“Yes, Will. You’re not the only Wilder in training.” Leo jumped in front of Will, trying to hold his attention. “Should I go outside and try to ignite? I think it could help.”
“You’ve got to be careful with this—you don’t understand.”
“I do. I might be able to zap the gnats.”
“It’s not a good idea,” Will said, staring past him toward the TV.
“Maybe I’m supposed to do something.”
“No, you’re not.” Will was annoyed. “Look, I need you to stay put. Someone is using Moses’s staff to attack the town and now Aunt Lucille is locked up. I’ve got to figure this out, and I don’t need your help right now, okay, Leo? Remember, I’m the chosen one.”
Leo looked as if he could kick Will in the shins. “You might be the chosen one, but you’re not the only one,” he growled, and stomped upstairs. Will was about to chase after him, but the image on the screen in the kitchen held him in place.
The camera cut away to city hall, where Mayor Lynch, a strange smirk on her face, clutched her official podium. Pothinus Sab and Heinrich Crinshaw stood on either side of the mayor. Sheriff Stout sheepishly played with his hat in the background.
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I first want to urge all the citizens of Perilous Falls to stay indoors and off the streets for the remainder of the night. Only emergency workers and law enforcement officials should be on the roadways. There are confirmed reports of an insect invasion. We are investigating its source—though we have our suspicions…”
The mayor was oddly untroubled by the crisis befalling her city. The picture of composure, her right eyebrow rose slightly as she continued. “I have a bit of timely news to report. Owing to an extensive investigation launched months ago by a select committee of the city council, we have apprehended a suspect whom we believe may be responsible for many of the strange happenings in our fair town. This afternoon, Sheriff Stout’s deputies arrested Lucille Wilder for alleged activities that could be related to the many disturbances we have experienced—including this insect business. There will be a formal court hearing tomorrow.”
Grumbling and yelled questions rose up from the press corps.
The mayor raised a hand to the sky and closed her black-lined eyes. “Please, please, control yourselves. This investigation is beyond reproach. Why, even Councilman Dan Wilder, the suspect’s nephew, reviewed all the evidence. Dan is himself a prominent member of the investigative committee.”
Will pounded his fists on the countertop. “Dad! How could you do this to Aunt Lucille?”
“You don’t understand…She is exaggerating,” Dan protested. “I…I…Do you think I would—”
Marin put her hands on her hips. “You’re being a very bad daddy.”
“Aren’t you going to even try to get her out on bail?” Will asked sadly. “I need to talk to her. This is serious. I could die.”
“Stop being so dramatic, son.” Dan fussed with his tortoiseshell glasses. “One of her friends at Peniel is an attorney. He’s filed a motion to get her out. We’ll see if that works.”
“But what are you doing, Dad?” Will asked.
“Exactly what I was thinking,” said Deb, turning angrily back to the TV.
In the community room at Peniel, some of the Brethren stared dejectedly at the old ’80s-era console TV in the corner. This was definitely a low-def set. The TV seemed completely out of place in the stone room, surrounded by oil paintings of preoccupied monks, faded tapestries, medieval chairs, and leather couches. The lamps and wrought-iron chandelier overhead were at half-light.
Brother Baldwin sat on a high-backed chair against a wall, reading a newspaper. Other brothers attempted to play chess, their eyes fixed on the TV screen across the room. Bartimaeus, Tobias, and Abbot Athanasius were on the edge of the couch nearest the television, riveted by what they saw unfolding.
On-screen, the mayor stepped aside and introduced Pothinus Sab as the city’s “spiritual consultant.” Sab bowed slightly and took to the podium. “My dear children, we have witnessed amazing things, have we not? Blood in our water, a vicious frog invasion, and these horrible flying creatures. Only now we have an answer.” He lifted the amulet of Ammit that dangled on the front of his white jacket. “Ms. Mayor, you have yours? Of course you do. Mr. Crinshaw? Very good.” Except for Sheriff Stout, all those on-screen held up their amulets.
“Now, some might ask, why must we wear these golden baubles? Why is this preferable to other signs and symbols? I will answer with one word: regeneration. This little creature is a sign of regeneration—hope for all of Perilous Falls. It has proven its effectiveness already. Isn’t that true?” The mayor and Crinshaw nodded. “I want to share a video with you that the news people just recorded.” Sab joyously raised a hand to a large screen in the chamber.
