Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Three: Are we family?

Sammy, Tammy, Sunny and TJ were intensely watching the little screen in front of Sammy.

Well, at least until he got game over.

“Wow, just as bad at cricket in the virtual world as you are in the real world.” Tammy quipped.

“DON'T start, we don't want to get kicked out of here!” TJ quickly stepped in. “Besides your bowling leaves a lot to be desired.”

“GUYS!” Sunny hissed.

Daniel walked in.

“Hey guys. Everything is still stable, and Judy's allowed to walk around for a bit.” He told them. He looked at the little gaming screen in front of Sammy and chuckled. “Your in-game batting as bad as your real life huh?”

Sammy didn't hold back, dropping the game console (which Tammy quickly caught and placed safely in her bag) and going straight for Daniel's throat.

“SAMMY!” Sunny groaned. “Dan why did you have to say anything when you're the LBW King?!”

Naturally Daniel pushed Sammy off him and took a swing at Sunny. Within five minutes, it was Last Order chaos.

“Now just a gentle walk around the hospital. Maybe we can go to the gift shop and get something?” Marion carefully guided her sister out of the room.

“Sounds fun.” Judith smiled up at her older sister, grateful. Then she noticed the brawl.

“What the – ?” Marion looked horrified as Tammy choked her twin out. “I thought they were friends!”

“Cricket.” Judith said as Petunia pinned Sunny to the ground and pummelled her.

“Aaah.” Marion nodded knowingly, dodging Daniel throwing TJ against a wall. “Which way to the gift shop?”

“Back down the lifts and down the end of the corridor.” Judith told her, and the two sisters left a pair of orderlies to try and stop the brawling friends from disturbing anyone.

—

Belle was exhausted. But not too exhausted to put on her Giggles outfit and chase a group of Haunted Maze Troupers out of Bills restaurant.

“AND STAY OUT!” Giggles roared as Bill watched the group leave (after leaving a very generous tip too).

“They weren't hurting anyone Giggles, I don't know why you kicked them out.” Bill said as he and Giggles walked back to the kitchen.

“They had baggies on them. They were gonna turn this into one of their shops, and then when the heat came, they would have blamed you.” Giggles groaned as she pulled her helmet off. “Plus my grandparents were with them.”

“Yes, they did ask if I knew how to get you to see reason.” Bill washed his hands then got a side of fish out of the freezer. “I just laughed and said there was no way to get you to change your mind once it was stuck.”

“They tipped amazingly though.” Lizzy put her tips into a small bag.

“I'd wash my hands after handling that.” Belle said drily. “Who knows what sort of drugs are on that money…”

“Anyway, how's work? Getting things under control?” Bill asked as he put the fish into a bowl and then covered it with water.

“Not really, but there's honestly not much more I can do until Judith gets back. I just hope I've done enough.” Belle sighed.

They heard the bell on the door rattle, and in walked Charlie, looking VERY pleased with himself.

“You got the signatures?” Belle asked.

“No, still have twenty to go, and thirty more businesses to canvas.” He said. “So I'll head out to Oaksville tomorrow.”

“So what's with the grin?” Belle grumbled.

“Webster called. Next week he's coming out with three officials to help us get the Chamber established.” Charlie told her.

“You've only got until next week to get everything organised?!” Belle yelped.

“Hey, come on, it only took me a couple of days to get twenty signatures, I'll be fine!” Charlie beamed at her.

“Charlie Begly, you drive me up the wall.” Belle said drily.

Suddenly her mobile phone rang.

“Hi Sunny-Bunny…your Mum called? Why? Oh, Demon and Daryl had a fight, of course…why do you sound like you've been in a fight too? Ah, Sammys bowling…Judith is allowed to walk around a bit? Great, she can sign some forms for me…no I WON'T overwhelm her with work! Yes, I know Marion won't be happy…yeah, you too. Love ya!” Belle hung up. “Sounds like they're having fun. Marion's getting overprotective though.”

“Do you blame her?” Lizzy started peeling potatoes. “If anyone went after Izzy or Charlie, I'd go after them.” She paused for a second. “I DID go after them.” She corrected herself.

“You did?” Bill inquired. Lizzy went pale, remembering that her parents had no idea about Lady Starlight!

“Anyway, I'm gonna go…” Charlie started when his phone went off again. “Oh, hi Mum…a Crusader at Pleasantville Ultra-Care Hospital?! Chuckles and Giggles will be there shortly!” He hung up.

“Are you serious?!” Belle cried.

“Yup, glad I keep my suit in my bag!” Charlie grabbed his bag and fished out his Chuckles suit.

“The Crusader is probably hitting all the hospitals looking for Judith.” Giggles pulled on her helmet as Charlie got into his Chuckles attire.

“Also…we need to pick up the Lions Claw from the tip, I left it there while canvassing.” Chuckles said sheepishly as they were about to leave.

“I hope we're in time to make sure no one gets hurt.” Giggles grumbled as they flew to retrieve the sword.

—

Crusader Roger had just finished his walk around Fallsville, getting his dues and making sure the populace were still scared of him. He was looking forward to having an afternoon nap and maybe a sandwich.

“I'll have a BLT brought up to my office, thank you.” He walked past a few Crusaders who were hanging out near the front gates of the March Hill compound.

“Yes sir!” Was the reply. Once Roger was out of earshot however, the attitude changed. “Jerk.” One of the Crusaders muttered.

“Where's Daryl, make HIM do it.” Another Crusader suggested.

“Won't work. Daryl's gone missing again, as usual.” Crusader Alex grumbled. “He'll do anything to avoid pulling his own weight.”

“Doesn't he know we're not allowed outside the compound without a pass?!” Another Crusader complained.

“I don't think Roger cares, as long as he's not getting in anyone's way. The spoilt little runt gets spoiled some more.” Alex said.

“What say we give him a good thrashing when we find him?” One of the Crusaders grinned. “Teach the spoiled little piggy that he can't just flake out on us?”

“Sounds like a good idea to me!” The other grinned back.

“AFTER you've gotten Rogers BLT. Get to it!” Alex barked at them, making them scatter. He smirked as they raced to get the sandwich ready, while he looked out the window. It was a fine day with barely a hint of a cloud in the sky, and a cool breeze to offset the warm sun. It was starting to head into late afternoon though, and Alex knew that no matter how painful having Daryl around was, if the little twerp wasn't back by sundown that Roger would wallop him.

“The little sod is in for a poor time of it when he gets back, and I definitely am looking forward to it.” Alex grinned to himself. “I do wonder though. Where does someone as stupid as Daryl Jones run off to?” He murmured as the other Crusaders quickly rushed to get Roger his food.