The Borrower and Her Bean (complete)

Part 13

Greg could not understand how Melina slept in her room. For the last week, he and Carson had been sleeping in her shelter near the vent to prevent Henry from talking to her. They had covered the hole with material to prevent him and the light from waking them up too early. However, they were not been able to silence the bird that seemed to like to sing right outside the vent. Groaning he rolled over and put his pillow over his head, but it was no use he was awake now. Sitting up he looked over at Carson. His brother was sleeping on his stomach, one foot hanging over the edge of the bed along with his arm, snoring away. How can he sleep through all that noise, was the thought that ran through Greg's mind? Shaking his head he moved out of the room in search of food. 

Walking into their little kitchen he noticed his mother pottering around making breakfast. Each action was familiar to him as she broke a bit of cheese off the large triangle that sat in the corner of the room. She bought it to the table and sliced it into small pieces to add to the fruit and large crumbs of bread on the table. However today her actions were not as direct, not as bubbly as if she was thinking about something else other than what she was doing. Taking a seat at the table he asked: "Are you, ok Mum?" she turned from pouring juice into their thimble cups her bottom lip quivering. "Your sister went out borrowing and hasn't returned. Dads checking the other houses first as she wouldn't have gone into his house. I'm worried, it's not like her to be gone this long." Greg tried to think when he last spoke to her, it had been just after sundown yesterday, an uneasy feeling settled in his stomach. 

By mid-morning Dad had returned and the whole family was now meeting in the kitchen. All worried they realised that she must have gone into Henry's house. Greg was beginning to worry that they had trusted the bean too soon. What if he had captured her and refused to let her go? what if in his anger he had hurt her. Panic was setting in for all the families as they began to put together a rescue outfit. Greg and Carson along with the Pam, Elisha and their Mum and Dad's were all meetings now in their kitchen debating fleeing as was the borrower way or going to rescue Melina. Both the Dad's were having a heated argument when there was a voice from the doorway. Turning Greg breathed a sigh of relief then astonishment as he saw Melina with Henry standing awkwardly behind her. His hands were placed on her shoulders as if he needed the added courage. 

All Borrowers staired not a sound could be heard but for the birds singing outside as Melina and Henry walked into the already crowded room. Greg watched Lina who looked excited compared to the flustered look on Henry's face "Great you're all here, I know this might be a bit of a surprise and I know you will have lots of questions but we need your help first before we can answer them." the silence continued in the room as a sign they were listening but the furrowed look on her fathers face alerted her that she needed to speak quickly. Taking a large breath the spoke "Last night Henry rescued me, it's a long story but let's say I made a big mistake and he helped me out of a near-death situation. Something happened whilst I was unconscious and I woke up next to the Henry you now see. The problem we have is now we have to work out how to look after Kal with us being this size. He needs to be fed, so first, we need help getting to Henry's phone so he can contact his puppy sitter. Then we need to work out how his being this size will not only affect him but us as well."

Thankfully they were already set with their climbing gear so the now 10 person party headed out into the wall cavity leading out into the living room. Once they found the whole they unblocked it and one by one they walked into the open space. Henry could see Kal who was now lying next to his food bowl head down whimpering. His mate was needing his help and he hoped this would work. Once they were at the table Elisha's dad used his grappling hook shoestring set up and tossed it effortlessly up to the top of the table. The hook slid until it seemed to catch on the ornate etching on the table. Then Melina's dad followed together they Climbed to the top and secured the rope. Together they climbed until all 10 stood looking at the flat communication device. 

The teens had already seen it in action however the adults had not so it fascinated them when Henry hit the side button and the screen lit up. One problem that he first encountered was it would not recognise his face or fingerprint as both were too small. Then he had to remember his pin which he had not had to use in a very long time. Thankfully the iPhone recognised the touch of his hands. Once the phone opened the last hurdle was the battery life which was sitting at 15%. He quickly opened messenger and looked at the keyboard it was going to take him ages to type this, "Lina can you help me, I will call out the letter and you need to touch it." she nodded in agreement and together they made quick work of sending the message ' had to rush out to an emergency, Kal needs food, also I know this is a strange request but could you put the fresh fruit, meat slices and cheese on the counter? I know this is short notice but I would really appreciate the help thanks sandy ..... Hen."

They waited with bated breath, then "..." three dots appeared, after a moment the message followed "sure thing Hen, you sure about the food, that can attract mice. anyway no worries be there in 5." as he typed "Thanks" and hit send the screen dimmed and then went out. Seeing the worry on Henry's face as he looked back down at the phone Melina said, softy "don't worry, we can hoist the phone down then the men can help you carry it to the charger." At that point, Henry breathed a sigh of relief grateful also that his charger was at floor level. After 20min, the group had managed to move the phone off the table hoisting it down using the ropes. Then they all followed. As they were walking the phone towards the charger they heard keys in the door. The borrowers froze then ran for cover all except for Henry who was desperately trying to move the phone under the side table. Melina called out to him but he would not listen as the door swung opened. Seeing he would not listen Melina ran to the stubborn fool "Henry we have to hide." 

A/N Thank you for reading!! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.