Instead of carved stone, the walls were painted with rich scenes. People were depicted going about their everyday lives. There was a scene of a market, with stalls overflowing with vegetables and fruits. Some stalls were stacked with piles of clothing and jewelry. And everywhere there were people, talking, laughing, arguing. Children were dashing in and out, chasing each other, chasing what appeared to be pets, several of which, the boys noticed with surprise, were creatures, not dogs or cats.
Justin saw a small winged snake being petted by a little girl. And a bizarre-looking creature that was shaped like a human but seemed to be made of stone. Yet the painting caught it in mid step as it seemed to be chasing a laughing boy.
The teens almost forgot their mission as they examined the walls, commenting and laughing at all the outrageous things that were depicted as if they were commonplace.
Finally, Justin tore himself away from the paintings and headed for the last door in the hall. The others followed slowly, still looking at the scenes around them.
Justin reached the door and touched the button beside it. He heard a chime through the door.
“Come in,” said a man. It was Mr. Fitzgerald's voice. The door opened and the four of them edged slowly into the office.
This room was also fascinating to Justin. Every wall was lined with shelves. But instead of books, there were piles of scrolls filling each shelf to bursting. A beautiful globe made of different colored metals was placed in one corner and odd bits of statuary and carvings were scattered both on the shelves and on several tables in the room.
Mr. Fitzgerald was sitting behind a massive wooden desk that was covered with piles of papers stacked neatly, as well as more scrolls and several bronze figurines. On the wall behind the desk was another clock and Justin noticed that it was just after five o'clock. Dinner time soon, he thought.
The boys stood just inside the door until Mr. Fitzgerald looked up from something he was writing and waved them to several leather chairs scattered in front of his desk. He smiled slightly as they sat down, then leaned back and looked at each of them in turn.
“Yes, gentlemen? May I help you?” he asked quietly.
The guys looked at each other for a moment, then Aaron gave Justin a small nudge with his knee. Justin sighed and cleared his throat.
“Um, sir, we were thinking; I mean we were discussing whether we were going to stay or leave.”
The man just raised an eyebrow and Justin hurried on. “Well, I was saying that it would be a lot easier to make the decision to stay if I could somehow get in touch with my mother, directly.”
Before Mr. Fitzgerald could respond, Gerry spoke up. “I feel the same way, sir and I think Norm and Aaron do as well. I don't have any reason to distrust you, or what you told us when you said our folks were okay, but it would make them and us a lot more...reassured if we could just talk to them for a few minutes.” He looked around the office. “Don't you have a phone or the internet or something?”
“No, I'm afraid that Sanctuary has no outside connections to the rest of the world. For security reasons, you understand.” He sat there and watched them for a long moment, tapping his forefinger on the paper in front of him. Justin and the others began to squirm as the silence dragged on.
“And you think that communicating with your families would be mutually reassuring, do you?”
They all nodded. “Yes, well...I don't know,” the man said. Justin was holding his breath. It seemed to him that Mr. Fitzgerald was having some sort of internal debate and Justin wondered if that meant that there was actually a way to talk to his mother. Just for a minute, he thought. Give me that and I'll stay. I really will.
But he didn't say that aloud. He just tried to be patient as Mr. Fitzgerald continued to consider their request.
“I'm sorry, gentlemen,” he said finally and Justin felt his heart sink for a moment. “But it never occurred to me that a simple message could help so much.” He shook his head ruefully. “I think I've forgotten what it was like being young and having a family. Well,” he clapped his hands together and they all jumped. “I think we can arrange for you to talk to your families.” Justin stared at the man in disbelief. “You mean, there's a way, sir? Really?”
“Yes, really, Mr. McLeod. I can't promise that you will be able to talk for long, and there are certain conditions that must be present for us to get through, but I think it is worth a try.”
Justin looked at the others. Norm and Gerry were grinning widely but Aaron simply sat on his chair, staring forward with no expression on his face. Justin leaned toward him.
