p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"After having finally tracked down the Stacy residence, Wilbur circled the roof and came down for a landing next to the chimney./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Zis must be ze place," said Bianca, double checking the address they'd found in the phone book./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Do you have the string?" Bernard asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca reached down by their feet and gathered up a long thread of string, "Here it is."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Alright, let's go down the chimney," Bernard said./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Right," Wilbur replied, placing his beak near the edge of the chimney./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca and Bernard climbed up Wilbur's neck and across his head to the brick chimney. Bianca handed one end of the string to Wilbur./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Hold on to zis. Ve'll tug on it vhen ve vant back up again," she explained./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You can count on me," said Wilbur, taking the string in his beak./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca tossed the rest of it down the chimney, and they began to climb down, carefully lowering themselves. The walls were covered in soot and it smelled terrible, but luckily it was summer, so the chimney likely wouldn't be in use. Even now they could hear the voices of humans down below./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Do we have enough gas to get to this place?" came the voice of a distraught woman./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We'll manage," a man answered, "We have to visit her. I just can't believe this is happening."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It sounds like something's wrong," said Bianca./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Let's be sure we've got the right place first. But keep your ears open."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"They made it to the bottom, their fur darkened by soot. They shook themselves off and scurried out of the fireplace. In the next room an older couple was discussing taking a trip to see someone the next day. The mice ran behind the leg of a small table./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""If we climb this table maybe we'll find a clue," said Bernard./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"He shimmied up the leg of the table, and Bianca followed. When they finished climbing and reached the top, they discovered all the evidence they needed. There stood a framed picture of a father and mother, and a little girl holding a teddy bear. It was unmistakable, the girl was Penny./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It wasn't the way we raised her, was it?" the mother asked tearfully./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It couldn't have been dear," the father said, comforting her, "We gave her all the love and attention she needed. I blame her upbringing before we took her in; alone in that orphanage, before being kidnapped by that maniac. She never fully recovered."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""She's in trouble," Bianca gasped, holding onto Bernard, who put an arm around her./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I can't bear to think of her there, alone in that insane asylum," the mother cried./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Insane asylum?" Bernard questioned./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Glenbrook will give her the care she needs, and once she's cured she'll be back home," said the father./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What about her job at NIMH?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm sure they'll take her back in, won't they?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Glenbrook," Bernard repeated, "We need to go there."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Vhat could have happened to her?" Bianca asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We know for sure now that she works at NIMH."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""But zat means she vas there vhen…"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bernard closed his eyes and looked down, "We'll get all the answers when we find her. Come on, I think we've found out all we wanted to know."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Ve are going to rescue her?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We'll at least talk to her and hear her out," said Bernard, "As much as I don't want to believe she deliberately got the Rescue Aid Society exterminated on purpose, we have to be cautious before we rescue her from that place. For all we know, there may be a good reason she's there."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca sighed, "You're right, Bernard. But I hope there's still a chance for Penny to be innocent."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I want to believe it too," said Bernard sadly, "But we can't let our feelings cloud our judgment."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The two of them walked toward the fireplace again and tugged on the string, grabbing a hold as Wilbur pulled them up again. They'd now need to find out where the asylum was. It was time for some more research before making their next move./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 14.2px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 6px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 6.9px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The debate in the council that night was fierce, but Abigail and the others could only sit outside the council room, beneath the statue of Mrs. Brisby, and overhear raised voices and shouts from within. With Brutus' tentative support though, they hoped his voice might make a difference. Also being discussed was how to go about warning other rodent communities about the oncoming human onslaught coming from NIMH. Martin was the first to exit and let everyone know what was happening./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""The council wasn't happy about it, but they agreed to open the discussion again due to Justin's belief that you're the next stone-bearer, and that you're supposed to get NIMH to stop searching for us once and for all," Martin said to Abigail./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail stood up with an excited smile, "Did they vote on it?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yes," Martin answered, "And it came out in your favor by a small margin. They're going to have a look at your plane too before you go, Justin said something about fitting it with a new power source, in exchange for Gadget's help in converting Thorn Valley's power source to solar."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I knew Justin would come through for us," Abigail said, satisfied./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So what you're saying is we're allowed to leave now?" Dale asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yes, indeed," answered Martin./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Awesome! We're free!" Dale cheered, before seeing Gadget fold her arms and raise an eyebrow at him for being disrespectful, "Err I mean…gee, I'm sure gonna miss this place…with its lack of things to do…"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So they really do want solar power," Gadget said, hoping to rescue Dale by changing the subject, "That sounds like a deal. We'll come back here as soon as it's all said and done, and I'll help you with that. And no one else will know about Thorn Valley when we leave…except maybe our other friends and family…"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Just make sure it's all kept under wraps, and don't reveal the location under any circumstances," Martin warned, looking around, "Best not to bring that point up, lest those who supported it change their minds."