It showed the gnat swarm approaching a neighborhood. People slipped on the gold amulets as they exited their homes. While the gnats descended, they completely avoided the houses and the amulet wearers. A black haze of bugs behind her, a woman on-screen proudly announced, “This little medal is like a miracle.” She kissed the hippo-like Ammit figure hanging from the chain around her neck. “It has spared us. Not one gnat has approached our family. Not one. I just feel safer wearing it.”
A wide shot showed the entire family standing in the middle of a yard frosted in black bugs. Not so much as a single gnat landed on any of them.
“Is that amazing? Isn’t it AMAZING?” Pothinus Sab asked. Tepid applause broke out in the city council chamber. Sab pulled a handful of chains with Ammit figures from his pocket. “The mayor and I—all of us—want you to enjoy the same protection these people have experienced. I know what some of you are thinking: Is this some sort of religious symbol? Noooo. Those things hold us back. This amulet is an act of communal spirituality—a sign of our shared commitment to one another and to this town. By wearing this, we are channeling our positive energy and saying ‘I belong here. I am a citizen of Perilous Falls and I crave true regeneration.’ That is what you want, yes? Now you can have it. The city has generously purchased free amulets for every man, woman, and child. Come to the Karnak Center at your earliest convenience and we will give you a personal amulet for your own safety. These are uncertain days. Why would you want to be without the connection and protection that your neighbors already enjoy?”
Abbot Athanasius stood, scratching at his beard. “This man is a deceiver, Brethren. We must find a way to convince the populace to reject these glittering idols.”
“How are we going to do dat? We don’t exactly have a TV station, Abbot,” Bartimaeus said, shaking his head.
Several brothers offered ideas, from making posters to going door to door begging people to give up the amulets. Valens sauntered into the doorway of the common room and visibly felt the tension in the air.
“What’s happening?” Valens warily edged his way into the room.
“This charlatan is forcing his amulets on the people,” Tobias said toward the TV with contempt. “There are many, many swarms of gnats attacking the town.”
“Gnats?” Valens asked.
“Yes, gnats, gnats. Bzzzzzz,” Bartimaeus said, fluttering his hands impatiently to make wings. “Flying gnats. Weren’t you listening to the radio in your room?”
Valens hesitated. As his lips began to move, Baldwin interrupted, “There are no radios in our rooms. The only radio is here in the common area.”
Bartimaeus’s eyes narrowed and he shot Tobias a look. “Hmm, must be my mistake. I could have sworn Valens told me he was listening to the radio in his room when—”
“Gnats are one of the plagues of Egypt, aren’t they?” Valens cried, his blue eyes dancing. He turned to Tobias Shen. “Do you think this could also be connected to the Staff of Moses?”
“Your powers of deduction are extraordinary, Mr. Ricard,” Tobias pronounced sarcastically. “In moments of confusion, the ability to see the obvious when it presents itself can be a gift
.”
“Tobias,” Abbot Athanasius said in his most serious tone. “Send word to Will. I want him here tomorrow morning for training. His hour is coming and he must be ready. Now let’s get to evening prayer, Brothers.” He gathered up the stiff material of his black habit and moved to the door. “We will pray for the liberation of our sister Lucille and that peace might once again reign in this house.”
Bartimaeus mounted his crutches and followed the procession of brothers through the doorway. Valens stepped aside to let Bart pass in front of him.
“No, you go first, Brother.” Bartimaeus trained his milky pupils on Valens. “I’m thinking you might need those prayers a little more than I do.”
“Your Honor, these charges are completely bay-th-lis,” the rotund Brother Amalric Fulk bellowed in the courtroom that Wednesday morning.
“What did he say?” the judge whispered to his bailiff, waving off a few stray gnats that had made it onto his bench.
“Here sits an up-th-anding woman—a pillar of the communi-th-y.” His already bulging eyes bugged out even farther as he gestured to Lucille Wilder, who sat uncomfortably in the witness box. “Your Honor, how could th-th little per-thon po-th-ibly control alligators, cause a river to run red, and compel frogs to overtake a town? These are un-th-erious charges and my client denies any and all rethpon-thi-bility.”
