Chapter Six
Drop. Drop. Splat. Drop. Drop. Splat. Great, this is just what I need for a pounding headache. Sylvester, my Aunt's Scottish terrier must have pushed the door open again is the answer I can think of. There was a faint sound of crickets and birds twittering around me. I must have slept through the afternoon and into the night. I moved my hand up to wipe the spit off but I soon had another drop on my forehead.
"Sylvester.Get out of my room!"
I yelled as I moved my arm around to push the Scottish terrier away but I didn't feel anything. No walls, no bedposts, nothing. Putting my hand down by my side, I felt dewy grass instead of her plush comforter.
"Did I even make it into the house yesterday? Yeah, I did. I was getting away from the others."
Deciding to see exactly where I was, I opened my eyes to see that instead of the white ceiling there w a bunch of leaves and branches towering over. Turning my head a little to the side, I caught sight of different flowers and one or two grasshoppers jumping through the grass.
"Okay. there are not this many trees in Central Park but there are definitely none in my bedroom."
Lying on the grass for a few minutes, I decided that it was time to get up and see fully where I was and how to get back to the house. I got myself into a standing position with the help from a nearby tree after a few tries and dizzy spells. Looking around I couldn't see any roads or hear any cars driving. The only sound was that of the birds and crickets.
"I really must be deep in some woods. my guess is that someone broke in and as a joke carried me into a forest. Well, I should try to find a road to get back."
I made my way slowly at first so not to fall over and once I knew I was stable enough, I started walking through the grass. My head was still pounding, creating a steady pulse that would annoy anyone. The walk in search for a road seemed to take forever. No matter which way I turned, I just couldn't find any pavement or hear any engines. It was 10 solid minutes before I was able to find a dirt pathway that had several footsteps encased in the mud. Besides the footprints, there were several hoof prints.
"Must be some riders, they're getting out earlier and earlier."
The majority of the prints were leading the same way so rather than turning back and heading the way I was sure she had come, I followed them. Moving along the path, I took in my scenery hoping to find something that sparked a memory but nothing ever did. There weren't any markings on the trees from sworn lovers. No signs indicating to pick up after dogs. I came to a fork in the path with one way leading deeper into the woods. The other pathway showed a little more light coming from the trees and the sound of running water could be heard.
"Where there's water, hopefully there are people."
I turned the way of the running water to come into a clearing with a wide river and small waterfall come into view. Unfortunately there weren't any people so I decided that if I were to keep with the river, then I had to come to a lake sooner or later. Keeping with the path, I soon had a problem: the path ended. There weren't any creases in the long grass and no more footprints. Casting my eyes around the scenery, I saw that on the opposite side of the river there was a pathway that led down the waterfall's edge and along the lower river.
"I guess the only way to get anywhere is to get across. At least my boots are waterproof."
Taking my time, I stepped onto the closest stone and if it weren't for the grips on the boots, I would have fallen in right then and there. I stepped from stone to slippery stone, making it only halfway before the next one was under water amongst others. Looking down into the clear water, I saw that it wasn't too deep to tread across in.
"Well, if it's the only way to get home."
Stepping a boot into the water, I could feel the coldness lap against the skin a little that did show. My sock started to get drenched, but I would be able to dry it back home later. As my assumption was right, I walked along the shallow water but as I did, the water did get deeper. Soon it was just above the hiking boots and finally mid calf.
"Great. Just great. Now I'm going to get pneumonia."
With the words dying on my lips, I was soon flipped up into the air and down onto my back in the water. From my head to my toe I was drenched, water flowing over top of my body. I sat up with the trench coat feeling a bit heavy and suddenly realizing that my CD player and book were in the pockets. Franticly I reached in to find that the edges of the book were slightly damaged but there was no sign of my Walkman.
"I must have taken it out when I got home."
Relieved that nothing was severely damaged, I looked to the cause of why I was on the ground in the water. Attached to a tree behind me was a rope while the other end disappeared into the bushes.
