tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708558047131563742024-02-08T10:08:56.725-06:00I can't be OCD (the letters aren't in alphabetical order I am CDO)raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-89916640091758445182020-09-09T19:49:00.000-05:002020-09-09T19:49:14.514-05:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 2.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="CSP-ChapterTitle">I am Sam, Sam I am<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara finally swam up the beach, exhausted, as the sun was coming up.
Gathering up her final last ounce of strength, she pulled herself up onto the
beach so the waves pounding on the sand would not get her feet wet. She lay
with her backpack as a pillow and watched the beautiful cloudless green sky.
She looked up and down the deserted beach and contemplated how she would get
off the island, but the beach was not exactly deserted. Farther down the shore
were many large birds picking up crabs, and other small animals tossed up on
the shore by the waves. They had seen the beach toss her up and were heading
straight for her at a breakneck pace and with a hungry look on their faces. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Might I suggest we find another location before you rest? The natives
are hungry,” said a muffled voice from out of nowhere. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara was shocked. “I know I talk to myself, but that was not me. I know
it wasn’t.” She searched for the source of the voice. The only living things
she saw were the birds, and they were closer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I believe we should make haste and vacate the immediate area. Those
Canaboro birds are quite agitated.” Sara looked around for the source of the
voice but, except for her backpack and the menacing birds, she was alone.
“Sara, run now and question the whereabouts of my voice later, or you may not
have the opportunity to meet me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara forced her exhausted body to stand up, grab the backpack, and run
into a copse of palm trees just off the beach where she finally collapsed.
Fortunately, once she was off the sand of the beach, the Canaboro birds were no
longer interested in her and walked along the beach picking up clams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That was a little too close for my liking Sara.” Somehow, the eerie
voice had followed her to her hiding place. “Young lady, is it your intention
to keep me in this dark place for the rest of our adventure?” The voice was
coming from her backpack. “Might I make a suggestion that we meet? I might be
very useful to you. No, Sara, you are not losing your mind, so please release
me from the satchel post-haste.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara unzipped her backpack and sorted through the items inside. Nothing
appeared to have the ability to speak. There was her hairbrush, her clothes,
her Doritos. “You could help by telling me what you are. Talking objects are
not my thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Humph, I’m insulted. It is evident to me, of all these talismans in
here, only I would be able to talk. Don’t get me wrong, all these amulets and
trinkets will be very useful for our adventure, but they are certainly not
intelligent like me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara continued going through the items in her backpack. She pulled out
Huckleberry Finn. “Mr. Thompson told me you would keep me company.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And he was so right. I am a highly intelligent enchanted book; my name
is Sam, pleased to meet your acquaintance, Miss Sara.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wow.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hmmph, a limited vocabulary I see. I guess not all of us can be of
superior intelligence.” Sara just sat and looked at the book, dumbfounded. “Are
you quite finished staring at me child? We have a lot of information to go over
and very little time in which to cover it. Sara, Sara, I cannot help you
without direct participation from yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, sorry Mr. Finn, What can I do to help you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You can start by remembering that my name is Sam, Sam Clemens.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, sure Mr. Clemens.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“First I must tell you a few rules must be adhered to when speaking of
an enchanted book such as myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The first rule, I may only assist you three times. Unfortunately,
helping you get off the beach and away from those mean looking birds must count
as one of my assists. That, of course, leaves you two more. Please use them
wisely. The second rule, you may ask me three questions, only three, and they
must be asked the first time the book is opened, which of course is now. Please
use the questions now. Choose wisely, Sara.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara tried to think of what questions she needed an answer to. There
were so many of them. But, since she only had three choices, she needed to
organize her thoughts and ask the questions that would give her the most
information. “Okay, my first question is: where have my evil aunts taken my
mother? My second question is.…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sam interrupted her, “Please, one question at a time. The answer to
question one is: Janet and Maggie have just recently tried and convicted your
mother of treason. She will soon be transferred to Doldunt Prison where she
will be summarily executed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara laid her face in her hands and began to cry. “It’s just not fair.
I can’t do this. How can I rescue her from prison, they’ll have guards and
everything. I need help.” Sara looked up and brightened, “Hey my father could
help. He’s smart, and he’s strong, and he’s not just thirteen years old. My second
question is: where is my father?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The answer to your second question is your father is the commander of a
ragtag army for Libero Salus. He is currently located in Hemit's Cave which is
many miles south of here. Sorry, but I cannot divulge any other information
until it has happened but, I fear a change in your father’s status. He might be
in jeopardy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then I have to get to him right away. I need to warn him. How do I, I
mean, my third question is: how do I get off this deserted island and get to
this Hemit's Cave.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sam did not answer that question right away. It was as if Sara had
asked a question with no answer, wasting her last question. Finally, Sam spoke,
“I am sorry Sara, and I don’t have an answer to that question. However, there
is one on the island that might have the answer. He has a small shack about
three miles to the west. You must find him and convince him it is time to get
off the island. He has been here for three hundred years, and he is your only
hope.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara wanted to make her mother proud by being polite. “Thank you for
your help, Sam. Which way is west from here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If books had a heart to break, Sam’s heart surely would have been
broken. “Sara, dear Sara, I wish you had phrased your last statement
differently. All you had to say was thank you that would have been sufficient.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why, what’s wrong with what I said?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am sorry, but wizard rules are binding and cannot be altered. You
called the answers to my questions as help, which means that indirectly I
helped you. I wish I could change the law, but I cannot. My first help was to
get you off the beach. When you thanked me for helping you locate your father
that constituted the second help.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“How could I possibly have known that Sam, it isn’t fair, can’t I take
it back?” She paused, waiting for Sam to say he would make an exception just
this one time, but he said nothing. “Well, at least I have one help left. I
promise to be careful not to waste that one.” Sam was quiet. “I do have one
more left, don’t I?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, Sara, I am so sorry, but the simple fact is, as I’m sure you
remember, you asked me which direction west was. Once I answer that, and I am
bound to answer it, you can’t take it back; it will be your third and last
help. I can’t change the rules. Sara, the West is opposite the rising sun. I am
sorry Sara, but I must now return to my dormant state. I wish I could do more.
Please return me to your dark satchel. Don’t worry. I’ll be just fine. You can
always read me anytime you like. Please put me in the satchel now Sara. I do
not want to get wet. The storm you created has followed you, and it is about to
rain. Good luck.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara placed Sam into her backpack as the torrential rains began.<o:p></o:p></span></p>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-77201483671382074782020-09-04T10:55:00.000-05:002020-09-04T10:55:18.404-05:00<p> </p><h1 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Chapter Twenty<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 2.0pt;"> </span></p>
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<p class="CSP-ChapterTitle">When All is Lost, Blame the Lizard<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Alive. All of Percy’s crew survived the storm, except Sara. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">The pirate’s battered ship drifted lethargic on the open seas for
hours. The ship and the crew were entirely at the mercy of the sea. Their sails
had been ripped to shreds by the howling winds and were now nothing more than
sticky, gooey duct tape and tattered material. The rudder had not withstood the
raging waves; it had broken off into tiny pieces soon after the storm began.
The crew was helpless. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">After the storm had subsided, the crew did a frantic search for Sara,
only to come up empty-handed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“I’m sure I saw her in the company of two dolphins.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Ye be daft, the sea monster be eatin’ the lil lady as she ate me,
crew. She be in Davy Jones locker now me hearty’s, we best be a figerrin’ out
how to find a way to land.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“I see some land over there,” Cedric bellowed from the crow’s nest as
he pointed towards an outcropping of trees on the horizon. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Avast ye scurvy varmint of a landlubber, if ye be a pirate, and ye be
a pirate now, lest ways ye could talk like one. That would be land ho. Arrgh;
at least ye could get that part of the sayin’ right.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Cedric mumbled, “Whatever.” under his breath.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Would that be a bit of insubordination, Mr. Lizard?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“No, I am sorry, what I said was. However, you want me to talk like is
okay by me. LAND HO.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“That be the way to say it, land ho? LAND HO? We be saved me hearties.
Now, we best be a figgerin’ how to get this mighty ship to shore. Did the oars
survive the storm?” Judging from the look on the ogre’s face, which is not a
simple task considering an ogre’s face always looks frightening, Percy could
tell the answer was no. The oars had not survived the storm. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">The crew had begun to gnaw on each other’s nerves. They were all upset
about losing Sara, for different reasons of course, and they had been drifting
on the ocean with no sight of land. They all looked out over the water to see
when they could see the land Cedric had sighted. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Cedric was excited, now that they had sighted land, he could finally
rid himself of his ridiculous companions. It would have been easier if the
young girl had cooperated and survived the storm. When one’s mind is set on
kidnapping for capital gain, it is always better to have a victim. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“I see it too. I see land, I mean, land ho,” shouted Chase, he was very
excited to get off the water finally and back onto safe, dry land. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Aye, that there be Tenebrae up yonder, an’ that port ahead be
Abercrome. Other than Tenebrae City, there be no eviler city in the land. We
will not be a landin’ there. There be a small beach to the west. We can land
there in secluded safety.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“But Percy, why not land in the harbor?” asked Bill the Ogre. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Who be the captain and who be the cook?” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Who has been your friend for years, Percy?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Avast we can’t do that, ye sees the whole city be full of cutthroats,
despots, miscreants, and bankers. The latter of which would rather string this
ol’ pirate up, than have eye to eye sit down meetin’ with him,” whispered
Percy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Oh, I get it. You owe them money, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Aye, twas they that did finance this once grand ship. If they be
seeing what’s become of her, they would be a-wantin' their money returned.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Why don’t you repay the bankers with some of the money poor Sara paid
you?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Don’t be daft Bill. I be a pirate, not a regular citizen type. Pirates
pillage and plunder, not repay debts to landlubbing bankers. Hard to starboard,
First-Mate,” bellowed Percy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Ok Captain, Aye, Aye, just one slight question, which way is
starboard?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Avast ye scallywag, starboard be to the west from where we stand.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Ok, to the west it’ll be Cap. Oh, Cap, I’ve turned the wheel, but we
aren’t moving.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Percy rolled his eyes, “That be because we lost our rudder, ye
landlubber.” Percy ripped up a board on the deck of the ship, leaned over the
back of the ship, and put the board in as the rudder. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Hey, we’re moving now Captain. To the west it’ll be, Cap,” shouted
Chase. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Arrrggghhh I be surrounded by nothing but landlubbing scurvy dogs. Mr.
First-Mate that’ll be Aye Aye Sir.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Ok. Aye Aye Sir, does that make you feel better?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Avast ye scurvy dog, jus’ set the ship ashore. Don’t be givin’ this
ol’ sea-goin' cap trouble.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“I see the beach,” shouted Cedric. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Avast ye lizard, as I told ye, that’ll be beach ho. Get it right. Ah
never ye mind, all make ready to go ashore.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Captain,” Bill tapped on Percy’s shoulder. “We should make a swift
exit.” He pointed towards the sea monster headed straight for the ship. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Abandon ship. And be making it fast.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Chase, Cedric, Bill, and Percy scrambled off the deck of the ship into
a waiting dinghy as the sea monster’s tentacles pulled what was left of the
ship underwater. Fluffy the sea monster finally had his true love in tow,
followed by two very colorful dolphins. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Once on the beach, the crew lay down on the sand, relieved to be safe.
Chase bent down and kissed the earth and then spent several minutes spitting
sand out of his mouth. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Percy looked over at Bill, “Shiver me timbers, looks as if we be
needin’ to repay a few bankers and getting us a new grand ship while we be at
it.” He slapped Bill on the back. “Ye two scurvy dogs stay put, ye hide as best
ye can and don’ let the locals get a hold of ye.” Turning to Bill, he said, “Ye
be ready Master Cook? Les go see some bankers.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“I am as ready as I can be. Are you sure I won’t scare your banker
friends, me being an ogre and all?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Avast, matey, ogres be no problem in Abercrome. Ye won’ be a scarin’
nobody. Tis, the bankers we be worrin’ ‘bout, they may be scarin’ ye.” He and
Bill turned and walked towards Abercrome.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Cedric waited for just the right moment until Bill and Percy had
disappeared up the trail before he made his escape. Chase sat down on a large
log and wondered where the lizard was running off to but decided he didn’t
care. He was glad to be rid of him. He had never trusted Cedric, and with the
lizard leaving when he did, it proved him right. Chase himself felt no more
need to contact his superiors. They wanted Sara alive. They would be
disappointed to find out she had died and Chase had never liked giving bad news
to his employers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Chase had become fond of Sara. While sitting on the beach, staring at
the ocean, he decided to carry out her mission. Tempted to head towards Doldunt
Prison immediately, he decided it best to wait and tell Percy when he returned.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">He turned his back to the sea and stared down the path taken by Percy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Ahoy Matey,” the sound came from behind him. He turned and saw the
grandest ship he had ever seen floating in the water. Standing on the deck was
Pirate Percy, Bill the Ogre, and several new crew members. Chase smiled. Those
new crew members would make it a lot easier to tell the pirate he wanted to
leave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Bill the Ogre was standing next to Percy, and he was smiling. Ogres
never smile. This could be bad news. The ogre shouted, “Ahoy First-Mate, bet
you had given up on us returning. We almost didn’t make it. An angry banker is
someone to reckon with.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Arrghhh will ye tell him our news ye landlubbing ogre. Dern bankers,
they be worse than pirates. Avast them scurvy bankers be chargin’ me triple the
goin’ rates for me new ship. On tops of making me repay for the ship, we did
lose. Shiver me timbers an blow me down. A pirate can’t make a dishonest day
livin’ anymore. Tis a sorry state we be a-livin' in.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Okay Percy, now don’t rush me. I’m getting there….”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“I see you have a new crew,” interrupted Chase, “that will make what I
have to say easier….”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">Ogre Bill interrupted him, “I was first. I said I had news before you
did. You have to wait your turn.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“That’s okay Bill. I can wait to tell my decision. Please go first.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Well, see, seems as we, Percy and myself, came to an important
decision on the trail to see the bankers. This involves you and Cedric. Where
is Cedric, by the way?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Looks like the lizard turned yellow and high-tailed it out of here,
with his tail between his legs.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Well it is his loss, we will have to go without him, I never trusted
him anyway.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“News, ogre, you said you had news. Will you get on with it? Don’t
forget I have news too, and I want to get it over with as soon as possible.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“News? Oh yes, our news, Chase, I will get right to the point. We have
unanimously decided to complete Sara’s quest and rescue her mother from Doldunt
Prison. There, I’ve said it, are you in or out Chase?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“I said we are going to spring Sara’s mother out of Doldunt Prison.
Isn’t that a great idea? It will be kind of a memorial to the child, are you in
or out?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">A quick smile crept on to Chase as he answered, “That is the very least
we can do. I am in, of course.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Great, I just knew we could count on you. Your turn Chase, what was it
you wanted to tell us?” asked Bill. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">“Never mind, I must have already forgotten.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Cedric had stopped in the high grass just beyond the beach. He could not
stand his lizard disguise any longer. An elegant ship pulled into the deserted
beach harbor as he was changing from Cedric the Lizard back into Cedric the
Newt. To his surprise, Percy and Bill were piloting the ship and they were
conversing with Chase, something about bankers, how boring. Cedric tuned them
out as he continued to change. “Was that Sara’s name?” he thought as he
listened closer to the conversation. “So, they plan on breaking Sara’s mother
out of prison? That information might make me rich. Of course, I do need to
convince the princesses about the untimely death of their niece. If all goes
well, I might be able to retire after this.” Armed with the information about
the plot to break Sara’s mother out of prison and the article he had stolen
from her backpack, Cedric headed south towards his future new-found wealth. If
newts could smile, surely he would be smiling.</span>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-4871804650653619052020-07-04T09:20:00.001-05:002020-07-04T09:20:59.118-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chapter Nineteen</h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dim, Whit, and Fluffy the Near-sighted Sea Monster<br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fluffy wished he had better eyesight. He wanted to see the love of his
life a little clearer so he could save her from the storm. Unfortunately, his
sea monster health insurance did not cover vision. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fluffy suspected sorcery to be the cause of the sudden storm. Having
once been the pet of Queen Hillary, he knew all about sorcery. If it hadn’t
been for her sweet daughters, Abigail and Elizabeth, he would still be
suffering from the evil antics of the Queen and her other daughters.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fluffy rushed to the object of his affection as a huge wave threatened
to smash against her. She was infested with those fragile, bad tasting humans
again. Standing on the top of the future girlfriend was a small child. No,
Fluffy cursed his bad eyesight. It looked like- it WAS Elizabeth, his childhood
playmate, and rescuer. He blinked once, twice, but it was her. “It’s amazing;
she hadn’t aged a day since she rescued me when she was 13. She must be a very
powerful sorceress.” This left Fluffy with a terrible dilemma. Should he save
his dearest love from the storm, or should he save the person that had saved
him from the terrible fate the Queen and her twin daughters had planned for
him? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shiver me timbers, mates. This be one nasty storm. All ye landlubbers
best be tying yourself up to anything that’s taped down, we will be riding this
storm out. Pray to the powers that we don’t get crushed by the….” Percy stopped
giving his distress orders as he looked towards Sara, actually behind her, his
face eschewed in fear and terror. “Avast, Sara me hearty, don’t look behind ye,
looks as if we have company.” Clammy tentacles rose from the churning ocean.
Sara’s eyes widened only moments before the ten-foot, slimy tentacle wrapped
around her midsection tightly. She tried everything humanly possible to wrench
free from her captor, but there was nothing she could do. The tentacles wrapped
tighter and refused to let her go. Pleading for help with her eyes and with a
despairing look on her face, she managed a weak wave good-bye with her pinky
finger as she was pulled into the briny deep and to her impending doom. Banned
from crying by the pirate code, the water flowing from Percy’s eyes was merely
rain from the storm.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cedric, duct taped to the mast, watched in horror as his meal ticket
disappeared into the abyss of the ocean, clutched by those horrific tentacles.
He would have been paid handsomely when he presented Sara to them, but his
dreams of fame and fortune had just vanished into the ocean. He had managed to
steal a small article from her backpack. If he survived this cursed storm, he
would rush to his employers with the stolen article. Hopefully, it would
convince them of Sara’s untimely demise, and he would still get a healthy
compensation for his troubles. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chase screamed as he saw Sara sink beneath the waves, remembering the
time he had nearly drowned at the age of eight. Aware he was about to die, he
thought of the day he came home from a job and found his wife and five-year-old
daughter gone. His eyes welled up with tears. Chase didn’t know about the
pirate code forbidding tears. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She was a goner. All her hopes and dreams for saving her mother
vanished when the tentacles wrapped around her. Her only remaining question was
whether she would die from drowning or as the sea monster’s dinner. She wiggled
and writhed and tried to free herself, finally stopping her struggle as she
gazed into the gentle, affectionate, puppy-like eyes of the sea monster.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The sea monster was not eating her. He was talking with a couple of
brightly colored dolphins </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara had seen dolphins before, at Sea World. They were charming and
brilliant, but none of the ones she had seen were red or midnight blue as these
dolphins were. The red dolphin looked at Sara and then continued his conference
with the monster. Finally, the chatter ceased, and the Dolphins turned to look
at Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The midnight blue dolphin looked at her and said, “He tells me you're
Elizabeth. He is sure about it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Surprised the dolphin could talk and that she could understand him,
Sara was speechless for one of the few times in her life. She could only stare
at the dolphin and hope it would not be considered rude. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pardon my friend’s impoliteness. I am Dim,” said the red dolphin. “My
rude friend here is Whit, and this big galoot standing next to us is Fluffy.
Please allow me to continue where Mr. Rudeness here left off. Fluffy had
mistaken you for a young girl he used to play with when he was a young chap, at
least twenty years ago. We have been attempting to convince him that you could
not be the same girl because you would have aged in twenty years.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Whit chimed in, “Fluffy will not be swayed. He is convinced you are
Elizabeth. He is very stubborn, as are most sea creatures- except dolphins of
course.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, my mother’s name is Elizabeth, but she never mentioned playing
with a sea monster when she was a child. Come to think of it. She never
mentioned anything about her childhood.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Whit and Dim returned to Fluffy to confer, both of them glancing over
their dorsal fins at Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are sorry, but if you don’t mind us prying into your background, we
really can’t find another way around it. Fluffy is insistent. Is your mother,
Elizabeth, any relationship to that evil Queen Hillary?” asked Dim.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I regret to say. I am Queen
Hillary’s granddaughter.” Whit and Dim moved away from her. “My mother is the
Queen’s daughter, but she isn’t mean like the Queen. Neither am I.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dim and Whit conferred with Fluffy again. Fluffy came up to Sara and
rubbed his tentacles in her hair. “Fluffy is very happy to meet you if you can tell.”
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As a sea horse the size of a refrigerator swam by, Sara smiled at
Fluffy. “I’m happy to meet him too. Do you know why I can breathe underwater?
I’ve never done it before.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dim answered, “All sea creatures can breathe underwater.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am not a sea creature, see, no webbing,” she said as she held up her
hands. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dim and Whit swam around her, “You are right, you are not a sea
creature.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is that on your palm, Sara?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She hid her hands behind her back, “It’s nothing, just a scar.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please let me see your palm again, Sara,” asked Dim. She reluctantly
showed him her palm. Dim peered at her palm with great interest. He turned her
palm over and over with his dorsal fin. “Whit, come here and see this, come get
a load of the star on her palm.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on Dim. It’s not as if we haven’t seen a starfish before.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not starfish, you dim-whit. I said star. I swear you never pay
attention to me.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ok, don’t get your flippers in a tizzy. May I please see your palm,
Sara, before Dim gets all upset? He overreacts to the simplest of things.” Sara
placed her palm straight out so Whit could see it. “Oh, my, it’s true, she is
the one.” Fluffy continued stroking her with his tentacle. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s wrong with the star on my palm?” She looked at her palm. “It’s
red. I’ve never seen it red before, what does red mean?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“There are stars, and there are STARS. Technically there is nothing
wrong with your palm, your grace. Whit and I are humbled to be in your
presence, that’s all.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara exclaimed, “Okay, so now you know the truth, but I’m not bad, I
promise.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dim, you should explain to Her
Majesty about the prophecy,” said Whit, “I never paid attention to Sea Creature
Prophecy Class 101.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Sara, you see all of us sea creatures are under a curse, an evil
spell. We used to be able to breathe on land and in the sea. Many had homes on
land, and a few were close friends to the royal family. When Queen Amelia
married Count Doldunt all that ended. The Count, being very evil and jealous of
the friendships between Amelia and the sea creatures, convinced our dear Queen
to turn against us, her loyal subjects, and faithful friends. An ancient
prophecy suggests, let me think, oh yes, ‘Two thousand years alone in the Sea,
but a scarlet star will make them free.’”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are so honored to be here Your Majesty and witness this momentous
occasion.” Whit bowed to Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, that is all cool. But, I’m not the person you think.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It would explain why you can breathe underwater.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, even if I were the
prophecy person, which I don’t believe, what I need right now is to get to
Tenebrae. My mother was kidnapped, and they are holding her there. Can Fluffy
take me there? That is where the ship was headed when Fluffy rescued me.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dolphins spoke with Fluffy. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fluffy refuses to take you to the Queen’s land. He is afraid the Queen
will capture him again. The Queen’s law prohibits sea creatures from nearing
her lands.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We can take you to an island. From there you can continue your
journey.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not sure how I will do what
you ask, but if the opportunity ever arises, I will certainly release you.
