Marina pulled over-sized 1970's style glasses out of another utility pocket. Putting on the groovy glasses she got a better look at her helpless helpers sent by the King: a massive, sullen brown bear and an arrogant, sooty German Shepherd. Even now they continued harassing one another. Speed ran around Lonely's girth and nipped at his stubby tail. Lonely tried his best to sit on the dog and nearly succeeded once or twice. If Speed wasn't faster his new name might be Splat.

Marina had enough of their foolishness. She whistled the kind of whistle which stops traffic and sends children running home after the street lights come on. Both breeds froze in their tracts. Some how they knew the sassy lady in the ruby-rimmed glasses meant business. "My heavens! I ask for some assistance and I get Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum!"

Lonely spoke us. "He started it."

Speed objected. "Did not!"

As the two frenemies continued arguing Marina shook her head. Her dangling hoop earrings jingled as she descended back into her underground lair. SLAM! The hatch door fell shut behind her. 

After a dozen or more did not, did toos, the boys finally noticed Marina's absence.

Lonely picked up on it first. "Uh, Speed... Where'd the old—I mean mature woman go?"

Speed looked around. "I dunno..." Then he sniffed the air. Lonely sniffed right behind him. "Would you back off Lonely. The only scent I'm picking up is your stanky breath!"

Lonely reared up and growled. His mouth quivered and for the first time he bared his yellow teeth. "My breath is stinky? At least I don't have dog breath!"

Speed got down on his haunches ready to pounce.

Suddenly dark, shadowy clouds passed in front of the late afternoon sun. The wind picked up and began swirling black ashes around the belligerent duo. The wind howled like the ghost of a lone wolf.

Lonely got the message. He hung his head and said to Speed, "The King is not pleased with us at the moment."

Speed huffed and trotted up to the bear and called a truce.  "Listen Lonely, we're on the same team. Somehow we got off on the wrong foot.

Lonely corrected, "Paw."

Speed let his anger subside. "Whatever dude... Let's put our differences aside and work together."

Lonely agreed. "But how're we gonna get the cranky woman outta the ground?"

From inside the hatch they heard a muffled shout, "Who you crazy animals calling cranky?!"

—-

X carried his blind and deaf passenger on his back.  He tried his best to slink between abandoned buildings and hide in the grimy city's shadows.  They were on the run from the Fat Camp hire ups and the military.  X feared Ella most of all.

Bell chattered into his ear, "Where are we going X? X, are we in danger? Hello! X?" She put her delicate hand in front of his broad face. She begged for him to spell something—anything. X trudged on.

X had answered Bell many, many times only she couldn't hear him. When he didn't respond she remembered to ask him yes or no questions. "X do you have a plan?"

X jumped twice.

"Stop! X!" She kicked her heels. "People without plans are planning to fail!" Bell's black ballet shoes were slipping from her feet.  For the first time X's passenger lost it."X stop!" When he wouldn't comply she smacked him hard on his flat forehead. THWACK!

X stopped and gently put Bell down. "Why girlie hit me?" He rubbed his massive forehead.

While slipping on her slippers Bell spoke, "X you must remember I cannot hear or see you. I'm sorry I smacked you but you're running in circles. I've smelled the same squirrel carcass at least three times."

X didn't know how to correct her. What Bell smelled wasn't a dead squirrel but many different decomposing rats. After the military pumped toxic gas into the subway tunnels it sent thousands of rats scurrying above ground only to die later. Bloated maggot infested rats littered the gutters.

Where was Operation Clean Sweep when you needed them?

X took Bell's hand and drew a crown on her palm.

Bell asked, "Are you saying the Author has a plan?"

X jumped once and said, "King has plan."

Bell became elated. "Well why didn't you say so?"

X thought real hard and wrote in Bell's palm, "S-O"

"Remarkable! X do you understand the King's plan?"

X jumped twice.

Bell felt ashamed for being so harsh and impatient. "Oh dear... I'm so sorry my dear friend. We are a fine pair aren't we!"

X jumped once not understanding her sarcasm.

"I have an idea, let's ask the Author for clarity and for us to be invisible to the authorities."

X wrote a question mark in Bell's hand.

"A question mark! Ok..." She spoke more slowly and used her words more carefully. "Let's ask the invisible King for directions and to be invisible to the bad guys"

Invisible! Oh boy! X liked the idea of being invisible.

After they petitioning the King, Bell saw a bright lantern in front of her. While everything in the earthly realm remained as black as night this lantern appeared to her like the North Star.

Bell wondered how she could explain seeing without seeing to X. Then she asked him, "X I see a light--"

He interrupted, "--girlie better? Yippie skippy!"

Bell could feel him jumping up and down. "X please calm down... I cannot see this world however the King gives me other ways to see."

This does not compute. X was stumped. "Girlie talk fancy. Talk plain to X."

Bell sighed and prayed silently. "X do you know you're right hand from your left hand?"

X jumped twice.

"Maybe I could teach you?" Bell noticed X getting smarter. He spelled a few words after eating the supernatural cake. "First lets have a snack."

X was ashamed. There were only tiny crumbs left in the pillowcase. He was hungry. He was always hungry. He put the sack in Bell's hand. She reached in and pulled out handfuls cake. "Here you go X. Eat up."

X looked inside the pillow case. It was full!

Bell ate her share which tasted like caramelized carrots and roasted chickpeas. X's snack tasted like warm banana bread with walnuts and melted butter. The food not only nourished them it satiated their thirst.

After thanking the Author, Bell asked X to be put on his shoulders. If she tapped his right ear he turned right. If she tapped his left ear he turned left. If she patted his head once X went forward. Two pats meant stop.

X enjoyed his new understanding. As he jogged along he said, "Woodsburgh here we come!"

-End of Chapter 23-

Author's note: If you're enjoying: Escape From Fat Camp but haven't read: The Wasting please do! Each book can be read alone but it's better together! Please vote and comment as it helps our stories grow!