Chapter Text
The day started out like any other. However, this day was the one seven year-old Black Sheep anticipated the most. Every December first, V.I.L.E. 's bookkeeper arrived on the island to deliver the organization’s financial records for the year. Black Sheep did not care for such grown-up matters though. Her plan was the same as the past two years: to launch a water balloon attack on the bookkeeper and her Captain.
Black Sheep had no ill will against the Bookkeeper. Being the only child in the entire island filled her with relentless boredom. So, throwing water balloons at the woman was one of the few “fun” things she could think of. Black Sheep loved the adrenaline rush that came from angering the lady and getting away with it. There was nothing like seeing the bookkeeper storming into the academy, dripping wet, demanding for her to be punished only to be brushed off by the faculty. Thus, she would not miss her chance to pull the prank this year.
She had the bucket full of water balloons ready for attack. Black Sheep hid behind a large rock that was facing the dock and waited. The boat arrived on schedule. As always, the Captain came out of the boat first and tied it to the dock. Then, descending from the small ladder, came down Black Sheep’s main target: The Bookkeeper. Without losing sight of the scene, Black Sheep reached into the bucket and got a hold of a water balloon. She slowly rose from behind the rock, lifting her arm with the balloon jiggling on her hand. The girl bit her lip to try to hold her laughter as she slowly swung her arm back.
Black Sheep was aiming at her target when she spotted a smaller figure following behind the Bookkeeper. She stopped right on her tracks. The slippery water balloon jiggled off her hand and exploded on the rock, splashing her shirt. Black Sheep didn’t care though. She was too invested in trying to figure out who this third person was. The girl squinted her eyes and leaned forward on the rock to get a better look. The other small person had long, black, straight hair, and very fair skin.
Could it be? Black Sheep thought to herself. “Another kid? The Bookkeeper brought another kid!” The Bookkeeper, Cookie Booker, quickly made her way up to the island from the dock pulling the small girl who desperately tried to keep up with her mother with her short legs. Sometimes, the girl would fall behind on the steps and Cookie had to pull her up from her arm. “She looks so fragile...” Black Sheep thought. She felt bad for the girl as she watched how she tried to hold on to her mother’s dress so she wouldn’t fall behind. “Julia, I am not going to carry you. You are big enough to walk on your own.” Cookie snapped at the small girl when she tugged on her skirt.
Tears began to well in the girl’s round, brown eyes. Cookie rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Honestly Julia, get yourself together! You are seven years old!”
Black Sheep couldn’t stand seeing this anymore. She rose from behind the rock and made her way towards them as the Bookkeeper and her daughter reached the top of the stairs. “Hello!” Black Sheep shouted excitedly. The pitch of Black Sheep’s voice startled Cookie and Julia. Cookie nearly lost her footing which could have caused her to roll down stairs to the dock. Luckily for her, she was able to regain her balance. She shot an angry look at Black Sheep who was now standing next to her daughter. Her mischievous gray eyes stared back at her with defiance.
“You..” said Cookie with disdain. “If you think you are going to launch another water balloon att-”
“Hi! My name is Black Sheep! Your name’s Julia right?” Black Sheep interrupted before Cookie could finish her sentence. Julia eased her grip on her mother’s skirt and gave Black Sheep a small nod. Her eyes were red and her cheeks stained with her tears. “I’m seven too! Do you want to play with me?” Black Sheep tugged on Julia’s arm. Cookie was not pleased at this sight and got a hold of Black Sheep’s wrist.
“What do you think you are doing, hooligan? What makes you think you can touch my Julia with your filthy hands?” Black Sheep tried to squirm her way out of Cookie’s grip but still tried to keep her hold on Julia. The struggle made Julia more upset and she began to cry once more.
“Problem here?” The struggle came to a halt as Coach Brunt approached the three. Julia was quietly sobbing. “Coach Brunt! You see, your little...thing was tugging on my child. I was just trying to stop her!”
Coach Brunt turned to Black Sheep, “Is that true, Lambkins?” Black Sheep looked at Julia. “I just wanted to play with her. I didn’t mean any harm!”
“See, Cookie? You’re just making a fuss over nothing! You can let go of little Lambkins unless…” Brunt let her words linger. Cookie knew exactly what that meant and let go of Black Sheep’s wrist. Cookie tried to make her way to the Academy once more dragging Julia along with her.
“Hey, Cookie! Do you really want to haul that child along with you while you work on your accounting? Why don’t you just let her hang out with Black Sheep while you’re working? I’m sure she’ll love playing with Lambkins.” suggested the Coach. Cookie shot her a dirty look. She was not about to leave her daughter with that trouble maker. However, agreeing to this offer would get her daughter off of her back for a little while and seeing as how Julia kept tugging at her, she really had no choice but to relent to Brunt’s request. “Fine! But only for this one time.”
Cookie let go of Julia’s hand. “Go. What are you waiting for? You can play with her.” Julia shyly made her way towards Coach Brunt and Black Sheep. Black Sheep couldn’t contain her glee and was bouncing excitedly next to Brunt as Julia walked closer to them. “Don’t worry, Cookie. The nannies will keep a good eye on ‘em.” said Coach Brunt.
“Right.” Cookie turned and walked towards the Academy. “Whatever nannies were looking after that rascal are obviously doing a poor job” she thought to herself. She would be a fool if she didn’t notice the bucket of water balloons that was sitting right next to the rock where the girl emerged from.
“Wait a minute...the child did not attack me this time! Was it because of Julia?" Cookie thought and scratched her chin. "Maybe, bringing Julia with me is not such a bad idea."
Cookie was grateful Julia’s nanny had canceled on her at the last minute. Otherwise, she would have not made this intriguing discovery. She would bring Julia every December first with her, even if it meant her daughter would have to interact with Brunt’s rowdy little menace.