This Text file is old! In a 🏛️Museum, an unsorted archive of (user-)pages. (Saved from Geocities in Oct-2009. The archival story: oocities.org)
--------------------------------------- (To 🚫report any bad content: archivehelp @ gmail.com)
>

	     	 Everybody Wants To Rule the World

			   Chapter Eight
		   	Written By: LadySwan

	Neil's mind was numb with fear. For days without decent 
food and water, and scared being kidnapped. He had been hoping, a 
few minutes earlier, they could make it home safe, but now, as 
the five from Swans Crossing stood parallel to the Baldies, Neil 
was frightened and couldn't think straightly anymore.
	The Baldies spoke Russian among themselves, angry at 
Barek's betrayal. They spoke, though not understandable by the 
five Americans, of their plans to get rid of them.
	Barek's mind was spinning. He should have waited a few 
minutes longer. He should have been more careful, he scolded 
himself. An agent sent by a secret American agency, he was sent to 
protect the two young scientists, JT Adams and Neil Atwater from 
harm from the Russian Government. He had tried to protect them, 
protect them all who had gotten involved, but now. Barek tried 
thinking of a way to get out of this, a way to save all his friends.


	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Coach Gromme had tried calling up every player at home 
that night. But even there he had no luck. Some phones wouldn't 
pick up, others were busy, but most of his players weren't at home.
	He was frustrated. Now even DeCastro had deserted him. He 
wasn't home.
	The playoffs were in less than a week, and so far his team 
hadn't made it to a practice at all. All of them had seemed to be 
disappearing one by one. As if a dark cloud had desended upon Swans 
Crossing and was taking away people.
	Coach Gromme tried not to panic, he tried picturing his 
team winning their first game of the playoffs, like they had in 
summer, even without practice. He just hoped all the team was safe, 
and realized his thoughts of the dark cloud taking them all away 
sounded silly.
	But he didn't realize how close to the truth it almost was.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Garrett sat alone in his room. Michel had gone out for the 
night. Garrett was glad. He wanted that night to think. He saw by 
his window, none of the lights were on. The only light came from 
outside, the moon and the lights by the streets.
	Feeling rejected and hurt, Garrett had spent all afternoon 
thinking if all the news he had been receiving was the truth. And 
then he had received the terrible news.
	When Garrett had gone back to his room earlier, just before 
Michel had left, Michel had given him a newly delivered letter, 
this time it was from Mila.
	He had been thrilled, and mentally started to call Sydney a 
liar. Until he had read it. After waiting a few minutes until his 
room mate had left, Garrett had then opened Mila's letter excitedly, 
only to then realize she had been breaking up with him.
	Her letter isn't even as long as Sydney's, Garrett thought 
to himself darkly. Mila's letter had only been half a page long, 
telling him that she needed some space, and a chance to try new 
things. She hadn't given him much reason other than that, and 
Garrett was sulking.
	The room had been silent ever since Michel had left. Garrett 
hadn't been able to utter a single word. He was too shocked and 
hurt.
	I need to talk to someone, Garrett thought. But who? Even 
though Michel was his closest friend, here in France, he knew he 
couldn't really confide in him. Garrett knew he'd only get teased.
	And then he knew. He could write to Sydney. Garrett thought 
about her for awhile. Even though she was Sydney Rutledge, the
manipulative, vindictive girl he had always know, he had recently 
began to know the other Sydney Rutledge inside. The one who had 
matured since their games in the past, the Sydney who was almost 
the exact duplicate of himself. He knew he could confide in her. 
Who else could understand him but someone else just like him?
	Still a bit shaky, since receiving Mila's letter, Garrett 
took out paper and a pen, two of which he had been using a lot to 
correspond with Sydney often. But strangely, as he began to write, 
Garrett felt a sense of calmness, a sense of warmth. Almost as if 
the thought of Sydney alone could make all his worries disappear.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Nancy sat yet alone in the Soda Shop. She hated staying 
home alone all day long. She had hoped that she'd run into one of 
her friends, but so far, no luck once more.
	She idly began twirling her straw in her drink, wondering 
where the whole gang was. Things were looking so bad, she would 
even be looking forward to Owen Fowler's company!
	And then some girls from the cheerleading squad entered 
the shop. Nancy vaugely knew them, but she knew who they were. 
The girls who sat down by a table at the back of the room were the 
power-controlling seniors on the squad. Nancy knew if she made 
friends with them she'd have it made on the squad.
	But then, Nancy had that queasy feeling in her stomach 
again. Like her Sydney-O, with power, these girls weren't the type 
to be friendly with everyone. In fact, they were downright snobby. 
Once or twice, Nancy swore they were making fun of her.
	Now you can't be sure of that, Nancy told herself. They 
just didn't know who she was yet. They knew who Mila was and they 
were already friendly with her. Maybe that's all I need, Nancy 
thought.
	She got up from the counter and headed over to their table. 
"Hi," Nancy said, trying to sound friendly.
	All four of them, barely glancing at her, continued their 
conversation.
	Hesitantly, Nancy tried again. "You're from the cheerleading 
squad, right? I'm Nancy-"
	"We know who you are." the bossiest of them commanded. She 
was Amanda Shane. There were rumors that Amanda was going to be 
the head cheerleader this year. She was definitly the leader type, 
