“I’m fine, but I still feel tired and a little dizzy at times.” Carson leaned over and whispered to Charles asking him what his thoughts were about the clock. Charles straightened up and said, “I don’t think it is trying to hurt me. It was as if it was trying to communicate something to me. I don’t know what though.”
“Well, I am wondering if it is dangerous to you. I am leaning toward getting rid of it. I don’t want to take any chances.”
“I don’t believe I am in any danger. I wish you would reconsider getting rid of it.” “Why?” They talked about Charles’ earlier experience. Carson leaned back in his chair and contemplated what Charles was saying. He shook his head and said, “I just don’t know why the clock is drawing you in like that. Everything about it is so mysterious. We do not have much written about it in our records. It seems to affect different people in different ways. It is the unpredictability that really bothers me.”
Charles could tell Carson was very upset about what happened. Charles told him that he felt comfortable with the clock staying.
Carson said, “Well, I am going to have to talk to Nana and see what her thoughts are on keeping it.” Carson encouraged him to continue reading the book.
Charles found that he learned a lot from the book about different world cultures. It was hard for him to put it down, but after looking at his watch he knew Caroline would be leaving soon and he wanted to talk to her before she left. Charles told Carson he was going outside as he set the book down on the table. He walked out on the front porch and sat down next to Caroline. She was still talking to Cynthia. When he sat down the conversation turned to him.
Cynthia asked, “So Charles, where were you?”
“Reading one of Paw Paw’s books in the library.”
“What were you reading about?”
“I was reading about cultures around the world.”
“Hmm, what did you learn about them?”
He told her about what he had read. This went on for some time. Finally Charles shrugged and said, “It is just a book Paw Paw loaned me. It is interesting. You can read it if you want.”
Then he turned to Caroline. He asked her if she would like to go for a walk. She said she would so they stood up to leave. They walked down the steps to the road. Charles spotted a squirrel and pointed him out. They stopped and watched his funny antics. When they reached the end of the road they turned and strolled back to the house.
Margaret was sitting at the kitchen table with Bev visiting. Cynthia was eating an apple. She said, “I started reading your book. I didn’t find it at all interesting.” Charles shrugged. Cynthia got up from the table and left the room. After talking a while Margaret decided it was time for her and Caroline to leave for the evening.
When they left Bev said to Charles, “Since they are not going to come in the morning it frees my schedule. I will be attending the auction with you and Paw Paw.”
Charles was glad that she would be going with them. He really liked that she would be Sojourning again.
Bev asked Charles about his opinion on the effects of the cuckoo clock. They discussed it and Charles told her what he had told with Carson.
She said, “We really do not know that much about it. Since you are the one it is mesmerizing you have more insight than we do. It is rather odd that it seems to affect Sojourners in different ways. Sometimes it doesn’t even affect them at all. I’m just curious if in fact you are right, that the children may be a key to the mystery.” She paused, and then went on to say, “I am not encouraging you to pursue that. As a matter of fact to do so could be very dangerous.” She looked at his hair.
Charles ran his fingers through his hair and said, “Caroline likes it.”
Bev laughed. “It kind of grows on you.”
“Grows on you, or stays with you.”
Bev shook her head. Sophie came bursting into the kitchen with Carson right behind her. She hugged Bev and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Bev hugged her back, got up and went with her to the family room where Molly and Cynthia were talking.
Sophie talked Carson into finding her cape. Once they found it Carson put it on her. She insisted that she should chase him around the house. She directed the scenes in which they acted out where she was the super hero and he was the villain. Carson kept trying to change the story line. Finally she convinced him he had to be brought to justice. He eventually surrendered.
Molly was tired from working at the store earlier and was ready to go home for the evening. Bev fixed a sack of leftovers for the family and sent it with them.
When they left Charles felt drained. He excused himself to go to bed. He knew the auction started early in the morning and he wanted to be rested. He went upstairs and finished his routine. As soon as he climbed in bed and got under the covers he fell asleep. He dreamed of the dancing children. In his dream he couldn’t help but be curious about where they were going. Their laughter was contagious. He woke himself laughing right along with them. He sat up in bed and looked out the open window. He was surprised to find Airabelle sitting on the windowsill. “Airabelle, is that you? What are you doing?”
“I knew you were dreaming of them, so I felt like I needed to be here in case something happened. I am going to have to tell Carson about this you know… Something is going on here, it just isn’t right.”
Charles pleaded with her, “Oh come on Airabelle, it is just a dream. Nothing happened. It is just because of what happened today that I was dreaming of it.” He sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and said, “I am just trying to figure it out. I think they are trying to tell me something.”
“You’re right about that. They want you to follow them. Remember what you see, I see too. You’re not that good at blocking you know,” she said looking away.
He laughed and said, “Thanks for reminding me to work on that. It’s on my list.” “You had better go back to sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow. Carson told me Bev is going to go with us.”
They said good night and Airabelle flew away into the moonlight. He couldn’t help but smile. He lay back down and drifted off again to sleep.
