Rita Logan and the Dark Tower: Episode 9

Rita Logan and the Dark Tower

Episode 9:

by Toni Walker

Rita Logan and brothers, Noah and Matt Strong managed to sneak out by doing a typical teenage activity: going to the movies. Rita knew that her parent's wouldn't want her going back to the Dark Tower so soon, especially after what had happened the first time. But if they had really thought about it, they should have realized their daughter wouldn't let this big of a mystery go.

"We should only be gone a couple of hours," Matt reassured them. "And we promise to come straight home.

"See that you do," Rita's father said, his eyes were questioning, as if he didn't quite believe this story but was going to let it go for now.

The three of them hurried to the green beat up station wagon Stephen Strong called his second car. None of them commented on how ugly it was or how unpopular just being seen in it would make them seem. They were just grateful they didn't have to ride their bikes across town.

"Before we get back, we need to read up on this plot of this movie we're supposedly going to," Rita suggested.

"It's an action flick. A lot of stuff blows up. There are cool effects and a love story thrown in for the female viewers," Matt said. "What's there to read up on?"

"Plus," Noah added. "Matt's already seen it like three times."

"It's gonna be a classic!"

"You're too weird," Rita said.

"I know," Matt laughed. "That's why you love me."

Rita chuckled and rolled her eyes. "You wish."

It only took the trio a few minutes to make their way to the dark tower. It loomed above them like a dark beacon. The moon, high in the sky, cast an ominous glow on the restricted area. Rita leaned against the fence while Noah worked on the lock. 

It had been nearly impossible to get into the first time. She hoped something in her backpack would make it easier to enter this time. 

"I have a few ideas about how to get into the tower,"  Matt said pulling a crumpled map out of his bag. 

Noah studied the map momentarily and grabbed Matt's arm. "Wait here. We shouldn't be long."

Rita found herself on the long staircase leading up toward a metal door. She wondered what was inside they wanted to keep so protected. It must have been pretty important considering the thickness of the door. 

Someone wanted to keep snooping eyes away. 

A police car turned onto the road that ran in front of the tower. Rita knew none of them were supposed to be there, so being caught by the police wouldn't be a good thing. 

She hurried down the stairs and hid behind the incline of the steps. She peered over them waiting for the cruiser to pass by. She leaned forward to tuck her head below the stairs as the spotlight from the police car panned over the area. She crouched down even further putting more pressure on the stairway wall. Something gave way beneath her fingertips. Rita fell forward into the darkness. 

* * *

Matt and Noah also noticed the police car cruising around the block. They ducked behind some rusted trash cans and flattened themselves against the building. 

"Dad must have put some extra patrols up," Noah said. "We have to get inside ASAP. He may have some of his men on foot patrol."

"He's such an over-achiever," Matt mumbled. 

Noah fiddled with the lock on the cellar door. He'd borrowed a tool from his dad's kit. It looked like a gun with long thin tweezers on the end. It only had one use, picking locks. 

He stuck the end of the gun into the lock and squeezed the trigger a few times. In a few seconds the padlock was off and they were inside.

"Piece of cake," Matt yelped slipping in behind Noah. "Dad has the coolest toys."

"Dad better not find out we borrowed this. We'll be grounded until we're thirty."

"My lips are sealed bro."

* * *

The darkness surrounded Rita like a blanket. She moaned and opened her eyes to total darkness. 

Noah and Matt heard the crash and came running around the building. The large gaping hole in the side of the stairwell was obvious. Noah shined his flashlight and found Rita crumpled in a ball a few feet down. She wasn't moving. 

Matt climbed down into the hole and took the flashlight from Noah, who followed in his brother's footsteps. 

"Do you think she's all right?" Matt asked. The beam from the flashlight  bounced around the dark area. 

Noah leaned down and felt Rita's pulse but before he could count out the beats, she stirred. 

"She's awake," he said. Noah helped her sit up, but she was a bit wobbly. Matt trained the light on her face. 

"I think she's cut her head," he said. "She's bleeding."

"I'm not surprised. That was a pretty long fall. I hope she doesn't have a concussion. Maybe we should have dad check her out."

"No," Rita protested weakly. "I've made it this far. I want to keep going."

"You are so stubborn," Noah said. 

"Mom says I get that from her."

Rita had to lean against Noah, but she eventually found her footing. She discovered her flashlight broken into three pieces on the floor in front of her. "Great. Now we're out one light."

"We should take you back to the Strong Compound," Matt said. "You really don't look good."

"Will you both stop it? I bumped my head. I'm fine."

Rita leaned against the wall to steady herself and her hand made contact with the light switch. She flipped it up before saying anything to Noah and Matt. They shielded their eyes against the brightness.

"Woah, warn a guy next time. I think I'm going blind." Matt rubbed his eyes and squinted taking a look at the world around him. Tables, cabinets and chains were stacked haphazardly in the small space. 

'What is this place? A grave yard for school supplies?"

Behind the wall of desks peeked a door handle. Rita pointed it out to the boys.

"Maybe we can get in through that door," Rita suggested.

"Or... we could go in the door that doesn't have a million chairs stacked in front of it." Matt suggested.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying," Rita asked.

"We found a way in. Having a sheriff as a dad has its perks," Matt said. "Not to mention really handy tools and an automatic get out of jail free card if something goes drastically wrong.