Judge Blabbingdale and the entire courtroom stared at the attorney in wonder. Not only were they unsure what Lucille Wilder’s lawyer was saying, but also his figure was so gargantuan, his black suit so enormous, that the whole picture dumbfounded them.
Brother Amalric Fulk was a lawyer by training who spent most of his days in the filing room at Peniel. As the Brethren’s community bookkeeper, he rarely left his desk and spent his spare time studying languages and the law by his lonesome. Some of the Brethren blamed his public withdrawal on the tongue thrust that marred his speech.
Only a crisis like Lucille’s could have ever forced Amalric beyond the monastery walls. His prolonged solitude made him awkward and uncertain around strangers, as the fixed death stare he gave the judge demonstrated.
“Are you going to keep staring at me like that, Counselor?” Judge Blabbingdale asked.
“Was I th-aring? I didn’t mean to th-are,” he said, eyes popping.
“Are you quite done?”
“I believe tho, Your Honor.” Amalric blinked oddly, buttoning his jacket as he lumbered toward the table facing the bench. Then like an elephant hitting a tree, he halted suddenly. “Oh, Your Honor, we humbly petition the court to dith-mith all charges and allow my client to return home. She po-th-es no threat to anyone. She i-th not guilty. We thank you.” He accidentally backed into his defense table, sending it sliding against a nearby railing.
Mayor Lynch rose, fingers flexed on her tabletop across the aisle. “We believe she is guilty, Your Honor. Until there is a formal trial, there is no way the city council can permit Lucille Wilder to roam free in our town. We believe she is somehow manipulating the climate and releasing bizarre wildlife on the populace. Most recently gnats. After discovering convincing evidence, our committee believes Lucille Wilder is a danger to the people of Perilous Falls. She should remain in custody pending a trial.” A slow smile developed on Mayor Lynch’s face as she eyed Lucille. “Your Honor, our investigative committee makes this request—unanimously.”
“Not…not unanimously, Ava,” Dan Wilder sputtered from the front row. Deborah squeezed his arm in support, while Marin and Leo glared at the mayor.
“Dan, that’s enough. I will have you ejected from this courtroom,” Judge Blabbingdale cautioned.
“But she’s lying, Your Honor. She is bending and twisting reality to fit a…a…narrative….” A red-faced Dan stood, struggling for words. “She will stop at nothing until my aunt Lucille is—”
“Dan!” the judge yelled. “This is my last warning. Now, Mayor Lynch, I will review the evidence such as it is.” He ruefully looked down at the photos and reports before him. “For the time being, Ms. Wilder will remain in custody—”
A rumble of displeasure rolled through the courtroom. The judge pounded his gavel on the podium. “Ms. Wilder will remain in custody until I have finished my review. The concerns of the city council shall be taken seriously. We’ll reconvene on Friday and I will decide then if a trial is warranted. That is all.” He struck the gavel again.
Lucille Wilder did not so much as flinch or offer any emotion. She closed her eyes as if napping.
“Dad, what can we do?” Leo asked his father, his cheeks flushing. He stomped into the aisle, heading for the judge’s bench. “Let my aunt Lucille go. You let my aunt GO!”
Mayor Lynch blocked Leo’s path to the bench. Her dewy, skeletal face held a crooked smile. “Oh, sugarplum, we’re going to let your auntie go.” She pulled Leo close to her. “Together we can watch her go…with the police right now.”
Sure enough, over the mayor’s left shoulder, the bailiff placed Lucille in handcuffs and took her from the witness box.
“Bye, Auntie Lucille,” the mayor brayed, waving her gnarled fingers next to Leo.
“Deborah, rescue your son from that dragon in red heels before she unjustly incarcerates him as well,” Aunt Lucille called out, steel in her blue eyes. “Don’t you worry about me, Leo. I’ll be fine, dear. Justice will prevail.”
“Looks from here like justice is doing just fine,” the mayor said. Deborah Wilder plucked Leo from her grasp, pulling him down the aisle.
Judge Blabbingdale opened his mouth to say something to the mayor, but the moment she turned to him, he grimaced, stormed into his chambers, and angrily banged the door behind him.
