RAT RACE: A TRILOGY OF TROUBLE

PREVIOUSLY:

The only friends Justin succeeds in evacuating from the now enemy-occupied camp are the Brisbys.

Now, Justin and the Brisbys are safe, but on the run — and seeking lodgings for the night when Timothy starts showing sighs of sensitivity to the night chill.

When Martin suggests Jenner’s now abandoned hide-out for the night, he is met with the opposition of his uneasy sisters, who associate terror with Jenner’s horrid lair. But Timothy, who is usually right, seems all for it.

But is the place really safe for the six fugitives?

---

ISSUE #7: THE RAID!

 

[They start in. MARTIN leads the way, with JUSTIN behind him. Next is MRS. BRISBY, carrying CYNTHIA, with TERESA and TIMOTHY bringing up the rear, walking along together, holding paws.]

[Just as they are about to reach the main entrance, a fire starts in the fire-pit in the chamber beyond.]

[Everyone freezes.]

[Suddenly, the dead quail flies thru’ the opening, almost hitting MARTIN, who leaps back in alarm, gasping.]

TERESA:

:{as Cynthia cries out}:

Oh, I knew it, I knew it! Mother —

[JUSTIN’s voice cracks with strained terror]:

JUSTIN:

A trap! Run! Run!

[They turn around to flee, but then]:

JACKSON:

Justin? That you, son?

[He appears in the tunnel.]

JACKSON:

Wait, don’t run! Stop!

JUSTIN:

Dad!?

[They all come to a stop, turning.]

JACKSON:

:{approaching}:

I hope I didn’t scare you too badly when I threw that disgusting bird carcuss out, but you can scarcely blame us for us not wanting that detestable thing in here while we’re here, can you?

JUSTIN:

... "Us"? Dad, what’s going on here? I —... !?

[He breaks off suddenly at the sight of ARNOLD, coming out to stand behind their father.]

[JUSTIN is shocked and puzzled.]

JUSTIN:

Arnold? God, am I glad to see you! B-But what ... ?

ARNOLD:

:{joining them}:

Never mind, brother. We’re just glad to see you alive. We’d thought by now you’d been ... Well, never mind that now. You guys look awful.

[He gestures towards the main chamber]:

ARNOLD:

Join the party ...

[JACKSON and ARNOLD lead them into the hideout’s main chamber.]

JUSTIN:

:{bewildered}:

Huh? What’re you —...

[He breaks off, staring around in astonished bewilderment at his gathered family and friends, observing at once that they are all dirty, clothing ripped, just like himself and the BRISBYs; all are completely disheveled, like they, too, have been thru’ the same kind of ordeal.]

[ARTHUR, WILLIS, and COLBERT (ISABELLA’s father) are talking together, in low voices as they enter. They look up at the entrance of JUSTIN’s party.]

[Listening to them, AURORA sits with GREGORY and MR. AGES, who are also talking together.]

[MRS. BRISBY goes right to AURORA, the two females exchange brief words, and then AURORA tends to TIMOTHY to sooth his chill, holding him on her lap.]

[His mother puts her cape back on and MARTIN leads her and his siblings to look at the pit-cage, where they are joined by TIMOTHY, AURORA, GREGORY, and MR. AGES.]

[ISABELLA is sitting with her mother VELMA and her twin brother BRIAN. When she sees JUSTIN, she leaps up and runs to him.]

ISABELLA:

Justin! Oh, my God, … Justin!

[She embraces him powerfully and passionately, so much that he stumbles backwards in the doorway and nearly falls down.]

ISABELLA:

I — I thought you might’ve been killed by now! I was so afraid for you! I — I thought that — that scoundrel killed you! I was so worried! Oh, … thank God, ... you’re safe!

[Closing her eyes, she leans against him gently, with a sigh.]

[Not responding to her embrace, JUSTIN stares down at the top of ISABELLA’s red-haired head; he appears somewhat uncomfortable — by her attention (tho’ he does put one paw on her shoulder).]

[He looks to his father.]

