CHAPTER SEVEN
The heavy stone slab quietly opened away from them creating a passageway, the key still in place. A sudden rush of warm air enveloped them for just a brief moment. Larna felt no fear, but nevertheless was compelled to shut her eyes as they stepped through the portal together.
“You can open your eyes now,” said a softly spoken voice that Larna recognised from somewhere within her memory. She did as she was asked and the first thing she saw was a carpet of flowers, red bells instead of blue.
“You okay?” she asked her brother anxiously.
Running his hands down his body in an exaggerated check he answered, “Yeah. Where are we?”
“I’m relieved to see you arrived in one piece,” the soft voice said again. Larna turned, facing the same direction as Aron, and found the boy standing in front of them, hands on hips, big grin on his face. The boy from her dreams. She was struck by the intense green of his big almond-shaped eyes and his dog-like nose. Instead of the colourful outfit he’d worn before, he was wearing a gothic-style black coat which nearly touched the ground, and their ruby key was sticking out of his top pocket.
“Unbelievable!” was all Larna could stutter. Aron was similarly afflicted.
“Hi Larna, it’s so good to meet you in the flesh at last. You do recognise me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” croaked Larna. “You haunt my sleep.”
“I’m sorry about that, but I needed to contact you and the only way I could do so in your world was via your dreams.”
“So you weren’t telling porkies,” murmured Aron.
Larna gave her brother a brief smile and then turned to the boy.
“Who are you?” she asked.
He gave a mock bow and smiled at them. “My name is Tiblou, but you can call me Tibs for short. Everyone else does.”
“Can you tell us where we are, Tibs? Am I still dreaming?”
“No you’re not, Larna, you’re in the same place but in another time… ”
Before he could explain any further, a large velvety black crow appeared between them.
“Clem! I thought you said you couldn’t travel with us,” exclaimed Aron.
“I’m not Clem. I’m Clementine, his twin sister,” she said crossly. “He is the guardian of the key to the porthole in your time. I am the guardian in this time.”
“What do you mean, ‘in this time’?” asked Larna.
“All I am at liberty to say right now is that you aren’t in the twenty-first century anymore.”
Tiblou and Clementine glanced at each other and exchanged a knowing look. Then, like Clem had done, the bird began to change into human-like form becoming the feminine version of Clem. The only difference was that she had masses of long carroty red hair which was completely wild, as if it hadn’t been brushed for years. Her predominantly green clothes were flamboyant and flowing.
Tiblou looked back and noticed his visitors looking anxious and confused. “Everything will be explained very shortly, but right now I need to escort you to my home because it looks like we’re about to have the daily downpour.”
“Daily?” Aron queried.
“Every single day.” Tiblou wrinkled his brows. “Why, doesn’t it do that in your time?”
“Where we live, you just never know when it’s going to rain,” replied Larna. Thinking of home made her shiver.
Clementine disappeared as they began to follow Tiblou. The sky was beginning to get dark, the clouds heavy with rain.
“Come on, you two. Pick up some speed !”
Soon they were practically running through the forest. Larna noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. Still on the trot, she glanced to her right, but whatever it was had vanished. She shrugged it off as her imagination running wild. But again she caught sight of movement, this time at the other side. Arriving at Tiblou’s house she turned as fast as she could in an attempt to catch who or whatever it was she thought she’d seen. But still there was nothing. Whatever it was could move, and move fast.
“What’s wrong?” asked Tiblou.
“I don’t know. I had the strangest feeling we were being followed. But every time I looked round, there was nothing there.”
Tiblou looked very worried, but gave a reassuring smile. “There is a possibility we were being watched, but it’s nothing for you to worry about.”
The casual way he said it didn’t make Larna feel any easier. “Okay, Tibs, I’ll take your word for it,” she said reluctantly. A further glance around proved there was no one there. Nevertheless it didn’t stop Larna feeling uncomfortable. Aron, of course, seemed oblivious.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Legs aching and out of breath, Larna stood and gazed in wonder at Tiblou’s house. It was shaped like a dome with a mass of unusual plants of every description surrounding it. It had two visible windows that were huge and looked strange, positioned either side of a very small door. Tibs had dashed ahead and was unlocking this. He stood aside to let them in just as the heavens opened and the first drops of rain descended on their heads. Aron and Larna leapt inside to avoid getting soaked. Then they watched from the safety of Tiblou’s window as the rain bounced waist high. They’d never seen rain like it.
Making his way to the centre of the room, Tiblou turned to welcome them with a smile on his face. The room they found themselves in was the sitting area. Not terribly large and with a pleasant shade of light green covering the walls and crystal vases full of exotic looking flowers sat on both windowsills. Furniture was sparse. Two yellow armchairs and two dining table chairs with animal carvings all over them. And a coffee table with similar markings to the chairs. To the left, was a medium-sized fireplace made from a light tan marble, not unlike their one at home.
The rain clouds caused the room to be suddenly filled with weird dark shadows. Tiblou switched on the lights, instantly banishing the gloom and lightening the mood. Indicating to the chairs, he said, “Sit down and get your breath back.” They walked towards an equally small door on the opposite wall and said, “I need a drink. What about you?”