"What the?"
Echoing from the opposite side of the river a familiar voice filled the air.
"There was a rich man from Nottingham who tried to cross the river. What a dope he tripped on a rope. Now look at him shiver. Beg for mercy rich man."
That phrase, it sparked something in my memory that I just couldn't remember. It sounded very familiar.
"I said, beg for mercy rich man or pay a tax."
Then it clicked. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves had been one of those movies I had seen time after time and knew almost every line from. The line that was called out was my most favourite from the entire movie. Whoever had said the line was getting impatient.
"Are you daft man? I said beg for mercy!"
Snapping out of the daze, I looked off to the opposite side and knew it was time to yell back. The voice sounded a little like a child wanting everything but getting nothing.
"I beg of no man! I mean, I don't beg for anything from anyone!"
With that said, I stood up in the water, took hold of the rope and yanked on it as hard as I possibly could. I hoped that whoever was on the other end was holding on. My luck in assumptions was holding out because when I pulled, the man who had first pulled the rope came flying out of the bushes and landed in the water, matching the amount of wetness I was. As I stood my ground or rather water, the man in raged type clothes stood up and whistled loud and low. Emerging from the bushes came about 10 men dressed the same as the first. Some had sticks while others had bows. They all looked like they came from Robin Hood. I looked around at the different people inching their way towards me then back at their leader.
"M'lord, since you are inclined on passing, you must pay a tax."
"Sorry buddy, but I ain't paying you a thing."
As we stood 10, maybe 20ft apart, I could see a small scowl inch across his face. With that look and the voice, my mind was going crazy trying to remember where I had seen and heard them before.
"Since you object, we'll just have to take you and see that you do pay."
See that I did pay? This man was sounding like a mob boss. It wasn't until I heard a faint splashing that I looked in the water and saw someone's reflection. This new man's arms were up and ready to grab me around the waist. Just as he lunged forward, I spun and ducked causing the man to splash down in the water. The others started coming towards me and for the most part I was able to avoid their hands until one of the men hit me in the stomach with the staff he was carrying making me go down on my knees into the water. I coughed and sputtered, holding a hand around my midsection as I heard the leader come up to her. Looking up through wet hair, I could see the leader with sunlight illuminating him. Not only had the scowl and the voice been familiar but also seeing him fully up close had my mind reeling. The man wasn't half bad looking with brown hair mixed with dirty blonde that ended just below his neck. It had a wavy look. He signalled to two of the men who each grabbed an arm and pulled me up to my feet.
I flipped the hair that was in my face back, spraying some of the men with water beads as I looked to the leader. He stood wet himself though not as much as I did. I glared at him with fierce green eyes and saw that his were a chocolate brown that made me slightly hungry.
"Do I know you from somewhere?"
"I don't think so. I've never seen you before M'lord."
I groaned and tried to move my arms but that just made my stomach hurt more and coughing, I sunk a little. The two men pulled me up for more support.
"Would you cut it out with the M'lord stuff? I'm not a lord. I'm a girl and a pissed off one at that."
I heard several gasps around me as I saw that the leader's brown eyes grew wide in confusion.
"But your trousers are suited for men. You wear a black cloak and your hair is short? You look more like a man than a lady."
"I know a lot of girls who have short hair and wear long cut off pants. Plus this is normally what I wear."
I watched as the leader looked me over like a contestant in a dog show and walked around eyeing her up and down like a dog does its meat.
"Remove the cloak."
I tried to resist but my breath still hadn't returned. While two men held me up by my arms the one I had dodged first came up and pulled the cloak off. The crimson shirt stuck to my body from the water, showing the curves of my upper body. The leader stood in front of me before leaning over to the man holding my wet trench coat. He then turned his attention back me. The silence was unnerving.
"Take a picture, it lasts longer."
That got me some more stares than before but this time they were mixed with confused looks. I dismissed the looks since I was used to them. Finally the handsome leader spoke to me.
