𝙽𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚂𝚊𝚢 𝙳𝚒𝚎 | The Goonies

Chapter Five | Closer

Oops, it's over a week since I last updated 🙊

Lacey was so excited to squeeze the details out of Data that she frequently zoned out in lessons, wondering what she'd find out.

When lunch finally rolled around she was glad to pack her bags and leave the stuffy English classroom. Jude caught her arm on the way out and the two shared a smile and a promise to meet up afterwards.

She made a bee-line for Data's locker, knowing it was her most reliable bet on where to find him. However, she was puzzled to find not Data, but another boy waiting by his locker. The boy glanced down at his watch, and then looked up, seeing her as she approached. She didn't miss the way his eyes took inventory of her before he pushed off of the locker to stand up straight.

"Hi, Clarke. Have you seen Data?" She asked, smiling pleasantly.

"No, actually," he said, refraining from correcting her. "I was just waiting for him."

She leaned against the locker next to him to get out of the flow of chattering students, all pushing and shoving to get to the canteen. "I guess we can wait together then."

She glanced askance at him, wondering if he could give her the information she needed. She decided it was worth a shot.

"So, I heard you helped put the Fratellis away," she started.

"Helped? We practically did all the work ourselves."

She looked askance at him. "I can't find anything much documenting the story. I thought maybe you could fill me in?"

"The treasure's long gone," Mouth replied, shaking his head.

"That's not what I'm after," Lacey interrupted. "I need the story."

"Why?"

The question took her aback a little. "I'm sorry?"

"I said, why?" He repeated. "Why do you want to know?"

"Just for a project."

He raised his eyebrow quizzically, and she took it as a sign that her explanation wasn't enough.

"It's a law essay," she continued quickly. "I got given the Fratellis, and I think your viewpoints would be great to put in."

"Alright," he replied. "There I was, thinking you just wanted to get a little closer..." he leaned towards her with an eyebrow raised.

She exhaled a laugh but took a step back. "Just for the law essay, thanks."

The stream of students had ebbed into a few stragglers, some of which glanced curiously in their direction as they passed.

"I guess Data's not coming," Lacey said after half a minute of silence.

Mouth nodded. "I need to go get food."

"Do you know where I could find him?"

"Only God knows where Data is," Mouth said, turning to leave. "You chose the wrong Goonie to ask, Nichols."

"Wait! Couldn't you answer my questions, then?"

"Nope," he said, still walking away.

"Clarke, please."

His gait faltered. He paused. "Alright. Come to the Goondocks, after school tomorrow," he called over his shoulder, against his better judgement.

Lacey sighed in relief. For a moment there, she thought she'd have to resort to full out begging.

***

"You what?"

Mikey scowled at Mouth, pulling his most angry face - which wasn't really very intimidating.

"I invited her over tomorrow evening. What's your deal? It'll be fun."

"I thought we wanted her to leave well alone, though?"

"Mikey!" Mouth said, a grin spreading over his face. "Don't argue! Just think: a girl willingly entering your house."

"And?"

"Have you seen her? She's a total zeek." Mouth rolled his eyes and wondered how dense his friend could get.

"What subject does she study?" Data asked.

"Law, apparently."

Chunk frowned. "What do you mean, apparently?"

Mouth shrugged. "It's what she said. God, chill out, Chunk. She's not a Fratelli spy. She's doing a law essay on them."

"And if she is a spy, my super-cool new Smoke Screen will let us get away!" Data chopped in, holding up a dark green ball.

"Data! Don't set it off in here," Mikey warned.

Data sighed and fished something else out of his pocket. "Okay. I've also got... the Gun Bung!"

"What does it do?" Chunk asked.

"Gee, I've no idea," said Mouth, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up, Mouth," Mikey and Chunk chorused.

"So, the Gun Bung goes in the gun barrel, like so," Data said, miming, "and when they pull the trigger, the gun explodes in their faces instead of ours!"

"Brilliant!" Chunk cheered. "If we just bung the Fratelli's guns, then-"

"And how are we going to get close enough to stick that in a gun?" Mouth asked, folding his arms. "We're just gonna stroll up and be like: 'oh hi, just sticking this in your gun barrel, don't shoot me yet, please?"

Data pursed his lips. "Yeah, I haven't got that bit yet. I'll let you know when I do, though!"

***

It was late when Lacey got home from her after-school fencing class, and her dad was waiting for her at the door. He greeted her and ushered her in, casting a quick look up and down the street before closing and dead-bolting the door.

"Lacey, can I talk to you for a few moments?" He asked.

She paused on the stairs and turned around, a curious expression on her features. "Uh... yeah?"

Her dad smiled, but the gesture didn't reach his eyes. "What I'm about to tell you is confidential. You can't go telling everyone or they'll get into a panic. It's probably nothing to worry about, anyway, but... Two officers went missing today. And there have been increased reports of theft in the area, since..."

"The prison break?" She filled in.

"Yes. And just as a precaution, I want you to take this." He dug into his pocket and drew out a little can of pepper spray. "I want you to carry it with you at all times. Just as a precaution. But I want you to promise me, okay?"

She took it from his outstretched fingers and nodded. "Yes Dad. I promise."

His relief was written all over his face as she slid it into her school bag. "You remember how to use it?"

Lacey cocked the corner of her mouth. "If I can remember how to use a credit card to escape ziplock ties, Dad, I can remember how to use pepper spray. I'm sure they'll find the officers soon."

She offered him a smile, and continued up the stairs, but not so fast that he didn't hear him mutter: "Yes, in a deep freezer."

Which was very puzzling indeed.

WORD COUNT: 1,076

PUBLISHED: 24/01/19