Jack James and the Tribe of the Teddy Bear

by J. Joseph Wright

  “Thanks,” he sighed.

  “He won’t be in jail long.”

  “I don’t know,” he brooded. “It’s not like last time when the O/A resembled a lab experiment on steroids. This time they thought it was a weapon, and that’s bad. That’s really, really bad.”

  “But how can they convict him if there is no alleged weapon?”

  “They’ll find it. They probably already have.”

  Amelia flashed a knowing smile. “Nope. The police don’t have your dad’s machine, but I know who does.”

  “Come on, who?”

  “One of the Tanakee. His name’s Pud!”

  “Pud?” Takota broke his silence. The two kids stared at him. Amelia laughed.

  “Oh, so now his highness chooses to join the conversation?” Jack scolded. “And why couldn’t you say something before? You make me out to be a fool when you do that, you know? It’s pretty embarrassing, I gotta tell ya’.”

  Takota shrugged. “Sorry. Force of habit. After thousands of years of avoiding humans, it’s kinda difficult for a Tanakee to get used to this.”

  Amelia said, “Your friends didn’t have much of a problem talking to me, especially Ayita. She seemed very outgoing.”

  “You saw Ayita?” Takota’s heart fluttered. “How is she? Is she okay?”

  “Yes, she’s fine. They’re all doing well. They’re worried sick about you, though. They really want to find you.”

  Takota ruminated, wounded by his own doing.

  “It’s for the best. I need to go away, for many reasons.”

  “But, you said,” Jack reminded him. “Remember? You said you’d listen to Amelia. Maybe she’s got an idea.”

  “Do you?” Takota squinted at her. “Do either of you truly know what’s going on here?”

  Amelia crossed her arms calmly. “I think I might.”

  Takota shifted his gaze to Jack, then to Amelia. “What is it, then? Maybe you can explain what I’m supposed to do.”

  She sighed. “Since I can remember, I’ve known about my other senses. One is the ability to see auras, only I’ve always called them spirit clothes because I didn’t know what they were. It’s the energy a living thing projects, a cloak of colored light. I’ve been seeing them around people all my life, and I’ve learned to trust those who have the brightest, most colorful spirit clothes. That’s why I trust you so much, Jack. Your spirit clothes are the most magnificent I’ve ever seen. Until I met Takota. All the Tanakee have spirit clothes that are just as spectacular as Jack’s, which is strange, because animals have spirit clothes, just not that bright or as well-defined. I thought it was a coincidence. Then I noticed something I’ve never seen before. Ben’s machine, the O/A. It has the same extraordinary spirit clothes. Inanimate objects aren’t supposed to have these types of auras. It just can’t be an accident, and it makes me feel something’s put us all together for a reason.”

  Takota thought about it. “That is intriguing. But it still doesn’t give me any ideas about what I should do. If I stay, I’m putting everyone in danger.”

  “All I can tell you is what I see,” said Amelia. “And my intuition says you two should stick together.”

  Although his mind hadn’t changed, Takota knew Amelia had a gift, and it did indeed seem similar to Ayita’s. He appreciated that.

  “So,” Jack suggested. “Tanakee and humans, we have some sort of connection? Maybe an evolutionary connection?”

  “Maybe. That’s not clear,” answered Amelia. “What is clear to me is that you two have a connection.”

  “You know what?” Jack smiled at Takota. “I’ve been thinking about this, and I just have to say it. I have this theory of exactly what a Tanakee is. You’re a pygmy Bigfoot, aren’t you?”

  Takota breathed deep and fast. “We are not Bigfoot. Don’t ever call us that.”

  “Why not? You look kinda the same, except for those green spots under your eyes. You’re just smaller,” Jack persisted.

  “We are NOT Bigfoot,” Takota was agitated, and for good reason. “Calling someone a Bigfoot is considered offensive in some circles. Bigfoot are smelly, loud animals. They’re strong, and fiercely loyal, but, let’s just say they’re not too bright.”

  “Sounds like Mike’s dog,” Amelia chuckled.

