Chapter 5: Secrets Revealed

Bobby wasn’t exactly what you’d call the best spy in the world. But he had no choice. Seeing that clown goof walk out with a Challenger, while the two were both giggling with laughter, just seemed…wrong. He was fully convinced LaBerge was up to no good. And now that he was given a little extra freedom, he'd (hopefully, he kept on telling himself) enough time to follow them wherever they were going and get to the bottom of things. During his last stay on Quillan, Challengers had been well guarded, as if the hosts feared them escaping.

But now, things had taken a different route. Challengers were now permitted in traveling outside, whether it'd be to squeeze in an hour of training, or simply for a stroll outside, so long as they stayed within the perimeter of the castle. And of course, dado's were on constant patrol, assuring some desperate Challenger didn't make his or her way past the castle for a runaway.

Bobby, meanwhile, now felt sure of it that LaBerge was playing and fooling with Layra’s head. The guy was messing with her and Bobby could tell it was working. Layra was falling for it. While Veego was out hosting the current Tato match at the stadium, here was her brother strolling out back with a Challenger, who should have been preparing for the games. Something was definitely up. Here LaBerge was in charge of the castle for the day and he was out strolling around all chit chatty with a Challenger! Talk about weird.

He raced out the doors, looked ahead and saw them at once. They were slowly and quietly walking about the gardens and for a second, he had to stop and think to himself, “What the...?” The way he saw it, he had good reason to. As the two walked on by, admiring the view, LaBerge, without saying a word, reached for Layra’s hand...who took his, gladly in return.

Bobby eased his way among the tables, which must have been for the guests at suppertime, and hid sneakily behind one of the rose bushes. Luckily they were thorn less. He peered over and watched them carefully. LaBerge must have been giving her a grand tour of the outside world of their imperial castle. He had to admit though, not only was the inside of their grand place out and out spectacular...the outside proved even better. It was like an entirely new world, especially with the fact that the majority of Rune and all over Quillan was nothing but a gray, dull, lifeless world. Not here.

Bobby had never seen the actual backyard before but was amazed at how enormous it was. There were acres of woodland and all sorts of oddly shaped trees and gardens and bushes and fountains with intricate patterns and neatly paved steps made out of stone and what Bobby soon liked best, the pools. These weren’t your ordinary outside pools. No, this was the real deal. It was one gigantic pool, made up of several smaller pools all joined together. Some pools were smaller than others while some were just out and out huge. There was everything you’d need to have a good swim, from diving boards, to twisty swirling water slides and volleyball nets, a wave pool and even a couple of hot tubs. He could think of no other words to describe the place but stunning. It’d take anyone’s breath away at the first glance, no doubt.

Bobby would have loved to just rip off his shirt and jump right in but that would have been the end for his secret spying. He made a note to himself he'd go for an evening swim when he got the chance. No...if he got the chance. Right now, he was on a mission.

He got onto his knees, crawled as quietly as he could toward the garden and inched his way in. The garden was shaped like a zig zagging maze. There were sharp turns, dead ends and open glades where you could sit down and relax while enjoying the incredible view. There were benches scattered about and brightly colored flowers dotted about. There were lemony yellows, rosy reds, emerald greens, deep blues and even a few rainbow colored plants. Again, the whole scene was breathtaking.

Bobby hurried over to one of the benches, crawled in back of it and hoped he wouldn’t be seen. He was all confident about this seemingly perfect hiding spot…till Layra and LaBerge came strolling through. So much for his perfect hiding spot. He'd be caught for sure! He should have known he’d be caught hiding lamely behind a bench, but he couldn’t make a run for it now. He was trapped.
“Crap!” he thought, feeling stupid for even going there. This was it. He either had to keep still or take the chance of making a run for it. He had no idea what to do. His panicking mind was racing. What was he going to do?

He didn’t have much time to think because almost at once, the two walked over and sat down. They were right in front of him, right above him, unaware of the spying Challenger that was beneath them. He covered his mouth fearfully, breathing softly and tried as hard as he could, not to move a muscle. Right then, it was all about getting the answers and not being caught. Who knows what the punishments were here at the castle?

