Nicola pressed her face against Quicksilver's feathery neck and remembered Joy's sad, soft face as she sat in the bathroom at Enrico's mansion, telling them about Silent Fred.
There was another voice trying to get her attention. A tiny, mouse-like voice.
Try.
It was Nicola's own voice speaking from a corner of her mind, as if from very far away.
I've got to at least try.
But it's too hard. The feeling is too big. It's like a big black furry animal sitting on top of me, suffocating me.
So fight it.
FIGHT IT!
Nicola lifted her head.
40
Nicola whispered in Quicksilver's ear, 'I know you feel really bad right now but I need you to fly. Can you do that for me? Please?'
Quicksilver lifted his head slightly. He sighed, as if he was exhausted, but then he flapped his wings and carried Nicola into the air. The two hovered above the crowd, Quicksilver breathing heavily. Nicola lifted the macrophone Joshua had given her earlier and began to chant. Her voice trembled and cracked.
Enrico, Enrico, your day has come!
Enrico, Enrico, get ready to run!
We know all your phobias, every single one!
Enrico, Enrico, your day has come!
Nothing happened. Quicksilver flapp
ed his wings weakly and Nicola watched the people below, sobbing, wailing or simply lying on the ground, as if flattened by despair.
Nicola took a deep breath and tried again.
Enrico, Enrico. . .
She saw Topaz lift her head with difficulty. A minute later Topaz and her ShobGobble were hovering beside Nicola.
'What are we doing?' asked Topaz. Her face seemed lined with exhaustion.
'I'm not sure,' admitted Nicola. 'I remember reading somewhere about the power that's created when a whole crowd of people chant together. It's worth a try.'
Topaz smiled weakly.
Enrico, Enrico. . .
As their two voices melded together, they became louder and stronger.
They were joined next by Katie, followed by Sean, Shimlara and the others.
Then slowly, one by one, the people of Shobble lifted their heads, straightened up and joined in the chant. The sound of their voices began to boom across the countryside. Frowns cleared. People began to smile and then laugh.
'It's gone!' shouted someone. 'The despair is gone!'
Enrico's face was filled with fear and disgust. 'Why isn't the Despair Gas working?' he cried at the Thugs. 'What have you fools done wrong?'