Oracle in the Mist

by Linda Maree Malcolm

  About a month after the birth of the baby, the Crone asked Henry for more information as to how they came to be living on the island. When Henry spoke of the crystal ball she asked to see it and then for some mysterious reason she took the ball and disappeared with it for some days. On her return she called a meeting asking every single person and even some of the animals to attend.

  “A matter of importance has come to my attention and that is why I am calling this meeting,” she began with a grave look on her face.

  “I am not sure if this is good news or not but I have just discovered a way to send all of the children back to their home … back to the other time dimension that is so far from here,” she said and she waved her hand into the air.

  All of the children looked to one another in shock. Could this really be true? They’d all but forgotten that other place, the place they once called home.

  “My dear children,” she continued, “I can see that now is the time to make a very important decision, one that I cannot make for you. Only you can decide the right thing to do.”

  The children all looked from one to another but it was Teresa who broke the silence.

  “So does that mean I would get to see my mummy again?” she asked.

  “Yes,” said Ina, clutching onto her baby tightly. Something told her that things would not, could not be the same for her and Henry once back in the other world. She felt frightened.

  Henry looked at her and their baby and smiled but then spoke logically as only he could, to everyone gathered, “Even though we’ve come to love this island and consider it our home it is the honourable thing to do to go back home and at least see our parents and loved ones and let them know we are all right. After that, if we still feel the same we can come back here to live. But in the meantime we really do owe it to our parents to let them know we are all alive and well and healthy.”

  “But Henry,” Ina asked, “how are we going to explain this?” and she pointed to their baby.

  “Well, let’s not worry about that Ina. We’ll just explain everything and if they can’t accept it then we’ll just come back here to live.”

  Ina knew that what Henry said sounded viable enough but her instinct told her that it was not going to be that easy. Nevertheless over the course of the next few days she became swept up in the excitement of returning home and convinced herself that there was nothing to worry about. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

  The old Crone had found a tropical version of the giant old oak tree, complete with a hole large enough to fit all eight children. The children said their goodbyes and entered the tree and the Crone spoke a few magical words and then handed the ball back to Ina before, just as happened last time, the children vanished from sight under a canopy of lightning and flashing lights.

  Within what seemed like seconds the children were lying in their beds safely back in their homes. Each child was met with varying degrees of shock and surprise as parents and brothers and sisters greeted the child that they had almost given up for dead.

  Even more shocking than their return home was the fact that not one of the children could remember where they had been or what had kept them away from home for so long. They each awoke in exactly the same state, including the same clothes that they had been in when they had disappeared six days earlier. Ina implored her mother to please stop asking her questions to which she had no idea of the answers. All she knew was that she was a thirteenyear-old girl who felt as if her heart was breaking but she had no idea why. It was as if there was something missing …

  The next day the whole town gathered to talk about what should be done about the incident. Ina and Henry caught each other’s eye and stared at one another shyly. Something passed between them. It was also obvious to Ina’s mother, who took Ina to the opposite side of the hall away from the boy. She would not have a boy staring at her daughter in that manner.

  Then the group had their photograph taken and were asked several questions by the local newspaper reporters to which all of the children answered, “I don’t know, I don’t know,” until eventually the reporters gave up and went away. Then the local police wanted questions answered too but when they saw that the children clearly had no memory of what had befallen them even they gave up and stopped asking questions. The whole town decided to just forget about the matter and to keep quiet about it for fear the whole world would come to stare at the children and treat them like circus freaks or some such thing. From then on it was referred to as the “1930 incident” but the parents of the children who had vanished were determined to protect their children and each and every one of them refused to discuss the matter with even their own brothers, sisters or parents.

  The whole town was also alarmed to find out that a baby had mysteriously appeared under the old oak out on the Brewsters’ property. Celebrations were held in light of the fact that Doctor Game and his wife finally became the proud parents of a very healthy baby boy.

  Ina noticed a lump in her bed and pulled out the crystal ball. How odd, she thought. She had no recollection as to how it came to be there but her instincts told her that all of these events were connected and that her mother would be so angry if she was to find it. She cut out all of the newspaper articles that related to the incident and taping them together hid them with the crystal ball in the attic, a place she was sure noone else would ever go. She knew she must never let on about its existence but still couldn’t help feeling that maybe one day she might just need it for something and so in the meantime it would have to be her very own secret.

  David and Bobby were riveted to the spot the whole time the professor was telling his story. They both shook their heads in disbelief, not even knowing which question to ask first.

  “So, let me get this right,” David finally found his voice. “This island is the result of a wish or a manifestation, as you call it, dreamed up by a whole bunch of kids 80 years ago? They simply visualised the very existence they wished to have?”

  “Correct,” answered the professor. “Think of it as a kind of holographic image, a window from your world into another — a complete dimension in its own right, living separately but beside your world, as you know it.