“Yes, please!” they said together.
Moments later, Tiblou re-entered carrying a green triangular tray supporting three cups. Their design was unusual. They looked like three balls with colourful straws peeking out of the top. Aron took a huge slug. “Apple juice!” He continued to slurp away happily. Larna drew the liquid up the straw, savouring the taste on her tongue, then licked her lips. It was fantastic. “Mine’s orange!” she exclaimed. “No bits either. It’s delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted fruit juice as good as this.” She looked quizzically at Tiblou. “How did you know what we liked. We never told you.”
“The cups do all the work,” he explained. “They sense what you’d like as soon as you grasp them. So everybody always gets what they want.”
“Awesome,” said Aron. “How does it work?”
“I’ve no idea, just does. Drink up and enjoy it.”
Tiblou removed his long coat. Larna gasped as a tail unfurled. Shakily putting her cup down on the coffee table, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief and then had another look to double-check. She coughed quietly to attract Aron’s attention. He was miles away in awe of his magic juice, so it took several seconds before his mouth also opened in astonishment.
“I wondered how long it would take you to notice my tail,” chuckled Tibs. He was obviously amused by their reaction.
“Where did it come from?” asked Aron, never one to hold back.
“It’s a long story,” sighed Tiblou, suddenly becoming serious. “That is why you two have been brought here. We need your help.”
“Our help?” queried Larna, making a puzzled face at Aron. “What have we got to do with anything?”
“And who exactly is ‘we’?” Aron added.
“I’ll explain,” said Tiblou. Taking a deep breath, he began to tell them a horrendous tale.
* * *
“When you stepped through that portal, the one guarded
by Clem and Clementine, you travelled through time into the future.” he began. “You are now many years ahead of the twenty-first century. The gap between our time and yours is large and filled with all your descendants. Two of your great-great-great grandchildren – I can’t remember how many generations exactly, but it was a lot – were brilliant scientists. They were cousins by the name of Pamela and Andrew and they worked in medicine. Neurology, the study of the brain and nervous system, was their speciality… and their passion. They had a relative, someone very dear to them, who had a serious neurological disease for which they were determined to find a cure – or, at least, a way to keep them in permanent remission. Up until then, most people who suffered from this disease ended up in wheelchairs. But thanks to Pamela and Andrew’s brilliant research, all this suffering was consigned to the history books.”
“Unfortunately, there was a down-side to their success. One of their colleagues, an eminent professor called Kristoff Sharpe, became insanely jealous and wanted to destroy them. He began by stealing their notes and passing them off as his own, but when this was exposed, he tried setting fire to their research. Fortunately, the laboratory sprinklers kicked in and most of it was saved. But Sharpe wasn’t finished yet. One day, he gained access to the lab and contaminated the precious serum used to treat the illness with several different types of animal D.N.A. He hoped this would cause worldwide devastation and discredit Pamela and Andrew completely. He was caught soon afterwards and the two scientists were seen to be innocent of any wrong-doing. But it was too late. The contaminated serum had been distributed and many people had taken it. The results for them and their descendants were catastrophic… ”
He indicated his tail. Then he shrugged dramatically and spread his arms. “And that is why we are living within in this dome, beautiful as it is… ”
* * *
Tiblou’s dramatic story was interrupted by a double knock on the door. All of them jumped, wondering who or what might be on the other side. Tiblou tutted, stood up and headed across the room. He squinted through a tiny spy hole, nodded to himself and quickly opened the door to admit a smartly dressed, petite-looking lady with short wavy brown hair. She was about five feet two and with the same deformities as Tibs, – a dog-like nose and a long tail. She stood just inside the room clutching a handbag tightly with both hands. The huge smile on her face put Larna and Aron at ease straight away.
Giving Tiblou a peck on the cheek she said fondly, “Good morning dear. It’s stopped raining so I thought I’d pay you a visit.” She lowered her voice and said conspiratorially, “I’ve brought some of your favourite choc-chip-spirals. I baked them specially this morning.”
“Thanks, ma.” He turned to face Larna and Aron, “I’d like you to meet my mother Annie.” He stepped aside. They stared at Annie and she smiled at them. They were at a loss for words, so Annie took the initiative and enveloped them in a fragrant hug.
“Oh, I’m thrilled to meet you two. It’s so exciting that this day has finally come. I hope our appearance doesn’t scare you.”
“Not now.”
Aron chipped in, “Speak for yourself, sis. I’m still getting used to it.”
Annie looked across at her son. “Have you told them everything, dear?”
“I was in the middle of it, mum, when you knocked… ”
“Well, you’d better get on with it then, hadn’t you?” She smiled lovingly at Tibs and made herself comfortable on one of the dining chairs.
“Where was I?” he wondered, scratching his head.
“You were talking about a dome,” Aron prompted him.
“Oh, yes. The dome. When it became apparent that so many people had been affected, the ones who weren’t afflicted were scared for themselves and their children and persuaded the World Governments to build this bubble. It has its own life-support system and anyone showing signs of being infected is immediately moved inside, allegedly to save the rest of humanity. People outside can’t see in and conversely we can’t look out. By the miracles of modern technology, we can see the moon, feel the heat of the sun and experience all the seasons just like the outsiders. We have everything we need. We’re imprisoned here, but it’s not a bad life really, is it mum?”
