The Thirteenth (18 page)

“Hello, is there someone on the other side of the door?” a male voice called out.

“Yes, I’m going to get you out of there,” Val called back. Within a second, she heard cries of enthusiasm. “Now that’s more like it,” she thought. Val felt down the cold wet door and found the door handle. However, flashing her torch over it, she saw that it had been damaged in the rock fall.

“I’m sorry, the handle is broken on my side,” Val called to the others.

“OK. So what now?” the man called back.

“Give me a moment.” Val stood back and looked at the door. “Maybe I could hit the door at an angle?” she said to herself. Looking at the state of her hand, Val decided that wasn’t going to be an option.

“Hello again,” the man called. “They are saying on the other side that the rescue team is here. We’ve told them to come down the passage to help you open the door.”

“Great news,” Val called back, however she wasn’t thinking that at all. If the rescue team arrived, she would have the same problem she had had on the beach. She couldn’t risk anyone else’s safety tonight.

Val was beginning to feel stressed, she needed to get to whoever it was she was meant to be saving, and then get out of here.

She started to look around for a rock or something to bash the door with, and then remembered the gas, so that was a no-no. “Come on, no time, think Valerie,” Val muttered to herself.

“Anyone there?” A voice echoed down the tunnel.

Great, here comes the cavalry. The question now was should she answer or not? She decided to remain silent. As she walked backwards and forwards, pacing like a caged lion, she felt a pain rising in her chest. It was similar to the one she had felt before she made the old lady fly and the lifeguard lift off. ‘Why now?’ Val thought, as her arms started to tingle uncontrollably. She stood still for a moment, sensing the closeness of the others, but unable to control the urge to walk towards the door.

“Stand back!” Val shouted.

“Sorry?” the man’s voice called back, but it was too late, Val could no longer contain the power that had grown inside her. She felt a huge surge of energy down her arms and as she placed her palms on the door, a huge pulse shot through Val’s hands and the door shook. Val fell backwards and a cloud of dust exploded in front of her.

She waited for the dust to clear once more, but to her disappointment, as the dust settled, nothing seemed to have changed. She stood up, making her way to the door to call out again. Placing her hand on it for support the strangest thing happened. The door seemed to move. Val placed her hand gently on the handle and with one push the whole thing started to fall in the direction of the people trapped on the other side.

“Move!” Val shouted as the door fell. Then she found herself face to face with five very shocked and dirty-faced strangers. “Hello,” she said as a large figure pushed her from behind.

“Out the way please. Give us room.” A huge man in a yellow plastic suit and wearing a red hat with a torch far larger than Val’s, pushed past, followed by two smaller men. “I’m the rescue warden. My name is Tom. Has anyone been injured?” he boomed.

Val wondered if his voice caused caves to collapse, as she watched the five strangers stumble over the door she had just felled.

“We are all OK,” called out a man.

“Can anyone else smell gas?” asked one of the women as she made her way past Val.

“Oh heavens!” Val had been so wrapped up in the moment that she had forgotten about that.

“Move quickly up the stairs, do not turn on any new lights or electrical equipment and as you are all able to walk, follow me quickly to the exit,” the warden barked at them.

Val had to smile at this man. She was sure he must have ‘importancy’ issues. She was beginning to feel quite smug. All she had to do now was find the person she was meant to save and give them a pat. Then a half of sweet cider and some dry roasted peanuts would be her reward. As she watched them pass her in the corridor, one by one she patted them on the back. Nothing happened. There was just one man left.

The man stopped as he stepped over the door, looking at Val for a moment. “Are you the person I was talking to through the door?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m Val.” Val smiled knowing that with just one handshake he was going to be traumatised for life by the disappearing girl. Ah well, needs be.

“I’m Max. Thanks for trying to help us.”

“Come on, let’s go.” Val offered out her hand to help him over the door.

“This gas smell is strange. In all the years I have been coming here I don’t remember anyone talking about gas in this shaft.” As Max reached out for Val’s hand she pulled it quickly away. That was it! They
wanted
her to shake hands with Max. They, whoever they were, wanted her to cause the blue spark that happened when she teleported so that she would kill everyone in the shaft. Well, she had been a fool once today, but not again.