"Well, I'm not sure what to do with you. You act like a man but yet are a woman. I know woman like that, but most don't dress as you do. Bull," the man said turning to the man holding the trench coat "put a sack over her head. Much, you and Bull will carry this visitor back to camp by her arms and I'll carry her feet."
Before I could object, I had a bag placed over her head. I could feel my arms be lifted up and feet were soon up in the air. All my clothes dripped with water as I heard the splashing of water as I was carried out of the river. I could feel the leader's warm hands around my cold ankles and they felt good. Low voices were used around me as they walked and I was carried through the forest. At one point my left foot was dropped and using that opportunity to kick up, I connected with someone's face. Curses that I had never even heard before were muttered and my feet were firmly grasped again. When I was finally let down my arms were sore but the pain wasn't so bad with the thought of giving one of my captors a black eye.
"Bull, tie the lady's arms up. It'll be safer for all of us."
Few cackles could be heard from the men around me. My arms were pulled from my sides with force to my front where she felt rough cords bind her wrists together. The bag was pulled up off her head and bright sunlight blinded her for a few seconds. The last time I had this happen was when my bratty cousins on Dad's side decided to wake me up using a flashlight. Once my vision cleared, I looked around to see down in a small gully were straw and stick huts. Hearing voices come from above, I turned her eyesight up to the trees were wooden planked and stick tree houses. Plank and rope bridges connected the different platforms.
"Someone's been busy."
I muttered to myself. More weird looks were given but this time just from the leader who had been the only one to hear me. I looked the leader over the face and saw a red mark under his left eye.
'He must have been the one I kicked. Nice aim.'
I thought congratulating myself. With the piece of rope that the Bull person left, the men's leader grabbed hold of it and started to lead me down into the gully.
"Will, What have you got there?"
I turned my attention to the voice to see three men and two women walking towards us. The leader turned and smiled to the people. Will, I guessed, handed the rope off to the Bull person and he walked up to the group of people, giving each a hug. Bull and Much who stood around me sparked some familiarity just as the Will person had. I watched as Will brought the group of people over to where I was standing.
"Caught this one trying to get across without paying a tax."
My glance turned up to look at the people's faces and saw that there were more familiar faces. Seeing the multitude of everyone finally gave my memory the jolt that it needed. The people that I was reminded of were of the preps. Standing in front without a care were Spot, Jack, Ice and Stress. The only thing different about them was their clothes. Their facial features were altered slightly but I was sure that they were who I thought they were. Pies was standing off to the side but unlike his skinny self, he was rather large looking and balder. From one of the huts, another man joined the group. His skin was darker and it was Boots the A.V. Kid but what was he doing with them since he never hung out before with the preps.
"Will what is the visitor's name?" Boots asked as he came up.
"Yes, They must have a name." The second speaker was Ice.
'This has got to be some sort of charade. It's time to put a stop to it.'
I thought, feeling the cords tight around my wrists. Looking Ice's way, I spoke out with a somewhat angry tone.
"Cut the crap. You know perfectly well what my name is. You set this whole thing up I bet. You're mad that I got Pulitzer on your case for being late. Give it up."
With that, I lunged forward with my bound hands ready to shake the confession right out of the girl. Ice reached into a pouch and pulled out a silver blade but neither of us got to battle. Specs or rather Will as everyone was calling him grabbed one of my arms while Spot grabbed the other one. They picked me up causing my feet to dangle as I kicked around. There was a small crowd forming around the group of people and at the sight of my dangling from the two men's arms made everyone laugh.
"Let me go! I am gonna get you for this Ice!"
Ice stood there and put the dagger back away in the pouch.
"M'lady. I am not this person whom you refer to as Ice. My name is Marian. Lady Marian of Locksley."
The woman standing beside Pies who was Stress stepped up to Ice's side.
"She tells the truth. The name is Marian and not Ice."
