Brass Monkeys (25 page)

“Endless hatred, that’s all you’ve ever shown me. Relentless spite. And what did I ever do to merit that?
What?
Oh, your hate, your never-ending hate.”

She took out a handkerchief and blew her nose. That seemed so human and sad to me that I couldn’t help saying, “Listen, I don’t think we hate you
that much
.“

That’s when she slapped me. Her hand snaked out and smacked me on the cheek so hard my head snapped back against the ring. When my head cleared, I realized that her fingernails had dug into me and my chin was bleeding.

“Just remember this,” she hissed. “It’s your hatred that keeps me strong. It’s your grinning, your making fun of me, your laughing at every little gesture of kindness on my part, that keep me powerful. Oh, don’t think I don’t understand your enmity. But if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll teach you humility. I’ll teach you to shut up, sit quietly, and think nothing! Nothing at all!”

She raised her hand to hit me again. I cringed, and she held off and laughed.

“See who’s the Little Monkey now, Eugene?” She leaned in and smiled. “You feel it already, don’t you? Going through my classes helps immensely. And before I’m done, every one of you, in every school across the country, will get a chance to be Monkeymind, a dancing, jigging fool with nothing at all in your brain!”

She clapped her hands gaily. “Oh, and let me tell you some other things. You’ll never live to see McGinty or Adjana and her wonderful Grotto school. She’s stuck down there, and down there is where she’ll stay until she dies. And last of all, your Mr. Hastings. Was he a hero of yours perchance?”

“No,” I said, but I knew I had given myself away by speaking too quickly.

“Of course he was,” Ming said. “And I just want to say, I hope I ruined all that too. I think you could see, before he died, that he was hardly a hero.”

“You’re a big, bug-eyed liar, too,” I blurted out.

Ming expelled her breath sharply and her hands came up in what I instinctively recognized as a “stranglehold.” I truly believe my adventure would have ended right there if Strobe and Fundabore hadn’t come striding in.

“Evvveryone is waiting for yooou in the cafeteria,” Fundabore called out.

For a long moment Ming was frozen, her bulbous eyes fixed on me. Then she lowered her hands and said in that soft melodic voice, “Of course they are. And I’m coming.” She took a step away, then turned back. “I’m going to join my comrades for a little meal and celebration. But when we’re done, we’re coming back here for dessert. I can’t wait to have just a tiny taste of your Amberlight! I know, normally I wait until the third day, but you two are simply too delicious. Somehow, I think you’ll provide the most beautiful, golden flights I’ve ever had. I sense in both of you the energy, the fire, all the wonderful imagination and fanciful delights of youth.” Her lips twitched in some kind of strange spasm and a shiver shook her large frame. She recovered and laughed. “And by the way, when we start the draining process, Eugene, you’ll be happy to tell me where McGinty and his wretched book are hidden. In fact, you’ll gladly part with all your thoughts until your tiny globe is empty, empty, empty.”

She reached in and pinched me hard on the cheek. “My, those scratches look deep. I wouldn’t be surprised if they left scars.”

Then, cackling with laughter, the three of them left the room.

I turned to say something to Harriet, but she seemed to be losing consciousness again and her eyes were fluttering. I gave it up then and slumped forward. I felt totally exhausted, but even worse, something else hovered over me—a horrible emptiness. I knew where it came from. It was partly from the eraser gun and the horrible classes. But it was also the sound of water rushing through that awful pipe and the faces of my lost friends. Faces I’d never see again.

I realized now that Ming had hurt me badly and that I had already lost something I might not ever get back. I wanted to cry, but no tears would come.

I must have slept for a while.

When I awoke, I found Harriet staring at me, now fully conscious.

“They’ll be coming back soon,” I whispered. “For our Amberlight.”

She nodded. “I know.” She looked away and I could tell she was fighting tears.

“I’m really sorry.” My voice shook. “It’s all my fault.”

She turned back and regarded me intently. “It’s not your fault, Eugene.”

I bit my lip and tried not to cry. “I really screwed up,” I said. “I ruined everything.”

“No, that’s not true,” said Harriet quickly. “Don’t ever say that. You did everything you could and more.”

