"Is that so…what
about PC's agreement with Jeb?" Reynard said rising from his
chair.
" You little B—."
"What your language, Feather
is present," Mercy said.
"What were the terms Bree?"
Reyanrd asked again.
"Roc and I would go free…Jeb knew
nothing about the Network. So it wasn't in the agreement." I
said.
"Oh okay…so um…tell me again, how that benefits us in
anyway and uh…how that is not letting personal feelings get in the
way?" Reynard asked almost smiling, he knew he had me, but I wasn't
going to give him that satisfaction.
"Would you have preferred
it if, Roc, PC, and I, died!" I snapped. Everyone looked at
Reynard for a response, but I finally shut him up.
"What good
would it have done us if both PC and I had died that day? You know as
well as I do that without me or PC this entire network would die."
"Don't flatter yourself, Bree. We are more than capable of
taking care of ourselves if you or PC died. Besides, that agreement
doesn't matter now .It doesn't matter now."
"Oh really?
Before, Reynard that little pact was the backbone of you argument."
"Don't patronize me! What matters now is what we are going to
do with PC. He's caused enough damage for the past three years and
has doomed thousands of experiments and now…he's turned against
us...he must…"
" Shut your mouth ! I have had enough of
your trash," I growled.
Mercy rose from her chair "How about
you shut your mouth for a change, Breeaka. Your feelings have clouded
your judgment. I know, I am reading your thoughts at this very
moment." I was struck silent …I HATE TELOPATHS Mercy moved away
from the table to the window on the far side of the room." I agree
with Reynard .Ever since he made a pact with Jeb, PC has been a thorn
in our side for three long years." She said reaching into her
pocket and pulling out a lighter. "I think it is time…for PC to
be removed from the picture." She played with the pedal on the
lighter until it produced a flame. She looked at it pensively and
said "permanently"…..
The room went silent at
Mercy's proposal and the air seemed to become colder.
"How
can THAT possibly be an option!" I snapped. Everyone flinched
except for Mercy, who stood calmly with her lighter in hand.
"Why
should it not?" she asked.
"We don't kill our own," I
said sharply. "IF WE KILL HIM THEN WE ARE NO BETTER THAN THE
WHITECOATS!...TYING UP LOOSE ENDS!"
"Than what do you suggest
we do? I haven't heard a single good suggestion out of you the
entire time we've been here," Reynard said.
"That's bold
coming from someone who complains all the time." Suddenly our
discussion turned into an all out argument. We shouted and screamed
at each other to make our own opinions heard, when Rahsmed slammed
his fist down on the table in unison with a clap of thunder that
resonated outside and roared so loudly that it shook the room.
Reynard and I sat down and Mercy, who seemed slightly frightened by
his behavior, froze. Rashmed glared at us with his deadly yellow
eyes. He then began to growl, snarl, and grunt, as if he was trying
to talk.
Olga began to translate "Nothing is going to get done
if we sit herrre yelling at each otherrr. Merrrcy, yourrr idea,
though cut-thrrroat and logical will be put on stand by. I suggest
that we hearrr PC's side of the incident."
Reynard instantly
stood up " How are we supposed to do that!" Everyone braced
themselves for another roar but nothing came.
Olga continued to
translate " We will send a birrrd message descrrribing what has
happened herrre." Rashmed shifted his gaze to me. "He has 24
hours to rrrrespond to the message. If the birrrd doesn't
rrreturrrn orrr he neverrr rrresponds, then I see no rrreason why we
should not go ahead with Merrrcy's idea." I couldn't help but
gasp. "It may be cold but it is the only way we can keep
ourrrselves safe… Brrree you have the floorrr." "Thank you
Rashmed," I said fighting the knot in my throat. " Do we agree on
Rashemd's proposal?" Everyone nodded I knew no one would
disagree…having blood on your hands is an ugly thing and no one in
the room including me wanted to be the first. "Until we receive an
answer from PC there are two more issues we need to address," I
continued.
"What is that?" Reynard said sitting back down and
leaning back in his chair.
"Are we going to try to rescue
Gozbud? And What are we going to do about his safe houses?"
"Uh.
More hard decisions," Feather sighed.
"Unfortunately yes,"
I said grimly.
