CHAPTER  THIRTEEN

IN THE CITY

O’Toole looked at the ceiling and shrugged his shoulders.

“We should be going, Mr. Sighs. That’s if you can stay away from trouble for a few hours.” O’Toole looked away from the black goop overhead.

Abby offered her hand to Alexander, but he stared at it like it was deformed. Refusing her help, he got up on his own.

“It wasn’t my fault.” Alexander told the leprechauns while scowling at Abby. “She got me into this and then she disappeared, leaving me in the clutches of that.” Alex pointed to the splotch on the ceiling. “And a billion rats that were determined to eat me.”

“Calm down, Alexander,” Malley folded his shillelagh into a traveling size and placed it into his overstuffed pocket. “First, there were only five-hundred rodents.”

“And I doubt they would’ve eaten more of you than your toes,” added O’Toole.

“Second…” began Malley.

Abby interrupted him. “I’m sorry, Alex, I needed to go for help. I was sure you’d understand.” She took a step towards Alexander with her arms outstretched for a hug.

Alexander took one-step backward and ran into the wall.

“You could’ve taken me with you.” He closed his eyes hoping it would make the oncoming hug a little less gross.

“I’m kinda new to this witch thingy. I didn’t have the strength to take us both.” Abby wrapped her arms around Alex and kissed his forehead. “I promise to get stronger.”

Alexander wiggled free, rubbed the kiss away from his brow, and ran over to O’Toole, being careful not to stumble on the dead rat carcasses. His mouth trembled as he grasped his hands together and pleaded with the leprechauns not to allow Abby to join them.

“My dear friend,” O’Toole patted the top of Alexander’s head. “You’re just weak from hunger and thirst. If you were in your right mind, you’d know the witch will prove invaluable. Mark my words. Besides, the number three is an unlucky number when it comes to quests. The more, the merrier.”

“I thought three was a perfect number and four was the unlucky number.” Malley scratched his head and furrowed his brow.

O’Toole glared at his friend. “You’re mistaken, again. That’s why I’m in charge, and you aren’t.”

“But, but…” Alexander stammered, cut off by a wave of O’Toole’s hand. He’d lost. Abby was going with them.

O’Toole sniffed the polluted air as the dead rat bodies made loud pops and fizzled away in a puff of smoke. The black spot began to inch along the ceiling, removing the leprechaun’s light. “I think we should remove ourselves from here while there’s still enough night. We still have miles to walk tonight. I had hoped to arrive at Pioneer Park by dawn, but will settle for Liberty Park. But we must walk fast.”

A loud growl came from Alexander. The leprechauns and Abby jumped and looked at him as if he was possessed.

“Sorry. I’m just a little hungry.” Alexander tapped his stomach.

The room became dark and cold.

A set of yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. “We’re not open, but I am sure I can find a table for four in the back. I’m sorry to inform you that our waitress Shelly is under the weather, and it might take a few years before she gets to you. I’ll bring you a beer.”

“Don’t trust her,” said Alex and Abby at the same time.

“Oh my,” the voice from the darkness continued, “it’s the young gentleman from this afternoon. Are you still waiting for your lunch? I see your girlfriend’s returned.”

“She’s not my girlfriend. Can we go now?”

“Nobody leaves here, dearie…” She stopped in mid sentence as the glow from a small candle illuminated Malley’s face.

“We’ll just have four hot dogs to go.” O’Toole glared at the hostess. Alex’s stomach rumbled again, and O’Toole quickly amended the order. “Make that five hot dogs.”

“Yes, yes, would you like fries with the order?” the ghost hostess asked.

O’Toole and Malley chanted something in leprechaunese, and POOF—the four of them were standing on the sidewalk outside the diner. Malley reached into his pocket and pulled out the five hot dogs and greasy fries.

“Eat while you walk,” ordered O’Toole, handing Alex two, “And no talking until further notice.” He and Malley tied their completely useless invisibility cloaks around their necks as the group walked down the street. Alexander stifled a laugh as Malley reached around used his cloak as a napkin, wiping his greasy fingers.

“I’m still getting used to their manners,” Alex whispered to Abby as he shoved as much food into his mouth as humanly possible.

                                                                       

They walked in silence. The moonless night heightened Alexander’s uneasiness. He swore he heard the ghost waitress’ voice in the wind, telling him that she still wanted him. Nobody else heard it.

“This is unacceptable,” O’Toole whispered, pointing at his shadow from inside his cloak, as if he still couldn’t fathom the trolls selling him faulty merchandise. “At least the townsfolk seem to do what humans do after a hard day’s work.”

“You mean, most of ‘em,” Malley responded, pointing at a slow moving cart heading their way.

“You know where the park is?” O’Toole asked Abby as the cart trudged slowly in their direction, pulled by a spotted cow. An affirmative nod was all he needed. “We have pressing leprechaun business. It can’t wait. So, we’ll meet you and Alexander there just after sunrise.”

“Not a problem,” said Abby with confidence.

O’Toole turned to Alexander and said, “Oh, please try to stay out of trouble for the next fifteen hours or so.”

Before Alex could say a word, the pair of leprechauns vanished.

                                                                 

Abby and Alexander stood alone under the streetlamp as an old man and his cart stopped next to them.

The rickety contraption looked as if held together by a wish and some string. It carried cheese and extra-large containers of milk. “It’s a little late to be out and about, wee ones,” the driver observed, chewing on his long silver mustache.

“We were on the hill, now we’re on our way to the hospital, kind sir.” Abby curtsied.

“Hill? What hill?”

“You see, I am Jill, my brother here is Jack. We went up the hill to fetch a pail of water,” she smiled. “Jack tripped on a skunk and rolled down the hill, cracking his head on a tree stump.”

“That’s terrible.” The man rearranged his cheese, making a spot for the two children, “Here get in, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Alexander looked at Abby as if she was crazy, but thought it best to remain silent.

Abby smiled and twisted a strand of hair. “No, but thanks. I read somewhere that the best thing for a busted crown-type injury is to walk it off.”

The man frowned and tapped his fingers on his lips. “Where are your parents?”

“Parents?” Abby frowned. “Oh, our parents. Jack is such a klutz. They expected he would need hospitalization, so they’re waiting for us at the hospital. We need to be on our way.”

The man climbed out of the cart. His joints creaked and moaned as stepped onto the ledge. “I insist on taking you to the hospital.”

“That’s nice. We accept.”

Alexander knew she lost her mind and wondered if she’d hit her head too.

She waved to imaginary people across the street. “Oh, look! I see mom and pop.” She grabbed Alexander’s hand and sprinted up the road, pulling a surprised Alex behind her. They stopped when it was clear and the old man was safely about his chores.

Alexander jerked his hand from Abby’s clutches. “Are you crazy?” he asked.

“That was fun, but you have to be more careful. You almost got us captured. We would have been if it wasn’t for my quick wits.” She took hold of Alex’s hands again. “We’ll cause less suspicion if people think we are boyfriend and girlfriend coming home from a late date or something. The park is just a few blocks in that direction.” She pointed to the north and west.

Alexander protested, but decided he was lucky this time. At least she came back for him.