“How exactly do you suggest that I do this?”
“Well, it’s easy. Like I told you before, I read the article about you. In the paper it makes reference to Ralph in the message. Remember that it says Ralph could decode the message for you? By the way, you really should learn Swahili–very important. So where was I? Oh yes I remember now. That meant that someone close to you had Ralph, or knew where he was.”
“Yes but how does that help me?”
“What you don’t know is that the evil one wants to destroy Ralph almost as much as he wants to kill you. See, Ralph is the only nice toggle in the land and he knows it. It burns him up thinking that he doesn’t have control over all of the toggles, and that Ralph remains the rogue toggle. That monster can’t stand a traitor. If you use Ralph as bait then you can draw him into your trap.”
“That might work, but once I have him in my grasps, then what should I do?”
“These young kids today are so hard to believe. It should be obvious by now that he holds possession of the Toggle Handbook of Knowledge and Wisdom. That is the source of all his powers, and without it he is nothing.”
“Yeah, I know he does. It’s kind of my fault that he has it. I mean, I had it before I was attacked in Gramps’ old workshop.” I expected him to blow a gasket with that news, but his response was quite the opposite. “Yeah you win some and you lose some. We’ve lost the Toggle Handbook at least a dozen times, but we were always able to get it back, but that was long before the evil one became ruler. Now if you sacrifice Ralph, you just might have a chance to distract him long enough to take back the mystic book. That’s your only shot kid.”
I was a bit taken aback when I noticed that he was still so cleverly with it. This man was sharp as a tack which had me thinking for a moment. “Hey, didn’t you used to work for the Willoughby Sun?” The old man just laughed, “Yes I did, that was many years ago now–still have all my passwords to get in and change things too; usually no one’s the wiser.” He wittily winked at my new revelation. That sneaky old man has still got it.
I shook my head with excitement. “My first question to you then is why? Why did you let them lock you up like this all those years ago? It’s obvious that you have your wits about you, so I ask you why? Where was your drive to live?”
“Son, there came a point in my life that I decided that it was just too hard to go on. They first broke my heart, and then my will to live. I’d already lost the things that mattered most to me, so there was nothing. They took it all away from me many years ago now.” I looked at him as if to say I was sorry for everything that had happened to him. Suddenly, and for the first time in many years, I noticed a little sparkle in his eye. I saw a twinkling of light that life gives you when you want to go on. It was still there and as sharp as ever.
“So let me bust you out of here. I’ll take you far away from here and we could take on the evil one together. I could use your help. I need someone with your experience to guide me in this journey. I can’t do this on my own, you know. So how about it, I promise to have your back? ”
He just smiled for a second before I saw that twinkle extinguish and gradually fade away. “It’s too late for me, my son. You have to do this by yourself. I believe that it’s your destiny.” Then he told me something that I’ll never forget. It started with a question. “Son, did you ever read the Toggle Handbook?” I shook my head no. “I only read a few pages before the attack that night.” He then told me of an ancient prophecy written in blood towards the back of the book. “Well, the story goes that there will be a chosen one that restores power to the just. After the rebellion, this leader will then have the ability to bring back his loved ones. That is how it is translated in the book, that is.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“So you think that I–”
“Anything’s possible my son.”
I marveled for a moment at what he had just told me. If it was conceivable to bring Piper back to this world, then I would try anything, even if the prophecy was brought forth by toggles. I now needed that book more than ever before, to study and decide for myself what the truth really was.
“By the way, you are not alone. You have your gramps to guide you along the journey.”
“Yes, but he’s gone now too.”
“No he’s still with you in spirit, and he will guide you through this. Just listen to him and he will not steer you wrong. Besides, it’s almost my physical therapy time; I have another rub down in my future. The nurse does wonders for me, especially if I act like I’m falling.” He gave me a naughty wink as he chuckled with laughter. “Now go my friend, and fulfill your destiny.”