“This garden’s just beautiful,” said Layra, gazing around. “I never knew you had such a lovely place. It’s just amazing! It's crazy, really."

LaBerge smiled and said, “I do try and keep things in tip top shape. I’m glad you're enjoying like the view. I designed the yard to be a world of its own!”

He then paused briefly, and whispered, “And we’re lucky we’re alone too. My sister would never allow me to be showing Challengers or guests the outside yard. She’s a strict one, you know. Real strict.”

“She’s hosting the Tato match, right?”

LaBerge nodded.

“Yes. And it’s a good thing too. As much as I love my sister, she-” he hesitated, took a hesitant breath and said, “but sometimes I wish she weren’t.”

“What do you mean?” asked Layra, sounding concerned.

Bobby stared up curiously. He could tell the two were tense...LaBerge especially.

“Well,” said LaBerge nervously. “Y-you see, Veego and I aren’t exactly what you’d call your typical brother and sister relationship. I know I shouldn’t be saying this behind her back but...oh, I have to! I can't take this anymore. I can’t stand this!”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, really,” said Layra softly, laying a hand on his shoulder. "If you don't wanna talk about, don't. Really, you don’t have to if-”

“No, I-I want to,” he said shaking his head, trying to hold back tears. “I have to. It’s been driving me crazy, simply crazy! She’s forced me into this whole mess. She’s the one who first accepted the offer from Mr. Kayto to come here and take control of the Quillan Games. It was all her doing, not mine! I wanted no part of it! Really, I didn't! But she was always the boss. She always had to have it her way! She never listened to what I had to say or offer, so she dragged me into this and she’s never left me out of it since. She’s always made fun of me, ever since we were kids, she’d pick on me and call me clown boy and clown freak. She’s never once said one nice thing to me! I know she doesn't like having me around, I can tell. She ignores me whenever she gets the chance and whenever I try and have a good time or put on a smile, she scowls and tell me to keep quiet or shut it. I always tried to be nice to her but she just wouldn’t stop. When we were little, she’d get all the kids at school to come after me. Do you know what it’s like living a life where nobody wants to be around you because they think you’re a freak and an idiot and a goof? All my life, I’ve never had one friend. It’s always been Veego and me, but since she was never there for me, it’s always been me. I tried being a good brother to her, really I did! But she could never get along with me. She always said I was too much of a goof, that I was nothing but a worthless imbecile! It pained me every night knowing my sister thought that about me. All the time, I felt so lonely, like nobody wanted anything to do with me. I know she’s my sister and brothers are supposed to support and encourage their sisters, but...but, she’s just ruining my life! I can’t take it anymore, it's-"

It was at that very moment, LaBerge lost it. He began sobbing. He put his trembling hands in his head and wept as if his whole world were about to crumble.

Layra wrapped her arms around him, closed her eyes and whispered shakily, tears trickling down her cheeks, “It’s okay, LaBerge. I-I’m here for you.”

Bobby watched with unblinking eyes. Layra kept her arms around LaBerge, resting her head on his shoulder while he let it all out. Bobby wondered if that’s why he’d acted like a goof for all that time. Was he really trying to hide and cover up all the pain from his past, present and possible future? It seemed Veego truly was cold, not only to the people around her, but to her own brother. Sure, he'd seen Veego snap at him here or bark at him there but he never had the idea she actually hated the guy, deep down. She'd obviously hurt him enough to make him cry. As much as Bobby hated the guy...he couldn’t help feeling somewhat bad for him all the same. Seeing someone cry was never a fun thing and if all he’d said was the truth, it seemed there was more to the clown goof than he’d thought.

The two stayed like that for what felt like forever. LaBerge pulled away, sniffled, wiped his eyes and looked Layra straight in the eye. Layra couldn’t help frown, seeing the guy in such misery.

He shook his head miserably, his eyes red from crying and laid his head on her shoulder as she stroked his soft, blond hair.