JUSTIN:

Dad, what ... what’s going on here?

[He looks around and sees his family. There is JUDITH, holding her new-born baby daughter LILIAN. There are the twins (his little brother ROGER and little sister SAMANTHA). And his own twin brother ARNOLD.]

JACKSON:

:{grimly and wearily}:

Well, ... I’m not really sure, son, ... but ... I think that you and our friends here —

[He indicates the BRISBYs, who join the group.]

JACKSON:

— have been thru’ the same thing as us.

[He indicates the rest of the group.]

[JUSTIN reacts with indignant distress]:

JUSTIN:

How!? Why didn’t you fight!?

[With something like relief as an undercurrent of his indignant distress, JUSTIN breaks free from ISABELLA’s embrace, stepping towards his father.]

JUSTIN:

You had better access to the guards than we did —

[As he speaks, AGES, AURORA, and GREGORY come up to them.]

AURORA:

:{wearily}:

Did we, ... my dear friend ... ?

JUSTIN:

But — B-But ... But then —...

[He breaks off, blinking; then looks dismayed.]

JUSTIN:

Oh. Never mind, ... I know why ...

JACKSON:

Right. With the guards turned against you by that dirty bastard —

JUDITH:

Dear, ... there’re children here.

JACKSON:

Right, sorry — how could any of us really fight? Seems that both our government and our defense forces were rotten to the core with potential traitors, … all just looking for the development of the right environment to prosper. We were out-numbered, more traitor guards than loyal ones — who were also forced to fight, I hear — on pain of death if they didn’t. We had no choice — but to run. Otherwise, Jenner would’ve had us all killed on sight. I’ll bet, son, you were wondering where all of the guard were when you and our young friends here —

[He gestures to the BRISBYs again.]

JACKSON:

— were driven off.

[JUSTIN nods, shocked and stunned.]

JUSTIN:

Actually, at the time, I was so occupied I didn’t have time to wonder ... or even think, ... not very much, anyway. But come to think of it, you’re right. Why they couldn’t hear it, I — I ... didn’t know. That is, ... I ... I couldn’t imagine. We were trying to escape — and I was fighting. Y’know, for these little guys; to clear our path.

[He gestures to the BRISBYs as well.]

JUSTIN:

We — We must have made — ohhh, a lot of racket, an awful commotion. You would have thought that someone would’ve heard. I’ll bet plenty did — but just either couldn’t or wouldn’t help, for whatever the reason. But that reason, ... why, it was because either they — the guards — were with him or not. I ... I wonder how many of them that ... he killed ... for resisting ... before he ferreted out the ones he could use? Oh, my God, ... how many of us are dead tonight!?

MR. AGES:

:{after a pause; nodding grimly}:

Well then, my boy, there you have it. Jenner must’ve got to our Guard Captain, ... before he went to find — and catch you. Brutus was there when you ran, ... right?

[After a brief pause, JUSTIN answers in a low, drained, toneless voice.]

JUSTIN:

... Yes.

MR. AGES:

You’re right then, Chief. He went after the guards first, converting as many as possible — to his cause. Most of them he did. He must have offered them something they couldn’t turn down. And the rest were forced to go along with him. Threatened with their lives ... if they refused, ... just like you’ve suggested. That is how that — that — er, uh —

[He pauses, glancing around at the youngsters present.]

MR. AGES:

— that treacherous scoundrel operates these days, ... isn’t it?

JUSTIN:

... Yes.

MR. AGES:

I’ll bet he did that before even considering going after you. He must’ve wanted to make sure he and his boys had you irreconcilably trapped and culled apart from any possible aid whatsoever. Then he could, uh, take his time about, ... er, uh, ... "taking care" of you.

JACKSON:

Of course. He wanted to make sure, make sure you’d get no help, that you’d get no aid in fighting them off at all. You’d be out-numbered and helpless. And then —

[He stops and makes a harsh, slashing gesture, as if with a sword.]

