Prompt at the end
Coincides with chapters 6 & 7 of A Case of Importance.
"There."
One hand skimmed the edge of their hiding place, pointing out the adult-sized shadows using alcoves and buildings as cover to slowly surround that hidden manor. Silent signals sent groups of three after them. When smaller shadows gradually formed the wider ring that would prevent any of the young ones from running too far, Arthur followed Tim towards that boarded entrance. The shadow to his right lurched, then started to fall.
"Easy."
One hand steadied Charles, whose low thanks carried as he gingerly skirted the rock that had tripped him. "Where is it?"
"Quiet," Tim's voice murmured in reply. "Nearly there."
The line of buildings gave way to trees, then screams carried from the brightly lit mansion. Only Tim's hand prevented Arthur from rushing forward.
"Wait for the tone to change."
Right. They had discussed this already. They were no match for a mansion full of adults, which meant they could not even attack the door until the police entered.
A young voice let out a screech of mixed pain and surprise, then a shadow darted across a window. A much larger figure followed only a few feet behind.
"Soon."
Arthur gripped the saw in his hand, whitening knuckles announcing just what he thought about having to wait, but he kept still. Any minute…
The loud crunch of breaking wood echoed from front and rear doors, and pain and cruel glee became surprise and utter panic.
"Now!"
They rushed the building, detouring only to avoid an officer on their way to that blocked side door, but instead of breaking the lock, George's hammer merely put a large dent right next to the latch.
Tim let out a word he had probably learned from the doctor. "That's why we brought extra tools," he grumbled. "Widen that dent until Arthur can get his saw through."
"Let me."
Jones' murmur nudged them aside to let him hook a pry-bar in the wood. Between Jones' steady pressure and George's muted hits, the door slowly gave.
Until the pry-bar broke. Tim let out another word. "Arthur, did you bring that pick?"
Of course. That did not mean it would do anything, though. The dull point merely glanced off the wood. Arthur did not have the strength or the angle to make a successful hit.
Unlike George, but a muttered negative answered his offer. "Give it to Jones."
That worked as well. They made steady but slow progress, a progress hampered further when voices on the other side of the door forced them to silence. Only when those voices ceased did they resume their efforts, but the latch fell to the floor with a clatter anyone in the room would undoubtedly have noticed. Arthur braced himself to face some vile adult as George shoved the door open.
He found something almost as bad—at least for Tim's eardrums. Doctor Watson pinned a tall, wiry man against the floorboards, the knee in the man's back pressing the ruffian's nose painfully into the wood. Fear morphed to anger when the doctor realized who had forced the door.
Not that Tim cared. He merely acknowledged the adults on his way to the child hiding in the stove. When a word from Mr. Holmes prevented the doctor from focusing his irritation on Arthur, he followed the other boys through the nearest door.
And found chaos. Pandemonium. Uniform clad Yarders darted through the shadowed manor, chasing men and women alike. Grown-ups screamed in anger. Children screamed in pain and terror. Richly dressed adults haughtily demanded freedom and offered substantial bribes. A high-pitched scream caught Arthur's attention, and he darted down the hall and to a large room, George close behind.
Another scream echoed as they reached the door. George's hammer broke the latch with a bang to reveal a scruffy, leering man preventing a young girl from reaching a hole in the wall.
"Get away from her!"
The man ignored them, still trying to capture the girl and apparently never noticing Arthur take the longer route to slam into him from the side. The man easily pushed Arthur off, but by then the girl had disappeared. Anger roared an attack of its own.
Arthur merely stayed between the man and the hole—and put the doctor's fighting techniques to use with his rusty saw as a wide, oddly shaped knife. The two of them could keep this pervert busy until the Yard found them.
Reviews are always very much appreciated :)
And thanks to MHC1987 for your review last chapter
Prompt: A little suspense. Use this music or one of the YouTube related suggestions to inspire your work today. If you use a different piece, be sure to link it so we can all enjoy!
[I hate ffn's link censoring]. Youtube link goes to Adrenaline - Intense Suspense Music (No Copyright)