Olivia goes West

Chapter 9

"So they just...kidnapped you in the middle of the night, right out of your rooms?" Tiger asked in astonishment, after Fievel and Olivia told them what had happened later that morning, outside of Tony and Bridget's house.

Fievel nodded, "It was one of the scariest things I ever had happen to me. And they said we have to keep quiet, or else they'll find some way to get rid of us."

"Hey buddy, not while I'm around, I may be chicken but I'm no coward."

Olivia couldn't help but giggle a little.

"I'm glad yer on our side Tiger. Ratigan ain't the only one who can have a cat fer backup."

"So uh, want me to take you to your usual spot?" Tiger asked.

"Not yet," Olivia answered, speaking lowly, "We're gonna check out the mine today, remember?"

"Yeah, I even brought a canteen for the trip," Fievel said.

"Oh right, I forgot!" Tiger said, "Hop on...and hope we aren't being watched."

"We might be, so we've got to be careful," Fievel said, "If we get caught we could try to say we were just playing or exploring."

"I hope they buy it, but let's try not to get caught in the first place," Olivia said as she climbed onto Tiger's back, and Fievel followed. Tiger began to walk the opposite way he usually took them, taking them out of the city and into the cactus-strewn desert.

"I heard Fidget say Waul owned the saloon now," Fievel mentioned.

Tiger sighed, "Yeah, Kitty told me about that this morning. He's still letting her work there. I guess he had the deed to the property, and now that he's sheriff, it's better not to argue, for now."

"I hope she's taking that alright," Fievel said.

"I wonder what about Nellie Brie, will she be okay livin' there?" Olivia asked.

"As long as Waul and Ratigan don't know what she's up to, Miss Kitty should protect her," Fievel answered, as they passed by another cactus.

The hot weather made him wish they were going to the river instead. He took a swig of water from his canteen.

"I'm thirsty too Fievel, can I have some?" Olivia asked.

"Sure," Fievel handed it to her, and she drank a bit before giving it back, "A good explorer always comes prepared."

Tiger walked toward a rocky outcropping in the distance. The top part was partly collapsed, as Fievel had mentioned earlier. As Olivia surveyed the landscape, she couldn't help but notice something in the sky behind them, circling above. It didn't look like a bird...and it was holding something big.

"Fievel, what's that? Do ye think it's..."

Fievel looked up and squinted. "It's Fidget, and he's holding Chula. They're following us!"

"Oh no, what'll we do?" Tiger asked.

"Don't worry, I've got a plan," Fievel said, taking a slingshot and a rock out of his pocket.

"Ye think you can hit something so small, up that high?" Olivia asked.

"I can try."

Fievel closed one eye and took aim. Waiting for the right moment, as Fidget began to swoop towards them, Fievel let loose. The rock flew up, and appeared to hit Fidget in the head. They could hear faint screaming as the two villainous lackeys fell to the ground in the distance.

"Ye got em!" Olivia cheered, hugging Fievel.

"Alright Tiger, better speed things up. They might catch onto what we're doing."