and Nancy knew she had to be extra-friendly to her.
	The cheerleaders lost interest in Nancy and began to talk 
again among themselves.
	"Well, um, can I sit down?" Nancy asked, about to pull up 
a chair for herself.
	"Actually," another one of them said, Debbie Fox said, the 
right arm of Amanda, "we were just about to leave."
	Simotaneously, all four of the senior cheerleaders stood 
up and headed out of the Soda Shop, laughing and giggling among 
themselves.
	Nancy felt her cheeks grow warm and immeadiately headed 
towards the girls room before tears could even start to form in 
her eyes.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Sydney's date with Alex that day, had started out as just 
loafing around her house, watching a couple of videos. It was a 
normal date, something no one would try taking Sydney Rutledge on, 
but while she was with Alex, Sydney felt she was someone else. She 
felt like she was the real Sydney, the normal, girl-next-door, 
special in her own way, but just like everyone else. And even on a 
normal date, Sydney felt extra special while she was with Alex.
	But an interruption came along, and Margaret needed Sydney 
to send her an important document over to City Hall. Alex agreed to 
walking with Sydney over.
	Hand in hand, they walked down the quiet and peaceful streets 
of Swans Crossing, contented with all they had in their lives.
	"You alright?" Alex asked, squeezing her hand affectionately. 
"You've been quiet. Now I know that isn't the Sydney Rutledge I 
know." he teased.
	Sydney cracked a smile. "I'm ok. I've just been thinking."
	"About what?"
	Sydney gazed at him adoringly. "How I came across this 
absolutely wonderful guy and how lucky I was that he became my 
boyfriend."
	"Really? Is he anyone I know?" Alex said, trying to look 
innocent.
	"You idiot!" Sydney laughed, nudging him in the ribs. "It's 
you!"
	Alex pretended to sigh with relief. "Good, I was worried 
you were thinking of someone else. But hey, I think you're pretty 
amazing yourself."
	Sydney was glowing as she and Alex smiled at each other. 
Finally, they arrived at City Hall, and were waiting for the 
secretary to let them in.
	"You're the perfect boyfriend, you know?"
	Alex grinned at her. "And you're the perfect girlfriend."
	Wrapping her arms around his neck, Sydney and Alex were 
almost about to kiss, when the secretary interrupted them and 
allowed them to enter.
	Sighing, Sydney and Alex put off their kiss, and headed to 
the Mayor's office to give Sydney's mother her important papers.
	It could only happen in Swans Crossing, Sydney thought to 
herself wryly.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Garrett was bored to death, sitting in his dorm room. He 
had already sent his mail, and he definitly didn't feel like doing 
his schoolwork. There wasn't much for Garrett to do, except for the 
things he didn't want to do.
	And then his gaze fell on his parents letter, lying on his 
desk. Finally, Garrett decided to open it. "I could use the money 
anyways." Garrett mumbled to himself.
	He tore open the letter, and realized there was no money 
in it. Curiously, Garrett decided to read the letter. Glory had 
written it, and from the looks of it, maybe in the dark. Her 
handwriting was a mess, rather than her usual neat scrawl. From the 
looks of it, she had written it in a rush.
	AS Garrett slowly began to go down the letter, he felt the 
blood drain from his face. "No," he moaned. "Not more bad news."
	But it wasn't just bad news. It seemed more like a nightmare 
to Garrett. Glory had just told him that his mother was very sick. 
Ill from her fight with her sick kidney.
	Fearing for his mother's safety, Garrett picked up the phone 
and began to dial a number he had dialed a year ago in that very 
same room.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Sandy decided to go to the Soda Shop for a pre-dinner snack. 
She was weary with all the housework she had helped her mom with 
earlier, but she was triumphant.
	The Shop was close to empty, seeing that it was almost 
dinner, and none of Sandy's friends were there. But Sandy partly 
didn't mind. She had her mind on other things. One of those things 
was Saja.
	She wondered what he was doing and if he was keeping safe. 
The more she pictured him in her mind, the more she realized she 
like him a lot. And the more the realized that fact, the more a 
smile spread on her face.
	Sandy sighed when she realized there was something else she 
had to think about. The concert. It was happening in two days and 
she had no idea what to do. She couldn't very well sing with a 
minus-one tape. Sandy Swan didn't know how to sing without live 
music. She played with her drink in deep thought.
	And then it came to her. No, not an idea. This lovely 
sound. String. Sandy turned behind her and saw a guy sitting alone 
by one of the tables, playing on a guitar. Sandy was enchanted by 
the sound.
	She headed for the guy's table and complimented him on his 
playing. "Hey that's a really good sound you have there."
	"Thanks," the guy said, grinning.
	"I'm Sandy, by the way."
	"Mick."
	He began to play a well-known song, a song Sandy knew very 
well. As he played more and more, Sandy got her usual urge, and 
despite her shyness, she started to sing to the song.
	Mick smiled and he played as Sandy sang. After they had 
finished the song, Sandy and Mick congratulated each other.
	"That was a great song. What others do you know?" Sandy 
inquired.
	Mick gave her a long list of songs he knew, and Sandy was 
thrilled to recognize most of them. And then suddenly, she got an 
idea. An idea that could help her out, and maybe even Mick as well.
	"Mick," Sandy asked shyly, "what are you doing on the third 
of October?"
	"Um, nothing I guess. Maybe I'll watch that inagural concert 
of the Mayor's."
	"How would you like to play in it?" she offered.
	"Are you serious? That would be great!"
	Sandy smiled. "I have an idea...."