Max slipped as Val pulled her hand away. “Sorry,” Val winced, “I have a cramp in my arm.” Val pulled her hand into her chest moving away from Max towards the wall.

“Not to worry. Let’s get out of here.” Max opened his arm towards the steps to do the gentlemanly thing and Val moved in front of him quickly, hoping that she was the one who had to do the touching not him. At the top of the tunnel where she had initially been locked in, the door was now wide open and the rest of the group had obviously been moved outside as there was no evidence of life.

“Keep moving; it’s not far,” said the bullish caveman leading them.

Val was annoyed that she was having to do all this exercise. They seemed to walk up hundreds of steps before they reached the final exit. She hadn’t signed up for underground exploration; then again, she hadn’t signed up for anything. As they reached the top, Val could feel a sense of relief ripple through the others. At least
they
knew where they were.

Coming out into the moonlight was a wonderful feeling and, for a moment, Val stood taking in the large half moon and breathing in the fresh air. As she turned to look for Max, who had been behind her all the way, she was shocked to see him being escorted to an ambulance by a police officer. “Does nothing run smoothly in this world of mine?” Val grouched to herself as she made her way towards them. She heard the officer asking Max questions, so she decided to wait until Max was free. She watched all the others being greeted by family and friends, obviously pleased to be reunited with their loved ones.

After fifteen mind-numbing minutes, Val was losing the will to live. What was this officer doing? Didn’t he want to talk to anyone else? Then he turned, and Val managed to see his face.
It was him
, the man who had locked Val in the tunnel! Well, Max was Val’s man and she was going to get him. Val walked towards them both with an exceedingly confident stride. No one stopped her.

“Evening constable,” Val smirked turning to greet Max with a warm smile.

“This young lady deserves a medal for bravery. I have been an officer in the Navy for a very long time and have rarely seen such determination and courage.” Max smiled at Val then turned back to look at the clearly shaken police officer.

Val turned towards the officer grabbing his hand and started to shake it vigorously. “I’m so pleased that people like you are here to help keep us safe,” she said. Keeping hold of his hand, she swung back towards Max and held out her hand. “It has been an honour to meet you.” As she touched Max’s hand the blue spark passed between them, and Val and the police officer disappeared.

Jason and Delta, who had created a teepee out of empty crisp packets, watched as above them the lights in the sky shimmered and distorted. They instantly recognised the signs that Val was returning

“Jason, here she comes! Shame she’s too late for a drink.” Delta smiled.

Jason gave her the thumbs up. A body was falling towards them, but Jason and Delta stood frozen to the spot. Why had this large police officer fallen through Val’s portal?

He landed with a bump, then, looking perfectly composed, he stood up and faced Delta.

“Hello, are you OK?” Delta asked moving in to see how he was coping with what had just happened. His reaction was as strange to them as him coming through the portal was. Pushing Delta roughly out of his way causing her to hit the mini door, he ran.

“Now that was just weird,” said Jason as he helped Delta up. However, his good deed was cut short by Val landing on him. Scrambling to her feet and ignoring her friends, put her fists up, as if she was ready for a fight, and turned in circles, looking for her opponent.

“If you are looking for PC Plod, he just ran away,” Delta said as she lifted herself off the mini door and dusted herself down.

“Which way?” Val looked at Delta.

“That way.” Delta pointed in the direction of the main road. Val jumped off Jason and started to run.

“Hi, would be nice,” Delta called after Val.

“Let’s go. She has obviously brought this bloke back for a reason.” Jason grabbed his helmet off the floor and jumped onto his bike. He sped off after Val, and Delta was left trotting around the mini.

“I wish someone would understand I’m just not meant to run,” Delta called out to no one.

As Val ran, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The streets were in darkness, only the light of the stupid orange glow-lights the council called streetlights were visible.

