The Two Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia Book One: Just the Beginning

Chapter 7: Win, Lose, or Draal

"What kind of nerd breaks into a museum?" One of the officers asked as he took Toby's mugshot, "Move to the middle." He moved to the middle like he was asked.

"Pose."

Toby posed, holding up his board with a smile. Another one was taken of him pointing at it. Then another of him holding it up on the left side. Then yet another of him close to the camera with a strange-looking fighter face.

"Oh come on." The officer sounded irritated, "No, stop. Next." I went in next and held my board up hesitantly. The officer snapped a picture, nearly blinding me with the bright flash. Jim came in next and held his board up, looking defeatedly at the camera. Toby came in out of nowhere, dragging me with him into Jim's picture.

The officer groaned in frustration after he took the picture. A bit later we were released from the station. Ms. Lake and Mr. Strickler left with us, and the three of us got into the back seat of Ms. Lake's car.

"I can't thank you enough for coming with me to the station," Barbara thanked Strickler, "They are so lucky she didn't press any charges."

Strickler nodded, "Miss Nomura is a personal friend, She agrees with me that this was just reckless youth running amok."

Toby glanced towards Jim and me, "Who else do you think is hiding an evil troll face? Coach Lawrence, Steve?" He gasped when he realized something and looked at Strickler outside of the car, "What if Strickler's one of them?" I let out a laugh and Jim shook his head.

"Strickler's been teaching at Arcadia Oaks High since the dawn of history." Jim said seriously, "If he's one, then I'm one." I was looking at my lap when I had a realization.

"Toby," I called to him, "Hand me your phone." He shot me a confused look but handed it to me anyway. I pulled up the photo of the bridge he had taken as we were fleeing the museum earlier on and studied it.

"Wait a second..." I grabbed Jim's wrist and showed him the picture, "I think I remember where we've seen this bridge." Jim looked over the image for a second and his eyes widened when he remembered too.

"You're right! It's the same one Blinky told us about." He looked at me and grabbed my hand without thinking. I nodded as Toby took his phone back.

"What?" Toby cocked an eyebrow, "The Killa-thingy bridge? That's like ancient history though right?"

"No." I breathed, "Toby they're trying to break Gunmar out... this is bad."

"How bad?" Toby whimpered and Jim looked at him.

"Like 'Goodbye Arcadia' bad, Tobes." Jim told him and Toby looked shocked, "As soon as we get home, we're going to see Blinky and Arrrgh." I clamped a hand over Jim's mouth as his mom and Strickler entered the car.

"You really didn't have to go through this much trouble, Mr Strickler," Barbara told Strickler as looked in through the passenger window. I gripped Jim's hand tighter as he squeezed mine and glared at Strickler.

"Please," Strickler said as he leaned in through the window, "call me Walter. And I'm sorry we had to meet again under this unfortunate circumstance."

Barbara just let out a giggle, making Jim's grip tighten even more on my hand. I hissed in slight pain and used my other hand to softly rub his forearm to ease him. His grip loosened and he gave me an apologetic look, I sent him a soft smile.

"There must be some way I can repay you?" She went on to suggest, "Coffee? Dinner? Appendix removal?"

Strickler laughed, "Coffee would be a delight. And a rain check on that Appendectomy."