Chapter eleven
Baxter Mansion
As Will and I pulled up outside the gates of Baxter Mansion we were rendered completely speechless by the amazing splendour of the grand building. Commissioned by Baxter's great granddad Edward Baxter the mansion was designed to fit with the extravagant elegance of the era, two stories high and the length of a football pitch it was less of a mansion and more of a palace, with massive bay windows and Juliet balcony's running the length of the building, a grand oak door three times the size of any ordinary door stood proudly at the front of the mansion. But the building it's self was nothing compared to breathtaking gardens that surrounded the mansion, it was magnificence at its best. So this was what it was like to live on the west side of town.
"What do we do about the guard?" Asked Will turning my attention to the small building stood beside the large iron gates blocking the entrance.
"You distract him." I said, a horrified look swept across my friends face.
"By doing what exactly?" He asked.
"I dunno; make it up as you go along." I replied getting out of the car. "I won't be long."
"You'd better not be. I don't like the idea of you being in there on your own." He said slamming his car door.
"We all decided it would be best for me to go in on my own, it'll be easier for me to get in and out if it's just me. I'll be fine." I said smiling at how big brotherly my friend was.
Will walked over to the guard house and knocked on the glass, while I hid behind the guard house.
"Pouvez-vous m'aider?" Will asked.
"Errrr, can I help you mate?" asked the confused guard, he clearly didn't know his French.
"Mon pneu, c'est plat!" Will said pointing to his car and then the tire.
"You've got a flat?" Asked the guard leavening the booth to go and inspect Will's tire. I seized the opportunity and snuck into the booth. I pressed the button for the gates to open and ran through, hiding behind a stone beam on the other side.
"What was that?" the guard asked turning round at the noise.
"La porte vous garçon stupide!" Will insulted, he had always been good at French. I tried my hardest not to laugh while wondering where Will learned to say "The gate you stupid boy!" in French.
The guard walked back to the guard house and closed the gates, a puzzled look on his face, had someone snuck in?
"Look mate am sorry but there's nothing up with your tire its fine." He said turning back to Will "Tire" He said pointing to the wheel "Is ooookayy." He stretched out the syllables and mimed an ok sign.
Will rolled his eyes and got back in his dad's car, he drove off down the hill and round the corner where Baxter's property ended. He would wait for me there.
I headed silently up Baxter's drive looking for the window Mark had mentioned. Back at Sherwood while we had been planning out tonight's escapade he had clued me in on Baxter's security system. In addition to the armed guard at the gate there was a tall stone wall surrounding the perimeter of the house, security steal shutters on every window and door in the mansion, CCTV cameras and hourly squadrons of security guards armed with police dogs. And that was just for the outside.
Mark however had assured me this was a good thing, he said with all this security Baxter would have become cocky; overconfident sure that no one could get through his protections, and therefore wouldn't be expecting company. However in my opinion this was no good, what was the point in all of that if I couldn't actually get in, in the first place? Being attacked by vicious canines is being attacked by vicious canines anyway you slice it.
When I told Mark this he wasn't best pleased, he said if I had let him finish he would have told me about how one room didn't have all these high security measures. After going on the internet and finding out the original plans for the Baxter mansion security (how I have no idea) he found that one window in one of the spare room's didn't have pressure sensitive glass operating reinforced steel shutters, no CCTV camera facing it and was just simply a glass window.
Following Marks instructions I found the window, there was no light on inside, perfect. Keeping in the shadows I made my way to the window, struggling to see in the dark, the room was on the second floor and sported a beautiful Juliet balcony making it ideal for my needs. I pushed down my mask and pulled up my hood and took out a rope from my bag. Attaching the rope to an arrow I aimed under the railing of the balcony, the arrow zoomed under the bar bounced of the window pain and sunk into a wooden beam above the balcony door. Sticking a metal peg into the ground I tied the rope down and began to climb.
Reaching the balcony I tiptoed across it and silently opened the doors, I noiselessly slipped into the room and was putting on a pair of leather gloves (When sneaking its important not to leave any finger prints) when suddenly the lights flicked on and I let out a gasp as George Baxter appeared in the door way. Oh crap.
Lent against the door frame, arms crossed, George Baxter watched me with interest, waiting to see how I reacted.
"Your abit early" He said "I hadn't expected you to get past all the security so quickly." He said taking a step forward; I stood still, shocked; this had been a set up.
"It's impressive; my farther really doesn't know what he's up against." He crossed the plain spare room (which contained only a single bed, one wardrobe and an old computer). I took a step back, edging towards the balcony door. He noticed this and his smile broadened before he said.
"It's OK, you don't have to be afraid, im not my farther you know."
Still looking like a dear caught in head lights I took another step away. He was now right in front of me scanning what little of my face he could see through my disguise, searching for my eyes.