However, I’m not sure you are right about me being the prophecy child, though.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, we are convinced. Are you ready Your Majesty?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, I am.” She put one arm around Dim’s dorsal fin and the other arm
around Whit’s. The two dolphins were speeding towards the southwest. Sara’s
exhaustion finally overcame her, and she was fast asleep before they had
traveled a few hundred feet. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She woke up as Dim prodded her with his bottle shaped nose.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara, we have arrived. The beach is only a bit further. You must swim
the rest of the way.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have tried to keep your
pouch dry,” chimed in Whit as he handed her the backpack, which had been
transported inside a giant clam.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-10008618594708905452020-07-01T09:57:00.001-05:002020-07-01T09:57:05.864-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198154">Chapter
Eighteen</a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198154;">The North
wind doesn’t Play Fair with Others</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198154;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara looked over the rest of the crew. Cedric was there. She wasn’t
sure if she should trust him. He seemed harmless enough, and he wasn’t an
amphibian, but still, he gave her the creeps.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Standing on the other side of the pier was an enormous man with a
tattoo of a dragon on his arm. He was looking down at the water and didn’t look
like he felt too well. He said his name was Chase. Sara stared at the dragon
tattoo. Dragons are evil in all the stories I’ve read so he must be evil too.
Besides, he gave her the creeps too. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara thought to herself, “I have developed a case of
creepydudesaphobia.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chase was pacing up and down the pier and occasionally, looking in
Sara’s direction and shaking his head in disgust and mumbling under his breath.
Sara had no idea what she had done to offend him. Cedric, on the other hand,
was trying his best to get on Sara’s good side. Sara imagined him as a wolf in
sheep’s clothing. He was trying too hard. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Isn’t that a grand ship, Sara? Think about it Sara, the two of us
sailing the ocean blue together. I believe that we will become the best of
friends.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara thought of her real best friend, Tiffani. The last time she had
seen her, she was in the garden at the White Star Manor. It seemed so long ago,
but it had only been two days. “I am sorry Cedric, I wasn’t paying attention,
and what did you say?” Sara, of course, heard every word he said but hoped he
would take the hint and go away. She turned her head away from Cedric. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s okay Sara. It don’t matter. I was saying I was glad to meet
you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sorry Cedric, I wasn’t paying attention again.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chase stopped pacing long enough to give Sara a sly smile. He didn’t
like Cedric very much either. The smile shocked Sara. Chase was creepy but,
when he smiled, he reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t recall who. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Here comes Percy and Bill,” exclaimed the lizard. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s about time,” Sara thought to herself, as she turned to look in
the direction the pirate was coming from. Sara’s jaw dropped, Percy was indeed
walking towards them, but Sara couldn’t see anyone named Bill. All she could
see was the large ogre with the greasy apron. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ahoy me, mates,” said Percy. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara noticed Chase was now standing next to her. She tried moving over,
but Cedric was standing on the other side. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We ready to go?” asked Chase, gruffly, “Staying in one place for too
long gives me the willies. What’s with the ogre?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara turned her head and gave Chase a harsh stare. He was certainly not
being very polite, and the ogre looked like he could eat Chase in only one or
two bites.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey sis, don’t look at me that way. I don’ care for ogres. I don’ care
for wizards. I care even less for baby wizards.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara turned red, not from embarrassment, but from anger. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chase continued, “Hey fancy schmancy pirate, that ship of yours looks
to be in bad shape. Are you sure it can take us all the way to Tenebrae?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Avast ye scurvy dog that ye be. It will be respect ye be paying this
ol’ Cap'n. If ye show disrespect to me again, I’ll be throwin’ ye overboard. Is
that clear to ye, lily-livered landlubber?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chase answered, “I mean no disrespect Captain. I meant I am ready to
leave, that’s all.” Sara turned to Chase and smiled. He glared at her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Turning to Bill, the ogre, Percy exclaimed, “Aarrghh me hearty, looks
as if we have one scallywag, one sprog and one fine young lass that be going on
this voyage with us.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Looks as if, Captain,” remarked Bill.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, let’s be runnin’ up the Jolly Roger and go on the account.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bill, Cedric, Chase, and Sara stared at Percy. Not one of them
understood what the pirate had said. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Arrgghhh, why be ye all a-standin' there. A black spot on ye all.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sorry Percy, we don’t understand.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shiver me timbers ye scurvy dogs. I said let’s be flyin’ the jack and
be off. Arrrghhh ye landlubbers, let’s raise our flag and get on the ship. Now
do ye understand?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All three crew members nodded, and they walked over to the large
dilapidated ship anchored in the harbor. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Avast ye squiffy, that grand vessel be not mine. Mine be on the
starboard side.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The crew members scurried along the pier to get to the starboard side.
To a man, they were all overjoyed that the dilapidated ship was not the ship
they would be sailing on. After reaching the starboard side, they all wished
the dilapidated ship was the ship they would be sailing on. There was no way
that the ship they saw before they could be seaworthy. There were two by fours
holding the back of the boat together. The mast was duct taped together. The sails
had been repaired with staples and bailing wire. The rudder had been replaced
with a hockey stick, and there were huge teeth marks on the steering wheel. The
ship looked like it came from the reject pile at Ships R Us. There was no way
this ship would make it out to sea, let alone Tenebrae. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chase was concerned, he needed to get Sara to his employers in
Tenebrae, and he was weighing other options inside his mind. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cedric was in the same predicament. His employers were also waiting for
Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bill, on the other hand, could only wish the person he had sold the
Rusty Anchor to was hiring now. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Percy followed behind his crew. “Ta-Da,” he said as the crew got their
first look at his not-so-grand ship. “Afore any of ye lily-livered landlubbers
get the wrong idea about me ship. I be almost sure she be seaworthy. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chase was the first to speak, “Captain, you can count me out. There is
no way I would be caught dead in that heap of junk.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cedric started to speak when Percy retrieved papers from under his hat.
“Avast ye scurvy dogs, need I be reminding ye of the fine print in the
contracts ye all signed?” Percy pulled a magnifying glass out of his pocket and
began to read the fine print. “Says here- ye all swore an oath to honor the
pirate code of conduct. Soon as ye all signed your X on the contracts, ye
scurvy dogs became pirates. I will not be goin’ over all the codes, twas your
business to familiar yourself with them afore you made your mark. Ye all be
pirates now, and as pirates, ye will all obey the code. If anyone of ye be
thinkin’, ye can back out now ye would be sight fully wrong. Ye would be
considered as mutineers. The punishment for mutiny be a black spot on ye. If ye
not be a knowin’ what a black spot be, well it means a journey to Davey Jones'
Locker. Also, mutineers will not be seeing Fiddlers Green, tis the locker for
your souls. Do I make meself clear?” No member of the crew dared move. “Good,
it be time to shove off. Ye be ready Lass?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am ready Percy. How long will it take to get to Tenebrae?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well Lass, with calm seas, and no sea monster, the journey would be
about two days.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Two days,” said Sara, forlorn. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye,” stated the pirate. Turning to his new crew, the pirate started
barking instructions. “Navigator Cedric, take up position in what’s left of the
crow’s nest, set a course due south. First-Mate what's your name, if ye be so
kind as to untie us from the dock. After ye be finished, see to the riggings
and the jib. Cookie, it’ll be awhile afore we can eat, so start rowing us out
to sea. Avast ye scurvy dogs, snap to them chores, afore I be takin’ the
cat-o-nine tails to ye.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All members of the crew snapped to attention, then went about their
chores. Of course, not one of them knew what their chore was. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“As for ye Lass, ye can come up an’ keep me company while I maneuver us
out of the dock. Mind ye stay clear of me steering.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara sat on a small bench to the right of Percy’s half-eaten steering
wheel, staring blankly out to the open seas. The pier was fading into the
background. She was finally heading towards Tenebrae and rescuing her mother. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The seas were calm, too quiet, and time dragged by. “Percy, why do you
hate my grandmother?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, Lass, that be a tale worth tellin’. See, me brother was
Tenebrae’s best jester. There be none better, lass. One day he got a grand
invitation for a command performance with the Queen. This be quite the honor,
even if the Queen be an evil wench. The invitation also mentioned a grand
bounty for the performance. Me brother had no choice, so he be acceptin’ Queen Hillary’s
command. Mind ye Lass, I twernt there, I only heard the account of the
performance from others. Hear tells that the performance was grand. The Queen
be laughin’, and me brother be in rare form, that was up to the time your
grandmother gave me brother a command.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What command did my grandmother give your brother?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, see, twasn’t the command that gave me brother the fits, twas
what he done after the command.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t understand, Percy.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Arrrgghhhh, lass, the command was for me brother to jump. The problem
occurred when me brother came back down afore he was commanded. This brought
the Queen great displeasure. Me brother was thrown into Doldunt Prison that
instant. He be there still if he be not dead.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My grandmother is very evil, isn’t she?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, she be all that.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara sat in silence. The calm waters became hypnotic. Her eyes
fluttered open and then closed and then open again. She was bored. She could
barely keep her eyes open. “Excuse me, Percy,” Sara said, interrupting Percy’s
thoughts, “Is there any way we can get the boat to go faster? I am sorry, but I
don’t think I can wait one day to start my mission.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye Lass, if this be any other season, the north wind does blow, any
season but this one. The north wind would blow us to Tenebrae in a few hours.
If ye be here last month, Aye that be a north wind for the ages. Alas, lass,
this taint the season.” Percy patted Sara on the top of her head and yelled up
to Cedric. “Ahoy Cedric, keep a close eye out for any sea monsters, we be
getting close to evil waters.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara gazed at the calm, open water that surrounded the ship. Straining
her eyes to see if she could see a glimpse of a sea monster, she thought, “If
only I could use my magic to get a northern wind.” She shouted, “Iratus
Aquilo.” She was startled. She still didn’t realize how she knew the magic
words, but she was very proud of herself. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara turned to see Percy’s shocked look.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Percy shouted, “Avast ye lily-livered landlubbers, batten down the
hatches, secure the main sails.” Percy motioned to Chase, “There be duct tape
in the caboodle, bring as much as ye can bring. Double tape the mast. Cedric,
ye best be a securin’ yourself best ye can. Bill, ye can stop rowin’, there be
one doozie of a foul wind a-blowin' our way.” Percy turned to Sara. He was not
happy. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Won’t that help us, Percy?” I called for the north wind.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, ye did at that. There be one small problem Lass. If I recollect,
a north wind be just plain Aquilo. Ye just called for a fierce north wind and
that there be a completely different wind.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara looked around her. The sky had changed from a perfect blue to a
dark grey and clouds appeared from out of nowhere. A storm was brewing on the
horizon. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dontcha fret Lass, we be not a failin’ ye. For safekeepin’, ye should
skedaddle below. Take your knapsack with ye. If me ship holds true, looks as if
we will be in Tenebrae afore nightfall. Now, go on Lass, find something to hold
onto below.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A few hundred feet from the ship, a sea monster’s eyes widen. Fluffy
was extremely nearsighted, but he could still see that a huge wave was about to
swallow the odd-looking sea monster. The same sea monster which had been an
object of his affection ever since he first saw her. He had to save his love.
Fluffy remembered the last time he tried to save his love from the clutches of
the humans. It had turned ugly. He had no intention of eating any people; after
all, he was a vegetarian. But the humans just plopped into his mouth. There was
nothing he could do about it. They tasted nasty. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara’s eyes widened as she saw the gigantic wave about to smash against
the ship. She clasped her backpack tightly. She could not afford to lose her
backpack.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-76231107726233395132020-06-28T13:42:00.001-05:002020-06-28T13:42:28.872-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chapter Seventeen</h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
Courts in Session, You’re Guilty do Confess<br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In all of Jackson Roberts’ years of military service, he had never had
an order that angered him as much as the order that had been hand delivered to
him last night by the aid to the High Commander. The Commander didn’t even have
the nerve to tell Jackson himself. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">According to the aide, because of funding issues and the lack of
progress, his troops were to be dissolved effective immediately. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As Jackson packed his bags, he pondered the orders he had received
earlier in the day. The orders just didn’t make sense; it was pure madness.
Jackson picked up his picture of the family at Splash Mountain and placed it
gently in his case. He spent a few moments gazing at the picture and
remembering this joyous time spent with his family. “At least Sara and
Elizabeth are safe,” he thought. A shadow passed over the Toliver stones in the
wall.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, well, if it isn’t the great Jackson Roberts.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jackson recognized the voice. He knew the toad behind the voice. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are getting careless in your old age, Jackson. I had no problem
sneaking up on you. What’s wrong Jackson? Cat got your tongue?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jackson reached for his Laser Chronogram 6000 but before he could
retrieve the weapon, Appleton lashed out his tongue, and the poison found its
intended victim. In a matter of seconds, Jackson lay on the floor of the cave,
in poison-induced sleep. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He awoke several hours later. Blindfolded, his hands and feet bound,
his skin was numb and tingling from the effects of the poison. He was sure he
was still in the cave, but from the foul toad smell about him, he knew he was
not alone. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It appears our friend is awake.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good, we have a few questions for our esteemed prisoner,” answered
Appleton. Jackson felt a hard, slimy slap against his face. “Do we have your
attention now, Mr. Roberts?” Jackson could only nod. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very well, let’s begin.” Appleton picked up the Disneyland picture.
“This is a fascinating picture. You are sitting on a log and are falling down a
stream. I assume this is some secret entrance to the rebel headquarters, Mr.
Roberts? Who is this woman behind you? It appears she has been taken to be
tortured. She seems terrified. Where was this picture taken? We are very
interested in knowing the location of this camp. If you tell us the location,
we might be easy on you. We see your traitorous wife in the picture, along with
that spoiled brat of yours.” Jackson felt another slimy slap on his face.
“Jackson, we are waiting for your answer.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That picture was taken at Disneyland last year. It is a ride, Splash
Mountain, not a camp, you moron. As for the person behind us, she was just the
next person in line. I can tell you have not managed to increase your
intelligence in the last thirteen years, have you, Appleton?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Silence, Jackson. You will tell us what we want to know. We can make
it tough on you if you resist. Shall we try again?” Jackson felt another slimy
slap on his cheek. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">From the corner of the room, Jackson heard a familiar voice, “Enough.
Appleton, please place our prisoner back under your power of sleep.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Appleton’s tongue found its target again. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The High Commander stepped out from the shadows. “Appleton, transfer
our prisoner to Doldunt prison. We can’t do a proper interrogation in this damp
cave. Once at the prison, you can use whatever means you think fit to extract
the information from him. Remember, he might come in useful later, so please
stop short of death when interrogating Jackson.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Appleton motioned to one of the other toads to take care of Jackson; he
noticed the High Commander step back into the cave. “Appleton, I need not
remind you to keep this prisoner away from the other inmates in prison.
Remember who is locked up there. And, don’t forget his wife will be joining him
later. Take extreme caution. When you are finished here, you are to return to
the sisters and give them a complete update on your attempts to locate Sara.”
The High Commander turned on his heels and marched out of the cave. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The courtroom was filled. There were no seats, however, for the right
price; choice seats towards the front could be purchased. It was fortunate the
trial coincided with Queen Hillary’s month-long inspection of her legions, now
amassed to the west of Tenebrae City in Turalia. The Queen would be gone a
substantial amount of time. Janet was pleased with herself; it took a stroke of
genius to forge a decree requiring all reigning queens to inspect their troops.
Of course, it was Maggie’s idea to forge their mother’s royal seal on the
order. Queen Hillary was bewildered; she could not remember making such a
decree. She decided it was because she was so busy trying to keep her food
tasting service staff. She dutifully left on her tour only three days earlier.
It was barely enough time for the sisters to saturate the public with enough
advertising. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After a long argument as to who would be the judge and who would be the
prosecuting attorney, the matter had been settled the same way the sisters
always settled their cases. Janet held her breath the longest. Thus she
appointed herself as a judge. Maggie, although still angry at Janet for
cheating, became the prosecuting attorney. They would both serve on the jury.
It was, after all, their civic duty. Both knew that Elizabeth was guilty and
the trial was a mere formality. Selling tickets to the highest bidder was
Maggie’s idea. Forcing Tenebrae City’s citizens to bid on a ticket was Janet’s
idea. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet, sitting behind a desk in the courtroom, struck her gavel on her
newly purchased gavel pad. “Dearest citizens of our fair Tenebrae City,” she
looked at the group of cutthroats and derelicts seated in the front row. They
had been allowed, or more like forced, into becoming the high bidders. Most of
the citizens loyal to Elizabeth had suddenly been unavailable. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am sad to say, our once dear sister, Elizabeth, is on trial for
treason against our most beloved mother.” She paused for an instant to point
her bony finger at Elizabeth. “How do you plead?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Elizabeth remained silent. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dearest Sister, may I approach the bench?” asked Maggie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My dearest sister and esteemed prosecuting attorney, I believe you
refer to the judge as your honor.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please accept my deepest apologies, my dear sister. Dearest your
honor, may I approach the bench?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, of course, esteemed lawyer Maggie, it would be most fortuitous
to have your wisdom on the bench. Please approach the bench.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dearest Sister, we have overlooked a small matter in these
proceedings,” Maggie absent-mindedly arranged the documents evenly on the desk.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh dearest Sister of mine, please tell, exactly what did we overlook?”
responded Janet as she rearranged the documents in neat and orderly piles on
the desk. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I feel this trial is a great dishonor to our dearest sister.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What? I mean, in which way is it a dishonor, my most beloved DERANGED
sister?” Janet glared at Maggie. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“In all of our haste to try our most beloved sister, we forgot to
appoint an attorney for the defense, dearest Sister, and most honorable judge.
If it pleases the court, I will assign myself as the defense attorney.” Maggie
smiled. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dearest Sister, you are already the prosecuting attorney, are you sure
you can handle both positions and still be impartial?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh my dearest, most beloved sister and most honorable provider of
justice, I am well capable of multi-tasking. It will be no problem serving as
both defense and prosecuting attorneys, and still take on the esteemed role of
the jurist,” remarked Maggie. Thunderous applause exploded from the front row
of the courtroom. Several people, apparently loyal to Elizabeth, exited the
courtroom. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh dearest Maggie, I am so proud of you. Of course, it would be an
honor to appoint you as the defensive attorney also. Would you like a few
minutes alone with your new client, before we continue?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie looked at Elizabeth with disgust and replied, “Dearest sister
and fellow jurist, why would I spend time alone with that felon? After all, she
is guilty” Maggie rearranged the documents evenly on the desk, along with the
gavel and pad. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very well, shall we begin the trial?” asked Janet. Maggie stepped back
to the prosecuting attorney’s table and rearranged all the documents in a neat
pile on her left and the gavel and pad on the right. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, dearest Sister, your honor, may I give my closing arguments,”
replied Maggie from the prosecuting attorney table. Maggie walked over to the
defense attorney table. “As the defense attorney, I object.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t be a ninny, Maggie,” said Janet. “Objection overruled. Please
continue dearest prosecuting attorney Maggie.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie walked over to the prosecuting attorney table and said, “Thank
you, your honor. I’m sure the defense objection was a mere formality.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Elizabeth remained silent and emotionless. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie, pointing at Elizabeth, “Lady and Lady of the jury, It is with
great regret that I tell you that I believe we have proven without a shadow of
a doubt that our dearest sister, whose wanton and willful acts against her mother
have created great sorrow and despair. We have furthermore shown that she has
denied her most beloved relatives, living here in this great city, the
privilege, and joy of companionship of our dearest niece, Sophie. Yes, lady and
lady of the jury, our most beloved sister did willfully hide and protect our
adorable niece from her loving aunts. According to the laws of Tenebrae, and I
read, ‘When one from Tenebrae, who has been given amnesty into Earth does
knowingly harbor and protect a fugitive from Tenebrae, said the person is in
violation of the Queen’s amnesty law. All rights of said person shall be
revoked. Said person shall be deemed a traitor to the crown and tried
accordingly.’ There you have it, ladies of the jury. Not only was our sister a
fugitive, because she entered Earth with forged documents, but she was also
protecting herself and her daughter, also a fugitive. As you can see, the laws
make it quite clear. The only verdict is to find Elizabeth guilty of treason.”
Maggie made a low bow to Janet and then again to the spectators as they honored
her with another round of thunderous applause. A few more people in the back
rows wandered out the exit. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet, who was on the verge of tears, also applauded Maggie. Ever
faithful to her duties, she asked Maggie, “Does the defense attorney wish to
give a closing argument before the jury retires and deliberates the case?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie walked over to the defense attorney table and, wiped her brow
with a handkerchief. “If it pleases the court, my closing arguments as the
prosecuting attorney wore me out. I have nothing at this time. Besides, we all
know she’s guilty.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very well, I now dismiss the jury for deliberation.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie and Janet met for about fifteen seconds until they had reached a
verdict. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dearest and sweetest jury foreman, have you come to a unanimous
verdict?” Janet spoke in her most judgelike voice. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We have, my dearest sister, uh, I mean, your honor.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The defendant will rise.” Elizabeth remained seated. “The defendant
will rise,” yelled Janet. “Bailiff, please make our dearest sister stand up,
she just isn’t playing fair” whined Janet. The bailiff forced Elizabeth to
stand up. “Oh, dearest Sister and foreman of the jury, please continue, what is
the verdict?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, dearest Sister, you were here with me when we talked about it. You
know most beloved Elizabeth is guilty of all charges.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet was ecstatic. “Oh, goody, goody,” she giggled and then on a more
serious note, “Elizabeth, you have been found guilty of treason. That means mother’s
protection spell is no longer valid. If you tell us where that spoiled brat of
yours, Susie, is hiding, we might become more lenient and execute you more
quickly. Elizabeth, do you have anything to say on your behalf?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Elizabeth remained silent.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very well, guards, remove the prisoner from the courtroom. Escort her
to Doldunt Prison. Maggie and I will decide her fate at a later date.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dearest citizens, thank you all for coming to see your fair judicial
system in action. Now, please exit the courtroom in an orderly manner. And
don’t forget to pay the viewing taxes on your way out. Have what’s left of a
beautiful day.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-50897998244461391722020-06-28T10:50:00.001-05:002020-06-28T10:50:03.324-05:00<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22.0pt; font-variant: small-caps; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 16.0pt;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198152">Chapter
Sixteen</a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198152;">Not all
Pirates are on the Caribbean</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198152;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara was awakened by a small jab in her right side. A little man with
shoulder length curly black hair, a very long mustache, and wearing a white
ruffled shirt stood over her. The small man, no taller than Jessup, was holding
a walking stick which was the item used to poke her.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey, why did you wake me up that way?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ahoy there lassie, tis I who be askin’ all the questions. If ye don’t
be a answerin’ me questions swiftly, then it’ll be you that I be stabbin’ with
me ol’ trusty saber here.” The crusty pirate shook his walking stick. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, Mr. Percy. I don’t mean to be rude but, are you aware that isn’t
a saber?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shiver me timbers lass dontcha be coy with me child. I know what it
be. Since the terrible menacing ornery sea monster ate me saber and half me
crew, tis all I can get me hands on. There not be a soul left that trust me
with a real saber. An’ mind you lil lass, I be the one askin’ the questions
‘round here. An’ child, just who might ye be, lassie? This field be me domicile
since I be not wantin’ to sleep near the water anymore. I be plannin’ a mighty
ten-story condominium complex with an Olympic-sized pool shaped like a boat and
an eight-person Jacuzzi tub right on this spot. An’, how ye be knowin’ me name?
Arrgghhh, if we be outta sea, it would be walkin’ the plank with ya for
insubordination. Now, lassie, I’d be a answerin’ me questions, if ye know what
be good for ye.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My name is Sara, Mr. Percy, and I have come a long way to meet you. I
have…”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Arrggghhh, I be Pirate Percy, Lassie, and as for ye being from a long
ways away, well taint true. I heard there were a young lass that just sprung up
in Jessup’s crops yesterday, an’ if my ciphering be right, I be ciphering ye be
the young lass that sprung up. Now, we be wantin’ to hear the truth Lassie, or
I’ll keelhaul ye.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, if you must know, I did land in Jessup’s corn crops yesterday
afternoon, but I did not just spring up from out of nowhere. I told you I have
come a long distance to see you. Well, I didn’t know it was you I had to meet,
but I knew I had to meet someone who would help me and Jessup told me you could
give me a hand. It is true I landed in Jessup’s cornfield, but I first came
from very far away.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Avast me matey, there taint no way a ship could get into Jessup’s
field, so ye must have sprung up from the ground, Lassie.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara looked exasperated, “What do I need to do to convince you I am
telling the truth?” Sara debated whether or not to tell Percy the real truth.