[Gulping involuntarily, JUSTIN flinches away suddenly, abruptly, as if from a sword blow, shuddering, his face ashen, sickly pale with a pallor of fear.]

JACKSON:

Well, you know that much ... yourself ...

[AURORA and GREGORY come up.]

AURORA:

Some of us had trouble escaping, Justin. Some got out without much or any trouble. Some of us managed to slip away completely unseen. It’s a good thing I have this second-sight ... or whatever it is. We all would’ve never found each other — if I hadn’t picked up all those impressions of what happened to others and where they were ... and go find them. In fact, I was just about to go out to find you and the Brisbys ... when I sensed that you were already on your way here in this direction. Which is why I chose lead everyone here — after I rounded everyone up — all a bit at a time, tho’. Everyone here managed to escaped ... into the woods; there was no other place to go. Every one was wandering about. I started sensing out everyone ... and just about that same time, I realized where you six were — and that you were on your way here, so I lead everyone else here, too. Anyway, at least, since we got here first, we’ve been expecting you ...

[As she speaks, there is (for the comic version) a misty and dreamlike visual recount in thin air of AURORA’s statement. Examples of her statement are ISABELLA’s flight from near-capture by JENNER himself, her parents and brother’s and the WILSONs’ clean getaway in spite of a chase, AURORA and GREGORY, hiding together and ARTHUR, WILLIS, and MR. AGES in their own, seperate hiding places, then of AURORA, sensing out and finding other desperate fugitives.]

[COLBERT and VELMA approach AURORA.]

VELMA:

But what about our Beatrice?

COLBERT:

Yes. Do you get any "sense" of our older daughter yet, Healer?

AURORA:

I — I am sorry; no.

COLBERT:

Damn!

AURORA:

<Sigh> I am truly sorry. All I can say is that ... she still lives. There is that much, ... at least. She is still alive.

VELMA:

Oh, ... thank goodness. But, Colbert —

COLBERT:

I know.

[He leads her off and they talk quietly together.]

[AURORA and JUSTIN watch them, then AURORA looks at JUSTIN.]

[JUSTIN stares at her for a long moment in shock, then he looks dazed with despair.]

[When he speaks, it is in a small voice full of resignation — and defeat]:

JUSTIN:

It — It’s happened. It’s ... finally happened. He’s finally bested me. After all this time, ... since we became rivals back in the rosebush ... and so long even before we ever left it, ... when it was only posturing and testing and sarcastic remarks with little, hidden meanings and insults only we knew — and understood, between us. And now, ... he ... he’s finally beaten me.

[He looks ashamed, he nose low, eyes closed, a single tear on one cheek.]

JUSTIN:

I — I’ve ... failed. I’ve failed ... to protect everyone — no, anyone ... at all — from him. I ... I’ve failed everyone. First, ... I failed ... to protect Nicodemus from him ... and — and Nicodemus died for it! And now, ... I ... I’ve failed you all. I ... I have lost. It — It’s over. All over. H-He’s ... won. He — He ... really has won. I’ve failed. It’s over. I ... might as well ... really ... give up, ... maybe to him — as well.

[He despairing sits down on a root bench and buries his head in his paws as his words get softer and softer, until he is finally whispering.]

[MR. AGES looks at a loss for words.]

[MRS. BRISBY and AURORA exchange glances, then go up to him.]

[As if he were a child, MRS. BRISBY scolds him, shaking a finger at him]:

MRS. BRISBY:

Nonsense! Justin, you haven’t failed us — and you must not give up now, my friend! Not now. Please, ... don’t give up now.