  “That’s an insult to dogs. Bigfoot can be intelligent to a point, and they do a good job of protecting Wind Whisper Woods, but boy can they be a pain. And dumb. Let me put it this way—how many people have heard of Bigfoot? Tons, right? Now, how many have heard of a Tanakee? Not many, and there’s a reason. Bigfoot are so brainless, they can’t keep from being constantly spotted by humans.”

  “But,” Jack’s wide eyes darted from Takota to Amelia, then back. “Weren’t you captured?”

  Takota straightened and cleared his throat. “Yeah, well, I…”

  While the children had a good laugh, the hairs on the back of Takota’s neck became icicles. His skin electrified. Then his ears rang, and he knew someone or something was approaching. When he saw the large man, he became dead to the outside world.

  “Ah, Jack James. Found you,” the massive fellow said.

  “Principal Humbert?” Jack sounded surprised.

  “Hello, Jack. Hello, young lady. You must be new, what’s your name?”

  “Amelia, Amelia Klein.”

  “Yes, yes, of course. Amelia.”

  Principal Humbert’s jowls bounced when he talked. He wasn’t too old, in his fifties, Takota guessed, with slicked-back, copper-colored hair in a style from some bygone era.

  “So, Jack. You’re name’s been coming up a lot, lately,” smiling, he noticed Takota. Then he tilted his head. “And it’s all because of you, little guy.”

  He crouched and lifted Takota into his arms. The man handled him with care, holding him up for better scrutiny.

  “You’ve been causing quite a stir around here, fella,” he chuckled. “Imagine, someone being afraid of a teddy bear. I mean, I’ve heard of people being afraid of clowns. That’s kind of understandable. Heck, even I’m a little freaked out by clowns—but teddy bears?”

  Jack and Amelia sat mute. From what Takota surmised, they were trying to play it cool and were failing miserably. Lucky for them, the principal seemed not to notice.

  “You know, Jack, I used to have a teddy bear myself when I was little. Slept with it ‘til I was even older than you.”

  The rotund gentleman angled closer to the children.

  “You wanna know something else? Still have it,” he whispered, then straightened to his full height and laughed with a deep bass rumble. It was ironic to Takota the man went on about bears, since he was so bearlike. “The same one I’ve had for fifty years. It’s on a shelf in my office right now!”

  “Do you collect them or..?” Amelia asked.

  “No, it’s just the one,” he said, handing Takota to Jack. “Which reminds me of the reason why I came out here. If you love stuffed animals, you two had better get on over to Winmart.”

  “Why? What’s going on?” asked Jack.

  “Haven’t you heard? Some charity came in and bought every last stuffed animal the store had. Now they’re giving them away out front, all of them.”

  “What!” both children shouted. Takota felt like shouting with them.

  The principal snickered. “Can you believe it? It’s a nice gesture, but I wish they would’ve timed it a little better. We had to let school out early, notify the parents, what a mess!”

  TAKOTA WANTED TO stop playing the dead game right then and there, sprint to Winmart, and check on the other Tanakee. However, Principal Humbert wouldn’t go away. He insisted on escorting the children, even though the store sat across a small parking lot right next to the school.

  “Can’t let you go by yourselves,” he said, and that ruined any plans Takota might have had. So when Jack picked him up and put him in the backpack, he had no choice but to keep still and quiet.

  Approaching the store, Takota heard the unmistakable sou
nds of children in the throes of emotions ranging from elation to desperation to sheer anger. He stopped worrying about Mr. Humbert so much. He got the feeling Jack wasn’t concerned with the principal, either.

  “If someone bought all the toy animals, where are the Tanakee?” Jack posed the question Takota had on his own mind.

  “What?” Mr. Humbert sounded perplexed. “What’s a Tanakee?”

  “Uncanny!” Amelia ignored the man.

  “Can you see this, Takota?” Jack was out of breath.

  “What? I can’t see a thing,” answered Takota.

  Mr. Humbert’s voice went up an octave. “What was that?”

  “Here,” disregarding their principal, Amelia took the bag off Jack’s shoulders and pointed it toward Winmart, allowing Takota to see what had them so amazed—four long tables, lined up and spilling over with toy puppies and pandas, turtles and toads.

