by Marc Lindsay
‘Yes my young friends, I decided to pick up some refreshments for my dear hosts,’ Kava said, then looked at them both with a little concern. ‘Are you alright, you both look a little pale.’
Jason shrugged this off.
‘We’re fine, just a little too much exercise,’ Jason said.
‘You’ve got to learn to relax, don’t take life too seriously, come have something to eat,’ Kava said offering them a seat next to his assortment of exotic delicacies.
‘That looks impressive, I wouldn’t think that our town would have much in the way of variety. Where did you go?’ Jason enquired, trying to make the question appear innocent.
‘Just the local deli, they are quite versatile,’ Kava said.
‘Really, anywhere else?’ Jason asked.
‘No, just the deli, now come and sit down,’ Kava said. Jason gave Selene a knowing glance.
‘Of course we’d love to,’ Jason said, happy to end his line of enquiry, he assisted Selene then took the seat next to Kava. As he was sitting down he noticed what appeared to be a detailed tattoo of two snakes on Kava’s neck just under the collar of his shirt. For some reason he couldn’t explain Jason decided not to ask about it, instead storing it in the memory vault for later.
‘What do you think it means?’ Selene asked.
‘I’m really not too sure,’ Jason said, thinking deeply about the evenings events. They walked in silence, the gravity of unanswered questions was clearly a heavy issue.
‘I don’t understand why you didn’t call him on it?’ Selene asked.
‘To be honest I’m not completely sure myself. All I know is before I start to accuse Kava of anything, I want to do my homework on the man, I owe Ulysses that at least,’ Jason said.
‘I’m impressed, that’s pretty subtle of you,’ Selene said sarcastically.
‘Thanks,’ Jason chuckled. ‘Besides one thing is for certain, Mr Vert is now definitely a person of interest for us.’
‘I still can’t believe that happened to us tonight. What kind of power does he possess?’ Selene sked.
‘I don’t want Ulysses to know about that, maybe Ursula might be able to help us with any information on this mysterious Mr Vert,’ Jason said.
‘Hopefully the guild knows something, in fact I’d be a little surprised if they didn’t,’ Selene said. They walked on speculating on a variety of theories concerning Mr Vert before arriving at Selene’s house. Jason kissed her goodnight before heading home, thinking that despite the nights near death experience his life was in a pretty good place right now.
Chapter 13
The following morning Jason was still thinking hard on the previous night’s events; this was noticed by his mother over breakfast.
‘Is everything ok? You seem a little distracted,’ Helen asked.
‘What?’ Jason replied clearly in his own world.
‘My point exactly,’ she said with a smile. Jason stared back blankly.
‘Sorry mum you’ve completely lost me.’
‘I was just saying, you look as if something’s on your mind.’
‘Nothing really,’ Jason said choosing his words carefully. ‘What do you know about Mr Vert? Helen thought his question over.
‘You mean the gentleman who owns the orchard?’ Helen said.
‘Yeah, that’s him.’
‘Nothing really, just that he’s really rich and really reclusive. Why the sudden interest?’ Helen asked.
‘Oh, the subject came up yesterday and it got me thinking is all. He must employ a large number of people from town to pick for him?’ Jason asked. ‘I honestly don’t know,’ Helen replied. ‘Why are you thinking of earning some extra money?’
‘Nah, just curious, by the way how did you go getting that information in regards to the missing pets?’ Jason asked changing the subject.
‘Nothing yet I’m afraid. I spoke to the ranger about the possibility of wild predators invading town during this time of year. But he kind of squashed the idea saying that there was not much precedent due to the fact that they took precautions against such occurrences. However, he applauded my line of thinking, I was quick to inform him that the idea actually came from my brilliant teenage son,’ Helen said.
‘Jeez mum, you didn’t say brilliant did you,’ Jason complained with a sigh. ‘Of course I did, I thought that what you said was quite insightful and so did the ranger.’
‘Alright, alright, I’ll shut up and take the compliment in good grace,’ Jason said.
