RETRACTION
A room over from his siblings, Linus reached for a two-way radio, hidden in his pocket, and held it to his ear.
"Hello, Charlie Brown, are you there?"
"Linus"
Charlie Brown was on the other end, at a table with Sally, Schroeder and Marcie.
"Where are you. First we've been wondering where Rerun was. And now Sally's been saying..…..…..Sally, you haven't finished telling me what Frieda said yet"
Linus heard a quick conversation between the two, and prepared himself for the response.
"YOU WENT INTO GRAY MANOR TO SEARCH FOR RERUN" Charlie Brown was heard over the line.
"Sshhhh, keep it down will you" Linus rebuffed.
He then glanced around, "For the record, I did find him Charlie Brown. Don't worry"
"You're in a bad situation, and still with that suspicious new friend of yours. And you don't do much less worrying than me. Look who's talking"
"Hey" Linus grumbled.
"But I am worried Linus" Charlie Brown looked to his sister, radio still on, "make sure you stay safe, okay"
"I'll do my best" Linus put a hand to his heart, "Rerun and I will check in soon.
"Ok, Goodbye then"
"Bye" he turned off the radio, but Charlie Brown stayed by on the other end.
He was at the other side of town to Linus. Sally eventually got his attention
"Big brother…you're winning Go Fish so…"
Sally tried to resume thier game, to no avail.
"Linus's new friend. She criticised me, and was interested in Linus's relationship with family" he began to grimace, "That's familiar"
"He can take care of himself. Besides, some people don't want any publicity" Franklin reasoned.
"I agree with you Franklin" Charlie Brown said, "but what was her problem with me. Is she trying to get some glory for herself?"
"I think we're about to find out" Schroeder pointed, putting down his cards.
An entering Peppermint Patty ran through the room.
"GUYS, EVERYONE. THIS IS THE TALK OF THE TOWN" she paused "…or at least a good portion of the town. COME LISTEN"
She ran until she was right next to him
"Did you know what portion means?" Marcie asked, "Also, we've been playing cards. We don't know Sir"
"Stop calling me…." Patty tried to become more nuanced, but she began to explain herself.
"Apparently someone learned from Rerun. That girl standing by Linus, it…Chuck you need to know…"
"Patty, tell me. Linus is with her right now"
"…..it is…..it's Lucille".
The four of them went quiet, cards fallen from thier hands.
"Thought so" Schroeder replied.
There was a mixture of feelings. Charlie Brown had what was almost a scowl on his face, and Marcie could see him thinking.
"We have to find her, find them both"
As he said this, he looked to Janice Emmons, herself pondering the information.
"She broke the restraining order with her brother" she muttered, "but…was it for her own sake?"
And Janice looked to her cousin, Black, who sat on a chair.
"Or?…" she fell silent. He was ready to leave.
But she could recognise a fresh injury on his right torso, proving he already had taken action personally. He only had one thing to say, however
"This must be her last mistake"
"This is bad, right"
"RERUN. How could it not be"
Lucy and Rerun were still where they'd been earlier.
"…Violet knows who I am. Soon she'll share the news, and Birchwood will know that I broke the restraining order"
"…will it be that fast?" Rerun asked innocently
"Unless Violet can't find anyone to tell, yes, an…"
Lucy was about to say something else. But then she gave what she'd said a real thought, and her new plot formed.
"Find anyone" she wondered, then nodded, "Ok, this is how it'll be. Rerun, I'm finding Violet right now.
"Right now"
"Before she can tell anyone about this. And if I'm too late, I'll make sure she faces the music rather than me.
She stood firm, finalising her plot, "Or I'll strike a deal. We have similar tastes"
Rerun gave no indication he agreed or disagreed with her.
"Pssst. You two"
Linus was coming back beside Rerun, looking impatient, but more so anxious.
"Weren't we supposed to get going. Our luck is only so good"
He was glad he decided to come back himself, as Lucy kept on muttering.
Linus persisted, "…Guys, I really…"
Lucy jerked her head.
"oh SHUT UP for a moment"
She snapped at her brother without notice, and shocked Linus. But thankfully, he re-composed himself, seeing a flicker of regret in her.
"Let's keep it down huh" he warned, "the whole house'll hear us"
"Well sorry Linus, that doesn't matter anymore" she stated in reply, "we're staying here, and finding Violet".
Linus stood quietly for a moment, as he looked hastily to Rerun and back.
"We planned to rescue Rerun. He's here now, so let's go"
"Forget the stupid plan" Lucy stepped forward, "you have a bone to pick with these guys, and so do I"
Linus pondered what her issue was. They could stay, but all three of them here was risky, out of thier depth as they were.
"I know I did plan to do something regarding this…circumstance"
"You did"
"I'll explain later Rerun" Linus continued, "but forget it. It doesn't matter now"
"WHAT" Lucy cried, "You're skipping it, and at your crucial chance. You're being timid"
"Timid, no way"
"Yes, timid"
"I'm putting safety first" Linus pointed straight to Rerun, making his implication. But Lucy stepped away, a scowl very visible.
"No, no I see now. Guess that I saw who you really are the first time, Linus Van Pelt"
He turned away, he didn't want to look at her.
"Yeah you lasted a bit of the way. But really" she got to his face "you don't even have the courage, DO YOU. I might have known. When it gets a bit tough, you just go hide under your blanket"
Linus could barely hide how hurt he was.
"…don't you. I was wrong to think that you weren't a scared and weak little boy"
Lucy turned and marched out, "I'll do this alone"
And she was gone. Leaving a saddened Linus behind.
He was glancing back to his brother, as the youngest broke the silence softly.
"Hey, there's something you need to know"
"…probably" he affirmed, "Rerun, lay low somewhere and be ready to leave when we get back"
Rerun wanted to argue, but his brothers face compelled him to give a half-joking salute, and then do as he asked.
Linus gave him a pat on the shoulder, before he went in Lucy's direction.