  The entire store had been pilfered of every stuffed animal, it seemed. Dozens of children pawed and fawned over them, some with parents, some running in wild packs worse than wolves. Shouts of joy competed with impatient wails. The lucky ones rummaged through piles of plush toys, while others watched jealously, forced to wait in line. Amid the chaos, Takota spotted a familiar, well-dressed man who didn’t quite fit in. He stood to the side, scrutinizing each toy.

  Then he spoke.

  “That’s it! Step right up—everybody gets a teddy bear! But remember, only one each, please!”

  “It’s him!” Takota shouted.

  “Jack!” Mr. Humbert sounded frightened. “There’s something, or someone in your backpack!”

  “It’s who?” Jack seemed unconcerned about Principal Humbert’s revelation.

  “Archer Savage! He found me!” Takota answered. “And now look, I led him straight to the others!”

  “What on earth is going on here, Jack?” the principal demanded.

  Jack started running. “Let’s go check!”

  Behind them, Takota heard Mr. Humbert fighting for breath. Finally he managed to holler to the children as they raced from his sight.

  “Okay! That’s fine! You, you go on! I’ll just, I’ll just go and get my head examined now!”

  In Winmart’s toy department, they found the stuffed animal tower had been dismantled, a large, dusty hole left in its place. Takota went numb, unable to breathe. The nest where the Tanakee had lived. Their sanctuary. Gone, replaced by an empty skeleton of wire and rope.

  “Don’t worry, Takota,” Amelia seemed to sense his loss. “They’re safe.”

  “How can you say that?” he was ready to climb out of the backpack.

  “I know, okay? Don’t ask me to explain it. I just know.”

  “All right, all right,” Jack said. “Let’s just go with the empirical, tangible data in front of us. Obviously they aren’t hiding here anymore, and we all know how fast and sneaky you guys can be. Takota, do you think they’re outside on those tables with the rest of the stuffed animals?”

  “No way,” Takota was certain. “They would never allow that to happen.”

  “Okay, so let’s say they escaped from Savage undetected. Let’s say they’re still hiding in this store.”

  Amelia added, “That explains why that Savage guy is still here. You’d think he’d be long gone by now if he’d captured them.”

  “Unless he’s after me,” Takota frowned.

  “We’ll never let him get you,” Jack insisted. “And we won’t let him have your friends, either.”

  Takota sensed the same tingly, static-charged energy as before with the principal. Someone was coming, so he did what came natural. He played the dead game.

  “Takota, what’s wrong?” Jack noticed his sudden lapse into a fake coma.

  “There you are,” a woman said. Stuck inside the bag, Takota had no way to see, though he knew it was Liz, Jack’s mother. “I’ve been chasing you all over the store, mister. You knew you were supposed to find me first thing after school today.”

  “Sorry, Mom.”

  “Sorry’s not gonna cut it. You’re walking on thin ice after the stunt you and your dad pulled this morning. I could have gotten fired, you know that?”

  “But Mom, we weren’t pulling a stunt, we…”

  “I don’t want to hear any more. Omnidimensional power, living teddy bears—I just don’t want to hear it!”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  “Good. Now, I want you to do me a favor and keep an eye on your little sister, okay? She’s in Kid Kastle listening to the storyteller lady, so go and sit with her or something.”

  “Mom! I don’t wanna listen to the storyteller lady.”

  “Come on, Jack. You like stories, don’t you? Amelia, don’t you like stories?”

  “Well, sure, but…”

  “See?” Liz interrupted. “Everybody likes a good story.”

  TWENTY-SIX

  “‘SOMEONE’S BEEN EATING my porridge,’ growled Papa Bear. ‘Someone's been eating my porridge,’ said Mama Bear. ‘Someone's been eating my porridge, and they ate it all up!’ cried Baby Bear.”

  Thanks to the frenzied stuffed animal giveaway, Kid Kastle was a ghost town, population: 2—Jack’s little sister, Lily, and the storyteller, who diligently performed her rendition of Goldilocks and the Three Bears despite a sparse audience. Even from Jack’s backpack, Takota felt the passion she poured into the prose. He sensed she loved her work, dressing the part of a word alchemist in a long, purple robe adorned with gold sequined letters and symbols. Her fine white hair cascaded over dainty shoulders past a face glowing with youthful vigor which belied her old age.

  When the storyteller was finished, Lily clapped enthusiastically, begging the woman for another.

