First, I would like to say that I am so, so sorry for not posting this earlier because it has been finished for over a month now. Second, I'd like to pose you all a question: Do you think I should up the rating to T? I want replies for this, and not all form the same person either, because I want to know what ALL you readers think. Anyhow, Chapter Sixteen is when things are (finally) going to start going somewhere!

Randall woke that morning to a sharp rap on the door. Without waiting for a response, the door was opened to reveal a grim-faced monster who scowled at Randall before barking, "Up. The boss wants to see you."

Randall stretched and got out of bed slowly; he wasn't about to let this monster see how scared he was. He tried for a faint smile, but wasn't sure how successful he was; he hadn't smiled in over fifteen years.

About ten minutes later, Randall found himself facing 'the boss', as the surly monster had put it; an organisation like this would have multiple bosses, and Randall got the feeling that this guy wasn't that much further up the food chain than his subordinates.

This 'boss' was a skinny fellow, with two pairs of stick-thin arms, each with multiple joints, and sharp spikes protruding from his shoulders. His flat-topped head was smothered in eyes, all narrowed at Randall. The thin-lipped mouth resting just above the collarbone opened.

"So apparently, you want to join us, then."

All of Randall's confidence disappeared when he heard that voice. It was so cold, so cruel, and Randall knew that this was not someone to upset; he wouldn't hesitate to terminate Randall's life if he did anything wrong. Not trusting himself to speak, Randall just nodded.

The eyes narrowed further. "And how do we know we can trust you? How do we know that you're not a spy?"

Randall pushed his shoulder back, doing his best to ignore the bubbles of anxiety rising in his stomach. "My name is Randall Boggs. I have suffered at the hands of the so called 'justice system', so I have no love for the Monstropolis government."

"And how do we know this isn't a trap? You wouldn't be the first person to cut a deal with the police: a few years of your prison sentence to infiltrate this place. I assure you that if you are, you won't be leaving the building alive."

Randall swallowed nervously. "I'm not an infiltrator."

"Prove it."

###

Mary came downstairs to Tessa staring at the mushrooms and tomatoes in the frying pan in front of her with a thoughtful expression on her face. She realised at once that something was wrong; the tomatoes were looking black and crispy.

"Something going on?"

Tessa shook her head. "No, not really."

She wasn't at all convincing, and Mary frowned. "You're burning breakfast."

Tessa blinked. "Oh, right."

Mary coughed. "Have you and Scarlett decided what to do about Rex yet?"

Tessa's hands flew to her temples. "Oh my goodness, I completely forgot about him; he'll need to eat, too! Boo, would you be a darling and give him all this? I can cook more for us." and so saying, she began to scrape the blackened food onto a plate.

Mary's frown deepened. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't really seem with it."

Tessa made an exasperated noise. "I'm fine, and hurry! Poor Rex; he must be starving."

###

Tessa wasn't okay; she felt a tumult of emotions crashing around in herself. Not only did she feel horribly compromised as an agent, but she was also confused as to what was wrong with Scarlett: why wouldn't she allow extra backup? It just didn't make sense.

Numbly, she started to fry some more tomatoes and mushrooms.

###

Rex heard footsteps to his room. He looked up as the door opened. It was the human girl, with a plate of burned food in one hand. Rex's stomach growled; burned it may be, but he was hungry.

The girl held out the plate awkwardly, and he took it. "Thanks."

She hopped from foot to foot. "Sorry it's burnt."

"S'okay."

The girl looked lost for a second, than she left, closing the door quietly and turning the key in the lock. Rex listened as her footsteps echoed around the empty landing, then began to eat.

###

"...I mean, she's the only human outside of this little organisation who knows about Monstropolis, I guess. That has to be important, right?"

The bony monster leaned forward, hands clasped.

"So you're saying you know where this girl is?"

Randall nodded.

"The girl who caused the major panic eleven years ago when she found her way back through her door?"

Another nod.

"And she remembers... all this?"

"She certainly seemed to."

"You saw her?"

Randall swallowed. "Briefly."

The boss may have been impressed. Or he may have been bored; it was hard to tell. "All right, I'm willing to give you a trial. You stay here, and I'll have people watching you to ensure you don't try anything, and I'll send my best team to her house. Agreed?"

"Uh, okay." Randall winced. 'Uh'? Really? He should have just nodded, but it was too late now.

The boss smiled. "good."