They crept forward, deeper into the narrow tunnel. Water dripped down the walls. A sharp edge of rock appeared just ahead—the tunnel divided. But no, Finn realized—the tunnel to the right was blocked by a wooden door.
“Now that’s interesting,” Finn whispered.
“The wood is new,” she said. “Really new.”
“Yes. Not a bad place to lock yourself away for a little nap.” The door was locked. He understood what had to be done. “I’m going in there,” he said. “I can go all clear long enough to get through the door—I know I can.” He tried to psych himself up for it, as it would require a complete brainwash to get his full DHI back.
“That would leave you alone in there. And, by the way, me alone out here.”
“Yeah,” he said.
“Please, don’t.”
His blue line grew stronger without his closing his eyes, without concentrating. It’s her, he thought. He was feeding off her concern for him.
“At one o’clock,” he said, “you need to be back at the hub.”
“Please…”
“With or without me.”
“Don’t even go there.” She sized up the door. “I can push it open.”
“It would take everything left in you, and it might turn out to be a broom closet. No. Save your strength. We may need it.”
“Do not humor me,” she said.
“I’m being confident. I’m feeling confident.” His blue line was exceptionally strong. His toes and fingers tingled. He offered her a fleeting smile, and he stepped through the door.
* * *
“I will crush you like a bug,” Maybeck said, his arms still rock-solid as he held the chair aloft.
“When I pull this switch there won’t be any you. So what then?” said Hugo.
“Enough with the yakety yak,” Cruella said, “Just pull the switch.”
“Get that thing from her, and I will,” Hugo said. “We can’t risk them happening together. Do something!”
Cruella aimed the burning cigarette closer to Charlene’s face.
Charlene glanced at the wall clock, trying to stall for the remaining three minutes. She couldn’t help Finn and Amanda Return—that would have to still be up to Philby—but the fob offered her and Maybeck a way out. The rising confidence in Maybeck’s eyes suggested he might know what she was thinking.
Click. The minute hand moved forward. Two minutes to go.
Finn was always on time for everything, but he wasn’t necessarily early.
“Tell them why they’re doing this, Terry,” Charlene said.
“Oh, yes, by all means. Please!” said Hugo.
Maybeck’s eyes found the clock. “Because Maleficent’s prison cell is controlled electronically, and this facility provides Disney World’s backup power.”
Judging by the state of alarm on Cruella’s face, he’d hit a home run. Charlene tried to keep her own surprise from showing. This was the first she’d heard his theory.
“So, really,” Charlene said, “where do you think the rest of us are right now?”
“PULL THE SWITCH, YOU LITTLE TWIT!” Cruella shouted at Hugo.
Charlene’s thumb warmed the plastic button on the fob, rubbing back and forth, so tempted to send them all back from where they’d come.
* * *
Finn inched forward, a tightness gripping his chest immediately, his DHI’s blue outline dimming. His eyes slowly adjusted to his own faint glow.
The cave walls sweated, the air dank, the space narrow and confined. His head swooned. He moved forward tentatively as the tunnel turned slightly, and he gasped.
Cruella De Vil. Asleep on some furs atop an air mattress. He leaned closer; her eyeballs danced beneath her eyelids. It looked…horrific.
Just beyond Cruella, the Evil Queen slept on her back, hands folded across her belly, her crown in place. Her lips and nose were twitching. She seemed to be grinning slightly.
He had them.
For a moment, the shock of the discovery proved too much; he simply stared. If he could tie them up, gag the Queen so she couldn’t throw spells, then wait for sunrise and the return of the Characters to their various attractions, then maybe, just maybe, the Imagineers had two more prisoners. Two more generals, Shan-Yu would have said.
He had his two shoelaces. A sash around the Queen’s robe. A plan formed in his head.
The way their eyes moved behind their lids was disturbing. He couldn’t stop himself from looking.
He checked a watch that hung from Cruella’s neck:
12:59. In one minute he would be Returned—that is, if he and Amanda were close enough to the hub. He had no desire to test the system. But he needed more time. He began unlacing his shoes frantically. They would never get another chance like this.