"I say we cut our losses without Gozbud,"
Mercy said returning to her seat.
"I don't think so…Gozbud
was our doctor we can't let this slide," Chris said. "What
happens if one of us is seriously hurt we can't just go to a
hospital."
"She's right," Card agreed.
"Think
sensibly, though…Lab 7 according to the information given to us by
PC is the third most fortified School division in the country. We
will be hard pressed getting in let alone getting out," Mercy said.
"If we couldn't get Gozbud back…than who would replace
him?" I asked.
"I-I-could," Roc said standing up. This I
must admit took me by surprise.
"You?" Mercy said doubtfully.
"I may not be a Ghost or have wings…but, Gozbud had
considered that something like this might happen. So he passed on his
medical knowledge to me. I have also been working on healing wounds
using my regeneration powers."
"My, my, you might be useful
after all."
"Shut up, Mercy," I said.
"As you wish,"
she said holding up her hands. I stood in silence for a moment
letting this new development sink in. I hated doing this to Gozbud,
he was a good friend to us all. But it would save, time, resources,
and lives if we didn't attempt a rescue. It was the truth and as
much as I wanted to tell Roc that his services weren't
required…they were.
"It pains me to say this, but we will not
rescue Gozbud." Everyone shuttered at the statement. "Do we
agree?" It took a moment but everyone eventually nodded. I turned
to Roc. "If you're up to the task Roc…you can become one of
us."
"I'm up to it," Roc said firmly.
"Fine then, I
hear by welcome you into the Ghost Network, you, Roc are the 9th
ghost. As for Gozbud's safe houses…as soon as it is safe we will
salvage what information we can and burn them to the ground….Agreed?"
Everyone nodded "Agreed," they said.
"Alright then…This
meeting is over," I said slamming my fist on the table….
The light in the room
was blinding, I don't know why …I guess because I was half asleep
when the Jawz had pushed Raf and I into Dr. Risa's office. She
looked tired too, but fortunately for her, she had a cup of steaming
coffee to wake herself up. Dr. Risa leaned back in her chair and
smiled at us...literally smiled…I don't like being freaked out
first thing in the morning and I don't think Raf liked it either.
She took a sip of coffee before speaking…savoring it…oh man! I
wanted that coffee. I wasn't afraid of punching out an old lady for
a cup of coffee, but I resisted.
"How are you boys this
morning?" she said smoothly. We both moaned and yawned at the same
time. Her smile brightened even more…what was she so darn happy
about? "I'm tired too boys…so let's make this brief shall we.
It appears that your recent capture…" Risa looked down at one of
the papers on her desk "Gozbud is far more valuable than we
previously thought."
"In what way?" I asked.
"According
to the information that was salvaged from his lair…he is part of a
network of experiments, which forms some sort of "underground
railroad"," Dr. Risa said making a quoting gesture with her
wrinkled fingers. "They provide shelter for experiments that have
escaped from Labs." The whole time she was saying this, I was
holding my breath. "However, we have no way of knowing how many of
experiments are in this "network"."
"So what does all
that have to do with us?" Raf asked.
"You two are being
transferred," Dr. Risa said totally evading the question. She
didn't do it often, but when she did it meant something major was
going to happen and soon.
"Transferred?" I said
questioningly.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"The School."….
I stood out in the
middle of the forest that was a couple of miles out of town. It was
the place where I would call to birds that I used for messages. I let
out a piercing cry and waited. After a few moments a beautiful falcon
came down from the sky and perched itself on a branch nearby. I held
out my arm and then it came to me. Its talons stabbing the flesh on
my arm, but I didn't mind. I tied the message I had written to the
leg of the falcon.
"You carry a very important message,
Falcon…make sure it gets to him," I said to the bird stroking it
gently. I leaned in close and whispered "May the winds favor
you…Now go." The falcon let out a piercing cry and took off into
the blue.
Kudos for me! I hadn't given myself away
during the meeting. I was calm, but my heart was beating faster than
a race horse.
"Why do you want to send us there?" Raf asked I
could tell he wasn't pleased with the news.
Dr. Risa sighed and
laced her fingers "I'm not as liberty to say, Rafmire."
"Why
not?" I asked.
"I maybe the head of this lab, but there are
others above me and when I am told not to reveal certain pieces of
information. I MUST abide by that rule."
