Page 39 of The Rat

“Here.” Olliesaid, passing him abag.

Rory took it, then droppeddown.

“The maggots are in the bin, notunderneath it,” Ollie hissed.

Rory ignored him, pinched thetale through the bag, and pulled the rat out. It looked fresh, andhe couldn’t smell it, but he could definitely see its body moving frommaggots. He managed to get it in the bag and wrapped itup.

“Let’s go.”

Ollie’seyebrows shot up. “Really, you’ve gotsome?”

“Sort of.”

“What do you mean sortof?”

Rory pushed the bag to Ollie’schest. “Hide that under your jumper.”

Ollie didn’t askany questions, hestuffed it under his jumper in a flash.

“Come on,” Rory said.

“Where wegoing?”

“Back to your cell toperformrodent surgery.”

“What?”

Rory rushed down the corridorand across the wing. He made a beeline for Teddy and Ollie’s cell, waited till hewas inside, then pushed the door shut. Ollie took the bag out ofhis jumper, then peeked inside.

“It’s a flamingrat!”

He hurled it across the cell, and ithit the wall with a thump.

Rory tried to shushhim, butended up laughing. “I know, okay?”

“I want maggots, not a deadrat.”

“The maggots are inside therat.”

He picked up the bag, and looked inside,but there was no movement.

“That’s just great,” Ollieyelled, “How am I supposed to get them out?”

“I haven’t thoughtthat farahead.”

“No shit!”

The door swung open, and Roryhid the bag behind him. Sebastian frowned, andfolded hisarms over his chest. His eyes twitched, and he tilted his head asif trying to work them out.

“Whatare you two shoutingabout?”

“You wouldn’t believe us if we told you.” Olliemumbled.

“Speak up.”

Ollie straightened and took astep back. The bag crinkledbehind Rory, and he tried his hardest not tolaugh. The whole situation was ridiculous.

“Rory?”

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