Deadline

[Taniya_K]

So it's not Ruby! No! That's shocking...

Another great chapter. I wonder what they sent him on the computer. And what was written in the letter that Ruby gave Peter.

Cannot wait for more once again!

xoxo

[SAM27#]

And the plot thickens......

So Ruby survives....mmm I really have no idea who gets killed, and I really want to know..I suppose I will just wait patiently!!

Can't wait for more!!

[LAURZY!]

Right, so Ruby isn't dead.....

Brill chapter!

Really cant wait to read more! the suspense is killing me lol

[Jody]

Great chapter but you really know how to torture us, don't you?

Ruby's not dead. Now I don't even want to think about who's going to die. I can't wait to find out what they are hiding. Ruby and Peter's talk was very interesting. As for the clown, he continues to be the worst criminal ever.

Please update soon.

[Adelle_fan1000]

Good update

Soo Ruby isn't dead.. i wonder who is... Hope u get to it soon.. can't wait any longer i dont think

[Luc]

Thanks Taniya, sam, Laura, Jody and Adelle_fan1000

-Chapter Eleven-

My Life For Yours

Aden looked around the room nervously and began walking over to the computer, trying not to look suspicious.

“Hey, uh, do we have to spend the whole time standing?” He asked. The clown followed him. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I could do with the seat.” He turned around and saw the gun was pointed in his direction.

“Stay where you are,” The clown told him. Aden looked over at the computer desperately.

“You’re going to shoot me because I want to sit down?” He asked. The clown tightened his grip on the weapon.

“Try me.” He said menacingly. Aden looked at the clown sadly.

“Once you kill someone, that’s it.” He told the masked intruder, “You’ve blown it. For life,” He added. The clown loosened his grip yet again. Aden raised an eyebrow. The clown had been doing this a lot throughout the siege.

“Maybe I figure I've blown it anyway,” The clown said, tightening his grip again. Aden gulped and glance over at the computer again desperately. “Maybe I figure I might as well kill someone.” With the gun still pointed at Aden, the clown began moving towards the group whom he had his back to.

“So why are you still wearing the mask?” The clown turned to Belle. She had her arms folded across her chest and a look of impatience on her face. “If you really think the game is up, why bother?” Aden bit his lip and walked over to the computer.

“So are you going to tell us who you are?” Geoff added. He looked over at his American friend hopefully. “Prove you don’t care anymore?” Geoff and Belle looked at him expectantly. “Of course not,” The deputy editor said when the clown stood pointing the gun at them instead of removing the clown mask.

“So long as you’re keeping your face a secret, you think you’ve got a chance.” Belle told the clown. Aden reached out to press the enter key on the keyboard. “And so long as you think you’ve got a chance, you’re not going to shoot anyone.” Aden looked down at the keyboard, he was just about to hit enter when the clown threw his mask on top of it. Aden looked up. The clown was a teenager, not that much younger than themselves. He had sandy blonde hair, blue eyes and was of a medium build.

“Since you’re interested,” He said to Belle and Geoff, “My name is Toby Johnson, and just so you know, I really don’t expect to get out of this.”

***

Peter looked up from the letter Ruby had handed him. He placed it in his pocket and walked over to his car, which was parked outside the front of the church. He picked up the radio.

“Yabbie Creek 208 to Yabbie Creek 200,” He said, “Yabbie Creek 208 to Yabbie Creek 200”

“This is Yabbie Creek 200, go ahead Yabbie Creek 208,” A voice said through the radio, it was that of Senior Sergeant Ken Harper,

“Ken, is Trace there?” He asked.

“I’ll just check.” Ken told the detective. As Ken went away, Peter looked back down at the letter.

‘Since there is a great deal more to this matter than simply the identity of the gunman, please at this point do nothing you may regret once you have read the rest of this document.’

Peter looked up from the letter and saw a hearse approaching. He lifted the radio to his mouth and pressed the talk button.

“Yabbie Creek 208 to Yabbie Creek 200, I’ll have to get back to you,” He said before placing the radio down. He placed the letter in his pocket again and climbed out of the car and followed the slow moving procession. He walked into the church and took a seat on the edge of a pew. He looked across at the Coastal Junior pew and saw Ruby and Drew looking at him anxiously. He pulled the letter out of his pocket, flipped it open and continued reading.

