Part of the Family

Chapter 10

    "So," Heisenburg says to me, crossing his arms, "what's the plan?"
  "First things first," I say, "we'll get Donna, Angie, and Moreau. Then we'll make a solid plan of action,"
  He nods. "I'll handle Moreau," he says, "You can get Donna,"
  I nod. I look at Bela. "Bela, want to come with me to get Donna and Angie?" I ask her, "I may need someone else with me,"
  She nods.
  "What do you need me to do?" Ethan asks.
  I look at him. "You should stay here, look after your daughter," I say.
  He shakes his head. "I want to help," he says, "What do you need me to do?"
  I sigh softly. "Well...I have a sneaking suspicion that Chris might be here as well..." I mutter, "mind trying to find him? When you do, bring him here. I...I have a few words for him, and some of them aren't exactly kind..."
  He pauses, and nods.
  "I shall stay here, watch over the child," Lady Dimitrescu says.
  "Don't hurt her," Ethan says, looking up at her.
  "You have my word," she says.
  "Which usually stands for two things: jack and shit," Heisenburg says.
  "Yes, that's enough out of you," Lady Dimitrescu says, "I wouldn't dare hurt her,"
  "Okay, okay," Heisenburg says, "just don't blame me, Ethan, if you come back and there's a bite taken out of her,"
  "Karl!" I say, "Stop,"
  He looks at me, almost astonished. "You're taking her side?" he asks.
  "No," I say, "I just don't like how, whenever you two are in the same room, you will find absolutely anything to argue about. Stop it. It's childish,"
  He stares at me, speechless.
  Bela stifles laughter.
  "Let's get going," I say, "We need to get our plan set before Miranda figures out what we're doing,"
  Everyone nods.
---
  "Val?" Bela says as we pass Donna's grave, "Can...can I ask you something?"
  I stop walking, and turn around to look at her.
  She's standing at the grave, looking at all of the dolls. She looks up at me, her yellow eyes glinting in the candle light. "Why me?" she asks, "Out of everyone to come with you for protection...you picked me. Not all three of me and my sisters. Just...me. Why?"
  I smile a little. I walk up to her and place a hand on her shoulder. "Because..." I say, "...you're my best friend,"
  She smiles a little. "Awe..." she says.
  I chuckle a little, and nod back down the path. "Let's go," I say.
  She nods, and we continue to the house.
  Once in the house, we stand in the main hall in silence.
  I clear my throat a little. "Donna?" I call out, "Angie?"
  "Val?" Angie's voice says to my left.
  I turn and see her, holding Angie.
  "Is it time?" she asks, Angie speaking for her.
  I nod. "It is," I say.
  "Time to kick some butt!" Angie cheers. Her attitude and vocabulary are different from when Donna talks through her.
  I chuckle a little.
  Donna, though I can't see her face under the veil she wears, seems unsure. "How do you know that killing Miranda and destroying the mutamycete won't..." she says through Angie, then pauses, "...won't...kill us as well?"
  I sigh. "I have reason to believe that Eveline was killed before Chris found Lucas and I," I say, "Lucas wasn't affected by her death. I think...I think you'll all be fine,"
  She nods a little. "We're all meeting at the Factory?" she asks.
  I nod. "It's the easiest place to defend," I say, "in case...well, in case Miranda finds out what we're planning,"
  Donna nods. "We should be on our way, then," she says, "should I bring any other dolls?"
  "I think Angie will be fine," I say.
  She nods.
---
  When we get back to the factory, everyone is waiting for us.
  "Donna," Alcina says as we approach, "good to see you again," She's holding Rose, who looks much smaller than usual compared to her.
  "And you, Alcina," Angie says for Donna, "I appreciate being included. Just tell me what I can do to help the effort,"
  Alcina nods, and looks at me.
  I'm about to speak, when I'm interrupted.
  "I'm not sure what any of you can do," Chris says, "I'm not even sure if I can trust any of you. Except Ethan,"
  "Speak for yourself," Ethan says, "I trust all of them except you. They at least tell me what's going on, instead of keeping me in the dark,"
  Alcina smiles softly, like she's trying not to laugh, and steps to the side, to show I'm here.
  Ethan sees me, and nods. "What's the plan, Val?" he asks.
  Chris stares at me, stunned. He's wearing a dark coat, shirt, pants and boots, holding a gun. "You..." he mutters, "...you're that girl that was with Lucas. The Ghost Walker,"
  "Hello, Monster," I say, glaring at him, "thank you for joining us,"
  Karl looks from me to Chris and back again, looking over his glasses a little. He clears his throat softly, pushing his glasses up. "What's the plan, Val?" he asks.
  "Why are you asking her?" Chris says, "It's not like she knows what she's doing. I say we all storm the ceremony grounds-"
  I sigh angrily, rolling my eyes, and take a step forward. I release a projection, have it grab Karl's hammer and bring it to me. I grab the hammer and slam it down in front of Chris with a powerful thud.
  Everyone goes silent.
  "I have half a mind to kill you and let the Dimitrescu Sisters drain you dry," I snap at him, grabbing his coat and pulling him toward me, "but I need you for the plan to work. We're not going in, guns blazing. At least...not all of us. And not all at once. First thing's first, you're going to tell us all you know about Miranda, the Mold, everything. Don't think for a second that I forgave you for what you did. You're still a fucking monster in my eyes," I let go of him, letting him stumble back a little.
  He stares at me in shock.
  I pick Karl's hammer up, and hand it back to him.
  He, too, is staring at me in shock. A smile slowly stretches across his face as he accepts it back. "That..." he says, "...that was quite impressive, there, Buttercup..."
  I chuckle a little. "Buttercup?" I ask, quietly.
  He laughs a little, and shrugs. "First thing that came to mind..." he mutters, "...I'll think of something else if you don't like it,"
  "No, no, I...I like it," I say. I then turn around, looking at the rest of the group.
  Everyone looks at me, almost expectantly.
  "Okay," I say, "Here's the plan: after Chris tells us all he knows, me, him, and Ethan are going to go find Mia, if she's alive. Alcina, you, Bela, Daniela, and Cassandra, stay here with Karl, and make sure the Soldats are ready,"
    Alcina scrunches her nose in disgust a little, but nods.
    "Donna, Angie," I say, looking at Donna, "You two go with Moreau and the Duke to the Cabin, and take Rose. Protect her with your life. There should still be a few Soldtats there, but I'm sure Karl can spare a few more," I look at Heisenberg.
    He nods. "Just let me know how many you need," he says.
    I nod as well. "Now, Chris," I say, looking at him, "tell us everything,"