Will unhappily stomped up the path beside the river toward Peniel. Simon, Cami, and Andrew surrounded him. More than anything he wanted to be at Aunt Lucille’s hearing. But Mr. Shen had ordered him to come to Peniel first thing in the morning for some “very, very, very important training.” Since he had to cancel a bike ride with his friends, he asked that they meet him at the St. Thomas churchyard. He was watering his blooming walking stick when his pals appeared. Together they proceeded up the path, shooing away the last remnants of the gnat swarm.
“Can’t believe the city had your aunt arrested,” Andrew said, trying to be supportive.
“Your father’s deputies arrested her,” Will said, staring straight ahead.
“He had to do it, Will-man. He’s gotta follow the law. He’s the sheriff. I know he wasn’t happy about it.”
“That makes two of us.” Will kicked a rock on the ground, sending it spinning into the river.
Simon rushed ahead, waving his plague list. “We’ve got to talk about the plagues, Will. I’ve noticed something. There’re only a few plagues left until…you know who gets you know what.”
Will cut his eyes at Simon, raising a fist. “Your father had better release my aunt Lucille or I’m going to give you know what to you know who!”
“I’m sure my father will rule properly,” Simon snapped. “He judges according to the law. As he always says, ‘Justice is blind.’ ”
“You’re going to be blind if he doesn’t free my aunt,” Will growled.
“Could you all please KNOCK IT OFF.” Cami stopped walking, forcing the boys to stand still. “They can’t be blamed for what the city council did to your aunt, William. Listen to Simon for a minute.” She walked in front of Will and lifted the brim of his pith helmet. For the first time she could see how angry and troubled he was by the arrest and the unfolding plagues. She looked deep into his hazel eyes. Then, unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around him. Will was totally caught off guard by the hug. But it did calm him and felt better than he ever imagined. Will’s scowl soon melted into a half smirk.
“I’m all right, Cami,” he said, still in her embrace. “I’ve got to get to Peniel, so let’s…keep moving.” He awkwardly separated himself from her and marched onward.
Cami fluttered her fingers like agitated butterflies as a signal for Si
mon to start talking.
“I’ve been working on an updated plague list. I put a line through the plagues not caused by the staff. Here’s where we stand.” Simon handed the list to Will, who read it warily.
The Plagues
✔ 1) The Nile turned to BLOOD! SO DID THE PERILOUS RIVER.
✔ 2) Frogs! SHARP-TOOTHED AMPHIBIANS EVERYWHERE.
✔ 3) Gnats. STILL OUTSIDE.
4) Swarms of Flies. NOT CAUSED BY STAFF.
5) Plague kills livestock. NOT CAUSED BY STAFF.
6) Boils. NOT CAUSED BY STAFF. THANK GOODNESS.
7) Hail, thunder, and fire! “Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth.” People and animals in the field died. Only the Israelite lands were spared. WHERE CAN I GET A TEFLON UMBRELLA?
8) Locusts. Moses lifted the rod, causing locusts to cover “the face of the whole land.” They ate all the plants and all the fruit on the trees. NEED TO GET LOCUST SPRAY.
9) Darkness. Moses lifted his hands to heaven and there “was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.” CHANGE FLASHLIGHT BATTERIES. STOCK AT LEAST THREE DAYS’ WORTH OF BACKUPS.
10) Death strikes the Egyptians.
Will felt sick to his stomach. Somewhere in town, a demon with a weaponized staff wanted to exterminate him, and his protector, the person he needed most, was behind bars. With each passing hour, with each passing plague, death moved a little closer.
“Well?” Simon’s shrill voice wavered as they walked through Aunt Lucille’s backyard up the winding path to Peniel. “Any day now, hail, thunder, and fire are going to hit, then locusts and then—if we survive that—three days of darkness. How are we going to stop the plagues?” He snatched back the list and slipped it into his pocket.
“Let’s not get hysterical, Simon,” Cami said, rubbing his back as if he were a frightened cat.
“You’ll be hysterical in a minute too. When we saw the prophecy the other day, I felt awful because I thought, ‘Oh, my friend Will is going to die and that would be terrible.’ Then last night I read the Bible again and do you know what it says?” He was jumping like beans on a hot griddle, turning colors with excitement. “After the three days of darkness the angel of death came for the Egyptian’s FIRSTBORN. All the firstborn! It’s not only Will that dies, but you, me, Andrew…we’re all GONERS. Aaaaaah.”
Will Wilder #2 Page 16