As I left the room, I heard a guitar being strummed as this song was sung aloud, “Dust to dust and ashes to ashes, we tore up that town and horribly bashed it. Two terrible toggles fell in a well. We sent two terrible toggles straight to–The door shut behind me as I thought to myself Not only is the whole town relying on me, but my future with Piper is too. If I fail at this, I might as well follow those two toggles straight into the pits.
Rejected
I was meeting the guys at a new bar they found called The Bull. This was supposed to be a place similar to what we were used to. Now that Blondies sold out so to speak, we all needed to find a new watering hole, somewhere to wet our whistle, somewhere to call home again.
Once I arrived I quickly understood why the guys thought this bar would be the perfect fit for us. All of the lights were turned down low, and a cloud of smoke blanketed the hardwood floors. “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo” was the song of choice and blaring loudly out of the jukebox speakers.
Most of the waitresses were conservatively dressed but flirty. I made this assumption just from overhearing a few drink orders. There was nothing spectacular about this place at all, and it was exactly what I was looking for in a bar.
I made my way over to the bartender and asked her for a stout cold one. She acceptably smiled while she poured me a hoppy brew. “Hey there, I haven’t seen you in here before. Is it your first time?”
“Yes it is. A few of my friends wanted to try this place for a while now that Blondies changed the way that it did.”
“We’ve been getting a lot of Blondies’ old regulars since that corporation ruined the place. That’s nothing new for us.” She seemed friendly enough. The whole place really felt like home to me. The bartender placed a bowl of pretzels in front of me, “Well it looks like you might be here awhile waiting on your friends; don’t worry, the pretzels are fresh. By the way, my name is Roxanne. It you need anything else, sweetie, just shout okay?”
I thanked Roxanne for the hospitality while nibbling on a few salty delights. Like usual the guys were late. I should have known that seven really meant eight or eight thirty. Next time I get invited to one of their get-togethers, I will adjust for their rudeness and stupidity.
Rich and Ocho finally arrived on the scene about a quarter till eight. “Did we keep you waiting?” Rich immediately blamed their tardiness on Ocho. “Ocho had to stop along the way and pickup an anniversary gift for his wife. They’ve been married for five years now and he’s forgotten to get a gift for her all five years. If he wanted to shoot for six I think an anniversary gift was in order.
“Thankfully the wedding day came up in conversation on the way here. Do you remember when Ocho was so nervous on that day that he forgot to bring the wedding ring with him? They had to delay the whole thing until he made his return. What a dim wit.”
Ocho just laughed and agreed with Rich. “Yeah, sometimes I’m just stupid I guess.” Says the guy who shot off two of his own toes with a shotgun.
Rich had grown a beard since I’d last seen him. To me it made him look like a Viking, but I guess that was the style these days. Personally I never wanted to be a hippie, but I digress. Ocho had also changed his appearance since the last time we’d seen each other. His face was as clean-shaven and as smooth as a baby’s behind. “So what happened to you Ocho, Stand too close to the r
azor this morning?” That got a laugh out of him. “Nah just thought I’d try something new. My old lady will probably kill me when I get home tonight, but hey.”
I motioned to Roxanne to bring two more drinks over for my friends. “Do you remember when we used to walk the train tracks together? We spent many hours hanging out and playing on the tracks.” That brought a smile to both of their faces when I brought it up. “Yes, I remember it well. We used to have a hangout just past the train trestle over by the river where we played games and had a great time.” Ocho was enjoying these memories as we all were.
“I remember when we had our clubs initiation, do you guys?” Everyone smiled. Rich started laughing, “Yeah, we were supposed to drink a two liter of milk each and under five minutes. How stupid could we be? We blew chunks all night long and I’ve never been sicker.”
I was glad that everyone was enjoying the evening so far. I motioned to Roxanne to keep the drinks coming. “Well I decided to go check out the old hang-out the other day. I went down to the tracks where we used to play and walked for several miles, which brought back some great memories.”