"Who gave the
orders?"
"Mr. Batchelder." I rolled my eyes. Why does
everything have to be such a freakin' secret?
"Please tell
us, Dr. Risa, we promise we won't tell anyone," I said.
Dr.
Risa chuckled "I'm sure you wouldn't… of all the other
collectors at this facility you two are the most obedient. You're
good boys both of you," She nodded "I know I'm sending you to
the butcher, but I'm sorry it's out of my hands now."
"When
are we going to leave?" Raf asked folding his arms in front of his
chest.
"Tomorrow. In the main time, I encourage you to pack
what possessions you have and get lots of rest. You're dismissed."
I knew I should have just left the room as commanded but I had to
ask. "Ma'am? What will happen to the experiment we captured?"
Dr. Risa's eyebrows shot up "You should know better than to
ask that…Don't get fresh PC until you leave tomorrow…You are
still under my charge. Now get out," she said icily. I nodded and
left with Rafmire.
"I'm surprised you took that so well,"
he said sarcastically as we walked back. " I was waiting for you to
throw something."
"This isn't the time nor the place, Raf,"
I muttered.
"Right, I'll stop by later and taunt you further"
he whispered and then he quickened his pace. Before I could say
another word he had already rounded a corner. I sighed and walked
back to my room. If I was in my true form my tail would be dragging
behind me. Packing was breeze all I had were the clothes on my back,
a few magazines that I purchased with the money I received from each
successful experiment capture. I still hadn't received the bounty
for Gozbud and even I had, it would sicken me to spend a dollar. Some
other items included a feather that I received from Breeaka, which
became my most prized possession and a …family photo. One that I
had requested, from Dr. Risa…now what would I want with a family
photo… so that I could take a sharpie marker and vandalize it.
Sometimes when I was really ticked off and had a bad day I would
throw things at it. I also had a picture of Jeb too…I printed it
off of one of the lab computers…I vandalized that one too. I threw
all of this into a plastic bag except for the family photo and laid
down on my bed. Every time I looked at that picture, it became even
more unfamiliar than it had been before. Who were these people? Who
was that kid who held his sister in a playful headlock? I wonder what
they told her.
Kudos for me! I had heard many stories about the School. Terrible things and now I was going to go there and experience it myself. Please note I am in no ways happy about this twisted turn of events, but there is really nothing I can do. So I "roll with the punches" as they say. I was reassured by the fact that they wouldn't experiment on us though. I don't think there is anything more they can learn from us. For that I was thankful. Packing was easy…all I had were the clothes on my back and a book with blank pages given to me by a Whitecoat and close friend, Dr. Wellington...I never wrote in it though. I detested writing…it was taxing, and boring. But he told me that it was good for me. So I picked up the habit only when I needed an outlet. The puzzle books I also took with me, all of them I had finished except for one in particular. It was small and orange with a dragon on the front holding a puzzle book. The title was in rainbow colored bubble letters and said "Bamboozle" across the top. This one was also given to me by Dr. Wellington. I don't know why I never finished this one. I guess because I like the dragon pictures too much. I don't know…. Too bad Wellington wasn't around anymore the School decided that good Dr. Wellington was too good to me and iced him. Or so I was told. I had a picture of Jeb too one that I could vandalize with my felt tip pen. After finishing my so called packing I left the room and traveled to PC's with a couple of puzzle books and pens in hand so that we could continue our conversation….
P: This is bad I
didn't expect this to happen.
R: Neither did I.
I'm surprised they found out about your Network so quickly.
P:
Well…The damage could have been a lot worse if they found Gozbud's
actual lair.
R: You mean there was another?
P:
Yeah…when you are working undercover you always have multiple safe
houses and most importantly copies. The one we were at didn't have
all the important documents. Hopefully, "my people" will get to
Gozbud's real safe house before the School does and burn it to the
ground.
R: Smart. So are you still going to try and
rescue Gozbud?
P: You bet.
R:
Okay? You're crazy, but let me hear it, what's the plan.
P:
If I know this place as well as I think I do. Gozbud is being held on
Level 2.
R: PC we can't get to Level 2 is
restricted.
P: I know…but I wasn't finished.
