"Sure thing," Barrel said.

He paused to think for a moment.

"Actually, roasted rat would make a [i]great[/i] dinner tonight."

~~~

Shock saw Jack leave first to head for Town Hall, and a while later, Sally. Good. She pulled out the first dose of invisibility potion.

Bottoms up.

It didn't take long for it to take effect. Shock had calculated the amount carefully. It would affect her and anything she carried, and wear off a few minutes after she picked the lock and got inside.

Then she could get to work.

As soon as the potion took effect, Shock scurried down from her hiding place and ran out of the little courtyard and across the square to Jack's house. She made sure no one was nearby to see the gate creak open, then slipped inside and quietly shut the gate.

She grinned as she made her way up the steps. Her foot caught on one. Shock stumbled forward, but didn't think much of it beyond cursing herself for a moment. Right. Don't get [i]too[/i] excited; you're not there yet. She made it the rest of the way without issue, quickly picked the lock, and slithered inside to wait for the effects to wear off so she could begin her work.