Chapter Six
Tuesday Morning
05:50
It was a quiet and foggy morning. The sun was just barely peeking over the mountains, and everyone slept peacefully in their beds. Suddenly, a quiet beeping sounded right next to Alvin. He quickly woke up and silenced it. He rubbed his eyes and checked both bunks to see his brothers were still asleep. He got off the bunk and quietly walked out of his bedroom. "Damnit, I hate waking up early…" He mumbled to himself before quietly closing the door behind him.
Alvin made his way downstairs to the kitchen. Still with half closed eyes, he fixed himself a bowl of oats, added water to the bowl, and placed it in the microwave for a few minutes.
After taking it out with a towel and placing it on the counter. He opened a drawer filled with medical supplies and took out a simple thermometer, which he stuck in the hot oatmeal and left it there as he went to watch TV.
Upstairs in the Chipettes room, Jeanette, being a light sleeper, was awoken by the sound of the morning news downstairs. "Uuugh, what? Who's up already?" Jeanette's curiosity guided her off the bed.
While watching the news, Alvin heard sounds from above. He quickly ran to the kitchen and took the thermometer out of the oatmeal, and cleaned it off before putting it in his mouth. "What? The news?" She looked around and saw Alvin with his back turned to her in the kitchen."Alvin? What are you doing up so early?"
He turned around and acted surprised. "Oh! Jeanette!" He took the thermometer out of his mouth "sorry If I woke you. I was just making myself breakfast. By the way, is this a healthy number?" He showed her the thermometer, Jeanette took one look and became worried
"Oh my god, you have a fever of 108°F! Why hasn't it gone away yet?" Alvin simply shrugged."Don't worry, Alvin. I'll tell Dave, and hopefully, he lets you stay home one more day."
"Thanks, Jeanette. Oh, and uh, don't tell Simon." She looked at him. Confused
"Why not?"
"Well, I don't want him to worry. We gotta look out for his mental health. Who am I kidding? He'll see right through me."
"Well, okay. If you insist."
"Thanks, Jeanette, you're too kind." He walked away, smirking.
06:57
Dave and all the chipmunks minus, Alvin sat at the table eating their breakfast.
"Where's Alvin?" Asked Simon
"Jeanette said he's still sick. So he's staying home." Jeanette stopped eating her food and looked at Simon
"Oops, sorry, Alvin." Jeanette thought
"He's still sick?! How? We gave him medicine yesterday!" Simon thought visibly confused."So he's not even gonna eat breakfast?"
"He had oatmeal before you came down." Replied Jeanette
"(Sigh) I can't believe him sometimes… whatever." Said Simon
"You can't blame him for being sick. I just hope he gets better." Said Brittany
"I'll bet he's enjoying the days off!" Eleanor chimed in
"Good to see you cheerful again." Dave said
"Yeah well…" Before Eleanor could finish her reply, the alarm went off.
"Aww, why does breakfast always feel so short?" Theodore said why everyone went for their backpacks and outerwear
"I don't know Theo, maybe time got jealous of your cooking and speed up so you couldn't fully enjoy it." Simon said sarcastically. Everyone laughed and left the house. Alvin could be seen. Watching them from his bedroom window, he continued looking out the window even after Dave's car had driven out of view. After a minute, he disappeared back into his room.
07:23
Dave's car arrives at West Eastman high and pulls up alongside the curb. The passenger side door opens, and five Chipmunks jump out. They wave goodbye, and the car drives off.
"So Jeanette?" Asked Simon
"What is it, Simon?"
"How did Alvin look? Did he look sick at all?"
"Not really… but his thermometer said otherwise!"
"What did it say?"
"108."
"If what you just said is true, then either he's on death's door, or he tricked you!"
Jeanette looked at Simon with confusion, then realization
"I guess it is an uncommon temperature. But…"
"You're too trusting, Jeanette. He may have cheered up Eleanor, but Alvin is still Alvin." Brittany commented
Jeanette sighed and shook her head. "Why would he lie?" They all looked at her like she was crazy "Ugh I mean, why now? Right now we should stay together. Not skip school!"
