''I think they have dogs after us! Can you smell
that? It smells just like wet dog.''
''Wouldn't they be barking?'' Leo asked.
''Not Vesper dogs,'' Bella told him. ''They're trained not to make any sound, so people don't know they're being followed.'' She grimaced. ''There will be two kinds of dogs back there; bloodhounds to track us and attack dogs to... kill us.''
''You're wrong,'' Ben informed her.
''What do you mean! I certainly know more about Vesper Dog Techniques than you!''
''That's not what I meant. I meant, 'They aren't behind us, they are already here'!'' Ben said calmly.
Leo and Bella spun around. Ben was right. They were surrounded!
''Wouldn't they be barking?'' Leo asked.
''Not Vesper dogs,'' Bella told him. ''They're trained not to make any sound, so people don't know they're being followed.'' She grimaced. ''There will be two kinds of dogs back there; bloodhounds to track us and attack dogs to... kill us.''
''You're wrong,'' Ben informed her.
''What do you mean! I certainly know more about Vesper Dog Techniques than you!''
''That's not what I meant. I meant, 'They aren't behind us, they are already here'!'' Ben said calmly.
Leo and Bella spun around. Ben was right. They were surrounded!
Madz:
At Vesper Headquarters, Madz was also in extreme danger. And she knew it.
''Where is Bella Archer.'' Vesper one demanded.
''I don't know,'' Madz replied coolly. ''I thought she might be visiting relatives, maybe.''
Vesper One snapped his (or her?) fingers. A grim looking figure stepped out of the shadows. Madz gasped.
It was the Master Interrogator.
''Now, you will tell me what I desire to know.'' Even through the voice disguising device, Madz was sure she heard evil pleasure in Vesper One's tone.
''Nope!'' she replied.
At Vesper Headquarters, Madz was also in extreme danger. And she knew it.
''Where is Bella Archer.'' Vesper one demanded.
''I don't know,'' Madz replied coolly. ''I thought she might be visiting relatives, maybe.''
Vesper One snapped his (or her?) fingers. A grim looking figure stepped out of the shadows. Madz gasped.
It was the Master Interrogator.
''Now, you will tell me what I desire to know.'' Even through the voice disguising device, Madz was sure she heard evil pleasure in Vesper One's tone.
''Nope!'' she replied.
Ben’s Rescue Team:
Evan hopped into the
car in Butte,
smiled at the grouchy looking people inside, and promptly fell asleep.
Christine directed Irena to the museum she had wanted to see.
''Does anyone want to come with me?'' the former spy asked.
''I will!'' Christine hurried out of the car. She had slept during the plane ride, so she was relatively rested. ''Whoa,'' she remarked. ‘‘This place looks a little... creepy.''
''Well, it is absolutely essential for me to go in there. I'm sure it is very safe, after all, it's just a museum with a lot of rocks inside.'' Irena informed her.
With that, they stepped into the dim interior of the MBMG Mineral Museum.
Christine directed Irena to the museum she had wanted to see.
''Does anyone want to come with me?'' the former spy asked.
''I will!'' Christine hurried out of the car. She had slept during the plane ride, so she was relatively rested. ''Whoa,'' she remarked. ‘‘This place looks a little... creepy.''
''Well, it is absolutely essential for me to go in there. I'm sure it is very safe, after all, it's just a museum with a lot of rocks inside.'' Irena informed her.
With that, they stepped into the dim interior of the MBMG Mineral Museum.
Madz:
Madz was breathing hard. She had only been tortured for about fifteen minutes, but she was already starting to crack. I must be losing my touch, she thought grimly.
''That's enough, Interrogator. I'm becoming bored.'' Vesper One's hard voice interrupted her thoughts.
Madz felt quite relived. She stood up, but was zapped yet again with the VortexTaze, one of the Vesper's newest inventions.
''Hold still. I'm not done speaking to you.'' Now Madz was sure she could hear V1 smiling. She looked up at her leader through a fog of pain. ''Miss Archer is already dead. I just needed to test your loyalty to the Vesper cause. Now you shall be punished.''
Madz fainted from a combination of pain and shock.
Madz was breathing hard. She had only been tortured for about fifteen minutes, but she was already starting to crack. I must be losing my touch, she thought grimly.
''That's enough, Interrogator. I'm becoming bored.'' Vesper One's hard voice interrupted her thoughts.
Madz felt quite relived. She stood up, but was zapped yet again with the VortexTaze, one of the Vesper's newest inventions.