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We'll be careful," said Abigail, "You can trust us."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm sure we can," said Martin, "Anyway, I've been told to inform you that your plane will be fixed up and enhanced by morning, at which time you can leave. Though you'll be assigned a representative from Thorn Valley to assist you and make certain you do as you've promised."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Really?" Edgar asked, "But…we don't have enough seating in the Ranger Wingamathing as it is."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I think they're fixing that," said Martin./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Are they against me overseeing this process?" Gadget asked, rather protective over what remained of her plane. It was after all the only thing NIMH hadn't taken./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Not at all, just talk to Mr. Ages after the meeting," said Martin, "Right now they're talking about sending warning to nearby communities. The rest of you should head back to your rooms now, so as not to block the entrance."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Alright, let's go then,' said Abigail, "I wonder how Michelle is doing."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah I do too,' said Willy, "Hope she can still see."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The furlings, along with Dale, headed back toward their room while Gadget stayed behind. When they arrived, they gathered into the bedroom where Michelle had been sleeping with Zipper and Teresa watching over her./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Is she alright?" asked Edgar./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""She's been sleeping this whole time,' said Teresa./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Maybe we ought to see how her eyes are doing," Russell suggested./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Teresa got up and turned off the lamp, the only light coming from the living room, "She shouldn't be exposed to too much light yet."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail stroked Michele's head, "Michelle…can you wake up for us?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Michelle groaned and stretched with a yawn, "What is it?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Take off your blindfold," Abigail said./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Phew, finally," she said, removing the blindfold from over her eyes, rubbing them and blinking. She looked around./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Can you see us?" asked Willy./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It's dark in here, but yes," she replied./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail held Michelle's hand and smiled, "So you're not blind?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Nuh uh, I'm okay. Not really sure yet if I see better though, because it's dark."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""That's great news, I mean, that you can see at least," said Russell./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""By tomorrow morning we'll know for sure if she's cured," said Teresa, yawning too, "I think I best be off, now that you're back. Best of luck in the morning. If Justin had reason to believe in you, then I do too."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Okay, good night, and thank you for your help" said Abigail, as Teresa left the room./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So now what?" Dale asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I guess we rest up, now that we're leaving tomorrow," said Abigail./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Sounds good to me," said Russell, "What a day."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail climbed into bed beside Michelle, and Willy climbed onto the other side of the bed, the three of them cuddling and drifting off into a slumber./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 14.2px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 6px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 6.9px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Long after NIMH closed for the night, and its employees headed home, Nimnul remained locked in the laboratory, tinkering with beakers and vials, mixing an insidious brew, with the occasional cackle to himself./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""This hormone was genius, really. Regenerating damaged brain tissue, prolonging cell life and thus the life of the host. It could have been revolutionary. The government shutting down its production was a severe oversight."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"He continued mixing chemicals together, reading off of a printed list./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""All of those dirty rats ended up with its benefits. Ha! Those idiot scientists. Couldn't even keep them caged up. Teaching them to read and then having instructions printed on the cage doors on how to open them, just what did they think was going to happen? Ah, but therein lies the problem. Why use rodent test subjects at all? When somewhere, if you look hard enough, you're bound to find a willing human test subject. Someone crazy, desperate or suicidal enough. Maybe I fall into that first category, but crazy doesn't mean I'm not smart!"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"After filling the beaker with a clear substance, he readied a syringe, filling it with the fluid from the vial. He then gazed at it for a few moments. He knew that, being the first human ever to try it out, he could easily wind up dead, or near enough. But what did he have to lose? It was only a matter of time before what he had done to Dr. Strauss would be discovered, and he'd be hauled off to the asylum for good this time. What little rationality that remained in Nimnul's skull was able to see the reality of his situation. He had only a small pocket of time before he was exposed. And of course, this had been his true plan all along once discovering what had happened with those escaped rats. That and ridding the world of such dangerous vermin./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""If this works, I will be even more of a genius, and an immortal! I will be a god! I'd say the positives outweigh the negatives. Death doesn't scare me."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Nimnul removed his belt from his pants and wrapped it around his bicep tightly, taking the syringe, and slowly and with hesitation, punctured his arm with the needle and injected the serum into his body. He winced; the hormone coursing through his veins felt extremely painful. He removed the belt, and got up from his seat, staggering. His vision was becoming blurred, and the pain was overwhelming./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Is this…supposed to happen?