51 Snakes

Chapter 51 Snakes Nerysl? Y-you're Mr White?' Even though she could hear the words coming out of her own mouth, Peanut couldn't quite believe what she was saying. 'That's right, lovely,' replied Nerys, smiling. 'Oh dear, has it come as a bit of a shock?' 'But... but... you've always been so... nice. A means to an end, I'm afraid,' said Nerys. 'I have found, over the years, that a certain... veneer of amiability has been necessary to help me accomplish my goals.' Her upbeat, lilting Welsh accent suddenly seemed less sunny than it had done before. More... creepy. It sent a chill down Peanut's spine. ' But... what about all that stuff about Mr Stone in

Milan? You said he kept talking about the heir,' said a confused Rockwell. And that he had threatened you and Mum!' cried Peanut. And when 67 and his RAZERs took you hostage in the Rainbow Lake,' added Little-Bit, 'you looked so scared!' 'You're right, little one,' said Nerys. 'I did, didn't I? I'm not gonna lie, it turns out that I'm quite the actor! I was particularly proud of that anguished HEEEELLLLP MEEEEEE! as the robots lifted me from the lake. And what about that little turn just now, through the walkie-talkie? TRACEY? PLEASE! HELP ME! I'M SCARED! An impressive bit of work, if I do say so myself.' 'But... Mr Stone... he wears the same hat as Mr White said Peanut, still struggling to get her head around what was happening. ' Yes,' replied Nerys. 'That's because I bought it for him. A little present from an appreciative staff member. I told him that it offset his black suit beautifully and made his eyes pop. He really is quite suggestable, you know. Most weak-minded men are, I find. And guess what, we have the same hat size! Isn't that a happy coincidence?' The children stood in stunned silence. And I'll tell you what else makes me happy,' continued Nerys. 'The fact that you're all neatly squirrelled away in that cage Don't worry, though, because the good news is that you'll have a great view as I carry out the final part of my little plan.'

'Not everyone is in the cage, lassie!' said a gruff voice. 'I think you've forgotten about little of me.' It was Woodhouse! He emerged from behind the desk, his long tail curling and winding behind him threateningly. 'I think it's time you and I had a wee chat,' he said. 'It seems you've been causing my pals here a spot of bother. 'Oh dear,' said Nerys, calmly. A rat. You know, I've always hated rodents. They really are the lowest of the low. I mean, what are they actually for? Oh well, I suppose we'll just have to sort you out, won't we? Let's see... She pulled Little Tail from her jacket pocket and started to draw long, swooping lines in the air. Ten seconds later, she was done.

The illustrated snake landed on the floor in a slippery coil, before rearing up and directing its serpentine gaze straight at Woodhouse. 'P-p-p-python,' said the terrified rat, his eyes as wide as saucers. The snake's forked tongue flickered in its mouth, and a huge smile began to creep across its scaly face. 'I think my friend here is a bit peckish,' said Nerys, whose voice sounded more like Mr White's by the second. 'Why don't you grab yourself some lunch, Monty?' Suddenly, the snake sprang towards Woodhouse at a frightening speed. The rat, displaying a pretty impressive turn of pace of his own, leapt from the desk and ran for his life. The three caged children shrieked? afraid for their friend. Rockwell, who had apparently got over his phobia of rats, yelled, 'Run, Woodhouse, run!' 'I'll be back,' Woodhouse shouted over his shoulder before disappearing into the corridor, with the illustrated snake in hot pursuit.

Peanut turned to Nerys. ' You monster!' she seethed. Nerys smiled. 'Sorry about that, lovelies,' she said, cheerily. 'Just a little bit of pest control. Right, where were we? Ah yes, the final part of my plan. Nerys snapped her fingers and twelve gold RAZERs instantly glided into the room, arranging themselves in a V formation behind her. Their eyes were glowing bright red, unlike the purple swirls that 67 and 72 still displayed. Nerys brought Little Tail up to her eye and took a long, hard look at its sharp point. 'Righty-ho,' she said, cheerily. Let's get rid of all this creativity nonsense once and for all, shall we?'