AURORA:

I agree, Chief, you —

[JUSTIN looks up at them both, embarrassed; he speaks, his voice cracking with angry shame and dismaying despair, his sudden out-burst startling the two mouse-maidens back; tears form in his eyes, run down his cheeks]:

JUSTIN:

No! You don’t understand! I — I begged him, I — I actually begged him — him — th-that ... that murderous bastard ... f-for mercy! I ... I even s-said ... that I’d do anything he said, anything he wanted. H-He ... He thinks ... I — I’m a ... a coward. And, God, I — I do feel like ... like such a c-coward! And ... And then ... telling him, he’d won yet — while crying like some kind of a baby! God, I ... I ... was s-so scared! I’m so ashamed. H-He — He was ... gonna k-kill me — and I — I should’ve taken it without a word. I shouldn’t have given him the satisfaction ... of seeing me grovel ... like that. I’m ... suppose to be ... brave, ... But ... I — I’m not. I’m not. He’s right. I — I am a coward ... I — I … I was scared and — and he — he ... s-scares me, ... scares me — so much. H-He always has. I — I’ve just always hid that — from him, from everyone, sometimes — even myself … and — and ... never ... admitted ... that ... I — I’m afraid, afraid of him ... and I ... I always have been. It was like I was afraid that everyone would find out — especially him. I guess I thought it would be ... worse for me — that he’d see to it that it would be, ... if ... he knew ... how scared I — I am of him, if things ever turned ugly between us — openly ... like … they have now. H-He ... sc-scares m-me ... s-so much. And yet, … if it was Dragon ... or another big preditor, ... it wouldn’t be ... so bad. They’re big and dangerous, b-but at least, ... they’re fast, ... not ... c-cruel — usually — at least, not very. And it’s not personal with them, not personal at all; if you’re got by a big preditor, ... it’s — it’s over — almost at once. B-But ... with him, with h-him — it — it’s ... so brutal. And ... And this! I ... I — I j-just ... c-can’t handle t-this! I — I ... c-can’t handle this. I can’t —... I — I can’t —

MRS. BRISBY:

But ... what about that first time, when you fought him in the farmer’s garden? Why, … you didn’t seem at all frightened then. No one ... would have guessed that you were so afraid then — or now!

JUSTIN:

Oh, ... that. It was hard, yeah. It was all I could do to hold my own, ... but it all happened so fast, … I just didn’t have time ... to feel scared. It was like — like getting hit — by lightning. It was just like — like "boom" ... a-and there it was, ... a — a sudden fight — j-just exploding like that, ... in my face. All I — I could do … was just ... w-what I had to do, … what had to be done. But now, ... i-it’s ... s-so different — when you can see it — the end — coming ... slowly ... from afar — like that. I ... I guess it’s, ... well, it’s like ... seeing the lightning — about to hit you. I — I thought ... I ... I was finished. I ... I was so scared, ... I — I mean, really scared. And ... I — I still am.

[He breaks off, struggling not to weep, his head in his paws.]

AURORA:

Oh, my poor friend, you mustn’t think that way about yourself. You should give yourself credit — where the credit is due. You deserve it.

[JUSTIN glances at her glumly, then hides his faces in his paws.]

[After a moment, he looks up and goes on faulteringly]:

JUSTIN:

No. No, I don’t. He ... H-He ... scares me ... so m-much. I just can’t face him ... again, ... not ever again. If it ever came to that, ... I couldn’t.

[AURORA comes closer, touching his arm.]

AURORA:

:{gently}:

Oh, Justin, he’s a dangerous, cruel, violent person.

MRS. BRISBY:

Oh, dear Chief, listen to her. You are no coward.

MR. AGES:

That’s true, friend. That —

JUSTIN:

:{bitterly}:

Then, ... how do you account ... for my "performance" — out there? Huh! My so-called "performance", ... such as it is ... or was ...

MR. AGES:

... Justin, ... he would’ve killed you, my friend.

JUSTIN:

Yeah, I — I know that. Oh, God — do I know that!

[JUSTIN turns to MR. AGES]:

JUSTIN:

You ... You tried to warn me about him, b-but I didn’t listen. I — I can’t ... even listen good. Not ... even when ... you warned me. You warned me, … but I ignored the warning. Even tho’ I knew the danger, I ignored it, like it would go away if I just pretended that there was nothing wrong, like we ... him and I — were still friends — a-and n-not even try to do anything about him — not until now, ... when it’s too late — and I ... I don’t have any nerve left — anyway. I ... I just don’t have the heart or stomach for any more. Your warning — it was wasted on me ... and now, ... I — I’m ... paying ... for it, ... paying for it ... in spades. We all are — because ... I just don’t have the g-guts anymore. I — I never did, ... not really ...