Since we were all having a good time at the bar, I thought now would be a suitable opening to discuss my agenda for tonight. “I wanted to talk to the both of you.” The guys were sipping on their beers as I began. “Well, it all started when they published that article about me in the Willoughby Sun.” Rich spoke up, “Oh I know. People haven’t let me live it down since Ocho and my names were published in it.” Ocho said, “Yeah man, not that I am embarrassed or anything, but everyone has been making jokes and calling me crazy ever since that article came out. I just wish they didn’t put our names in it, do you know what I mean?”
“Well guys I am not embarrassed about the article at all. In fact, I’m kind of proud of it. The truth needed to come out, and it did in a big way.” Both Rich and Ocho just nodded their heads, as if to say it was time. All of a sudden Rich seemed to have a change of heart. “Jordan, I know that we had some good times back when we were younger, but come on man. You don’t honestly believe that all of those legends Gramps told us are real? I mean come on, let’s get serious for a second.”
I shrugged off the last statement by Rich. “Guys, you know as well as I that Gramps’ stories are true. Everything that I’ve gone through in the last few months should be proof of that.” Ocho started cackling his ice together in his mug as he said, “All I know is things were a lot quieter before all Willoughby Woods knew about the legend of the toggles.”
I sipped on my beer for a moment longer before I brought out the big question. “Guys I need your help. You guys seem like the only ones that I can trust, and we’ve been through it all together. Can I rely on you?”
Rich spoke up first, “What is it? Do you need some money?” I laughed at that. “No dude, this is a matter of life and death. It’s more than that. It’s toggles.” As soon as I got that out of my mouth, Rich exploded. “I didn’t come here to talk about that garbage tonight. Frankly I’d hoped that you were over it. If it’s about toggles I’m out of here.” Rich stormed off. I turned and watched Rich exit the bar. “So what set him off? There once was a time that I could count on my brothers. What’s happened?” Ocho slurped down the rest of his drink and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I don’t know, but I’ll go talk to him; besides, he’s my ride, so I should probably catch him before I have to walk.”
“Don’t worry about it. If he’s going to be a big baby I’ll take you home myself.”
“Yeah, but my anniversary present is in his car. If I can get him to come back in then I will.”
I knew Ocho wasn’t coming back. I shook his hand as he was leaving. I held onto it for a second and said, “Dude, I really need you guys. There’s a lot happening right now that I didn’t even get to tell you about. Can I count on at least you?” I saw the look in Ocho’s eyes. He wasn’t coming back even though he shook his head yes. “I’ll see you around Jordan. Good luck with everything.” My two best friends in the entire world just abandoned me, all because of one distasteful word: toggles.
Extreme Inclination
When I returned home, I found two messages from Detective Marlowe. “Hey Jordan, Marlowe here. I have a tip I’m going to go check out that I would like to ask you about first. Give me a call back please.” The second message wasn’t as polite: “Jordan, call me back. This is Marlowe. I think I found your dog.”
He found my dog? Surely he didn’t mean Iggy. I immediately dialed his digits so I could get to the bottom of this. Wouldn’t you know it, I got his voicemail, so I said, “Marlowe, this is Jordan. I found your message on my recorder. Give me a call I’d like to talk with you.” I waited a few minutes for a response–nothing. Now growing ever impatient, I dialed him up again–still nothing. This time I was a little more forced with my response. “Yo Marlowe, pick up the phone. I don’t have all day to wait on you. Call me back.”
As soon as I hung up the phone it rang. It was Marlowe. “So I saw that you called. What’s up?”
“What do you mean what’s up? You were the one that called me and said that you found my dog? How is he anyways?”
“Slow down there Jordan. I did find your dog, and I returned him to his rightful owners–which is C.O.P.E. Yeah I’ve been checking up on your story since that article ran in the paper. One thing that just stuck in my crawl was that you lost your dog because a flock of birds stole him? What a croc by the way. You are supposed to have me believe that a flock of birds just carried your little puppy dog away, never to be seen again? Please, Mr. Brady, I may have been born at night, but it sure wasn’t last night.”