R: fine. How are we going to get down there?
P:
All we need to do is piss off an Eraser…preferably one with a bad
temper.
R: What?
P: Here's the
thing we tick off a Jawz and get it to chase us down to Level 2.
R:
How do you expect to accomplish that? The Jawz have a 99 obedience
rate.
P: We will exploit that 1 disobedience
rate. Erasers are more touchy and prone to fits of rage if you mess
with them while their eating…it works with dogs…it should work on
them.
R: That makes sense in a morbid sort of
way…but I still think you're crazy. I don't know how you expect
this whole tall tale to actually work.
P: Trust me
it will work and I know just the Eraser too.
R:
Who?
P: Lilac
R: Now I know
you're crazy. I had my doubts, but this takes the cake.
P:
Ye of little faith.
R: You do realize that we can't
out run Lilac.
P: I know.
R:
She's also stronger than both of us combined.
P:
I know. But so is everyone else here except the Whitecoats…so
what's your point?
R: My point is, if she catches
us…we are in for a serious beating.
P: I know!
But we don't need to out muscle her or out run her we just need to
be smart her.
R: We lack that too…or at least one
of us does.
P: Did anyone tell you that you've
got a stick shoved up you're
R: Did anyone tell
you that you are a shining example of a village idiot?
P:
…
R:…
"I don't like
crosswords," I said tartly, tossing the book to Rafmire.
He
shrugged and tossed his, "I don't like them either." We sat and
glared angrily at each other and then I picked up the puzzle book I
had tossed and began to write again:
P: So
R:
What?
P: Are you in? Come on we are going to leave
tomorrow anyway. Why not go out with a bang. Eh?
Raf stared at my last entry for what seemed like an eternity, then finally wrote:
R: Fine… it's on.
He tossed the puzzle book back to me and I read his message. We both smiled at each and laughed…this was going to be fun….
Now if you haven't
already learned…my plans are usually half-baked, in the fact that I
don't consider every little variable that could happen. But then if
I did… where is the suspense let alone the fun? Before we could go
to have dinner, we were sent for one final check up with our
designated Whitecoats. I guess the School didn't want damaged
goods. Afterwards Raf and I meandered down to the mess hall.
"You
sure you want to go through with this?" Raf asked.
"Yep…did
you actually think I would reconsider in just a few hours?"
"No,
but I can wish can't I?" he said with a smirk.
"Sure," I
said as we rounded a corner and pushed through the double doors. The
mess hall was large and contained several round tables with blue
cushioned seats. At this point the mess hall wasn't full. Only a
few erasers were sitting around eating hunks of meat in their wolf
forms. Fortunately for us, Lilac didn't have her pack with her. She
wasn't in her wolf form either, she rarely transforms and when she
does …she is said to be the most terrifying beast on two legs and
that is saying somethin'. We walked over to the cafeteria ladies
and got our trays loaded with food and causally sat down at a table
that was close enough, but farthest away from Lilac, so that we could
make a break for it when the chase began. I examined the food
elements that were slapped onto our trays. Mashed potatoes…peaches
in heavy syrup…a very sparse salad…something that supposedly
resembled meatloaf and …ah YES! Fried Okra! The perfect taunting
projectile and along with straw wrappers, what more could you freakin
ask for.
"This meal is perfect," I said with a grin.
Raf
eyed the food on his tray curiously and said "I don't know what
you are talking about."
"Wait and see." Suddenly a group of
Jawz sat down with there meat at a table near ours. PERFECT! Now she
would have a hard time finguring out who threw what.
"Follow my
lead," I said." Exhibit A…" I began to gently peel the paper
off my straw until part of it was attached to the end, Raf copied me
exactly and we both blew on our straws. The wrapper flew in Lilac's
direction, one of them bouncing off her head and landing on the
floor. We instantly acted natural as Lilac turned her head sharply to
see who threw the wrappers at her. When she couldn't identify the
cause she continued to eat.
"Exhibit B…fried okra," I
whispered. Raf and I flicked several pieces at her. She looked every
time, letting out another threatening sound, how predictable. The
other Erasers present looked at her quizzically. After exhausting our
supply of fried projectiles, I scooped up a spoonful of mashed
potatoes.
