"Fell." Rico said. The two of them hurried over to see a trap door.
"Kowalski? Private?" Skipper tried to whisper, but the worry in his voice overpowered his need for sneaking.
"Guys?" Jackie called. "What happened?"
"Trap door." Rico responded. The door slammed shut as Skipper was about to jump down it.
Heavy footsteps echoed. It sounded like multiple people. Skipper and Rico ran to the offices and hid with the other two.
"Now what?" Jackie whispered.
"I don't know, this is bad." Brian answered. "I'm calling for backup."
"We'll create a distraction." Skipper said.
Before the older two could respond, he and Rico ran out and confronted the men who were coming out of the shadows.
...
"Owww, that hurt." Private winced.
"Private? Where are you? I can't see anything." Kowalski said.
"Kowalski? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I've had worse. Do you hear-?"
Private had squeaked and there was a scuffling noise.
"Hey! Leave him alone!" Kowalski was afraid to kick or punch for fear he'd hurt his teammate.
A pair of arms tightly wrapped around him and Kowalski went into fight mode. He barely felt himself breathe as he sunk his elbow into the person trying to subdue him. Blood was pounding in his ears as his fists pounded the person.
He no longer heard whatever fight was happening behind him, he heard his little brother. His baby brother, crying and screaming. His father's loud, angry words. He heard the twelve years of abuse and trauma he'd been trying to work out.
Rage. Blind rage. He never knew he possessed such a raw emotion. His anger hadn't blinded him to his brother or his team. But this time...he forgot about Private and everyone else. It also blinded him to a flashlight and a person approaching from behind.
Before his world went dark, he felt a split pain and a sense of fear. He couldn't process it at the moment, but later he would say it was fear of himself and what he had done...or could have done.
Kowalski woke up screaming, not because his head was in pain or he was burning out excess rage, something was burning him. He had a blindfold over his eyes.
"STOP IT! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Multiple voices yelled.
"Tell me about your little secret organization, and maybe I'll let your friends and teammate go. Sound like a plan, kid?"
"I'm telling you, I don't know anything!" Allie yelled.
"He won't tell you anything!" Marlene shouted.
"Well, guess Private will get more special medicine."
"WHAT DID YOU GIVE HIM?!" Kowalski bellowed.
"Ah, you're conscious, I was wondering...all that screaming was getting on my nerves and I was afraid I'd have to kill you without having a chat." Blowhole removed the blindfold. "Hi there, glad you could make it. You were about to murder my friend and I don't take kindly to that."
"Your stupid lackey. You don't have any friends." Doris spat.
"You're annoying, you know that?" Blowhole muttered.
"I'M annoying? Says the guy who kidnapped us and is being a total sociopathic creep!"
"If you weren't my little sister, I'd kill you right now."
"I'm NOT your sister! I want NOTHING to do with you!"
Just then, a man entered. "Sir, we've captured more intruders, there are others in the building."
"Excellent. Well, your little friend should wake up soon, then we'll be back to have a little chat, okay Kowalski? See ya later!" Blowhole giggled and left.
"I'd rather he laugh maniacally. Cliche, but less creepy." Allie said.
Kowalski observed the room. He was strapped to a metal table while the girls were tied to chairs. Private was also on a chair next to Kowalski.
"Ugh." Private groaned and blinked.
"Private!"
"Kowalski?" He lifted his head. "Guys, you're okay!"
"Define okay." Allie said.
"Alive, at least."
"Then yes, we're okay."
Kowalski looked at the girls. They were pale and shaken, but otherwise unharmed.
"I'm sorry for everything." Doris sighed. "This is all my fault."
"How?" Allie asked. "Neither of us asked for this. None of us did."
"I asked to stay in New York. My dad wanted to go somewhere far away like Washington or California. He was even willing to go to Europe or Australia. Anything to start a new life. I told him I wanted to stay here. I had family and friends here...I chose them over our safety and now he's-" She burst into tears.
"Doris, no. It's not your fault." Kowalski said. "It makes sense that you'd want to stay close to your mother and family. You were just a kid and scared of starting over with nothing-"
"The last time my dad suggested we move was at the end of our freshman year. He was getting paranoid about all the stuff that was going down and my classmates were injured and how easily I could have been the one in the bathroom or out in the hall. He made sense and I knew he did. I knew he made sense and I still said no."
"Listen to me. You. Were. A. Teenager. You still are, but you were a minor. Maybe a notch above a kid, but your dad could have overridden your decision. At any point he could have made the decision for you. Did he have sole custody?"
"Yeah. Mom thought it was best if he had full custody and we were allowed to visit each other whenever as long as my dad knew."
"So there. He had custody and whatever decisions relating to you were his."
"I convinced him that it was safer if I was close to Mom instead of flying to visit her every now and then. Mom and Greg didn't want to move. They didn't think they'd be targets."
"Sounds like adult conversations. Also, it sounds like if your mom and stepfather decided to move you would have asked your dad if you could go too and he would have agreed, correct?"
"Yeah."