I looked Stress in the eye from where I was hanging.
"Would you be quiet Stress? Just because you're good in Drama doesn't mean that you can show it off outside of school."
Spot gave the rope over to Specs as he moved over to his girlfriend.
"Visitor, to speak so to the high women of this camp is disgraceful. Reframe from using a tone as such you just used. We have told you twice over that my wife is not this person you think she is. I will give you your last introduction. My wife's name is Marian of Locksley. Next is the person who caught you trying to cross. He is my brother, Will Scarlet."
Both Specs and Ice stepped forward at the mention of their false names. I had been so intent on those in front of me; I hadn't realized that someone had taken control of the rope from Specs. I watched as Robin pointed to the other people.
"The large man with a beard is Little John, his wife beside him is Fanny and the boy is his son Wulf."
Jack and Stress wrapped their arms around each other as the boy Spot had pointed to standing off with a staff in his hand. The boy looked similar to the boy Andrew, Jack's cousin who always followed them around.
"Lastly, there are my good men Friar Tuck, Bull, Much and holding your rope is my very good friend Azeem."
Stepping forward were Pies, Kid Blink and a kid that was known as Blender. Boots obviously couldn't since he was the person who was holding the rope. I looked at everyone. They had different names and slightly different appearances but they were still the preps that had tormented me for the past month. Everything was starting to get confusing and my head from the bump was starting to throb again with pain.
"Marian, what's all this commotion?"
Walking towards the group of people, who were now just the preps and I since I had stopped squirming and wasn't giving a show anymore were Elf, Frenchy and Pebbles. They too were dressed as the preps and also had the different features to their familiar faces.
"What the?"
Ice greeted Frenchy and the others with a warm smile and a hug before turning back to me.
"Visitor, this is Sarah, my lady in waiting and Bull's wife. The other two are my cousins Leighanne," she pointed to Pebbles "and Jade."
She pointed to Elf. Everything was becoming too much. My vision was starting to blur a little as the things and people around me started to spin. I shook my head and the vision cleared. Seeing my friends with the preps, and actually being friends made me want to pass out.
"I need to get away from here and fast."
I muttered to myself as everyone else chatted on what to do with the newcomer. Wrapping my hands around the cord that led to Boots, I yanked as hard as I could. The sudden movement caused by the visitor caught Boots/Azeem to be so surprised that he let go of the rope at the tug. Using my shoulder, I pushed my way past Boots, Kid Blink and Blender who had tried to catch my arms but I side stepped all of them and made my way to the forest. I was able to get a good punch at Blender causing him to fall backwards. I entered the forest and kept running full force until I couldn't run anymore. I passed by trees around large bushes and through tall grass only wanting to get away. When I couldn't breathe easily anymore, I made my way to a near by tree and slumped on the opposite side from the camp.
"Okay, now to get these stupid cords off."
Taking a closer look at the cords, I could see that they were wound around at least three times. Taking the nearest rock I could find, I started to move the cords back and forth over and over in between my wrists. I got halfway through the cords before the pain returned to my head. As I concentrated on the job, the cords started to blur. Determination was greater than the throbbing pulse so I kept on pushing it to the back of my priorities and concentrated on the work. When I got the last cord cut the pain hit me with a full force and I couldn't take it anymore. I fell under the pain's spell and became unconscious dropping down to the forest floor.
A/N: Okay, okay, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Now with that out of the way I can make my apologies. I'm sorry I haven't updated this in a while. I was trying to write the story up for a scholarship but I wasn't able to. I'll just have to wait till next year. I repeat sorry to those who did review the chapters and I said no one did. I kinda forgot to look in the area. The pink has arrived! Okay, well review, tell friends, Irish, you too. lol. I'll talk to you all later. Robin Hood cut outs of your favourite Merry Man and a Newsie one to the Newsie lovers out there. Until later, hasta!
