| Chapter 13 “Your weapon of choice are knifes, are they not, JJ?” asked the retired psychologist. “Yes.” “You surprise me with how well you use them. How did you learn?” “I don’t know.” “You’ve spoken of your mother, have you not?” “Yes, she always gave me the lint when she finished the laundry.” “Do you remember being fifteen?” “Why are you making me answer such difficult questions? It make my head hurt.” “How old are you now?” “I guess eighteen.” “Mmm,” Matt touched his goat-tee, “Do you remember being thirteen?” “That was a long time ago. When will I get my candy?” “When we remember the eight missing years of your life. And I learn what caused you to block it out in the first place. You can go now, though.” *********************** “Erika, would you please tell me where Nick is?” Hannahoko asked. “Ah, I’m sorry, didn’t your boyfriend tell you he was leaving?” Erika replied icily. “He’s not my boyfriend,” Hannahoko muttered, “Where did he go?” “He was called back to Earth.” “But..” “I’m sorry, men can be so inconsiderate, is there anything else you need?” “No, that’s all, thank you.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick opened his eyes, he was surrounded by darkness. He was still alive, or at least he thought he was; and he figured they intended to keep him that way or they would have killed him by now. His hands were free, at least he had that. Unfortunately though, his ankle was restrained in an iron cuff. He ran his hands along the chain connected to it and found out it was bolted strongly to the ground. They will probably feed me, he thought, I can find out more then. ******************************* Erika stood in the palace balcony that overlooking Balthasaar’s citizens as well as people from Aakkar, and America’s Second Back Colony of Neptune or, ASBCN, if you prefer. “Ladies and gentlemen of Neptune, elves and hamsters alike. I call this gathering today to express Russian’s deepest regrets for the events that left your colonies in disarray. Neptune will once again achieve the glory it had and so much more. At home and here we have our greatest scientists working on ways to grow you more produce in your green-houses, and we’re even launching a program to begin growing gardens in Neptune’s soil!” The crowd murmured and then there was a loud applause throughout the crowd. “We are going to build a hospital and a new school. Russia will set up a small academy to certify anyone eligible to be doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers. Neptune forever!” The citizens expressed such enthusiasm that the President could not help getting caught up in her own words. Down, away from the crowd, hidden by a residency, the Queen watched disdainfully. She did not really blame them for being hungry, but how could they possibly be so gullible. “And how many meals have you missed lately, your highness?” Hannahoko turned around sharply and there stood a tall man. His raven black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his black eyes were shadowed by a three-cornered pirate hat. “Dylan,” said the Queen, “What are you doing here?” “I don’t know what it is that Barry likes about you so much, your highness. You really don’t know how to greet a person warmly.” “Dylan...” “Fine, fine. I don’t think I even have to tell you that Erika is a phony. But what you may not know is that she is planning to attack your city and colonies from the inside out in two days. Already she is planting troops and aircraft fighters in strategic places.” “And how did you find out about all of this, do you speak Russian?” “I speak many languages, but anyway, we can’t talk here, follow me.” He grabbed her arm and led her away from the small house she was hiding behind. They walked up to a tiny building and Dylan opened the door. Once inside he lifted a hidden trap door from the floor that led to a softly lighted cavern. He led her downward and the smells of dirt filled her nose. They walked through a short tunnel (Dylan had to duck a little to walk through) and at the end was one last and final door. The captain pushed the door open and on the other side lay a room quite unlike what the Queen was expecting. It had the look of a log cabin, and even had a fireplace (the smoke when up through the chimney in the little building). “I don’t like to be seen talking in public with the Queen,” said Dylan, “Its bad for my image. Please sit, would you like a cake?” “No, thank you,” she said sitting on a green sofa, “Please, what do you have to tell me?” “Well, I actually didn’t have anything to tell you, I just think this underground room my mates made up is really neat!” “Dylan!!!” “So impatient and yet so chewy,” he muttered, “Okay look, Hannah’, do you have a penny?” “I did, but what does that have to do with anything?” “What do you mean you did ?” “I gave it to Matt.” “Hannahoko! This is very important, do you have another penny?” “No...but what does that have to do..” “Will you just shut up for two minutes! Your penny is what Erika is after!” “But you can’t buy dirt with a pen-” “Oh yes you can, where did you get that coin?” “From my Dad, he said it would give me luck, and something about it never being tarnished..” “Hannahoko, Mona is back and she wants the same thing she’s wanted since your childhood, your penny. You hold great power in that small and seemingly insignificant object. Erika, on the other side, wants to destroy you AND the penny. She is not aware of Mona’s ideas.” “You mean I’ve been the cause of all these problems?” Hannahoko asked, trying hard not to cry in front of the tall sea rouge. “Hannahoko, it isn’t really your fault. Many people inherit coins that will lead to great trouble and worry. I mean, look at Lincoln, at least your face isn’t on the most useless coin in American currency.” “Yes it is my fault, Dylan. But how could I have not known? What should I do? I can hand myself over to the Russians?” “No! Hannah’ you’re the only one alive who can really use the penny. We don’t know what happens to the penny when you die, but it can’t be good. Some believe it is up for grabs then, and this includes Mona. Mona cannot hold the power. Who knows what she would do.” “I can’t control power, I can’t even control a pencil enough to draw a duck right... And why am I the only one who didn’t know about the penny?” “I don’t know, but Hannah’ you must learn to, No-one really knows what power the penny holds.” “How do I release this ‘power?’” “I donno.” *-*-*-*-*-* Nick was becoming so tired. He hadn’t eaten or drank in so long. Were they really just going to leave him here, wherever here was, to die? As if in answer to his unanswered question a small light came into the darkness. “I brought you some food and water, sir.” Nick looked up but his eyes had a difficult time adjusting to even the small amount of light. Soon enough though, he could make out the features of a very small elf. “Thank you,” he said slowly looking her over, “Haven’t I seen you before?” “No,” she said too quickly. “Yes I have, you work in Hannahoko’s palace.” “No! I mean, you don’t know me!” she squeaked. She tried to lay down the tray but he grabbed her arm. The food fell to the floor. “Why are you here? What’s going on? Is everyone okay? Where am I?” “Let go of me!” she cried. “Not until you answer my questions.” “No! I don’t want to.” “Now!” “Oh! I wish you wouldn’t yell! I may get in trouble if I tell you.” “No-one will know,” said Nick. “You’re in the palace dungeons,” she spoke softly. “Is Hannahoko okay?” “Well yes, sir, she’s fine.” “Why are you serving me? Does Hannah’ know I’m down here?” “Ouch! Not so hard!” she pleaded. “You have to answer my questions!” “No, Queen Hannahoko does not know you’re down here.” “Then why are you here?” The little elf wriggled and squirmed. Then she bent down and bit his hand. He pulled it away swiftly and shook it. Be fore he could grab her again she was far out of reach. “Goodbye sir!” she said, and ran away. “Get back here!” he yelled. Nick tried to gather up some of the dropped food, luckily a small amount of water was left in the cup |
 |