𝓑𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓝𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 - ₐₛₒᵤₑ [𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃]

♖ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿

"That was fast!" Mr. Poe exclaimed, impressed. "I've only now made the call!"

Nurse Lucafont glanced at Count Olaf, unsure of what to say, before her gaze returned to Mr. Poe. "I believe... speed is at the essence in emergencies, sir." The Henchperson of Indeterminate Gender declared hesitantly.

Mr. Poe bit his tongue, taking a quick look at the children standing at the bottom of the staircase. He watched, curious, as Alice grabbed Klaus' sleeve. 

"We have to do something," Alice whispered to her friend. "If this 'nurse' is in cahoots with Count Olaf, there's no way we're getting away from him."

Klaus nods in agreement. "You're right. I'll think of something, don't worry." He reassured the shorter girl, giving her a small smile. As long as he was with her and his sisters, Klaus knew he would always be able to figure out a solution.

The banker's eyes returned to Count Olaf, posing as Stephano, as the man in question spoke towards Nurse Lucafont. "Don't you want to examine the body?" He asked, gritting his teeth.

"Right!" Nurse Lucafont agreed with her acute voice. "The body. Lead the way."

⋅ ❴ ⋈ ❵ ⋅

"Remember, I'll be just on the other side of this door!" Stephano said as he closed the door to the Reptile Room, leaving the children to wait outside with Mr. Poe after a long discussion of who would accompany the 'nurse' to examine the body.

As soon as the door was locked, Mr. Poe took a step forward so he was in front of the orphans. "Oh, I'm sorry, children. Dr. Montgomery did seem like an appropriate guardian for you." He affirmed, expressing his condolences.

"He was more than that. He was much, much more than appropriate." Alice replied sadly, casting her gaze on the floor. "He was kind and brave, and funny, and he always made sure we were alright. And now he's gone..."

When Alice trailed off, Klaus placed his arm around her lower back, silently trying to comfort her. She leaned into his touch, thankful for the gesture.

"Please, don't let him be our new guardian," Violet begged Mr. Poe.

"Oh, don't be silly, children. It is quite shocking that Dr. Montgomery has died but I'm not going to simply just hand you and your fortune over to his assistant." He said as if the simple thought of that was outrageous.

Violet looked at Klaus, relieved. However, that solace was quickly shattered by Mr. Poe's next words. "At least, not without some very thorough paperwork."

Alice groaned at Mr. Poe's incompetence, hiding her face on Klaus' shoulder. "Jesus, when will he ever help us?" She whispered, eliciting a small chuckle from the boy.

"I don't think he's capable of that." He whispered towards her, making her lift her head and throw him a small smile.

The moment didn't last long, because soon enough a loud scream was heard, coming from the Reptile Room. The three orphans, along with Mr. Poe, rushed into the room, only to see the nurse and Stephano cover Monty's body with a white sheet.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Mr. Poe asked, noticeably startled.

"Nurse Lucafont was startled by a lizard," Stephano answered. Alice couldn't help the giggle that escaped her mouth at the sheer ridiculousness of that statement.

"It's a reptile room," Violet remarked. "It's only fair that there are reptiles in here."

"I didn't know that meant literally." Nurse Lucafont replied, trying to hide the hint of fear in their voice.