"Believe it or not, he doesn't value school as much as you, sis."
"That's not the point! Whatever… let's just get to class." Jeanette gave up and walked toward the school, and the others followed suit.
From afar, hidden in the shadows, stood Mason Kern, He watched the chipmunks walk into the school. He then snuck off to a nearby payphone and made a call. It rings for a few seconds before a young man answers the phone
"Hello?"
"Ay, it's Mason."
"Hey Mason, have the Nutcrackers gone west?"
"Uhh, yes, they have."
"Good, keep an eye on em. Make sure they don't veer off course."
Mason puts the phone back on its hook and heads back to the school.
Meanwhile…
At a gas station, two bikes rested alongside a black two-tone van. Next to it stood Vance and Kayce.
"So?" Asked Kayce, Vance simply nodded, which seemed to satisfy Kayce enough. A minute later, Out walked Ray from the store tightening his belt with wet hands. "Where were you?"
"Bathroom, had to release the beast. Burrito night sure does have its costs!"
"Jesus Ray, your fucking disgusting." Said Kayce with a scowl on his face
"What's disgusting about something natural?"
"Oh I don't know, how about the way you described it?"
"The way i– you know one of these days I'm gonna put you in the fuckin dirt!"
"Oh really?"
Ray pulls a knife from the back of his belt "Yeah really!"
"Stop that Ray. Let's be civil. And by the way, I just got off the phone with your cousin. The squints have arrived at school. That means phase two is a go, Move!" Instinctively, Ray nods and puts on a helmet and rides off on his bike.
"Looks like all our hard work is finally gonna pay off." Vance told Kayce with a smile
11:03, lunchtime
The Five chipmunks sat at their own table happily eating away at their lunch. Eleanor would occasionally look around to see if there were any Bobcats there that day. But she couldn't spot any
"Stop worrying Eleanor. Remember, Dave's gonna have a word with Dr. Ruben and sort everything out when school ends today."
"Sigh your right, I just need to calm down and eat this less than appetizing burger so generously given by the school."
"You give them too much credit." Theodore said, getting a laugh out of Eleanor. In reality he didn't care about how most food tasted, school burgers included
"Wow Theo, having a distaste for food?" Simon commented holding a French fry
"Yeah! That's…" Eleanor Said but stopped when looked behind Theodore and noticed Mason peeking around a corner staring right at her
After around ten seconds of not finishing her sentence the others grew confused and noticed her looking at something. But when their eyes followed her line of sight but Mason was nowhere to be seen
"Uh sis? What're you looking at?" Asked a worried Jeanette
Eleanor snapped out of her trance of fear "Oh me? I just… uh… thought I saw something… peculiar."
"Well did you?" Theodore asked
"Nope! Didn't see anything!" Everyone except Theodore raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything "I'm gonna go get another burger!" Eleanor said getting up
"But you just said the burger was unappetizing!" Brittany interjected
"I did? Oh I did! Yeah I meant uh… grilled cheese."
"Mmm yummy, I'll come too!" Theodore said happily following his counterpart
"Okay cool! Glad that your…" Eleanor again notices Mason, this time leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, still staring right at her. When noticed he had her attention, he raised his finger to his mouth in a shushing motion. "Your… um… coming with me!"
"Always happy to!" The pair walked off to the kitchen to get their fill.
13:55
Dave walked out of the studio in his suit and tie holding a suitcase "Alright then, time to see If I can't fix this little problem Eleanor's having." He said to himself walking to his car. He got in, put the key into the ignition, and turned.
The engine sputtered but didn't start. He tried again, same result. "What the? Don't tell me I gotta get this thing fixed again!" He popped the hood and took a look at the engine to find his engine missing its spark plugs. "That's not good. I wish I knew I'd have so many problems with this thing or wouldn't have bought it." He sighed and paced for a bit "how am I supposed to help Eleanor with no way to get to school?"
At the school
"West Eastman high, this is Elaine speaking. How can I help you?"
