Michelle lay down on an operating chair holding Abigail's hand, as Dr. Brannigan prepared his equipment. Willy was in the waiting room, though he'd been given some herbal painkillers to help with the beating he'd taken the day before.
"It's perfectly safe, Miss Abigail," the rat said, wearing a lab coat with gloves as he readied the equipment, "Humans have been perfecting this technique for a few years now, though it has yet to hit the mainstream. They were even testing this out on some of the rats at NIMH. It works by using concentrated beams of light called 'lasers' to reshape the cornea and correct vision. It's a little uncomfortable, but quite painless. In little Michelle's case, her eyes were damaged by poison gas; the chlorine gas caused an acidic reaction that burned her retinas and caused scars on her corneas. It looks like the medical herbs were applied just in time to prevent her from going completely blind. But, with this sophisticated piece of technology, the damage shouldn't be too hard to repair."
"Um…wh-what's all that mean?" asked Michelle. Abigail herself only understood bits and pieces of the medical jargon.
"It means I should be able to get you seeing just like you used to again, without corrective lenses," the doctor said, examining the glasses, "By the way these glasses are rather advanced for a forest creature to have."
"Uncle Cornelius made them for me," Michelle said, "We had to test them out lots and lots of times before he made a pair that helped me see."
"What about her asthma, doctor?" Abigail asked.
"Oh…I'm afraid that might be much more difficult. You see, the chlorine gas damaged her inner respiratory system."
Michelle sighed, as Abigail stroked her hand.
"That inhaler device is rather impressive as well though," said the doctor, "More human technology adopted for rodents I presume."
"We got it in the big city," said Michelle.
"As I thought. Now then, anyway, I want you to sit back and relax. This shouldn't take too long."
Using pieces of adhesive tape, he taped each one of Michelle's eyelids open.
Abigail squeezed her hand, "Don't be afraid."
The doctor handed Abigail a glass of water, "If you'd like to, you can administer water droplets to her eyes periodically so that they don't dry out."
Abigail gave a silent nod, looking down at a worried Michelle. The doctor moved the device toward Michelle's face; a microscope-like device which shined a bright light through a red crystal.
Out in the waiting room, both Willy and Teresa could hear Michelle's frightened whimpers.
"The poor girl," said Teresa.
"I sure hope these rats know what they're doing," Willy said, "You know back in the field where I'm from you could never trust a rat. Then again, members of separate species never got along there."
"This isn't the wilderness," said Teresa, "Here we have unity, and everyone works to help one another instead of just themselves."
"That why the council voted not to help us, and I ended up getting knocked out by a gigantic maniac when we got here?" Willy asked in a bitter tone.
Teresa didn't have an easy answer for that. The room was silent save for Michelle's fearful gasps, asking the doctor to let her shut her eyes. Willy had grown very attached to Michelle, and he hated hearing it.
"I know Thorn Valley has a way's to go before it's perfect," Teresa conceded, "I guess if I'd received the kind of welcome you did I'd be jaded by it too. But really, what we're trying to build here is a utopia, just as Nicodemus would have wanted it. He was one of our founders you know."
"Seems to me like the kinda place they'd build at the meadow I'm from if the mice and squirrels were more intelligent; someplace to keep everyone else out."
"We just don't want anyone else finding out about it," Teresa argued.
"There's another thing that's been bothering me too. If you guys really are so much smarter than everyone, how come our friend Gadget can build all sorts of electrical stuff? She was never injected at NIMH. I've felt like a dummy ever since I left the meadow, but even I can see this."
"W-well, that is a good point…but the serum made us stronger, made us live longer, and it did make our brains larger."
"Ah, well okay, I'll give you that," Willy said, rubbing the back of his head.
"But you're right…maybe we aren't all we make ourselves out to be."
At that moment the door to the waiting room opened. Edgar and Russell entered, followed by Gadget, Dale and Zipper.
"We heard Michelle was here," said Edgar.
"Yeah, she's getting her eyes fixed," said Willy.
"I'd have never guessed they'd mastered laser eye surgery here," said Gadget, "I've been reading about it in my science magazines, it's a pretty new procedure."
"Is it really gonna fix her eyesight?" Edgar asked.
"We'll see for sure if it does," said Gadget.
"Why don't you get it done too?" Russell asked Edgar.