MR. AGES:

Justin, that’s an unfair assuption. You are being too hard, much too hard on yourself. You had every right to be afraid; yes, you most certainly did. He would’ve killed you, y’know. Why, he was going to anyway, I believe, ... right?

JUSTIN:

Yes. And — And I — I couldn’t fight any longer. He wore me out. I ... I ... was exhausted — a-and ... they — his men — pinned me down ... on the ground. He was about to take that sword of his — and chop of my — m-my—... <Gulp>

[He breaks off, with a paw at his throat, staring at the floor for a moment.]

[Then, with both paws clenched into fists, he bares his gritted teeth with helpless, impotent rage — as he suddenly blurts out in angry shame — and with the tears flowing fresh on his cheeks]:

JUSTIN:

And I should’ve just kept my mouth shut — and ... and t-took my — my d-d-death ... like a — a man!

[He pauses at this as if puzzled, then ammends]:

JUSTIN:

Or ... whatever. I — I shoulda ... just let him ... kill me.

AURORA:

Justin, ... listen to Mr. Ages. You’re being too hard on youself.

MRS. BRISBY:

Aurora and Mr. Ages are right, Chief. You’re being much too hard on yourself.

AURORA:

My Chief, no one wants to die. Certainly not badly.

JUSTIN:

But — B-But I’m supposed to be a leader! Your leader! W-What kinda leader am I? I’m no kinda leader! I’m a coward! I — I couldn’t even stand up to him, I — I ... couldn’t even face him — not even with ... with a fraction of pride at the end. I ... I shouldn’t ... be sitting here ... now, ...talking to you guys. By all rights, ... I ... I should be dead right now. I — I’m only alive a-and with you now, ... because I — I didn’t have the guts to let be ... wh-what was to be, ... because I ... I was — no, am — such a coward and —

MRS. BRISBY:

Oh, Justin, please. Please, stop insulting yourself. Your fear was understandable. We’re not going to punish you for it. Please, don’t punish yourself. None of us here think the worst of you for it.

AURORA:

Justin, my dear friend, it is alright ... to admit that you are afraid. We are all frightened sometimes. Even the best of us.

MRS. BRISBY:

She’s right, Justin. Why, even the very bravest of us slip — once in a while. Everyone breaks now and then. Even me — and I myself am not particularly brave anyway to begin with. I can admit that. I do!

AURORA:

As can I. Remember that I heard him and Sullivan planning to assassinate Nicodemus. Remember? He caught ... and nearly killed me ... and ... I, too, begged him to spare my life. Me! I know, Chief, you must think me very brave, for a mouse. Could you ever believe that I could be afraid, had I not told you? I’ve come a long way since then.

JUSTIN:

That’s ... all ... very kind. Of both of you, ... but I — I can’t have an excuse, ... not me, not your leader, the one that everyone else looks up to. No, as a leader, I’m suppose to be invulnerable as far as the rest of the community is concerned. I can’t have the luxury of fear — about anything. Even if you think I am, even if you think I’m brave, I — I’m not as brave as I could be, I think. So I just don’t deserve your praise, not me, not —

AURORA:

You do deserve it, my friend. You —

JUSTIN:

No, Healer. You — You just don’t understand. If I deserve anything, it should have been ... my d-death ... for my — my cowardice.

AURORA:

No, Justin. I understand perfectly. You don’t deverse to die — whether for fear — or not! It is our praise ... that you deserve! Really it is! Oh, Justin, my Chief friend, ... you should be honored!

JUSTIN:

No, Healer, ... not really. I — I know, ... you’re just trying to make me feel better. But I just don’t deserve even that luxery. There’s no denying it, no getting around it. I ... I’m a coward, a dishonorable coward.