  “Oh, thank you dear. Thank you so much,” she said. “I will tell you another story. I’ll tell you all the stories you want. In ten minutes. Right now it’s Teresa Tree’s break time!”

  “Aww!” Lily cried.

  “I’m sorry, dear. I promise I’ll return quickly, but really I must go. When you get to be my age and nature calls—you answer,” she laughed.

  Lily crossed her bare arms and sat on her knees, rumpling her light pink dress. “I’ll wait right here.”

  “Deal,” Teresa gave an exaggerated nod. “Besides, that’ll give some time for the stuffed animal riot to die down outside. Then the kids’ll be back. Where’s your teddy bear? Didn’t you get one?”

  “Humph!” Lily dropped her shoulders. “I already have tons of silly teddy bears.”

  “Oh, okay,” Teresa smiled. “Suit yourself. If you change your mind, there are some teddy bears over there to play with.”

  Lily’s eyes about popped from their sockets. Obviously she recognized something, and it shocked her, though from inside the pack, Takota hadn’t the first hint what it was.

  “I’ll be right back, honey,” Teresa didn’t notice the child’s sudden amazement.

  Smiling at Jack and Amelia, she whisked her regal shawl in two graceful sweeps of her arms and exited Kid Kastle, leaving them alone to watch Lily.

  “Jack, Jack,” the little girl stood and blinked up at him. “I think I know where your teddy bear is at.”

  “Where?”

  “There,” she pointed to a pair of brightly colored plastic bins filled with toys of all kinds.

  “Okay, so where are they?” Jack picked up an Etch A Sketch and dropped it.

  “They’re, uh…” Lily searched. “They’re…”

  “Right here!” Ayita stood up. Lily’s jaw dropped to her chest.

  “Ayita!” Takota jumped from Jack’s schoolbag and hurried to her. “I thought I’d never see you again!”

  Ayita beamed and tossed her arms around him. Then her attitude soured.

  “You jerk!” she pushed him away, causing him to tumble over a tiny dump truck. “You left us. You promised not to leave, but you did anyway!”

  “I had no choice,” he shot to his feet. “Everything was happening so fast. When I got out of that grocery sack, I n
eeded to hide somewhere. Jack’s bag was the safest place I could find.”

  She didn’t respond. She was distracted by the excited spasms of the six-year-old girl.

  “Jack! Oh my God! Jack!” Lily squealed. “You were right! You were right! They are alive, and they talk!”

  “Shhh!” Jack tried to quiet her. It didn’t work. She’d built herself into such hysterics she became breathless.

  “Come here, Lily,” Amelia hastened to her aid. “Sit down and just breathe.”

  “But, but,” the little girl stammered.

  “I know, I know,” Amelia stroked her hair. Then Cheyton and Enola came out of hiding from behind the cabinet doors of a plastic kitchen playset and Lily lost it.

  “Oh my GOD! They’re monsters! Little tiny monsters!”

  Jack tried to cover her mouth. She wormed from his grasp and scurried out through the fake Kid Kastle drawbridge, screaming for her mommy.

  “Great!” Cheyton grumbled. “Wonderful plan, sis. Now what, stupid?”

  “Cheyton! Be nice,” Enola lowered her eyebrows.

  “We can’t trust humans,” he glared at Takota. “And we can’t trust anyone who trusts humans, either.”

  “That’s not true,” Amelia said. “You can trust us.”

  Takota knew the girl was only trying to help, but he wished she would let him fight his own battles.

  “I’ve had just about enough of you!” he rushed toward Cheyton. He didn’t get far. Jack and Ayita both helped to hold him back.

  “Yeah? Do something about it,” Cheyton lunged in return. Enola had to restrain him.

  “Everyone! Let’s get ahold of ourselves, really!” she shouted. “How can we solve our problems if we can’t stop fighting? We’re a team, a tribe, no matter what. We have to rely on each other, to trust and help one another. And right now we have to help Pud.”

  Amelia surveyed the room. “Where is Pud?”

  “That’s just it. We don’t know,” Ayita fretted.

  “Who’s Pud again?” Jack seemed confused. “You mean the funny-looking orange one?”

  “That’s Pud!” said everyone in Kid Kastle not named Jack.