“No, love, it’s not. At least until now.”
Larna and Aron wondered what Annie meant by that, but they were interrupted by another knock on the door. This time Annie called out to the unseen visitor.
“Hello dear, come on in.”
A head with shoulder-length brown hair peeped in with a cheeky smile for them all. Larna instantly knew he was related to Annie and Tibs. Same colouring, same bearing. He crossed the room, bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. Then he stood next to Tiblou and Larna noticed he was a good three inches taller than their friend.
“Before you ask, mum, I’m fine. You?”
“Oh very excited, dear.” She nodded in their guests’ direction. “As you can see, Larna and Aron have arrived. Can you believe it? They’re finally here… ”
Again, the two of them didn’t understand how Annie knew they were coming or what their role was in all of this, but it wasn’t the time to ask.
“Before we go any further,” boomed the newcomer, “I think introductions are necessary, don’t you?” He turned to the visitors and held out his hand. “Hi, my name’s Chet. I’m Tiblou’s older brother, by two years.”
They shook hands, Chet’s being firm and steady. Then he asked, “Has my brother filled you in?”
“He’s told us about the mutant D.N.A. and the dome,” answered Aron.
“About half then,” said Chet.
“And the rest will have to wait until a little bit later,” Annie cut in. “We’re being very rude to our young guests. You two must be starving… ”
“We are pretty hungry,” agreed Larna, knowing she spoke for Aron even more than herself. “It seems forever since we last had something to eat.”
“That settles it!” exclaimed Annie, turning to Tibou. “You take Larna and Aron for some food. I’ll stay here with Chet. Afterwards, you can finish explaining the terrifying situation we find ourselves in. I’m sure our young friends here will take it in much better when their stomachs are full.”
CHAPTER NINE
Tiblou tucked his arms through Larna and Aron’s and led them away from the house. “I’ll take you to Uncle Roger’s Kitchen Café for the best home cooking. Uncle Roger is mum’s brother. They’re very close.”
As they walked along Larna felt a cold shiver down her spine and a feeling of apprehension. They were definitely being watched again. Suddenly her vision blurred and dark shadows moved within the hidden depths of the trees. She gasped in terror.
“Come on, you two,” urged Tibs, pulling them along in a power walk. Larna wasn’t sure whether she’d sensed something too or was just in a hurry to eat.When Larna looked round again, everything had returned to normal.
From the amazing smells wafting through the air, she knew they weren’t very far from the café. Larna smiled as she saw Tiblou’s nose twitching and making loud sniffing noises as animals do – or, in his case, part-animal. The café was well lit and very colourful. The roof was red and the walls were yellow. It looked a fun place to eat. As they entered, the chatter stopped abruptly. Everybody turned to look at them and Larna noticed they all had tails, though many were of different animal species. One woman had what appeared to be a cat’s tail, black with a white tip. Another had a swishing horse’s tail… and so on. There were so many different forms of mutation, although Larna noticed that the parents and children of each family looked the same.
They sat down and Tiblou’s uncle brought the menu in person. He also had canine ears, nose and the good long tail, like a more advanced version of Tibs. Roger was roughly Chet’s height, his hair short and grey and his eyes large and green. He looked smart with the name of his cafe printed in black on the front of his yellow uniform. He gave them a huge smile then held out his arm in greeting.
Larna chose multi-coloured rice with chicken in a thick purple sauce. Aron found it hard to decide, but eventually opted for the green cheese pasta because he liked the picture of it on the menu. And Tibs asked for his usual, blue pastry pie with speedy sauce. The food was delicious – literally out of this world – and tasted like nothing Larna and Aron had ever experienced before. It was followed by some mouth-watering desserts that grew on trees in the back garden, like Christmas trees with edible presents. They went outside to choose what they wanted. By the time they’d gone back for seconds… and thirds… Larna and Aron felt uncomfortably full.
“I won’t need to eat again for a week,” groaned Aron, patting his distended stomach.
“Yeah, right,” scoffed Larna, knowing her brother voracious appetite.
When the meal was over, the other diners picked up their chairs and formed a circle around the visitors’ table. Annie and Chet also arrived, looking very sombre. They sat either side of Roger who made room for them in silence. Then everyone turned expectantly to Tiblou, waiting for him to speak. The mood had turned serious and Larna realised they were finally about to learn the terrible danger that faced these good people.
* * *
Tibs stood in front of his audience, but he didn’t say a word. Instead, to Larna and Aron’s horror and amazement, his features began to change! His outline started to shimmer, and within seconds, they were staring at a completely different person standing next to Tibs. The newcomer looked much older than Tiblou. He had a waist-length blue beard and matching long straight hair, partially hiding a pair of large twinkling blue eyes. A long and predominantly blue multi-coloured robe completed his outfit. Larna and Aron were gob-smacked. They just stared. Amused by their response, the strange man opened his mouth and spoke.
Spellbound Chronicles – Blood Line Page 5
