Strangers in the Dumpster

“Geebs is coming, we’ll have to meet up with Duty another time,” said Handy. “I’ll alert Trunk and Orson as to where I’ve taken you.” In a sparking flash, Handy vanished.

“But, I need to speak to Duty,” Gilbert spoke to the smoky residue left behind by Handy. His words went unheard.

A scurry of little white rats came rushing out; led by one that in command. Gilbert couldn’t count them all.

“Hurry, Gilbert your friends need you,” said the little white rat. “Their lives are in danger.”

Frightened by the speaking white rat, Gilbert jumped.

“You must be Geebs. Is that who you are?” Gilbert asked the little rat, recalling his vision when he touched the red Phoenix feather. My friend’s in danger? This is it. Geebs…the last name from my trance, Gilbert thought. Proust and his parents momentarily stared at him after his odd question then swam off into the darkness of the lake. Proust swam back, pointed to his head while Gilbert nodded understanding to him.

“Yes, I’m Geebs, a Sprite, trapped inside this hairy body,” he replied. “Now hurry, you must come with us and save your friends. They told me to tell you about Dream Tag so you would believe me. Now hit the ground running, we’ve got little time.”

Geebs tapped on the secret message only his friends knew. The other rats scurried off. He needed to follow, but where? Where is Geebs taking me? His answer came when the tunnels widened into large dungeons filled with thousands of rats. Their little noses wiggled whilst staring at Gilbert.

It took Gilbert fifteen minutes to get to the holding cells, however, once they arrived, Gilbert flinched at the sight of his friends tied and gagged behind the barred chambers. Their mumbles were heard through the tight material over their mouths, and their ...

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...take a stand.

“Free…him,” directed Gilbert to David, tossing the keys to him. David glanced at Pamela, her hands clasped over her mouth; her eyes were wide with terror. Gilbert winked at her.

“But he’s not to be trusted,” said Stephanie. “Your sister! He’s…”

“Do it! And then get yourselves out of here. The white rats, called Sprites, will lead you out as they guided me here,” commanded Gilbert. “I have no time to explain why, just listen to me will you, please.” An inner voice told him to press on faster.

Fear steps in, Faith trickles out, the words rushed into his head. Switch the Fs! It was a command.

Gilbert followed Geebs’ small tail as it darted in and out of the underground passages into a large room that smelled of freshly baked bread. He stopped suddenly. Right in front of him were his parents. He took his wand out, tapped on the lock of the cage and uttered…