FIFTEEN - get stranded

The three children sat in the cell for 30 minutes. Isadora was asleep while Duncan and Robyn whispered to each other. While talking about their old lives, Duncan looked at the side of Robyn's face. There was a small piece of lint on the girl's face, but he stayed quiet.

"What was your brother like?" Robyn asked, grabbing Duncan's attention. "Only if you want to talk about him, of course." Duncan looked at the floor for a moment and Robyn felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She regretted the question as soon as it came out of her mouth, but she needed to fill the awkward silence. Recently, it had been awkward between the two. Isadora knew that they liked each other, it was very obvious. Even the Baudelaires and Marigold knew, but Duncan nor Robyn would ever admit it.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that," Robyn said, hoping that he would say something. Anything.

"He was basically the opposite of me. Way more outgoing, brave, good looking, but also funny. I miss him." Robyn didn't agree with the good looking part and she slightly blushed. Robyn listened to Duncan talk about his twin brother. He told Robyn about stupid fights him, Quigley, and Isadora would have and embarrassing moments Duncan had in the past. He was glad that Robyn didn't find him weird or annoying for talking for 10 minutes and looked at her face. The lint was still there and Duncan quickly brushed it off. This caught Robyn's attention and she stood still for a second.

"Duncan?"

"Yes?"

The atmosphere slowed as Robyn tried to find her words. Her breath hitched as she gathered her thoughts after observing Duncan again.

"I think I-" The sound of clanking and talking got louder and louder as Count Olaf's henchmen walked over towards the Quagmires and Robyn. The two got quiet and held their breath. The two identical women walked up to the lock and unlocked the cage.

"You two twins, stand up," one of them said.

"Yeah, stand up," the other one replied.

"They're no twins," Robyn spoke as she clung onto the brunette boy.

"It doesn't matter, because we are taking them," Count Olaf appeared, waking up Isadora. She looked frightened and turned to her brother and friend. Count Olaf unlocked the cage and yanked Robyn out of the cage. He locked the cage back up and groaned.

"I forgot something back there. Wait," Count Olaf instructed to his henchmen and ran off. Robyn faced the cage and looked at the two triplets.

"I'll find you guys soon. There's gotta be some way," Robyn whispered.

"It's impossible," Duncan replied, his smile dropping at the realization this might be the last time he sees the girl he loves.

"It's not," Robyn reassured, taking Duncan's hands through the cage. "Just make sure to stick with your sister and I'll find you. Hopefully soon, but I don't know."

"I have faith in you," Isadora said. "You're very smart."

"Yeah, we will see you soon," Duncan agreed. He smiled at Robyn and she looked longingly into his eyes. The three heard Count Olaf coming and Robyn quickly pulled out something from her pocket.

"Here, take this," Robyn said, handing over all of her observations. When no one was looking, she had written an explanation of who she was just in case she got separated, which all of her observations, clues, and predictions from the beginning of Prufrock Prep to the pervious day.

"What is-"

"Hide it!" Robyn whisper-shouted, looking nervously as Count Olaf approached.

"Alright you little scum bag, have fun rotting here with no way out!" Count Olaf snapped his fingers and his henchmen helped carry the cage away before Robyn could say bye. She would have gone after them, secretly followed them to see what was going on. But it was pointless. She just sat in the corner of the empty elevator shaft, looking at a page of her notebook where Duncan once wrote in during class. Right next to the notes was a little heart that held an R, and Robyn couldn't remember if she drew it or if the boy secretly did.