"You and I need to talk." He said reaching out to touch my cheek. And I wasn't having that.
Suddenly enraged I slapped his hand way and swung my foot into his side. He bucked over and I dashed for the door, only to be tripped up by Baxter Jr. Landing on my chest I let out a moan of pain, clutching his side he stood over me and offered a hand. Huh whatever, I jumped up and took my fight stance, one good hit and then I'd leg it. But he just laughed and said.
"I don't want to fight you."
With those words I ran at him tripped him up and kicked him in mid fall. Ha! And that's only because you'd lose. Again I made a run for it only for him grab my foot and send me tumbling. Kicking myself free and wriggled out of his grasp and scrambled to my feet, Baxter doing the same managed to grab my wrist before I could make a run for it, spinning me round to face him and grabbing my other wrist. Before I could react he flung me against the wall and pined me there with his chest, my traitorous heart beating wildly at the intimacy.
Pressing against me a sudden look of realisation fell across his face, he dropped his gaze to my chest and abandoned what he was about to say. He knew. He looked me up and down and said.
"I knew it."
He pushed down my hood revealing my pulled back hair and masquerade masked face.
"I don't want to fight you." He said softly "I want to help."
We stared into each others eyes trying to decide what the other was going do next. My crazy heart beating against his, our lips inches apart.
"This was a trap then?" I asked.
"I wouldn't say trap exactly." He said softly.
"You lure me here, hide in the dark and jump out at me when I walk in. What would you call that then?" I asked I still didn't trust this guy.
"A surprise" He said laughing at my distrust. "Im not here to hurt you." He repeated.
"Why should I trust you?" I sceptically asked.
"Well for a start I haven't called security yet, and maybe because im not shouting from the rooftops that the famous Robin Hood of Locksdale is in fact a young girl." He replied.
"Yet." I replied.
"I won't tell anyone." He said and then our lips met.
The terrifying thing was, I didn't resist, and I even kissed him back. Gone with the moment I forgot where I was and who I was with. I forgot how different we were and how opposite our worlds were. I forgot how this could never be.
Reality hit like a ton of bricks. I was kissing George Baxter. I pulled away and he studied my face and went to remove my mask, stopping him I shook my head and slipped away from him he didn't resist, his delicate face awash with confusion.
I answered his questioning look with one word.
"No."
I started to back away to the balcony door horrified by my moment of madness. What had just happened?
I was snapped from my trance like state by the sharp ring of my mobile. It was Mark.
"Hello." I answered my voice shaking.
"Robin! You gotta get here now! Something's going down." He said breathless.
I didn't need anymore persuading, here I was snogging the enemy's son when my family needed me, and I felt so low.
"I'll be right there." I assured Mark. Without a word to George I turned and ran out onto the balcony my cheeks flaming, with a backwards glance I saw George make a move towards me and then decide against it. Things were going to get complicated around here.
Hudson Farm
When Will and I first pulled up outside my parent's farm everything looked fine, all was silent all was calm. That's what worried us, where were the others?
We crept down the lane, every sense on high alert. Hidden in the shadows of the hedgerows we reached the farm house, all the lights were off everyone was asleep as it was 12 0'clock midnight. Suddenly Will let out a cry and vanished from sight, before I could shout 'Will' as I had been planning a hand slipped over my mouth and I was pulled back into the hedge. I started to struggle desperate to free myself from my captor, so I bit the hand covering my mouth, but instead of hearing the curse of a thug I heard an.
"Ouch, Robin!" From an injured John.
"Opse, sorry." I said as everyone came into focus.
"It doesn't matter" Said John still clutching his hand "I told you we shouldn't have surprised them like that." He shot at Mark.
But Mark wasn't listening he was too busy telling me what had happened.
"About half an hour ago three guys dressed in black walked onto the farm" He whispered "We left them alone and waited to see what they did, but the thing is they haven't come back and we haven't heard anything on the farm."
"Someone is coming." Jack said suddenly.
Peeking through the bush I saw my front door slowly open.
"That's my dad." I whispered as I watched him pass and head onto the farm.
"Why's he walking on to the farm at this time of night?" John asked.
"The calf" I said "There's an orphan calf on the farm; it keeps wondering off in the night, he has to check on it."
"He's heading right for Baxter's thugs!" Mark said.
"Dad!" I gasped getting to my feet and running after him, who knew what they'd do to dad if they found him alone.
"Robin! Wait up!" Shouted Will as he and the others chased after me but I wasn't slowing down for nobody, my dad needed me.
I arrived in the farm yard far enough ahead of the others to take in the scene. Chickens and cows roamed free around the farm yard, barn doors and roof tiles had been ripped off and scattered, smashed eggs littered the entrance to the chicken coop, it was total and complete chaos and there was no sign of dad.
"Wow, what happened here?" asked Will looking around.
