It's good to be back! I'm sorry I haven't had much motivation lately, but I finally got around to digging out the notebook I was writing this in and typed some up. I've discovered just how much my writing has changed these past few years in the process. Hopefully the next few chapters will be of better quality.
They soon discovered the screaming originated from a building across the street. The door had been forced in the same fashion as its predecessor. But, this time, lights still flooded the doorway, clearly showing the monstrosity was still in progress.
Basil ran swiftly but silently, trying to avoid being eclipsed by the light. He was followed closely by his friends, old and new. He made sure no one could see them approaching, then signaled for the others to follow as he finished the crossing to the doorway. Once there, he turned to his companions. "Get the family out of the house," he told them. "I'll take care of our mouse-murdering adversary." They nodded, and went up the stairs just inside the door to search. Jo, however, lingered.
"Basil," she said, looking fearful, "what if the worst should happen? What's going to stop them from doing the same thing they did to Bill and –" She broke off, appearing sad and furious at herself at the same time.
Basil patted her shoulder affectionately. "I'll be fine. You'll see me again faster than you can say 'saint loony up the cream bun and jam.'"
Jo stared at him blankly.
"Never mind," Basil chuckled. Jo ascended the stairs, a worried look gracing her features.
Basil followed his instincts as he slunk through the house, listening as the screams got louder and louder still. Then, all at once, they were silenced. He turned in the nearest doorway and saw a large figure standing over a bloody mass of ex-mouse. The figure heard him coming and turned to look him in the face. It was all Basil could do not to cry out.
"Ratigan!"
His former arch-nemesis grinned. He was wearing the same tattered clothes that he wore the last time Basil saw him. "Why, Basil! What an unexpected…pleasure." He cackled with delight in that gravely way that always made Basil shiver.
"Ratigan, what the – " For the first time in his life, Basil was speechless. "You're dead! I saw you die!"
"Appearances are oft deceiving." The rat's smile faded, replaced by a scowl of rage and loathing. "Now, pleasantries aside, it9s time I did what I should have done THIRTY YEARS AGO!"
He leapt at Basil, landing a punch square in the detective's mouth. Basil recoiled, trying to run, but the rat was just too fast. Fists, claws, and pain seemed to come from everywhere. He tried fighting back, but his feet gave way beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Ratigan then took an ornamental sword off the wall and drove it into the mouse's left shoulder. Basil screamed with agony as he felt the blade pierce the floor beneath him. The rat above him withdrew the sword and raised it over his head, ready to deliver the final blow.
"NO, NO!" cried a voice. "I SAID NOT YET!"
Ratigan looked up, then back down at Basil. He growled, dropped the sword, and left. Basil croaked meekly for help as both consciousness and blood slowly oozed out of his body.