Dodger McClure
~*~*The meanest, toughest, kindest Newsie this side of the Boarder~*~*
Drop. Drop. Splat. Drop. Drop. Splat. Great, this is just what I need for a pounding headache. Sylvester, my Aunt's Scottish terrier must have pushed the door open again is the answer I can think of. There was a faint sound of crickets and birds twittering around me. I must have slept through the afternoon and into the night. I moved my hand up to wipe the spit off but I soon had another drop on my forehead.
"Sylvester.Get out of my room!"
I yelled as I moved my arm around to push the Scottish terrier away but I didn't feel anything. No walls, no bedposts, nothing. Putting my hand down by my side, I felt dewy grass instead of her plush comforter.
"Did I even make it into the house yesterday? Yeah, I did. I was getting away from the others."
Deciding to see exactly where I was, I opened my eyes to see that instead of the white ceiling there w a bunch of leaves and branches towering over. Turning my head a little to the side, I caught sight of different flowers and one or two grasshoppers jumping through the grass.
"Okay. there are not this many trees in Central Park but there are definitely none in my bedroom."
Lying on the grass for a few minutes, I decided that it was time to get up and see fully where I was and how to get back to the house. I got myself into a standing position with the help from a nearby tree after a few tries and dizzy spells. Looking around I couldn't see any roads or hear any cars driving. The only sound was that of the birds and crickets.
"I really must be deep in some woods. my guess is that someone broke in and as a joke carried me into a forest. Well, I should try to find a road to get back."
I made my way slowly at first so not to fall over and once I knew I was stable enough, I started walking through the grass. My head was still pounding, creating a steady pulse that would annoy anyone. The walk in search for a road seemed to take forever. No matter which way I turned, I just couldn't find any pavement or hear any engines. It was 10 solid minutes before I was able to find a dirt pathway that had several footsteps encased in the mud. Besides the footprints, there were several hoof prints.
"Must be some riders, they're getting out earlier and earlier."
The majority of the prints were leading the same way so rather than turning back and heading the way I was sure she had come, I followed them. Moving along the path, I took in my scenery hoping to find something that sparked a memory but nothing ever did. There weren't any markings on the trees from sworn lovers. No signs indicating to pick up after dogs. I came to a fork in the path with one way leading deeper into the woods. The other pathway showed a little more light coming from the trees and the sound of running water could be heard.
"Where there's water, hopefully there are people."
I turned the way of the running water to come into a clearing with a wide river and small waterfall come into view. Unfortunately there weren't any people so I decided that if I were to keep with the river, then I had to come to a lake sooner or later. Keeping with the path, I soon had a problem: the path ended. There weren't any creases in the long grass and no more footprints. Casting my eyes around the scenery, I saw that on the opposite side of the river there was a pathway that led down the waterfall's edge and along the lower river.
"I guess the only way to get anywhere is to get across. At least my boots are waterproof."
Taking my time, I stepped onto the closest stone and if it weren't for the grips on the boots, I would have fallen in right then and there. I stepped from stone to slippery stone, making it only halfway before the next one was under water amongst others. Looking down into the clear water, I saw that it wasn't too deep to tread across in.
"Well, if it's the only way to get home."
Stepping a boot into the water, I could feel the coldness lap against the skin a little that did show. My sock started to get drenched, but I would be able to dry it back home later. As my assumption was right, I walked along the shallow water but as I did, the water did get deeper. Soon it was just above the hiking boots and finally mid calf.
"Great. Just great. Now I'm going to get pneumonia."
With the words dying on my lips, I was soon flipped up into the air and down onto my back in the water. From my head to my toe I was drenched, water flowing over top of my body. I sat up with the trench coat feeling a bit heavy and suddenly realizing that my CD player and book were in the pockets. Franticly I reached in to find that the edges of the book were slightly damaged but there was no sign of my Walkman.
"I must have taken it out when I got home."
Relieved that nothing was severely damaged, I looked to the cause of why I was on the ground in the water. Attached to a tree behind me was a rope while the other end disappeared into the bushes.
