Olivia goes West

Chapter 29

"You're an atrocious madman, Ratigan," Nellie said, struggling against the spider web she was wrapped in as One-Eye carried her, Fievel and Vartan into the dark recesses of the mine. Chula followed behind, with the two orphans, and Sweet William's gang.

"Oh you shouldn't flatter me so, you might make Basil jealous," Ratigan answered, his gun pointed into Tanya's back as he forced her to march, "Though I suppose I do have an irresistible charm when it comes to women, wouldn't you say so Tanya?"

Tanya scowled, but said nothing.

"Now we won't be harming the diva herself, will we?" Waul asked, still bitter over how the rally had went, brushing the dust off his nice clothes after running to the mine on all fours.

"I admit this goes against our agreement, but it was the only way to gain the advantage. Now the plan won't work without holding her hostage. We could have used the kids as bargaining chips like we'd planned if your minions weren't such idiots."

"My minions are idiots? May I remind you that none of my minions are currently in the possession of Basil?"

"Yeah! What about that?" Chula chimed in.

"Oh drop it," Ratigan snapped, "Yes, Fidget's an imbecile too."

"Just as long as we're clear on that," Chula replied.

"Me and my boys ain't no one's minion," Sweet William snarled, "We're here to eat some mice, nothin' else."

"If you don't want to partake in the glorious payoff, you can leave," said Ratigan.

"So are we getting paid overtime, boss?" asked Noodles.

"Oh shut up," said Ratigan, "It's always about pay with you two. If you don't shut your mouths I'll have Waul open his and eat the rest of you. Or perhaps Sweet William would like his pay early."

"Wh-whaddya mean, the rest of us?" Pee-Wee asked.

Waul grinned, "The fat one was the best thing for my appetite. You two are a bit scrawny but it has been a few days since I had mouse meat."

The two of them screamed, and ran back out of the mine.

"Forget them," said Ratigan, "We've more important things to worry about."

"I don't," said Earless, who turned and chased after the orphans.

"Hey, wait up!" Sweet William yelled, running after his underling, followed by Slim, the short, stout cat.

Ratigan took no mind to this. One-Eye remained following them.

"I never wanted to be back here again," Fievel sighed pitifully.

"Don't worry, Basil will get us out of this," Nellie whispered, "But if you get a chance to escape...take it."

Fievel nodded, and then looked toward Vartan, who was next to him in One-Eye's fist.

"How is he?" Nellie asked.

"He's unconscious I think, he stopped groaning..." Fievel said.

"He needs medical attention," Nellie said with worry, "That was a nasty fall...and the shot to the arm..."

"Is he gonna live?" Fievel asked, biting his lip.

"I...I think so..." Nellie said, not even sure if she herself was going to survive this.

"Pipe down, ya rats," said One-Eye, as they entered the main chamber.

Wylie looked up from where he'd been sitting against the rocky wall, and Hiram peered from over the edge of the desk.