CHAPTER 16: THE STORM CLOUDS PART
Dear Pencil Pal,
The violence in Sparkyville has finally ended. The Lizard Ladies are no more. The Serpent Sisters, including Lucy, and the Spiders brought the Lizards to the police station tied up. On them was a note stating that they were responsible for the arson attacks on the buildings including Joe's Café and Ace's Ice Cream Shop. Gertie was dropped off at her father's place with a note explaining her part in the original confrontation at his business which resulted in the death of Margaux Holt, as well as her role in Tarantula's escape. From what I understand, her father sent her to stay with her military uncle who suffered no fools. As for Tarantula, the leader of the Lizards, her former boss Black Widow, the leader of the Spiders, and Widow's right-hand girl Orbweaver personally brought her back to the mental facility that she broke out of. The doctor couldn't believe that it was preteens that apprehended a dangerous mental patient. Lucy and the other Serpent Sisters seem to be doing all right. At least this confrontation didn't result in any deaths or anyone getting seriously hurt. The only big casualty was Ace's, but everyone in town had received good news. Ace's would be rebuilt and protected by the city, as would Joe's, even though it suffered the least damage. The movie theater had finally reopened after swift fixing up and cleaning out debris, so kids can go back to watching movies again. Joe's will reopen fully after school has started back up. Shermy is still a little traumatized by the acts of his cousin. He is seeking counseling right now. As for myself, I'm doing okay. Frieda is better since learning that Ace's is getting rebuilt. That place hold a special place in both of our hearts, as it was the sight of our first dance together. Well that's about it. I'll be in touch.
Your friend,
Charlie Brown
Amanda was at Margaux's grave for the first time. She was about to leave in a few hours to her new town so she could go back to school. But she wanted to pay her respects to her fellow Serpent Sister and repent for the fact that it was her that sent Margaux to her grave. She was surprised when she saw Wendy, her mother, come up. Amanda was, understandably nervous. She hoped that Wendy wouldn't start up on her again and try to do something to her in retaliation. But instead, Wendy placed her hand on Amanda's shoulder and said only a few words.
"I forgive you, Amanda."
A few hours later, Amanda was with her parents going to a new town far away from Sparkyville. On the way out of town when they stopped at the corner, Amanda saw her fellow Serpent Sisters Lucy, Cobra, and Rattler, along with the original Serpents and Black Widow, Orbweaver, and the Spiders. They all waved to Amanda. She shed a tear and waved to her friends. They all smiled. And Amanda and her parents disappeared down the road.
At a press conference at Hennepin County Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Barnes prepared a speech for the press. He began, "Words cannot express how sorry we are about this breach of security and safety. Hilary Wilson was brought back to our facilities and we have placed her in a secured cell. It is obvious that we aren't equipped to deal with a most dangerous individual, so it has been decided that Ms. Wilson will be transferred to a federal facility that can handle dangerous mental patients like her. She will remain at this facility for the rest of her natural life, as it has be determined that she will never be fit to be in society ever. In short, she cannot be rehabilitated. And we had discussed the matter with her parents and they agree with our recommendations. Hilary Wilson will never see the light of day on the outside again."
TWO MONTHS LATER…
Charlie Brown, Linus, Frieda, Lucy, Schroeder, and Dolores were waiting for the bus to go to school. They were finally starting junior high school, one step from the big leagues for them. And all of the kids were excited because they would finally be joining up with Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Franco, Hans, Franklin, Melanie, and Claudia all at the same school.
"So are you going to try out for the orchestra, Schroeder?" asked Linus.
"I just might, Linus," Schroeder replied. "Show them what real classical music is all about."
"I know my man will do good in there," said Lucy.
"I just wish that summer would have lasted longer," lamented Charlie Brown.
"Me too, sweetie," agreed Frieda. "But alas, the call of learning beckons us again."
"¿Qué?" said a confused Dolores. Everyone laughed. Just then, a familiar girl came walking up.
"I'm just glad I can finally be at the same school as you guys," she said.
"You said it, Joslyn!" said an excited Linus.
"I'm glad you're here, Jos," said Lucy.
"Me too, Lucy," said Joslyn. "Since my family thought that Sparkyville would be a better town for me to be in than Detroit, they figured I be safer here."
"If only she'd been here a couple of months ago," said Schroeder under his breath. He was elbowed by both Charlie Brown and Linus.
"How did Sally react to you not being there to walk her to the bus stop anymore, babe?" asked Frieda.
"The usual Sally Brown drama, of course," lamented Charlie Brown. "Even though I said that she didn't need me to babysit her anymore, she droned on and on about who was going to protect her from the bullies."
"Some things don't change, Charlie Brown," giggled Frieda.
"You're not lying!" And the two of them exchanged kisses as the bus showed up to take them to their new school. And with Joslyn now part of their ranks, things were going to be even crazier than before, but the good kind of crazy.
THE END (almost)
UP NEXT, AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HPDRUMMERMAN