Darla and the Mystery of the Night Monster

chapter 3

And so, they left the news room and began to follow after Tony, passing by humans at work.

"Thanks, ever so much for the tip, Mr. Toponi." Nellie said.

"Ah, no sweat, Miss Brie," Tony smiled. "You need to know what's up, I'm yer guy!" he then whistled.

"Wonder what it's for...?" Lionel pondered.

"You'll see." Tony hinted.

"Huh? Who? What? Wasn't me?" A familiar cat was soon heard before he smiled and came out to the group of mice. "Tony! Hi, Fievel, how you doin'? Ah, Cherry and Atticus, so good to see you guys! Oh, and you've brought some friends with ya."

"And what have we here?" Nellie mused.

"This is our friend, Tiger," Fievel smiled. "He's a cat."

"Hey, big guy!" Lionel smirked. "Been a while!"

"What were ya doin' in there?" Tony asked Tiger, collecting the newspapers that fell out of the cat's bag.

"I was just takin' a nap cuz I'm pooped." Tiger replied before yawning.

"You got Tiger working for you?" Fievel asked Tony.

"No, with, w'ere partners!" Tony told him. "We're partners! He gives me mobility, I give him half the take... After expenses."

Lionel smirked. "Equal partners..."

"What sort of expenses?" Nellie soon wondered.

"Ah, with the cost of the papers, alphabetizing and promotion, he clears about 10%." Tony replied.

"Mr. Toponi, I think you're about to go far in this business," Nellie replied before walking off to the carriage. "Really, I do."

"True on that." Lionel nodded.

"Bye, guys, see you later!" Fievel smiled and waved as he followed after Nellie.

"Yeah, later!" Tony waved back. "Bye, Miss Brie!"

"Catch ya later, Tones!" Lionel waved as he and the others followed behind.

Tony and Tiger were soon left behind as they had their own work to do. The others soon caught a train ride into town to start their own work.

"Well now, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Nellie asked Fievel.

"Well... It was about... The monster." Fievel replied.

"He's been having nightmares about it for awhile now, and it's got him really spooked." Lionel explained.

"Oh, I see," Nellie replied. "All those horror stories have him worried, hmm?"

"I'll say!" Fievel frowned. "I've never been so scared in my whole life! I'm afraid to go to sleep, and when I do sleep, I get these nightmares that are so-" he then stopped in doubt. "Oh, you must think I'm a big baby, huh?"

"Not at all, not at all," Nellie smiled. "I know exactly how you feel."

"Really?" asked Fievel.

"Oh, but you can't," Darla said. "You seem fearless."

"Oh, no, dears," Nellie smiled. "Only fools are fearless."

"Yeah. Fear is just your brain's way of saying that you're smart enough to know when to back out of a situation." Lionel added.

"If that's the case, Cherry's earlier adventures sure check out." Atticus commented.

"Says the guy who used to be afraid of water." Cherry smirked.