Chapter Twenty-two of the Story

Elliot squinted at the snake behind the glass. “I don’t get it. They’re not that scary.”
Jerin was busy playing with his iPod Touch. “Some people are scared of weird things, like sock fuzz.”
Elliot shuddered. “I thought we agreed not to talk about that.”
“My point.” He looked around. “If you see a door, let me know. The plans I have on the reptile house have a door with a staircase behind it, but the staircase doesn’t go anywhere. My guess is that’s where they’re keeping Zann.”
“If he’s here.”
“What’s with you? You’re not usually a pessimist.”
She shrugged. “I’m just worried.” She looked around. “Hey, where’s Sherlock?”
“Did you check number twenty-two Baker Street?”
“Har har.” She pointed. “Look, there.”
Jerin turned. Sherlock was sniffing around a door off to the side. She looked up and wagged her tail. Elliot and Jerin grinned at each other and strode over to the door.
He pointed to his iPod. “Yup, this is it. See the staircase to nowhere?”
Elliot leaned over his shoulder. “Cool. When do I get one of those?”
Beginning to empty his pockets, Jerin replied, “If we get through this, Elliot, I promise I will make sure you get one.” He handed her several pens, a pencil, an eraser, his wallet, and several sticks of gum. “Here, hold these.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Got a sonic screwdriver in there?”
He chuckled. “I wish. Ah-hah!” He produced another pen. “Found it!”
“A sonic pen?”
“No, it’s a mini explosive. Stand back.” He poked the tip of the pen into the lock.
“Um, won’t the explosion—”
She was interrupted by a small “pew” and then a click.
“Nope,” Jerin grinned and opened the door. “Only the tip of the pen is an explosive. The barrel muffles the sound. Cool, right?”
“Awesome. Ben Riley is a genius.”
“Totally.” Elliot closed the door. “Let’s see where this creepy staircase goes.”
Jerin slid a gun out of his pocket and pulled back the action. “You still have the gun Zann lent you, right?”
“Yeah.” She pulled it out of her pocket. “I don’t really want to use it, though.”
He winked. “Then don’t let anyone see you.”
They walked quietly down the poorly lit corridor. No one passed them. They didn’t even hear anyone walking or talking or anything. Elliot thought it was good luck, but Jerin was getting worried. Soon, they came to a fork in the passageway. The trio looked from one to the other, undecided.
Elliot took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll go this way, you go that way.”
Jerin glanced at her, not wanting to say what was on his mind.
Before he could speak, she continued, “It’s the only way we can find Zann and get out of here alive. Go on, then.”
She was right, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. “Alright. Take Sherlock. We’ll meet back here.”
“Right.”
He watched as she disappeared down the hallway. He had a bad feeling about this. Turning, he strode down his own corridor. Jerin didn’t meet anyone until he got deeper into the enemy’s lair. Two men sat inside small room playing cards.
“So, what’s that lady all up in a tizzy for?”
His companion shrugged. “I dunno. It’s those spies, I think. They’re like cats—they have nine lives. Won’t die, I guess. Gets her all mad.”
“What about that Russian we’ve got down the hall?”
“He’s as good as dead. She looked pretty pleased with herself when she left that room. No one’s been in there since. I don’t know what she’s doing to him, but trust me, it ain’t pleasant.”
“Thank goodness—he is here.” He crouched, then with one mighty leap cleared the doorway.
“What was that?”
“What was what?”
“Thought I saw something.”
“Get your eyes checked. There’s nothing there.”
Surreptitiously, Jerin slipped down the corridor to the door at the very end. It smelled like snakes. “Poor Zann,” he thought.
He tested the handle of the door and found it unlocked. Either he was really lucky, or really dead. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door. Zann huddled in the corner opposite to door. He looked pale and scared. Jerin had never seen the Russian assassin look like this. He didn’t seem to notice his rescuer. Jerin turned his gaze to the snakes threatening Zann. One was a really big constrictor, and the other was a rattlesnake. Lifting his gun to shoot them, he remembered that these animals were owned by the national zoo, and shooting them would not be a good idea.
“Zann!”
The Russian looked up. “Oh, hi, Jerin. ” He smiled weakly.
“Are you okay?”
Zann shrugged his shoulders, and then moved farther away from the rattle snake. “As good as can be when two very dangerous snakes are moving towards me. How are you?”
Jerin stepped into the room and walked towards the poisonous snake. “Only the rattler is dangerous. The other one is just a constrictor.”
“I don’t really agree.” He glanced at the gun in Jerin’s hand. “Are you going to shoot them?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t think the national zoo would be very happy if I killed two of their animals.”
“I would.”
Jerin spotted some very thick gloves at put them on. He picked up the rattle snake and calmly put it back in its cage. After closing the door, he turned to the constrictor. He considered for a while, then removed the gloves and walked over to Zann.
“I can’t move that thing. It’s too big. Let’s go.”
He looked from Jerin to the snake, and kept his gaze there.
Jerin sighed. Grabbing the Russian by the shoulder, he hauled him up. “Come on, I got you. The snake is not going to touch you.” He walked between the man and the snake and out the door.
Once out of the room, Zann coughed slightly, embarrassed. “Thanks.”
Jerin lightly punched him on the arm. “Don’t worry about it. Elliot’s terrified of sock fuzz, so I’m used to odd fears.”
Zann chuckled. “Speaking of Elliot, where are Elliot and Sherlock?”
“They’re here, somewhere. We had to split up.”
“How’d you find me, anyway?”
“Tons on guessing, hunches and a helpful flight plan.” He strode down the corridor. “Let’s go find Elliot and get out of this place.”
Elliot pushed another door open and peered in. Nothing. She was getting tired of not seeing anybody or anything. Sherlock stopped in front of a door ten feet up the passageway. She growled.
“Are there snakes behind that door? Is Zann there?” she whispered.
She turned the knob and pushed the door open. The room was dark. Elliot was about to close the door when her dog disappeared inside.
“Sherlock,” she hissed. “Get back here!”
She stepped inside. And then the door slammed and the lights flicked on. Lisa Clearwater grinned.
“Hello, Elliot.”
Elliot turned, but Smithy was standing in front of the door with a gun pointing at her chest. Dante Vang also had a gun.
Elliot groaned. “Man, not again!”


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Yaaaaaaaaaaaay. Sorry it took so long. I was getting turned into a pin cushion at the doctor's office. I have been attacked with needles a total of four times in three days. Not fun.
So, Zann's okay, but he and Jerin have to get out alive. Elliot got captured again. Oh, yes. See you next week, same bat-site, same bat-time. (well, it should be Monday as usual)