MCSM: Reformed Rescuers #4

Part 14 (Radar)

Radar's vision was blurry as he slowly blinked in confusion. He felt warm and looked up to see Carrigan holding him close and smiling to see him awake, "I'm so glad you're awake! Are you feeling okay?"

Radar's leg was stinging and his head was groggy, but aside from that he was fine, "Yeah. What happened?"

"You got bit by a spider."

He looked down at his leg. His pants were torn and he could see a bandage wrapped around his wound. He looked back up at her, "Thanks for helping me."

She tilted her head, "Of course. What kind of person would I be if I just left you here to die?"

"You'd just be like almost everyone else I know. They don't care about me." He laughed nervously, "Sorry, I didn't mean to make that dark."

She shook her head, "Well they're crazy if they don't like you. They're missing out on one of the best people in the world."

Radar smiled, "Thanks." He felt a blush start to creep over his face. Wait. He was blushing! Usually it was when he screwed something up or got in trouble. This time it was about.. her. He stared up at her. He suddenly realized that he might be truly in love for the first time. He never felt this way for anyone else. She saved his life without hesitation and agreed to go to a dangerous place with him meaning that she trusted him with her life.

"Radar?" Carrigan leaned forward a bit. He jumped, "Y-yes?"

"I was asking you if you felt good enough to keep going. You were out for a while and I bet the others will be waiting for us when we get back."

"Right! Umm.. Yeah. I'm ready."

"Are you sure? I don't want to pressure you."

"Yeah. I'll be fine. Thanks again." They both slightly blushed as he got up. The warmth of her arms around him began to vanish and he offered his hand to her. She took it and stood up beside him, "Let's do this."

They ran down the path and eventually made it to a dead end. "What's this all about? This was the only path we could take, so why is there a dead end?" Radar squinted at it.

Carrigan's gaze followed the wall, "I bet this is the wall Hadrian was talking about. He said that there's something you need to figure out in order for the wall to go away. Unfortunately, he didn't tell me what that thing to figure out was.."

Radar nodded, "Clue or not, we can figure this out."

They both immediately began to search for a way out. Carrigan found a lever and pulled it. The wall began to glow and four different symbols showed through it. They stood side by side and looked at the symbols trying to figure out a pattern. One of the patterns was a person standing on a thin line. Another was a person standing with a sword out and all sorts of things around it. The third was a person tapping their chin and the last one was a person carrying something large overhead.

"These seem to resemble the four rooms." Radar recalled, "Since we're in the room of 'brains', let's press the ones that have a person thinking."

"Good idea." Carrigan agreed and they began to tap the ones that had the person tapping their chin. Once they were all pressed, the wall began to vibrate and suddenly split apart. Half of it went to the left and half to the right. They continued down the path to find the chest. "Thank goodness!" They called out in unison and went towards it. Radar opened it, and much to their dismay, it was empty aside from a paper that lay in the bottom.

Carrigan unfolded the paper and read, "Ha! Got you..? This chest is not what you seek, the key is hidden with a chest, but not in it."

Radar rolled his eyes, "Whoever wrote that sucks at riddles."

Carrigan laughed and nodded in agreement, "Okay, with the chest but not in it." She looked behind the chest and Radar checked the sides. Nothing. Radar said, "I bet it's under the chest." He broke it and sure enough, there the key was. He picked it up and they hugged, "We did it!"

"Congratulations! You've completed the room of 'brains' and retrieved the key!"

Carrigan's face showed fear for a moment before she relaxed, "Oh, it's just a recording of Hadrian's voice. For a moment there I thought he was actually here."

"You've done so good! I'm surprised you actually did it!" The voice continued and they followed the instructions that he stated to do. Once the doors shut to the box, the box vibrated violently and they both dropped to the floor with a grunt. The doors opened and they saw all of their friends standing there. Delcie raced inside and pulled her sister out and began to examine her for any injuries, "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

"I'm fine." Carrigan sighed, "You know that I can take care of myself, right?"

Delcie was taken aback, "Of course I do! But there's no harm in being careful."

Carrigan turned to Radar, "Yes, I know. But I'm not the person you should be checking for injuries."

Everyone's gazes went right to him and he itched his neck, "I'm okay now thanks to Carrigan."

Delcie's eyes widened and her gaze went to Carrigan's belt. She bit her lip and grabbed her arm and dragged her to the side.

Carrigan (just so you can see what's going on)

"You used one of your two potions on him?" Delcie looked furious.

"Yes. That's what healing potions are for, aren't they?"

Delcie massaged her temples, "Look. I know you want to be nice, but don't you think it would've been smarter to use it on someone like yourself? Or someone who will actually make a difference here? He isn't exactly.. tough."

"He is!" Carrigan defended her friend, "You don't know him like I do! Looks can be deceiving. And don't forget the fact that he's the one who organized this rescue party in the first place."

"Yeah, well if you ask me, I think the brunette should be the leader." She motioned to Aiden, "He's obviously braver and more experienced."

"Do you not trust my opinion?" Carrigan was infuriated, "I know what I'm doing Del. I'm not a kid anymore!"

Delcie sighed and hugged her sister, "Fine. I'll trust you. I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. You're all I have left."