"It still was adult decisions that they could have changed any moment."
"Mom said she wasn't going to make drastic decisions unless the situation called for it." Allie said. "And she said she'd always talk to the family first, obviously an emergency is an exception. My dad is on board with whatever we have to do for safety."
Marlene and Private had stayed quiet during this conversation, but still looked around for possible escapes. Private seemed to be fighting the urge to fall asleep. There seemed to be a vent, but it looked like it wouldn't hold either of the younger teens.
There was a short zapping noise and Private sighed in relief. He was out of his rope bindings.
Kowalski gaped. "How-?"
"In my pants." Private mumbled, shaking his head.
"But they patted you down, right?"
"Sort of." Marlene said. "We were yelling and distracting them."
"It was in the back in a...erm...rather uncomfortable spot." Private rubbed his wrists and clumsily got up.
Everyone made faces in disgust. Private had an understanding expression. He freed the girls first since they were in ropes. It took a while because his vision was going in and out of focus.
"Why'd they put you guys in ropes and me in metal?" Kowalski wondered aloud. The girls shrugged and Private gagged. "I have a feeling Rico's going to make an entrance any moment."
"But...they said more got captured." Allie said, trying to keep Private steady. Marlene was focusing on cutting Kowalski free without burning him.
"Skipper's brother and his girlfriend are here too."
"OW!" Allie jumped away as Private shoved her. He stumbled, panting. She slowly reached for him. "What's wrong? I'm okay with being thrown up on if you-"
"Shut up..." Private growled. "SHUT UP!" His shriek startled Marlene who nearly dropped the laser. She'd gotten through one cuff.
"What?"
Private mumbled something but it was incoherent. He shook his head. "I don't...know..." He threw up.
"Private, what happened?" Kowalski asked as Marlene tried to focus again.
Private looked to Kowalski, his eyes bloodshot. The youngest gave him a strange look and his body seemed to fight itself. He was breathing heavily and looked as if he wanted to attack, but he also looked terrified and was visibly restraining himself.
"Doris, get Allie out of here. Marlene, hurry, I don't care if I get burnt. I've been through worse and it's not your fault."
Marlene steeled herself and nodded. She hurried through the other wrist cuff so he could defend himself if needed.
"I don't want to leave him." Allie said. "PARK B promised we wouldn't leave each other like that...we promised we'd always talk to each other and-"
"I get it." Kowalski said. "Believe me, I understand. But I believe Blowhole's given him something bad and you need to get out of here."
"Sorry." Marlene said as she got too close with the last part of the ankle cuff.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine." Kowalski said, staring Private down. "Keep looking at me. It's me you want to hurt, not them."
Doris and Allie reluctantly left Marlene and Kowalski with Private. The youngest was still fighting the drug. He took a step towards them, trying to stop himself.
"Done!" Marlene said. Kowalski hurried to place himself in front of her, ignoring his now bleeding ankle.
"Mar-"
"RAAAAAAAAGHHH!" The scream from the outside startled all three of them.
Private lost control. He rushed towards the older teens. Kowalski tripped him and held him on the ground.
"Run, Marlene! Get help!"
"But what about whoever screamed like that?" Marlene asked anxiously. The sounds of fighting from outside were getting closer.
"Sounded...like Rico..." Kowalski grunted as Private attempted to throw him off.
"It sounded bad."
Kowalski pondered for a second, keeping tight hold of his teammate.
"RICO, STOP!" Skipper bellowed. "GIRLS, BACK IN THE ROOM!"
"But, Private's been given the same thing!" Doris yelled.
Skipper swore, then called for his brother.
The door burst open and Doris and Allie ran in.
"Something's wrong with Rico." Allie said. "It's the drug they gave Private."
THUD
Rico skidded into the room, his face full of rage and his eyes red. The girls shakily tried to form fighting positions.
"Skipper?" Kowalski called, trying not to sound terrified. No response came. "Skipper?!"
Rico screamed and ran towards everyone. Kowalski jumped up and prepared to fight. Private scrambled to his feet and panted.
Rico and Kowalski were locked in combat. Private was fighting the urge to join in, his fists clenched and tears running down his face.
Jackie burst in, wild eyed. She noted the fighting boys and Private, then the three terrified girls who had no idea how to handle it. Jackie gestured for the girls to come quickly. Allie wanted to get Private, but she was pulled away by Doris.
"Backup's on the way." Jackie said once the four of them were outside with an unconscious Skipper. "Blowhole and his guys are trying to escape, Brian's gone after them."
Skipper groaned. "Holy sh-"
"Skipper!" Marlene said, helping him to his feet and hugging him. "Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine." Skipper muttered. "Gotta get you out of here...where's Private?"
"Back in the room. I don't know if we can get him."
"Got anything to knock him out with?" Doris asked.
"I wish." Jackie said. "I had to use it to get away."
BAM
CRASH
Kowalski yelled in pain and Private shrieked. Rico growled.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" Private yelled. "I won't...I WON'T DO IT!"