"What the?"
Echoing from the opposite side of the river a familiar voice filled the air.
"There was a rich man from Nottingham who tried to cross the river. What a dope he tripped on a rope. Now look at him shiver. Beg for mercy rich man."
That phrase, it sparked something in my memory that I just couldn't remember. It sounded very familiar.
"I said, beg for mercy rich man or pay a tax."
Then it clicked. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves had been one of those movies I had seen time after time and knew almost every line from. The line that was called out was my most favourite from the entire movie. Whoever had said the line was getting impatient.
"Are you daft man? I said beg for mercy!"
Snapping out of the daze, I looked off to the opposite side and knew it was time to yell back. The voice sounded a little like a child wanting everything but getting nothing.
"I beg of no man! I mean, I don't beg for anything from anyone!"
With that said, I stood up in the water, took hold of the rope and yanked on it as hard as I possibly could. I hoped that whoever was on the other end was holding on. My luck in assumptions was holding out because when I pulled, the man who had first pulled the rope came flying out of the bushes and landed in the water, matching the amount of wetness I was. As I stood my ground or rather water, the man in raged type clothes stood up and whistled loud and low. Emerging from the bushes came about 10 men dressed the same as the first. Some had sticks while others had bows. They all looked like they came from Robin Hood. I looked around at the different people inching their way towards me then back at their leader.
"M'lord, since you are inclined on passing, you must pay a tax."
"Sorry buddy, but I ain't paying you a thing."
As we stood 10, maybe 20ft apart, I could see a small scowl inch across his face. With that look and the voice, my mind was going crazy trying to remember where I had seen and heard them before.
"Since you object, we'll just have to take you and see that you do pay."
See that I did pay? This man was sounding like a mob boss. It wasn't until I heard a faint splashing that I looked in the water and saw someone's reflection. This new man's arms were up and ready to grab me around the waist. Just as he lunged forward, I spun and ducked causing the man to splash down in the water. The others started coming towards me and for the most part I was able to avoid their hands until one of the men hit me in the stomach with the staff he was carrying making me go down on my knees into the water. I coughed and sputtered, holding a hand around my midsection as I heard the leader come up to her. Looking up through wet hair, I could see the leader with sunlight illuminating him. Not only had the scowl and the voice been familiar but also seeing him fully up close had my mind reeling. The man wasn't half bad looking with brown hair mixed with dirty blonde that ended just below his neck. It had a wavy look. He signalled to two of the men who each grabbed an arm and pulled me up to my feet.
I flipped the hair that was in my face back, spraying some of the men with water beads as I looked to the leader. He stood wet himself though not as much as I did. I glared at him with fierce green eyes and saw that his were a chocolate brown that made me slightly hungry.
"Do I know you from somewhere?"
"I don't think so. I've never seen you before M'lord."
I groaned and tried to move my arms but that just made my stomach hurt more and coughing, I sunk a little. The two men pulled me up for more support.
"Would you cut it out with the M'lord stuff? I'm not a lord. I'm a girl and a pissed off one at that."
I heard several gasps around me as I saw that the leader's brown eyes grew wide in confusion.
"But your trousers are suited for men. You wear a black cloak and your hair is short? You look more like a man than a lady."
"I know a lot of girls who have short hair and wear long cut off pants. Plus this is normally what I wear."
I watched as the leader looked me over like a contestant in a dog show and walked around eyeing her up and down like a dog does its meat.
"Remove the cloak."
I tried to resist but my breath still hadn't returned. While two men held me up by my arms the one I had dodged first came up and pulled the cloak off. The crimson shirt stuck to my body from the water, showing the curves of my upper body. The leader stood in front of me before leaning over to the man holding my wet trench coat. He then turned his attention back me. The silence was unnerving.
"Take a picture, it lasts longer."
That got me some more stares than before but this time they were mixed with confused looks. I dismissed the looks since I was used to them. Finally the handsome leader spoke to me.