AURORA:

:{sighing, almost exasperated}:

Oh, Justin! My poor, dear friend, consider this: we have all seen you fight him — at one time or another. I believe I speak for all of us — here and absent — when I say, whenever I see you fight him, I see no cowardice in you. If you had not told us all of this, we none of us would ever have known at all! My friend, you are a fine, brave and caring person. Don’t ever forget that. It is alright ... if you were afraid. You can admit to it. There is no shame ... nor dishonor to you ... in being frightened — or admitting it. As cruel as Jenner is, I should be surprised if you weren’t afraid, ... even just a little bit ...

JUSTIN:

<Sigh> I ... really appreciate all that you’re saying, but it doesn’t change that fact that I — I just cab’t face him. And I wish I knew why, when nothing else bothers me like that. Why am I so scared of him?

[As he speaks, AURORA puts a comforting paw on his — and seems to go into a trance at his question.]

AURORA:

Oh, … Justin, … my Chief. He — He’s done something to you!

JUSTIN:

Huh? Wha —… How do you know?

AURORA:

I — I just do. I … I think I have a new power. It seems that I can now feel what is wrong with someone deep down, in the deepest, unknown parts of that person’s mind.

JUSTIN:

But … what do you mean, he’s done something to me? What? How?

AURORA:

Well, my Chief, … it’s seems that you’ve been … hexed.

JUSTIN:

H-Hexed!? You — You mean … like a curse!?

AURORA:

I’m afraid so. Exactly. You see, when Nicodemus was developing magical abilities, so was Jenner — but his interest was in Black Magic; curses and hexes. As an experiement, Jenner placed a hex on you that makee you frightened, almost to the point of paranoia, of whatever Jenner pleased — in this case, himself — and, to a lesser extent, his men as well, … so that when the time came for him to make his move in the old colony, you would have no back-bone or guts to defy him. At first, Jenner doubted that it worked, because the effect built itself up so slowly — and in fact, has just begun to blossom in recent days, accounting for your seeming sudden lack of courage before him.

JUSTIN:

Well, … there’s something you can do about it, … isn’t there? Healer?

AURORA:

I — I’m afraid not. I’m sorry, my friend, … but … I cannot help it. There seems to be no counter-spell to his curse, not that I can sense. Worse, it seems that the spell is so intregrated with your psyche that to destroy it — that is what it would take, because it’s too powerful to just remove — would destroy your mind in the process, turning you into little more than a vegetable. Besides, my powers are not yet great enough to treat mental disorders. And this hex — I may never be able to cure you of it, because my powers are only slowly developing — and the hex also continues to grow in strength. I will do all I can to help you overcome this affliction, but I believe that its development will always be ahead of me — and will not only become increasing permanent, it will continue to worsen in time. Your fear of Jenner will continue to be an ever-growing hindrance to your ability to cope with him, making it increasing difficult for you to face him — each and every time you should meet. Eventually, you may not even be able to function normally in his presence — at all, … eventually making you vulnerable to great harm if you should fall into his hands — and you’ll be completely unable to do anything about it, … for your fear will one day incapacitate you before him — just when it is most critical! In the meantime, there is really nothing else she can do to treat such a problem as a deep-seated mind injury like this. … Which … is why we face … our current crisis. Oh, … my God! What — What have I done!? <Sob> <Sob> <Sob>

JUSTIN:

Eh? Healer? Are you alright? Why are you crying?

AURORA:

B-Because … I am … ashamed …

JUSTIN:

… Of what?

AURORA:

I have done … a great wrong, … my Chief. Against you. Against … everyone.

JUSTIN:

… I beg your pardon?

AURORA:

No, Justin. It … It is I … that should be begging your pardon! But, … I just don’t see … how you can forgive me … after what I’ve done …

JUSTIN:

I — I … don’t understand. My pardon? What you’ve done?

AURORA:

I — I cannot bare to have this lie between us any longer — but it light of the current crisis, I could no longer be silent!

JUSTIN:

I don’t get it. A lie?