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"As he felt the world swirl around him, he blacked out, and collapsed to the floor./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Zis must be ze place," said Bianca, double checking the address they'd found in the phone book./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Do you have the string?" Bernard asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca reached down by their feet and gathered up a long thread of string, "Here it is."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Alright, let's go down the chimney," Bernard said./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Right," Wilbur replied, placing his beak near the edge of the chimney./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca and Bernard climbed up Wilbur's neck and across his head to the brick chimney. Bianca handed one end of the string to Wilbur./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Hold on to zis. Ve'll tug on it vhen ve vant back up again," she explained./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You can count on me," said Wilbur, taking the string in his beak./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca tossed the rest of it down the chimney, and they began to climb down, carefully lowering themselves. The walls were covered in soot and it smelled terrible, but luckily it was summer, so the chimney likely wouldn't be in use. Even now they could hear the voices of humans down below./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Do we have enough gas to get to this place?" came the voice of a distraught woman./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We'll manage," a man answered, "We have to visit her. I just can't believe this is happening."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It sounds like something's wrong," said Bianca./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Let's be sure we've got the right place first. But keep your ears open."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"They made it to the bottom, their fur darkened by soot. They shook themselves off and scurried out of the fireplace. In the next room an older couple was discussing taking a trip to see someone the next day. The mice ran behind the leg of a small table./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""If we climb this table maybe we'll find a clue," said Bernard./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"He shimmied up the leg of the table, and Bianca followed. When they finished climbing and reached the top, they discovered all the evidence they needed. There stood a framed picture of a father and mother, and a little girl holding a teddy bear. It was unmistakable, the girl was Penny./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It wasn't the way we raised her, was it?" the mother asked tearfully./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It couldn't have been dear," the father said, comforting her, "We gave her all the love and attention she needed. I blame her upbringing before we took her in; alone in that orphanage, before being kidnapped by that maniac. She never fully recovered."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""She's in trouble," Bianca gasped, holding onto Bernard, who put an arm around her./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I can't bear to think of her there, alone in that insane asylum," the mother cried./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Insane asylum?" Bernard questioned./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Glenbrook will give her the care she needs, and once she's cured she'll be back home," said the father./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What about her job at NIMH?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm sure they'll take her back in, won't they?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Glenbrook," Bernard repeated, "We need to go there."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Vhat could have happened to her?" Bianca asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We know for sure now that she works at NIMH."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""But zat means she vas there vhen…"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bernard closed his eyes and looked down, "We'll get all the answers when we find her. Come on, I think we've found out all we wanted to know."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Ve are going to rescue her?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We'll at least talk to her and hear her out," said Bernard, "As much as I don't want to believe she deliberately got the Rescue Aid Society exterminated on purpose, we have to be cautious before we rescue her from that place. For all we know, there may be a good reason she's there."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Bianca sighed, "You're right, Bernard. But I hope there's still a chance for Penny to be innocent."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I want to believe it too," said Bernard sadly, "But we can't let our feelings cloud our judgment."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The two of them walked toward the fireplace again and tugged on the string, grabbing a hold as Wilbur pulled them up again. They'd now need to find out where the asylum was. It was time for some more research before making their next move./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 14.2px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 6px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 6.9px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The debate in the council that night was fierce, but Abigail and the others could only sit outside the council room, beneath the statue of Mrs. Brisby, and overhear raised voices and shouts from within. With Brutus' tentative support though, they hoped his voice might make a difference. Also being discussed was how to go about warning other rodent communities about the oncoming human onslaught coming from NIMH. Martin was the first to exit and let everyone know what was happening./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""The council wasn't happy about it, but they agreed to open the discussion again due to Justin's belief that you're the next stone-bearer, and that you're supposed to get NIMH to stop searching for us once and for all," Martin said to Abigail./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail stood up with an excited smile, "Did they vote on it?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yes," Martin answered, "And it came out in your favor by a small margin. They're going to have a look at your plane too before you go, Justin said something about fitting it with a new power source, in exchange for Gadget's help in converting Thorn Valley's power source to solar."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I knew Justin would come through for us," Abigail said, satisfied./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So what you're saying is we're allowed to leave now?" Dale asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yes, indeed," answered Martin./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Awesome! We're free!" Dale cheered, before seeing Gadget fold her arms and raise an eyebrow at him for being disrespectful, "Err I mean…gee, I'm sure gonna miss this place…with its lack of things to do…"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So they really do want solar power," Gadget said, hoping to rescue Dale by changing the subject, "That sounds like a deal. We'll come back here as soon as it's all said and done, and I'll help you with that. And no one else will know about Thorn Valley when we leave…except maybe our other friends and family…"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Just make sure it's all kept under wraps, and don't reveal the location under any circumstances," Martin warned, looking around, "Best not to bring that point up, lest those who supported it change their minds."