“Aaron, are you okay?” he whispered.
The blonde boy shrugged, still looking away. “Yeah, I'm fine. But I told you, my Dad and I don't get along. And I have no interest in talking to him.” He turned and stared intently at Justin. “No interest at all.”
“That's cool, Aaron,” Justin hastened to reassure him. “No one's going to force you to talk to him. Especially if you've already decided to stay.”
Aaron looked ahead again, just watching Mr. Fitzgerald. “Good,” he muttered.
Mr. Fitzgerald had stood up and turned to the wall behind him. Justin noticed that one of the round carvings they had been told about was set into the wall behind the desk. Mr. Fitzgerald placed his hand on the carving.
“Mr. Denofrio, please come to my office,” he said. Then he turned to look at the four teens again. They all looked puzzled.
“Sir, I didn't know that you could use those to call someone,” Gerry spoke up. Mr. Fitzgerald smiled.
“You haven't been with us long enough to learn much about Sanctuary.” He glanced around. “It has many wonders and secrets. If you stay with us, I think you'll be amazed at how much you will learn.” The man sat down again. “Please be patient. Mr. Denofrio will be with us momentarily,” he said and picked up his pen again.
As Mr. Fitzgerald began writing again, the guys put their heads close together and started whispering.
“I wonder what this communication thing is,” Norm said. “Didn't he just say that there were no phones or computers here?” He sounded puzzled.
“Yeah, really,” Gerry answered. “I can't see them actually taking us back home. Can you?” He was looking at Justin, who shook his head.
“Not a chance. They don't want us to leave, that's obvious.” He thought for a moment. “It has to be some sort of Titan technology. Maybe like the portals that brought us here.”
“Well, if it is, I hope it's a little less painful.” Gerry looked nervous. “I seriously thought I was going to drown before I popped up in this place.”
There was agreement all around at Gerry's statement.
“Yeah, scariest thing I've ever done,” Norm said. “So let's hope...”
He stopped speaking as the office door opened. A small, dark-haired man hurried into the room. He had a long pointy nose and a thin mustache. His thin hair was slicked back and he was wearing a long black coat over a black suit. Justin was reminded of a mortician he had once seen at his great aunt's funeral.
“You summoned me, sir,” he said in a high pitched voice as he approached the desk.
Mr. Fitzgerald looked up from his papers. “Ah yes, Mr. Denofrio. I'd like you to take these gentlemen to the Ocular room. They wish to contact their parents.” Then he looked sharply at Aaron. “Well, some of them do.” Aaron reddened but he didn't say anything. “If conditions permit, they may speak for a short time, long enough to reassure their parents that they are safe and sound.”
Justin had been watching the little man as Mr. Fitzgerald spoke. He saw him frown and shake his head slightly.
“Very dangerous, sir. Very dangerous indeed. Perhaps it would be best if...”
“Thank you, Mr. Denofrio,” Mr. Fitzgerald said, cutting him off. “But I'm aware of the risks. Please follow my instructions.”
For just an instant, Justin thought he saw a sneer cross Denofrio's face, but it was gone so quickly that Justin was sure he was mistaken.
“Please follow me, gentlemen,” he said and turned abruptly toward the door.
“Good luck,” Mr Fitzgerald said with a nod and resumed his writing.
Chapter 10
The four teens followed Mr. Denofrio from Mr. Fitzgerald's office back into and through the Court. He didn't say a word or look back at them. He apparently assumed they were keeping up. Justin and Aaron actually had to jog a few steps occasionally because the man was walking so quickly.
They made their way back out to the courtyard. Instead of turning left or right, Mr. Denofrio strode straight ahead past the fountain. Justin could see that they were approaching the cyclops Sentinel that was blocking the large arch they had noticed earlier in the day.