"Private!" Skipper gasped. "Jackie, get them out. I'll help my team."
Skipper saw Private trying to shrink into a corner, heaving. Rico was advancing on him, but Kowalski stumbled forward and blocked him.
"Rico...Rico, please...I love you and I don't want to hurt you." Kowalski said.
Private threw up, coughed and spluttered. He shook his head dizzily. Rico zeroed in on him as the youngest teammate shakily stood up.
"Rico, stand down!" Skipper ordered. Rico turned to him, growling. "This isn't you. You aren't a psychotic killing machine. That's not you. You're Rico Blue. You're a Penguin. Our teammate."
Rico's expression faltered.
"That's right, we're here."
"Rico." Kowalski said softly. "We're here. I'm here. You're safe."
Private edged slowly towards the door while Skipper prepared himself to intervene if Rico lost control again.
"'Wal-ski..." Rico's raspy voice said.
"That's right."
Private made it to the leader and leaned on him for support. Rico's hands flew to his head and he was shaking his head violently. Private stumbled backwards as the leader went to Rico.
Kowalski and Skipper struggled to restrain him. Rico snapped again. Fists swinging, Rico screamed, the other two dodged and tackled him to the ground. They grunted as they held him down.
Lights popped in Private's head, he was swaying, unsure what to do or where to go next. Footsteps sounded behind him. He saw blurred shapes, his fists rose to fight, but they went by him.
He didn't jump when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Private, it's me, George. It's Skipper's dad, you're safe."
The sounds of Rico struggling slowed to a stop. Skipper and Kowalski got up and stretched their sore muscles.
"Where are the girls?" Skipper asked.
"Waiting for you with Jackie and Agent Simms. They refused to leave until they saw you four were okay." George told his son.
"I know you didn't want me to go it alone, but I'm not sorry." Skipper said. "I'm only sorry about what happened to them and Rico and Private." He looked down at Rico's unconscious form whose breathing was ragged. "It should have been me..."
"Son, you did what you thought you had to." George said. "I'm glad you at least accepted backup." He indicated Brian who was helping Kowalski lift Rico. "However, Kent would like to see you in her office. I don't know what it's about, but she said it was a serious conversation."
Skipper sighed heavily. "Okay. Can it wait until I make sure everyone's recovering?"
"Yes, it's at the beginning of January. I'll let you know."
They made their way through the building and out to see the girls bundled in warm blankets.
"Skipper!" Marlene threw off her blanket and ran to Skipper, hugging him. She cried as she held him.
"You're safe now." Skipper whispered, holding her.
Allie had wanted to do the same, run up to her friend and throw her arms around him but he looked like he'd fall over if she did that. She waited until he was sat down in a car to come over to him.
"Thank you." Allie told him. Private nodded slowly. "We can talk more when you're feeling better." She kissed him on the cheek and went to her parents' car. They left after talking to another agent.
Doris was alone. She eyed Kowalski who was making sure Rico was settled in Brian's car. He finished and looked around at her, offering a weak smile. She returned it. He walked over to her.
"Hey." He said, adjusting his glasses.
"Hey." Doris said.
"So, do you need to talk about anything that happened in there?"
"No. He just taunted us and made threats. Nothing physical other than moving us around and tying us up in various uncomfortable ways."
"I'm sorry about your dad."
"I-is he still...did they-?"
"Doris Douglas?" Agent Simms said, walking over.
Doris sniffled. "Yeah?"
"I suppose you'll want to know too, Harrison." Simms said as Kowalski was about to ask if he should stay. "Doris, the organization has decided to put you in our witness protection program. You'll be moved to one of our safe villages effective immediately."
"Can I at least bury my d-...bury him?" Doris asked in a strained voice.
"Of course. I'm so sorry, that was careless of me." Simms said. "You will have to reside with an agent for the time being so we can ensure your protection. Are you alright with being placed with Brian Sorenson and Jackie Henderson?"
"Yes." Doris said.
"Agent Harrison."
"Yes, sir?" Kowalski said.
"The program will be explained to your leader and then you." Simms said. "I understand you and Miss Douglas here might be forming a relationship-"
"Sorry for the interruption, sir, but we're not dating." Kowalski said.
"Oh, I must have misunderstood-I apologize again."
"It's alright, I did have a crush on her before my current relationship..."
Agent Simms nodded and went to check on Private.
"Who and how long have you two been together?" Doris asked, wiping away tears.
"Rico for almost two years." Kowalski said.
"You never told me."
"The more who know, the more it can be used against us. Not that I think you would plot anything heinous." Kowalski hastily added.
Doris shrugged. "Just trying to get my mind off..." She exhaled shakily. "I don't know if I can talk again with the whole program stuff, but...thank you. All four of you."
"It's what we do. Protect the city, protect our friends and family." Kowalski said. "Thanks for allowing me to be your friend."
"All you needed was proper social skills." Doris said.
"My dad was a terrible teacher."
Doris let out a short laugh, then burst into tears. Kowalski held her, no more words were exchanged.