"Yeah it's Dave Seville, listen I nee–"
"Oh your Alvin's Dad aren't you? We see him in the office quite a bit!"
"Sigh, Yep I'm sure you do, I'm just calling to let my kids know I won't be able to pick them up."
"Hmm pity. I'll be sure to forward the information."
"Thank you so much, have a wonderful day. Oh, and tell the–" before he could finish she had put the phone back on its hook.
"Oops… Well, I'm sure it wasn't too important. Oh Ronnie!" Yelled Elaine, a few seconds later a young man came out. "Ronnie, would you be a doll and go let those chipmunks know that their Father isn't able to pick them up?"
Outside stood the chipmunks waiting patiently on the curb, they watched as everyone got into their parents car and went home. They waited and waited and waited but Dave never came.
"Ugh, where is he?!" Brittany asked annoyed
"Maybe something happened." Answered Eleanor
"I hope he didn't crash!" Cried Theodore
"I'm sure it's just traffic, This is LA." Simon reassured his brother
"Uuh about that…" said a voice from behind, they all turned around to see a young man with a brown suit and glasses.
"Mr hill! What are you doing here?" Jeanette asked
"Hi Jeanette, Well I was sent out here to tell you guys that your father won't be coming today." The chipmunks all looked quite surprised and even a little worried
"What! Why not?" Brittany Asked shocked
"Did something happen?" Theodore asked with wide eyes
"I don't know, I wasn't told. If something did happen, they would've told their messenger." Mr Hill said with his hands up
"Sigh, well that means Dave's probably fine, his car probably broke down or something." Simon stated, relieved "either way, we should let Alvin know. He's gonna be curious as to why we haven't returned yet." He pulled out his phone and dialed the home phone, it rang and rang and rang… but no one picked up
"Ugh he Better not be asleep!" Brittany scoffed
"I'm sure he's just listening to music or something." Simon said, dialing the number again. Again it rang and rang and rang, but the only voice they heard was the automatic voicemail.
"Why won't he pick up? Whatever, we can ask him when we get home." Simon said, annoyed.
"Well we'd better get going then…" Jeanette stated
With that five chipmunks made their way across the city,they sped up when they noticed storm clouds drifting in their direction. they had made it a decent way before coming onto a commercial street on a hill overlooking the city. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw a boy walk out of a convenience store.
He wore a black bomber jacket and fringed hair, Mason.
He Hadn't noticed them and was sipping a soda, But Brittany sought to change that. Him being one of the boys who had made her sisters life hell, she wanted nothing more than for him to pay. "Hey!"
The other four chipmunks froze when they saw him turn his head and see them, His eyes widened and he dropped his soda. "Oh shit!" He exclaimed, and took off running.
"Hey! Get back here!" Brittany yelled and gave chase.
"Britt, wait!" Eleanor pleaded in vain.
After a few seconds the others also started running after the lone Bobcat. Mason took them over half a mile before his lungs started getting tired. Brittany was close behind and when she saw him take a sharp right into an alley she smirked "Got you now!"
She turned and followed him in, she was so focused on the chase she didn't notice whistling coming from where Mason was running, she made sure to run faster when she saw him disappear from view behind a corner.
When she turned the corner she noticed Mason had finally stopped and was currently coughing from the strain he put on his lungs. She saw she was in a small empty parking lot overlooking the city. She also noticed "We'll meet again" being whistled, and its source…
A boy sporting a mullet. He had green and blue eyes and donned a black bomber jacket. Was leaning against a wall and whistling, Vance.
All the anger Brittany had for Mason died when she saw Vance. She didn't even notice the other chipmunks had caught up and were frozen with fear and unable to move.
Vance ceased his whistling and started walking towards the chipmunks. "Well done Mason, you did good." He said without taking his eyes off his prey "Good to see you again Eleanor! We missed you so much."
"Stay away from me Vance…" She replied with a shaky voice
Simon regained his composure "We gotta get outta here." He said and turned back to the alley he came in from but backed away when he saw a black van come out of it.
