THE ARRIVAL
Edward and Linus arrived back at Black Manor, to find Maddison watching over Jacob and Gina, as Edward's younger siblings played some backyard sport.
"You survived then" Maddison looked over at the two boys.
"We did" Edward replied.
Maddison got up from her comfortable looking chair, and walked over. She then handed Edward a bag of party equipment and papers. "The others came over today, we did some setup for your plan".
"Thanks Maddison".
"Don't bother thanking us" she stated "we also raided your fridge for lunch".
Linus giggled as Edward sighed.
"If you touched my cranberry juice…"
"We didn't" the 13 year old reassured "Anyway, we've also partially prepared that post-game party Jacob went on about".
That struck Linus's attention, "Post game party?".
Maddison turned to him.
"Edward's so confident we'll win the football match, he's chosen to give the green light to prepare the victory party. In advance" she explained to Linus.
Which will all go to plan, if you aren't lying for your sisters sake, she thought to herself. She still didn't trust that the Van Pelts weren't working together.
Suddenly, Linus remembered an idea he had about the football match, and explained it to the others.
"You want us to make ourselves reserve players for the game". Edward contemplated his idea.
Linus explained it would get them directly involved. "We're doing this plan to help Charlie Brown win the game, so he doesn't lose hope. Isn't the best way to do that to be directly on the field, taking on Rochester alongside him".
Edward nodded. He of course, wanted to win the game also. Because that would symbolise Lucy's defeat.
Happy with Edwards approval, Linus turned to Maddison, who was suspiciously glaring at him.
"I thinks it's a good idea…" she began complimenting Linus.
"Thank you Maddison, it's…".
Linus stopped, as he saw the frown on Maddison's face.
"…yeah, it's a good idea, to distract us" she accused.
She pointed an angry finger at Linus.
"Maddison" Edward moaned, shaking his head.
"Edward, if we're all in the game, we're all too busy dealing with Rochester, and not with our true targets" Maddison explained to her friend.
"This" she pointed at Linus "is his sneaky idea of getting us beat, while he and his sister watch on". She addressed Linus "and you thought we were stupid".
Linus sighed, Maddison made logical sense, even if she was completely wrong.
Edward disagreed, putting his hands on his hips "I told you yesterday, I trust him, Maddison".
"And I don't" Maddison snapped back "you still barely know Linus. I'm sorry, but you're in no position to prove he isn't in cahoots with Lucy, are you?".
Then, the gate of Black Manor swung open,
"But I am" a voice spoke up.
Standing by the gate, was a new arrival, a hooded figure.
Maddison, Linus and Edward all stared at them.
"Why's that then kid" Maddison asked intently.
The figure was silent.
Edward stepped forward. "Are you friend or foe?" he asked.
"I believe that this will answer that question…" they responded
The figure revealed a fluro pink SOJAS sash, and removed their hood.
"…cousin Edward", Janice grinned.
"JANICE" Linus exclaimed happily, and ran to his friend.
"Linus" the two of them quickly embraced, Janice's sash draped around Linus's back.
They immediately began talking to each other about how they'd been doing, and what they'd been up to. Janice had pre-made plans to move back to Birchwood, soon after the Blacks were settled.
They then remembered where they were, and went back to the others.
"Usually" Edward then said to Janice "I don't allow interruptions like this".
He grinned at his cousin.
"But, I'll make an exception".
Edward and Janice embraced themselves. Next, Janice then shook hands with Maddison, and had some information to give her.
"Linus is trustworthy Maddi" she defended her friend.
Maddison thought about this, "And, did you therefore get along with Lucy then, Janice?"
Janice chuckled.
"Maddi, she called me a "creepy kid" when I was diagnosed".
This was news to Edward.
I might need to break another glass, he angrily thought to himself.
Maddison turned back to Linus, for the evidence was clearly against her.
"Sorry kid" she awkwardly apologised "It's my bad for jumping to that conclusion"
She held out her hand to him, as a sign of respect.
Linus was a bit irked, but shook her hand nonetheless. "It's good Maddison" he reassured "But, out of curiosity, why did you so desperately think I was allied with Lucy?".
To his surprise, Maddison paled at that question.
"I'd, rather not say Linus. And I probably need to be off home now" she stepped back from them "See ya".
She awkwardly left to go home, as they waved goodbye.
Maddison walked till she was a few blocks away, then a scowl appeared on her face. Being an only child, Maddison hadn't had an idea on their relationship. But, she now finally trusted Linus about what he'd said about his sister.
And now, now she hated Lucy twice as much.
"Maddison should be fine" Edward reassured Linus and Janice later "Tough week, that's all".
The three of them, along with Gina and Jacob, were watching a documentary after dinner. Janice and her family would be staying in Black Manor, now they were back in town.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Edward sighed. Who on earth was calling at this hour?, and in the middle of the good part too.
Recognising his brothers irritation, Jacob offered to answer it.
"Thank you Jacob" he replied.
The 5 year old ran to the door, as Janice got up to pause the documentary.
Moments later, Jacob ran into the room, and pointed at Linus.
"It's another one of his folk" he exclaimed worriedly.
He looked at Edward.
"And this time" he spluttered "it really is the girl".
Lucy and her clique had arrived at the manor.
Edward looked around for a moment. Then he leapt out of his chair, scrambling to any SOJAS logos and yanking them down.
"Ditch the evidence" Gina hissed, and joined him in doing so.
Edward threw his sash to Janice "Hide yourselves" he instructed "it's a bunch of red flags if they see you".
Janice nodded, and grabbing Linus's hand, they disappeared into another room.
Satisfied, Edward walked to the door, and opened it to the visitors.
"Welcome to my manor" he put on a smile.
