Laura Baudelaire

I flexed the muscles in my fingers and shoulders as I closed my eyes. I could hear nothing but the sounds of crickets around me, and the soft blowing of the breeze on the trees. Even with my closed eyes, I could feel the sunlight casting over me. At the sound of a soft clicking sound, I opened my eyes and swung the dagger I was holding on my left hand. It shot on a cardboard that has a realistic drawing of a scary man, probably drawn by Vivian.

I heard another clicking noise and swung the other dagger with full speed. I had probably swung it too hard because it sliced the cardboard into half. But I didn't mind it at first and rolled on the ground to get my arnis, a weapon that are like two sticks.

Out of nowhere, robots that Quill invented suddenly came, swinging some sticks as well. I kicked the bot on the belly and hit it on the head.

I heard a buzzing noise behind me so I ducked and made the next bot fell by tripping it with my feet. I then hit it with both sticks to make it stop -- it was moving like a dead cockroach.

"Nice try Quill and Viv." I said while smiling. Suddenly there was a bombing noise and the whole place was filled with smoke.

"Holy cow, what invention did they make this time?" I asked and I ducked just in time when I saw a flying object. "Find my bow and arrow, bow and arrow, bow and arrow!" I shouted as I dodge the flying things that they were probably throwing at me.

I then lay flat on the ground when they threw me something that looked like a book. "THAT WAS MY BOOK!" I heard Klad shout and I smiled and shook my head, realizing that my bow and arrow was just next to me.

I grabbed it and slung the pack of arrows on my shoulders, getting one and readying it on my bow as I pointed it at my siblings and cousins who stopped altogether when they saw me.

At the same moment, the fog finally lifted and they all looked at me with pride, disbelief and annoyance.

Klad stood up and made me put down the arrow. "Okay Laura, you're the best at weaponry and all, but have you seen the book that Klara threw?" He asked, shooting Klara a deadly glare, who just shrugged her shoulders and smiled apologetically.

I laughed and said, "It was by the bushes Klad," and he ran off to find it.

"That was an awesome obstacle you did there guys! Quill and Viv, you've outdone yourself again!" I praised them. "And of course, you also did an amazing job Klara." I said and looked at Klara.

"Oh yes, an amazing job at throwing Klad's book, that's what." Vivian teased and we all laughed.

Klara rolled her eyes but laughed as well. "You're so selfish Laura, you don't teach us all those moves." Klara said, changing the subject. At the same time, Klad came back with a happy look as he held the book he was probably reading in his hand.

"You're lucky the book wasn't destroyed." Klad said as he sat next to Klara.

I ignored Klad's remark and replied to Klara, "But we all have our own talents anyways. Quill is the logical inventor, Viv is the imaginative artist, you're the writer a.k.a. poet, Klad's the smart bookworm, while I'm just a master at weapons. No biggie."

"Yeah, talents only we, can appreciate." Quill said smugly and all of us nodded. I was just about to say something to forget about what Quill just said when Aunt Sunny and Aunt Beatrice called us in for snacks.

~*~

"Hmm! Aunt Sunny's famous salad! Yum!" Klara said as she took a spoonful from her bowl.

"Only the best guys," Aunt Sunny said with a wink and Aunt Beatrice gave us a thumbs-up.

Aunt Sunny and Aunt Beatrice might be the coolest aunts ever because they cook delicious food and just lets us do whatever we want when our parents aren't here. At least, they appreciate our skills.

"Aunt S, Aunt B, how come our parents don't like it when we use our talents?" I asked and they both stopped and looked at each other.

"I don't think that's something we should answer. Why don't you guys go ahead and ask them?" Aunt Beatrice suggested.

"But Aunt Bea, they won't listen to us. All they care about is them, them, them." Quill said as he munched away.

"No, that's not true. They care for you a lot. Someday, when you're old enough, you'll understand." Aunt Beatrice said to us and patted Quill's shoulder.

Our conversation was cut short and my eyes caught a spyglass sticking out of Aunt Sunny and Aunt Beatrice's pockets. A spyglass I once saw in mom and dad's closet. . .

The phone in the hall suddenly rang and Aunt Sunny went to get it while Aunt Beatrice chatted with us for a little while. After a few minutes, Aunt Sunny came back with a pale face.

"Excuse me children," Aunt Sunny said and nodded at Aunt Beatrice who hesitantly followed her out of the kitchen.

When they were a few steps away, I looked outside the kitchen door to know where they were going when I saw no one outside the hall and can no longer hear their footsteps.

"That was odd." Klad said from behind me as he adjusted his glasses, probably making sure if he wasn't just seeing things.

"But, how could they leave so fast? It's like they disappeared." Vivian said and sat on a nearby chair. I sat on the chair next to her and realized that in the archway of the kitchen, the words, "The world is quiet here" were plastered.

"Something fishy is going on. First, I see Aunt Sunny and Aunt Bea's pockets having the same spyglass as the spyglass I saw in mom and dad's closet. Second, our aunts just disappeared out of nowhere, and now I see this weird motto in the archway of the kitchen." I told the others as I stared at the words.

"So Klad, you're the word expert, what does it mean?" Klara asked as Klad looked at the words. "Well, it could mean both literally and figuratively you know." Klad answered.

"Who cares anyway? Right now, we'll just have to wait for both our aunts and our parents." Quill said as he leaned on the counters. "Don't forget Uncle Duncan." I said and we laughed.

~*~

"Why aren't they home yet?!" Klara asked frustratedly as she peeked out of the window for the umpteenth time. It was already 7:00 p.m. but none of the adults have come home yet.

"Are they going to let us starve and die?" Quill asked as he shook his head.