"There's nothing wrong with my eyes. I'm just a mole, we don't see well in the light. I'd be underground most of the time if it weren't for you guys."
"Bet you must love it here," Dale grumbled, "I'm getting claustrophobic."
"I've been fine here actually," Edgar said.
"Well the whole procedure for Michelle should take a couple hours, depending on when they started," said Gadget, "You know, we got invited to dinner with Justin, I hope he understands if we run a bit late."
"Dinner with that guy huh?" Willy said, "Maybe he'll give us more answers."
"He wants to find some way to let us go," said Gadget, not speaking too loudly.
"I think he will," said Teresa, "That's got to be why he gave her the stone."
"What exactly does that thing do anyway?" Dale asked.
"Well, my mom used it to lift our house when we were sinking into the mud," said Teresa.
"Really?" Gadget asked.
Teresa nodded, "I didn't see it, I was inside the house. But I heard she glowed like she was on fire, and she just lifted it. The whole cinder block. With her mind."
"You sure you aren't embellishing the story just a little?" Gadget asked, skeptical.
"It's what she said, and everyone who was there," said Teresa, "She even had burns on her hands when it was done."
"Hm…I'd have to see evidence first," said Gadget.
"So how long are we waiting here for?" Dale asked.
"Until she gets out," said Willy, "At least I am anyway."
"Me too," said Edgar.
"Yeah, and me,' said Russell, "We furlings stick together."
"I think we should all be here when she gets out,' said Gadget, "She needs our support."
Zipper nodded with a smile.
"Oh alright," said Dale, "Anyone for tic tac toe or something? Maybe hangman?"
The wait was long and tense, a tension only broken by Dale's playing games with the children by drawing on the dirt floor, if only to relieve his utter boredom. After a long wait, finally the doors opened. Michelle was led out by Abigail, with a blindfold over her eyes. It immediately made everyone in the room fear the worst.
At noticing the worried expressions, Dr. Brannigan was quick to inform them, "Not to worry folks, I believe the operation was a success. She'll need to keep her eyes closed for the time being though, and to help with that I've provided a blindfold."
"You sure she's not blind now?" Edgar accused.
"Heavens no, she'll be fine by morning."
Abigail led Michelle toward Willy as she stumbled.
"Are you alright Michelle?" Willy asked.
"My eyes feel dry, I had to keep them open for a long long time, and the doctor flashed some bright lights in my eyes too."
"Poor thing," Gadget said, "Why don't we get you back to the apartment."
"Phew, I thought we'd never get out of here," said Dale.
"Maybe someone should carry Michelle," said Abigail.
"I'll do it," Willy offered.
"But you're hurt," said Abigail.
"Nah, it's no problem," Willy said, picking Michelle up in his arms and wincing. Abigail put a hand on his shoulder with concern, but Michelle wrapped her arms around his neck and he had her up.
"You sure are strong," said Michelle.
"Y-yeah, I guess I am…" he said, as they exited.
"If it starts to hurt I'll take her," said Abigail, before turning back to the doctor, "Thanks again."
With that they walked through the catacombs of Thorn Valley back to the living space they'd been allotted.
Justin sat at the end of the dining table, reclining in it carelessly, when the double doors opened. The tall caped figure of Brutus entered the room, leaning his spear against the wall near the door.
"I'm here. Now what is this really about?" he demanded.
"Easy Brutus, just have a seat," Justin said, motioning toward the other end of the table. Plates were set out, and bowls with berries, grains and nuts were placed across the long table, "I'm going to explain everything."
"Seems to be set for a lot of rats," Brutus remarked, sitting down, "I am not the only invite am I?"
"Ah, that serum must have finally enlarged your brain," Justin said, polishing a berry and biting into it, "You'll see."
Brutus glared, "I'm in no mood for your jokes, Justin. Whatever you have in mind here better not make me sore."
"I hope you'll behave yourself," Justin said firmly, "The others should arrive any time now."
It was only a short wait before a rat soldier opened the doors to Justin's dining room.
"Your guests, sir," the soldier said.
Brutus looked over his shoulder, and gave a snarl of disgust when Gadget entered the room, followed by the others. Only Michelle and Zipper were missing. They in turn were shocked to see Brutus sitting at one end of the table.
"Oh no, I'm not gonna be in the same room with that guy again,' said Willy.
Abigail held onto Willy's hand, and looked to Justin, "What is this about?"