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""We'll be careful," said Abigail, "You can trust us."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm sure we can," said Martin, "Anyway, I've been told to inform you that your plane will be fixed up and enhanced by morning, at which time you can leave. Though you'll be assigned a representative from Thorn Valley to assist you and make certain you do as you've promised."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Really?" Edgar asked, "But…we don't have enough seating in the Ranger Wingamathing as it is."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I think they're fixing that," said Martin./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Are they against me overseeing this process?" Gadget asked, rather protective over what remained of her plane. It was after all the only thing NIMH hadn't taken./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Not at all, just talk to Mr. Ages after the meeting," said Martin, "Right now they're talking about sending warning to nearby communities. The rest of you should head back to your rooms now, so as not to block the entrance."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Alright, let's go then,' said Abigail, "I wonder how Michelle is doing."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah I do too,' said Willy, "Hope she can still see."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The furlings, along with Dale, headed back toward their room while Gadget stayed behind. When they arrived, they gathered into the bedroom where Michelle had been sleeping with Zipper and Teresa watching over her./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Is she alright?" asked Edgar./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""She's been sleeping this whole time,' said Teresa./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Maybe we ought to see how her eyes are doing," Russell suggested./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Teresa got up and turned off the lamp, the only light coming from the living room, "She shouldn't be exposed to too much light yet."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail stroked Michele's head, "Michelle…can you wake up for us?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Michelle groaned and stretched with a yawn, "What is it?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Take off your blindfold," Abigail said./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Phew, finally," she said, removing the blindfold from over her eyes, rubbing them and blinking. She looked around./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Can you see us?" asked Willy./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It's dark in here, but yes," she replied./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail held Michelle's hand and smiled, "So you're not blind?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Nuh uh, I'm okay. Not really sure yet if I see better though, because it's dark."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""That's great news, I mean, that you can see at least," said Russell./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""By tomorrow morning we'll know for sure if she's cured," said Teresa, yawning too, "I think I best be off, now that you're back. Best of luck in the morning. If Justin had reason to believe in you, then I do too."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Okay, good night, and thank you for your help" said Abigail, as Teresa left the room./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So now what?" Dale asked./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I guess we rest up, now that we're leaving tomorrow," said Abigail./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Sounds good to me," said Russell, "What a day."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Abigail climbed into bed beside Michelle, and Willy climbed onto the other side of the bed, the three of them cuddling and drifting off into a slumber./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 14.2px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 6px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 6.9px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Long after NIMH closed for the night, and its employees headed home, Nimnul remained locked in the laboratory, tinkering with beakers and vials, mixing an insidious brew, with the occasional cackle to himself./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""This hormone was genius, really. Regenerating damaged brain tissue, prolonging cell life and thus the life of the host. It could have been revolutionary. The government shutting down its production was a severe oversight."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"He continued mixing chemicals together, reading off of a printed list./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""All of those dirty rats ended up with its benefits. Ha! Those idiot scientists. Couldn't even keep them caged up. Teaching them to read and then having instructions printed on the cage doors on how to open them, just what did they think was going to happen? Ah, but therein lies the problem. Why use rodent test subjects at all? When somewhere, if you look hard enough, you're bound to find a willing human test subject. Someone crazy, desperate or suicidal enough. Maybe I fall into that first category, but crazy doesn't mean I'm not smart!"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"After filling the beaker with a clear substance, he readied a syringe, filling it with the fluid from the vial. He then gazed at it for a few moments. He knew that, being the first human ever to try it out, he could easily wind up dead, or near enough. But what did he have to lose? It was only a matter of time before what he had done to Dr. Strauss would be discovered, and he'd be hauled off to the asylum for good this time. What little rationality that remained in Nimnul's skull was able to see the reality of his situation. He had only a small pocket of time before he was exposed. And of course, this had been his true plan all along once discovering what had happened with those escaped rats. That and ridding the world of such dangerous vermin./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""If this works, I will be even more of a genius, and an immortal! I will be a god! I'd say the positives outweigh the negatives. Death doesn't scare me."/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Nimnul removed his belt from his pants and wrapped it around his bicep tightly, taking the syringe, and slowly and with hesitation, punctured his arm with the needle and injected the serum into his body. He winced; the hormone coursing through his veins felt extremely painful. He removed the belt, and got up from his seat, staggering. His vision was becoming blurred, and the pain was overwhelming./p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Is this…supposed to happen?"/p
p style="margin: 0px 0px 7px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"As he felt the world swirl around him, he blacked out, and collapsed to the floor./p