It could be very dangerous if he couldn’t be trusted. “Please excuse me, but
the sun is in my eyes.” Sara reached into her backpack to get her magical
sunglasses. A white mist enveloped Percy. Sara was now convinced the pirate
could be told the real truth. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Avast with ye delays, Lassie. I don’t got all day. Now, be a tellin’
the truth an’ be swift, afore I run ya through with me stick.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“As I told you, I am Sara Roberts. I come from Earth, and I have urgent
business in Tenebrae. I was told you were the person to get me there.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“First, lassie, never say that place aloud. Arrgghhh, I be not a
sailin’ thems cursed waters again. For any a person. Last time we be venturin’
outta sea, we was come upon by that demonic, blasted sea creature. And, it did
eat me, crew, and most me splendid ship. I taint about to venture out again. Ye
just need to be findin’ another fool to do ye biddin’” Percy turned around to
leave. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wait, I haven’t finished. I need your help. I am Queen Hillary’s
granddaughter.” Sara watched Percy, expecting a look of amazement on his face,
and got her wish. “Yes, that’s right. The Queen is my grandmother.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hold ye tongue, lass. I have no love for our Queen, she be pure evil
through and through, and those whelps of hers be evil too. I won’t be a helpin’
no relation of the Queen. Ye be talkin’ to the wrong pirate. Ye can find
another fool to help ye outta this mess ye be in. Twont be me or whats left of
me crew.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You didn’t let me finish, Pirate Percy; I never said I liked the
Queen. I don’t like her either.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why did ye not say that from the start? I still can’t be helpin’ ya,
what with the demonic, overactive sea monster still between us an’ Tenebrae. I
do be wishin’ ye luck. Now, ye will be leavin’ so I can catch a bit of
shut-eye. Twas a pleasure knowin’ ye Lassie, always good to find someone else
who not be likin’ the Queen.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I need your help. I haven’t told you everything. My evil aunts
kidnapped my mother. Pirate Percy, they plan on killing my mother.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That be plain terrible, lassie, but there not be a thing I can do to
change that.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“They plan on taking the throne. They will take it by force if they
have to, even if it means killing my mother and me to do it. They will be worse
as queens than even my grandmother. No one will be safe once they are on the
throne.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Avast Matey, don’t matter to me which evil wench be sittin’ on the
throne. Don’t make no never-mind to me. Still won’t get ye over to the big
island.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara thought for a moment and then smiled. “Did I mention I have
Queen’s dollars to pay you? I have a lot of them.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shiver me timbers, why did ye not mention that from the start, lassie?
I got to persuade a few new victims, I mean crew members, to sign on for the
voyage and need to get provisions. That’ll cost you handsome lassie, how much
coinage do ye have?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara removed her glasses. As she did so, she noticed a smudge of white
haze off to the right, and another smudge of dark haze off to the left but
decided it was maybe just glare. She put the sunglasses back into her backpack
and pulled out one of the pouches Jessup had given her. “Will this be enough?”
She handed the pouch over to the pirate. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’ll be enough for starters. We sail afore sunset. Be on the docks
one hour earlier. Ye know where me grand ship be anchored?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara nodded her head, “There is only one ship in the harbor.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No Lassie, there be two vessels in the harbor. I could only wish that
grand, splendid ship in the harbor be mine, but no. Mine be on the starboard
side, and it be not quite as magnificent. See ye before sunset.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Percy sat at his usual table at the inn, having just finished hiring
most of his required crew. After half of his ship was eaten by the sea monster,
he had gone to the Pirate Depot and bought some two by fours. With a few nails
and some duct tape, he had repaired his ship as best he could. However, it was
smaller than it used to be so Percy had only needed three more crew members.
With his new found wealth, he could replace his galleon upon his return from
Tenebrae, if he came back. There was no guarantee of that happening. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He had been surprised when Cedric volunteered to be the ship’s
navigator. Percy had not known that lizards were naturally great navigators.
Cedric had assured him that the most famous navigators had been lizards even
though he could not remember any of their names. The second crew member he had
hired was a large, scary man with a menacing dragon tattoo. The scary man,
Percy could not remember his name, had promised him he would make a perfect
first-mate. He had confessed he had no idea what a first-mate did, but he was
sure he would make a perfect first-mate, regardless. Percy was pleased. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Unfortunately, Percy still needed to find a cook. His last cook had
been the first to be eaten by the sea monster, and everyone knew it. The minute
Percy had announced that he was looking for crew members for a voyage to
Tenebrae everyone had suddenly taken ill or just run away. Percy sat at the
table, mumbling to himself. He had two hours before sunset and only one hour
before he was to meet his new client on the pier. He still did not have a cook
for the voyage. How did he get himself into these predicaments?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A booming, menacing voice bellowed from behind him. “I can’t believe
you got hornswaggled into taking another voyage and over there of all places.”
said the voice, pointedly. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, I did at that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just who in the name of Hillary was able to talk you into this fool
voyage?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, ‘twas the child you be sendin’ from here last night.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Child, what child would that be? As I recollect, I only kicked out a
wizard. I, right, I get it. You are under a spell. What did she do to you?
Threaten to turn you into a frog if you didn’t do as she commanded?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nay, twasn’t that mate.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ok, then did she threaten to turn your liver into jelly if you didn’t
do her bidding?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nay twasn’t that either. She taint a wizard mate. She be much more
devious and tricky.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sure, sure Percy. Are you sure the child isn’t a wizard? I wouldn’t
want it to get around that you were outsmarted by a snot-nosed kid. It would be
better for you if she were a wizard. People would understand then.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Avast, twasn’t outsmarted, as I be saying the youngster be devious.
Aye, she be paying me twenty times the goin’ rate. Couldn’t resist. Curse me
ratty old bones.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The ogre stifled a laugh, “Well, I’ll be. You crusty old pirate, you
were outwitted by a brat.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, that I was. Now I be in the soup. I have not enough time to fill
the rest of me crew. ‘Tis just a lousy cook I be needin’. Now where be found a
cook in such a short period?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“If all you need is one lousy cook, I have been called a horrible cook
more times than I can remember. It looks as if you just hired yourself a cook.”
The ogre smiled as he rubbed his hands on his greasy apron. “When do we sail?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“If that clock on the wall be correct, that’ll be now. Tis time to be a
saunterin’ over to me grand ship. Told me, crew and the new client, to meet me
at the pier one hour afore sunset.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Crew?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye, crew.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And just who would be fool enough to sign up as a crew, that is,
besides me?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Besides ye, fool ogre, there be a fool of a lizard, Cedric, one fool
of a scary man with a dragon tattoo, and that dern fool of a girl. That’ll be
five including you. You be still game to be me cook?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, Percy, the outsmarted by a brat kid pirate, let’s go. Our fate
awaits us. Let’s hope the sea monster isn’t too hungry.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-82284142599452464582020-06-17T08:56:00.001-05:002020-06-17T08:56:29.525-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chapter Fifteen</h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
It’s Wise to Fear a Man with Dragon Tattoos<br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara read the sign. NO CHILDREN ALLOWED. “If I’m old enough to rescue
my mother, I’m not a child anymore, and no stupid sign will get in my way.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara boldly opened the rickety door, held her head high, and walked
into the room, daring anyone to say anything. As she stepped into the room, the
loud, lawless bar became silent, and every eye in the place zeroed in on Sara.
It reminded Sara of some old movie she watched with her father called Star
Wars. There was a scene when the good guy walked into a bar, and there were a lot
of mean, dangerous looking creatures sitting around the bar. They all looked
right at the good guy. Except, the characters staring at her right now, seemed
a lot less respectable. Suddenly, the bold, confident Sara began to feel very
small. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The ogre behind the bar looked at Sara from head to toe, and then
rubbed his large meaty hands on his greasy, dirty apron. In his deep, booming,
menacing voice, he pointed to Sara and said, “Hey kid, can’t you read? The sign
says no wizards allowed.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara raised her hands to protest and then realized her star was
showing. She quickly dropped her hands to her sides and defended herself by
saying, “I am not a wizard, I’m a child.” She realized, child or wizard, either
way, she was in trouble. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The ogre laughed, “And I’m the Queen- off to Doldunt Prison with you.”
Everyone in the bar laughed as the ogre continued, “Anyway, children aren’t
allowed in here either, so get lost.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara turned around, dejectedly, and left the inn. As she left, the
patrons of the bar went back to their conversations, except two. A lizard
sitting at the table in the very far back corner had noticed the white star on
Sara’s palm and stared at the door after she left. He finished his drink and
started to follow. He left the pirate sitting at the table, sadly lamenting his
recent string of bad luck. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sitting at a table next to the pirate’s table was a very large, scary
looking man with a large tattoo of a dragon on his left arm. He knew instantly
who this young girl was. He sneered. His employers would want to know that this
white-palmed girl was now near Tenebrae. He knew what he needed to do. It did
not escape his attention that the lizard had excused himself from his table and
followed the young girl. Chase, the man with the tattoo, stood up and deposited
a Queen’s dollar, which he had been running through his fingers. He needed to
see what the lizard was up to. It might have been a coincidence that the lizard
left about the same time as the young girl, but he had to make sure. Chase left
the inn through the back door. No one in the inn noticed him leave. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara was angry. How dare that ogre make her leave? She thought to
herself, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I had been a wizard, I would
have turned him into a...a….</i>” She couldn’t imagine anything worse than a
greasy fat ugly ogre with a dirty apron. She noticed the figure of a large
lizard slithering towards her. She looked around but could find no place to
hide. Like a deer caught in a trance from oncoming headlights, she could do
nothing but wait for the lizard to reach her. She reached down and grabbed her
backpack for protection. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You don’ need to be scared, I am a friend. My name is Cedric.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lizard did not look
trustworthy. She thought of using the sunglasses, but she didn’t want to waste
one of the three uses so soon. Besides, Jessup had mentioned a lizard named
Cedric. “Ok, Cedric. Jessup mentioned you. Jessup said you could help me find a
pirate, but you weren’t where you were supposed to be, and now I’ll never meet
the pirate.” She folded her hands across her chest. “And I don’t know you, so
you are not my friend.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was having a drink with the Pirate Percy when you came in waving your
white starred palm so everybody in the inn could see it. That’s not the wisest
thing to do. There are those who are looking for a white star palmed child.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I didn’t mean to show off my palm. If I had my way, I wouldn’t even
have a star. If I had my way, I’d be at home with my mom and dad.” She paused
for a moment, and her face brightened. “You know the pirate? Can you introduce
me to him? I need to get to ten….”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cedric stopped Sara before she could finish her sentence. “Please,
don’t talk about that place out-loud. There are those who report all that is
spoken here. It’s best that place is spoken of in private. It will take someone
with experience to convince Percy to go anywhere near his ship again and even
more to convince him to go to that place.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Cedric, I have no other choice. I have to get to—to that place, and
his is the only ship in the harbor.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well….”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“A friend would help me.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Yes, I know.” Cedric rubbed his chin. “The only way to get from
here to there is by Percy’s ship,” Cedric looked up, his eye’s bright and a
smirk on his face. “All we need to do is to make him think that the idea to
take you is all his. I think I might be able to do this. It will take some
time. I have a cot in my tent; you are welcome to stay there. We can talk to Percy
tomorrow.” He started to walk away from Sara, and then turned his head around
again, “Are you coming?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The thought of staying anywhere near the lizard gave Sara the
heebie-jeebies; she didn’t know why he seemed like a nice enough guy, but
nevertheless. “Well, actually, I have a sort of phobia of cots, and I was
thinking of sleeping out here under the stars. I like sleeping outside.” She
had never slept outside alone before but somehow. It sounded better than
sleeping anywhere near Cedric. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay. Sara, be careful. Not
everyone around here will be friendly.” Cedric turned and left. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hiding behind some bushes and unnoticed by Cedric or Sara, a scary
person with a dragon tattoo had seen and heard everything. “I will be joining
the Pirate’s crew tomorrow,” Chase said to himself. He knew his employers
wanted the girl; he would have to find a way to join up with the pirate before
Sara. “Unfortunately the ships only travel on the water,” thought Chase,
turning a bit green. He was terrified of water. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is not what I expected in this job.” Chase had been hired to take
the girl to a rendezvous at Hemits Cave. They had not told him the girl was a
wizard. His father had been a wizard and had abandoned him, and his mother just
after Chase was born. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he grew up
in an orphanage. He vowed to avenge his mother’s death if he ever found the
wizard that had abandoned her and left her to die. However, a job was a job,
and the pay was good. Once he completed this job, he would have the money to
continue the search for his miserable father and avenge his mother’s death. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .25in;">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara watched the lizard walk away. She had an uneasy feeling about
Cedric. Off towards the right, she saw a gigantic man moving away; she had an
uneasy feeling about him too. Perhaps it was because they were both strangers,
and both a bit strange, but they gave her the creeps. The large man left,
leaving Sara alone as the sun finished setting. Exhausted, all she could think
of was a soft bed. “Maybe I should have taken Cedric up on his offer,” she said
aloud, talking to herself again. She used the backpack as a pillow and lay down
on the ground. “This is so uncomfortable,” she said, “I’ll never get to sleep.”
She gazed up at the stars. They didn’t look much different from the ones at
home, except they were green. She closed her eyes, and within seconds Sara was
drifting off into dreamland, dreaming of her trip to Disneyland with her
parents. She smiled in her sleep.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-13094873777736412712020-06-12T22:23:00.001-05:002020-06-12T22:23:46.146-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198150">Chapter
Fourteen</a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198150;">Have an Ear
of Creamed Corn</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198150;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Naw, Clearance, I ‘spect she ain’t dead. Clearance, how in dad burn
blazes am I ‘spose to know where she comes from?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara listened while regaining consciousness. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I ‘spect some wizardly magic were used.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She lay motionless, afraid of how the owner of the voice would react if
it knew she was awake. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why don’t you nudge her a might bit, Clearance.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara held her breath, expecting whatever it was to nudge her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, Clearance, how am I “spose to know if she got some secret weapon?
I don’t ‘spect she’ll scratch an eye out if you deesturb her. If she does, you
got hundurds of eyes. I ‘spose ya could survive with a few less eyes. Go ahead
and nudge her with that big old head of yours.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara screamed, “Don’t you dare touch me.” Sara opened her eyes to find
a large caterpillar-looking creature with the saddest eyes she’d ever seen, and
a dwarf-sized person was looking on with surprise.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dwarf said to the caterpillar-like thing, “Well, Clearance, sounds
like we have ourselves a spitfire. An’ I told ya she warnt dead. It looks as if
your eyes is safe.” The caterpillar backed away with a fearful gaze. The dwarf
stared at Sara, his arms folded, and said, “Sorry Lil’ lady, we don’t mean you
no harm. And, just cause you chose our crop field to land in don’t give you the
right to be mean to Clearance.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara finally sat up and looked around. She was in the middle of a large
cornfield. Sara had seen cornfields before. This cornfield was different. The
ears of corn had a yellow gooey goop dripping from them. The grassy field with
smudges of dirt and twenty-foot high green corn stalks smelled like fresh
spring rain. A drop of goop oozed from an ear, fell to the ground, and sizzled
in the hot sun.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Lil’ lady, are you all right? Like I said, we don’t mean ya no harm;
y’all just lucky Clearance here noticed ya afore she squished ya. All we was
doing was minding our business harvesting our cream corn crops. And there you
was just lying there as if ya was dead.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dwarf was no taller than
three feet, with a beard that had to be twice that. He was dressed in a floppy
green hat, a red plaid shirt, and purple bib-overalls. Clearance was a long
green and red caterpillar type creature. It had to be at least twenty feet long,
with a large head, filled with at least one hundred eyes. The creature was
frightening. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry for screaming at you,
but you startled me. Will you forgive me?” Sara blinked once and then looked
around the field feeling disoriented. “Could you tell me where I am?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The dwarf stood with his legs apart, hands on his hips, sucking on a
strand of straw. “I just told you Lil’ lady. Ya, be in my cream corn crop. I be
Jessup, and my friend here be Clearance.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s nice to meet you, Jessup.
My name is Sara.” She started to put her hand out but changed her mind when she
remembered her star. “When I asked where I was, I meant besides being in a
cornfield.” Tears fell from half of Clearance’s eyes, and the caterpillar bowed
her head. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now, now, Clearance, I don’t
‘spose she meant to be rude by not being pleased to meet ya also.” Jessup
handed the caterpillar a tissue. “You just went and hurt Clearance’s feelings
again, well, if ya be so high falootin’ I’ll tell you where you be. You be on
the Isle of Rand. Now, if you’ll be a leaving and on your way, Clearance and me
can finish our harvesting.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara bit her lower lip. “I’m so sorry for ignoring you, Clearance.” The
caterpillar peered down at her. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m happy to meet
you.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The beast’s eyes brightened, all hundreds of them. Before Sara could
react, Clearance had licked her face with a long tongue. Sara stood in shock,
with slime dripping from her face, staring at the giant bug. She reached out
her hands and felt the big caterpillar, who was as soft as her favorite stuffed
teddy bear back home but smelt like the garbage disposal.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, lookee there Sara, look
as if Clearance has taken a shine to you. She don’t take a shine to many. She
has a sense about peoples. She ain't no caterpillar. She be a waggert. Waggerts
be bred to be harvestin’ pets.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara wiped the slime from her face. She needed to find her backpack,
which she noticed was missing. “Have you seen my backpack?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I got no idea what a backpack is, Lil’ lady, looks as if your back is
attached to your front.” Jessup pointed to Sara’s back. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara’s expression changed. She wouldn’t be able to save her mother
without it. “No! My backpack is not my back. It’s important, and I need to find
it. It’s about so big.” She did her best to show the size of her backpack with
hand movements, but Jessup stood there with a blank, confused look on his face.
Sara shook her head. “I might as well be talking Latin for all the good it is
doing me now. Ubi proprius dorsum Sarcina.” She jumped. What were those strange
sounds coming from her mouth? Even more surprising, Jessup understood what she
said. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, Lil’ lady, why didn’t y’all ask for your satchel in the first
place?” Jessup glanced at Sara. “Clearance found your purse, a way up in the
tops of the cream corn stalks afore we knew you was here. Weren’t Clearance’s
fault, though, she was thinking a bird left it for her. I tried telling her she
couldn’t keep it. Jessup nuzzled Clearance’s huge head, again. “Give Sara her
satchel back.” A sad look came across the beast’s face, and with a slight
hesitation, she reached behind with one of her arms/feet and handed Sara her
backpack. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you.” Sara opened the bag and searched inside making sure
everything was still there. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jessup, could you tell me the best way to get to Tenebrae? I’m in a
kind of a hurry to get there.” She began pulling grass from her hair.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tenebrae eh? Clearance does ya hear that? I think your radar ‘bout
this girl is wrong.” Jessup eyed Sara suspiciously. “Spect we have us a spy. Likely
sent here to get information ‘bout our cream corn crop. No real person would go
to Tenebrae.” He rubbed his chin. “You knows that. Now, lookee 'ere Lil’ lady,
I was joshing you when I said this here was creamed corn. Naw, ‘tis creamed
asparagus.” He swept his hand, gesturing toward his crops. “The Queen ain’t
suddenly taken a disliking to cream asparagus, has she? ‘Taint my fault she
suddenly took a dislike to cream corn and made me illegal. Ya can just tell her
majesty we ain’t growin' no cream corn. All we got is asparagus. Tain’t that
right Clearance.” Jessup folded his arms and tapped his feet on the ground. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, if you are finished spying’ on us, you can just go back from
where you came. Go on get. You ain’t welcome no more. Clearance, hush up, I
knows what I'm doing. Clearance and me has some cream spinach to harvest- - -I
meant cream- - -. Psst, Clearance, what crops did I say we was growing? Oh, ya,
cream asparagus.” Jessup said, with his back to Sara. “She gone Clearance yet?
I don’t care. Do what I says and turn your back on her, too. Maybe if you
ignore her, she’ll disappear. I told you to ignore her.” Jessup faced Sara. He
wanted nothing to do with a spy. Clearance had moved over next to her as if to
protect her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m sorry.” Sara scratched Clearance’s huge ear. “Did I do something
to offend you or Clearance again? If I did, I didn’t mean to do it. I do need
to get to Tenebrae. I love creamed corn. Please, you have to trust me. I have
significant business in Tenebrae.” She pleaded. “If it would make you any
happier, I think the Queen wants to kill me.” Sara sat down on the ground,
placed her head into her hands and broke down into tears. Who am I kidding? Did
Thompson think I could do this? “I can’t do this. I’m just a little kid.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“There, there Lil’ lady. Clearance didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Clearance had a confused look in its eyes. “She’s sorry. Tell her you’re sorry,
Clearance.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s okay.” Sara thought of Clearance’s tongue. “I believe she’s
sorry. Will you help me? I don’t know what to do. I think I can trust you.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, Clearance and me ‘taint nothing but farmers. I’m sorry ‘bout the
Queen trying to kill you. What’s you done anyways? Never you mind, ‘taint none
of my business. You can stay here. Queen’s people don’t come here often. I see
that I can't stop ya from going to Tenebrae. You’ll need a professional.”
Jessup looked at his friend and shook his head, his eyes widened. “I reckon you
are right. Clearance says old Pirate Percy would be your best bet.” He pointed
to his rear with his thumb. “If you can convince him to go out again after the
sea monster done ate half of his ship and most of the crew.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“A pirate? Can I trust him?” She had never met a Buccaneer before,
trustworthy or not. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The waggert shook its body. “Clearance says he’s not a good pirate. I
reckon Y'all can trust him.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you so much, Jessup. How do I find Percy?” Sara glanced around
the field.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, everybody knows ever since the sea monster, Percy will be
hanging out at the old Rusty Anchor Inn. It’s in the Sea Port of Randula ya
know, just over yonder.” He slapped his knee. “I forgot you ain’t from round
these parts. First, ya gotta get to the end of my crops.” He pointed to the
right. “Just go straight, don’ turn, or you’ll get lost. When you come to the
end of my crops, you’ll find a road. Take the path to the right.” He rolled is
beard up and shoved it down into his bib-overalls. Clearance shook her head.
“Now don’t go a getting her lost, Clearance. Oh ya, Clearance is right, you
turn left when ya get to the road. Keep a walking down the road ‘til ya get to
the lizard - - -”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara interrupted, “What makes you so sure the lizard will be there?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t you worry about the lizard, he will be thar. He has been there
every day, all day long for the last four months. As I was saying, what you
need to do is ask Cedric...Yes, Clearance he has. You have never met him
before. No Clearance, I don’t know why he has been there. I ‘spect he has a
reason.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara interrupted again, “Who is Cedric?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.Jessup swatted a mosquito the size of her fist from his nose.
Clearance gobbled it up as it flew in the wrong direction. “Taint you paying
attention? Cedric is the lizard. As I was saying, what you’ll do is ask Cedric
to show you the way to the Rusty Anchor. After you get to the inn, Percy won’t
be too hard to find.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearance pushed him with her
big head. “What’s that Clearance? Clearance wants to know if you got any money.
You don’t do you?” He whispered something. “Are you sure, Clearance, you been
saving for years. I see you can tell this girl is in need. Clearance here says
you can have her half of our money.” Jessup handed Sara a big pouch. “I don’t
wanna be outdone by Clearance. You can have my half too.” Jessup gave Sara the
second pouch. “This’ll get you started. Now, Sara, you best be a going if ya
wanna make the Sea Port of Randula. Lil’ lady, it twas right nice a meeting
you. If you ever need anything, you just call us. And Sara, don’t go letting
the Queen kill you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jessup, I’m curious. Why did you name her Clearance?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jessup’s eyes narrowed as he whispered. “I didn’t name her. When I
bought her at the pet shop, she had a tag on her with her name on it. Got a
mighty good deal on her, too!”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clearance licked her face again. Jessup gave her a big hug. “I won’t
forget the two of you. I will repay the money when I am able. Goodbye.” She ran
off in the direction Jessup told her to go, tears running down her cheeks. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara had only walked a few minutes when she came to the road Jessup had
told her about. She could also smell the fresh sea breeze. The road was well
cared for, about twenty feet wide, and made from dirt. Sara was the only one on
the road. She turned to her left and walked down the road. Sara walked for
about an hour, with no sign of any lizards. Sara wondered about the lizard. Mr.
