A Series of Unfortunate Events One Shots

Memory Lane Part 7

Begin!

~Quigley's POV

If I have to hear that Snow Scout pledge one more time...

Four days passed while I was traveling with the Snow Scouts. And I got to enjoy the delightful company of the vainest, most selfish, girl I've ever met: Carmelita Spats. She apparently used to live at Prufrock with the Baudelaires and my siblings because she kept talking about "cakesniffing orphans in love." I amused myself with the idea that she secretly shipped it. And Fiona said I had a high opinion of myself... if she ever met this brat I think she'd call me modest...

Another 3 days passed while we traveled; if I have to hear Carmelita sing one more time I'm going to throw myself off the nearest cliff. God I miss Fiona so much... I knew she had a lovely voice. Anytime I could be alone I would look at my picture of her. I couldn't show it to anyone or they'd find out who I was.

Another 2 days passed after that and we had finally reached the mountains. My parents said they would take me here someday, probably to bring me into their secret organization. We set up camp in a cave that I recognized from my notes. I noticed the Vertical Flame Diversion Jacques told me about. The troop was using it as a chimney for our campfire smoke. Smart idea, but I don't think any of them realized what it actually is. I noticed that Jacques was correct about the fire pole being gone from the passage, now it was just footholds.

The Snow Scouts sat around the campfire talking for most of the morning. I sat there being bored the whole time. I kept my notebook safely in my pocket while the scouts were awake; chances are that one might take it from me if I'm not careful.

"Hey cakesniffers!"

Oh, god Carmelita shut up...

"I see two shadows entering the cave and they look like cakesniffers, Uncle Bruce!"

I warily looked towards the cave entrance and my jaw fell open behind my mask. It's them! The Baudelaires! Holy shit, talk about lucky! They'll know where my siblings are! I only saw the two older ones though and they also looked worse for wear; covered in strange makeup and a few stings from the snow gnats outside. After a moment, the Snow Scouts invited them over to sit with us and they took a spot beside me; after cleaning themselves up and putting on some winter clothing. (Given their reputation, they put on some spare masks too.)

I racked my brain trying to think about how to communicate with them. I can't just mention my siblings in front of all these strangers that'd be a disaster. But if I'm going to get them to trust me before I tell them who I am, I need a system. I watched them carefully to look for any clues. The Snow Scouts said their stupid pledge, which I won't repeat for the sake of my sanity, and nobody noticed that I didn't say it with them.

Klaus commented that xylophone is not an adjective, and I got to speak to him for the first time by explaining that Bruce couldn't think of another word that started with X.

"What about xenial; it means-" Klaus was interrupted by Bruce saying they can't change the pledge.

Guess he is a smart guy; Fiona taught me that word. Violet hadn't said much, they both look tired, hungry, and also scared. It must have something to do with why there's no sign of their baby sister. I'd be scared too in that situation... I mean I still don't know where my baby sister is so I am scared. That's why I need them. Bruce said something about bears living in these caves once, but thanks to Jacques I knew that was wrong.

I leaned over to the Baudelaires and corrected Bruce's statement by saying, "Not bears, lions. They were Volunteer Feline Detectives."

That got their attention.