***

“Can I just interject at this point?” Angelo asked nervously. Ruby stuck her hand behind his back and pushed him forward.

“Just shut up, okay?” Toby asked, pointing the gun at the terrified financial manager. He stepped back into the line.

“Fine.” He said, moving closer to Ruby, “That’s valid.” Aden looked up at the clown to make sure he wasn’t looking before pressing the enter key on the keyboard. A blue screen appeared and the words, ‘Message received from Lucas Holden’ flashed across the screen. ‘Message follows...’

“You,” Aden looked up, Toby was pointing the gun at him. “Back over there with the rest of them!” Aden looked down at the computer screen before obeying. He made his way over the group and came to a stop next to Belle. “I don’t want anymore talking!” Toby shouted at the group.

“Can I just say one last thing before you completely lose it?” Belle asked. The clown shook his head.

“Shut up!” He shouted at the editor.

“No, that’s not it,” Belle shot back, “I want you to listen to me for just one minute,” Toby began walking closer to Belle.

“I said shut up!” He hissed.

“I heard you,” Belle shot. The clown stopped in his tracks. “Now will you listen?” She asked him calmly. “The reason you took that mask off is because you don’t see any way out of this. Right?”

“I’m warning you...”

“Well you’re wrong.” Belle told him, “I can get you out of here as if you’ve never been. Interested?”

“Who says I want out?” Toby yelled at Belle. “Maybe I like this!” As the clown rambled on, Ruby carefully kicked her shoes off and turned to Angelo.

“You know, it really is about time you phoned your mother,” The editor said, tilting her head. “How would you like her never to know what happened here today? I can give you that.”

“No you can’t.”

“Try me,” Belle whispered sincerely. Ruby nudged Angelo and he took a step forward.

“Again, can I just make a little interjection?” He asked. Toby and Belle turned to him and said in unison:

“No.” Sadly, Angelo took a step back and turned to Ruby. He gave her an apologetic look.

“How?” The teenager asked his hostage.

“There is away,” She replied. A look of anger crossed Toby’s face.

“How?” He demanded. Belle took a deep breath.

“If I’m going to give you back your life Toby first you give me mine.” She held out her hand. “The gun.” She commanded. Toby recoiled his arm.

“No way!” He shouted.

“The only way.” Belle shot back.

“You really expect me to fall for that?”

“I suppose it could be a trick.” Aden added, the clown turned to the American, “But I don’t hear anybody making you a better offer.” Ruby pushed Angelo forward yet again.

“Excuse me!” He shouted nervously. Toby turned to the boy, “I really have to insist on input.” Angelo walked towards Aden and Belle, Toby followed so that his back was now to Ruby.

“Back in line!” He shouted. Angelo watched as Ruby carefully walked over to the dark room.

“Look, I really don’t believe you’re appreciating the full potential of your ‘gun siege’ concept...” As Angelo babbled on, Ruby tip-toed past her desk and over to the dark room.

“Get back over there, I mean it!” She heard the clown shouted at Angelo. She placed her ear against the door. She couldn’t hear anybody.

“Look,” Angelo began, she smiled thankfully, “You’ve got the gun, you’ve got the hostages, you’ve got the flak jacket, and the clown mask. That’s such a great look...” Ruby grinned as she reached out for the door handle. She pushed it down and attempted to push it open. To her shock, it wouldn’t open. She attempted to a few more times as Angelo went on about media attention. A note appeared from under the door and Ruby bent down and picked it up. It was written on the back of a photograph.

“Will you shut up and get back in line!” Toby shouted. Ruby folded the photo in half and made her way back over to the line. Angelo looked up at her desperately.

“Okay,” He said cheerfully, rising from the chair he had sat down on. He pushed in between Ruby and Geoff. Toby raised an eyebrow in confusion and walked over to the financial manager. He pushed the gun up against the boy’s chest.

“What was all that about?” He asked. Angelo gave him a confused look. “What were you up to?”

“I just thought a chat would be nice,” He replied. Toby rolled his eyes.

“There’s someone in there,” Ruby announced, pointing over to the dark room. The clown spun around and raised his thumb to the hammer of the revolver.

“What?” He asked the girl; just to be sure he wasn’t hearing things.

“In the dark room, I can hear them.” Ruby looked up at the boy nervously ass she handed Angelo the note she had been holding behind her back.