Thompson said they could never trust rodents and amphibians. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Are lizards amphibians?”</i> thought Sara.
Sara wished she had paid more attention in class. She was sure lizards were not
amphibians. Lizards are reptiles like snakes and alligators. She hoped she was
right. Finally, she saw the Rusty Anchor Inn, as it was the only structure in
the village that even resembled a building. The rest of the village turned out
to be small shanties. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There was only one ship in the harbor, a timeworn, dilapidated ship.
The ship had no appearance of having been out to sea for decades, let alone
looking sea-worthy. She shook her head; she was in a lot of trouble. Certainly,
she could not trust this ship to get her to Tenebrae, but she had no other
choice. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Rusty Anchor Inn was also dilapidated, but still in better shape
than the ship. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a faint glow coming from the windows, and there was a hub of
voices coming from inside. She had never been in an inn before, but she needed
to find the pirate. The sign on the door stopped her cold. It looked as if it
had been written in blood and it read, </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">NO TENEBRAENS, WIZARDS, LIBERO
SALUSONS OR CHILDREN ALLOWED.</span></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-65531480579134789692020-06-10T14:10:00.001-05:002020-06-10T14:10:04.060-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198149">Chapter
Thirteen</a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198149;">The Lab</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198149;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The laboratory reminded Sara of something from Frankenstein’s Monster
or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Beakers and tubes surrounded her. Some of them were
empty, a few bubbled over with strange red or yellow gooey concoctions, while
others had blue smoke spiraling from out of the top. A workbench sat along one
side of the room with several partially constructed contraptions. Sara noticed
areas of the lab were dirty, untouched for years. Cobwebs hung from cobwebs.
Cages lay strewn along the other side of the room, most were empty, but a few
held weird-looking animals in them. A giant toad with bulging eyes stared at Sara
from one of the cages. She gasped. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, he won’t bother you,” said Mr. Thompson, “That’s Benjamin. We’re
working on figuring out how to undo the spell your grandmother put on him. He
is somewhat of a relative of yours. He is your evil aunts’ father. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara looked at the toad; looked up very close to the glass and then
backed away. Turning towards the middle of the room, she found a table with
only one item on it- her backpack. She looked around the room quizzically, “Mr.
Thompson, where are the wizards?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson looked at Sara. “Wizards are very secretive. And, they are
very stubborn and untrusting. It took a lot of convincing for them to allow you
into their lab. Now, they have disappeared. I will have to continue without
their assistance.” Mr. Thompson placed a finger to his lips to tell Sara to be
quiet and winked at her. “After all, wizards are of little use anyway. They
very seldom get the calculations correct.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A voice came from behind one of the cabinets, “This time you have gone
too far Thomas. First, we don’t mind visitors; it is just this visitor we wish
to avoid. Thomas, the creature you brought in with you is the grand-daughter of
Queen Hillary. Evil is as evil does.” The voice went silent. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Grady, I told you, Sara is nothing like the Queen. She is our
salvation. Now quit acting like dwarfs and get out here this moment.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Another voice came from behind another cabinet, “If she be not as the
Queen, then why be she a black starred palmist?” Sara looked at her palm in
horror and held it up in front of her and as far away from herself as possible.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mildred,” responded Mr. Thompson, “I explained the star to you in
detail this morning. It changes from white to black. Now, will you assist me,
or not?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">From behind the cabinet came yet another voice. “Black or white changes
not a thing, Tyrone, she be who she be, we will not be changing our spots to
help. We have made all the preparations. They be in yonder vessel as per your
command. Be on with your matters; show the black palmist her weapons. We shall
be distant till you be done. Close yonder door when you leave. Be fast, Tyrone,
there be black things afoot.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very well, Penny, I shall continue unassisted. Thank you again for all
your help and calculations.” Mr. Thompson turned to Sara, shrugged his shoulders,
then looked back at the cabinet, and smiled. “Did I mention that Wizards are
stubborn?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A hrmph sound that came from behind the cabinets. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It looks as if I will do this solo.” He led Sara over to the backpack.
“Sara, to expedite matters, I will remove items from your backpack, one at a
time. Please hold any questions until the end.” Mr. Thompson did not wait for
her answer; instead, he went over to the backpack and peered inside. He did not
allow Sara to look into the backpack. Sara was craning her neck to peek in.
“Patience, Sara.” Mr. Thompson placed his hands inside the backpack and brought
his hands out holding a bunch of ordinary stones. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara knew she shouldn’t ask the question. She knew she should keep her
mouth shut, but the words wouldn’t stay in her mouth. “Mr. Thompson, am I
supposed to throw rocks at the evil people?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson raised an eyebrow, “Sara, I said no questions.” Sara
stepped back and lowered her head. “Sara, these are special stones. They are
Toliver stones, and they come only from Libero Salus. At one time they were
highly sought after, but since electricity came to Tenebrae, the stones are
easy to obtain. I bought these stones on eBay. Toliver stones have a particular
property. As long as you keep one stone in the sun for a few hours each day, at
night all the stones will become bright lights. Please, use these only when
necessary because they are highly traceable.” Sara nodded. The next item was a
small bottle of perfume. “The concoction in this vial came from the boiled
feathers of a Canaboro bird. The process is fascinating. First, you,” Sara’s
eyes began wandering around the room, Mr. Thompson realized, she didn’t need
all of the details. “Maybe it is best if I just tell you what each item does.”
Sara nodded. Next, Mr. Thompson pulled out a pair of sunglasses. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Those are my mother’s,” exclaimed Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Sara, they are. We have altered them just a bit. Put the
sunglasses on, and you can tell if the subject you are looking at is
trustworthy- the ones you can trust will have a white mist around them. Those
you can’t trust will have a black mist. Sara grabbed the sunglasses and lifted
them to her face; Mr. Thompson grabbed her hand. “The glasses only have three
uses, also. Save them for when you need them.” Sara put the glasses on the
table and nodded her head again. Mr. Thompson pulled a bracelet out of the bag.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s pretty.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s pretty and unique. Simply place it on your left wrist and twist
the yellow and green beads and it’ll make you invisible for thirty minutes. The
bracelet can be used only….”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Three times,” finished Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson didn’t skip a beat. He pulled out a very small container
of Doritos next. “The Doritos in the container is never-ending. Anytime you
want a chip, open the lid, and take one. These are special Doritos, guaranteed
to give you an extra burst of courage if you first tell them, I need courage.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson smiled, “But Sara, like the rest, the Doritos will only
give you courage three times. You must get used to using your courage as well.”
Mr. Thompson pulled out Sara’s hairbrush. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She grabbed the hairbrush. “That’s the hairbrush my dad gave me,” and
then she lifted the hairbrush to her hair. Gasps were heard coming from behind
the cabinets and one very shrill scream as Mr. Thompson grabbed Sara’s hand.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please, Sara, do not brush your hair with this hairbrush. This is a
unique hairbrush. It's a very powerful laser. It had run out of power and
needed recharging, which I did. Lucky for you there was no power in this brush
all the times you have used it. I shudder to think the mayhem you could have
created.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A disembodied voice floated out of the cabinets. “I do be shuddering
right now.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson smiled. “There is still another hairbrush in the backpack
for actually brushing your hair as well as a copy of Huckleberry Finn which I
have loaned you. You should find it to be a pleasant company on lonely nights.
There are maps in the backpack as well. That about does it; I think you are
well armed now.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara glanced through the items in the backpack. “Mr. Thompson, what
will I wear? I can’t wear this same outfit every single day.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, I almost forgot, Sara.” Mr. Thompson pulled a small, Barbie size
wardrobe out of the backpack and opened it. “Here are your clothes.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mr. Thompson, those clothes won’t fit me, although,” and Sara craned
her neck to look very carefully, “they do look like my clothes.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course, they will tell the article you wish to wear to resize, and
it will enlarge to fit you. Twenty-six hours later it will go back to its
Barbie doll size. It conserves space this way. Well, Sara, it looks like my work
here is done. We should be able to get you back into your room and off to
Tenebrae.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A throat clearing came from behind the cabinets. “Something be
forgotten, Thomas.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course, Sara, I forgot to tell you about the food packets. The
instructions are very easy to follow, and the contents of each food package are
labeled on the front.” Mr. Thompson faced the cabinets, “Okay, Grady, are we
done yet?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Another voice from the cabinets said, “Thomas, you do not be finished.
Look in the side flap.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson fished through the front flap and pulled out a necklace, a
very unattractive necklace. “Okay. What is this? I don’t remember ordering a
necklace.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A female voice answered from behind the cabinet. “Thomas Tyrone, now
don’t be getting too excited, be remembering the blood pressure. We do be
thinking we need one more safeguard. This be an anti-truth talisman. If this
creature do be our salvation, Tenebrae will not be stopping at nothing to stop
her. The necklace do be useful if they capture the creature. She be not able to
tell anything about the defenders when she do be wearing this necklace. We do
be thinking of her protection too. Tenebrae cannot be torturing the creature
when she be wearing this necklace either. We be admitting, we be worrying for
she be a black palmist and we do be wanting to protect The Manor, Tyrone. And,
Tyrone, we be wanting that she put the necklace on now. She not be able to take
it off again.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson thought about the necklace, “Thank you, Penny that was
very thoughtful of you.” Mr. Thompson put the necklace around Sara’s neck as
the phone rang. “Thompson here.” There was a pause, and then Mr. Thompson
continued, “Are you sure?” another pause, “Yes, that does change matters. Yes.”
Mr. Thompson turned to Sara, and she saw the heads of three small people peek
out from behind the cabinets. “Sara, there has been a slight change of plans.
We must leave from here. I was hoping to send you off from the teleport in your
room. The calculations are more exact from that location, but we have run out
of time.” The wizard’s eyes widened as they whispered to each other. Mr.
Thompson continued, “You must leave from this location, right now, and we don’t
have time to recalculate. We will try to get you as close to your destination
as possible, but it will be up to you to get to your final destination. Our
last information is that she was taken to the castle in Tenebrae City. You are
to go there to free your mother and then return here to The Manor. It is as
simple as that. And Sara, use your senses. You can trust few in Tenebrae or
Libero Salus to help you. Oh, and Sara, a lot of people in Tenebrae do not like
wizards, white or black so keep your star a secret. Good luck Sara. Be safe.”
Mr. Thompson pointed to the door they had entered when they came into the lab.
“Sara, that’s your entrance to your destiny. It is time to go.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara stared at the door, closed her eyes, and walked towards it. Music
piped through the loudspeakers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Climb Ev’ry Mountain. Ford
every stream. Follow every rainbow. Till you find your dream.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, that’s enough,” yelled Mr. Thompson, “it’s way too corny and not
helping.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara turned to Mr. Thompson, That’s okay. I kinda like it, and it might
help.” Standing in front of the mysterious door; Sara said “Open.” She walked through
the door and vanished.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I do be worried Tyrone. She be not trained as a wizard. It takes years
and years of training to become a wizard; you do be knowing this. She be no use
to us unless she be trained in the arts. It is not like ye be born knowing it
or that it just come to ye.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I would not be concerned; she is very special. More special maybe than
even I know.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And one more thing need be said, Thomas.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It be about the invisibility bracelet.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What about the invisibility bracelet?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We be trying hard to make the bracelet. We be all working together
with Thomas. We do not sleep at night Thomas. You know Thomas; invisibility has
never been done before. Now, remember your blood pressure, Thomas.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What about the invisibility bracelet?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“There might be a small flaw that might alter its effect.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Out with it Grady, what’s wrong with the invisibility bracelet?”
ordered Thomas, running out of patience. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">“It not be working, Thomas.”</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-11983706999472694852020-06-05T10:29:00.001-05:002020-06-05T10:29:02.571-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198148">Chapter
Twelve</a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198148;">Defenders of
the White Star, Huck, and Fairies</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198148;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara and Mr. Thompson walked through the bookcase and stood in front of
an elevator. To the right of the elevator was a framed picture of Mr. Thompson
with another man with messy white hair. The picture looked ancient. It was
signed, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanks for the tip about the
frogs and the name change, Samuel Clemens.”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey, that looks like that Huckleberry Finn dude, but his name was Mark
Twain.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“They are one and the same. The Defenders sent me to investigate some
unusual amphibian activity in a mining camp east of San Francisco. Down.” The
elevator started down. “I met a young reporter from the local newspaper, and he
volunteered to show me the way to the camp. He said, and I do quote, ‘I have
been hankering to go out exploring the countryside, and I would be as happy as
a June bug in clover to escort you to the camp.’”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara reached out to press the button on the elevator. Mr. Thompson
stopped her hand. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The buttons don’t work the way you would think Sara. They are a trick.
The elevator only works with verbal commands from selected voices. Elevator,
authorize the following voice. Sara, say down.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Down.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now you can authorize the elevator yourself. The buttons are a trap.
If you press the button, you will teleport somewhere- anywhere.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara put her hands down. “Wow. So tell me more about the June bug in
clover dude.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, Sam and I became wonderful friends. The amphibian activity
turned out to be some jumping frog contest. I suggested to Sam. He should write
an amusing story and perhaps change his name to something simpler. He wrote a
very famous story called ‘The Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County,’ and he changed
his name to Mark Twain.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is cool. This elevator is slow.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is not that slow. We are going down to the very core of the
installation.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wow. Hey, Mr. Thompson, who are the Defenders? You mentioned them in
your story.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Defenders of the White Star are an organization I belong. They
were around a very long time. It is their mission to destroy the evil in our
world so everyone can live in peace again. We were a very active organization
once, but the arrest of most of our leaders led us to work covertly.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I bet my dad would join you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your father works for the Senate of Libero Salus, and they have
declared our organization illegal. He fights against Tenebrae in his way. Well,
we are here now, come along Sara.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She wandered down the hallway. On each side was a brightly colored door
with a picture window alongside it. At the end of the hall was a very plain,
but somehow ominous brown door. Mr. Thompson entered the door on the left side
while Sara peered through the window. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The room was filled with computers and sitting at the computers were
small children with beautiful iridescent wings. Mr. Thompson was talking with
one of the magical creatures. “Fairies, they are fairies.” One of the fairies
flew over to the window and looked at Sara. The fairy was wearing an iridescent
blue dress that matched her blue and purple iridescent wings. She smiled at
Sara and then returned to her computer.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you ready, Sara?” Mr. Thompson exited the door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, what are the fairies doing? They are fairies, aren’t they?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“They are monitoring the internet. Tenebrae has been using the internet
to plant seeds of evil which they will use to invade Earth. The fairies are
removing the evil put onto the internet by Tenebrae.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Cool. Mr. Thompson, what will happen to the fairies and other magical
creatures if I fail?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Remember Sara. You will not fail. What do you think the answer to that
is, Sara?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not good?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tenebrae does not like good magical creatures, like fairies, which use
white magic. I need to go into the map room for just a moment. You can wait
right here.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson entered the other room while Sara looked through the
window. Inside the room was a hideous creature. It reminded her of something
from one of her nightmares, part warthog, and part camel. The walls were
covered in maps. One of the maps looked like her neighborhood, and the creature
was putting a red pin on her house. “That can’t be good.” Thompson patted the
creature on the hump and came back to the hall. Sara was still staring at the
creature.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know Stanley takes a little getting used to, but he has been with me
since the beginning, and I would trust him with my life.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The fairies are so beautiful, and he’s so, so....”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, they are, and many good magical creatures are beautiful, but some
of the evil creatures are beautiful also. And some good magical creatures are,
shall we say, unique looking. You mustn’t judge good or evil based on outward
appearance, Sara. Always look for what is in the heart.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do the red push pins mean, Mr. Thompson?” Sara and Mr. Thompson
walked towards the ominous door at the end of the hall.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The red push pins designate where someone has been kidnapped. Your
mother was not the first, and she won’t be the last.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Next to the door at the end of the hall was a plaque. The second name
on the plaque was Thomas Tyrone Thompson. Stanley’s name was third. Also on the
list were Grant S. Dalton, her teacher, and Jackson Roberts, her father. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mr. Thompson, what is this plaque? It has my father’s name on it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah,” smiled Mr. Thompson, reminiscing, “That is a plaque honoring the
brave members of the Defenders of the White Star from about fifteen years ago.
The first name on the list, Darrien G. Fulmer, was our leader. Well, we are
here Sara, at the lab, where we can train you on how to use the magical
talismans. Are you ready?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll never be ready, but let’s go on anyway.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-28707531847052659102020-06-03T10:20:00.001-05:002020-06-03T10:20:24.170-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198147">Chapter
Eleven</a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198147;">The Food
Taster’s Die-t</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198147;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet and Maggie stepped into their study. Appleton, unaware of their
entrance, as he was paying too much attention to a fly as it buzzed from one
spot to another. The fly didn’t know the toad was considering him as a light
snack. Appleton, with the agility of a great hunter, poised himself for the
strike, his tongue slowly unfurling towards the fly. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Harrumph, Appleton,” Maggie said sharply, “You have lost your manners.
Since when did it become unfashionable to bow when royalty enters a room?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He jumped, his tongue, only centimeters from the oblivious fly, snapped
back into his mouth with a loud popping sound. “My humblest apologies, your
Evilness’s, I was just going for an afternoon snack,” sputtered the toad. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The fly heard the pop and turned around. “Whew,” he said, wiping his
forehead, “That was close.” He flew away, unaware that royalty had entered the
room but glad not to be an afternoon snack. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Appleton, how dare you think about yourself on such a momentous
occasion? You should be thinking only of us.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We have been waiting for such a long time for this to happen,
Appleton. Give us some time to savor the moment.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet and Maggie stood facing each other, hands held in front and took
a deep breath. They took a moment to shed just the correct amount of fake
tears.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,” Janet said, “That is enough savoring. Appleton, where is our
dearest little sister we have longed to be with, and her adorable little
angelic daughter we have never had the pleasure of meeting?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where’s Elizabeth and the kid?” amended Maggie. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Appleton backed away from the sisters. “Uh, you see, we do have
Elizabeth but, Sara, the child, she was too heavily guarded. We have not been
able to capture her yet, your Evilness’s,” he said as he bowed to the
Princesses, trembling. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What,” yelled Maggie and Janet in unison, their faces turning a lovely
shade of purple. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You incompetent fool of a toad; we ask one simple assignment of you. I
can’t be….”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, dear daughters, could you help me?” Queen Hillary stepped into the
room, “Oh my, was I interrupting something?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, no, not at all dearest mother.” Maggie glared at the toad,” We
were just visiting with our dear friend.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Queen motioned for the Princesses to join her at the door. “Are you
aware, children,” she said. “You are speaking with a toad?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, yes,” said Janet, “Toads are our friends.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Queen said, “They are disgusting creatures, and I’ve always thought
they were disgusting creatures.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“But mother,” said Maggie, “You made the toads, don’t you remember? You
were angry at our dear father, and you turned him into a toad.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah, yes,” said the Queen, “I did, didn’t I? That was my toad phase and
everyone I became angry with I turned into a toad. It was quite fun. They are
still very disgusting. Janet that isn’t your father, is it?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, mother. Appleton was your butler.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, yes, I remember. He let a mosquito get into my room.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mother,” said Maggie, “Did you want us for some reason?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, yes,” said the Queen, “I almost forgot. I’m hungry, and I can’t
find my food taster.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, dear,” said Janet. “I forgot to tell you, Mommy, he quit. He
decided to retire in the South. He left right after lunch this afternoon.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just don’t understand,” said
the Queen. “I can’t keep a food taster for more than a week. They are always
retiring or quitting. And none of them come to tell me. They don’t show up.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know good help is so hard to find. I will send my groom to you. He
can be your next taster.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, dear daughter. You are so good to me. I always enjoy it
when you make my food like you made my lunch this afternoon. That was very
sweet of you.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is our pleasure, mother.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Send the groom to me immediately. I am ravenous.” The Queen stepped
out of the door. Under her breath, she said, “Except the food those girls make
is terrible. I must find a way to stop them from cooking for me.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet laughed, “What happened to the taster this time, dearest sister?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I haven’t disposed of him yet. He’s right here.” Maggie lifted the top
of a cabinet. Inside the cabinet was a dead body.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ew.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s the price we must pay, Appleton, and speaking of price’s to pay.
There will be a price to pay if we don’t see that child here very soon.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” said Maggie, “We gave you strict orders for you to bring back
our sister and our brat niece. I do not recall anything in the order about
bringing our niece back if it was convenient.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We tried every effort to secure the girl. She was too elusive. Every
time I thought I had her, one of those guardians would show up. I did manage to
bring back your sister,” pleaded Appleton. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Very well. Where have you hidden our dear Elizabeth?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your sister is being held hostage in another room. Two of my men are
guarding her as we speak.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, take us to see her you simpleton,” squealed Maggie. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, certainly your Evilness,” Appleton, bowed respectfully, “Did I
mention we have located the White Manor where your niece is being given
sanctuary? It is only a matter of time before my operatives break the security
of The Manor,” Appleton boasted. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, then, what are you doing here. Go finish the job you were sent
to do.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes,” said Maggie, “And Appleton, I need not remind you, no one has
disappointed us twice.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And lived to tell about it.” Janet handed Appleton his green sports
coat.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-12186873800904286982020-05-30T08:42:00.001-05:002020-05-30T08:49:12.051-05:00<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chapter Ten</h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
Teachers Deliver Bad News, that isn’t Homework<br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara slept comfortably in her soft bed. She had no nightmares, only
dreams of winning American’s Got Talent.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Knock. Knock.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked at her watch; it was only 4:45 in the morning. “Why is Mom
waking me up so early?” She turned over to go back to sleep.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">KNOCK. KNOCK.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, Mom. I’m awake,” she said, sitting up in bed. It wasn’t her bed,
it wasn’t her room, and it wasn’t her mom knocking on the door. “Just a
minute,” she said, grabbing a robe from the closet door; the robe had not been
there when she went to bed. She opened the door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Dalton and Ms. Graham were standing at the door. They had been
crying. Ms. Graham had a breakfast tray in her hands. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mr. Thompson would like as soon as you have dressed and have eaten.”
Ms. Graham placed the tray on the small desk. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And we would like to say good-bye, Sara.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you leaving?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I believe you will be leaving very soon.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, I’m not leaving until my mom gets here.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just get dressed and eat your breakfast, then go to see Mr. Thompson,”
sniffled Ms. Graham. She reached over and gave Sara a big hug. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We will miss you, Sara. We have enjoyed watching over you the last few
weeks,” said Mr. Dalton, and then he hugged her also.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The two of them walked away, holding hands. Sara shut the door behind
them. “Ewww… I didn’t need to see old people holding hands. Ew, that’s so
gross. I didn’t need to be hugged by teachers, Ew.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She opened the closet door and pulled out the only outfit in there, her
jeans and pink Minnie Mouse T-shirt, cleaned and neatly pressed. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Breakfast was delicious: corn flakes with elbow macaroni and anchovies
with bacon on the side. Fantastic. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dressed, fed, and ready to go, she stood up just as Bradford knocked on
the door. “Are you ready Miss Sara?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Coming.” She opened the door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are meeting Mr. Thompson in his study.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Which door is that?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The door at the end of the hall.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That door goes to the dining room; I mean the TV Room, oh and yes the
study too. This is very confusing, Bradford.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You still haven’t guessed the secret of the door, Miss Sara?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I guess not. Maybe it is a bit indecisive.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bradford smiled. “No, Miss Sara, it knows what it is doing. It is a
magic door. It will take you wherever you need to be.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bradford opened the door. It led her to the Dining Room where Mr.