AURORA:

It is as bad as a lie, … because I did not tell you sooner! It is a lie of omission! Oh, … God! I’m so ashamed!

JUSTIN:

But — But what have —

AURORA:

I — I should have told you sooner. Right away, in fact. But, … I feared that you would be angry with me. I feared that you would hate me — and never be my friend again! And I felt that I had so much to loose! You all are the only family I have, that I’ve ever known! Remember when I first joined the colony, back in the rosebush? When Nicodemus took me in, I was not only unconscious, … but I had no memory — nothing before that time. He was like my father — and all of you are the rest of my family. But I just couldn’t see how you could forgive this. No, I — I should not have been … so fearful. If there is any coward here, … it … it was me.

JUSTIN:

Oh, Healer, you aren’t —

AURORA:

No, Justin. It’s true. You have an excuse. I don’t.

JUSTIN:

You felt like you would loose all by telling. That’s as much like a curse as my problem. And if it isn’t, I don’t know what is. … But … what is it that so pains you, that you felt you couldn’t tell me before now?

AURORA:

You still don’t realize, don’t you? I’m not surprised. I suppose you think I would never do such a thing, … so you cannot imagine it. But I’m not the saint you take me for. … Justin, … yours wasn’t the only healing I did that night.

JUSTIN:

Of course not. There was me and Mr. Ages’s broken leg and Isabella, what that bastard did to her — all the signs of abuse you healed for her, and — and —… Wait a minute. Who else? … Oh — Oh, … my God. You … don’t mean … that … you saved —…

AURORA:

:{crying again}:

It — It’s true! I — I healed him, too! But … I couldn’t couldn’t help it! I was inexplicably drawn to Jenner’s body, after Mrs. Brisby’s house was moved. I suppose that you can say that I didn’t know any better at the time, … because I didn’t even understand what was happening to me. I didn’t know why, but I felt compelled to touch him, to touch that dead body that was your enemy. Yes, he was dead before I touched him. And that’s when I felt it — his soul, still lingering in his body, refusing to die! Like … he knew … I was about to be a healer — and waiting for me. That was when it happened. That was when I understood that it was something that I could not resist. To deny it, doing a healing when I am needed, is like killing myself. I can no more refuse to heal than I can cease to breathe! But how can that make up for all of this? I meant well, yes. But, it went all wrong!

MRS. BRISBY:

I don’t know, sweet friend. It sounds like how it was for me when I almost drowned myself in the mud last month, trying to save my children, isn’t it? You really could do nothing else, … even if it led to harming yourself?

AURORA:

Or others! I’ve caused you so much trouble because I did, because I did just let him die — like I should’ve! I — I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgave me for Jenner — living to torment you! I wouldn’t blame you if you banished me! I should have left then! I don’t deserve to be here! I shouldn’t have done it — and I should have told you right away, instead of being such a coward! <Sob> <Sob> <Sob>

JUSTIN:

:{taking her in his arms and hugging her}:

Oh, … don’t cry, my friend. Look, … I want you to stop crying. You are a healer, after all. You meant well, I know. You’re a good person, Aurora. And … you’re forgiven. I’m not going to hold it against you. Besides, … you do deserve to be here. You belong with us. Please, … don’t ever forget that.

AURORA:

:{returning his embrace}:

Th-Thank you, … my Chief … (I hate still keeping secrets from them, my good friends. And here, with Justin having just forgiven me from my with-holding … what he thinks is the whole truth. I am still holding back, … but how can I tell him —…? No, … I … I cannot tell him, … any of them, … the rest. None of them would want to hear about that — not at a time like this. Not now, … not tonight. Maybe … someday, … some other day.)

[Suddenly, there is loud noise outside, the sound of many rats approaching up at the surface — and calling out to each other in triumph!]

[Everyone freezes, terrified, all exchanging worried, concerned glances.]

JUSTIN:

<Gasp>

[JUSTIN leaps back to his feet in alarm as everyone starts, horrified.]

