All was silent.
Albert whispered to Rose and pointed to the single
door. "There. That's the door to the Doctor's private
chamber. You and Lottie should try it
first."
The group began to tip-toe apart; each inspecting
their own view of the entryway. Rose and
Mrs. Steers glided over to the door.
Rose stooped down to look through the keyhole, while Mrs. Steers put her
ear to the door.
Rose looked up at her and shook her head. She mouthed. I can't see anything.
Mrs. Steers shrugged and mouthed. I don't hear anything. Looking around, she watched the others as
they moved toward their designated positions.
Griff and Xavier slipped up to the main doors, gently
trying to open them. They were locked. Reaching inside his coat pocket, he pulled
out a long metal hook, leaned down, and slowly slipped it into the
keyhole. Turning the hook, he listened
carefully, until he heard a click.
Retrying the knob, it turned.
Trenda moved from his position over to Xavier.
I'll go out and be ready, mouthed Trenda. Griff went with him and stood on the stoop outside. Xavier opened the door and they slipped
out. The sun was starting to set, so he
was able to see the entire front driveway and gardens. He turned back to Xavier and mouthed All
clear then gave a thumbs up. Xavier left
the door ajar.
Xavier nodded at Ari. Pressing himself against the
stairway wall, Ari snuck up the first few steps. He stopped and nodded at Xavier.
Scurried over to Rose and Mrs. Steers, Xavier used
Griff's hook to unlock the door, then went back to the main entrance. Mrs.
Steers grasped the doorknob and slowly turned it. She pulled it open enough for Rose to see
inside the room. She could see no
one. Rose shook her head. Mrs. Steers opened the door wider. Rose gasped.
Sam was tied to one of the metal framed chairs. His head down, she couldn't see his face.
Albert moved behind Rose. He could see in the door, spotting Sam. He inadvertently grimaced, looking at Mrs.
Steers. Mrs. Steers put her hand to her
mouth, trying not to speak or move, but knowing that what they saw wasn't good. Her eyes teared up.
Rose and Albert crept into the room. Mrs. Steers followed. When she spied Sam tied to the chair, she
gasped out loud. "Oh no."
Albert grabbed her, shaking his head. He whispered.
"Be strong now."
Rose ran over to Sam and gently placed her hand over
his mouth. She didn't want him to
scream. Sam slowly opened his eyes, widening
them at the sight of Rose.
Rose put her finger to her lips in the shushing
motion. "Be very quiet," she
whispered. Rose pulled a pocketknife
from her skirt pocket. She cut through
the ropes that bounds his legs, then his hands.
Meanwhile, Albert tried opening some of the windows,
but with no luck.
Out in the hallway, Ari remained motionless on the
stairway. Xavier was poised at the main
entrance. Ready for any attack that
might happen. Underneath the stairs, a
small door opened and Fulop Farkas appeared.
Walking into the middle of the hallway, he studied a piece of paper,
then said out loud.
"That's it.
I figured out the potion." Farkas looked up and stared right at
Xavier. Ari leapt down from the stairs
and grabbed Farkas. Xavier flung open
the doors before rushing to aid Ari.
It was too late.
Farkas had already screamed out. "Help!"
Dreda came down the stairs, throwing mini orbs in all
directions. Xavier and Ari ducked and
used Farkas as their shield.
"Stop throwing those orbs!" yelled Farkas
but was too late. One smacked him in the
center of his forehead. He fell
unconscious to the floor.
exciting!
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