Thompson was finishing his breakfast. “Good morning Sara.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara giggled and shut the door. Let me try it,” she said opening the
door that opened into the study. “Wait, I thought it was supposed to take me to
Mr. Thompson. He is in the dining room.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah, but Sara, I am right here at my desk. We were planning to meet
right here.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, Mr. Thompson, you were just in the dining room.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, I was, but I am in here now. Come sit down.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bradford closed the door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I trust you slept well, and your breakfast was satisfactory?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, it was unbelievable.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson picked up a piece of paper lying on his desk, took off his
glasses, and rubbed his eyes. He looked exhausted. Sara sat up straight in her
chair, “Mr. Thompson, are you okay?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Sara. I am. It’s just that what I have to tell you is very
disturbing. We have been at your house and have investigated the situation.
Tenebrae has learned to send instant messages even without an internet
connection- very surprising. They sent the instant messages, Sara. I’m thrilled
you didn’t read them. They were very disturbing, very disturbing indeed.
However, you will be delighted to hear. We don’t think there were any monsters
in the house that night. Earlier in the day, there were some rats and toads.
Sara, we believe they have kidnapped your mother.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What. You were supposed to protect her.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, and I’m afraid we failed.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What will they do to her?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The sisters will find a way to eliminate her- permanently.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara stared at Mr. Thompson; her eyes wide with disbelief. Tears welled
up in her eyes, and she cried for a long time before she finally said, “You
have to save her, Mr. Thompson.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara, you love your mother, I know that, but even more than that, she
is crucial in our plan to put the white magic back in control of Tenebrae. She
must be saved.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then send someone to do it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We can’t. The moment any of us step foot in Tenebrae, your aunts would
know it, and we would be arrested. We need someone to save her that the Aunt’s
don’t have a magic signature on.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford, he’s a smart guy, he could do it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford would very gladly do that for you, but he can’t. He’s from
Earth. Although we can go back and forth, if someone from Earth enters
Tenebrae, they just sort of- well- blow up. It’s very messy.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then who can save her?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Me? I’m not old enough Mr. Thompson.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know. I know. Perhaps when
you get there, you can find your father, and he can help you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My dad is in Tenebrae?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, actually, he is in Libero Salus. He and his army are defending
Libero Salus, but, I don’t know his whereabouts exactly.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara looked lost. She finally said, “Okay. I’ll do it. You tell me what
to do.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We were supposed to start training you in the use of your white magic
today. Your mother was going to train you in black magic so you could fulfill
your destiny. Your mother’s kidnapping has put a little hiccup in our plans.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My destiny?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, but now, we must rescue your mother first so she can teach you
the use of black magic. None of us here knows it, and it is very different than
white magic. However, we do have some magical talisman’s that can help you in
your journey; it’s not as useful as knowing magic, but better than nothing.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“But, Mr. Thompson, even with the magic talismans, I just don’t see how
I can help all by myself.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara, you must know a little of what I know. Number one, I know you
are smart.” She shook her head no. “Now, hear me out. I know you are smart; you
don’t try as hard as you could in school, but you are brilliant like your
mother. Your aunt’s, well neither of them are very smart- they are very evil
and are superb at being evil- but they aren’t very smart. Number two, you may not
realize it, but you are very special. You have a lot of magical power, probably
more than anyone in Tenebrae. I know you don’t know how to use it, but it just
might help you anyway. I believe it will be there when you need it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, Mr. Thompson, if you say so.” She thought about her mother.
“When do I leave?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“There are preparations we need to make. We need to familiarize you
with the magical talismans. We need to program the teleporter. The programming
takes about six hours, and if it isn’t done just right, well you could land
just anywhere. So, you will probably leave early this afternoon. In the
meantime, follow me. We will teach you as much as we can before you leave.” He
walked over to the history books and pulled three of them out. Swoosh. A secret
panel opened. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mr. Thompson, what happens if I fail?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dear Sara, you won’t fail. If you failed, it would be a disaster.
Tenebrae will take over Libero Salus, and then they will take over the
defenseless Earth and enslave all the people.” He gently held her under her
chin and looked into her eyes, “You won’t fail Sara. You are much stronger than
you think.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-21567341734082804012020-05-27T10:18:00.001-05:002020-05-27T10:18:24.725-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chapter Nine</h1>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
Magic 101<br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara stepped through the French doors into the study, though just a few
minutes before; the French doors had led to the dining room. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson was seated behind the desk waiting for her. “Welcome back,
Sara, I trust your visit with Tiffani was enjoyable? Help yourself to some
cookies and have a seat.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She sat down in the comfortable chair and nibbled on her liverwurst
cookie. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara, what do you know about your life before you were born?” She
looked up, puzzled. “Hmmm, you don’t remember anything at all?” She shook her
head. “I see, and neither your father nor your mother has told you anything
about their lives before or about magic, am I right?” She nodded. “It is as I
feared. We have a long night ahead of us.” He pressed a button on the phone.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Sir.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford, would you please record America's Got Talent for me? I may
be awhile.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his back, his
eyes closed. “I need to decide where to begin. You now know about Tenebrae,
correct?” She shook her head. “Let’s talk about magic, shall we?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh yes, please. You say I am magical? Can I fly? Can I make stuff
disappear? Can I turn people into toads?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No- I don’t think so, yes and yes- but who would you want to turn into
a toad?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No one- it would just be neat if I could.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The people of Tenebrae have had magic for thousands of years. Legend
says it was given to a select few by a magician. Because we were human and
fallible, the magician would not give any one person all the magic- it would
make them too powerful. She split magic into two pieces, white and black. Some
people and creatures were given white magic, and others were given black. The
type of magic traveled down from generation to generation through the father.
The strength of the magic traveled down through the mother. In time, many of
those with the black side of magic became evil. It is believed the magic
changed them somewhat. Fortunately, Queens with white magic ruled the Queendom.
Two thousand years ago, the good Queen Amelia fell in love with the evil Count Doldunt.
Since then, the black magic has traveled through the Queendom, with each
successive queen becoming even eviler than the last. It was interesting that
you mentioned turning people into toads. Hillary, the current queen, turns
people into toads when she is angry with them. It is her favorite evil deed.
You were followed by one today, Appleton. They have been hired to search for
you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ew. But, Mr. Thompson, why did no one else notice a toad driving a
car?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The toads have a magic spell on them. People without magic see them
only as an ugly person.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah, that explains it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, to your family. Queen Hillary is your grandmother. Your mother is
the next heir to the throne.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Cool. I’m a princess. I always wanted to be a princess. Wait a minute,
an evil princess? Mr. Thompson, no one calls my mother evil. There must be some
mistake. I want to leave right now.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sit down, Sara. Your mother is not evil. I said many of those with the
black side of magic were not to be trusted, but not all of them are. Your mother
never was bad, though she does have black magic. The magic itself is not dark
or white. Black magic can be used for good and white magic can be used for
evil.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay.” She sat down. “So, once
my mother gets the throne, Tenebrae will be good again, right?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“If your mother goes back to Tenebrae, she will never make it to the
throne. Her older sisters will have her killed long before she can take over
the throne. They are the ones hiring the toads to find her.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Older sisters? So, wouldn’t they be the heirs instead of my mom?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Funny detail about magic, it is condensed in the seventh born daughter
or son. Therefore, it was declared in Tenebrae a long time ago that any seventh
daughter born would immediately become the heir. Queen Hillary was the seventh
daughter, and your mother is her seventh daughter. Your mother has some
powerful magic.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Awesome.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your hot chocolate, Sir.” Bradford entered the door carrying a tray.
“And some of those little donuts you like.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank you, Bradford. Sara, would you like to have some hot chocolate
with me?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, great, thanks.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tiffani tells us you had an interesting night last night. Would you
like to tell me what happened?” continued Mr. Thompson as Bradford stepped out
the door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I came home from school and sat down at the table to do my homework
like I always do. And then….”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara,” interrupted Mr. Thompson, “I think it would be most helpful if
you were entirely truthful.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara turned red. “Okay, I didn’t do my homework. I sat down at the
computer to check my email and talk to my friends online, but no one was
online, so I started playing a game. I kept getting this IM- it said, Sara are
you there? It scared me because it was a stranger, and it came back even after
I ignored it. I forgot to turn the internet off right away, and the calamities
must have gone into it. Even after I turned the internet off, the IM came
back.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Calamities?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. My mother always says if you leave the internet on all sorts of
calamities can happen. I left it on, and I battled monsters in the house all
night.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where was your mother, Sara?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I thought she was in her room with another headache. When I came home
from school today, she wasn’t there. Mr. Thompson, I don’t believe she was home
at all yesterday.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you have any idea where she might have gone?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, there was a note saying she was helping Aunt Abigail, but I
don’t have an Aunt Abigail.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You do have an Aunt Abigail. She lives in Boston.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have an aunt in Boston? The note didn’t look like it came from my
mother.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are there any other reasons you think your mom was not there the day
before?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, I left a note on my mom’s bed to say I loved her yesterday
morning and it was still there this afternoon. She did not sleep in her bed.
And, her purse, keys, cell phone, and sunglasses were on her dresser.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford.” Mr. Thompson pressed the button on the phone.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Sir.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please send someone over to Sara’s house. I want to know what messages
have been on the computer and look for signs of monsters, toads, and rats at
the house.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Sir, immediately Sir.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She started to cry. “Mr. Thompson, I’m worried about my mother. I need
my mother right now. Please find her for me.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara, we will find your mother, I promise. In the meantime, would you
like to join me in watching American's Got Talent?” Mr. Thompson handed her a
tissue. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">They stepped out through the study room door and directly into the TV
room.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Later that evening, as Sara left the TV room, the door led to the
hallway again.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-69166492126809157012020-05-22T11:40:00.001-05:002020-05-22T11:40:26.809-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198144"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter Eight</span></a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198144;">Wicked
Sisters of the Traveling Plan</span>s <br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thirty - six years before, in Tenebrae.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mr. High Rat. You are in charge of our security, correct?” asked
Maggie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Ma’am.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And you work for us, and must do anything we ask?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not exactly, I work for your mother, th’ Queen.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Technicalities.” Nine-year-old Maggie weighed her options. “How much
does my mother pay you?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Enough for a single rat with no responsibilities, why do y’all ask?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My sister Janet and I have more spending money each week than you make
in a year, am I right?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is correct. I still don’t know why y’all askin.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“How would you like to make a little extra money on the side?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What would I need to do?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just make sure my sister Barbara is standing precisely here at exactly
3:15 tomorrow afternoon.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah reckon I can do that.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">At 3:15 the next afternoon, a large piece of the castle wall smashed
Princess Barbara. There were few witnesses. One reported seeing the High Rat
escort the Princess a few minutes earlier. Another witness reported seeing
Princess Maggie and Princess Janet on the castle turret above just moments
before the horrendous accident occurred. All the witnesses disappeared as
several empty cells in Doldunt Prison became suddenly occupied. The High Rat
was seen walking to his office with a large attaché case. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="_x0000_i1028" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata grayscale="t" o:title="Ramon squiggle" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One year later.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mr. High Rat. I have another assignment for you,” ordered Janet. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah reckon as long as it don’t include the injury of any of your
sisters. That last accident was most unfortunate.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, of course not, but it would be a financially wise decision. I am
doing a report on the Terina bee, and I need to study one. Could you get one
for me?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Them there Terina bees are very poisonous Princess Janet. It would be
costly to acquire one of them on such short notice.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, we are willing to pay well.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What would y’all like me to do with the bee once I find one?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You see that tower room over there, the one no one ever uses? Put it
in there.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Ma’am.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata grayscale="t" o:title="Ramon squiggle" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Three weeks later, a Terina bee stung Princess Briana while she played
hide and seek with Janet and Maggie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There were no witnesses. Nevertheless, anyone found in the vicinity had
been executed. The High Rat in charge of Princess Security was seen leaving the
castle with two large attaché cases. He was never seen or heard from again. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Queen Hillary was alarmed. Her two oldest daughters had been killed in
only two years. Someone was threatening the royal family. She spent several
weeks concocting a special protection spell for herself and her daughters.
“Anyone causing harm to any of the royal family shall receive the same in
return.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One month later.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Teresa, we know who’s been murdering our sisters,” whispered Maggie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, and we are aware who’s next on her list,” added Janet.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s Abigail, and you are next.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“How do you know that?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We overheard her yesterday talking to her maidservant about how she
was going to kill you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?” asked Teresa.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Isn’t it obvious?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s removing all of her competition for the throne. You are next in line
to the throne.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, dear. I never thought about that.” Theresa walked away. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One week later, an attempt was made on Abigail’s life. A part of the
castle wall fell right next to her, and a Terina bee landed on her but did not
sting. Her sister Theresa was stung by the bee, and a falling part of the
castle wall crushed her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata grayscale="t" o:title="Ramon squiggle" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Two months later, Queen Hillary gave birth to her seventh daughter,
Elizabeth. The Queen announced her birth to the Queendom as follows: “I am
pleased to present my seventh daughter, Elizabeth, as my chosen heir to the
throne. In accordance with the rules of the Queendom, any seventh born daughter
shall be the heir to the Queendom by virtue of the greater magical power
inherent within her.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet and Maggie were not pleased. For the first time in many years,
they spent long hours studying the rules of the Queendom. They hired scribes to
study more. The law was clear; Elizabeth was the heir. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata grayscale="t" o:title="Ramon squiggle" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today in Tenebrae.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet and Maggie were in the middle of their weekly meeting. It was
Janet’s turn to host the meeting in her sitting room with magenta curtains and
magenta upholstery. A beautiful cherry curio cabinet with all of her evil
talisman’s lined up in order from shortest to tallest stood by the door. Everything
in the room was lined up from shortest to tallest. Janet even remodeled the
doors and windows to match the slanting décor. Janet was pacing back and forth
in front of the slanted windows.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I can’t believe how long it is taking for dear Mummy to succumb to the
poison.” Maggie stood in front of the curio cabinet and rearranging the
talismans in tallest to shortest. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shh, dear Sister, the walls have ears,” cautioned Janet. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is very true, dearest Janet, but let’s not forget just who pays
the wages of those ears; I believe that happens to be us,” cackled Maggie. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mother is being so stubborn, but stubbornness does run in the family.
Remember when we tried to get our dearest sister to jump off a cliff and take
the screaming brat Liz with her?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, I remember. Her name was Abigail, wasn’t it?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It doesn’t matter what her name is or was, does it, Maggie?” Janet
said while rearranging the talismans in order from shortest to tallest. She
walked over to the window and stared out. “If the urchin had just done as we
suggested, we would not be in this predicament.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was sure it would work. Remember Theresa?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Janet smiled. “Oh, poor sweet sister, dearest Theresa, she was so
gullible.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, yes, she just gobbled it all up. She wasn’t very creative though,”
laughed Maggie, as she rearranged the talismans.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That was so perfect. Dear Mother just took it all in. It convinced her
that Theresa was the guilty party all along.” Both sisters laughed, tears
streaming down their faces. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Past victories aside, we still have the Elizabeth problem.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maggie, you know how to spoil my fun. Have you thought of another way
to kill her?” she said, rearranging the talismans in order of shortest to
tallest. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, Janet, if you don’t stop second guessing every evil move I make,
I’m not going to share my crown with you,” yelled Maggie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Share your crown with ME?” screamed Janet, “I might not share my crown
with you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just one second there, dearest Janet, it is I who plan to share MY
crown with you. After all, I was the firstborn,” jeered Maggie. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, no dear Sister, I was the firstborn. Mother was specific; she said
the firstborn had a small pink mole next to her right eye. She saw it clearly
when the nurse held me up to her after I was born. See, I have a pink mole next
to the right eye.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie smiled, “Ahh, but dearest, dearest little Sister, when I was
held up, the mole next to my left eye was on mother’s right side. Thus, she
said, the oldest is the one with the mole on her right- HER right. Besides,”
she turned away from Janet and rearranging the talismans again, “it is not
important now, dearest. Another simple twist of fate puts Elizabeth’s claims on
the crown above our own.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, I don’t think we need to worry about our baby sister. I forgot to
tell you, dear Sister. I had the foresight to place an operative at a popular
theme park, and he spotted the whole family outside his station, Mr. Toad’s
Wild Ride last year. They were followed. Appleton is on his way right now to
retrieve our dearest sister and her brat child.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie retorted, “Bringing Elizabeth here would not solve our problem.
Mother still has that annoying protection spell in place. True, we can bend the
spell’s protection against Mother, but we haven’t been able to budge the
protection against Elizabeth.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was saving that for last. Elizabeth has been protecting her child
from us.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course, she has been protecting her from us. We want her dead.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Doesn’t that make Elizabeth a guardian? And hasn’t our mother made it
against the law and subject to the penalty of death to be a guardian?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, and the spell does not protect her daughter.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Exactly dear Sister.” Janet folded her hands across her chest. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My dear Sister, I haven’t given you proper credit, you are much dastardlier
than I thought. This might work.” Maggie was sweetly thinking, “I mustn’t let
her get the upper hand on me again.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Knock Knock.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Enter.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The servant girl, Alice, entered the room. “Pardon the interruption,
your Evilness. You have a visitor. It is a devious looking toad. I believe it
is Appleton.” Alice, the servant girl, went to her knees and bowed until her
head touched the floor. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Show Mr. Appleton into the study, and please tell him we will attend
to him momentarily. Now, leave us, girl,” demanded Janet. As soon as the girl
had left and shut the door behind her, Janet and Maggie both skipped around
like school children. “It looks like our hard work has finally paid off.” The
sisters left the sitting room arm-in-arm and headed to their reward, waiting in
the study. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As they were leaving, Janet stopped suddenly and said, “Dear Sister, I
think one of our dearly departed sisters’ ghosts may be haunting us. My evil
talismans keep rearranging themselves.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My dear Sister,” Maggie said, “I believe you may be </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">right; they are doing the same to me.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-76412116886785030202020-05-20T09:30:00.001-05:002020-05-20T09:30:47.678-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198143"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter Seven</span></a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198143;">Old Friends,
not from Facebook</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198143;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Most people said Elizabeth was unduly cautious, but she knew that one slips
up could mean disaster for herself or her young daughter. There was a time when
the Roberts family could enjoy being a family, even go on a vacation every once
in a while.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She remembered a wonderful family trip to Disneyland just last year.
Sara had ridden on Space Mountain at least five times, and they had all enjoyed
Splash Mountain immensely. Her husband, Jackson, had purchased the family
picture. Even though this picture caught Elizabeth in the middle of a scream,
her mouth wide open, and her eyes clamped shut. Sara, on the other hand, was
smiling and had thrown her hands in the air. Sara had asked to go on Mr. Toad’s
Wild Ride, and they could not explain to her, a toad spy might be hiding in the
animatronics. They settled on Peter Pan instead. As they left the park, Sara
was allowed to pick any t-shirt she wanted. Wouldn’t you know it; she chose a
pink Minnie Mouse t-shirt. Imagine, her daughter walking around with a rodent
on her shirt.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Since that trip, they constantly moved, always staying one step ahead
of the toads. Fortunately, she was very sensitive to the magic of the toads. It
gave her migraine headaches, and this had helped her stay on the run.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She could sense something was wrong. She didn’t have a headache, but
something just wasn’t right.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She knew it was time to tell her daughter about everything. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She was finishing the last batch of avocado muffins. The porridge and
scrambled cottage cheese sat on a plate atop the kitchen table. “Tonight,” she
whispered, “Tonight I will tell her.” She glanced down the hall and saw Sara
coming out of the master bedroom. “Ok. What’s up Sara? You know you are not
allowed in my room without permission.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nothing,” said Sara, “Really, nothing at all.” She sat at the table
with a Cheshire cat smile on her face. Elizabeth put her hands on her hips as
Sara shoveled the food into her mouth- not missing a crumb-, grabbed her
backpack, and sprinted out the door for school. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara,” her mother called, “we need to talk after school. It is
urgent”. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After she cleaned off the table and washed the dishes, she picked up
the trash to take it out to the trashcans in the alley. As she was walking to
the garbage cans, she saw the tracks. Dozens of toad tracks and rat tracks
pressed into the damp earth. Dropping the trash, she ran back into the house,
closing and locking the back door as she did so. “I have to inform Thomas; we
have been discovered. They’ve never been this close before.” She ran to her
room to get her cell phone. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Midway down the hall, she froze. It was too late. She had heard the
toad before she saw him. She turned to face him and noticed he was not the lone
toad in the room. “Hello Liz, you have been avoiding us. Now, that isn’t very
nice, is it? After all, Liz, we go back a long way, don’t we?” croaked the
toad.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Leave us alone, Appleton, we aren’t bothering anybody,” pleaded Liz. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know we can’t do that Liz. The fact that you are still breathing
makes my employers nervous but, they want to solve that problem- personally. I
regret I didn’t get here soon enough to get that brat kid of yours before she
got on that yellow bus. We almost had her,” sneered Appleton. Elizabeth turned
to run as the toads unfurled their tongues and shot them at her.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She felt several stings as the poisonous tongues lanced her neck. “I
must say, Appleton, you do look better as a toad.” She laughed at Appleton as
her world went dark and she crumpled to the floor. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Appleton handed a note to one of the other toads with instructions to
place it on the bed. “Don’t disturb anything in the room, am I clear Walter?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata grayscale="t" o:title="Ramon squiggle" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tiffani and Sara walked arm in arm to the French doors leading to the
garden. Once outside, Sara stopped.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s wrong, Sara?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s those statues. They are creepy. How about we stay right here?”
The statues were turned and staring straight at Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, they aren’t creepy. They are part of the protection system for The
Manor. Come on.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">They strolled through the garden, Sara keeping her eye on those
statues. As they walked, the statues followed her. She shivered. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, Sara, has your mother told you anything?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We talk all the time.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I mean about Tenebrae.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, not about that. I don’t understand what’s going on Tiffani. I’m
confused.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You were taken from our world by your mother and father when you were
a baby. At around the same time, the Queen allowed people to leave our world if
they first had their magic signatures taken. Tenebrae looks for these
signatures, and if we return, we will be killed or imprisoned. We can never go
back. Even here many of us are hunted and are either killed or conveniently
disappear. The word from back in Tenebrae is a lot of them ended up in Doldunt
Prison.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tiffani, that is terrible. Why doesn’t the United States Government do
something about it?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Earth can never know about us; they wouldn’t understand. Some of us
have volunteered as guardians. We protect the others. You were my most recent
job.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“How long have you been doing this?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Only about three years- since I was fifteen.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara counted on her fingers, “That makes you eighteen years old.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, there are times we need
to, umm…change our age slightly to protect our assignments.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where is Tenebrae?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“See the North Star?” Tiffani pointed to the North Star. “Count up
seven stars and seven stars to the right.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Really? That’s Tenebrae?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, that’s it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why are you protecting me?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t know. Mr. Thompson hasn’t told me why you are so special but,
no one has had three guardians at the same time before, so you must be pretty
special. I have heard him mention your destiny.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My destiny?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. Listen, Sara. I like you. I want you to be careful.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara looked up. The statues had turned away and were looking towards
the gate. Tiffani followed Sara’s eyes to the statues.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s odd.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What is it, Tiffani?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t know. It’s time for you to get back in the house now; Mr.
Thompson does not like to be kept waiting, and you wouldn’t want to be around
him if you make him to miss American’s Got Talent.” Tiffani smiled. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aren’t you going too?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara watched as Tiffani walked towards the gate, her ponytail held in
place by a blue ribbon. Sara turned around and went into the house.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-26549237571946247192020-05-16T10:28:00.001-05:002020-05-16T10:34:23.308-05:00<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="mso-comment-date: 20200516T1003; mso-comment-reference: RO_1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter Six</span></a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;">Guess Who’s Coming
for Dinner</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bradford opened the door and led
Sara into the hallway. “That is your room at the end of the hall.” </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why do I have to change my shirt?