''Hold still. I'm not done speaking to you.'' Now Madz was sure she could hear V1 smiling. She looked up at her leader through a fog of pain. ''Miss Archer is already dead. I just needed to test your loyalty to the Vesper cause. Now you shall be punished.''
Madz fainted from a combination of pain and shock.
Leo, Bella and Ben:
The bloodhounds stopped a few yards short of them, while the attack dogs continued forward.
''I'm pretty good with dogs,'' Leo said calmly.
''Not these ones.'' Bella's voice sounded terrified.
Leo reached out his hand toward the leader of the pack. He was an enormous Irish wolfhound, and normally he would have been a beautiful dog. But Bella knew that with the Vesper training methods of abuse, solitary confinement, and starvation, he was a totally deadly animal. As Leo reached for him and spoke softly, she started to call out, started to scream, 'No, Leo don't-'
Bu it was already too late. The huge animal leapt at Leo, its teeth slicing deep into his skin.
The bloodhounds stopped a few yards short of them, while the attack dogs continued forward.
''I'm pretty good with dogs,'' Leo said calmly.
''Not these ones.'' Bella's voice sounded terrified.
Leo reached out his hand toward the leader of the pack. He was an enormous Irish wolfhound, and normally he would have been a beautiful dog. But Bella knew that with the Vesper training methods of abuse, solitary confinement, and starvation, he was a totally deadly animal. As Leo reached for him and spoke softly, she started to call out, started to scream, 'No, Leo don't-'
Bu it was already too late. The huge animal leapt at Leo, its teeth slicing deep into his skin.
Leo sprang back,
blood seeping from his arm.
''Bella, take Ben and run! I'll try to hold them off as long as I can!''
''No! I'm staying with you!'' Bella's voice was firm. ''Ben, you try to get out of here.''
''Nope, if you guys are going to be heroic, I will be too. Then we can all die!'' Ben grunted sarcastically.
''Heroic? What do you mea-'' those were Bella's last words before a dog knocked her down into the snow.
Leo gave an inarticulate roar, springing forward to try to save her, but a dog latched onto his foot and he went down.
(INTERLUDE: The rest of the scene afore-mentioned is too gory for small children. So, to make the chapter the proper length, I'll give you a peek into what was happening to Amy and Ian at this point!)
''Bella, take Ben and run! I'll try to hold them off as long as I can!''
''No! I'm staying with you!'' Bella's voice was firm. ''Ben, you try to get out of here.''
''Nope, if you guys are going to be heroic, I will be too. Then we can all die!'' Ben grunted sarcastically.
''Heroic? What do you mea-'' those were Bella's last words before a dog knocked her down into the snow.
Leo gave an inarticulate roar, springing forward to try to save her, but a dog latched onto his foot and he went down.
(INTERLUDE: The rest of the scene afore-mentioned is too gory for small children. So, to make the chapter the proper length, I'll give you a peek into what was happening to Amy and Ian at this point!)
''Well, Amy.'' Ian was lost for words, a condition he rarely found himself in.
''I suppose it's time to say goodbye,'' Amy said sadly. She stood awkwardly, wishing she could rush into his arms, but sure she would offend him if she did. Her jade eyes filled with unshed tears.
Ian sniffled and ate another Easter Peep from the box. He tried to make it sound like he had a cold, instead of the deep emotional distress he felt. Never had he felt a pain this deep at parting.
''Amy,'' he said, taking her hand in his, ''I want you to know, I will always-''
''HEY!'' one of Cbeppa's readers complained. ''This is mushy and boring! I'm not a small child; tell me what happened to Leo and Bella and Ben! Now!''
''Alright, fine,'' I replied. ''But don't blame me if it gives you nightmares. Here goes:''
Bella screamed in agony as the dog went for her throat.
Suddenly, there was an explosion, and the huge beast collapsed on her! Their attackers began to fall, as shots tore through the forested stillness. Many of the dogs saw what was going on, and started running back toward the KFC.
Ben hopped up. As usual, he was unscathed.
''Hey, what just happened?'' Then he saw an old lady sanding at the edge of the clearing, wielding a rusted shotgun.
Ben realized he should check on his rescuers. He waved cheerily to the old woman, and she came over.
''I can explain everything,'' Ben told her as they strained to shove the dead dog off of Bella. ''You see, my family's from Ireland and we are fighting these evil people called Ves-''
''I don't want to hear about it,'' the woman said wearily. ''Family feuds are terrible things, no matter how much the families on either side think they're right. I know about the strange people who pretend to run the KFC. If you are fighting them, you have lots of trouble coming.''