Lucy stood in front of him, with Violet on her right, and a younger boy on her left.
"Thank you Edward, we figured you had the means to accomodate us" she stated.
Behind her stood at least 12 other kids, who filed into the main hall of the manor.
They all took a seat. While, from behind the door, Linus and Janice peeked in.
"Welcome everyone" Lucy began "I'm glad to be amongst people so loyal to us, and our cause to prove ourselves as winners.
Many of the people there smiled at her words, but from behind Lucy, Edward saw the ingenuity. Odds are they were either threatened into joining, or, were in it for themselves.
Few of them were loyal to this cause. But calling that out, would of course be hypocritical of him.
"I'd also like to give a acknowledgement" Lucy continued, interrupting Edwards thoughts "of our new member of the clique, who I'm sure will help us in our plot"
Edward looked around, expecting them to acknowledge him as the said member, but Lucy raised her hand.
"Oh no, I don't mean you Edward" she corrected him.
Instead, she gestured to the boy on her left.
And from behind the door, Linus stared at the boy in despair.
It was Rerun.
"My younger brother Rylan, has chosen to accompany us" Lucy conformed.
Rerun looked around with a small smile on his face, as his sister patted him on the back.
They both pulled their chairs in.
"Now, to business" Lucy said.
Janice turned to Linus to whisper something to him, only to find he was no longer next to her, but was walking upstairs, his head bowed.
She followed, entering into a room to find Linus sitting down. The boy was looking upset, with his hand on his forehead.
"What's wrong Linus" Janice asked, sitting down as well. She hadn't been as involved in his life as she hoped, and now she wanted to change that.
Linus sighed, staring into space.
"Is it Rerun and Lucy?" his friend guessed.
Linus looked up, and nodded.
"Rerun dislikes my habits" Linus began "he said last night, that he's ashamed of me. And now, now he's well and truly gone under Lucy's wing".
He sighed, he guessed Lucy didn't have any problems with Rerun, unlike she did with him.
"Lucy herself is ashamed of me. I know I'm not perfect, but she acts like I'm this absolute letdown" he shook his head.
"And she thinks that she's so perfect" he added bitterly.
Janice frowned at this, "I think instead, they should be looking at the helpful person you are Linus".
But Linus sighed again.
"Yet, I haven't been enough help to Charlie Brown. Because I'm too insecure and unconfident and…".
He looked at Janice, who was becoming increasingly unhappy with what she was hearing.
"…and because. It's because I'm a blanket carrying weirdo, isn't it".
Linus's grip on his blanket loosened, as Janice realised what he was thinking. Linus was unsure of himself.
"Janice" Linus stared at her "shou-should I be ashamed of who I am?"
At that, Janice stood up, she had had enough.
"NO" she said loudly to Linus.
"Janice, careful, they'll hear us".
She quickly calmed down.
"Sorry Linus, but I couldn't hear any of that a second longer."
She pointed at him.
"Remember, you helped me from my diagnosis. No, you SAVED me from my diagnosis" Janice exclaimed "If it wasn't for you finding it out and supporting me through it all, well…".
She breathed "Having your faith I'd get through, it helped me go miles. You were great"
Janice clasped Linus's hand, "So I cannot, I repeat, cannot believe you of all people, should be ashamed of themselves."
She sat down.
"And also, I always liked you as the nice, adorable weirdo with the blanket" she explained "Those who can't see that. Well, they're the people who should be ashamed."
Linus looked up, and for a moment, Janice thought she hadn't reached him.
But Linus smiled.
"Thank you, Janice. I, I really needed to hear that".
Janice put a hand on his shoulder.
"Consider us even Linus" she said "Edward may be one tough cookie, but I pay my own debts".
By the end of the meeting, Edward was seething in silent irritation and anger. During the meeting, Freddie revealed he was going to take a role in monitoring the team, and wouldn't even try to do his job properly. Rerun wasn't even talking, Violet was bragging again, and Lucy was explaining how supposedly foolproof her plot was.
Eventually they all finished up and left, until only Lucy remained.
"Good meeting" Edward said to her.
Lucy thanked him.
"It's a tribute to my role as a winner, don't you think" she bragged to him.
Edward smiled "Precisely".
He hated her, but he wouldn't act on that yet. No, not when he could plant his seeds of deception in her alliance.
Could I also offer you some advice, winner to winner" he offered
Lucy stared "Okay"
"Don't show weakness" he warned her.
Lucy raised her eyebrows.
"Weakness" scoffed Lucy "I'm strong, I don't need to worry about weakness"
"Don't you" Edward questioned "your clique, they are also strong, and if you showed weakness…"
He paused dramatically, "…they may lose confidence in you. And they will desert you, or worse, challenge you".
Lucy thought about this, and it wasn't unrealistic, "So what do I do?"
Edward had an answer, one which would gain him more control over the clique.
"Allow me perhaps, to represent your strength" Edward requested "I can remind your allies not to lose any confidence. My strength, will be your strength, and any perceived weakness, will not reflect on you".
Lucy smiled "I'm glad you Edward, have your loyalties straight"
She walked out the door, "I accept your idea."
Behind her, Edward smiled in satisfaction, he had got the power he wanted.
Violet had waited for Lucy outside the manor. She quickly questioned her about Edward.
Lucy sighed as Violet explained that she didn't entirely trust him.
"Blacks much too powerful" she claimed.
"Drop it Violet" Lucy told her "Yes he's strong, but he's at least on our side".
They continued walking.
"I know one person who isn't" Violet explained.
Lucy turned to her, but then realised who she referred to.
She realised, he may be onto them, and would need to be silenced.
"Linus" she sneered.
Violet nodded.
"Don't worry" Lucy slyly smirked to herself "I have a plan for him".