This is my favorite shirt. My father bought it for me at Disneyland.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It would be too complicated to
explain now. I can only say the other guests at The Manor are not fond of
rodents or amphibians, famous or infamous. I’m sure Mr. Thompson will explain
later.” He opened the door at the end of the hall. “Dinner is in twenty-three
minutes. There are clean clothes in the closet.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thanks.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bradford closed the door. Sara
looked around. The centerpiece of the room was a large four poster bed with an
ornate canopy from which hung beautiful bed curtains. On top of the bed was a
beautiful handmade down quilted comforter with a tiny star-shaped design. Massive
down pillows lay on top of the quilt. She made a swan dive into the bed. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ah,
this is fantastic. This is the most comfortable bed in the world. It’s a
princess bed.”</i> She rolled around on the soft covers.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 1;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Reluctantly, she got up, went to the
closet, and pulled out the first item she touched a green dress embossed with a
white star on the collar. Looking through the closet, it was full of clothes,
all her size, but none of them any more exciting than the dress she pulled out.
</span></span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><a href="file:///D:/amazon%20sara/A_Somewhat_True_AdveCSP_Size_Fix050318%20(2).docx" id="_anchor_1" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_1">[RO1]</a><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After changing, she lay down on the bed and waited for Bradford. The
softness of the bed was lulling her to sleep when Bradford knocked at the door.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He led her to the door at the end of the hall. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is the door to the study, Bradford.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Perhaps, or maybe not,” he said as he opened the door and revealed a
long dining room. The dining room table was intricately carved with stars, and
the dishes were also predominantly designed with stars. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This Mr. Thompson dude must like
stars,”</i> she thought. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bradford pulled out a chair. “Have a seat, Miss Sara; the others will
be entering shortly.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Other members of the household began to come into the room and sit
down. All of them were staring at Sara, and they all looked familiar to her.
There were former teachers, neighbors, and babysitters, all sitting around the
table staring at Sara. Five seats remained unfilled. Mr. Thompson and Bradford
came in, taking two of the seats. Lastly, Mr. Dalton, Ms. Graham, and Tiffani
walked in and sat at the table. Tiffani winked at her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tiffani.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Surprise.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What are you doing here?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It will all be explained in time, Sara,” Mr. Thompson said. “It is
time for our first course of dinner.” He jingled a small bell, and several
servants came in carrying trays of food: peanut butter and pickle soup. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After finishing his soup, Mr. Dalton explained to Sara, “You see, Sara.
We are all guardians; we have sworn to protect others. All of us have been
assigned, at some point in your life, to keep you safe.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Protect me from what?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson jingled the bell, and the main course was delivered: roast
beef marinated in vinegar and mayonnaise, peas and pears in tomato sauce, and
mashed potatoes with plum and cornflakes gravy. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are all from another world, Sara.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are aliens from outer space? Have I been abducted by aliens?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You have not been abducted; you are one of us.” Everyone at the table
nodded. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Get out of here.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford is the only one here that is actually from Earth. We are from
a place far away called Tenebrae. Two thousand years ago it was taken over by
evil; causing a small portion of the country adhering to the old ways to split
off and become Libero Salus,” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You guys are crazy, right?” Sara sat up from the table. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I wish we were, Sara. Sit down, please. I can prove what I say. Our
world is a place of deep magic. Magical persons from Tenebrae have a symbol of
their magic on the palm of their hand. You know what I’m talking about, don’t
you Sara?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Everyone at the table, except Bradford, raised their right palms to
reveal tiny white stars. Sara raised her hand. In the center was a tiny black
star. Everyone around the table gasped. Her ex-babysitter, an old woman of
about 40, swooned. Bradford jumped up to help her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please relax everyone. I suspected Sara’s star might be black. It
probably changes from black to white and back again, does it not Sara?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, it does.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That is what makes you unique among us, Sara.” He jingled the bell
again, and dessert was served: asparagus and onion parfait. “After dessert,
Tiffani, you and Sara may take a walk in the garden if you would like and have
some time together. At precisely eight oh four, I need to talk to Sara for a
while and then we don’t want to miss the audition rounds of Americas Got Talent
tonight.” Mr. Thompson started eating his parfait. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sub Commander Jackson Roberts sat at his desk in the dark, damp cave
the Senate had chosen for the base of operations for the entire army of Libero
Salus forces. His troops were under-armed, underpaid, under-trained, and
under-budgeted. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The High Commander repeatedly explained to him, “Libero Salus has a
long-standing treaty with Tenebrae, and any show of force would only convince
Queen Hillary to break the treaty. Her large, well maintained, superbly trained
offensive forces could then invade the last vestiges of Libero Salus.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He had pleaded to the High Commander for more men, more money, and a
chance to make his forces as good as or even better than the Queen’s but with
no success. Jackson reviewed his options. The only possibility to fight Tenebrae
was covert. He had once belonged to an organization that was doing just that-
The Defenders of the White Star. Queen Hillary had caught the leaders and
executed or imprisoned them. The organization disbanded. Afterward, the Queen
declared a departure amnesty to Earth for all the remaining members and
potential members. Only he and his inept army remained to fight. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jackson, his wife, and newborn daughter had escaped at that time with
the help of forged papers from the Guardians. The three of them had been running
ever. Queen Hillary wanted Elizabeth back. After all, she was the heir to the
Queendom. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maggie and Janet, Elizabeth’s older sisters, wanted her dead, ensuring
the throne for themselves. They had already mysteriously disposed of three
older sisters before Elizabeth was even born. They were gradually poisoning
their mother to death. Once she succumbed, only Elizabeth would stand in the
way. The sisters hired toads and rats to hunt down the Jackson family. The
family had been running ever since. Jackson’s only hope was that Thomas, the
leader of the Guardians, would keep them safe while he was stuck here in this dead-end
army. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If only he had cell phone reception or internet, he could check on them
and make sure they were all okay. He had promised to email them daily. Looking
down at the picture of the three of them at Splash Mountain, he smiled,
remembering the look on his wife’s face when Sara picked out a Minnie Mouse
t-shirt. “They need me at home. They need me to protect them from Queen Hillary
and her daughters.” He closed his eyes and imagined his daughter screaming with
delight as the roller coaster twisted and turned. Then the screams of joy
turned into screams of terror as he imagined her captured by the toads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> <a href="file:///D:/amazon%20sara/A_Somewhat_True_AdveCSP_Size_Fix050318%20(2).docx">[RO1]</a></span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-42773287577431184682020-05-13T10:02:00.001-05:002020-05-13T10:02:41.141-05:00
<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc243198141"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter Five</span></a></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198141;">Mind Your
Manors</span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc243198141;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara removed her cell phone from her front pocket and called her
mother.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When you wish upon a star,
makes no difference who you are</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">….
She heard her mother’s ringtone. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She followed the sound of the singing phone to her mother’s room. Lying
on the dresser was her mother’s cell phone, purse with keys inside, and
sunglasses. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Maybe Mom would leave her phone
behind, perhaps her sunglasses, but purse and keys?”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked around the room, her eyes settled on the note lying on her
mother’s pillow. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yesterday morning, while her mother was making a special breakfast,
Sara had slipped into her mother’s bedroom and placed a note on her pillow, a
little reminder to say she loved her. After that, she returned to the kitchen
and enjoyed a delicious scrambled cottage cheese with peas, porridge, and an
avocado muffin. Now, a day later, the note still lay on the pillow undisturbed.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Her mother had not been home at all yesterday. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Someone had been in her house today to leave the other note and open
the bedroom door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Knock Knock. </span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara jumped. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thomas T. Thompson. Is he the
villain? Or is he the good guy?”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked at her mother’s cell phone. There were four missed calls. One
was from her. The other three were from TTT. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara put her mother’s cell phone, sunglasses, purse, and the note from
the pillow in her backpack. She turned from her mother’s room, trembling and
wiping a tear from her eye, and went to the front door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She remembered her mother’s concerns for safety. “Do you have some ID?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The chauffeur showed her a blue card with a large white star on it,
Thomas T. Thompson Enterprises. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shutting the door behind her,
she followed the man in the white suit. She had never noticed the small toad
tracks outside her mother’s room. She never saw the instant message on her
computer- “WE HAVE YOUR MOTHER. YOU ARE NEXT. THERE IS NO PLACE YOU CAN HIDE.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Arriving in the limo, she glanced back at her house before she tumbled
inside the door. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She played with the gadgets in the limo, momentarily forgetting all her
problems. She did not notice the car parked behind them- the car with the toad
in an ugly green suit. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Better hang on, Miss Roberts.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She put on her seat belt and held on for dear life as the car careened
out of the parking spot and turned right, left and right again, throughout the
neighborhood. The limo pulled onto the freeway.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Miss Roberts, we should have a smooth ride from here on. It will be
lengthy, however. There are some refreshments in the refrigerator, sodas and
some homemade liverwurst cookies; try one, they are delicious.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out a Mountain Dew and a cookie. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“MMM…This is great, even better than my mom’s.” She licked the crumbs from
her finger.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am glad you like them.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Her eyes began to get heavy. She was tired. It had been a long day. She
was exhausted. She drank more Mountain Dew; it always kept her awake. It wasn’t
keeping her awake today. It wasn’t wise to fall asleep in the limo with a
stranger. She fought a valiant battle to remain awake.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She lost. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m so sorry Miss Roberts. Precautions need to be taken. The location
of The Manor must be kept secret.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The limo drove several miles, took an exit off the freeway, turned down
a quiet, deserted country road, and vanished. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Teleportation is still not an exact science. The landings can be unpredictable,
especially if the calculations are not configured correctly. Landings are often
bumpy. The science has improved over the years, however. In the first
experiment, an unsuspecting volunteer in a light blue carriage was to be
transported twenty miles. The rear of the carriage arrived unscathed, but the
front of the carriage and the driver disappeared. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fortunately for Sara, the transport to and from Earth and The Manor had
been perfected and stored in the Limo’s computer. Bumpy landings, however, were
still a problem. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara was suddenly awakened by a sharp jerk and a thud. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ah, Miss Roberts, you are awake. Did you enjoy your nap? We have
arrived.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She sat up, looking around her and rubbing her eyes. She was greeted by
a security camera. On either side of the limo was a long white brick wall
extending as far as she could see. In front of the limo was a very impressive
wrought iron gate with an enormous white star in the center.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked at her palm; the star was white. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The chauffeur punched eight digits into the security system. The
numbers were her birthday. The gate disappeared and reappeared once they
passed. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The limo continued up a long, straight driveway towards a beautiful
white mansion. Along one side of the driveway was a topiary garden of trees and
bushes shaped to look like the strangest animals she had ever seen. One was a
winged horse, and another looked like a lion’s body but with the head of an
eagle. On the other side of the driveway were large statues of men and women.
As the limo passed each statue, it turned and stared at the limo. They were
frightening; she had scarystatueaphobia. She closed her eyes and did not open
them again until the limo stopped in front of the mansion. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The chauffeur led her to the walkway. “They are expecting you, Miss
Roberts.” He nodded towards the ornate, white front door carved with stars.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hesitating, she wished for some courage building Doritos as she pushed
the bell. The door opened. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A very tall man was analyzing her. “Mr. Thompson wishes to extend his
deepest regrets for the clandestine manner in which this meeting has been
arranged.” He spoke in an adamant British accent. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The tall man led her down a long hallway and, pushing open one door of
a set of double doors. “This is the study, Miss Sara; the Master will join you
shortly.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She walked around the study. Books covered the walls. One set of books
was out of alphabetical order. She wanted to correct them but restrained
herself. In the center of the study sat a large desk. On it, she found a lamp,
a large jar full of cell phone batteries, and a weird looking phone. No papers.
No files. She found nothing telling her who Thomas T. Thompson was.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The door opened, and the oldest man Sara had ever seen in her life
shuffled into the room. His wrinkles had wrinkles. He extended his bony,
wrinkled, and brown spotted hand to Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara Roberts, it is indeed an honor to meet you. I have known your
family for a long time,” the old man said. He kept his hand out. Despite a
severe case of bonyhandaphobia, she reached out and touched his hand, afraid of
breaking it, and shook it very lightly. Showing surprising strength, the old
man grabbed her hand and shook it vigorously. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson’s eyes settled on the backpack Sara had dropped in the
middle of the floor, and his demeanor changed very quickly. “Pardon my
impertinence, but it is imperative I see your backpack immediately.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sure,” she said, placing the backpack on the desk and emptying the
contents. The tall man walked in and stood by the desk. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Scan the contents carefully, Bradford.” The old man as he handed the
purse to the tall man.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s my mother’s purse, Mr. Thompson; she left it at home. Can you
help me find my mother?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ll discuss that later, Sara,” Mr. Thompson as he rummaged through
the remaining contents. His eyes landed on the cell phone, and the look on his
face switched from mild curiosity to intense concern. He removed the battery
from the cell phone and put it in the jar of cell phone batteries. “I’m sorry,
Sara, but I forgot to tell you the rules concerning cell phones at The Manor.
They are expressly forbidden.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“My mother’s cell phone is in her purse.” Bradford pulled it out and
took off the battery. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I hope we were in time, Sir.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m sure we will be just fine, Bradford.” He turned to Sara, “You see,
Sara, cell phones have GPS transmitters in them, and with the right equipment,
you can be found just by honing in on that GPS in your cell phone. The GPS does
not work when the batteries are taken off, therefore; we always remove the cell
phone batteries before we come to The Manor. I’m sure there wasn’t enough time
to trace you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She thought about the toad. Maybe he didn’t even need to see the name
on the side of the bus.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson picked up the hairbrush her father had given her. “Have
you been instructed on how to use this?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course.” Sara grabbed the brush from Mr. Thompson and brushed her
hair. Mr. Thompson’s eyes widened, a bead of sweat appearing on his brow, as he
carefully removed it from her hands. Bradford took a step back. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will just hang onto this for the time being, just for your safety,
mind you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Thompson picked up the copy of Huckleberry Finn, leafed through the
pages, and began to mumble on about how he had known Mr. Twain personally and
had spent time with him in San Francisco. The old man set the book down. Sara
picked it up and looked at the inside page; Mark Twain had written the book in
1884.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford, please take Sara to her room to rest before dinner. I
suggest a change in clothes would be appropriate; I don’t understand how your
parents could allow you to have a shirt with a rodent on it.” He looked at her
Minnie Mouse T-shirt. “Dinner is precisely at 6:46; arrive on time please.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-75551407978782534852020-05-12T09:42:00.001-05:002020-05-12T09:42:22.725-05:00
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Four</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
Toads on the road<br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford, I phoned Elizabeth twice yesterday and once today, and she
has not answered.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was leaving to drop off the invitation. Would you like me to have a
look around?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, please. If there are any signs of trouble, we must make sure Sara
is picked up immediately. She must be protected at all costs.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will take care of it, Sir.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara was horrified. The other students had seen her enter the bus with
Bride of Frankenstein's hair. Thankfully, no one noticed. Perhaps they were too
busy watching the toad following the bus. Maybe they were too involved in their
selves to see the newbie in the back of the bus brushing her hair and glaring
out the back window. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally, at the fourth stop on the way to school, the toad passed up
the bus, waved to her, and sped on its way, but only after reading the sign on
the side of the bus- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">WASHINGTON IRVING
MIDDLE SCHOOL. </i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The bus chugged into the school parking lot. She inspected the area for
a toad in an ugly green suit. She knew he was here, but she couldn’t find him.
Everyone had already left the bus, and the driver was closing the doors when he
saw Sara. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey kid, it’s time to leave. Pick up your stuff and get out. I’m on a
schedule here.” He pointed to his watch. Sara trudged down the aisle of the
bus, looking out of all the windows while the bus driver glared at her and
tapped his feet on the floor. As she was scrambling down the steps, she saw
Tiffani sitting on the bench. She ran over and sat with her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The toad forgotten, she started to tell Tiffani about her adventures
from the day before.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tiffani believed her. “Sara, I think we need to talk. There is
something you need to know.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,” she said as the bell rang. “We’ll talk in English, okay? That’s
the late bell. I’m late again. My mom will be so mad.” Sara ran off to class.
Tiffani walked to the other side of the campus, glancing about for any wayward
toads. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">From the shadows, a pair of large toad eyes had seen all that had
happened but was not close enough to hear what the girls were talking about.
The toad was jotting down notes in a small green notebook which he slipped into
his breast pocket. It was now time for him to make his move. He lurched forward
out of the shadows to grab his prey as she passed. At that moment a large man
in a suit walked up to the girl and escorted her to class. The toad had missed
his chance to meet his objective, again. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As Mr. Dalton dropped Sara off at her first-period math class, “Sara,
this is your third tardy. You need to work harder at getting into school on
time. If you promise to do better, we won’t add this tardy on the books, okay?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sure, I promise Mr. Dalton.” She decided he would never believe the
story of the computer calamities or the toad. Mr. Trottier was talking about
square roots, but Sara was having a difficult time concentrating today. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">School has always been an effort for her because her family moved so
often. She is always catching up. But today, the events of the last several
hours and a miserable night’s sleep were making concentration on the subject
impossible. Her mind was wandering from computer calamities to migraines to
toads as she watched the minute hand on the clock move closer and closer to the
end of class. Mr. Trottier walked up to her and stood over her. She felt his
eyes on the back of her head. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, Sara. I asked you a question. What is the square root of 81?” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara had no idea. She had no idea what a square root was, much less
what the square root of 81 was. She glanced at the clock; the minute hand had
reached the 12. She exclaimed, “It’s nine.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Excellent.” Mr. Trottier looked surprised. “I didn’t think you were
paying attention.” The bell rang, and she sprinted to her next class, US
History.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">History class was a repeat of math class. Her thoughts centered on the
events of the past few hours and none of her classes. The only thing she
learned all day was that the British were coming to the party, the party she
was supposed to learn about online last night. She thought, “Now, why would we
care if the British came to the tea party?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara was excited about English class; she would get a chance to talk to
Tiffani. She raced to class. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well Sara, you must be anxious for a lesson in the history surrounding
William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Uh, sure,” replied Sara, watching down the corridor for Tiffani. The
bell rang, Tiffani never came, and she slumped down in her seat. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Now she had, even more, to worry about, toads, instant messages,
calamities, migraines and missing BFF’s. She did hear some of the lessons, but
none of it made sense. She heard Ms. Graham say “The Eyes of March.” She was
also talking about Marc Antony. Sara read all of the tabloid front pages when
she and her mom were shopping for groceries. Everyone knows Marc Antony was
once married to Jennifer Lopez. This has nothing to do with the Julius Caesar. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sara Roberts,” Ms. Graham put her hand on Sara’s shoulder, “We haven’t
heard from you all day. Can you tell me anything you have learned in class
today?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She thought for an instant. Could this be a trick question? Every eye
in the class was looking at her. “Uh- yes- Ma’am. March has eyes.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The entire class broke out in laughter. Sara was the high point of this
boring class. She shrank down into her seat. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The bell rang. “Before you leave, class, you must study for the test on
the play Julius Caesar for tomorrow. We are reading Huckleberry Finn next, and
I want three chapters read by Monday. If you do not intend to read all weekend,
I would suggest you get started on that. Sara, did you get a chance to start
reading the book last night?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, Ms. Graham.” Sara thought maybe she should explain to Ms. Graham all
the events of the evening before but decided, unlike Tiffani, Ms. Graham would
not believe her.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Class Dismissed.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">PE Class was uneventful. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">At lunch, Sara waited for her at Tiffani’s table. Tiffani never came.
Sara ate her Oreo cookies alone, worrying about her BFF.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Finding a secluded part of the school next to the library, she opened
her phone and called Tiffani. Again, there was no answer. The phone didn’t even
ring. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara plodded through the rest of her day. She seriously considered
leaving class early and walking home. She knew that would not only be breaking
a strict home rule but, it would also be breaking a strict school rule. It
would go on her permanent record. Not that she knew what a permanent record
was, but it was probably the reason the commercials on TV talked about people
with bad credit. All of them probably left school early, and it got on their
permanent record. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The end of the day finally came, and she rode home on the bus, hoping
she would find her mother in the kitchen making onion, bologna, and macadamia
nut cookies. The bus pulled up to her house. She stepped off and marched up to
the house, ready to force the calamities from her home. As she approached the
front door, her pulse quickened, and her steps slowed. Looking down the street
for any signs of toads and finding none, she marched up to the front door,
slammed it open with a major attitude, and shouted, “I’m gonna kick some major
monster booty- you just better get out of my way.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There were no monster booty’s to kick. The house was in perfect
condition and as she left it except one thing. Her mother’s door was standing
open. She ran into the room, but it was empty. The bed was made. It was neat
and tidy, and there was a note lying on her mother’s bed. “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sara, I half left to help your Ant Abigail. She had an acident and had
nowere else to turn. Love, Mom.</b>”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oddly, the handwriting or the spelling on the note did not look like
her mothers and Sara had never heard of an Aunt Abigail. As far as she knew,
she didn’t have any aunts, uncles, or grandparents. She had just stepped back
into the living room when she noticed the note under the door, written in very
impressive calligraphy. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Miss Sara Roberts</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Distinguished Mr. Thomas T. Thompson
requests the presence of your company today at precisely 4:43 PM. Be Prompt. I
have taken the liberty of sending transportation. This is of utmost importance.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sincerely,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thomas T. Thompson, ESQ.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A white stretch limo pulled up in front of her house. She was relieved
to see that the chauffeur was not a toad.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-49828081449666588682020-05-08T10:46:00.000-05:002020-05-12T16:04:55.931-05:00<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter Three</span></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Things that
go Bump in the Day</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BUZZ. BUZZ. </span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The alarm sounded at 6:00 AM. Sara reached over and after several
attempts managed to press the snooze button. It had been a night of turmoil.
She had tossed and turned all night long, and with every toss and every turn, a
new nightmare would invade her dreams. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When her alarm sounded the second time, she knew she could no longer
avoid the inevitable. It was time to get up. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She couldn’t move. She tried turning over but couldn’t move. Was she
paralyzed? Or was something holding her down? She tried raising her arms. Could
the evil calamities have invaded the sanctity of her room overnight and
attacked her? Glancing in her mirror, she saw apparitions hovering over her
holding down her arms and legs. Her worst fears had come true. Shaking and
sweating from fear, Sara looked over and saw the hairbrush lying on the bedside
table. She tried to reach for it but could not move her arms. She had no weapon
against these horrendous calamitous ghosts. It was hard to breathe. They were
suffocating her. “I want my daddy.” The apparitions closed in on her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BUZZ. BUZZ.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She opened her eyes; the alarm was ringing. Reaching over to turn it
off, it occurred to her- she was moving. She looked into the mirror. There were
no ghosts. It was only a nightmare. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She had a busy morning ahead of her. Not only would she have to get
ready for school and make her breakfast, but she would have to wrestle computer
calamities first. She had only 45 minutes to get to the school bus. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Opening her closet door, she saw all of her clothes in order as she had
carefully arranged them, jeans on the left. T-shirts were on the right in the
order she would wear them. First a red one, then a blue one, then green, pink,
orange, purple, and yellow. Having worn green yesterday, she picked up the next
shirt- her pink Minnie Mouse shirt, her favorite shirt. She could never have a
bad day when she wore her favorite shirt. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Her hair was a mess. She needed to brush it. Her perfect ponytail now
looked like she had used her hair to mop the kitchen floor. She glanced over to
the bedside table, the place she had seen the hairbrush last. It was not there.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Duh.” laughed Sara, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I saw it
there in my dream.”</i> So where was this hairbrush/weapon? She had sat it down
next to the backpack when she rescued her cell phone and had not picked it up
again.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She had developed a very strict routine every morning and hated varying
from the routine even the slightest. She sat on the edge of her bed, wanting to
brush her hair, open the door, smell her mother’s cooking, run down the hall,
give her mom a hug, eat her breakfast, grab her backpack and lunch, and run to
the bus stop. Today was not an ordinary day. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wishing for her mother’s special spinach pancakes, she ate a few crumbled
Doritos, some Oreo cookies, and the rest of the Mountain Dew. Next, she needed
to retrieve her backpack and hairbrush. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She tip-toed to the door, opened it slightly and glanced at her
mother’s door. It was still closed. There were no signs of monsters from the
hallway to the kitchen entry. She closed the door again. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Grabbing the cell phone and IPOD she shoved them in her pockets and
holding onto the Oreos for a nutritious lunch. She opened the door, scampered
down the hall, darted into the kitchen, scooped up the hair brush, threw the
backpack over her shoulder, scurried through the kitchen door, and ran for the
bus, arriving just before the driver closed the doors. As she entered the bus
doors, she glanced at a car parked in front of her house. A giant toad was
sitting in the driver’s seat staring at her. She gulped. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The sight of a large toad in a hideous green suit sitting in a car in
front of her house would appear odd to Sara but, after the events of the
previous day, it was not so shocking. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She sat at the back of the bus and watched as the toad pulled away from
the curb and followed the bus. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Unable to solve the toad problem, Sara started to solve the one problem
she could solve. She brushed her hair and put it into the perfect ponytail.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-30771238389671106502020-05-06T10:16:00.001-05:002020-05-06T10:17:42.642-05:00<br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter Two</span></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cell Phones,
Backpacks and Goblins</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Trembling, with her back against the door, she scanned the room. Her
eyes fell upon Teddy. She stared at him longingly, but grown-up
thirteen-year-olds able to play T-rated games do not snuggle with teddy bears. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Moments later she was lying curled up on the bed holding Teddy.
