The Revenge of Dr Von Burpinburger by John Heffernan

Let him go you unadulterated scoundrel.’ She lashed out with her umbrella, striking the doctor on the head.

    Brique and Burpinburger spun around and scurried down the stage stairs, into the hall. But here the students blocked their way. ‘Let him go,’they chanted, stamping their feet and pressing in on the pair.
    â€˜Never!’ the doctor shouted. He held up Einstein for all to see. ‘If I can’t have him, no one will. Keep back!’ The doctor then squeezed Einstein so tight that the mouse squeaked in pain. ‘I’m warning you,’ he shouted. ‘If anyone tries to stop me, I’ll squeeze the last bit of life out of his little body. You hear? I’ll kill him!’
    But the students still moved closer, chanting and booing. The doctor squeezed harder. Einstein turned purple, gasping for air.

BIRD BOMBS AWAY!
    â€˜He means it,’ Eric yelled as loud as he could. ‘Please, everyone. Move back! Otherwise he’ll kill Einstein. I know he will.’
    After a few seconds, the students eventually did as Eric asked. The doctor released his grip, though only a little. Then he and Brique moved through the crowd of students, out of the hall and into the school grounds.
    Everyone followed the evil pair. Eric was closest of all, his eyes on Einstein, thought-talking with his little mate.
    Try to wriggle free , he urged Einstein. Enough so you can bite him.
    I’m trying , the mouse replied. But I need more time. Slow them down if you can.
    â€˜Please,’ Eric begged the doctor. ‘Can’t we talk about this?’
    â€˜No way,’ the doctor snarled.
    The two villains kept moving through thegrounds towards the main gate. Eric felt utterly helpless, utterly hopeless. Einstein’s voice rang in his head. Don’t let them take me! The mouse was wriggling and squirming to free himself, but the doctor’s hold was far too tight.
    That’s when something quite unexpected happened.
    As they reached the school gate, a taxi screeched to a halt, and Eric’s parents leapt out.
    Eric couldn’t believe his eyes. ‘Mum, Dad – what are you doing here?’
    Before Mr and Mrs Wimpleby could say anything, Dr von Burpinburger pushed in front of them. ‘Excellent,’ he laughed, nodding at the taxi. ‘Just what the doctor ordered.’
    â€™Wait, Eric’s mother pleaded. ‘Can’t we help sort this out in some way?’
    â€˜You’ve already been a great help,’ the doctor replied. ‘You’ve provided me with this wonderful getaway car.’
    â€˜No, I mean isn’t there something else we can do to –’
    â€˜Yes, there is something else,’ the doctor snapped. ‘You can get out of the way!’
    Eric’s father stepped towards the doctor.
    â€˜We can pay.’ He produced a wad of money and began peeling off one-hundred-dollar notes. ‘I know you want to turn this mouse into a movie star. And I can understand that; he’s a real character. But why don’t we go into business together on this?’Mr Wimpleby peeled off more notes. ‘Go ahead, name your price. Whatever you want.’
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous,’ the doctor hissed. ‘He’s priceless.’ Then he squeezed Einstein until the mouse squealed again. ‘Now out of the way – or it’s curtains for the mouse!’
    â€˜It’s no good, Dad,’ Eric said. ‘You have to let him pass!’
    Mr Wimpleby backed off, and the doctor and his assistant continued on their way. Everyone watched in tense, sad silence.
    But then, when the villains were only a few metres from the taxi, that silence was broken by a sound Eric knew only too well.
    The sound of wings.
    What a sight! Hundreds of birds were descending upon the school. The sky was thick with them.
    Luke was leading the pack. He was heading straight for Dr von Burpinburger, preparing to launch the biggest bum-bomb ever