"I'd like to know that too," Brutus said, turning to Justin, "You expect me to share a meal with these intruders?"
"Sit down, everyone, please,' Justin answered, "I want us to discuss things like civilized creatures. Is that alright with everyone?"
"I guess so," said Gadget, "As long as its safe."
"Luckily you have Justin here to protect your scrawny hides," said Brutus.
Uneasily, the furlings, Gadget and Dale sat down, with two seats closest to Brutus empty. Russell was the first to begin filling his plate. Since there were no objections to this, the others did so as well.
"Are we missing people?" Justin asked.
"Dr. Brannigan fixed Michelle's eyes," said Abigail, "Zipper and Teresa stayed behind with her in case she needed help, but she's asleep anyway."
"Is that so? Hm, well I trust in the doctor's skills, he's performed the operation successfully before. Anyway, now then, Brutus?"
"Yes, your honor?" he answered irritably.
"I know you have a brilliant mind underneath all of that anger and aggression. And honestly I understand why that anger and aggression is so prevalent, after what NIMH put you through. But I'm going to ask you this, and I'm only going to ask this of you once. I want you to open that mind, and I want you to listen to what Abigail and her friends have to say. And maybe you'll see that bringing them to justice may also bring justice to you, and everyone here at Thorn Valley."
"I already heard their whole story at the council meeting." Brutus protested.
"I don't think it was enough to really make you see the gravity of the situation," said Justin, "Abigail did try her hardest out there, but maybe just hearing what they've been through wasn't enough. I want you to listen to everyone here."
"I see what this is, you want me on your side so that you can get the council to vote on it again," Brutus growled, "Well you're going to have to impress me a lot for that to happen. One question though. Why me?"
"This is as much for you as for them," said Justin, adding jokingly "Also, I didn't think I could get Mr. Ages to change his mind."
Brutus folded his arms and sat back, "Proceed then."
"You know the gist of what happened to us," said Abigail, "You know that we've lost family and friends because of NIMH. I don't know what happened to you, maybe you've lost ones you loved too. Can't you sympathize with that?"
"It happens to a lot of us, kid. I may have lost those I cared about before getting sent to NIMH, but right now I care about one thing alone, and that is Thorn Valley. We have to protect our own. Strangers like you can't just trespass and expect help."
"Abigail spared your life, doesn't that mean a thing to you?" Gadget asked.
"My life wouldn't have been in jeopardy in the first place without you imbeciles."
"Hey, tone down the insults," Justin cautioned, "Hear them out."
"The struggle against NIMH isn't my fight anymore. We are safe from them now. Only the struggle to protect Thorn Valley concerns me."
"Your allegiance is admirable," said Justin, "But, don't you think taking out NIMH would be the best way to protect Thorn Valley, not to mention the rest of our species?"
"Who said anything about taking NIMH out?" Brutus shot back, "What makes you think any of us can even do that?"
"I've given Abigail the stone."
Brutus was taken aback. He looked at Abigail, noticing the golden thread around her neck. The amulet hung below the table where he couldn't see it. He stood up, and looked to be sure.
"You think this little whelp has what it takes to bare the sacred jewel? Have you lost your mind?"
"She survived an onslaught from you, didn't she?" Justin asked, "She has courage of the heart. Mrs. Brisby thought so, the Great Owl thought so, and so do I. I'm not just doing this on a whim, Brutus. I think she deserves to wear the stone. Nicodemus always hoped that gem would save us all one day. Maybe that day is drawing near."
"Is that so," Brutus stared at Abigail, who stared back at him, sitting straight, as if to show him she had the courage everyone said she had, "If this is your judgment, I must respect and follow it. I mistook her courage for brash cockiness."
"So that changes everything then?" Gadget asked, confused as to the significance of the stone and still skeptical about its supposed powers.
"It changes a great deal," Brutus said, "Not that I have any more respect for you trespassers of course. But this girl…maybe there's something about her."
"Then I'd say progress has been made," said Justin, "So you'll support letting them leave if I try to convince the council to vote on it again I take it?"
"Yeah sure. The less I'll have to see of them."
"Excellent," Justin said, very pleased with his results, "Now providing no one else changes their minds, you'll be able to continue your journey by tomorrow."
This brought a smile to everyone's face. Finally their prison sentence would be lifted.