I didn’t bother to contradict her. I could see clearly how I was to blame for nearly everything. First, I had betrayed her and the others in class, and that was the event that had triggered the kidnapping. Then I had stupidly led Lilah and Teddy into their lethal encounter with the Stormies in the desert. Finally, in a single, fateful move, I’d made Jack and Lilah think the drainage pipe was a way out, only to send them to their deaths. Alvin and Weeser had probably gone to an even worse fate. Looking back, I could see I had accomplished nothing. I
was
a failure, a zero, and I knew deep in my bones that my mission was over. I simply didn’t care anymore about the book, or McGinty. I wanted to go home.

Right at that moment, I heard the footsteps.

“They’re coming,” Harriet said.

I glanced over at her. Even under these conditions she still had a spark of courage. Despite the fur, I thought she had never looked more beautiful.

“Listen,” I said, “there’s something I want to say.” I wanted to tell her I thought she was the most special person in the universe and that I would do anything for her, but I couldn’t get the words out. I simply didn’t have the energy or the will.

“What?” she said.

With her eyes giving me all the encouragement I should have needed, I said, “Nothing.” I leaned back and shut my eyes.

The door squeaked as it opened, then it closed again. I kept my eyes shut.

There was a pause and then someone whispered, “Bumpus-man, it’s me.”

My eyes snapped open, and I know my jaw must have dropped to the floor. Even when I saw the comic book clothes and the tattoos, it was hard for me to believe. What’s more, he was carrying my trumpet.

“Raymondo,” I said, barely breathing the name.

He nodded rapidly and in a quick gesture wiped some sweat off his upper lip. He was nearly petrified with fear, but he was there. “Got your trumpet. And your shoes and socks.”

“You’re fantastic,” I whispered.

His teeth clicked nervously. “It was easy. They had your stuff on a table right outside the door. Except I didn’t find the book.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry about the dumb …” I stopped. I’d almost given away my secret emptiness. I covered by saying quickly, “We’ll get it later.” I looked over at Harriet. “This is Ray,” I said, “the coolest, greatest—”

“Scaredest,” Ray added. He gave her a skull-like grin. “You gotta be Harriet.”

“How’d you know?” Harriet was genuinely puzzled.

Ray shot me a little look and said, “Ring-a-ding.”

He had me free now, and while I put on my shoes, he worked on Harriet’s straps. She was studying Ray with those penetrating eyes.

“I used to read
The Fantastic Four
comics all the time,” she said.

“Flame on!” Ray gave her a pleased look. I knew he’d risk anything for her now. He finished the straps and then handed her shoes and socks to her.

“Man, you got here just in time,” I said to him.

He shook his head. “Not really. I know you must have gone through some bad stuff already and I’m sorry for that. It took me a long time to work up the courage. I kept thinking what old Billy Bumpus said about forgetting the talk and doing the walk. And you were absoltootly right.” He grinned. “I’ll check the hall and see if it’s clear.” He tiptoed to the door and peered out.

Harriet finished with her shoes. She smiled excitedly and squeezed my arm. “Billy Bumpus is on the move.”

Crazy as I knew that was, especially now, I didn’t bother to argue. We joined Ray at the door and he quickly held up a warning hand.

“Ming-daddy and her buddies are still in the cafeteria eating and singing away,” he whispered. “But when they stop, they’ll be coming back here, so we got to think about what’s the quickest way to get out of this stinky joint.”

“You got an idea?” I said.

Ray nodded. “I came in through the gym, but that’s the long way. And I’m not anxious to take that route back. I’m thinking one of the side door exits—”

“Let’s do it,” I whispered. “Just get out quick.”

Harriet frowned at me. “Wait a second. Aren’t you forgetting Alvin and Weeser and the others? Remember what you told them about leaving them behind?”

I flushed. “Yeah, well, that’s true,” I said weakly. “I sort of promised them—”

“Sort of?” Harriet was staring at me with those laser eyes.

“Listen,” Ray cut in, and none too gently. “If we fiddle around in there trying to save anybody, we’re going to get caught. I just know it.”

But Harriet wasn’t moved. “What about the book?” she said to me. “Aren’t you forgetting that too?” Her voice had a sharp edge, and I had to look away.

“Of course I haven’t forgotten,” I said. I cleared my throat. I knew I had to say something positive. “I think, you know, we should go and get it. And check on Alvin and Weeser too. Maybe we can do something to help.”

