Chapter 11: Running Away

"I've had enough of this! Arden we have to leave! Ratigan shouldn't do this to you. You deserve more than this. I care about you and Ratigan will not control you" protested Hunter.

"I can't go back now. Ratigan is too powerful for me to go back now. If I double cross him, he'll hurt you and I can't let that happen. Don't you realize what I'm trying to tell you?" returned Arden. Hunter frowned and sighed.

"I realize. But please Arden. Don't become him. I can't let be him. He's already ruining you. Don't let things get worse." replied Hunter. The rain started to fall.

"I, I wish I could do something. I don't know what to do," confessed Arden. They came closer to each other.

"Arden……please," replied Hunter. Arden and Hunter came even closer.

"Alright…" she whispered as they kissed each other on their lips. Hunter wrapped his arms around her.

Their kiss departed. What they didn't know was that Fidget was watching everything happen. Fidget was surprised.

"That girl's gonna be in trouble once I tell 'em." he whispered. Hunter gazed in to her eyes.

"I've written another poem for you." he whispered.

"Will you tell me?" asked Arden.

"Thank God you asked." replied Hunter. He took out a piece of paper he's been keeping in his pocket and opened it up.

"It's called: "Oh My Arden"." he explained.

"Oh My Arden. Oh My Arden. I've been alone since I was born, from the east side of London to the west side. I've walked through every street at least once. I have fought unfriendly foes. Been left behind and been free, but on this cold, uncertain day, there's only you and me," he read.

Arden was surprised. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

"Hunter, thank you so much for that beautiful poem." she said. Hunter and Arden were in each others arms filled with embrace. They started dancing. As they danced, Hunter kissed her forehead.

Hunter and Arden stopped dancing and walked together to the opening of the Rat Trap.

"There's a door!" exclaimed Hunter. He grabbed the knob and tried to turn it.

"Uh-oh, I can't get it open." he informed. He then noticed a lock.

"No wonder! There's a lock!" he said. Arden looked at it.

"Let me take a look at that." she replied. She looked at it for a second or two.

"No wonder! I made this lock when I worked for Ratigan." she informed. Hunter smiled.

"Really? What's the combination?" asked Hunter. Arden frowned.

"I didn't do the combination. Ratigan did." replied Arden. Hunter sighed.

"Well then how are supposed to get through this gate?" asked Hunter.

"We're not. You see, this is no ordinary lock. It's a Forever Lock. Once it's closed for the last time it can never ever be open. Ratigan had to make a combination so it could work. He made this in the first place because of what Basil of Baker Street did. Ratigan said that Basil and his new assistant and friend Doctor David Q. Dawson went through the sewers and into Ratigan's territory to save Olivia Flavershum that was recently kidnapped by Fidget. Ratigan's bumbling henchman."

Hunter looked at Arden.

"You sure?" asked Hunter.

"Oh yes, I remember when Ratigan got It." replied Arden. Hunter thought for a moment.

"Maybe we can break out." he said trying to break through the door. Nothing was working.

"I hate to say this Hunter but there's no way out. No way……" replied Hunter.

He took her hand.

Arden thought for a minute. She smiled.

"Hold on! There's another way out! I know the way!" she said taking Hunter's hand.

"Follow me." she said.

Arden and Hunter jogged through a dark tunnel deep in the sewers.

"This is the way through?" asked Hunter disgusted. Arden looked at him.

"It was either here or getting through that gate the hard way." replied Arden.

"Good point." returned Hunter. They came across a door with a key in its key hole. Arden grabbed the key and twisted it. Arden pushed the door and they were finally out. Arden and Hunter quickly ran out.

Fidget followed them and saw everything.

"Why that do good bratty bitch!" he said. He immediately turned to tell Ratigan. On his way to the big room, he ran into Bill.

"Fidget! Did you see what I saw? About what Arden did?" asked Bill.

"Yeah and I'm going off to tell the Professor!" replied Fidget. The two ran into the big room.

"PROFESSOR!" they yelled at the same time. This yell startled Ratigan and it made him turn.

"What!" he replied.

"Arden!" yelled Fidget.

"What about Arden!" replied Ratigan.

"That Hunter fellow!" replied Bill.

"Out with it boys!" demanded Ratigan.

"We were watching Arden and then that Hunter showed up and Arden was helping him escape and they both ran out!" replied Bill and Fidget. They then stopped and stood perfectly still.

"That meddlesome Hunter was here. Inside MY Rat Trap territory and Arden helped him escape……and you didn't tell sooner!" asked Ratigan harshly. Bill and Fidget blinked.

"It's his fault!" yelled Bill pointing at Fidget.

"No you!" replied Fidget pointing at Bill.

"Yours!" complained Bill.

"Not mine!" replied Fidget.

"Listen to me you idiotic simpletons I-"said Ratigan. Another thought struck him.

"Wait. Obstacles are also opportunities. Remember the deal Arden made with me? Well she's double crossed me and I think you both know what we do then. Finding and harming those over grown infant friends of hers would definitely made Arden understand the concept of our deal…" said Ratigan malevolently.