[Outside, there is suddenly the sound of JENNER’s voice, shouting orders]:

JENNER:

Alright, Willard! You know what to do! No one in there is to come out ... alive! Attack!

[Down in the hideout, everyone cries out in horrified alarm.]

ARNOLD:

Oh — Oh, ... d-dear God! H-He’s c-come — come to finish us off!

[JUSTIN looks around desperately ... and sees a stand of homemade spears in the corner.]

JUSTIN:

Quick! Anyone who can — grab a spear! We gotta fight ‘em off!

[JUSTIN and all the adult males seize up spears and go into the tunnel to fight off the invasion as others seek any way out.]

JUSTIN:

Someone — hide the kids! Everyone else, start looking for a back way out, ... if there is one!

AURORA:

:{to the children’s protests}:

Quickly, Mrs. Brisby! Help me hide the childen! There in the pit! We can cover it with those blankets. Come now, children, don’t be afraid, it’s the safest place for now!

[The two mouse-maids round up all the children and even JUDITH’s baby LILIAN (sending her down with TERESA) and hide them in the pit cage, helping them slide down the rope WILLIS tried to the bars earlier), then cover it with blankets.]

[Meanwhile, there is such limited fighting room that JENNER’s men cannot carry out their task, but then, there is also so many that JUSTIN’s folk have all they can do to guard the tunnel ... especially since JENNER’s men are armed with longbows and crossbows. While some of them used spears and short-swords, others are firing a barrage of arrows and bolts. Luckily, JUSTIN’s folk have managed to escape any serious injuries, sustaining only minor wounds. This is because it is rather dark in deeper down the tunnel (and, of course, night has fallen, too) and JENNER’s men cannot see well to aim. AURORA heals her folk’s wounds quickly — and each of her patients return quickly to the battle at hand.]

[Meanwhile, others have found that the only possible ways out — natural air shafts big enough for an adult male rat — blocked off ... and the invasion is coming down thru’ them, forcing those who can — adult female rats — to fight, since it is the females who search the back.]

[Breaking off from the battle for the healing of a minor head wound, JUSTIN comes up to AURORA — just in time as MRS. BRISBY reports]:

MRS. BRISBY:

:{panting}:

Justin, ... we — we’re completely beseiged! The only ways out — blocked! There’s fighting back there, too! There’s just no way to get around it! We’re trapped in here! There isn’t any other way to get out of here either — they know we’re looking for a back way out!

[As AURORA ministers to him, JUSTIN stares at MRS. BRISBY in horrified dismay.]

[And outside, TEMPLETON comes up to JENNER, whose wounded left arm (from his most recent duel with JUSTIN) is splinted and in a sling]:

TEMPLETON:

Sire, … we cannot break in. The tunnels are too small for any good fighting ... and it is too dark in there for us to see with the tunnel entrances at our backs. We block what small light there is ... and as they face the entances, they have the advantage of what little light dere is. Yer Honor, we cannot do it.

JENNER:

:{scowling; dangerously}:

If that is some kind of a recommendation on your part, ... I will not accept it! I shall not hear of it, do you hear? There is simply no "cannot" about this, Mr. Willard! I shall have those fugitives ... and their meddlesome little "leader"! I shall have his head — and I will not take "no" for an answer — this time!

TEMPLETON:

Yes, sir, … Yer Honor. Then, ... shall I send fer reinforcements, Sire?

JENNER:

No, that would take far too long. They might find an escape route by then. No, I have a better way. We will torch them out —

TEMPLETON:

But ... we don’t have any torches! We didn’t bring the necessary equipment with us on this raid to make fire, My Lord, and we —

JENNER:

:{quiet growl}:

... Mr. Willard, ...

[At JENNER’s tone, TEMPLETON breaks off, staring at his master — fearfully.]

JENNER:

... that is what is called a "bluff", my friend. They do not know that! We have the upper hand!

[He turns to the hideout entrace, calling]:

JENNER:

Retreat, men! There is another way!

 

[TO BE CONTINUED]