The group came to a stop several yards in front of the Sentinel, which looked down at them with its single massive glowing red eye. It made no sound but was apparently waiting. Then Justin saw Mr. Denofrio reach up to his neck and pull some sort of pendant out from under his shirt.
It was hanging on a chain that appeared to be made of the same metal as the Sentinel. Justin couldn't see what the pendant looked like because the man's hand was gripping it tightly.
“Let us pass,” he said imperiously. The Sentinel stared for another moment, and then slowly, ponderously, took one step sideways. Mr. Denofrio tucked the chain back under his shirt and walked quickly past the giant figure. The teens followed, all of them glancing nervously at the Sentinel as they went by. As the last in line walked past the cyclops, it took a step back to its origin position and became immobile again.
“Those things are so cool,” Aaron said quietly. None of the others answered as they hurried to keep up with Mr. Denofrio.
The corridor that the cyclops was guarding only went on for a few yards before becoming a set of wide steps that descended down and circled to the left and out of sight. Mr. Denofrio slowed down as he descended. The steps weren't steep but they were high, as though built for taller people to use. Justin, being the shortest of the group, found himself almost hopping down each step. He wasn't looking forward to climbing back up again.
The stair spiraled around several times and then finally came to and end at a wide hall that branched into numerous corridors.
“Wow, just how big is Sanctuary, Mr. Denofrio?” Gerry asked as he peered down the various corridors.
The man stopped for a moment and stared at Gerry, as though he had forgotten that he wasn't alone.
“Hmm? How big? Good question, my boy. I actually have no idea.”
“What? You don't know?” Gerry sounded perplexed. Mr. Denofrio just shrugged.
“Never had any reason to explore it all. I have my duties and they keep me quite busy. But it is large, no question of that. Why, there are levels below this one that are even bigger than this whole floor. Place just goes on and on. Anyway, let's move along now. I have other things to do after this task is done.”
And saying that, he was off again, hurrying along as the boys tried to keep up.
They moved down a passage to the left of the stairs. There were no doors here, even the walls were blank and free of the carvings that were present throughout the rest of Sanctuary. At last, the boys saw a door ahead. This was also unlike any door they had seen so far. It was not made of metal or wood, but seemed to have been carved out of some sort of black, crystalline substance. It mirrored their approach in its smooth surface. There was no handle or even a button to the side of the door and Justin wondered how they were going to open it.
Mr. Denofrio didn't hesitate. He strode up to the door and simply placed his palm in the center. The door rose up from the ground and disappeared into the ceiling above. Several of the teens gasped but Mr. Denofrio just walked forward. They followed closely.
“Well, gentlemen, welcome to the Ocular room,” Mr Denofrio said and stepped aside so that the boys could see the room beyond.
Justin gaped and when he looked at Aaron and the others, he could see the same expression on their faces. The room was massive and circular, with the only exit being the door they had just come through. And the entire room was made of the same black crystal material as the door. There were no torches or lights in the room. Instead, glowing patches of subdued light seemed to shine from areas inside the walls and ceiling. They were constantly moving and changing their shapes and it gave the room a reflective shine that reminded Justin of the sun shining on water.
In the very middle of the room was a round pool of liquid, level with the floor. Mr. Denofrio moved toward it, signaling them to follow. As they approached the pool, Justin could see the surface roiling and moving as if something was swimming beneath the surface. But the liquid wasn't clear. It too was black like the crystal around it and nothing could be seen beneath the surface.
“This is the Ocular,” Mr. Denofrio said. “We will use it to attempt to contact your relatives.” He turned to look at the group. “Who wishes to go first?”
The guys looked at each other. “Um, me?” Gerry spoke up hesitantly.
“Good, fine. Now, who are you trying to contact?”
“Well, either of my folks would be fine, I guess,” Gerry said.
Mr. Denofrio looked slightly irritated. “We must be specific, young man. The Ocular isn't a telephone. It's a bit more...specific than that. So we must know exactly who we are trying to contact, or you could end up talking to a complete stranger. Pick one of your parents please.”
