Arden nodded "yes". Olivia grabbed Arden's hand and led her outside. When they got out, they sat down and talked. Arden actually felt great.

"I feel better. Do you know why?" asked Arden.

"Why?" asked Olivia.

"I finally have enough strength to stand again." replied Arden. Arden then looked at the ground.

"I'm sorry." she said.

Olivia smiled. Arden still did care about her life at stake. Arden had a look that expressed that.

"Why do you say that you're sorry?" asked Olivia.

"Well I haven't been that nice to you and I'm really sorry." replied Arden.

"I guess since I'm still remembering what happened, I guess I feel guilty." she said.

Arden then started smiling. She just remembered something. Her smiling made Olivia confused. She started think that Arden was acting crazy today.

"Arden are you feeling alright?" she asked.

"Never better. It's just that well, those crumpets that Mrs. Judson makes. They're just wonderful! I've never been addicted to anything like that before! I see why she's always a nice woman. Her pastries are so addictive." replied Arden.

Arden started feeling perky. Olivia felt weird.

"Are you alright?" asked Olivia.

"Never better. It's just that. It's been awhile since I've messed things up like I always do for my enemies. But while I'm sitting here with a friend like you, it starts to disappear." replied Olivia.

Arden sighed deeply. She wondered why Ratigan made her feel the way she did.

She gazed at her locket. The locket was golden. It had her name was on it. Every time she thought about it, she always hoped for a good day.

Arden slightly opened the locket. She noticed something. It looked like a piece of paper.

"Olivia, look!" exclaimed Arden. Olivia gazed at the paper.

"What is it?" asked Olivia.

"It's a map." replied Arden. "It's showing us where…my parents are!"

Olivia gasped. She wondered what the pictures were.

"These pictures are symbols of places and other things that are easy to see. But the term you're looking for is "Land marks"." replied Arden. Olivia looked at her.

"Sorry. I just remember these things okay?" asked Arden.

"Maybe this map will lead us to them!" exclaimed Olivia.
"You really think so?" asked Arden hopefully. Olivia nodded.
"Yes I do! But do you think it will lead us to them?" she replied.

"Only one way to find out." replied Arden. Olivia smiled and found two wooden boards. She walked to them and gave one of them to Arden.

"I thought you didn't like boarding," said Arden.

"While you were gone, I tried boarding again. I actually liked it!" replied Olivia. Arden smiled and the two got on the boards.

"If this map doesn't lead us to my parents, I'm blaming my father on this." said Arden.

"Olivia, I'm sorry." said Arden. "For all I did to you, Basil, Dawson, and Flaversham." Olivia nodded gracefully.
"All is forgiven. Do you want to board through London to find your parent or not?" asked Olivia. Arden smiled.
"Let's go." replied Arden.

Olivia and Arden started boarding their way to find Arden's parents.

"Hang on Mother and Father, we're on our way!" said Arden.