The morning came too soon. He knew it wouldn’t be long until Nana would come and wake him. He figured he ought to get up and get started. He hesitated briefly before throwing off the covers. He took his time getting ready. When he was finished he went to the kitchen and saw Carson and Bev sitting at the table. Carson looked up and greeted Charles. Bev already had his breakfast waiting for him. From the look on Carson’s face he knew Airabelle had already told him about last night. Bev poured Carson another cup of coffee. They discussed what happened the night before and Charles assured Carson that he believed the reason the dream occurred was because of what had happened during the day. His subconscious was just trying to work through the mystery. The clock itself was not trying to bother him while he slept.
Carson looked at Bev. She changed the subject back to the events of the coming day. She asked Charles if he remembered the diagram of the rooms. He said he did. They went over their plan. Once Charles and Carson finished, Carson grabbed their jackets and everyone headed out the door.
They entered the office together. While they were traveling to the Hub, Esmond would go to the pond for a morning swim. After releasing him they went downstairs to get ready for the auction. Carson had their clothes waiting so they each took turns in the dressing room. Next Carson gathered all the things they would need to take. He even brought Airabelle’s official papers. He would do that from now on, just to be on the safe side. When they were ready with their spectacles on, they waited for Carson to open the Passageway. When it opened they went through. It was getting easier for Charles to journey through the corridor.
Carson led the way to the Grande Auction House. The Hub was bustling today and the signs flashed the news about the auction that would begin in an hour. This time as they passed the man at the kiosk, he called for Carson to come over and talk to him. Carson stopped and looked with Charles through
the gadgets, as the owner was finishing up a conversation with another gentleman. Carson discovered something that caught his eye and called to Bev. She agreed it was an extraordinary find, so they purchased it. Charles was curious but thought he should wait to ask about it. Airabelle didn’t mention it. She sat on his shoulder and watched the Sojourners walking by.
As they continued walking Charles began noticing things he hadn’t paid attention to before. The air smelled clean as it does after a cleansing rain. He looked around and marveled at how tidy the Hub was, not a piece of litter on the ground. He liked the fact that everyone was dressed differently. It made walking through the Hub interesting.
When they arrived at the Grande Auction House Charles couldn’t help but gaze at it in wonder. It was all lit up. The windows appeared to be made of glass coins that sparkled because the light from inside shown through. The big thick doors were made of large gold coins. The doors automatically slid open for them. They walked inside and Charles took in the ambiance of the lobby with the huge gold and silver coin chandelier above them. It looked like something you might see in a luxurious casino. The carpet was lush and shimmered in the light. Gold opulent chairs and couches lined the walls in small groupings. Sojourners were taking advantage of the seating and checking their programs. Ladies in deep purple flowing evening gowns circulated throughout the room presenting programs or serving drinks on circular trays that turned different colors.
They stood in the center of the lobby. Some of the Sojourners were looking at Airabelle. In the dim light her blue aura shown through. She looked beautiful. Charles knew some of the people attending the auction wanted to own her. He figured before the night was over someone would become brave and make an offer to purchase her. It didn’t even take that long. As soon as they entered the first room in the auction house a tall gentleman came over and started to talk to Carson about Airabelle. He was curious and wanted to know more about her. Carson was polite but circumspect when talking to the gentleman. As diplomatically as possible Carson made up an excuse for them to move on. Bev still held the bag from the kiosk. Charles offered to hold it for her but she just thanked him and said maybe later she would accept the offer.
Carson showed Charles how to read the numbers and symbols that flashed on the boards of the huge screens along the walls. The symbols were strangely interesting when he looked at them without the Sojourner glasses. When he looked through the glasses he could decipher what was written. Information appeared on the screen stating the auction introduction would begin in about five minutes. A couple of ladies came by and began inquiring about Airabelle. Bev and Carson were cautious not to reveal her name, or any of their names for that matter.
As the time for the auction to start drew near, the crowd of Sojourners gathered. The room became rather crowded for a short time before everyone separated into different rooms to wait for the auctions to begin. The people turned to read the announcements and advertisements as they started to scroll across the boards. Officials began circulating through the rooms. Auctioneers were being brought to the stage. Each grouping was brought in by fours. The auctioneers were listed as gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Each was introduced and then taken to a specific room where they would auction the coins.
Carson ordered a drink for everyone. Airabelle began talking to Charles silently. She started to point out select people in the crowd. She was telling him about what was happening, what to watch for and what not to do. Bev and Carson were watching the auctioneers prepare for their events. It was quite a production. The speaker announced that the auctions would start in seven minutes. Their small group was unaware that the same pair of eyes that was in the Hub watching them before the meeting with the Sojourners’ Council had spotted them from across the room.
Charles’ presence caught Dimitrios’ attention from across the room. Airabelle looked at Charles and back at Dimitrios who was making his way across the crowded room to see Charles. He was looking at Charles’ hair. Airabelle couldn’t believe they had been so careless as to not give Charles an explanation about the hair if Dimitrios were to ask. Dimitrios was suddenly in front of them. He and Charles shook hands. Airabelle guessed Dimitrios would have to have an answer for the Prime Minister about why Charles suddenly had changed his appearance. Dimitrios was trying to figure out in his mind how to inquire about it without being offensive or intrusive. “Charles, something is different about you. I never noticed before.” He looked at Charles’ hair and was wondering what could have happened.
