rr (ON HOLD)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

While Clancy and Kaina were being pushed roughly into a van, Ruby Redfort was trying to figure out what on God's green Earth was happening.
"I don't think this is just Lorelei," she mused. Hitch gave her a look, which said; what makes you think so?
"Well," began Ruby, her voice cracking slightly, as she remembered what she had said to Kaina. "Kaina said that the guy from Spain, Ambassador Crew's friend, Mr Peas or whatever, was the Count in disguise. She was certain of it, but I didn't believe her; I just thought she was being paranoid."
She paused, expecting Hitch to rant at her, but he stayed silent, so she continued.
"Before they, Clancy's dad and the other guy, came to our house, I got a phone call from Clance saying he had something super important to tell me. But he never visited my house to tell me. I phoned Minny, and she said he had gone to some dorky camp or something. But Kaina felt something was off - she thought he might have been taken, by the Count or someone; again, I didn't listen to her and just brushed it off.
"We kinda had a big argument about Mr Peas and whatnot, and she kinda, you know, ran off. But then, some time later, I was stewing over what had happened and realised she was right. I was about to alert you when I received a phone call. Apparently it was Kaina, and she was with Clancy and needed assistance. She gave me some information about where she was.
"I left a note on your desk explaining where I was going. I couldn't waste any time, and you weren't in at the moment - plus, I had lost my Bradley Baker watch; Lorelei took it, remember? So of course I assumed you'd tell Spectrum, but obviously your call was intercepted. So here we are now, stuck in an old building no one knows about, and we don't even know where Kaina and Clancy are."
Hitch didn't say anything for a minute. Then he let out a long sigh.
"You know, kid, when you say it like that, it does kind of sound like your fault."
"I know," replied Ruby sadly.
Abruptly, the door was flung open. Lorelei von Leyden stood in the doorway, two burly men behind her. She pointed to Ruby.
"Take the kid and bring her to where he wants."
"What about the other - the man?" asked one of the guys. Lorelei shrugged.
"Do what you want with him. He's none of my concern."
Ruby gave one last desperate look at Hitch before being dragged out of the room. Hitch didn't even try to save her; it'd be pointless, and he needed to save his energy.

Ruby found herself in a large room; yet again, the imposing statue of the Jade Bhuddha of Khotan stood before her.
"Rube!" croaked a voice, and Ruby swivelled round to see two kids against the wall, their hands tied behind their backs. She would have tried to free them but her hands were tied too.
"Hey, uh, Kaina," said Ruby, in a small voice. "I just wanted to, y'know, uh, apologise for what happened."
Kaina grinned. "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry too."
"So nice to know you're all getting along so well." The door was opened and in walked a man who sent shivers down the bravest warrior's spine. He gave a smile. "And now you'll all die together. Apart from you, of course, Kaina; what's better than taking away the only friends you've ever had?"
The girl tried not to rise to his mocking tone, and instead cast her eyes on the Buddha.
"So," she said casually, "I thought Blacker gave you the code."
"Wrong one."
Ruby and Kaina looked at each other. "What?"
"It turns out, children, that there are two types of Mars Mushrooms; one which halves your age and one which makes you immortal. Your agent friend gave me the location of the first. And as you know, I want immortality."
"How you gonna get that?" Ruby asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"By using your blood, of course," the Count replied, and he walked over to where Kaina was. He grabbed her arm and brought her over to where Ruby was, the Buddha behind them. He pulled out a small knife from his pocket and slit both the girl's wrists. Startled, Ruby let out a cry of pain, but Kaina made no noise. Ruby looked at her, and seeing her emotionless, painless expression, she wondered if this wasn't the first time the Count had physically hurt her. And then another thought crossed Ruby's mind - did Kaina self-harm?
The Count managed to somehow mix their blood together, and shone it under the Buddha. He let out a small murmur and took out a pencil and notebook from his breast pocket. He scribbled something down on the paper - Ruby guessed it was the code/location. Then he shut the notebook with a satisfied smile and turned to face the girls. He took out his pocket watch and looked at it.
"Your time's up, Ms Redfort. It's been so enjoyable, getting to know you over this past year, but now I'm afraid I must get rid of you; you've finally outdone your usefulness."