“You’re the only one who’s ever listened to me,” he snivelled. “I’ve always tried to be a good host for my guests and put on as much as I could, but, no one ever cared. They've always ignored me or pushed me away. I hate being part of this whole mess as they do...I'm tired of this! I can't take this anymore. It's ruining me! It means so much to me that you’re here though. Y-you’re the only friend I’ve ever had, Layra. Never in all my years have I had a real, true friend. I can't even tell you what that means to me."

He pulled away, looked her in the eye and sniffed quietly, “Thank you.”

Layra smiled weakly, saying “I’ll always be here for you, LaBerge.”

LaBerge smiled back and stared down at the ground, gathering his thoughts. He’d just revealed his entire past. His mind was still racing.

“I say we do something about this,” said Layra, after a long while.

LaBerge raised his head and said, confused, “Huh?”

“Let’s do something,” she repeated. “Let’s take a stand, you know, go against your sister. You shouldn’t have to put up with this.”

“W-we can’t!” LaBerge cried. “She’s the boss! Getting past her’s practically impossible. She’s already organized the games and, and-” he buried his head in his hands and groaned.

“What?” asked Layra.

“You’re Challenger Black!” he exclaimed gloomily. “You’re part of this! You and Challenger Red together are going to have to play these games, and there’s nothing I can do about it! I-I’m helpless. Blok’s in complete control now, more than ever! Whatever they say goes. There’s no way we’ll change their minds. You've no idea the power they have."

“Please, LaBerge,” said Layra softly, leaning in closer. “I know what I’m asking sounds impossible but, I really do think we have a shot at this. You and I, together. We can show Veego what you’re made of, what we’re made of! She’s treated you terribly. I say it’s about time you did something about it. Don’t let her take control of your life like this, LaBerge! You deserve so much better than this.”

“I know,” he said quietly, dropping his head. “She’s ruined my life a-and I’m tired of it!”

He thought her idea over, for a long, hard while, then said with finalty, his confidence returning, “Hmm, alright, I’m in but we’ve gotta keep this to ourselves. If even a word gets around we’re up to something, we’re both doomed! I’ll be kicked outta Blok and, I can’t imagine what they’d do to you. Please be careful, I-I can’t stand seeing anything happen to you, Layra."

Just then, he did something that totally put Bobby in a freaked out zone. Even after all he’d heard, it was uncalled for. At least...Bobby thought so anyway.

LaBerge, hesitantly at first, leaned forward...and kissed Layra softly on the cheek.

Layra seemed slightly surprised, but she giggled and lowered her head, trying to hide the blush.

“I-I’ll be fine,” she said, smiling. “You take care of yourself, okay?"

“I will!” he assured her. “I’d better get going though. Gotta hurry and make sure I'm up there before Veego gets back. I’ll see you later then?”

“Yeah,” she said, thinking. “How bout at the pool...eight thirty tonight?”

LaBerge smiled, clapping his hands.

“I’ll be there!"

As LaBerge got up and strolled off for the castle, Layra called out, “Bye, LaBerge!”

He turned around, waved back at her, and continued on his way.

Meanwhile, Bobby was staring up at Layra curiously. He decided right then and there he was going to risk it all and barge out. He couldn't help it. After seeing and hearing what he just had, he had to get some serious answers or his mind would explode. So he did.

“Uhh, you’ve got explaining to do!” he said, sitting himself up on the bench.

Layra gasped lightly. She looked him in the eye and could tell Bobby was dead serious.

“Where’d you come from?” she asked, her eyes wide.

“I was, uh...down there,” he said pointing.

Layra looked down and laughed.

“You were down there!” she chuckled. “All this time? Weren’t you uncomfortable?”

“My butt was getting pretty sore,” he admitted. “But I had to get some answers. Look, can you please tell me what’s going on! I’m lost, confused and I gotta get some answers...like now. What’s going on between you and that clown? I wanna know it all...we are partners after all."

Layra sighed, and said, “Alright. I’ll tell you everything. Just please, keep it our secret! If word gets around, LaBerge and I'll be dead, got it? You have to keep this a secret. Okay?"

Bobby nodded and said, "Got it. Now, what's this all about?"