Comforted, she began to consider her situation; “Now that my mother has another
migraine, I guess that means we’ll be moving again.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara’s family moved often and lately, every couple of months and always
after her mother had a migraine. They had been here since Christmas, merely six
weeks ago.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will miss Tiffani; she has
been the best friend I ever had. On my first day at my new school she walked up
to me and said</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hi, my name is
Tiffani. Welcome to Washington Irving Middle School. What are your classes?
Maybe we have some classes together?’ A friend like that is a once in a
lifetime find</i>.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need to explain to Tiffani why
I am moving. I can’t leave without telling her,”</i> she asked Teddy. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I need to call her now.”</i> She sprang out
of bed. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She searched the room looking for her cell phone. It was not on the
table or the dresser, and it was not in her pocket or under the bed. Tearing
the covers from the bed, all she found was dry; lint covered gummy bear hiding
under the pillow. “EW.” She covered it back up with the pillow.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In her mind, she retraced her steps since coming home from school. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I always take the cell phone out of my
backpack and put it in my pocket when my mom makes me pick up the backpack from
the kitchen floor</i>.” Sara slumped on the bed. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mom never told me to pick up the backpack. It is still in the middle of
the kitchen floor, and the cell phone is still in it- sitting in the midst of
the pitch dark kitchen and surrounded by creepy computer calamities.”</i> Sara
had developed a severe case of calamitia-phobia.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She felt safe in her room. It was warm, it was light, and it was her
space. Her mom was safe behind her closed door. No one was safe in the rest of
the calamity infested house. She needed to figure out a way to get to the kitchen
and retrieve her backpack without being attacked. She imagined the instant
message escaping from her computer, morphing into a multitude of hairy
monsters, and searching for her. It took little imagination to figure out what
would happen if it found out she was there. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thinking maybe a trip to the kitchen would not be a wise undertaking
and convincing herself she did not need to call Tiffani right away anyway, she
decided to start on her homework she had conveniently ignored. Her assignment
was to look on the internet about some lame party in Boston. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yes, a tea party. I hope my history book
will have something in it because I’m not going near that computer, not ever
again. Unfortunately, my history book is in my backpack. Who cares about some
silly tea party in Boston? Pardon me, Sir, do you have any tea and crumpets</i>?”
she said in her most proper English accent, giggling.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In my English class I need to
start reading that Huckleberry something book, but it is also in my backpack. I
can’t do that.” </i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I have to sit around, I could
listen to music. Now, where is my iPod</i>?” she asked herself as she glanced
around the room, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where else? In my
backpack</i>.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She had no other choice. Rescuing her backpack was necessary. Inching
herself cautiously towards the bedroom door, she listened- nothing but silence.
Breathing deeply and opening the door warily, she peered down the hall. Nothing
was visible except her mother’s closed-door illuminated by a fraction of light
escaping her open door. She closed the door again and ran and jumped back on
her bed, grabbing the teddy bear. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I need courage. The calamities
could be hiding anywhere</i>.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rubbing her face with her hands, she paused and stared at the palm of
her right hand. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was back. In the center of her right palm appeared a tiny black
star. She had first noticed one on her birthday. She had tried washing and
scrubbing with every different type of soap she could find, but it wouldn’t go
away. She had shown it to her mom. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Her mom had said, “You need to wash your hands for supper, Sara.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She didn’t wash her hands. Instead, she found a magnifying glass and
investigated the small dot in the middle of her hand. It wasn’t a dot at all.
It was a small black star. The next day it was gone. Last week it had come
back, and it had been white. Now the black star was back again. The star was
not her current problem and staring at it would not give her any courage. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Didn’t I hear somewhere about
certain foods giving people super-human courage? I’m sure it was on the Food
Network, the Discovery Channel or I made it up, but I’m sure it’s true.”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Searching the room she saw a can of warm Mountain Dew, a bag of
crumpled Doritos laying on the floor and lifting her pillow once again, a
disgusting gummy bear. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Oreos, where
are the Oreos? Oh yeah, I left them next to the computer</i>.” She looked at
the Doritos, then the gummy bear, and then back to the Doritos. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It will have to be Doritos because I am not
touching that gummy bear.”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She guzzled the soda and ripped open the Doritos bag, spilling chips
and crumbs all over her bed. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have to
clean that up before my mom sees it</i>.” She stuffed her face with Doritos. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Satisfied, she crept towards the door, waiting for the super-human
courage to explode inside her. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Whether it was the added caffeine, a full tummy, or only the resolution
in her mind that she had to do this, Sara was more courageous.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Scanning the room for a weapon, she grabbed the first item she saw, the
hairbrush her father had given her for her birthday. He said it was special.
Pointing the hairbrush like a sword, she sneaked up to the door, ducked down
low, opened the door, and entered the hallway, closing the door behind her. She
crept along the floor in the dark, frightening hallway she hoped this would
confuse the calamities into thinking that she was just the family pet. With her
head down and her hairbrush at the ready, she crawled slowly towards the
kitchen. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The calamities had not disturbed her; she knew they were out there, but
they had not noticed her. They could be lying in wait, lulling her into feeling
safe and then as she returned to her room they would attack. She peered into
the darkness of the kitchen sure she saw the outline of something large in the
corner. She rummaged through the backpack, grabbing the cell phone and the iPod
and decided Huckleberry would have to fend for itself. There were not enough
Doritos in the world to make her that brave. Remembering where she had laid the
Oreos, she reached up and grabbed them as she crawled next to the computer. A
faint glow flowed from the monitor. The light on the power cord was off. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Impossible,”</i> she whispered, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything is turned off.”</i> As she
briskly crawled down the hall, she could feel the breath of the calamities as
they followed her.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ping</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sara jumped up and ran to her room slamming the door behind her and
sinking to the floor. After calming herself, she shouted, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I did it. I rescued my cell phone and my iPod and my Oreos from the
calamities</i>.” Speaking as if she were an announcer, she said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Introducing the latest Superhero Spy, Sara
the valiant.</i>” She bowed to the imaginary audience. As the imaginary
applause died down, she called Tiffani on the cell phone. The call went
straight to voicemail. It didn’t even ring. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She jumped into bed, listened to her iPod, and munched on a few Oreos.
Eventually, she dropped the Oreos on the floor, turned over, grabbed Teddy, and
fell asleep. Awakened in the middle of the night to the sound of crashing, she
sat up in bed; but it was only a thunderstorm. She listened to the sound of the
rain on the window and thought she heard the croaking of a frog or was it a
toad? In a matter of seconds, she was fast asleep hoping the monsters did not
function well in the morning.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-28227202650893566082020-05-01T10:31:00.002-05:002020-05-01T10:31:26.916-05:00
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<div align="center" style="margin-right: 35.65pt; tab-stops: 4.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A SOMEWHAT
TRUE ADVENTURE OF </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div align="center" style="margin-right: 35.65pt; tab-stops: 4.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">SARA ROBERTS</span></div>
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<div align="center" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">RAMON
BALLARD</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter One</span></h1>
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<br />
Instant Message from a Toad<br />
<br />
<div style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Goose pimples danced on her skin,
and she shivered while smelling damp earth and rotten eggs. If evil had a
smell, this was it. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
The ropes binding her hands and
feet were digging into her skin, and she groaned when she tried to move. Tiny
pricks and throbbing sensations radiated from the side of her neck as if
something had stung her. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
She was having another dream- a
nightmare. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Opening her eyes, she adjusting
them to the low light. Surrounded by a large, dingy tent, beams of light
filtering through small holes in the fabric but no other light penetrated the
thick walls of the tent. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
“Bring me the prisoner.”
boomed a voice from outside the tent. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Sara listened as the sound of
heavy footsteps approached the tent. She closed her eyes again and lay still,
hoping the creature would not realize she was awake. This was no dream. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
She heard the tent flap open, and
the sound of footsteps grew louder until they stopped next to her. Warm,
foul-smelling breath assaulted her nose. She trembled. A slimy hand tapped her
on the shoulder. She forced herself to breathe evenly, not a squirm, not shake,
and not scream. The footsteps retreated. She ventured to open her eyes a
sliver, just in time to see a giant toad exiting the tent. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
“She’s still unconscious, Sir.”</div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
“I’ll be in my tent. Contact me
the moment she awakes.” Sara could barely see the commanding toad as he croaked
this order, but he was familiar. She had first met him several days earlier.
Her stomach churned as she watched his eyes and his neck bulge and throb. She gagged
when his tongue burst out of his mouth and snatched a defenseless dragonfly as
it buzzed by him. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
She wondered, “How did I get
myself into this predicament?” Her memories flooded back as the poison wore
off. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i>It was that instant message. It
all started with a simple instant message only five days ago.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Sara threw open the unlocked
door. “Mom, I’m home, no homework, when’s dinner, gonna check my email,” she
barked in rapid succession. With perfected precision, she dropped her backpack
in the middle of the kitchen floor, scanned the area for snacks, plopped
herself into the chair, and with one swift motion flipped on the computer and
the internet. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Munching on a few Peanut M &
M’s and guzzling a Mountain Dew which she had mysteriously seized on her way
from the kitchen to the computer desk, she opened her email looking for a
message from her father. He was away on business again, and he had promised
this time to email every day, but she had received none. There were no emails
and no friends online. Sara would have settled for some junk mail. However, it
could never happen because her mother was the queen of home security. The door
was seldom left unlocked. Computers and the internet were locked down so tight
an ant couldn’t invade her mother’s protection. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
She stared mindlessly at her
monitor. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Ping. An instant message appeared.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
She smiled. She opened the
message. </div>
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<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i>Are you there, Sara? </i> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
She frowned at the unrecognized
screen name. The impossible had happened. Someone had broken through her
mother’s impenetrable security and the intruder knew her name. She closed the
message and reminded herself to let her mom know about this breach of security.
Reviewing the list of boring E games her mother allowed her to have, she
scowled, opening one. Her friends played T and M games, but not Sara. It had
taken a multitude of well-placed tears to get any games at all. No amount of
pleading could convince her mother to block access to the educational websites.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i>Ping. </i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
She stopped her game, expecting a
conversation with one of her online friends. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i>Are you there, Sara?</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
“Mom, come here. I got an instant
message from a stranger. Did you change my security?” Her mom didn’t answer.
Sara hadn’t heard from her mom all afternoon. She hadn’t yelled at her to pick
up her backpack. She hadn’t asked for proof of no homework. No unusual smells
were coming from the kitchen. Sara clicked “ignore” on the internet message,
“Hey Dude. You try to come back after that. You are history.” She stood up and
looked around the gloomy room. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
“<i>I’m thirteen years old now. I
can handle this.”</i> She was on the verge of panic. “<i>Mom must be here
somewhere. She would never, ever leave me alone.”</i> Peeking in the kitchen to
see if her mom was making one of her experimental surprise dinners, her stomach
rumbled telling her some chicken gizzards a la mode would be perfect right now.
Only her unattended backpack sat in the middle of the floor. She stepped down
the hall and looked in all the rooms. Finally, she stood in front of her
mother’s closed door. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Her mom often suffered from
migraine headaches and would shut herself in her room for hours with the door
closed. Sara could not disturb her mother when the door was closed. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
“<i>Mom must have fallen asleep
from one of her migraines and cannot wake up to make dinner or hug me. I’m sure
it would be okay to disturb her this one time. The rule doesn’t apply if you
are starving. Then again, Mom still treats me like a baby. I need to show her
I’m all grown up, grown-up enough for T rated games.” </i>She walked away from
the door, her stomach growling. “<i>I must make dinner myself. It can’t be that
hard</i>.” She walked into the dark kitchen. She grabbed another can of
Mountain Dew from the refrigerator, arranged by types of food, from shortest to
tallest. From the pantry, she grabbed a bag of Doritos conveniently placed next
to the donuts. Then she snatched the bag of Oreos located right next to the
oregano in her mother’s alphabetically organized kitchen. As she assured
herself of the nutritional merits of this three-course dinner, she noticed just
how dark it was getting and sped out of the kitchen. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i>Ping</i>. She stopped.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Sara stared at the computer
screen. There was the instant message again. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i>Are you there Sara? </i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
The message had come back even
after she had clicked “ignore.” Sara flipped off the computer, the internet,
and the monitor and ran into her room, slamming the door behind her and turning
on her light. She leaned her back against the door, breathing heavily and
crushing the bag of Doritos against her chest. “<i>Mom’s gonna get me now, I’m
in big trouble. I forgot to turn off the internet, and now all sorts of
calamities will happen.”</i> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
Hadn’t her mother warned her
repeatedly, “Leaving the internet running leaves us susceptible to many viruses
and unknown calamities?” </div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 15pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 52.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Far away in the White Star Manor, two family friends are discussing the
latest phone call from Elizabeth, Sara’s mother.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bradford, Elizabeth has told me Sara does have a star on her hand. I
believe it is time. Elizabeth has promised to tell her tonight. Then I can meet
with the child.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sir, she’s still so young, and if I might say so, a bit spoiled.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know, but it is better done sooner than later. I believe Sara will
need to grow up very quickly. If the sisters get Sara and her mother, then we
have lost all hope, and they are getting closer every day.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Elizabeth has not had another migraine, has she?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, she hasn’t, but I just have a gut feeling that they are close.
Perhaps they have discovered a way to shield their magic, so she doesn’t feel
their presence.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll prepare some rooms for them both.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Excellent, and make an invitation for the child for tomorrow evening,
something light, we wouldn’t want to frighten her.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Certainly, Sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, that will be it, thank you, Bradford. I don’t know what I would do
without you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You would get along as you did the one hundred fifty years before I
joined the Defenders, Sir—just fine.”</span></div>
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<br />raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-24592065253282780372020-04-29T09:08:00.001-05:002020-04-29T09:08:12.220-05:00
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter
Thirty-one</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eternity
caught</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin
Harcourt the fifth pushed the snooze button on his alarm clock. Tuesday was his
regular day off. However, he had switched shifts with another today. Looking
out the window, he regretted that decision. The bright early blue sky had all
the makings of another fantastic day. He hoped his shift would be an easy one,
but he knew Engine 054 out of Manhattan would be ready for anything that came
their way. As he ran out the door the portrait over the mantle caught his
attention, it had been passed down in his family for nearly two-hundred years.
It was a portrait of his sixth great grandmother and grandfather, his namesake.
If you looked close enough, you could see the legendary scarab necklace grasped
in his hands.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin hated
his name. Well, it wasn’t his name he hated. No, Colin was a perfectly normal
name. The fact he was the fifth person in his family to have that name given to
him that was much to take. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The original
Colin was supposed to be some kind of immortal being if you believed such
stuff. The fifth wasn’t sure that he did. There were rumors that he fought and
died in the First World War. And then again there were just as many rumors he
fought in the next war. The myth that he had fought in any war was preposterous.
</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin had
died in the 1800s and was buried next to the fifth’s sixth-great-grandmother.
No immortality, only a sliver in the pedigree of the Harcourts. The family
should dispense with naming children after some creepy grandfather had to stop.
When it came time to name his son, the name chosen was Colin Harcourt the
sixth.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He asked a
genealogist to research his family line. Yes, they found Colin, but without a
time of death. They also found a British soldier around the time of the French
and Indian War. Not to mention a British soldier who defected over to the
Patriot side during the Revolutionary War. The fifth put that aside as mere
coincidences. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for his
profession, he couldn’t explain his odd obsession with being a fireman. He
never wanted to be one growing up. No, not until his freshman year at Columbia.
When heard a man speak at a Career Day all about the noble deeds of a fireman.
That day changed his life. He changed his major soon after and last year, 2000,
he was sworn in as a firefighter.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He thought
of that one speaker and then looked at the portrait. It was uncanny that he
never noticed the similarities before. It was just another of a long line of
coincidences. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> A few
weeks earlier, Colin was sure he had seen the man himself at the Majestic
Theater, but he never believed legend could be true. Immortality, how odd? </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shaking the
notion from his brain, he leaned over and kissed his wife. “I need to get out
of here, remember I took Skoolsher’s shift. I won’t be home for dinner.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> *</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin stared
up through the rubble dazed and confused. He coughed up blood but felt only a
little pain. He was aware his body lay mangled and crushed between a steel
girder and the floor. He thought he was in a dream. No other scenarios could
explain his surroundings. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through
half-open eyes, he saw the stranger kneeling beside him, squinting he made out
the NYFD on the stranger’s helmet. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Relax,
we will have you up and around in no time," the stranger said reverently.
Colin could tell the doubt in the stranger’s voice.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
difficulty, Colin asked the stranger, "What day is it?"</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Hush
now and relax. It's Tuesday, September the 11th."</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"What
happened?" Colin asked, weakly.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tears filled
the stranger’s eyes, "They flew airplanes into the North, and South Tower
They have both collapsed. The first responders that survived the destruction
are searching for survivors.” The stranger checked Colin's pulse and shook his
head. "They hit the Pentagon, and a plane crash-landed in some field in
Pennsylvania."</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"What
do you mean the surviving first responders?" Colin asked meekly. He
grabbed his scarab weakly and tugged at it.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"We'll
have you out of here real soon." The firefighter gripped Colin’s weak,
trembling hand, comforting him.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin smiled
at the firefighter as he thrust the scarab necklace into his hands, “Caglar
icin simidi alt." He knew he was cursing his rescuer, but he also knew it
was what he was supposed to do. His mind became clear. The firefighter gazed at
the necklace. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"What
does that mean? I don't speak that language," the firefighter stated
confused. Tears flowed down his cheeks. The younger Colin flinched and then
glanced at his finger. “The damned thing jabbed my finger.” </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin smiled
one last time, his eyes clear, "You look so much like my Beth."</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
firefighter wiped a tear away with his dirty hands. “I had a
great-great-grandmother named Beth, and I was named after my
great-great-grandfather. But they have both been dead a very long time.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I am your
namesake. I haven’t enough time to explain. I thought it best not to get you
involved in your life.” Colin coughed up blood. “I could not bear to watch you
grow up and die, like all the rest. I’m so sorry, but you’ve been chosen by the
scarab.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Raising the
old man’s hand, the firefighter kissed it gently. “Chosen? It was you on that
Career Day my freshman year?” </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes, the
scarab wanted you to become a firefighter. I apologize. I had no other choice.”
A tear appeared in the corner of Colin’s eyes, “Sorry, I must finish this
before I can finally go home to Beth. If you know of the legend you, know what
this means. I apologize for what I’m about to do to you, my son. Learn from my
mistakes. Now, this must be said, lanet dikkat,” Colin said with his dying
breath.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Young Colin
wiped tears from his eyes as he struggled to his feet. He swore he heard “I
told you that I would wait,” whisper through the smoke and dust filled rubble.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He turned
and stared at the body of his great-great-grandfather, unable to hold back the
flood of tears. An uncontrollable sense of urgency to leave the area came over
him. He gasped and brought the back of his hand to his mouth as his
grandfather’s body turned into sand, then stepped away. A moment later, the
area where he had stood collapsed. He heard a small voice behind him, “Help me,
please.” Colin knew he could save that person. The scarab had found a new home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Brush Script MT"; font-size: 26.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The End</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-60833797540687240312020-04-26T23:03:00.001-05:002020-04-26T23:03:20.997-05:00
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter
Thirty</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Washington
D.C. February 8, 1825</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Jim sat wide-eyed and open-mouthed as Colin told his life story. When
finished, he sat motionless for a few seconds.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Let me see that there necklace again,” he begged Colin. “What happens
if’n you was to disobey that thing?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“I don’t know. I have never resisted its urgings for more than a few
hours. I get terrible headaches and shakes when I resist even that long. I can
only imagine what would happen if I were to resist longer,” Colin confessed.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“I see. Y'all gots no idea if’n the pain gets worse or not,” Jim said
stroking his long beard.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“No, I guess I don’t” Colin confessed.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Then y’all are a damned fooled coward. Never suspected y’all was one,”
Jim stated.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“I suppose I am a coward. I never thought of it that way.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Well, whatcha gonna do ‘bout it?” Jim asked.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Do about it?” Colin asked confused.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Y'all gonna just sit there and let that thing dictate your life. Or ya
gonna become a man and quit running from your loved ones? It’s time to quit
sittin’ ‘round feeling sorry for yourself.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Are you telling me to go home?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Damn rights I am. Go home, fool. And next time that there necklace
tells ya to skedaddle ‘cause people are talkin’ bout your age difference or
such stuff tell that there necklace to mind its own business. And if’n ya gotta
move, move with her. Tell the new neighbors you are her brother, son, gran-son,
whatever, just don’t take the cowards way out agin. Stay with your loved ones.
No matters what gits thrown in your face. I said my piece, take it or leave
it.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" height="20" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_0" width="70" /></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Colin sat with his back to a tree, its branches bare from winter’s
ravage. Dirty patches of snow littered the cold ground. He had returned to the
nation’s capital three days ago, and he still had not found his wife and
children. The Potomac River flowed a few yards before him. The White House was
a few blocks behind him while the nearly complete Capital Building was to his
right. He could not see either building, but he knew they were there. He could
not explain why, but he felt a comforting feeling knowing, despite his current
dilemma.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">An object floated up the Potomac, piquing Colin’s curiosity. The object
took the shape of a man the closer it got. The man swam to Mason’s Island
before turning to swim in the return direction. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Colin blinked in disbelief. The swimming man was completely naked. To
Colin’s horror, the naked man waved to him and said something he did not hear.