"I don't get it." Said Jack who was confused by the matter, when she had first moved to Locksdale her family had been given a hard time by Baxter, with never-ending investigations and pointless taxes and fines, Baxter and his goons' had looked down their noses at them the whole time (this is what little she had told us about her life, but still we'd only known her a day), she agreed Baxter was a spiteful dictator and had to be stopped, but didn't see what relevance this had.
"Its Baxter's doing, he's trying to force Robin's parents to sell the farm" Mark explained " All this will cost a lot to repair, and her family don't have the money, he wants them to give it up as a bad job and sell the place and he can begin building the shopping centre."
"How petty." Jack commented and the others silently agreed with her.
I strained my ears, any sound that would lead me to my dad or the thugs.
"Look." Said Jhon pointing up ahead to a storage barn, long dark shadows could be seen from the open door and the five of them could hear whispered chatter.
"Split up." I instructed "Will and Mark you take the back entrance, John the side, Jack you and I take the front."
The five set off, arriving at the front entrance Jack and I had a perfect view of what was happening in the barn. Three thugs dressed in all black congregated in the centre of the barn a large bundle of hay at their feet, the three looked around nervously and one of them, I noticed, was holding a box of matches, and sat on the edge of the hay loft looking over at all of this was my dad.
The others looked at me from their hiding places, their questioning gazes asking what to do next. Staring Will and then Mark in the eyes I pointed at myself and Jack and then the three in the middle of the room, we were to take them. I then looked at John and pointed to dad, he had to get him out of here.
Myself, Jack, Mark and Will ran forward to catch the goons attention, John using our cover clambered up to the hey loft to help my dad.
"Oi!" Will shouted as he stood side by side with Mark on one side of the three.
"Over here!" I shouted stood next to Jack on the other side.
"Hood." Said one and the other two started to panic; one made a run for it but was yanked back by the other who was clearly in charge.
"Don't just stand there, get them!" He shouted.
The three of them ran forward, we split up me and Will taking one goon of our own, Jack (who was new to this) partnered with Mark and they took the third.
My world quickened, as it always did in these situations, everything a blur I had no idea what was happening to the others, I could only see the guy in front of me. Deep in battle with my goon I didn't see John manage to convince my farther that he wasn't one of the bad guys. Delivering a swift kick to the guy's chest I didn't notice my dad start to clamber down the steps intent on joining the fight and chasing the goons off his land. I did however turn round in time to see the goon who had been fighting Will, knock him to the ground and take a run towards John and my dad, I watched in horror as he rammed into the ladder and caused John and my dad to fall from half way. I stood transfixed as I watched them fall time moving in slow motion as John managed to land on a bundle of hay, my dad not so lucky, landed on his leg which broke on impact.
Blinded with rage I left my goon and ran at the one who had hurt my dad, single-minded and with one purpose, to make him pay.
Approaching the guy I clenched my fist and swung hard sending him reeling. Not satisfied I walked over to him grabbed him by the shirt and hit him again, and again and again. I was too engaged in my revenge to notice the first thug coming up behind me; I heard the cling of a retched blade being pulled from its holder and felt the pressure of steel in my side.
I dropped the goon and looked around for help, it didn't look good. Jack was diagnosing John and dad and Mark and Will were fending off the other goon. I was all alone, what a night this had been.
I was considering how much a fool I was and how long this goon would have me stood at knife point for, when suddenly the pressure of the knife was gone, I heard my captor let out a cry of pain and I dared to turn round and see what was up.
My mysterious man, or The Crusader as half the town call him, was stood over the goon and removing the knife from his grasp, he then threw it onto the hey loft and out of reach.
"You alright?" He asked his voice full of concern and laughter at the same time.
I nodded, it was starting to get embarrassing, and I really owed my life to this guy.
"Thanks, I owe you." I managed to say in spite of my humiliation.
He smiled his response and examined my would be captor, trying to decide if he was a threat. He got his answer when the guy jumped to his feet and aimed a punch at The Crusader (which I really didn't like calling him) I knew he could handle him without me and scanned the room for my dad. He was still by the ladder with John and Jack, thankfully he was no longer sprawled out on the floor but standing up (sort of) and insisting he helped the rest of us kick ass, much to John and Jack's horror. I smiled to myself that was just like dad.
But I didn't get the chance to go over there and help them restrain him because I was knocked to the floor by Crusader when he was sent flying by the goon.
"Sorry." He moaned painfully as he stood up and offered me his hand, which most uncharacteristically I took.
I rubbed my head and Crusader ran once again into the fray, this time he wouldn't be alone, that had hurt. In mid run my instincts went wild, something wasn't right. I turned my head and spotted the problem, the thug I had beaten up was now stood over the pile of hay with the box of matches. He noticed me looking at him and smirked taking out a match, oh no you don't. I charged at him but it was too late, he struck the match and I could only watch as it fell to the ground.