She said nothing else. Bella was breathing still. They couldn't see any blood, so Ben thought she must have been just partly suffocated by the dog's weight.
Leo was a different story. He was bleeding seriously from his arm, and a dog had bitten his foot also, but at least he was conscious.
''Better get to the hospital quick.'' The old lady spoke for the first time in a long while.
''Can't we take them to your house?'' Ben felt desperate.
''I can have nothing more to do with you,” the woman said, looking around uncomfortably. “You carry the girl, and that boy there can walk. I've seen his kind before. They come to no good end, but they are tough.'' With that, she disappeared into the trees, leaving the three to face a long and painful walk.
But at least they had survived.
Madz:
Madz rested her head on her knees and took deep, slow
breaths.
If Bella was dead, there was nothing she could do about it. But they had been such great friends!
Sitting in the cold, blank prison cell, Madz made the decisions that all true Vespers eventually make:
If Bella was dead, there was nothing she could do about it. But they had been such great friends!
Sitting in the cold, blank prison cell, Madz made the decisions that all true Vespers eventually make:
1) Never trust anyone completely.
2) Never have close friends. V1 can use them to get at you.
3) Never let your emotions show.
4) Never get caught without a backup plan.
5) NEVER MAKE V1 ANGRY!
This was the unspoken, unofficial Vesper Creed. All Vespers who want to get higher in the organization adopt their own version, and most of them are much like the one Madz created during her hours of punishment.
Only after the code has been adopted is a Vesper truly dangerous. When Madz stepped out of the cell, she was already started on a backup plan.
Christine and Irena:
Irena and Christine stepped into the Mineral Museum.
While Irena paid, Christine looked around. There were lots of interesting exhibits, and Christine began to feel at home. I really like any kind of museum, she thought to herself, examining a four-foot wide log of fossilized wood. She bent down closer to examine the tiny drops of amber on its surface.
''Pretty neat, huh?''
Christine was startled. She spun around to face the unfamiliar speaker.
He was a handsome young man in a Mineral Museum uniform. She guessed he must be a museum guide.
He began to talk to her about the wood, and Christine felt herself being drawn into the conversation. Then Irena came over.
The guide smiled winningly and said hello. Then he began to show them some of the other interesting things in the museum.
''Now the place most kids your age like most,'' he told Christine, ''is this really cool exhibit on glowing rocks.'' He motioned them over to a small room with curtain doors.
Irena had a pang of gut feeling; do not go in there. But since she was normally averse to small dark places, she ignored it.
The man walked in with them. ''Now you turn on the light, wait a second, them turn it off,'' he instructed her.
Christine did, then stared in wonder at the bright colors of the glowing rocks.
''Oh, one little thing,'' the guide said suddenly. ''I'll have to ask you to put your hands behind your backs so I can tie them. Don't try to escape; I have a gun.''
Christine gasped in alarm as she and Irena were quickly tied and gagged.
There was no doubt in either of their minds that this was a Vesper kidnapping.
Irena and Christine stepped into the Mineral Museum.
While Irena paid, Christine looked around. There were lots of interesting exhibits, and Christine began to feel at home. I really like any kind of museum, she thought to herself, examining a four-foot wide log of fossilized wood. She bent down closer to examine the tiny drops of amber on its surface.
''Pretty neat, huh?''
Christine was startled. She spun around to face the unfamiliar speaker.
He was a handsome young man in a Mineral Museum uniform. She guessed he must be a museum guide.
He began to talk to her about the wood, and Christine felt herself being drawn into the conversation. Then Irena came over.
The guide smiled winningly and said hello. Then he began to show them some of the other interesting things in the museum.
''Now the place most kids your age like most,'' he told Christine, ''is this really cool exhibit on glowing rocks.'' He motioned them over to a small room with curtain doors.
Irena had a pang of gut feeling; do not go in there. But since she was normally averse to small dark places, she ignored it.
The man walked in with them. ''Now you turn on the light, wait a second, them turn it off,'' he instructed her.
Christine did, then stared in wonder at the bright colors of the glowing rocks.
''Oh, one little thing,'' the guide said suddenly. ''I'll have to ask you to put your hands behind your backs so I can tie them. Don't try to escape; I have a gun.''
Christine gasped in alarm as she and Irena were quickly tied and gagged.
There was no doubt in either of their minds that this was a Vesper kidnapping.
Bella, Leo and Ben:
Leo and Ben had
stumbled almost to the edge of a small town when Bella woke up. Ben’s respect
was growing for Leo, who carried his bag and dragged Bella without a rest. There must be something important in there…
''Hey, what's going on?'' Bella sat up. ''You were dragging me?''
