Chapter 2--Enter the Shadow Fox

Agent Chaplen held his breath as the stable door opened. A small cloaked figure slipped in and made his way towards Midnight’s stall. Just as Long had said, the boy was short for his age. The black cloak was slightly lifted by a sword.
The horse hit the latch with her nose and kicked the door open. Nickering quietly, she pranced over to the figure. He reached up and stroked her nose. “Hey, girl. Did you miss me?” His voice was young and boyish. The horse nickered and nuzzled his shoulder. The boy laughed. “I wasn’t gone that long. You ready to go whip some red coats?” Midnight bobbed her head up and down. He continued to stroke the horse’s muzzle. “You can come out. I know you’re there.”
Agent Chaplen’s eyebrows shot up as he and Captain Long slipped out of the shadows. “ You seem to have a way with that horse.”
The Shadow Fox turned. “She’s not as wild as everyone thinks. One just has to respect her and not treat her as a mere animal. Animals are smarter than we give them credit for.”
Agent Chaplin smiled cunningly. “Such as foxes?”
“Especially foxes.” In the flickering light, a grin could be seen on the only part of the Shadow Fox’s face that was visible. “Agent Chaplen, I presume.”
The man nodded. “ You presume correctly. And you are-”
“The Shadow Fox.” The boy preformed an elegant bow. “And this magnificent horse is Midnight.” The horse dipped her head. “I ‘m quite flattered that they would send an agent over just to get rid of me.” The Shadow Fox leaned against Midnight with a smirk.
Agent Chaplen smiled pleasantly. “I don’t think I shall be here long.”
As the boy stood upright, the smirk turned into a grin. “Then I’ll make it worth your stay.”
Chaplen began to approach the Shadow Fox. “One thing I’ve been curious about is why did you rescue Dr. Rivers and keep your horse here when you are obviously not Benjamin Rivers?”
“Dr. Rivers is a good man.” The boy looked down at his fingers. “Besides, who’s to say I’m not Benjamin Rivers?” The Shadow Fox dropped to the ground the second he finished saying “Rivers”. A small rock whistled over his head. Laughing, the boy stood. “ Don’t throw things at me. I only said that because you were right there.”
Chaplen and Long turned around as Benjamin emerged from the shadows. He slipped past the two men and walked over to the Shadow Fox. Chuckling, Benjamin shook his head. “How did you know I was there?”
The Shadow Fox smiled. “ Because I am the Shadow Fox.” He paused. “That and Midnight kept on looking over there. She thought you’d come to give her oats.”
Benjamin chuckled and robbed the horse’s muzzle. “None tonight, old girl.”
Just then, the stable door swung open and a dozen British soldiers marched in. Taking care to block off the only exit, they formed a line and lowered their muskets.
The Shadow Fox nodded to Midnight. The horse tossed her head and herded Benjamin out of the line of fire. The boy’s hand rested on his sword hilt.
Chaplen smiled and began to circle the Shadow Fox. “I told you I wasn’t going to be staying long.”
“And I told you I’d make it worth your stay.”
Chaplen drew his sword. “I ought to warn you, I will not play easy just because you are a little boy.”
“What is it with you lobster-backs and making light of my height?” The boy shook his head and drew his sword.
Chaplen smiled cunningly. “How are you going to fight with that cloak on?”
“I’ll manage,” the Shadow Fox replied before dropping into a defensive position.
Chaplen twirled his sword and pounced on the Shadow Fox. The boy deflected and soon they were trading blows. Not long into the fight, Agent Chaplen discovered he had found his match. The agent was stronger, but the boy was faster.
After the fight had been going on for a while, one of the soldier’s muskets misfired.
“Hold your fire!” Captain Long shouted.
