Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Joanna and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Between Love And Blood Chapter 21

It appears luck is not on Joanna's side in this distressing development aspect.

Joanna was too late to reach Justin at the boats. He'd already set out with Nicodemous and Mrs. Brisby ahead of the others. In light of this Joanna would have to be sneaked onto a boat and transported to the Brisby home without her brother knowing her sneakiness. Jenner's intentions being the vilest sort Joanna can't leave any single step to chance. Those that do see her simply wave it off as being a spontaneous action she's undertaking. Not garnering any distinct suspicion that'll implicate her in skepticism.

Joanna sincerely wishes that it's the opposite for her elder brother.

By the time she reaches the job site, the modifications for the equipment installations are suitable on schedule. Everything is assembled including all the safety measures enacted to see everyone through this uninjured and alive without reservation which is crucially paramount.

It certainly doesn't help matters when it starts to steadily rain in a torrential downpour during the night. Therefore, making their conjoint tasks that much more difficult.

Factors that Jenner is intent on witnessing severely backfire to his benefit for his own personal initiative.

Justin is on point directing the entire operation and makes sure all is done carefully as the enlisted others strain to turn the wheel, lifting the brick block that is the Brisby home from the dirt and mud.

Joanna tries to climb multiple different pathways, but the spot that he's taken as a lookout is unreachable to her, making it impossibly inaccessible.

Her only hope now is to intervene in time with Jenner before he makes his move. Joanna loses track of time with one thing focused on her mind.

Joanna eventually finds them in a hidden spot directly beside the vital lines keeping everything connected together from falling apart. Their intent is clear to her when she sees the swords held out in the open.

Sullivan appears to be having second thoughts about this entire thing. For Jenner holds his sword to Sullivan's neck in a clear and indisputable threat.

This is more serious than Joanna thought. If Jenner is actually threatening even close friends to do his bidding then he really is reaching madness.

Finally, the block is in position over Nicodemous, and Jenner strikes. Jenner begins to cut the lines, ordering Sullivan to do the same. Common sense returns to Sullivan and he refuses, dropping his sword and backing away. Jenner leaps forward to sever those lines himself and that's when Joanna jumps in at last.

"No, Jenner! Stop," begged Joanna, appearing out of nowhere to stand in his way.

In raging fury Jenner harshly backhands Joanna, sending her sprawling to the side where Sullivan comes to her assistance. They watch helplessly as Jenner finishes the job he came here to do.

The machination moving the block comes apart as the Brisby home drops, collapsing into the mud. Debris, wood, and concrete are sent flying, randomly launching various rats in alternate directions. Nicodemus is hit and sent plummeting from the height he was standing at.

In his old and frail state, Nicodemus never stood a chance.

It's done.

As Jenner secretly relishes in his victory Justin leads a rescue team in on the search for Nicodemous. Breaking away from Sullivan and Jenner, Joanna joins the frantic and panicked search party.

Joanna's worse fears are soon realized following this awful misfortune.

Nicodemus is underneath wood and stone with water dripping onto it.

And he's not moving.

"Oh no! No," shouted Justin, grief-stricken by the revelation.

Authors Note:

Heads up everyone there's someone on fanfiction you need to seriously watch out for. Early a couple of days ago after I woke up I was checking my email and I saw I had a new guest review on my A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic 2 sequel. I took a look at it and got a very big shock. Some random person I've never spoken to before on here or anywhere else in my life was basically threatening me. Intimidating and practically ordering me to write a threatening letter to someone on their behalf, telling to stay off of for life or else they and everyone else close to them would be killed, disgustingly telling them to kill themselves. And at the bottom of the message this crazy person wasn't done. Warning me that if I don't send the letter then they would kill me and for confirmation to email them to make absolutely sure I complied with their demands. Of course I did nothing of the sort. Instead of doing what they wanted I reported them to the website, sent copies of this deplorable guest review message to police officer cousins of mine so they could have it on file, and I went to a nearby police station and reported it.

When I spoke to the police officers and they checked everything on the message they saw, that while the address and names of business were accurate the people and their names were not. They agree it was more than likely a scam because of the email address on the bottom in order to perhaps get access to personal information or potentially hack my computer. Despite that I'm still very happy they took it seriously as I showed and told them everything. All the same I'm still very happy that I brought this to the attention of law enforcement. Even though the entire thing might be fake I'm still very happy to have brought this to the attention of those who can do something about it if it was legit in someway. This may have been a scam, but it's obvious these people are beyond irresponsible if they try to goad people into sending death threats to random strangers just to get access to info.

Be that as it may if this does unfortunately happen to you do not send any messages to the email addresses they put down and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you bring the message to the authorities immediately whether it is legit or not.

Because it's a guest review it might not be visible for a couple of days as it loads if it is sent to you. But when it does you should definitely pressing the report abuse button and send it to the email that leads to the support staff that is available.

Just a heads up to those of you who aren't aware of this yet, Email alerts for this website are now only active if Email opts is enabled in account settings.

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.

So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.

I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.