Ben shrugged. ''Well, you got too heavy to carry!'' he told her.
Leo had taken the brief stop to sit down with his back against a tree. He noticed foggily that the trees were getting smaller. He wondered if that meant anything. Bella would know, but he felt too tired to ask her. He felt too tired to do anything.
''What's wrong with Leo?'' Bella gasped. Then she walked over to look. ''Uh-oh,'' she remarked.
Blood had soaked the bandages Ben had put on just two hours before.
''Maybe we should stop in this town,'' Ben suggested.
Bella turned and looked at the tiny settlement. ''Oh no!''
''What now?'' Ben asked. He was getting annoyed that she kept being so negative.
''This is East Glacier!'' Bella watched Ben for a reaction, but he just shrugged again. ''Stop shrugging! It annoys me. Anyway, you've been going the wrong way! We're supposed to go west.''
''Well sorry! Nobody told me where to go!''
Bella sighed in despair and stood for moment, thinking. Then she picked up Leo's arms, and Ben picked up his feet and carpet bag, and they straggled into the sleepy, windy town.
''Hey, what's going on?'' Bella sat up. ''You were dragging me?''
Ben shrugged. ''Well, you got too heavy to carry!'' he told her.
Leo had taken the brief stop to sit down with his back against a tree. He noticed foggily that the trees were getting smaller. He wondered if that meant anything. Bella would know, but he felt too tired to ask her. He felt too tired to do anything.
''What's wrong with Leo?'' Bella gasped. Then she walked over to look. ''Uh-oh,'' she remarked.
Blood had soaked the bandages Ben had put on just two hours before.
''Maybe we should stop in this town,'' Ben suggested.
Bella turned and looked at the tiny settlement. ''Oh no!''
''What now?'' Ben asked. He was getting annoyed that she kept being so negative.
''This is East Glacier!'' Bella watched Ben for a reaction, but he just shrugged again. ''Stop shrugging! It annoys me. Anyway, you've been going the wrong way! We're supposed to go west.''
''Well sorry! Nobody told me where to go!''
Bella sighed in despair and stood for moment, thinking. Then she picked up Leo's arms, and Ben picked up his feet and carpet bag, and they straggled into the sleepy, windy town.
Ben’s Rescue Team:
Irena and Christine were taken outside. The few visitors in the museum didn't even look up.
They were taken to a large van and dumped in the back with their friends.
Irena cursed. She'd hoped that at least Wesley had been able to get away, but he was trapped just like the rest of them.
There was a long silence. Kat broke it.
''So, Irena, what's the plan?'' she asked.
Irena looked at her grimly. ''There is no plan.'' she said in a dull, hopeless voice.
''There's always a way out!'' Christine reminded her brightly.
''Not in this war between Cahills and Vespers,'' Irena replied. ''We would have lost sometime. It might as well be now.''
The back of the van was quiet for several long minutes. Then Wesley tried to help.
''Irena, you've got out of worse places than this! Come on, you'll think of something.''
Irena looked at him dejectedly. ''They have Ben. That is all that matters. I was ready to die in that burning building on the island. If Ben is dead, I'm ready now too.''
''He's not!'' Christine cried. ''I'm sure he's still alive.''
''We will see,'' Irena said. ''Now everyone take a nap. Whatever happens, being rested up will help us.''
Maybe she'll be more positive when she wakes up, Wesley thought worriedly.
Irena and Christine were taken outside. The few visitors in the museum didn't even look up.
They were taken to a large van and dumped in the back with their friends.
Irena cursed. She'd hoped that at least Wesley had been able to get away, but he was trapped just like the rest of them.
There was a long silence. Kat broke it.
''So, Irena, what's the plan?'' she asked.
Irena looked at her grimly. ''There is no plan.'' she said in a dull, hopeless voice.
''There's always a way out!'' Christine reminded her brightly.
''Not in this war between Cahills and Vespers,'' Irena replied. ''We would have lost sometime. It might as well be now.''
The back of the van was quiet for several long minutes. Then Wesley tried to help.
''Irena, you've got out of worse places than this! Come on, you'll think of something.''
Irena looked at him dejectedly. ''They have Ben. That is all that matters. I was ready to die in that burning building on the island. If Ben is dead, I'm ready now too.''
''He's not!'' Christine cried. ''I'm sure he's still alive.''
''We will see,'' Irena said. ''Now everyone take a nap. Whatever happens, being rested up will help us.''