‘Excellent, it wasn’t all fruitless though, the ranger was able to input the missing pets’ statistics into a special program he has that will present the information into relevant data,’ Helen said.
‘Such as?’
‘It all goes into a country wide data base and reports similar activities. From there we will be able to see patterns relating to possible predators, radius of the area and other factors involved,’ Helen said.
‘Sounds very scientific. The ranger was a big help them then,’ Jason said.
‘Oh he was, not to mention very hunky,’ Helen said with a barely repressed giggle.
‘I really didn’t need to know that,’ Jason replied with a shudder.
‘Well I hate to embarrass you, but I am a youngish single woman and…,’ Jason clapped his hands over his ears and started to raise his voice.
‘La La La La, I really don’t want to hear this,’ Jason said. Helen grinned and ruffled his hair.
‘You’re so easy to get,’ she said.
‘Keep me in the loop, I’m kinda interested to hear what the results are,’ Jason requested.
‘Oh my god, is this my son? Showing an interest in a future profession,’ Helen said in shock.
‘Hey that’s not fair, I do have a part time job!’ Jason protested.
‘And there’s nothing wrong in a profession dealing in books, but I always pictured you working outdoors with your hands,’ Helen said.
‘There’s more to being a librarian than most people think,’ Jason said cryptically.
‘Well either way, I’m just rapt that you’re broadening your horizons,’ Helen said loading the dishwasher.
‘Point taken, if you’re happy, I’m happy,’ Jason said, then casually checked his watch. ‘And on that note I better get going or I’ll be late for school,’ Jason said slinging his bag over one shoulder and departed hastily, waving as the door closed behind him.
‘That boy,’ Helen said, watching Jason depart with a smile and a shake of her head.
It wasn’t till second period, modern history, that Jason was able to see Selene again. They were the first two to arrive and they took their seats up the back.
‘Were you late this morning?’ Selene asked.
‘Nearly, talking to mum this morning, and lost track of time. Didn’t want to change on the way in just in case that snoop Wendy was spying,’ Jason said with a scowl.
‘I’d almost forgotten about her,’ Selene said. Other students were starting to filter in, taking up the empty seats around them. The teacher eventually arrived ten minutes late, a short man in his late fifties with a neatly cropped head of silver hair and a relaxed expression. He was dressed conservatively in slacks, collared shirt and loafers, but everyone’s attention was drawn to the bright yellow tie with bold black writing running vertically down that read ‘Police line do not cross’. The teacher casually made his way to his desk at the front of the classroom. Muffled sniggering escaped the students as he passed, he placed his briefcase on the desk, then scrawled something onto the blackboard tapping his chalk below to emphasise it.
‘Good morning class, as you can see my name is Mr Apollon, no I’m not your regular teacher Ms Freemantle, no I don’t know why or where she’s gone and yes I will be your teacher for the remainder of the semester. Are there any immediate questions of me?’ Mr Apollon asked, there was total silence. ‘Good, I’m new to this region and after conducting a quick study of your local history, I’m fascinated with its diversity, central
characters and weirdness,’ Mr Apollon said with honesty. The class stared on as if stunned by this diminutive but enthusiastic individual. ‘Now I understand that you have current work books in your possession,’ The class nodded dutifully. ‘Dump them! For the rest of this semester you won’t be needing them,’ he said. This statement made the students sit up and finally take notice.
‘I’m going to start with an interesting period of this town’s past. The silver rush era, in particular the early 1800s,’ Mr Apollon said enthusiastically. A collective groan was issued forth from the class. This made Mr Apollon smile even more broadly. ‘I’m so glad that you’re all utterly repulsed by the idea of studying this subject, because by the time I’m finished with it, I’ll gladly hear an apology from this class on how much you’ve learnt and enjoyed about it,’ he said. This reaction from their new teacher caught them all by surprise.