Ray rolled his eyes. “Okay, if that’s what you want, Bumpus-man. But you’re going to regret it!” He let out his breath in an angry grunt, then pushed the door all the way open and waved us on. We rushed into the dark hallway and headed for some nearby stairs.

As we approached, Ray hissed out “Be careful here!”

I could see why. The steps were constructed out of piano keyboards, and every footfall, no matter how gently it was put down, drew a muffled, crazy chord of music. We crept upward, trying to be quiet, yet sounding like a mad symphony.

We paused at the top of the stairs while Ray opened the door and peeked out. We could hear the throbbing of drums along with the singing.

“Man, they sound happy,” whispered Ray. “They probably know we’re doing something stupid.”

He lunged out, Harriet and I right at his heels. We pounded down the dim corridor, sounding like a herd of buffalo loose in the mall. I expected to hear a yell of discovery at any moment, but nothing happened.

Minutes later, after winding through several dark halls, we finally found the way back to the storage room. We stopped at the door and I peeked through the window. No one was in sight. I opened the door and we went inside.

“They probably found it already,” I whispered. There was a flat disinterest in my voice and I couldn’t seem to stop it.

“No, the box is still here!” said Harriet. She pushed the projector stand aside and picked up the film box. She handed it to me with an eager look.

“Okay, great,” I said. I pulled the lid off the box, took out the book, and without looking at it, stuck it inside my shirt. Then I turned to go.

Harriet grabbed my arm. “No, wait,” she said. She fixed those golden-brown eyes on me. “Are you okay? I mean, you’ve got the book; you should be excited.”

I licked my lips and tried to sound sincere. “I am excited. Really.”

“Hey, I’m happy you’re excited,” Ray whispered grimly, “but unless you guys want to get caught, we need to move.”

“Right,” I said. I led the way to the door leading to the bleachers. I opened the door, and once again I was under the gym bleachers and looking up at the Grindsville kids. But this time there was something horribly different, and deep in my guts, I knew it. I knew it when I saw the little brass monkeys flitting around on the stage curtain. I felt like I was slipping into some deep dark pit, and I couldn’t stop it.

“Right back where we started,” I whispered to Harriet. She said nothing. I glanced at her and felt sick at the look of disappointment in her eyes.

“It looks clear,” said Ray in a low voice. “They ain’t bothering with guards ‘cause they know this bunch is high on Zorca.” He hesitated. “You can’t do a thing to help them, believe me.”

But Harriet shook her head stubbornly. “I don’t believe you.” She walked out into the aisle between the bleachers and started toward the wavy floor. I followed hesitantly, trying hard not to look at the dancing monkeys. I heard Ray muttering along behind me, “Girls can make you stupid, stupid, stupid!”

We joined Harriet on the floor, and one look at the kids told me it was no use. Their eyes were locked on the flitting monkey images on the stage curtains. Harriet started along the front row, scanning the crowd for Alvin and Weeser.

“Where are they?” she called out in a whisper. “Alvin!” Her voice broke out of the whisper into a frantic yell. Both Ray and I clutched at her.

“Don’t do that!” Ray hissed.

“I don’t think they’re in here,” I said. “I’ll bet she’s got them downstairs.”

Harriet groaned, her eyes filling with tears.

“Listen, we gotta forget this,” Ray cut in, “and get out of here!”

“Ray’s right,” I whispered, my lips feeling gluey. Shocked, I realized I was watching the monkeys bound about and my chest tightened. My legs felt numb. I slapped my thigh sharply and blurted, “We need to run for it. I mean, right now. Save ourselves.”

They both looked at me strangely. Harriet’s lips trembled, but she finally nodded. Ray turned and headed swiftly for the exit door. Harriet followed close behind, and I came staggering along as if I were moving through wet cement.

We paused at the door, and Ray held up the cover to the film box. “When the camera goes for this, we run,” he said.

“Got it,” I said. My voice had a strange, garbled sound to it; it might have been the voice of a drowning person. I knew what it was: I had been badly wounded by Ming and was sliding deeper into the pit. I wanted desperately to scream at Ray, “Hurry up, I’m dying!” But no words came out.

Ray took a couple of gulps of air, opened the door, and tossed the cover out. I could hear the camera groaning around to pick it up.

“Go! Go!” cried Ray. He disappeared out the door with Harriet right on his heels. I watched them run out of sight, then the door clicked shut. And I didn’t move. Couldn’t move.