It stopped blocking the way out and out stepped Kayce and Ray, the latter holding a cage. "Gotcha now squints." Ray said evilly
Vance counted them and his eyes narrowed "Mason, where's the red one?"
Mason looked at Vance dumbfounded "Huh? Whaddya mean?"
"There's supposed to be Six of them, Mason. Not five, Six! You're the one who pointed out to me that one was missing yesterday, that's why I chose you for this job!"
"I'm sorry boss, they were far awa–" Mason was cut off when Vance smacked his head leaving the Chipmunks stunned
"Shut your fucking hole! I don't wanna hear your damn excuses! Sigh, we'll just have to get that red rat later." Vance said and snapped his fingers
Ray opened the cage and dropped it "In." He ordered them.
"Please… just let us–"
"Get in." Knowing none of their adversaries would budge they slowly began to walk towards the open cage not knowing what their fates beheld
"I think that's enough." Said a voice from behind Vance and Mason. Everyone looked at the second entryway and saw two Cops standing there.
The chipmunks all smiled when they saw the source of the voice sitting on one of the cops shoulders.
"Alvin!" Yelled Theodore
Vance looked at Alvin with Hatred. "Alvin." He looked at his comrades and blinked twice, Instinctively Ray and Mason ran to the Van and started it. To Vances Shock, Kayce didn't run. "Kayce what the fuck are you doing?" He quickly asked but received no reply, Kayce just looked to the ground. "Kayce! This isn't what we planned!"
Alvin jumped from the his lawful perch
"Alright Vance that's enough. Hands behind your back." Said the officer.
Vance turned back to the officer and glared
"Officer Denham. Great to see you again." Vance put two fingers up in a forward motion, Just like that the van drove off with Ray and Mason inside.
"Dispatch, two suspects fleeing in a black two-tone van, Over. Jackson, take the other one." The officers cuffed Vance and Kayce and began leading them away "We'll be right back guys." Said the officer
Vance broke free from the officer's grip and turned to Alvin, "I'm coming for you, Alvin." He hissed but was forcibly pulled away by the policeman. For a second Alvin showed a tinge of fear but quickly hid it away.
"Shut it! You have the right to remain silent!" Vance and Kayce were walked to a police cruiser and shoved in the back. "Sit tight, we'll be back. Hey jackson keep an eye on em" And the door was shut. "10-15, gonna check on the callers."
The officers went back to the Parking lot and found the chipmunks, a little shaken but safe. "You guys alright?" Asked the officer
They took a while but eventually they all nodded, the policeman looked relieved and put a hand on his belt "lucky you called us. We've been gunning for those 'bobcats' for a while."
The chipmunks looked confused and Jeanette spoke up "Um we didn't call you…"
"I called them." Said Alvin
"You did? Thank you so much!" Exclaimed Eleanor
"Who else could do something so cool?" Alvin asked proudly
"Seriously though, we were in some serious trouble back there. If it weren't for you…" Added Simon
"Oh stop it Si, don't give me all the credit."
"What do you mean?" The blue clad chipmunk inquired
"I'll tell you later." Alvin replied, and turned his attention to the cop who was still standing there "Thanks for the help officer eh…"
"Denham."
"Right, do ya need anything else from us? No offense but we gotta get home before those clouds get here."
"Nope, if you don't wanna make a statement that's fine. You have a safe day now, and stay out of trouble." The chipmunks all said their goodbyes to the officer and he walked away to his cruiser, and a few moments later. They heard it drive away.
Alvin turned to the group "Whose hungry? I'd kill for a pizza!"
"We nearly got kidnapped, and pizzas on your mind?" Said Simon
"I saved you guys, I think a reward is due."
"Not tonight, Dave's expecting us." Said Jeanette
"I'd love to! But I don't want Eleanor to be Alone." Theodore added causing his counterparts eyes to flutter
"Sorry Alvin no dice. I gotta study anyway." Stated Simon
"Fine whatever…" Said Alvin disappointed. Brittany looked at him with sympathy, and admiration. He had just saved her from abduction, he should be rewarded for his efforts!