Maybe she'll be more positive when she wakes up, Wesley thought worriedly.
Madz:
Madz sighed. It felt
great to get out of the punishment cell. She walked in to her familiar office
and sat down in her well-worn chair. She had just clicked on to Mrs.
Rosenberg's screen when Whitney walked up behind her.
''Get off, you idiot,'' she snarled. ''Don't you know you've been promoted?''
Madz gasped. Her months-long wish had been granted! ''Where too?'' she asked excitedly.
''The place I was hoping for,'' Whitney looked murderous. ‘‘Cell patrol.''
Madz was taken aback. She had been hoping for something like the work she had used to do for the Madrigals, jumping off buildings, catching bad guys- wait. I am one of those bad guys now, she thought. I suppose I'll just have to accept the new post.
''When do I leave?'' she asked.
''Right now!'' Whitney answered. ''They have some dangerous prisoners coming in and they need you to stand around and gape.''
Madz walked to the prison block slowly. Was she ever going to get a good job?
Then she turned the corner and saw her prisoners. She gasped. Her job had just gotten a lot worse.
''Get off, you idiot,'' she snarled. ''Don't you know you've been promoted?''
Madz gasped. Her months-long wish had been granted! ''Where too?'' she asked excitedly.
''The place I was hoping for,'' Whitney looked murderous. ‘‘Cell patrol.''
Madz was taken aback. She had been hoping for something like the work she had used to do for the Madrigals, jumping off buildings, catching bad guys- wait. I am one of those bad guys now, she thought. I suppose I'll just have to accept the new post.
''When do I leave?'' she asked.
''Right now!'' Whitney answered. ''They have some dangerous prisoners coming in and they need you to stand around and gape.''
Madz walked to the prison block slowly. Was she ever going to get a good job?
Then she turned the corner and saw her prisoners. She gasped. Her job had just gotten a lot worse.
Leo and Bella:
Bella sat up slowly, grimacing at her bruised ribs. Then she set about preparing for the rest of their trip.
Bella sat up slowly, grimacing at her bruised ribs. Then she set about preparing for the rest of their trip.
Evan was sprawled
out on his bed, asleep.
There was little to pack, except for Leo’s blue bag. She had left hers in the wrecked car.
Remembering Leo, she went to check on him. He was conscious, but still very weak. His wounds looked clean. She had dumped rubbing alcohol on them last night to fight infection, and it appeared to have helped.
''What's the plan for today?'' he asked in a no-nonsense way.
''Well,'' Bella said, thinking aloud, ''It would be best to let you rest for at least-''
''We both know there's no time for that,'' Leo told her.
''I know. I guess we try to get out of here in the least strenuous way,'' Bella decided.
''I'm sure you can think of a plan.'' Leo said with a smile.
''I'm not,'' she said worriedly.
''Just do your best, il mio diletto.''
''What does that mean?'' Bella demanded.
''Nothing important. Now let me sleep ‘til you are ready to go.''
Bella searched for car rentals on her Blackberry. There was only one car rental place for miles. The prices would be ridiculous. Then she got an inspiration. She had grabbed a county phone book when she had paid last night. Picking it up, she found what she was looking for.
The perfect transportation device! She thought happily.
There was little to pack, except for Leo’s blue bag. She had left hers in the wrecked car.
Remembering Leo, she went to check on him. He was conscious, but still very weak. His wounds looked clean. She had dumped rubbing alcohol on them last night to fight infection, and it appeared to have helped.
''What's the plan for today?'' he asked in a no-nonsense way.
''Well,'' Bella said, thinking aloud, ''It would be best to let you rest for at least-''
''We both know there's no time for that,'' Leo told her.
''I know. I guess we try to get out of here in the least strenuous way,'' Bella decided.
''I'm sure you can think of a plan.'' Leo said with a smile.
''I'm not,'' she said worriedly.
''Just do your best, il mio diletto.''
''What does that mean?'' Bella demanded.
''Nothing important. Now let me sleep ‘til you are ready to go.''
Bella searched for car rentals on her Blackberry. There was only one car rental place for miles. The prices would be ridiculous. Then she got an inspiration. She had grabbed a county phone book when she had paid last night. Picking it up, she found what she was looking for.
The perfect transportation device! She thought happily.
Several minutes later, Bella looked calmly at the
Indian standing in front of her. It was a freezing cold day, hovering just
above -20F. The wind had started to pick up, and Bella put her hands in her
coat pockets. Finally the man spoke.
