Gripped with fear, X turned in circles as the ferocious German Shepherd circled him.

The bright lantern in Bell's mind's eye had dimmed. She could smell X's pungent body odor as well as feel his body quake as he protected her from the attack. However, she had no idea what or whom he was protecting from.

Grace snarled at X warning him to release the girl. He believed the giant intended to hurt his new best friend.

Bell tried slapping X on the forehead. THWACK!  SMACK! She kicked her legs demanding her release. X had such a tight grip on her left arm and right leg she felt bruises forming. She cried, "Oweeeeee! X stop you're hurting me!"

Her screaming only heighted Grace's protective instincts. He knew only believers could hear him talk so there would be no reasoning with the kidnapper. Since Bell remained deaf he couldn't warn her. He desperately wanted the big oaf to put Bell down. The brute was about to break Bell's limbs or drop her. But how? How could he save her and at the same time keep her from harm?

The man's name is X.

Grace heard the Author's voice.

Call him X.

Grace did not want to startle him. X behaved more like a child than a man. He asked the King, "Are you sure?"

When am I unsure?

Grace stopped growling and lowered his head in submission. Then he laid down.

X didn't notice and darted away at full speed. Bell screams terrified him and she began slipping off his shoulders. Grace keenly sensed the panic in his mistress and darted in front of X. X turned around and wandered into dismal narrow alleyway which was littered with piles of decaying rats. The gasses emanating from the rat carcasses burned his nostrils. Bell pulled her sandy blond hair in front of her nose to keep herself from vomiting. She smelled death.

Grace looked up and asked the Author, "What now?"

Call him X.

Finally Grace obeyed and he hesitantly maneuvered closer to X. He called his name, "X... X! I know Bell. I'm a friend."

Unsteadily X backed away from Grace almost stepping on a pile of swelling, diseased rats.

Grace continued, "X stop! You're trapped. There's no way out of this alley. You're gonna accidentally hurt Bell."

X stopped inches away from a rat with a distended stomach. If he took one more step the bloated rat would burst like a puke filled water balloon.

Bell pleaded with X, "Please get me out of here. I'm gonna be sick." Bell's pale skin turned a grayish-green color as she fainted. She flopped over his head like a ragdoll.

Grace spoke up. "Listen, X is it? I'm gonna back outta here. You should do the same. Bell isn't well." Grace backed up slowly. X followed him out of the dank alley. "Atta boy! I promise I won't hurt you. I'm a friend of the King."

Warily, X followed the talking dog. He'd never heard an animal speak before.

X had a dog once. He talked to her all the time but she never talked back. Her name was Netty. She was X's only friend. When he overheard his family discussing eating the chocolate husky-lab mix he frighted her away. "Go Netty! Get outta here!" He had chased her with a large stick. He lied, "I don't love you anymore—get!" He threw the stick hitting Netty's snout. She yelped and ran off. When his father found out he'd chased away their dinner, he beat him within an inch of his life. Later, both his mother and father threatened to eat him. X ran away and for months searched Netty. He still missed her terribly and hoped she lived out in the country somewhere, chasing squirrels.

The faith of a child.

Grace searched for clean spot where X could lay Bell down. There was none. Then he got an idea. "X follow me to Brooklyn Bridge Park."

X held Bell in his arms as they left for the outskirts of Brooklyn Heights. Together they ran far away from the rotting rodents. When he spotted a rusty metal bench he beckoned to X, "Put Bell here!"

Breathing heavily X gladly laid the child down. He moved her long hair off her damp face. "Girlie wake up. Dog not bad. Dog help X."

Grace spoke gently to X, "She can't hear you, remember?" Grace sniffed Bell's hair then touched his wet black nose to her forehead. 98.6° that's good."

X asked, "What that mean?"

Grace answered, "I don't think she's sick. She just passed out from the the noxious odors?"

X looked even more confused.

Grace simplified, "She got woozy from the stinky smell."

X smelled his armpits. "X smell?" He looked sad.

Grace wanted to tell him, "Yeah you stink! When was the last time you took a shower?" However he held his mottled pink tongue. The Author had been urging him to be more encouraging. "Not you X—the rats!"

X was relieved. X never liked water. When he was six years old a nasty bully knocked him into the polluted Hudson river. He didn't know how to swim and he nearly drowned. He never saw who grabbed him out of the river in the nick of time, but he had a sinking feeling it was invisible King.

X asked Grace, "Now what?"

Grace licked Bell's face repeatedly. Slowly she woke up and opened her cloudy blue eyes. Grace licked her again. Bell reached out her arms felt his pointy ears and dense mane. Hugging him close she said. Grace it's you! You found me! You found me!" Not wanting to lose her other hero she asked, "Where's X? Is X still here?"

X took her hand and spelled, "X  H-E-R."

Close enough.

X pulled out the sack of special food. The three of them enjoyed a quiet picnic in the abandoned city park before making their way to Woodsburgh.  

Are you ready Marina?

-End of Chapter 26-

Author's note: Whew! I made it! Please vote and comment as you like!