"Here's my chance! I can go!" She said cheerfully. Alvin looked at her, shocked but happy.
"Awsome, at least someone here appreciates me! Thank you Brittany, it's gonna storm though we should go tomorrow."
"Fine by me, just–" Brittany was about to say something else but was interrupted by loud thunder "It can wait, we gotta get home!" They all agreed and resumed their walk home
14:58
20 minutes after they and the chipmunks parted ways. The two Cops, Officer Denham and Officer Jackson were still transporting Vance and Kayce but were running late due to the combination of traffic and the rainstorm which had arrived and was very thick keeping visibility low.
"Shoulda taken that 10-13 to heart. The Chief'l have our heads for being this late." Said officer Denham with both hands on the steering wheel
"Cool it Sam, it's LA! It's bumper to Bumper out here everyday, He'll understand."
"We'll just have to wait and see. Hey boys, are you still alive back there?" He asked, not Taking take his eyes off the road. When he received no reply from behind the barred seats behind him he glanced at his partner for a second
"Huh, hey Jackson check on our two guests of honor will you?"
"Will do." Jackson turned to the back and looked through the cage and saw Vance and Kayce. He saw Kayce who was looking out the window, he looked regretful. Jackson looked to see how Vance was doing, and didn't like what he saw.
Vance's eyes were covered by the shadows cast by his hair. Jackson noticed his Fists were clenched and shaking.
They passed by a streetlight which for a split second illuminated Vances eyes. Jackson had guessed Vance wasn't too happy about getting caught, especially after seeing his fists. But then he saw Vance's eyes.
They were looking straight at Jackson, and they looked evil. Jackson didn't know if it was lighting from the orange streetlights or just his imagination, but for that split second Vances eyes didn't look Blue or green. They looked orange-ish, even red. As if he was some kind of demon.
Jackson looked away and tried to pay attention to the road "So how are they doing?" Asked his partner
"T-t-they… they're fine…" Denham glanced at his partner who had begun sweating.
"Hey Jackson, you look a little spooked you Alright man?"
"Just the weather is all…"
"Huh… okay." Denham took a hand off the wheel and patted his partner on the shoulder "So Vance, I just wanna say happy 18th birthday! You don't know how happy we are to finally cuff you as an adult!"
"Guys, you shouldn't talk to him right now." Said Kayce with a worried tone
"He speaks! Ya hear that Jackson? He spoke! Ya know it was real stupid of you guys to go after the fuckin chipmunks and the chipettes. The FBI would've been all over you guys. Thankfully we got you, let me tell you Mckowskie, the whole station threw a birthday party just for you! Haha, just kidding, there's no party. Just a cold empty cell waiting to be filled."
"Unit 19, come in unit 19" A voice from the radio requested
"Shit that's us, probably on us for being late." Said Denham picking up the radio with one hand "This is Unit 19, what seems to be the problem?"
"You said you'd be here 20 minutes ago, where the hell are you?"
"Apologies, Bad traffic, we're 10 minutes out."
"10-4, status of the suspects?"
"Suspects are… shit!" Right then as they approached some crossroads, Denham saw a semi approaching from the side, they both saw each other and pulled their brakes. The wet roads proved them useless and the semi ended up drifting right into the side of the cruiser. The last thing the two officers saw was their world turning upside down.
An unknown amount of time later
"Unit 19? Respond!" Denham opened his eyes and held his forehead in pain. He noticed he was upside down and looked around and saw a broken windshield letting blades of grass slip through. He looked to his left and saw Jackson, unconscious with his arms hanging. "Unit 19 we're sending another unit to your location, hang tight!" Denham looked over to the source of the voice which was a radio hanging from the dashboard, he unbuckled his seatbelt and fell to the roof. reached for the radio and brought it to his mouth
"Dispatch… Unit 19 reporting, 11-81, partners unconscious."
"10-4, status on the suspects?" Denham looked behind him and his eyes widened we he saw the back window shattered as well as a severe lack of Vance and Kayce
"Son of a bitch! Dispatch, the suspects escaped! I say again, the suspects escaped!"