"Well, I'm not sure what to do with you. You act like a man but yet are a woman. I know woman like that, but most don't dress as you do. Bull," the man said turning to the man holding the trench coat "put a sack over her head. Much, you and Bull will carry this visitor back to camp by her arms and I'll carry her feet."
Before I could object, I had a bag placed over her head. I could feel my arms be lifted up and feet were soon up in the air. All my clothes dripped with water as I heard the splashing of water as I was carried out of the river. I could feel the leader's warm hands around my cold ankles and they felt good. Low voices were used around me as they walked and I was carried through the forest. At one point my left foot was dropped and using that opportunity to kick up, I connected with someone's face. Curses that I had never even heard before were muttered and my feet were firmly grasped again. When I was finally let down my arms were sore but the pain wasn't so bad with the thought of giving one of my captors a black eye.
"Bull, tie the lady's arms up. It'll be safer for all of us."
Few cackles could be heard from the men around me. My arms were pulled from my sides with force to my front where she felt rough cords bind her wrists together. The bag was pulled up off her head and bright sunlight blinded her for a few seconds. The last time I had this happen was when my bratty cousins on Dad's side decided to wake me up using a flashlight. Once my vision cleared, I looked around to see down in a small gully were straw and stick huts. Hearing voices come from above, I turned her eyesight up to the trees were wooden planked and stick tree houses. Plank and rope bridges connected the different platforms.
"Someone's been busy."
I muttered to myself. More weird looks were given but this time just from the leader who had been the only one to hear me. I looked the leader over the face and saw a red mark under his left eye.
'He must have been the one I kicked. Nice aim.'
I thought congratulating myself. With the piece of rope that the Bull person left, the men's leader grabbed hold of it and started to lead me down into the gully.
"Will, What have you got there?"
I turned my attention to the voice to see three men and two women walking towards us. The leader turned and smiled to the people. Will, I guessed, handed the rope off to the Bull person and he walked up to the group of people, giving each a hug. Bull and Much who stood around me sparked some familiarity just as the Will person had. I watched as Will brought the group of people over to where I was standing.
"Caught this one trying to get across without paying a tax."
My glance turned up to look at the people's faces and saw that there were more familiar faces. Seeing the multitude of everyone finally gave my memory the jolt that it needed. The people that I was reminded of were of the preps. Standing in front without a care were Spot, Jack, Ice and Stress. The only thing different about them was their clothes. Their facial features were altered slightly but I was sure that they were who I thought they were. Pies was standing off to the side but unlike his skinny self, he was rather large looking and balder. From one of the huts, another man joined the group. His skin was darker and it was Boots the A.V. Kid but what was he doing with them since he never hung out before with the preps.
"Will what is the visitor's name?" Boots asked as he came up.
"Yes, They must have a name." The second speaker was Ice.
'This has got to be some sort of charade. It's time to put a stop to it.'
I thought, feeling the cords tight around my wrists. Looking Ice's way, I spoke out with a somewhat angry tone.
"Cut the crap. You know perfectly well what my name is. You set this whole thing up I bet. You're mad that I got Pulitzer on your case for being late. Give it up."
With that, I lunged forward with my bound hands ready to shake the confession right out of the girl. Ice reached into a pouch and pulled out a silver blade but neither of us got to battle. Specs or rather Will as everyone was calling him grabbed one of my arms while Spot grabbed the other one. They picked me up causing my feet to dangle as I kicked around. There was a small crowd forming around the group of people and at the sight of my dangling from the two men's arms made everyone laugh.
"Let me go! I am gonna get you for this Ice!"
Ice stood there and put the dagger back away in the pouch.
"M'lady. I am not this person whom you refer to as Ice. My name is Marian. Lady Marian of Locksley."
The woman standing beside Pies who was Stress stepped up to Ice's side.
"She tells the truth. The name is Marian and not Ice."
I looked Stress in the eye from where I was hanging.