''Now don't be picky!'' he told her. ''I will rent you a good snowmobile! It is in the middle of the season and I don't have many left!”
Bella walked slowly around her options. These were not the shining beasts of steel you see in a magazine. They were dented and rusty.
''I'll take this one,'' she told him. ''Don't tell anyone I was here.''
''Why not?''
''Family trouble,'' she told him as she handed him the extreme sum he was asking. But at least this place isn't in the phone book, she thought. She'd asked discreetly around for a cheap dealer. And I think the records might be a little hard to get at. They probably aren't on a computer.
She hopped onto the snowmobile and started it with one smooth pull on the starter rope. Then she shot back to the hotel. Behind her, she heard the Indian yelling after her not to get hurt, and please don't crash his machine.
But those were the least of Bella's problems.
''Now don't be picky!'' he told her. ''I will rent you a good snowmobile! It is in the middle of the season and I don't have many left!”
Bella walked slowly around her options. These were not the shining beasts of steel you see in a magazine. They were dented and rusty.
''I'll take this one,'' she told him. ''Don't tell anyone I was here.''
''Why not?''
''Family trouble,'' she told him as she handed him the extreme sum he was asking. But at least this place isn't in the phone book, she thought. She'd asked discreetly around for a cheap dealer. And I think the records might be a little hard to get at. They probably aren't on a computer.
She hopped onto the snowmobile and started it with one smooth pull on the starter rope. Then she shot back to the hotel. Behind her, she heard the Indian yelling after her not to get hurt, and please don't crash his machine.
But those were the least of Bella's problems.
Madz and Ben’s Rescue Team:
Madz sighed. ''Why do I keep running into you people?'' she asked.
''So you can help us escape?'' Christine asked pleadingly.
''That was a rhetorical question,'' Madz told her.
''Don't talk to her. She's an evil Vesper. And I bet she has special guard training to be heartless toward prisoners.'' Evan told her emphatically.
Madz sighed. Double checking that they were securely locked in their cell, she hung the keys on the wall and went to lunch.
In their small prison, Wesley was planning furiously with Evan. Since he was sure they were being watched, he tapped on the wall, seeming to be listlessly tapping out a tune. Evan was the only one who knew Morse code, so he just nodded to show he understood.
Suddenly, Evan lunged at Wesley and punched him in the face!
Madz sighed. ''Why do I keep running into you people?'' she asked.
''So you can help us escape?'' Christine asked pleadingly.
''That was a rhetorical question,'' Madz told her.
''Don't talk to her. She's an evil Vesper. And I bet she has special guard training to be heartless toward prisoners.'' Evan told her emphatically.
Madz sighed. Double checking that they were securely locked in their cell, she hung the keys on the wall and went to lunch.
In their small prison, Wesley was planning furiously with Evan. Since he was sure they were being watched, he tapped on the wall, seeming to be listlessly tapping out a tune. Evan was the only one who knew Morse code, so he just nodded to show he understood.
Suddenly, Evan lunged at Wesley and punched him in the face!
Ben,
Leo and Bella:
After a short stop
to get loaded up, Bella, Leo and Ben set out cross-country. For the first few
miles the snowcat floundered a bit, then Bella found an old sled trail and the
going was easier.
Bella was in front driving, with Leo in the middle so he wouldn't fall off if he fell unconscious. Ben was on the back, which is the most dangerous place since snowmobiles are normally meant for one person. But he didn't seem to mind the constant possibility of slipping off and being run over.
The wind was blowing in his hair and the sky was an impossible blue. The trees they roared past were blanketed foot-deep in snow like white sentinels for the lovely wilderness.
Bella stopped once when a herd of elk crossed the path. She shut off the motor and it was suddenly quiet.
''This place is so cool!'' Ben told her. ''I like Montana a lot more now!''
''Good,'' Bella said absent-mindedly. ''How's Leo?''
Ben poked him and he mumbled. ''Still kicking!'' Ben said happily.
Bella started the snowmobile and they were off again. Several hours later, she stopped again.
''Here we are,'' she told her passengers.
Bella was in front driving, with Leo in the middle so he wouldn't fall off if he fell unconscious. Ben was on the back, which is the most dangerous place since snowmobiles are normally meant for one person. But he didn't seem to mind the constant possibility of slipping off and being run over.
The wind was blowing in his hair and the sky was an impossible blue. The trees they roared past were blanketed foot-deep in snow like white sentinels for the lovely wilderness.
Bella stopped once when a herd of elk crossed the path. She shut off the motor and it was suddenly quiet.
''This place is so cool!'' Ben told her. ''I like Montana a lot more now!''