“Who’d be hiding in there?”

“Maybe someone was in there when you first pulled the trigger,” Ruby suggested, “They’re probably to frightened to come out.”

“So why are you telling me this?” The clown asked suspiciously.

“I don’t think it’s fair that they’re safe in there whilst we’re not.” Ruby snapped, “Honestly, there’s someone in there. Have a look.” Toby thought about this for a moment before pointing the gun at the girl.

“Why don’t you have a look?” He snapped back. Ruby shrugged and walked over to the door. Toby followed her. As the pair did this, Angelo unfolded the note Ruby had passed him. Geoff, Aden and Belle looked over at it curiously.

‘MAKE HIM OPEN THIS DOOR’ it read.

[Taniya_K]

Ooooh, the tension rises! Who's behind that door? Is it the cops, or is it really someone else? First, I thought that it may be someone else from the paper, and that way they'll die and it won't be one was these four [which sounds really means and sad] but I'm not too sure now, considering what they told Ruby.

I'm curious about the email that Lucas sent Aden! And the letter that Ruby gave to Peter. Too many questions!!

Glad that we've found out the identity of the gunman. I wonder why the survivors don't tell the cops as to who it was...

Cannot wait for more!

xoxo

[Jody]

For a moment there I really thought Angelo or Belle was going to get themselves shot. They did seem to be working on his last nerve. So the gunman is a teenager, that wasn't what I was expecting considering his reason for all this. I can't wait to find out who's behind the door. As well as whats in the letter. And obviously who dies. Theres so many questions that need to be answered. Please update soon.

[LAURZY!]

Oooh! so we know who the gunman is!!!

Who is behind that door???? lol

You are definately building the tension up well

cannot wait to read more!

[Luc]

Thanks Taniya, Jody and Laura

-Chapter Twelve-

Three Little Reporters

At gunpoint, Ruby continued walking over to the door of the darkroom. She gulped before coming to a stop. She placed her shaking hand on the door handle. She pushed it open gently. A young man with dark hair jumped out giving Ruby a fright.

“Drew!” She exclaimed. Drew partially closed the door behind him.

“Didn’t you recognise the handwriting?” He asked the head of features. Ruby shook her head.

“It was in block capitals!” She shouted at him. Drew nodded. A grin was on his face.

“So you did recognise it.” Toby rolled his eyes.

“Who is this?” He snapped, aggressively pushing Ruby out of his way. He stepped forward and pointed the gun at the laid-back boy.

“Hi guys!” He called out to Angelo, Belle, Aden and Geoff.

“How did you get there?” A slightly stunned Geoff asked the reporter. Drew could tell everybody else in the group was thinking this also. They all looked shocked.

“I never left,” He said, ignoring the gun that was being pointed at his chest. “I hid in hear when he told us all to go out. Thought I might come in useful with a clown in hear.” Drew turned to Toby and smiled.

“Who’re you calling clown?” He snapped. Drew rolled his eyes again.

“I’ll give you time to think about that, shall I?” He asked sarcastically. Toby jabbed Drew with the tip of the gun.

“Look, I've got a gun,” He said, brandishing the shiny silver revolver at the brunette. “I’m serious! Don’t you think I’m serious?”

“I don’t know,” Drew admitted, “What’s you’re star sign,” He added. Aden suppressed a laugh. Toby looked behind Drew and noticed he was trying to conceal something.

“What’s all that behind you?” he asked. Drew turned to look.

“You don’t want to see that,” He told Toby. Toby rolled his eyes.

“What is it?”

“No, really, you don’t want...”

“Move!” Drew shrugged and moved out of the teenager’s way.

“Alright, it’s your funeral,” He said, watching as the teenager pushed the darkroom door open. He looked around. Many camera’s had been piled upon each other. Drew pulled a shutter cord and pressed it. “Smile!” He shouted as each SLR camera went off. Toby stumbled out of the room, temporarily blinded by the flashes. Drew threw a punch at the boy and he fell back, firing a shot at the roof. Belle and Geoff jumped and Aden seized the opportunity to check the message Lucas had sent.

“Way to go Drew!” He shouted, pressing the enter key the rest of the message appeared.

“Nobody move!” Toby shouted as he stood up from the desk. “One move and I’m just going to keep shooting until I hit someone!” Aden grinned as he read the message.