During the rest of the period Mr Apollon proceeded to regale the class with stories, news clippings and gruesome facts concerning one of Perigord’s turbulent periods in history. They learnt that there had been a violent clash between poorly paid migrant workers and local law enforcement Officers who were being generously bribed by the town’s affluent city officials that ended in the swift incarceration, trial and finally brutal execution by beheading of at least a dozen workers. The class was surprised to find out about a serial killer, W. Remus who murdered eight children, not including his own young twins whose bodies were never found, residing in the poor quarter, the killer was a mild mannered clerk who refused to admit to his guilt, claiming right up to his execution that it was the work of dark and evil forces spat forth from the bowels of hell. There was even a tale concerning the battle between a witch and sorcerer which ended with the banishment of the hag and the introduction of the town’s orchard. The last piece of information made Jason and Selene prick up their ears in interest.
‘What was the name of the sorcerer?’ Selene asked.
‘Pierce Vert,’ Mr Apollon said with a glint in his eye.
‘The ancestor of the current owner?’ Jason asked.
‘The one and the same,’ Mr Apollon said. All of the students were enthralled by this interesting fact about one of their residents, that coupled with the mysteries already surrounding the orchard lent the whispers and gossip some weight and truth.
When the bell eventually sounded all of the students reluctantly packed their bags and departed for less enticing classes. Jason and Selene were the last to depart, whispering secretively at their desks.
‘Oh my god, can you believe that?’ Jason said.
‘Hell yeah, a sorcerer in Perigord and the orchard still protected by magic,’ Selene replied.
‘The big questions are, is it the same person, and how does this information help us?’ Jason said.
‘Can I help you two?’ Mr Apollon asked in a casual tone, the question startled them both, this evidently amused the middle aged teacher.
‘We were just leaving,’ Selene said wearily.
‘But of course,’ Mr Apollon replied. They rose from their seats and headed for the door. ‘I hope you enjoyed my class today?’
‘Yes it was very detailed and interesting,’ Selene replied. She was about to turn away but Jason stopped her.
‘How do you know so much about Perigord, having only just arrived?’ Jason asked.
‘I like to be well informed and have my facts right on arrival whenever I arrive in a new town, Mr Page and Ms Jaeger,’ Mr Apollon said seriously, they smiled nervously back then departed.
‘That was a little on the creepy side,’ Selene said, as they walked down the corridor.
‘Indeed,’ Jason replied.
After school they went back to Selene’s house in the hope they might get some information from Ursula. Over an afternoon tea of sugar cookies and hot spiced cocoa they debriefed her on the events concerning Kava, the orchard and their modern history class. Ursula listened intently and jotted down notes, when they had finished she paused to contemplate.
‘Gran, what do you think?’ Selene asked.
‘Some of what you’ve told me, the guild is aware of. I have also been looking into Ulysses’ friend Kava,’ Ursula said.
‘Have you learnt anything?’ Jason asked.
‘I’m still waiting to hear back from my sources,’ Ursula said dissatisfied. ‘In the meantime I think you two should continue to see what you can dig up at the library, but until we find out more, stay away from the orchard, okay.’
‘Okay,’ they replied in unison, their voices not sounding anything resembling sincerity. Ursula heard this, her eyes narrowing, however there was little she could do, and she knew it.
‘One last thing, as much as it pains me to say this, don’t say a word of this to either Ulysses or Amelia. Jason’s right, until we know more there’s no point upsetting the applecart,’ Ursula said.
Being Friday Jason was coerced into staying for dinner in at the Jaeger household. After calling home to let his mother in on his evening’s plans, he was shocked to discover she had plans of her own.
‘Is everything alright, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost?’ Selene asked.
‘I don’t know? Apparently mum’s got a dinner date tonight,’ Jason said.
‘That’s great isn’t it?’ Selene asked.
‘It’s with Ms Stonewall,’ Jason replied weakly.
‘Oh,’ Selene said.
‘I mean; I know she’s entitled to have friends? Right?’ Jason said.
‘Of course, nothing to worry about. Wait, I have a great idea,’ Selene said changing the subject.
‘I’m listening.’
