Elevatia

12. I did tell you I was cunning

"You were the one who betrayed us." I snarled. "It wasn't Ace after all! How could you do this to us Sky?"

"Oh please," Sky drawled. "It wasn't hard. Your little band of misfits was doomed to failure, you know that. I just did the smart thing and negotiated myself a much better reward for handing you over for execution. The guards will be here soon - you'll be executed and I will get my place at the Chief Upright's side."

"Chip, Munk, Jayla – Go!" Galbrathian shouted, ushering them into tunnel.

Munk helped Jalya in and she started making her way out as fast as she could out. I snatched up Galbrathian's torch and lunged at Sky. She stepped back in shock, parrying with the hammer she was holding and we began a fierce duel, while my friends tried to make their escape.

Galbrathian rushed to the door in the corridor and barricaded it shut with a chest, buying us some time for our escape before the guards stormed in. Munk squeezed herself into the tunnel.

"Chip, the others need you." I yelled. "You have to go."

With a last look at me, Chip followed his sister through the tunnel. Using my improvised weapon, I struck out ferociously at Sky. Aiming at her head, swiping her legs. She nimbly parried and ducked my thrusts.

"The longer you fight me, the more time the guards have to get her," she taunted.

"Good point," I agreed. Taking her by surprise, I kicked her in the chest so she staggered back into the open cell I'd been locked in just minutes before. I slammed the door on her and locked her in as she lay, winded and unmoving, on the floor of the cell.

"I have a feeling the Chief Upright won't look kindly on the traitor who let us escape." I said darkly.

I joined Galbrathian at the door - the guards had arrived on the other side and were attempting to break it down.

"Get the battering ram," one of them shouted. "We'll get through this door in no time."

"Galbrathian, we have to leave now!" I panted, grabbing his hand. "The door should hold for long enough for us to get to the tunnel. We can collapse the tunnel once we're through so that the guards can't follow. We can still get away!"

Just as I said those words, a brilliant flash of laser shot out through the bars of my former cell. With the last of her strength before she passed out, Sky had used the laser roll of dental floss I'd left in the cell to blast our escape tunnel. Her aim was true, the ceiling of the tunnel caved in. In horror, Galbrathian and I watched as the already small tunnel collapsed leaving only a tiny opening. Too small now for any Medium to walk through.

"No! We'll never fit," I wailed.

"Listen to me, Kit. Take these plans."

From inside his robes Galbrathian took out a sheaf of papers.

"The plans for Vyle's palace! You stole them from the Chief Upright. But how can I escape? No Medium can fit through that tunnel. And it looks like the whole thing will collapse any second."

Galbrathian looked at me squarely. "Your right ear."

I shrank back. "I can't do it, Galbrathian."

Galbrathian looked at me trianglely. "Yes, you can Kit. Your right ear makes you shrink. You are the chosen one. You can do this."

"What about you?"

Galbrathian looked at me rhombusly. "I'll hold them off to give you enough time to escape."

My eyes welled up with tears – the kind that looks great on camera in torchlight.

"I'm sorry for everything, Galbrathian."

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I did accidentally wash your white robes with a red hankie and got them all pink."

"Apology accepted. Now go!"

I tucked the plans into my robes and made my way to the escape tunnel. Facing the mentor who'd taught me so much, I took a deep breath and touched my right ear.

He locked eyes with mine. "I believe in you, Kit."

I felt a tingle in my bones, and felt myself shrink down to Lowlie height.

He beamed at me.

"I'm so proud of you Kit."

Aesthetically pleasing tears streaked my face as I clambered into the tunnel; at my new height I was just able to fit. I turned back to see Galbrathian still bracing the door – it shuddered and nearly broke, the battering ram had arrived.

"Kit," he called hoarsely. "I didn't quite tell you the truth. You must have felt we had a special connection."

I pulled a laser pen out of my pocket. "You said you were friends with my mother and father?"

"In a way..." He said shiftily. "Kit... before I go, I want you to know. I'm actually... your step uncle twice removed."

My mouth dropped open.

"My step uncle!? I had no idea! Although... I thought you were maybe going to say father."

"What?" Galbrathian scoffed. "If I were your father, I think I'd have said something by now. What kind of a guy would I be to wait to this moment?"

I smiled at him. "Goodbye step uncle."

"Twice removed."

"Twice removed."

And with that, the guards burst through the door. I saw one of them raise their sword, striking at Galbrathian's defenceless form. I watched my beloved step uncle twice removed take his very last breath. Hardly able to see through tears, I fired my laser pen at the already unstable tunnel roof and it fully collapsed, sealing the exit.

"To make your brownies," the laser pen sang, "start by stirring 4 tablespoons of ground flax with half a cup of water in a small bowl."

I turned and ran.