"That's it, I'm not even waiting anymore. I'm going to go cook us some food!" Vivian said and me and Klara followed her to the kitchen while the boys stayed and took watch.

Vivian got several ingredients from the cupboard and placed it on the sink to wash. Me and Klara assisted her by slicing and cutting ingredients. First, we cooked the pasta on a pan with water and milk and fried bacon cubes in another pan. Then, when the pasta was done, we seasoned it with salt, black pepper, nutmeg and grated cheese. We then mixed it up, and topped it with the fried bacon cubes. Before we knew it, we were done and serving a delicious-looking meal of bacon, mac and cheese on the table.

"Wow Viv, you've certainly adopted Aunt Sunny's cooking!" Klad said as he and Quill entered the dining room. "I know right! The kitchen smells heavenly!" Quill exclaimed. Vivian only smiled and we all sat down to pray and eat supper.

After eating, we washed the dishes as a team, the others in washing the utensils, and the others in drying it -- and still, there was no sign of our parents. We decided to play some chess and read some books, but that was about it.

By the time the grandfather's clock stroke nine, we were all yawning and decided to camp here in the living room. "I'll go get our blankets." Quill offered and went upstairs to fetch them.

"Guys, I'm getting worried. What if. . . our parents are in trouble? What if, something bad happened to them?" I told them as I made myself comfy on one of the sofas.

"Don't you dare say anything like that Laura. They're just probably overworking." Klad said as he yawned and took off his glasses and put it on the center table.

"Alright guys, good night!" Vivian said and we turned off our lights and went to sleep.

I hope they are okay.

~*~

Klara Baudelaire

The world is quiet here. . . spyglasses. . . fires. . . V.F.D. . .

Grab. . . ankles,
mark be made. . .
noble -work. . .
won't be paid-d. . .

S-secret. . .
volunteer,
scream. . . you:

The world is quiet here. . .

I woke up with a jolt, my whole body covered in sweat. My heart was racing inside my chest and I was heaving heavy breaths. It was another one of those dreams again. Shattered, nonsense dreams.

I jolted yet again when the grandfather's clock struck twelve. "Yeesh, I'm such a mess." I said and shook my head. I then started waking up Laura who opened her eyes and gave me a sleepy questioning look.

"What's the matter K?" She asked me, sitting down while yawning.

"I-I. . . just had nightmares again." I confessed and hugged her. She stretched her arms before hugging me. As I hugged my sister, I caught glimpse of something peeking out from the carpet under the center table.

"H-hey Laura, something's on the carpet. . ." I said and untangled myself from her and grabbed the object from the carpet.

"It's a note!" I cried. "What does it say?" She asked.

"I don't know, it's too dark!" I exclaimed. She then grunted and I heard her fumbling around and said, "Gotcha! Good thing Klad always brings two flashlights and a book before sleeping!"

She then turned the flashlight on and shone it on the note, saying:

Dearest children,

Ever since we've been abroad we have missed you all so much. Certain events have compelled us to extend our travels. One day, when you're older, you will learn all about the people we have befriended and the dangers we have faced. At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may, in fact, be the first steps of a journey. We hope to have you back in our arms soon, darlings, but in case this letter arrives before our return, know that we love you. It fills us with pride to know that no matter what happens in this life, that you three will take care of each other, with kindness and bravery and selflessness, as you always have. And remember one thing, my darlings, and never forget it: that no matter where we are, know that as long as you have each other, you have your family. And you are home.

Mom & Dad

"What?" we both asked, confused.

"Let's wake up the others." I suggested and we woke up Quill, Vivian and Klad.

"What? A letter?" Klad asked as he put on his glasses. "And why did you guys took my extra flashlight without permission?"

"Never mind about that, read the note!" I said and placed the letter in his hands. As we crowded over the letter, I saw Laura's nose wrinkle in disgust.

"What's that smell?" She asked, sniffing in the air.

"What do you mean? Don't tell me someone farted?" I asked jokingly. The smell of something burning wafted through my nose but then, I ignored it.

"No, no, it smells like. . ." Laura's voice drifted off when we saw the kitchen bursting in flames. ". . .FIRE!!!" We all shouted and scurried out of our blankets and pillows.

"What should we do, what should we do, what should we do?!" I screamed in panic.

"Get water!" Quill said hesitantly. "No, it's too far away!" Vivian shouted.

"GRAB THE CURTAINS!" Klad yelled. "I READ A BOOK ABOUT FIRES THAT WERE HIDDEN UNDER DAD'S DESK! TRUST ME! GRAB. THE. CURTAINS!"

We all grabbed and tugged the heavy draperies on the living room windows and placed it on the fire in the kitchen as the flames were spreading faster.

"Get some slippers or shoes, whatever, and step on the curtains!" Klad shouted and Laura grabbed the slippers near the staircase and we all stepped on the curtain to put off the flames.

Klad's plan was working and the fire was dying, little by little. "I'll go get water from the bathroom now, keep on stomping!" Laura offered and ran to the bathroom, coming back with two pails of water. She threw it on the remaining fire and we all sat on the cold floor, tired and shocked.

"We were so close." I said as I stared straight ahead. "So close in dying, that's what." Vivian agreed. Klad sighed and leaned on a nearby bookshelf when suddenly, the bookshelf fell -- along with him.

"Ouch." He said, as he rubbed his knees and elbows.

"What the. . ." he was cut short when we realized that he was sitting on something.

"What is it?" I asked curiously. "It's a hatch." Quill said, surprised.

"It's kind of like a trap door isn't it? But what is it doing here?" Vivian asked as she kneeled besides Klad and opened the trap door.

And right below the trap door, was an open space, kind of like a tunnel. But it wasn't only that. There, directly below, was a spyglass, identical to Aunt Sunny and Aunt Beatrice's spyglasses.