"Would you be quiet Stress? Just because you're good in Drama doesn't mean that you can show it off outside of school."
Spot gave the rope over to Specs as he moved over to his girlfriend.
"Visitor, to speak so to the high women of this camp is disgraceful. Reframe from using a tone as such you just used. We have told you twice over that my wife is not this person you think she is. I will give you your last introduction. My wife's name is Marian of Locksley. Next is the person who caught you trying to cross. He is my brother, Will Scarlet."
Both Specs and Ice stepped forward at the mention of their false names. I had been so intent on those in front of me; I hadn't realized that someone had taken control of the rope from Specs. I watched as Robin pointed to the other people.
"The large man with a beard is Little John, his wife beside him is Fanny and the boy is his son Wulf."
Jack and Stress wrapped their arms around each other as the boy Spot had pointed to standing off with a staff in his hand. The boy looked similar to the boy Andrew, Jack's cousin who always followed them around.
"Lastly, there are my good men Friar Tuck, Bull, Much and holding your rope is my very good friend Azeem."
Stepping forward were Pies, Kid Blink and a kid that was known as Blender. Boots obviously couldn't since he was the person who was holding the rope. I looked at everyone. They had different names and slightly different appearances but they were still the preps that had tormented me for the past month. Everything was starting to get confusing and my head from the bump was starting to throb again with pain.
"Marian, what's all this commotion?"
Walking towards the group of people, who were now just the preps and I since I had stopped squirming and wasn't giving a show anymore were Elf, Frenchy and Pebbles. They too were dressed as the preps and also had the different features to their familiar faces.
"What the?"
Ice greeted Frenchy and the others with a warm smile and a hug before turning back to me.
"Visitor, this is Sarah, my lady in waiting and Bull's wife. The other two are my cousins Leighanne," she pointed to Pebbles "and Jade."
She pointed to Elf. Everything was becoming too much. My vision was starting to blur a little as the things and people around me started to spin. I shook my head and the vision cleared. Seeing my friends with the preps, and actually being friends made me want to pass out.
"I need to get away from here and fast."
I muttered to myself as everyone else chatted on what to do with the newcomer. Wrapping my hands around the cord that led to Boots, I yanked as hard as I could. The sudden movement caused by the visitor caught Boots/Azeem to be so surprised that he let go of the rope at the tug. Using my shoulder, I pushed my way past Boots, Kid Blink and Blender who had tried to catch my arms but I side stepped all of them and made my way to the forest. I was able to get a good punch at Blender causing him to fall backwards. I entered the forest and kept running full force until I couldn't run anymore. I passed by trees around large bushes and through tall grass only wanting to get away. When I couldn't breathe easily anymore, I made my way to a near by tree and slumped on the opposite side from the camp.
"Okay, now to get these stupid cords off."
Taking a closer look at the cords, I could see that they were wound around at least three times. Taking the nearest rock I could find, I started to move the cords back and forth over and over in between my wrists. I got halfway through the cords before the pain returned to my head. As I concentrated on the job, the cords started to blur. Determination was greater than the throbbing pulse so I kept on pushing it to the back of my priorities and concentrated on the work. When I got the last cord cut the pain hit me with a full force and I couldn't take it anymore. I fell under the pain's spell and became unconscious dropping down to the forest floor.
A/N: Okay, okay, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Now with that out of the way I can make my apologies. I'm sorry I haven't updated this in a while. I was trying to write the story up for a scholarship but I wasn't able to. I'll just have to wait till next year. I repeat sorry to those who did review the chapters and I said no one did. I kinda forgot to look in the area. The pink has arrived! Okay, well review, tell friends, Irish, you too. lol. I'll talk to you all later. Robin Hood cut outs of your favourite Merry Man and a Newsie one to the Newsie lovers out there. Until later, hasta!
Dodger McClure
~*~*The meanest, toughest, kindest Newsie this side of the Boarder~*~*