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Saja didn't know where he was. Special Agents Hudson and 
Sylvester were being extra careful about their mission. They 
couldn't fail, especially not now that the kidnapped had gone to 
four.
	Saja had had a time telling them everything he knew, again. 
Down to every little detail. It was hard to concentrate, when you 
had a bright light shinning on you.
	And now both Special Agents were busy on their computers 
and cellular phones, getting their bust ready. Everything had to be 
perfect, one little mistake would ruin it and scare the Baldies 
away.
	He sighed and wondered what he was doing there. He was just 
a kid who had stumbled upon this whole ordeal. Sure all summer 
long he had wanted excitement and followed it, but now, it seemed 
a bit scary even.
	To calm himself down, he focused himself on other things. 
And Saja found himself thinking of Sandy Swan's pretty face, and 
he smiled.
	Things with Sandy lately had been much different than he 
had ever imagined. He hadn't felt like this before with any girl. 
Maybe the small exception of his little crush on Callie, but that 
was different. This time, this thing between them was actually 
between them, and not something just going on in his head.
	He really appreciated her, and Saja promised as soon as 
this whole thing was over, he would ask her out on a date.
	But Saja didn't have much time to plan that date, or even 
think more about Sandy, because Special Agent Sylvester came over 
to him.
	"Common, Saja. We're ready to go in."	
	Saja swallowed the lump in his throat and stood up nervously.
	He, both the Agents and some other agents, headed out to 
rescue JT, Neil, Jimmy and Callie. Saja couldn't remember the last 
time he had seen this much action.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	"AVI Airlines. How may I help you?" the girl on the phone 
said.
	"I'd like to purchase a one-way ticket back to Swans 
Crossing from France." Garrett said through the phone. He always 
chose to get a one-way ticket so that his dad would be reluctant to 
spend more to send him back.
	"And when and what time would you like your flight to be?"
	"I want a ticket on the next flight." Garrett said, the 
urgency in his voice obvious.
	"Our next flight to Swans Crossing will be at 7:30 pm."
	"Great."
	"Please give me your credit card number and we will have 
your ticket ready for you when you arrive at the airport."
	Garrett fumbled with the credit card his dad had given him 
only for emergencies. He could think of a better time to use it. 
He told the her the number and was glad when he had finally 
purchaced the ticket.
	After placing the call, Garrett realized there was only 
one thing left to do, and that was to start packing. Garrett 
hurried around the room, hoping his mother would be alright.

	   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

	Wet with fear, Callie was too numb to dry her forehead, 
especially with her clammy hands. As the Baldies drew closer and 
closer to the Swan group, Callie wondered if they would make it.
	Then the leader of the group aimed the gun at them, training 
it back and forth between them all.
	Jimmy was sick with worry for Callie. He wanted to hold 
her tight, and promise her things would be alright. He knew she 
was scared, they were all scared, and seeing that gun didn't make 
things any better.
	And then suddenly, a gunshot was heard. All five of them 
were paralyzed with fear. Who had been shot?

		        To be continued...

		          2000 LadySwan

Sorry this took so long, and that it's so short! That's one of the 
reasons it took me awhile to finish, I couldn't think of any 
other scenes I could add. And I still couldn't! So there! I've 
been very busy lately, but I hope I can finish the next chapter 
soon! Until then!

If you have and comments, suggestion, questions, ideas, or any kind 
of criticism at all, please email me, LadySwan, at 
ladyswan_1@hotmail.com ! Thanks!!! :

Text file Source (historic): geocities.com/hollywood/hills/2262/fanfic

geocities.com/hollywood/hills/2262
geocities.com/hollywood/hills
geocities.com/hollywood

(to report bad content: archivehelp @ gmail)