The fire started instantly, a huge ball of orange light in the centre of the barn. Oh no.
"Jack!" I shouted "Get him out of here."
Jack complied and took my dad to safety. Meanwhile all the goons began to run for their lives, the fire was spreading quicker than they had expected. The animals in the barn yard smelling the smoke began to moo and cluck in a frightened frantic way running in all directions desperate to try and get enough distance between them and the flames, it was pandemonium. And I couldn't find my men.
"Will! Mark! John!" I shouted "Crusader!" I sounded stupid but I couldn't exactly leave him here, the whole place was coming down. I searched franticly but I couldn't see anything, the barn was catching alight so fast, my vision was clouded by orange flames and smoke, where were they?
"Robin!" Shouted Will and my heart rose, they were ok. I followed Will's voice and ended up in the yard. Will, Jhon, Mark and Jack, who had found a safe spot to leave my dad and rushed back to help, were holding an old hose of my dads attached to the farm tap. It wasn't much but maybe it would out the worst of the fire.
I looked around, something wasn't right.
"Where's the Crusader?" I asked not seeing him anywhere.
"I haven't seen him" Replied Will "Now move Robin we need to put this out."
"No!" I said "What if he's still in there."
"He won't be Robin; he's not stupid he'll have got out." Mark said matter of factly.
They began to spray, clearing a path in the flames, he had saved my life. Without a second thought I ran into the barn using the path they cleared, he was still in here, I knew it.
"Robin!" All four of my friends coursed. But it was too late to turn back now, I was in. I looked around, I had clearly underestimated Granddads barn, it was still standing perfectly. But that didn't make it safe.
"Hello?" I shouted into the fire "Are you there." Drat no answer.
I coughed as the thick gray smoke filled my lungs; I jumped when a cough echoed through the room answering mine.
"Hello?" I shouted again. This time I got an answer.
"Robin?" It asked. I followed his voice and found the mysterious Crusader laying on the floor nursing his head which had a huge bump on it; I think it was safe to say a goon had delivered in on the way out for good measure, knocking him unconscious.
I ran to his side and helped him up; he could stand, but barely.
"Come on." I said and headed back the way I came only to find it blocked by the blaze.
"Help!" I shouted.
"The hose." I spluttered.
"Guys!" I coughed.
Suddenly a long spray of water jetted into the barn, as the cool spray hit my face I smiled at the sensation, it cleared my head. The hose still at work the fire was dwindling away as soon as I saw an opening I ran for it dragging the Crusade with me. As soon as we hit the cold night air I collapsed. The others surrounded us, trying to decide if we were ok.
Sitting up on my hands and knees I coughed violently, Mark patted my back and when I was ready John helped me up, Will and Jack watched white as sheets. I turned to Crusader still on the floor; he spluttered and sat up looking around him his once white mask the colour of char coal.
"Are you alright?" I asked, he looked up at me and smiled.
"Yeah, I guess were even." He replied.
He staggered to his feet and looked me straight in the eyes; I looked back with a sense of familiarity.
"Thanks." He said.
The crackling of the remaining wisps of fire was soon drowned out by the sound of sirens belting out. Someone had the good sense to call the fire fighters, lights were on in the house, and my family were awake.
If we didn't leave soon my whole family would be down here to see what had gone off. My mother, Joey and sister Alice would surely come to investigate where dad was, even my grandparents (on my dads side, mums had died long ago) who also lived with us wouldn't miss this excitement.
"We need to get out of here." I said the others murmured agreement.
"Right you are." Crusader said trying to leavening.
"Oh no you don't" I said "You need to wait for the ambulance."
"I'll be fine, its nothing." He said but at the same time his body betrayed him and he let out a violent cough and he doubled over in pain. It was as if he could see the raised eyebrow under my mask.
"Im fine." He said sternly "I can look after myself."
At our sceptical looks he pointed at me and said.
"Your one to talk, I bet you don't see a doctor."
True.
I dropped it and let him leave; we hung back and waited for the fire men to arrive before leaving. I had to get back to my room before my parents realised I wasn't there.
Removing my disguise I crept into the house only to have my mum run at me and envelope me in a hug.
"Where were you?" she asked talking into my hair "I went into your room and you weren't there, I was so worried."
"I went out for some air mum." I lied.
Mum let me go and started to tell me what had happened, dad had broken his leg after stumbling across someone in the barn, no one knew anything else but dad had been saying something about Robin Hood. He was now in the A&E at Locksdale hospital.
As mum stood and told me what I already knew my mind was racing at one hundred miles per hour, if only I hadn't been at Baxter's, this might not have happened. If only I hadn't been making out with my enemy's son dad wouldn't be in A&E right now. Dad's injury was nothing serious I knew that but sill I was riddled with guilt. I had to put things right.