Agent Chaplen had felt the bullet graze his arm. He turned to look at the Shadow Fox. The boy was clutching his right arm and gritting his teeth. Surprisingly, he still clung to his sword. The agent grinned. With one swing he knocked the sword out of the boy’s hand. Agent Chaplen placed his sword tip on the boy’s collar bone and forced him to his knees. Placing his sword under the boy’s chin, he forced it up. Agent Chaplen moved the sword to the Shadow Fox’s forehead-- right under his hood. “And to think,” Chaplen sneered,“ an entire squad was outsmarted by you-- the boy who is now kneeling at my feet.”
Just when the agent was about to remove the boy’s hood and reveal his face to all, Midnight slammed into his back, knocking him over.
The Shadow Fox leapt to his feet. He walked slowly over to his sword and picked it up. Sheathing it, the Shadow Fox said, “I prefer the term ‘out-foxed.’” A mischievous crocked smile slid across his face. The grin was later to be known as “the Shadow Fox’s grin” .
Agent Chaplen sprang to his feet. “After him!”
The Shadow Fox disappeared into the shadows and the sound of boots running up stairs reached their ears.
“To the loft! Quickly! We don’t want to lose him!” Long yelled.
After a few minutes of heavy boots stomping around in Benjamin’s loft-turned-bed-chamber, the soldiers climbed back down the stairs. “There’s no sigh of him. There’s a window, though, that we think he might have escaped out of.”
Agent Chaplen sighed. He glanced at Midnight, who had returned to her stall. “If it weren’t for that horse, I would have him now.” He glanced at Benjamin. “You had better not help that boy in any way, shape or form, is that clear?”
Benjamin snorted. “I’m an American and I’ll do what I please.”
Long glared at him. “Your neck could end up stretched for that.”
Benjamin shrugged. “So be it.”
The two men stormed off. Benjamin watched them go. “You can come out now.”
The Shadow Fox slipped out of Midnight’s stall. “Thank you for covering for me.” Benjamin had been the only one to see the boy dive into Midnight’s stall after stomping on the bottom stair. Benjamin was only one to see the him do anything, now that the Shadow Fox thought about it.
Benjamin shrugged. “You saved my father’s life; I’d do anything to help you.”
The Shadow Fox smiled. “My pleasure.” He turned to leave.
“Stay, and let me get the bullet out.” Benjamin smiled. “I’m a apprentice to a doctor, remember?”
The boy turned back. “Alright. Where’s your operating table, Dr. Ben?”
Benjamin blinked. Robin called him “Dr. Ben.” He shrugged off the thought and gestured to a hay bale. The boy perched on it and Benjamin slipped into the loft to get his doctor’s bag. He returned and knelt next to the Shadow Fox. “This may hurt a bit.” He glanced at the boy who immediately turned his head away. Benjamin frowned. Why does the Shadow Fox seem so familiar? After clearing the thought, he carefully removed the bullet. To his surprise, the boy didn’t wince or make any noises.
Smiling, the Shadow Fox stood. “Thank you Ben, you are a wonderful doctor.”
Benjamin grinned back. “Just don’t go making this a habit.”
The boy’s smile grew to a large grin. “Well, I can’t promise anything.”
Benjamin frowned. Blood was trickling down the Shadow Fox’s face. “Your face is bleeding.”
The Shadow Fox reached up and touched his face. His hand came away covered with blood. “Oh, that must have happened when Midnight butted ol’ Chaplen. He was digging his sword into my forehead. Must have moved in a weird arc when he fell. It just barely missed my eye.”
Benjamin eyed the scar. “It’s pretty deep. I think you’ll have it for life. It’ will be difficult to hide.”
The Shadow Fox nodded. “Aye.” He seem lost in thought for minute. Shaking himself, the boy said, “Thank you again, Dr. Ben.”
Benjamin nodded as he watched the boy leave. He smiled. Ben knew who the Shadow Fox was.

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Who is this mysterious person? What's he planning? Is Agent Chaplen going to get the better of him? Will this crazy book EVER END?!!? Who knows? I don't.
It's very difficult to type with one hand, did you know that? One of the twins is sleeping on my chest, haha.