At last she caught site of her enemy. He was slowing down. He might be evil but he was not as fit as she was. As she crossed the street onto the main road, all she could focus on was him. She had never felt this burning feeling of determination before. It was like a fire in her stomach and she wasn’t going to back down until she got some answers. Then, just as she was really gaining on him, he ran into the local police station.

Val stopped dead in the middle of the road and yelled in frustration. “You coward! Come out and face me. I’m just the chosen one, come on!”

She was been oblivious to the fact that Jason had just pulled up on his bike. When he tapped her on the shoulder, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

“OK Bob the Builder, get on my bike before they arrest you for being very, very muddy and chasing police officers in the middle of the night while dressed as a miner.” Jason grabbed Val’s arm but felt her resistance, her reluctance to go with him. “Val, not here, not now, please.” Val turned and saw the concern on Jason’s face. He was right, this wasn’t the right time or place, but at least she had the satisfaction of knowing that her enemy wasn’t going to have such a comfortable evening.

“OK,” Val nodded, climbing onto the back of Jason’s bike.

Delta pulled up next to them. “My house?”

“Yes, I’ll follow you.” Jason signalled for Delta to lead the way.

Pulling into the drive behind Delta, Val almost fell off the bike. All the pressure, fear and pure adrenaline had left her exhausted. She slowly climbed off and walked towards the house. She took no more than three steps when her knees buckled. As she fell, Jason caught her, lifting her off the ground like a feather into his arms. She heard him giving Delta instructions to take her helmet and then she faded into a deep and restful sleep.

Val opened her eyes to the sound of intense laughter. Lifting her head off the pillow she instantly remembered the previous day and that, to her relief, she had come back to Delta’s house. Another crescendo of laughter came forth and Val could distinguish Delta and Jason’s voices. She slowly lifted herself off the bed, feeling every muscle cringe in pain from the earlier day’s escapade. She was relieved to see that she was still in her own clothes. She was rather shy and the idea of Delta or Jason doing the deed of undressing her made her shiver.

Making her way downstairs, Val admired the house. Her dad had built it eight years ago and he still said it was his favourite. Val had to admit she would love to live here.

Her feet felt cold on the marble floor as she made her way to the kitchen. Maria, the help, was cleaning a large window and turned to wish Val a “Buenos Dias.” Val smiled back. Maria was about all the company Delta had. A lot of the time her parents were trotting around the globe on one mission or another. Val turned into the swing door to the kitchen just as another great roar of laughter erupted. She was surprised to see not only Delta and Jason, but Shane as well.

“Morning all.” Val waved as she pulled a stool up to the black marble counter covered in a massive array of breakfast treats.

“Morning Val.” Shane patted Val on the back.

“So, all having fun then?” Val asked shovelling a large piece of melon into her mouth.

“We were just talking about the way you looked last night, running off in your miner’s helmet and ski jacket.” Delta was struggling to keep a straight face.

“Yes, well if you had been where I was,
you
would be glad of a jacket and helmet.” Val nodded as another piece of melon went in followed by a piece of bacon.

“So, tell us all about it,” Shane said.

“Yes and who was the copper?” Jason chirped.

Val spent the next few minutes telling her tale and listening to the gasps of the others as she hit on the more exciting notes. Then, as she finished, the questions started. Although Val was dirty and still very tired, she didn’t mind answering because these people cared about her.

“So now what?” Delta asked.

“Well, we need to work on the book. Any news from Sam?” Val glanced over at Shane.

“Funny you should say that. I received a parcel from him last night,” said Shane.

“What was in it?” asked Delta, obviously hoping for a gift.

“Something for Val,” Shane smiled.

“Me?” Val said surprised to say the least. Val had never met Sam and he was sending her gifts.

“Yes Val. Sam is very interested in your adventures and he is possibly in a position to help you.” Shane smiled at Val.

“In what way?” Val asked.

“Well, he doesn’t work for anyone in particular, he is more of a freelancer. He helps whoever needs him, a little like yourself.” Shane grabbed another muffin.

“Great, so what has he sent her?” Delta interrupted almost annoyed that Val hadn’t asked yet.