‘ANNIE SAID THAT HE’D FIRED THE GUN FIVE TIMES BY THE TIME SHE LEFT.

“You guys think you’re so smart, don’t you!” Toby shouted, pointing the gun at Belle and Geoff. They recoiled in fear. “You think you’re so much smarter than everyone else!”

‘MAKE HIM WASTE ONE MORE BULLET AND YOU’RE HOME FREE.’ Aden chucked to himself.

“Well I’m the one with the gun, so I guess that makes me the smartest!” Aden scoffed.

“Toby, I hate to be picky, but you don’t have any bullets left.” Toby turned to Belle and pulled the trigger, she flinched, but nothing happened. The look of dominance he had on his face faded as the gun slipped out of his hand and onto the floor with a thud. Belle breathed a sigh of relief. Drew walked forward and picked up the useless weapon.

“Well,” Belle said, finally regaining the use of her voice. She, Geoff, Ruby and Angelo all walked closer to Toby. “That, I suppose, is that!” She exclaimed. Aden jumped up onto a desk and walked towards the group.

“Well!” He shouted, “Twelve o’clock and we’ve had a gun siege already!” he finished, jumping down next to Toby and Belle. “And I had to pick today not to sleep in!” He added.

“Shouldn’t we be telling the police?” Ruby asked in concern, looking over nervously at the teenager who only moments earlier was holding them all at gunpoint.

“Nah,” Belle replied, “We’ll let them sweat.” She looked over at the saddened Toby, “Besides, we might lose our exclusive interview.” And with that the hostages broke into a fit of laughter. Toby looked around at them, Geoff and Ruby were still looking at him uneasily, and Belle was ignoring the fact that there had been a gun siege in her newsroom. She looked over at Angelo.

“So how’s my chief negotiator?” She asked him. “You put your life on the line for us,” She added.

“I know,” Angelo stated proudly, “I won’t be doing that again!”

“Brave little guy, aren’t you?” Toby asked him. Ruby and Geoff exchanged a look of concern.

“Not on my good days,” Angelo replied, again sounding proud. Toby stuck his hand into his flak jacket and pulled out another gun.

“To bad,” Shouted, pointing the gun at the financial manager and pulling the trigger. Angelo flew back and hit the floor with a loud thud.

***

The congregation rose as the church doors flew open. In walked a priest, followed by the coffin bearers and the coffin. Peter looked back to the letter as Ruby and Drew looked at the coffin sadly. The coffin bearers bowed and turned to walk back to their pew.

***

“Look, we don’t know how badly hurt he is,” Geoff said into the telephone. He looked over at Toby; he was pointing the gun at the terrified reporter. “We’re bringing him out.” He finished. He placed the phone down as Ruby and Drew lifted the almost lifeless Angelo onto a makeshift stretcher. Aden passed Ruby a rolled up piece of cloth and she placed it over his wound.

“Feel like a man now that you’ve shot somebody?” Belle screamed at Toby, her face red with anger, “Feel good, does it?”

“Shut up!” Toby commanded, Belle shook her head,

“Let me ask you a question. Exactly what kind of a stone did you grow up under?” Toby turned to gun on her.

“I really am warning you!” He shouted, walking closer to the furious editor.

“Well keep going, I know how much you enjoy it!” Belle shot back,

“I’ll use it again, you know I will!”

“I don’t doubt it!” She shouted, “How else is a little worm like you going to get noticed? Frankly it’s not going to be charisma!”

“Belle,” Belle looked down at Aden, he was hovering above Angelo, “I don’t know what this means, but Angelo says ‘don’t throw the ashtray.’” Belle looked up at Toby angrily again. He pointed the gun at Ruby and Drew.

“You and you,” He said, “Take him out.” They obeyed, lifting the stretcher up. Belle stepped forward.

“Ruby, Drew,” she began, leaning down to Angelo, “Angelo, if you can hear me. He didn’t take his mask off, we don’t know what he looks like, okay?”

“Why?” Drew asked in confusion.

“Just keeping my negotiating position,” She replied. Toby pointed the gun at Ruby, Drew and Angelo.

“Get moving!” He commanded. They obeyed, Aden ran over to the double doors and held them open as Drew and Ruby carried Angelo out. As they did this, Belle continued giving the gun wielding teenager looks of anger.