‘Well, I was thinking that after dinner we could go to a double feature at the Parthenon,’ Selene said. This idea seemed to brighten his mood instantly.
‘What’s showing?’
‘You’ll love it, two creature features, some B grader called the ‘Deadly Spawn’,’
‘Never heard of it?’ Jason said.
‘It’s supposed to be gory and cheesy.’
‘Good combo,’ Jason chuckled.
‘The second is ‘The Thing’.’
‘The black and white or the John Carpenter one.’
‘The Carpenter version, by the way the black and white version is actually called ‘The thing from another world’, so when I refer to either movie in the future, you’ll know the difference,’ Selene said sarcastically.
‘You’re such a geek,’ Jason replied with a grin.
‘And what’s wrong with that,’ Selene admonished.
‘Nothing, nothing at all,’ Jason said pulling her close and trying to kiss her as she playfully struggled against his advances.
After a very fulfilling meal cooked by the Jaeger women, the pair walked slowly into town. They arrived at least half an hour before the movies were due to start and Jason was surprised to find that the reception area was packed with noisy teenagers eagerly awaiting entry.
‘Whoa, I really wasn’t expecting this kind of turnout, is this normal,’ Jason said surprised.
‘This is just a typical Friday night at the Parthenon,’ Selene said casually but with a note of pride in her voice. Jason had a good look around and was surprised to see that just about everyone his age from school was here. ‘You gotta love small towns.’
‘Well why don’t you wait here and I’ll get the tickets and refreshments. Do you want anything in particular?’ Jason asked.
‘I’m a jaffa’s kind of girl,’ Selene replied.
‘Gotcha, be right back,’ he said. After braving a particularly long and slow queue Jason returned to find Selene talking heatedly with Wendy Rothchild. He watched them from a distance, the crowd hiding his presence. After a minute he exhaled and walked slowly over, luckily by the time he reached them Selene had obviously had the final say and Wendy was storming off in a huff.
‘Do I even want to know?’ Jason asked.
‘She’s trying a different tact this time,’ Selene said.
‘An
d that is?’
‘She said she had no intention of telling anyone you’re your secret, all she wants is to be a part of our group,’ Selene said.
‘What did you say?’ Jason asked.
‘First up I told her she was crazy, then I told her she needs to find herself a hobby, or a boyfriend or both,’ Selene said.
‘I bet that went down well?’ Jason said taking a sip of his drink.
‘Well I know you saw her reaction from over there, thanks for the help,’ Selene said.
‘I’m sorry, I just didn’t want to put up with her bullshit tonight. Besides I knew you could handle the situation just fine,’ Jason said with a sheepish grin.
‘Thanks,’ Selene replied and punched him on the arm, her fist almost a blur.
‘Aaahh,’ Jason cried rubbing his arm.
‘Aw, did I hurt the big baby,’ Selene said with a laugh, Jason chuckled as well, but continued to rub his arm thinking’ damn that hurt’.
While they waited for the movie to start Jason studied the theatre closely. The owner took great pride in the appearance and daily operations of the old theatre. Every exposed piece of timber, from the entrance doors to the seating was intricately carved and varnished. Giant sized classic movie posters adorned the walls, everything from ‘The day the earth stood still’ to ‘The good the bad and the ugly’ looked down on the patrons. Highly polished brass railings skirted the walls, stairs and in particular stands that held royal purple velvet ropes, cordoning customers through to the ticket and snack counters, that served fresh buttered popcorn, waffle ice creams and vanilla cokes.
The large crowd of kids were loud but well behaved, just wanting to have a good night out, but also knowing that the owner had a zero tolerance for skylarking and vulgar language. As soon as the lights dimmed, the patrons went quiet, Jason noted that almost immediately he could see young couples moving in close to make out in the near dark. Selene saw this as well and was about to comment on it when she could feel Jason sliding closer towards her. Selene’s breathing quickened as Jason carefully wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Pleasant tingles of pleasure shot through her body as Jason subtly caressed her neck and jaw line. She let out a little sigh of contentment.