  The concept of manifestation and visualisation wasn’t a foreign one to Bobby. In fact she’d manifested all kinds of things in the past like books or a new outfit or shoes but the thought of manifesting an entire island was beyond her.

  “It can’t be …” David spoke her thoughts as well. “And how is it that the children spent six years here and yet only six days passed by the time they had returned back to our world? I just don’t understand.”

  “Ah yes, good question. Well, you see each day in your world is equivalent to one year here. But, and this is the interesting part, the children went back to their original ages on leaving here but if they had returned, experience has shown us, they would have returned here the same age as when they left us.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” David said truthfully.

  “It’s simple really,” the professor said. “If, for example, Ina had returned here, she would have gone from being a girl of twelve back to being a young lady of eighteen and then when she returned to your world again she would return back to her original age of twelve.”

  “But how do you know that?” Bobby asked. “You must have had one or more of the original eight return here at some point.

  “Oh yes. Well, that’s another story for another day, don’t you think?”

  Bobby could feel that old feeling of frustration rising within her again. She made a mental note to herself again. There were two questions she would have to remember to ask at a later date now.

  “And something else I’ve been curious about Professor?” asked David. “How did you know our names?”

  “Ah yes, well that’s all thanks to the native Oracle, the one that Henry and Ina called the Crone. She’s a seer, actually and the night that Henry and Ina returned to your world she received information
from the crystal ball that said the descendants of Ina and Henry, Bobby and David, would be here in the year 2010, which is your time and although a long time for people in your world, it is like a blink of an eye for us here. You see, here on this island there is no such thing as time.”

  David was still feeling extremely confused.

  “But that doesn’t make sense,” he said puzzled. “I’m not a descendent of Henry and Ina. I’m the son of Doctor Game, who was the son of Doctor Game Senior.

  “Yes, that is true, David,” the professor said and his eyes softened towards David, “but surely you see that your father is not the biological son of your grandfather is he? Do you want to know who your biological grandfather is, David?”

  “Yes, I do. In fact that’s why I came on this quest. I’ve always wanted to know the answer to that. And I wanted to help Bobby of course.”

  “Well, it’s Henry. The baby that Henry and Ina had here was somehow separated out of Ina’s arms during the return trip and was found under the oak tree on the Brewsters’ property and was then adopted by Dr Game. Do you see?” Bobby and David looked from one to another and then back to the professor in surprise.

  “Of course,” said David, “it all fits … but if that’s true then that means I’m the grandson of a farm boy not … well, I just always assumed I came from a long line of doctors.” He looked across to Bobby. “I’m aware that that sounds somewhat shallow.”

  “Look, it’s a shock to get news like this,” she comforted him. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. At last you’re starting to get answers anyway. So am I actually.”

  “I just want you to know David that your grandfather was a wonderful, caring man. He took care of all of those children as if they were his own and he was so young himself. He was someone you can be really proud of—”

  Right at that moment there was a knock on the door and a tall, elegant native entered the house and announced, “It is time, Professor Lambert.”

  “Oh yes indeed, how excellent and just in the nick of time too. I’ve just finished telling the children about Ina and Henry. Now it’s time to go and celebrate with the natives.” He stood up and rubbing his hands together, ushered the children out of the house and back down the stairs again.

  Before they knew it they were at the village again where there were many tables laid out with fine food, the likes of which the children had never seen before. It all looked very delicious. After they had eaten the children were taken to the beach where there was a massive, roaring bonfire.

  Night began to fall and the natives started to play their instruments and sing and dance in exactly the same fashion as had been described to the children earlier by the professor. It was expected that David and Bobby would dance and sing too, which was quite a sight.

  Suddenly all became quiet on the beach and the children became aware that something quite important was about to happen. The Oracle made her way onto the beach and was introduced to the children.

  “Ah yes, Bobby and David, we have been waiting for you. I am glad you are here. I hope you are getting the answers to your questions and are feeling comfortable here. I brought you here because the evil workhouse Oracle whom Ina and Henry had to deal with all of those years ago has recently made her presence known to me.” All of the natives, the professor and even Sebastian the monkey gasped and looked horrorstricken. Bobby and David looked at one another and David frowned. “Yes thank you, ah, I don’t mean to be rude but what has that to do with us?” he asked.

  “Yes, I see this is hard to understand but the workhouse Oracle insists that she has her crystal ball back and it’s only a matter of time before she finds a way to this island. When she does all of this will be gone … do you see? We are the creation of your ancestors and we can only continue to be if you both agree to help us.”

  “Yes, I do see,” said David, “but unfortunately we have to make our way home to our own world and …”

  “I do understand,” said Bobby interrupting David. “Just tell us what we have to do and we will do it.” There was no way she would stand by and allow any harm to come to this beautiful place. David stared at her wideeyed and disapproving. Here she goes again, he thought to himself. What is she getting us into this time? At that moment each child and the rest of the party became horrified as they witnessed the Oracle herself morph into a completely different creature right before their eyes. What they saw then was a massive figure, three metres tall, with a tiny head and tentacles for legs and wearing a tight fitting dress.

