Chapter 6: Point of No Return

Arden felt very discouraged. She hoped this wasn't what she thought it was. Her heart began to sink as she gazed at the letter. Her stomach started churning and receiving that aching feeling no one wants.

"This hand writing belongs to……Professor Padraic James Ratigan!" she exclaimed as Professor Ratigan came out of the shadows. He, Fidget, and his thugs came around and surrounded her. She started to glare. Even though she was actually scared on the inside. Fidget flew right up to her. Arden started inhaling breath deeply.

"I should have known this was a trick. Wow, Ratigan, thanks to you, I'm not safe anymore! Was I ever safe, thanks to you? I don't think so!" exclaimed Arden.

"Silence!" replied Ratigan. Now Arden was really mad. she thought curse words in her mind. She stepped forward ready to do something.

"Don't you 'silence' me!" threatened Arden. Some of the thugs were shocked about what she said. Ratigan ignored her command. Yet, he smiled. Arden didn't like that smile.

"Wipe that smirk off your face!" yelled Arden. "It's because of you I can't see my parents as much as I used to!"

Ratigan ginned at what she said. Arden stood perfectly still when her enemy say his next sentence

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked feeling discouraged.

"And you never will again," he said.

"What do you mean?" asked Arden.

"I knew with that rebel Julian and his worthless wife out of the way, I'd have you all to myself, so I made this trap for you to lure into. Don't think that I don't know anything about your friend, Hunter." he explained.

Arden gasped and then glowed red with anger.

"If you hurt him, I SWEAR…" replied Arden with a growl to her voice.

"Calm down, my dear. I had to find a way to have you brought here for a reason." said Ratigan. Arden started feeling sick. She didn't like this.

"I don't like where this is going." whispered Arden.
"What'd you say!" asked Ratigan.
"Nothing!" she replied startled. Ratigan walked up to her.
"If you're trying to do what you did last time, I'll make sure that doesn't happen again. GOT IT!" said Arden harshly.
"Well enough. What's this all about Ratigan! Why are you trying to get me? What have I ever done to you that made you upset?" asked Arden. Ratigan glared.
"Shut up!" he yelled.
"Don't you 'shut up' me? Now what's going on!" asked Arden.
"As long as you do as I say, Hunter and your friends won't be harmed." replied Ratigan. Arden started feeling discouraged.
"But…How did you know about..." she said.
"Don't waste my time with your pathetic questions! Will you work for me or not?" replied the criminal rat.

She wanted to say something, but she could not say a word to her hell giver. Ratigan had the nerve to come to her and threaten her. Oh how she hated that rat! That was the rat that ruined her life! How could someone be so cruel and heartless? "Oh, why do these things always happen to me." she thought. "She's almost mine!" thought Ratigan.

"You have no choice." interrupted Ratigan. Arden frowned.
"I, I…" said Arden softly."You can't do that!" she shouted.
"Oh yes I can, sweet girl! If you don't work for me, then you'll regret you existance!" he threatened.

"But I just, I just." said Arden feeling defeated.
"I……alright. I'll do it. I have no choice any way." she said softly as she turned her head away from her new boss in shame. Arden fell and she sobbed.
"What will become of me? Is this some crazy plan for Ratigan to try and kill me? Steal my locket and use it to take over London, like before, and then kill me? Probably..." she thought.
"I can't let Ratigan hurt you Hunter. I can't. I'm sorry, love," she whispered.

THE NEXT DAY:

The next day, a letter came for both Olivia and Basil. Hiram came into the room Olivia was in.
"Olivia, there's a letter for you from Arden." he said. Olivia hopped to her feet and took her letter. When she opened it, sadness overwhelmed her as she read it:

Dear, Olivia

I'm going through a tough time. Ratigan has made his way back in. I can't tell you much else. But all I can say is that Julian and Emily are dead! Ratigan says that he murdered them, and let me tell you! He sounded convincing. I need you to do ONE thing. Remember me. I may not be able to see you. But remember, I'm not that far away.

Sincerely, Arden.

Olivia dropped her letter in shock.

On the other side of London at Baker Street, Mrs. Judson gave Basil the same letter. When he read the letter, Basil knew exactly what has happened and felt obligated to find a way to help Arden.
"Oh my God, Dawson!" he said in shock.
"What! What is it?" he asked startled.

"I know where Arden is." said Basil with a hateful look, as he thought about the evil threat his long time enemy had bestowed upon the little preteen girl. Mrs. Judson saw as all this happen.
"Oh I hope you're alright, Miss Arden." she whispered.

"I'm done. I can't believe thought…" whispered Arden at the Rat Trap. "I've past the point of no return."