Typical, Marlowe was still being a jerk. I chuckled when he made the born at night statement because I was thinking the same thing. He sure wasn’t born a jerk last night. No, I’m positive that he’s always been one. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh nothing, so what happened to Iggy any ways?”
“Well I don’t know exactly; why don’t you tell me? All I can say is that it wasn’t that hard to find the little guy. Did you even look for him?”
My feelings were hurt. My lips tightened as I retorted back, “Yes I did. I looked for days and even put up lost-dog posters all over the park.” I could tell that Marlowe’s voice seemed to change once he saw that I was irritated.
“All I had to do was go down to the park and start asking questions. It wasn’t long before I had the little guy in my arms.”
“It probably was a little easier to get people to talk while flashing a shield all around Willoughby Park. Great job, Sherlock.” I probably shouldn’t have hit him back so hard, but this guy was on my last nerve.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about your little friend anymore. I called the number on his tag and returned him to C.O.P.E earlier today. A Mr. Lopez told me that you lost all of your flea bag privileges the day that you let him get kidnapped by…what was it again? Oh yes, a flock of birds. Didn’t you say for the paper that they were ravenous? Nice touch. What a way to sell your story, Mr. Brady–one that I’m not buying.”
At the boiling point of our conversation, I asked the macho detective, “So is that it? Are we finished here?”
“No Jordan, not quite. See, I think that you are a liar and you are one of those money-hungry type people that just want to keep his name in the spotlight for as long as he can. I believe that you want your fifteen minutes of fame and then fifteen minutes more. I think that you will never be satisfied, so you keep making up these stories about little monsters. What were they again? Troggles, smurfs, sprites, or whatever you call them. I’ll be watching you rather closely from here on out Jordan Brady.”
As I heard the phone click dead, I thought, This guy needs a life. I do not need his ignorance right now. This was shades of Wyatt coming out in Detective Marlowe. Now that I think about it, just who was this Marlowe character anyways, and where has Officer John been?
I’m glad that Iggy is alright. I do miss him so. It’s hard to believe that he wa
s found in the park. I thought for sure that he was gone forever. I will call in a few days after everything has settled down to see if there is a way for me to take ownership of him again.
As I turned out the lights for the night, I couldn’t forget about the awful things that Detective Marlowe said. If he only knew how I really felt and how I wanted to get rid of toggles and everything that was associated with them. If he only knew how those dreaded monsters had ruined my life then perhaps he would just leave me along.
A thought ran through my clouded mind on how much Marlowe resembled Wyatt. Trying not to get fixated on that revelation, I fluffed my pillow and rolled over. It seemed like Marlowe has a real chip on his shoulder and I just might have to be the one to knock it off.
A Sad Encounter
“General Krylon, have you made the final preparations for our upcoming assault? I don’t want anything to stand in our way once the havoc has begun. In a few days we will march on the city and destroy everyone that stands in our way.”
“Yes my lord. The fire-breathing stroggles are prepped for warfare. Our strategy is to attack the east gate. Once we have penetrated the eastern walls, the village will be ours to spoil and ravage. I promise you that it will rain fire down on them. ”
“Excellent, General Krylon, now go and bring me the Toggle Handbook of Knowledge and Wisdom. I want to have it close to me at all times since it is the key to our victory; reading it sends chills down my spine.” Shantago made a shivering sound as he let out a gut-wrenching laugh.
Shantago spoke one last command to General Krylon before releasing him, “Gather up all of the small children and have them on standby. I want each one of the kiddos to march on the front lines of our assault. See, I want those monsters to get a taste of their own medicine.” General Krylon and Shantago both laughed in agreement as he went to do his bidding.
Shantago's Revenge Page 5