"Exhibit C…Ready?" Raf nodded "This may start
the chase, so be ready to move," I said. Raf smiled deviously and
we let the taters fly. Lilac let out a feral roar and put her fist
through the table she sat at.
"Which one of you Einsteins threw
potatoes at me!" All of the Erasers looked up at her bewildered,
cocking back their fuzzy ears and letting out instinctive whines.
When Lilac didn't get an answer she roared again and punched out
one of the Erasers nearby. Raf and I started laughing and she turned
on us with a murderous look in her eyes. "You two punks think this
is funny?"
I looked up and said "Yep…mashed potatoes are a
good color on you, Lilac." She screamed angrily and charged at us.
I acted quickly and slung my tray across the floor. Lilac tripped
over it and landed on her face. The Erasers in the mess hall began to
laugh. Raf then took the liberty of dumping the contents of his tray
on top of her. Lilac slowly lifted herself off the ground with a
hellish smile on her face.
"You both are dead."
"You'll
have to catch us first." I said. We bolted for the kitchen.
Lilas
sprang up,"Come on! All of you follow me," she commanded. The
Erasers stared at her and then continued eating ignoring her. "Curse
that obedience rate…" she spat. "Fine… You want the killin'
done right," she said cracking the bones in her neck "You do it
yourself."….
Raf and I ran into the
kitchen and locked the door.
"Do you think that….door will
hold her?" he panted.
"I don't know…I doubt it though,"
I replied looking around.
"Why did we come here?"
"For
tools."
"Tools?"
"Yeah, tools of the mischievous
variety," I said looking through cabinets. "Look for anything
that is slick and sticky."
"PC, is this mischievous enough
for you?" Raf asked. I looked up and held a carton full of eggs.
"Perfect." BAM! Both of our heads turned to look at the door.
"Oh geez, she's coming! Raf hold the door."
"Why me?
You're taller."
"Shut up we're about the same size."
Raf rolled his eyes and handed me the eggs and then began to push
against the door. I sifted through boxes of other food items until I
found bottles of vegetable oil.
" I'm going to gut you both…"
Lilac chimed.
"Hurry up!" Raf snapped. I divided our
ammunition of oil and egg and I slid my portion into my pockets and
then switched places with Raf, so that he could stock up.
"You
ready to go?" I asked, struggling to keep my footing as Lilac
bashed the door harder and harder each time. Raf nodded.
"Okay.
Head for the door on the opposite side and take a right and then find
a safe place to hide on that hallway, I'll meet you there."
"What are you going to do?"
"Don't worry about it
…GO!" He didn't need to be told twice. Raf ran to the backdoor
and was gone. "Hey Lilac, It's just you and me now… How about
we talk this out?" The banging stopped.
"Talk this out?" Is
that what you said?"
"Yeah."
"After you humiliated me
in front of those Erasers? You want to TALK!" she screeched, her
voice sounding like nails being dragged across a chalkboard.
"Sure.
I mean it's not like I pulled down your pants in the middle of the
mess hall...although I think every Eraser already knows that you wear
Hello Kitty underwear." There was dead silence on the other side of
the door. "Hello? Lilac?" BAM! The force sent me flying backwards
onto the tile floor. Then Lilac pounced on top of me with a feral
scream. I struggled to keep her claw like nails away from my face.
"I'm going to slice you up, my dear," she said with a grin.
Lilac freed one of her hands and raked her nails across my right
cheek and then clawed my left. Before she could do anymore damage I
pulled out one of the eggs and smashed it in her face. She yelped
trying to rub the yolk out of her eyes. I slid out from under her and
made a break for the backdoor. She roared angrily and chased after
me. I quickly drew a second egg and threw it on the floor. Blinded by
her fury, Lilac failed to notice the little surprise I left her and
slipped, whacking the back of her head on the floor. She cried out
and held her head momentarily, then removed one of her hands to see
it coated in blood. She looked up at me a fire in her eyes. I stood
in the door way and waved cheekily to her.
"That's IT!" she
said licking the blood off her fingers. Lilac sprang up and raced for
me until she slipped again on the oil I spread on the floor.
I
chuckled "You're not very good at this are you?" She glared at
me and growled, trying to get up off the slick floor. I smiled and
gave her the finger, then ran out of the room….