Airabelle spoke quietly in Charles’ head, “Do as I say… Okay, I want you to run your hand through your hair and start to tell him, ‘I thought that…’ Do it now because you are about to be interrupted.”
He followed her instructions and sure enough they were interrupted. An officer accompanied with an auction official came up alongside Dimitrios with perfect timing. The official whispered in Dimitrios’ ear. Dimitrios impatiently asked, “Can it wait?” The officer replied in his ear and Dimitrios looked at Charles, shook his head and excused himself.
“Oh my goodness, that was a close one,” Carson said. Airabelle agreed.
Charles said, “I was worried that he wasn’t going to leave.”
Airabelle replied, “He left because you started to offer a reason. If you hadn’t he would have stayed to hear the reason for the change, and then we would have been in a pickle for sure. This way it buys us some time to come up with an explanation. Although I doubt he will ask again thinking you already believed you answered it.”
Carson agreed. He said, “I wonder what he will tell the Prime Minister, since he always has the answers?”
“Let’s not concern ourselves with how he will explain or not explain. Let’s just be glad we escaped the moment,” Bev said.
Two minutes until the fun was to start. A waitress was taking orders from the Sojourners standing next to them. Then she asked Carson if they would like something to drink. He thanked her but told her they were fine. Their group continued on to the Palladium room. They would begin there, and then circulate to the next room until they ended up in the Gold room. When they entered the Palladium room it was almost surreal to Charles. Everyone was dressed in clothes from different time periods and they were all wearing their spectacles. Large screens were all around with all kinds of information written on them. The large stage had an auctioneer in the middle with four ladies on satellite stages dressed in long gold evening gowns standing in front of see-through projection screens with the coin’s image on it. Crystals would flicker in the crowd, as bidders would hold up their crystal to signify they were bidding. The crowd was silent, as the auctioneer spoke all eyes were on him, except for Charles’ eyes. Airabelle noticed and began to silently talk to Charles about the people around them. She was describing their body language and what she observed about them. In between coin auctions there was a brief pause and their group would move around the room. No one paid any attention to Charles, Carson and Bev as they moved about. The only thing that was noticed at all was Airabelle. In the dim light she glowed. Bev thought Airabelle might be a distraction so she took her out of the room and into the lobby. They would do their work out there. Once in a while Airabelle would talk to Charles and tell him what they were doing.
When the auctioneer paused, all of a sudden the word LOTTERY appeared in different languages covering all the screens in the room. Everyone cheered! Carson looked at Charles. Then back to the screen. Airabelle asked Charles to silently tell her what was going on in the room. So, he did. She repeated to Bev and they made a dash for the door but it was too late. The ushers asked Bev to step back as they closed the door. The doors were then locked to the room. Airabelle told Charles they had been locked out. Bev tried to return through the back entrances but they had been locked as well. The stage went black and dim lights shown at the back of the room. They could hear the roar from the other auction rooms as the Sojourners were excited a lottery was taking place and wished they had been in the chosen room.
A beautiful young lady came on the screen. Charles thought she was around 18 years old. Her shiny blonde hair was swept up into a large gold coin that had two holes in it. She had gold lipstick on and shades of purple eye shadow around her striking blue eyes. Charles thought she looked like she just came out of a photo shoot. Everyone was asked to hold his or her crystals high up into the air. She asked everyone to remain silent and still as they held up their crystals. A winner would be announced shortly. Then all the crystals in the room went from lit to dark. Everyone gasped. The lady on the screen suddenly appeared on the stage in a spotlight. She wasn’t as tall as Charles had envisioned her to be. She appeared next to Dimitrios on stage. They spoke quietly before he escorted her to the microphone. She thanked everyone for coming to the auction. The room exploded in cheers. The other rooms erupted as well thinking a winner had been announced. Dimitrios asked that the crowd be silent. She paused and said that a winner had been chosen. The room once again erupted with cheers!
Airabelle wanted to know what was occurring in the room. Charles told her. The young lady once again asked that everyone hold up his or her crystals. Everyone did but Charles. His was still in his pocket. He stood looking around. The young lady was looking out into the crowd. She was searching for the winner. All the crystals were dark neon purple in the room. She said into the microphone, “I am sorry. This has never happened before.” She looked at Dimitrios. He was searching the crowd. He came to the microphone and asked everyone to hold up his or her crystals one more time. They did. They were all the same dark purple. Dimitrios shook his head.
Dimitrios took his crystal out and held it up. He asked it to make the winner’s crystal chime out in the room. Suddenly Charles’ crystal began to chime in his pocket. Charles looked stunned. Those standing next to him turned and looked at him. He reached quickly for his pocket and searched for his crystal. When he found it and started to take it out of his pocket, beams of light streamed from his pocket. He took it out and held it up. It lit up the room and was pulsing. Dimitrios said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have found our winner!”
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 32