  “Time to go home, my pets,” it said with a mischievous hiss. “Don’t be silly now. Give me back my ball and I’ll send you home and then everyone’s happy. Oh what a wonderful idea, don’t you agree?” She was greeted with utter silence as they were all too shocked to answer, even the professor. Where was the old Crone anyway? Nothing like this had ever happened in the history of the island.

  “Now, now, my pets,” she warned louder and with more urgency, “don’t mess with me. Just do what I say and you get to walk away with your lives, do you see? You don’t want to make me angry, now. You might regret that, believe me.”

  “You don’t frighten me,” said Bobby, going right up to the face of the workhouse Oracle and pointing her finger at her. “I’m not giving you the ball or anything else for that matter so you might as well just go back to where you came from.”

  “Bobby,” screamed David, “what are you doing? You’re going to get us killed. Come back here.”

  “You will regret this,” the Oracle thundered at them and somehow she appeared even taller and larger than before. But Bobby didn’t move an inch. She wouldn’t back down to the Oracle. At that moment the Oracle disappeared and the native Crone was before them again. She looked very pale as if she was going to pass out, a look of shock and bewilderment on her face.

  “She was here, wasn’t she?” she asked, steadying herself by leaning on the professor. Everyone nodded their heads. “I knew it was just a matter of time. Her hold over me is getting stronger and stronger. Soon she will be able to shapeshift into my body for longer and longer periods of time and then she will have total control over all of this. And she won’t stop until she gets her crystal ball back.” She turned to Bobby and David to warn them. “I was wrong with what I said before, you both need to go home and away from here or your safety is in danger. Tomorrow you must go,” she insisted. Bobby looked at David, not believing that he could just walk away from this. But the Crone was someone you didn’t want to argue with.

  “Okay,” Bobby said, “but I will come back to help you. I’m the one with the ball and noone can stop me from using it when I want.” Bobby was determined to save the island and its inhabitants. David wasn’t so keen, she could tell. He wouldn’t talk about it with her. And even the professor said it was too dangerous for them to get involved in.

  “But for now, let the festivities begin,” said the Crone. The party started up again as if nothing had happened and the children were expected to take part as well. Finally, there were a few quiet moments where Bobby and David found themselves alone and able to talk to one another.

  “What do you make of all this?” Bobby asked David.

  “It’s just incredible! I still can’t really believe any of it. But I must admit I’m looking forward to going home tomorrow. What about you?”

  “I can’t believe you even want to go home, David Game. Why don’t you want to stay and fight for the island?”

  “You’re impossible, Bobby,” he said, slightly annoyed. “Don’t you see what the situation is here? We’re going to be killed and you don’t really seem to care.” She could see there was no persuading him but she knew that she would be back and that he couldn’t stop her so she said nothing.

  “Yes, well at least now I’m starting to understand what was really going on behind my grandmother’s sad eyes. It’s all starting to make more sense now, that’s for sure.”

  “Yes, and just to think, I have the same ancestors as you! I just can
’t believe it.” Bobby wasn’t sure what David meant by this comment but she decided not to take offence at it.

  “Yes and my grandmother is your grandmother which means … oh my stars, David, do you realise what this means?”

  “What, oh Lord, I hadn’t thought of that … you and I are cousins of sorts.” They each shook their heads in disbelief.

  “This is fabulous, David,” Bobby said at last. “Do you know how long I’ve been wishing for a brother or sister or cousin or just any other kid to be related to by blood? I’ve always wanted to have a family, other than my mother, and have that feeling that I belong somewhere, and now I have that. I’ll never forget this day, will you?” Bobby put both of her arms around David and laid her head on his shoulder. But for some reason he remained quite stiff and solemnlooking.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Oh, it’s nothing really,” he said but not very sincerely and gave her hand a quick rub. “Let’s get back to the party, shall we?” He didn’t want Bobby to know the real reason he felt completely crushed.

  Bobby made a mental note to herself that she would have to find out what had really upset David. Maybe he didn’t want a cousin. No, that can’t be right, thought Bobby. Now she had three things she had to find out about. Anyhow, now that she knew he was her cousin she didn’t feel quite as irritated by him. In fact she thought she might even be able to find it in herself to love him unconditionally, because that’s what families do.

  Bobby and David joined the party again, practising and getting quite good at the new dance they’d learnt. They did start to enjoy themselves in spite of the dangers and their difference of opinions. The festivities were held in their honour, after all. They were completely oblivious to the admiring stares of a thirteenyearold native girl named Tinka who also just happened to be the princess of the tribe and her fourteenyearold brother, Ranku, who was the prince. It was lucky actually that Bobby and David hadn’t noticed Tinka and Ranku staring at them, with knowing smiles. The two native children were privy to a lot of secret information about Bobby and David and what was to come for them in their futures and the children may have found that slightly disconcerting.