“Okay, my Mom,” Gerry said hurriedly.
“Good, fine. Now, does your mother work outside the home?”
Gerry looked puzzled. “No, she works from home. She's a...”
“That's fine, fine,” Mr. Denofrio interrupted. “Now, the room where she is generally found at home, is there any water in it?”
Gerry looked completely lost. “What?” he said.
“Water, young man, water. Is there perhaps a vase full of water or a water jug kept in the room, anything like that?”
“Oh, right. Sure, there's a goldfish bowl in the den. That's where Mom is usually.”
“Ah! Perfect,” Mr. Denofrio actually smiled. “That will do nicely. Now, I want you to kneel by the Ocular and picture your mother's face in your mind. Focus only on her, nothing else. And when you feel ready, place your hand on the surface of the liquid.”
Gerry looked at Norm and the others. Norm just shrugged while Justin and Aaron both tried to smile encouragingly. Gerry looked back at Mr. Denofrio.
“Okay, I'll try,” he said and approached the pool. He knelt down at the edge and closed his eyes. His face showed his intense concentration.
“By the way, don't fall in,” Mr. Denofrio spoke up.
Gerry's eyes popped open and he turned around on his knees to look at the man. “'Scuse me?”
“Don't fall in,” Mr. Denofrio repeated. “The consequences would be...unfortunate.”
“What do you mean, sir?” Norm asked.
But Mr. Denofrio just shook his head. “Doesn't matter. Don't worry. Just be careful.” He looked at Gerry. “Continue please,” he said.
Gerry nodded slowly and turned back to face the pool. He closed his eyes again. After a few moments, he opened his eyes, looked down at the pool and, very carefully, leaned forward and touched the surface.
All around them in the room, a gentle hum arose. Justin could feel it rising through the floor. His legs were vibrating slightly. It felt tingly, like a mild electric current was flowing through him. The others looked around, searching for the source of the sound, but the room looked the same. Then the liquid began to burble and splash loudly, rolling up from the depths of the pool and then returning. Gerry was obviously keeping his hand in the liquid with great difficulty.
And then the pool was still. It's surface became flat and calm like a pane of glass. A glow lit the depths o
f the liquid and seemed to rise up. As it approached the surface, Justin could see it begin to coalesce until finally as it reached the top of the pool, the glow became the figure of a woman, sitting in a chair and staring out of a window. She seemed to be lost in thought.
Justin was amazed. It was like looking through a window right into another room, except that the window was on the ground. He watched Gerry's face as several emotions passed over it in quick succession. Finally he was just smiling.
“Mom! Mom, can you hear me?” he called.
The woman on the chair sat up with a jerk. She looked around the room but seeing nothing she finally just shook her head and began to sit back again.
“Mom, I'm not your imagination! It's really me,” Gerry spoke louder.
His mother sat up again. “Gerry?” she said hesitantly. “Can you, can you hear me?”
“Yep, I can, Mom. Look at the fish bowl.”
His mother turned and seemed to be looking out at all of them from the pool's surface. She gasped and walked across the room quickly until her face filled the entire pool. “How is this possible?” she asked. “Where are you? Who are those people with you? What happened yesterday? Are you hurt?”
“Whoa, slow down Mom,” Gerry said with a grin.
“Don't you whoa me, young man! I want to know what's happening and I want to know right now!” She shook her head and glared past Gerry at Mr. Denofrio. 'My son disappears, some strangers arrive to tell me he's been taken away for his own safety, an armed guard is patrolling around our house...Gerry, what is going on?”
“Look Mom, I really can't say too much.” Gerry looked over his shoulder at Mr. Denofrio and then back at his mother. “But I'm safe. And so are you. How's Dad?”
Gerry's mother stared at him another moment then gave her head a little shake. “He's okay, son. He had to go out, with an escort no less, to make arrangements for your cousin.”
The Return of the Titans Page 10