''Good,'' Bella said absent-mindedly. ''How's Leo?''
Ben poked him and he mumbled. ''Still kicking!'' Ben said happily.
Bella started the snowmobile and they were off again. Several hours later, she stopped again.
''Here we are,'' she told her passengers.
B.R.T.:
In the Vesper Head Quarters, Christine was screaming at Evan to stop, while Evan totally ignored her. He and Wesley tumbled over the floor in what seemed a horribly violent fight. Wesley looked like he was getting the upper hand when sirens began to go off and they could hear guard's boots rushing down the corridor.
''Charge them when they try to get Evan out,'' Wesley whispered under the noise.
Then the door was opening and Evan leapt at the sentry in front. He was ready for him. The guard whacked him in the face and Evan went down.
It looked like the plan was going to fail, but then one of the masked and uniformed guards tore off her name badge and held the door open wide. ''Come on!'' she said, then turned and ran, pulling off other people's badges as she went.
The Cahills went behind her, trusting their fate to a Vesper they didn't know. It was their only hope.
In the Vesper Head Quarters, Christine was screaming at Evan to stop, while Evan totally ignored her. He and Wesley tumbled over the floor in what seemed a horribly violent fight. Wesley looked like he was getting the upper hand when sirens began to go off and they could hear guard's boots rushing down the corridor.
''Charge them when they try to get Evan out,'' Wesley whispered under the noise.
Then the door was opening and Evan leapt at the sentry in front. He was ready for him. The guard whacked him in the face and Evan went down.
It looked like the plan was going to fail, but then one of the masked and uniformed guards tore off her name badge and held the door open wide. ''Come on!'' she said, then turned and ran, pulling off other people's badges as she went.
The Cahills went behind her, trusting their fate to a Vesper they didn't know. It was their only hope.
Ian:
Ian sat in his 18th century chaise lounge. He
was feeling very distressed. Amy had not called or emailed! It had been hours
since he had last seen her!
He contemplated emailing her again. Would two emails from him seem like he was desperate? He was staring at the laptop in a deep internal struggle when Natalie walked in.
''I knew it!'' she said in a quiet yet triumphant voice. ''Stop this now! I know she doesn't like you.''
''How do you know that?'' Ian asked. He had never doubted she would like him. Shouldn't everyone? Well, except his Mum... and Dad... and assorted other family… or the kids at his private school...
''Shut up, Natalie! I was actually sending some of my minions an email.'' he attempted to smile at his half-hearted joke.
''Which minions?'' she asked innocently.
''The ones trying to get my painting back.'' It was his turn to look triumphant.
''Yeah right,'' Natalie said, but she left.
Ian did write to the Janus Madrigals, asking what was taking them so long.
Then he continued waiting. Waiting for the email that never came.
The Janus Madrigal Elite did not have time to read his email.
He contemplated emailing her again. Would two emails from him seem like he was desperate? He was staring at the laptop in a deep internal struggle when Natalie walked in.
''I knew it!'' she said in a quiet yet triumphant voice. ''Stop this now! I know she doesn't like you.''
''How do you know that?'' Ian asked. He had never doubted she would like him. Shouldn't everyone? Well, except his Mum... and Dad... and assorted other family… or the kids at his private school...
''Shut up, Natalie! I was actually sending some of my minions an email.'' he attempted to smile at his half-hearted joke.
''Which minions?'' she asked innocently.
''The ones trying to get my painting back.'' It was his turn to look triumphant.
''Yeah right,'' Natalie said, but she left.
Ian did write to the Janus Madrigals, asking what was taking them so long.
Then he continued waiting. Waiting for the email that never came.
The Janus Madrigal Elite did not have time to read his email.
B.R.T. and Madz:
Madz held the door open for the escaped prisoners, and they rushed down yet another switchback. They would only throw their captors off for a few seconds this way, so Evan was also knocking out the cameras at every corner. Finally they stopped for a few minutes to rest.
''Who are you?'' Kat asked Madz.
''I can't tell you. I think they don't know who I am, so if we're caught, I won't be punished.''
''Well, aren't you brave-'' Evan's sarcastic remark was cut off by Wesley.
''We are very grateful to you,'' he told their rescuer.
''I think we should leave now,'' Christine said. ''I can hear them coming!''
They set off again, this time to a disused exit that Madz was pretty sure few Vespers knew of.
When the exhausted party reached the door, Madz tried to open it, but she couldn't.
It was locked!
