Disclaimer: I do not own Danger Mouse (2015) or any canon characters featured within. They are the property of Brian Cosgrove, Mark Hall, Fremantle Media, CBBC and Boulder Media. I do own Emma White, Dr. Kirkland, Ms. Anderson and Jonathan Baker, among other OCs.
DMEP
Half an hour later, the pair returned to the lab. Penfold had his teddy bear in his paws, Danger Mouse held a box of stress balls.
"It's ready." Professor Squawkencluck had set up three seats in front of the screen. "Colonel K will be in momentarily to monitor the viewing. Though, I don't know if it's his hologram or if it will really be him."
"So, why three seats?" Penfold asked.
"You'll be in Danger Mouse's arms the whole time, so you might as well share a seat." She noted the box in the mouse's paws. "Would I be able to use some?"
"Of course, Squawks. I won't need all of them," Danger Mouse replied.
The door opened again, Colonel K sauntered in. It was the real deal, not the hologram. "Alright, Professor, I'm ready to watch with DM and Penfold here."
Penfold was shocked, but couldn't find it in himself to say anything about his name being said correctly. He felt himself being picked up by Danger Mouse.
The mouse sat in the seat and held Penfold close. He saw Colonel K sit in the next seat.
"Alright. What you're about to see won't be pretty," the professor warned as she pressed the play button and sat on the third seat.
DMEP
"I'm being adopted?!" Emma asked cheerfully. She looked to the individual, they were omitted from view. "Are you adopting me, sir?"
"That's correct, young Emma. I hope I can be as good a parent to you as your birth parents were."
Emma flinched at the sound of the voice. "Ms. Anderson...?"
"Oh, I know you're nervous, dear. But, Mr. Cartwright here has shown to be a very kind man."
Looks can lie, his voice says it all...
DMEP
"Emma can tell if someone's good or has wicked intentions by the sound of their voice," Danger Mouse explained. "She knew right away that her new adoptive parent would prove to be dangerous, but she couldn't say it in front of him. Unfortunately, it seems she had no chance to say it to Ms. Anderson either..."
DMEP
Emma's eyes widened at the sight of the children before her. "There are more kids here than back at the home!"
"Yes, they're all your brothers and sisters. Now, I want you to be a good little girl and do as I say, or you'll be punished. Understood?" The figure was still omitted from view.
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now then...Jennifer, show Emma where she'll sleep and then take her to you-know-where."
A bear cub nodded and approached Emma. "I'm sorry..." she whispered. "Come on, kid, this way."
DMEP
Colonel K frowned. "I recognise half of those children."
"As do I, Colonel," Danger Mouse responded grimly. "They were among the ones found unconscious or deceased. Jennifer Bates, the girl speaking with Emma, was found deceased on a country road, her injuries severe."
"Poor lass looks much too thin..." Squawkencluck murmured.
DMEP
"What did I tell you?! I said to do as you were told!" The figure was shown in the form of a monster, no doubt the way Emma saw him in her mind's eye. He held a whip and raised it before cracking it over a boy's back thrice, then kicking him in the ribs. "You only have yourself to blame, you little...!" His final word was omitted by Emma's self-censor. The monster then turned to Emma. "The same will happen to you if you don't stop gawking!"
The kitten, terrified beyond all belief, hurried to do as she'd been told.
DMEP
"Slave labour, abuse of minors, his list is growing," Colonel K uttered. "If hanging was still a punishment, this man would be swinging from the gallows."
DMEP
The whip cracked on Emma. "You stupid girl, you should know better! I have half a mind to...!" He grabbed at her jacket and tore it off.
DMEP
Danger Mouse covered Penfold's eyes at the sight on the screen. "Oh...oh, Emma...you went through so much..." he whispered brokenly.
"Beaten until she could barely breathe...it's no wonder her mind filter shows him as a monster!" Squawkencluck breathed.
DMEP
Emma was curled in on herself, shivering and shaking. She had hidden Lucy, not wanting her to be snatched and destroyed. She heard some harsh coughs and looked up to see a boy nearby coughing up blood. Her voice caught in her throat so she couldn't call out to him.
The monster appeared. "Tch. First that brat Jennifer and now him. Better put him out of his misery, I suppose." He brought out a knife.
DMEP
"I think I may be sick..." Squawkencluck whispered.
"What's happening?" Penfold asked, his eyes still covered.
"It's best you don't watch this, Penfold, you'd have nightmares for life. I only hope Emma is able to repress this memory," Danger Mouse whispered.
DMEP
"Dump him in the river," the monster ordered another girl before turning on Emma. "As for you, get back to work!"
She struggled to get up. She felt herself being lifted and forced onto her feet.
"Get going or you're next!"
She nodded. Her usually bright and expressive green eyes had turned dull.
DMEP
"He broke her. Despite everything happening, she had embraced life. Now, she's broken..." Danger Mouse whispered.
DMEP
She couldn't eat; the reminders of the atrocities aside, her food was mouldy or rotten. She couldn't sleep; she was either worked to the bone or the memories kept her awake. I must find DM. He and Penfold can stop this! But, how do I get out of here? She had to come up with an escape plan. She had to get help. She had no idea where she was, but she had to find Danger Mouse and Penfold, have them come save the children and lock up the monster. I have to...
DMEP
"Oh, you brave, brave child..." Squawkencluck murmured.
"She always was," Penfold added, his vision permitted again.
DMEP
She waited until the monster had gone to bed. She tiptoed downstairs, opened a window, climbed out and fled at top speed. She ran and ran for miles, not knowing where she was going, but she had to get away from there. Someone might be able to save her. She stumbled a few times but kept going, not allowing herself to look back. She tripped over and was unable to get up. "Lucy...we have...to keep..." A shadow fell over her. "Help..." Then, everything turned to static.
DMEP
They sat staring at the screen in silent horror at what they had witnessed. Half of which had not been described in this story as it got to be far too dark for your humble writer to describe.
"Take the afternoon off if you need to. You can't work well under duress," Colonel K stated. "I'm taking the afternoon off too." He got to his feet and shakily made his way out of the lab.
Squawkencluck turned to Danger Mouse and Penfold. "Danger Mouse...how are you...?"
"We'll be in our flat. Have you got an alarm triggered should anything come up?" the mouse questioned.
"I have. I'm going to take a break too, but I'll be nearby."
"Thank you. Could I ask you to forward your findings to my iPatch, but otherwise not disturb us?"
"Of course." She watched him rise to his feet, still holding Penfold, and making his way out of the lab. Before the door closed completely, she was not surprised to hear Penfold had started sobbing. She turned to the box of stress balls and kicked it over.