Chapter 7

"Yes this has happened before," says Patricia. "Rufus kidnapped me last term."

"Wait, you were kidnapped?" asks Mara in disbelief. "And you escaped?"

Patricia nods. Then she turns to her fellow Sibunas. "Do you think he has Trudy in the same shed he kept me in?"

"Maybe," answers Nina.

"Alright," says Alfie, "Mission: Rescue Trudy is a go." The others laugh as they leave the house in search of their missing housemother.

They arrive at the abandoned shed a few minutes later. Peering through the window they see Rufus standing with his back turned to them. He looks angry, very angry. Looking past Rufus the teenagers can see a woman. She's tied to a chair with tears running down her cheeks. He seems to be yelling at her.

"That's Trudy!" exclaims Amber excitedly.

"Shhh. We have to be quiet or he'll hear us," whispers Fabian.

"How are we going to get her out of there?" asks Jerome.

"I don't know," says Mara, "But I hope we think of something soon. She looks absolutely miserable."

"Hide guys, I think he's leaving." Patricia points to the door as it begins to open. The group hides in the bushes until they see that Rufus is going the other direction. Then they quietly sneak over to the shed only to find that the door is locked. "Great, now what are we going to do?"

"Look, that window's broken," says Jerome. "Do you think any of us can fit through there?"

"Mara's the smallest," says Nina.

"Yeah," says Mara. "I think I can squeeze through there." With that she walks over to the window and within a few moments she is in the shed. "Trudy!" She runs over to the woman and begins comforting her.

"Mara," says Nina. "Can you go unlock the door so we can all come in and help?"

Mara does as she is told and the students set to work untying their housemother. "Thank you so much lovelies," says Trudy. "I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't shown up."

"It would have been bad," says Rufus as he reappears in the doorway, "But now, it'll be worse."

"You aren't going to get away with anything Rufus. We know what you're up to," says a very brave Nina.

"Oh do you?" says Rufus, a hint of mockery in his voice.

"We know that you're the Collector and that you're after the Mask of Anubis. We also know that Seth is your son and that you sent him and Vera to spy on us."

"Ah yes, you are all so clever you know? It really is a shame that I'm going to have to kill you."