Madz held the door open for the escaped prisoners, and they rushed down yet another switchback. They would only throw their captors off for a few seconds this way, so Evan was also knocking out the cameras at every corner. Finally they stopped for a few minutes to rest.
''Who are you?'' Kat asked Madz.
''I can't tell you. I think they don't know who I am, so if we're caught, I won't be punished.''
''Well, aren't you brave-'' Evan's sarcastic remark was cut off by Wesley.
''We are very grateful to you,'' he told their rescuer.
''I think we should leave now,'' Christine said. ''I can hear them coming!''
They set off again, this time to a disused exit that Madz was pretty sure few Vespers knew of.
When the exhausted party reached the door, Madz tried to open it, but she couldn't.
It was locked!
Ben, Bella and Leo:
Ben looked around. ''So this is where we're supposed to be?'' He asked.
''Yep,'' Bella replied.
''I don't see any Vesper hideout,'' Ben remarked.
''Well, we aren't quite there,'' said Bella. ''It's at the top of that hill.''
''What hill? Not this thing here? It looks more like a mountain to me!'' Ben said, pointing.
''Uh-huh. It's called Heart Attack.'' Bella sat thinking a little longer. ''And I think we'll have to just give it a try.'' She felt extremely nervous. The first time she'd been up Heart Attack, she'd nearly flipped her sled on top of her. She was better now, but with a rental snowmobile and two extra people, she knew there was a high possibility of getting stuck. And she knew they were running out of time.
At that moment, Leo woke up. Ben told him the situation.
''I'll get off and walk,'' Leo told her. ''I won't be much use anyways.''
Bella knew that if he walked he would never get to the top. ''No,'' she told him, ''we can do this. All of us need to be there. Hold on tight!''
Bella gritted her teeth and started the
snowmobile. She revved up the engine then shot up the hill, going as fast as
she could, nimbly avoiding trees and large rocks that seemed to appear out of
nowhere. She could feel Leo clinging to her and hear him grunt in pain when Ben
squeezed him too hard. There was nothing to help it though; she knew if any of
them loosened their grip they would instantly be on the ground. The slope
seemed endless, but finally they reached the top. Bella took a long, shuddering
breath.Ben looked around. ''So this is where we're supposed to be?'' He asked.
''Yep,'' Bella replied.
''I don't see any Vesper hideout,'' Ben remarked.
''Well, we aren't quite there,'' said Bella. ''It's at the top of that hill.''
''What hill? Not this thing here? It looks more like a mountain to me!'' Ben said, pointing.
''Uh-huh. It's called Heart Attack.'' Bella sat thinking a little longer. ''And I think we'll have to just give it a try.'' She felt extremely nervous. The first time she'd been up Heart Attack, she'd nearly flipped her sled on top of her. She was better now, but with a rental snowmobile and two extra people, she knew there was a high possibility of getting stuck. And she knew they were running out of time.
At that moment, Leo woke up. Ben told him the situation.
''I'll get off and walk,'' Leo told her. ''I won't be much use anyways.''
Bella knew that if he walked he would never get to the top. ''No,'' she told him, ''we can do this. All of us need to be there. Hold on tight!''
Ben also took a breath, but as usual, it was so he could talk, not to calm his nerves.
''Cool! That was so neat! But my eyes were closed, so I'll have to remember to keep them open when we go back down.'' He looked around. ''So where's the Vesper thingy?''
Bella pointed. ''There is a small exit over there that's not well patrolled,'' she told them. ''Leo, you stay here on the sled. There's food in the-''
''I can't stay here when you're on a job,'' Leo interrupted. ''I won't get in the way. I promise.''
''Take my arm then, and I'll help you.''
''You need to be free to work. I don't need help walking.''
''I still don't see the door,'' Ben said.
Bella sighed. She led them to a large tree nearby. ''This is the door.'' Ben looked confused, so Bella explained. ''In winter, snow builds up. Around here it's about five feet thick. The snow is packed where we're standing, but under trees it isn't, so people can fall in and suffocate. So they stay away from trees.''
''So there's a door in the tree?'' Ben asked.
''Yep,'' Bella answered.
''Hey, I think there are people by the door,'' Ben said. ''Hear them?''
Bella listened to the trunk. ''I hear Irena!'' she gasped. Then she frantically began pushing buttons hidden in the bark.
''Don't you know the code?'' Ben asked in dismay.
''The Vespers change it every day,'' Bella told him. ''I'm trying to guess it.''
''I'm good at that,'' Leo said. ''Let me try.''
Bella did, and was amazed at the way his fingers flashed across the seemingly
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