Red Cure (on hold)

Part 22

Christmas Day

Marine Stevens called in a favor and made me hand over the phone so he could talk to Peter. It took some persuading as there was little likelihood I would get it back anytime soon.

“Hello? Who’s there?” I heard Peter say from where the phone sat on the desk.

“Who do you think it is?” Marine Stevens said as he typed at lightning speed on the computer.

“Wow, Sharp your voice got deeper.” Peter said into the phone, “But you know what? I think it’s kind of sexy.”

“You joke at a time like this!?” Marine Stevens asked, yelling over the sound of my laughter.

“You think I’m joking? No. I would never joke about something so important. Girls are sensitive about their voices.” Peter said, his voice never broke once.

“You said you headed straight into the sunset right?” Marine Stevens asked ignoring the whole thing. I tried to suppress my giggles so that they could talk.

“Yes, then instead of continuing west they turned completely around and we are now heading east. Do you have any idea where we are?” Peter asked in a sudden whisper.

“No, but I think I know where you’re heading.” Marine Stevens whispered back.

“They’re taking you to France, my best guess at where is probably Bald One’s home village. I know for a fact that it’s been turned into a sort of compound where they hold prisoners and do experiments.” Marine Stevens said.

“I have to go get a team ready, talk to Sharp for a while.” He said shoving the phone into my hands as he walked towards the door.

“You mean you aren’t Sharp!?” Peter asked.

“He’s gone.” I said.

“Gosh that was good. I’m hilarious when I’m kidnapped. I should get kidnapped more often.” He said laughing quietly to himself.

“No. No more getting kidnapped.” I said. Sure, my sudden seriousness might have killed the light mood but my point was important. Peter was about to say something when Marine Stevens came back into the room. I looked up for news but he walked past me.

“Forgot I needed this form.” He said, snatching up a large file from the desk before he stomped out again, slamming the door behind him.

“Well, Merry Christmas to you too.” Peter said.

“We’ve been up since you first called talking to answering machines and listening to cheesy hold music from the 1950’s. Marine Stevens does not like cheesy hold music from the 1950’s.” I said.

“That explains everything.” Peter said, chuckling under his breath. Then suddenly Marine Stevens burst back into the room again.

“Well Peter it looks like you’re going to have to learn French.” He said, stomping over to his desk and sitting on the edge.

“But I don’t want to.” Peter said in a whining voice.

“What do you mean? Why?” I asked.

“There’s a blizzard outside because SOMEONE wanted a white Christmas.” Marine Stevens said looking pointedly at me.

“That was years ago!” I said.

“Well they never say when prayers are answered.” Peter said quietly through the sudden static coming from the phone.

“Don’t take his side.” I said forcefully into the phone.

“Marine Stevens, we can’t let them take him.” I said