Colin became uncomfortable when the man swam to the shore and clambered up the
banks. Colin turned to make a hasty exit but stopped when the naked man on the
beach pleaded for him to stay. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Colin turned his back to the man to show some semblance of modesty even
though the man couldn't care less. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“We have met. However, it was years ago,” the naked man said stretching his
arms over his head.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“You must be mistaken. I am new to the area,” Colin answered and walked
away.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;"> “Did I mention Washington D.C.? No, I met you?” The naked man
said.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">A colored man ran to the naked man. His arms were full of clothing. He
bent at the waist, breathing hard. “I dun tol’ ya not to be swimmin’ in da
river in nuttin’ but a smile, sir. Now looks what y’all gone and dun. Y'all ran
into dis regular citizen. Dis ain’t no way for da president of these here Nited
States to be actin.’”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“This is not an ordinary man,” the naked man said pulling on his
britches. “And I am not the president, yet. I will have to wait until March 4th
and a yea vote from Congress. Isn’t the Twelfth Amendment a wonderful piece of
legislation?” The man turned his attention to Colin, “Wouldn’t you agree, Mr…?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Colin swayed nervously. “I wouldn’t know. I have not read a newspaper
for ages.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Walk with me, and I will update you on the latest news,” the stranger
said, extending his hand to Colin.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“I have pressing appointments, but if you don’t mind walking in my
direction?” Colin said pointing toward the Capitol Building.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Adams laughed, slapping Colin on the back. “Very well. Amos, please tell
the staff I will be along shortly.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Colin looked at the balding Adams. “Do you trust your man to return to
your home?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Adams stared at Colin, shocked. “Amos is not my slave. He is a friend of
confidence and servant. I believe slavery is an abomination and should be
banned as soon as possible. However, I promised to update you and inform you about
the wonderful Twelfth Amendment.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Mr. President, I still can’t remember ever having the pleasure of
meeting you.” Colin leaned over to pick up a short tree branch, which he swung
without thought.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Have patience, my old friend. Now, where was I?” The naked man buttoned
his overcoat before continuing. “Oh, yes, we were discussing great legislation.
As you may or may not know, Andy Jackson won the popular vote in the election
last year. However, he failed to achieve the majority of the electoral vote. The
Twelfth Amendment tosses such elections in the lap of Congress. Henry Clay of
the House dislikes Jackson and has all but promised their vote would swing my
way. The House will vote tomorrow, February 9th.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“I suppose congratulations might be appropriate,” Colin said. “That
still doesn’t tell me when we met.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“I thought that might be obvious. I am John Quincy Adams… Son of John
Adams, you visited my father at the White House frequently.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Yes, your father and I had a somewhat formal relationship. I don’t recollect
your attendance at any of our meetings,” Colin said smiling.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Adams stopped, looking both ways before continuing. “I stayed in the
corner, but the father would always call you a charlatan after you departed. I
would constantly besiege him as to why he disliked you so. He finally relented
and told me your story. I could not believe the story but obviously, it must be
true, you haven’t aged a day in over twenty years.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Colin tossed the branch to his left. “My story is true, unfortunately.
How is your father?” </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“He is not well. Lately old age has not been kind to him. I am thankful
he rekindled his friendship with Thomas Jefferson. I feared they would both
enter the Eternal reward without making amends.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Thomas still lives?” Colin asked surprised.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Yes, he too is in ill health, and penniless. We owe Thomas an enormous
debt of gratitude. Are you aware that Thomas donated his entire collection to
the Library of Congress after the British burned it down during the war?” Adams
grabbed Colin’s elbow, guiding him across the street, as a carriage rumbled
into view.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“I was unaware of that. Give your father my regards,” Colin said.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">A twinkle came to Adams' eyes. “I was hoping you might take the
opportunity to tell him yourself, at your convenience. It would do him a world
of good.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Colin stopped, causing Adams to lose grip and stumble. “I will try, but
first I must locate the whereabouts of my wife and children.” </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Adams smiled and swirled his arms around as if he was a king showing off
his kingdom. “I will have the entire resources of the United States government
at my disposal. Come by my office after the Fourth of May, if you haven’t
located them by then.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I took
another two months to locate my family. I found them in the last place I would
ever look,” Colin said, looking at his timepiece. He shook his head and
replaced it in his pocket. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Where did
you find your family?” Sally asked.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin
chuckled. “They never moved, even though I insisted that they move. I found
them where I left them. I am sorry, but I have a pressing engagement, and I
should arrive on time.”</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Please
spend a few more minutes with us,” Sally’s mother asked, touching Colin’s hand.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Very well,
a few more minutes. The story ends with my retirement from running away from my
responsibilities. Beth and I spent the next forty years raising our children
and grandchildren. My boys grew up to be outstanding citizens. Isaiah even
named his first son after me as promised, imagine Colin Harcourt the second.
Alison lost her life during childbirth. Dolly still lives, but she is very
ill.”</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So you and
your wife never parted?” asked James.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Of course
not, we spent time apart and would move, and I would come back as someone else,
as far as anyone outside the family knew.”</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “I
visited my good friend Thomas just before his death in July 1826. He gave me a
letter to give to John Adams, but we all know he passed the same day.” Colin
opened a small wooden box sitting on the table. Fishing out a letter, he handed
it to Grant, “I carry the letter with me wherever I go." Colin looked at
Sally and smiled. “I suppose I have lived a remarkable life. I wouldn’t change
a thing. I have had my share of true love, more than most.”</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What are
you going to do now? I mean the Scarab keeps you alive,” asked Sally’s mother.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You mean in
the future? I haven’t given it much thought. Maybe California or New York, I
might even stay here. For now, I am headed for the White House. I have an
appointment to pay my respects to Mary Lincoln.”</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Wait,
I’ll go with you,” Grant said.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’d rather
go by myself if you don’t mind,” Colin said. “The Lincoln’s and I go way back.
I think we would like to share our grief in peace.” He nodded at Sally’s
mother. “Perhaps we shall meet again. I have some wonderful stories to tell.”
Turning he headed for the door. “Tales you can’t learn in school,” he said over
his shoulder. </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-17157637522774166052020-04-22T10:39:00.001-05:002020-04-22T10:39:34.220-05:00
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter Twenty-nine</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">New Orleans during the winter of 1823</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I caught a ride from Perry County to Cincinnati from a farmer returning
to the east. Crop failure destroyed the farmer’s dream of success. I, on the
other hand, convinced myself the conversation with a gangly young boy appeased
the Scarab's appetite. It was time to go home.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I hired a boat filled with beaver pelts headed for Pittsburgh. My curse,
however, had other plans. I ended up on a flat raft carrying seed down the Ohio
to markets in Memphis and Natchez.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s not fair,” Sally insisted. “You missed your children.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin glanced around the room. “Yes, I miss my wife and my children.
Eight months without them seemed like an eternity.” </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I hate your scarab,” Sally cried hugging Colin around the neck, kissing
him on the cheek.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin’s mood changed like a sunny day preparing for a downpour. His eyes
etched with deep sorrow, while he released some memories long forgotten.
Holding back tears, he searched for words. “I apologize for my current lack of
control. I am not particularly proud of the next part of my story; I would
leave it buried in my mind. However, it bears some relevance.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do you need time alone?” asked Sally’s mother tenderly, placing her
dainty hand on his. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, thank you, I’m ready. At first, I accepted my fate. The Scarab's
plans didn’t include returning home to my loved ones. I knew I would return
eventually. This was the first time returning home became a priority,” Colin
said, tapping his foot nervously.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I first worked in a Silver Mine in the southeast corner of the Missouri
territory. The mine’s owner was Moses Austin, father of Stephen Austin. The New
Mexican government gave Moses permission to take three-hundred homesteaders
into their Texas. Unfortunately, Moses contracted pneumonia and died before his
dream to settle Texas was realized. He asked his son Stephen to complete his
dream. Stephen had dreams of his own. The scarab interceded, and in early 1821,
Stephen and three-hundred followers left to settle in Texas. We all know how
that ended. What with the Davy Crocket, the Alamo, and Texas independence. Not
to mention Texas statehood.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Did you go to Texas with Austin?” asked Grant. “You have done nothing to
regret, so far.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I contemplated traveling with Stephen, but honestly, my mind was on
joining my family. I promised him I would find my family and join him in Texas,
but scarabs don’t keep promises. As for regrets, I have only begun my way back
home.” Colin cupped his chin in his large hands. He shook his head before
continuing. “I gave up hope. It became crystal clear the scarab would not allow
me any happiness. Depression came with a loss of faith. Drinking came with my
depression. I thought I could drown my memories with liquor. You can never drink
enough to run away from your life. Believe me. I have tried. One year became
two, and two years became three. In early 1823 I found myself in New Orleans.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" height="20" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_0" width="70" /></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop on the corner of Bourbon Street and St.
Phillips Street was practically empty. Colin wasn’t surprised. Taverns,
especially taverns owned by infamous pirates, were usually quiet before
noon. An overweight man sat in the far corner facing the opposite
direction of Colin. Early morning mist from the bayou enveloped New Orleans. It
was going to be another dreary March day. Colin’s fourth tankard of beer sat
before him. He toyed with his breakfast of overcooked sausage and undercooked
eggs. His appetite vanished, like most days. He no longer cared about his long
life and wished his curse would end the sooner, the better.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A light rain splattered against the windows. The man in the corner
shifted his chair at the sound of the rain, his eyes meeting Colins. The man
smiled and lifted his coffee toward Colin. A loud burst of thunder rattled the
windows. Colin turned from the man to watch the people caught in the sudden
outburst. Colin had seen the man before. He couldn’t place where or when.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The door opened as a drenched man rushed through the door. Colin sprang
from his chair to assist the soaked man to remove his buckskin coat. “What the
hell are you doing in New Orleans, Stephen?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stephen, surprised, peered through rain-soaked eyes at the person
offering assistance. “I might ask you the same thing, Colin. You were going
home to your wife and children last time I saw you. I believe you said
Washington D. C.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Didn’t quite work out that way. It’s good to see you and Stephen. Last I
heard you were headed for Texas, and yet, here we are in New Orleans. I have a
table,” he said pointing to his table. “Please join me.” Colin caught the
attention of the barkeep, motioning for another round.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“None for me, thank you,” Stephen said pulling out the nearest chair. “I
only dropped in until the rain passes. I have an important meeting at the French
Consulate.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin’s eyes questioned. “French? I thought Texas was Spanish.” </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No longer, the Spanish Government in Mexico no longer exists; we are now
under the Provisional Government of Mexico. They are no longer friendly to our
cause as free Texans.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why go to the French? Shouldn’t you send your grievance to Washington D.
C? You are still Americans aren’t you?” Colin placed his fork on the edge of
his plate.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stephen shook his head in disgust. “We have sent delegate after delegate.
President Monroe has refused to see them, I hope a new administration will see
the injustice in Texas in a new light, but we can’t afford to wait until
elections. We, in Texas, don’t look favorably on either candidate. Neither
Adams nor Andy Jackson will help Texas if elected. Maybe Henry Clay from
Kentucky, but he is a long shot. In the meantime, we asked France to intervene
on our behalf.” Stephen glanced at his pocket watch and quickly arose. “I am
sorry, but I must be off. I can’t be late for my appointment, so much hinges on
it. I won’t be long, and I want to hear why you are sitting alone in New
Orleans and drinking at nine o’clock in the morning. I hope you have a good
explanation.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin stared blankly at his friend. “I’ll be here, and time is relative.
Is nine o’clock early if you are haven’t gone to bed from the night before?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Drinking without sleep will be the end of you, my friend,” Stephen said
as he left the table.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I'm all right, Stephen. I am too ornery to have an end of me,” Colin
snapped at his friend. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through the corner of his eye, Colin noticed the overweight man lumber
him toward the table. Colin racked his brain. He could not remember how the
obese man fit in his life. He had no time to run.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Excuse me,” the overweight man said as he sat, uninvited. “Forgive me,
but I just need to ask. Are you a relation to Colin Harcourt? You are an exact
look-alike. Although he would be at least sixty by now, I was hoping he might
be your father.” Colin stared at the man, too shocked to speak. “Forgive the
intrusion,” he said backing away from the table.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Last time I saw you, you were headed off to fight Indians. It appears
the Indians fed you well. Sit down, Jim. I have one hell of a tale to
tell," Colin said to his old St. Louis trapping partner.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370855804713156374.post-38508165391979085692020-04-19T10:13:00.001-05:002020-04-19T10:13:09.522-05:00
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter Twenty-eight</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perry County Indiana summer 1819</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I'm going with you," cried Beth, her words barely discernible
as she could not stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin finished packing and stepped toward his wife. He picked her up from
the bed and kissed her tenderly. He too had tears flowing freely down his
cheeks. "We’ve been through this before. I have no idea where I am
going."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I don't care. I would go to hell with you," she said, breaking
away from his embrace. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I doubt I am going that far. Maybe as far as New Orleans but nowhere
near hell," Colin said with a smile, reaching for Beth. Beth refused the
grasp. "This is no place for you or the children; Alison is barely a year
old."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I don't care. The wife's place is with her husband." She cried
and ran into his waiting arms. “Why can’t you throw the damned thing away?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’ve been through this. The scarab chose me. You know I’d get sick if I
were to stop wearing the necklace. A sickness where there is no cure or no
death. It doesn’t matter where I bury the scarab, or which ocean I tossed it.
The necklace would find a way to reunite with me. I can’t give it away because
the person would die. I only hope that one day the scarab will release its hold
on me. It was finished with the person who gave it to me. One day it will be
through with me. I promise.” Colin kissed her passionately and pried
himself from her embrace. "I'm so sorry. I need to finish packing. You
understand, don't you?" Colin knew she didn’t understand. This was the
hardest part of immortality. Grief followed him everywhere he settled. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beth nodded her head meekly, but she didn't understand.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin rubbed his wife’s shoulders. "I told you there would come a
day when I would need to leave. This damned scarab won't allow me to stay.
People are talking."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Let them talk," Beth yelled. "We can move. That will stop
the talking."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It's inevitable, you and the children will grow old, and I will
have to watch you die”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"No, promise you'll come back," she pleaded.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It's no use. I can't return,'" Colin bit his lip, his
heartbreaking as his world crumbled around him. “I’ve done this before, Beth,
it hurts, but it is better this way. I promised myself I would never fall in
love again, I would never let this happen again, and I failed myself, I failed
you.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Colin, I wouldn’t trade what we have had for anything but think
about it. We can make it work. Promise you will come back. I will move. I can
pretend I am a recent widow. You can pretend you are my brother at first, then
my son or grandson. I will try anything. Just promise me that you will
return." She embraced Colin in her arms, looking deep into his eyes.
"Promise." Beth placed her head on her husband’s chest, listening to
his heartbeat, as tears fell.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin melted into her arms, "I will return. I promise. Until then, remember
how we were.” He pointed to a portrait of Beth and him hanging over the mantle.
“You have that to remember, and I have.” He took out his pocket watch. “I have
a picture of you in here. I won’t forget you, Beth. But you have to promise me
you will stay in Washington."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Why do we need to stay here?" She said without moving her
head.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I don't know why. It’s a feeling." Colin shrugged his
shoulders.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"How can I send word to you? How will you find us?" She said
pulling herself away from Colin.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The scarab will find you. We will be together again," Colin
said slinging his knapsack over his shoulders.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I love you and always will," Colin said, kissing his wife.
“Remember there is sufficient money in the bank to keep you housed and fed for
several years. I would, however, withdraw it from the bank in the next few
weeks. Don't ask me how I know, but there will be a financial panic very soon.
Keep the money hidden wherever you move. Don't trust a bank or any investment
for the next two years."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She reached for Colin’s hands, holding them to her heart. "I will do
what you ask. I, too, will love you for the rest of my life." </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I will love you for the rest of my life," Colin said wiping a
tear from his eye. Beth broke down sobbing. She knew what that meant. "Stop
your crying, darling. We don’t want to upset the children."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eleven-year-old George, nine-year-old Isaiah, and five-year-old Dolly
crashed into the room as if they had been eavesdropping. Her nurse carried the
one-year-old Alison. They all clambered onto their father.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Papa, why are you leaving us?" Dolly asked wrapping her tiny
arms around him. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It's cause Pa don't age properly," George replied, standing in
the corner with his arms folded.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Yeah, he's like a million years old," Isaiah piped in, sitting
next to his mother on the bed. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nurse Annie handed Alison to her mother, "I don't know what is
happening here, but I promise to remain with the misses as long as I am needed.
Now if you don't mind, I will leave you all for a private goodbye," she
said exiting the room.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Thank you, Annie," Beth said, cradling her sleeping daughter
next to her broken heart.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin gathered his children in his arms. He couldn’t help remembering the
many times he had said goodbye to his children in his past. There had been far
too many. He had seen too many sad-faced children in his life. Each one had
broken his heart. He remembered every wife, every child, and every tear from
his past. Leaving had never been an easy decision. Beth was the first wife to
whom he had promised to return.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It's all right Papa. I will see you again," little Dolly said
handing him a dandelion.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin took the 'flower' and gingerly added it to the top of his
belongings.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"George, you will be the man of the house until I return. Obey your
mother and watch after your sisters. Isaiah, you are second in command, keep
George in-line, your sisters’ look up to you and George as role models. Be a
good example. Dolly, my little princess, you’re right, we will see each other
again soon," he tousled his son's hair, and then took a strand of Dolly's
hair twirling it affectionately through his fingers. He cradled Alison gently
in his arms and gazed at his sleeping daughter. "I don't have any advice
for you tadpole. You won't remember me when I come back. I will save my advice
until I return." Colin gazed around the room at the faces looking back at
him. His worldly treasures stood before him. It was breaking his heart, but it
broke his heart every other time also, somehow, this time, it was different. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Papa, Papa,” shouted George.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes, my big man.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“One day I’m going to get married and have children, and I will name my
oldest son after you. He’ll name his oldest after you. You will always be able
to find us because there will always be a Colin Harcourt, Papa.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I think that is probably the most enjoyable thing I’ve ever heard,
Son, and I promise you I will always know where my grandchildren are and how
they are doing, even if they don’t know me. Now my little ruffians, if you
don't mind, I need to spend a little time alone." He handed his children
an envelope as he hugged them. "Please wait for a few days before you open
your envelope. Beth, you need to be with your children now. I need some alone
time." Colin held up his hand to stop any argument. "I love you, Beth
Olsen Harcourt, always remember that."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beth stroked Dolly’s hair, as she turned away from her husband. "I
love you too. Please come back." </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I promise to return. Close the door as you leave please."
Colin sat on his bed for a few minutes, wishing he could stay. He stumbled to
the window and quietly opened it. Taking one last look, he placed an envelope
on the windowsill. He hesitated for a brief second before returning the
envelope to his pocket, crawled out the window and walked up the drive. It was
a gorgeous January day in the year 1819. Colin didn't know where he was going.
He knew that the scarab would lead him where it wanted him to be.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="Ramon squiggle.jpg" height="20" src="file:///C:/Users/rabal/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_0" width="70" /></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"What was in the envelopes?" Sally asked.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The letters to my children, I just told them how much I loved them.
The letter to Beth said much the same thing. However, the letter to my wife
said I wished her luck and happiness. And she should remarry."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"But you promised you were gonna come back." Sally insisted.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I wrote the letter before I promised to return that's why I didn't
leave it. I’ll be honest. I would not return, even after I made the promise. I
changed my mind just before I leaped out of that window. Should I say the
Scarab changed my mind?”</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The barge Colin hired in Cincinnati to take him down the Ohio River was
full of cattle and families heading west to carve out a new life wherever
fortune led them. Colin traveled with no particular destination in mind. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The hot August sun beat down on him unmercifully. The stench of human
sweat turned his stomach. It had been almost eight months since he left his
family behind. He thought of them every day. He missed them so much, more than
ever before. Watching the families on the barge didn't help matters. He had
lost track of how long they had been floating lazily westward, but the tedious
smooth water lulled him into a false sense of security. Huge Rapids showed up
out of nowhere, unsettling the livestock while sending panic through him and
the families. The pilot nonchalantly guided his barge through the rapids as if they
were loose waves.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"We will be in Perry County, Indiana within a few minutes. A crew
member informed the families and Colin. “We will stop for a while to deliver
the mail. You can all get off and stretch your legs there. Don't wander off.
The stay will be brief."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin saw a young boy fishing by the banks of the river. The boy appeared
to be George's age. The lad also seemed more intent on a book propped in his
lap instead of fishing. His heart ached at the sight of the boy. The scarab
told him he had reached his destination. He wrestled with the Scarab's choice,
but to no avail. If the scarab wanted him in some God-forsaken, backwoods hole
in the ground, then that's where he would stay until told otherwise by his
curse.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin sauntered up to the captain, timing each step with the sway of the
barge, "I won't be joining you on your journey."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The captain, self-absorbed on the task at hand, didn't look at Colin when
he said, “Mr. Harcourt, you have paid to go to Memphis on the Mississippi. This
is a far-sight from there."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I am sorry, but something came up."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Suit yourself. There are no refunds," the captain responded by
throwing the tie-rope to men on a flimsy looking dock. </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin gathered his nap-sack and stepped onto the dock, surprised it held
together. He gathered his bearings and headed upstream to the young lad. Winded
and out of breath, he walked the first two miles. After about another mile,
Colin came to a clearing. Sure enough, the lad remained on the banks of the
river. His fishing pole, no longer in the river, sat unattended near the boy.
The boy lay on his stomach. His head buried in a book as Colin approached. The
boy, startled by the footsteps, bounced up and clutched the book behind his
back.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I didn't mean to startle you, Son." The young boy stood
motionless. "I seem to be lost."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The boy peered up the river and then down the river. "You ain't
lost. I saw you on the barge. State your business. Afore I call for my
pa."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I confess I have no idea what my business is. The scarab led me
here," he said showing the young boy his necklace. "What's your
name?"</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The boy's curiosity got the better of him, and he took a few steps
forward to look at a different kind of necklace. "Name is Abraham. Most
call me Abe. I turned ten last February. Where didja get that?" he asked
pointing at the necklace.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Do you like stories?" Colin sat cross-legged, toying with the
fishing pole.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I love reading, too. I'll read most anything." Abe said
placing the pole out of the stranger’s reach.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin glanced at him. "Where's your father?" </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"He's probably huntin' or courtin' widow Johnston," Abe said,
moving a little further from the stranger.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin glanced at the tree line. "You don't go hunting with
your father? Where is your mother?" </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abe gathered his belongings but answered the stranger’s question.
"Nah I don't like huntin.' I shot me a wild turkey two years ago, and I
felt so gaud-awful after that, I decided then and there that I would never
again harm a living creature. And Mom died of milk sickness last October.” Abe thumbed
through his book, and said, “She passed just before a horse kicked me in the
head. They thought I was dead, but I wasn't. I really shouldn’t talk to
strangers. " </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin handed Abe the fishing pole. "I mean you no harm. I have a son
your age, and I miss him dearly.” </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abe stared at the river and then Colin. "Sara’s my sister. She's
been acting like my mother since Ma passed. Where didja get it?"</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin smiled and patted the ground next to him. "Have a seat, Abe. I
will tell you a story. Keep in mind that the story is one-hundred percent
truth." Colin sat on a stump while young Abe sat on the ground with his
knees tucked under his chin. "The story began many years ago. It started
when I accompanied a Duke and a few Earls on a dangerous quest. Have you heard
of the Crusades?" Abe nodded his head. "Good, the archbishop
gave me a letter to deliver to his friend..."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wide-eyed Abe asked, "You knew George Washington, Benjamin Franklin,
Thomas Jefferson, and all those famous people? I wish I could've been there. It
would help me when I become a teacher."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colin drew his knees to his chest. "You want to be a teacher?"</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Either that or a lawyer, but I only got about eighteen months of
book learning." Abe mused.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I have a feeling you will be great at whatever you choose to do.
Have you ever thought of politics?" Colin lowered his legs to the ground
and placed his hands flat on the grass behind him.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Nah, look at me, I got the face of a monkey. I'm awkward, gangly,
and wholly unsuited for politicking." A voice rang through the trees.
"That's pa. I gotta go. It was a pleasure talkin' to you."</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Nah, I think the scarab got what it wanted. I don’t know why, but I
get a feeling you would make a great senator, maybe an office bigger than that.
Promise you will think about politics," Colin said firmly.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I'll mull it over," Abe said as he ran toward his pa's voice.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"What's your last name, Abe?" Colin yelled at the scurrying
boy.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abe turned as he got to the tree line and cupped his hands to his mouth,
"Lincoln. I doubt you'll hear much of me in your future," he yelled
back. "Abe Lincoln son of Thomas and Nancy Lincoln," his voice faded
into the trees.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>raballardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439614104607491198noreply@blogger.com0