by Fletcher, MJ
“Run, Chloe!”
I didn’t have time to tell Edgar that I was way ahead of him on that point. Step one of my still-forming plan was to get big green ugly away from the girl. After that was... yet to be determined. Okay, so I’m not the best when it comes to plans.
Whooshes of air rushed passed me as I ran, though from behind I felt a growing heat as the monster approached. It was gaining ground quickly. Edgar had said they were fast but I had no idea how well they maneuvered. I wanted to keep my head attached to my body. So as soon as I hit a cross aisle I grabbed a corner post and pivoted. Hot, fetid air whooshed passed and I realized the monster had made a grab for me and missed.
I picked up speed, cut around corners and made as many quick turns as possible, creating a maze the gremlin would find difficult to follow and it seemed to be working. No bad breath nipped at my neck or heat clawed at my clothes. Instead I heard the gremlin snorting as it followed my scent and working its way through my maze. I came near the end of one aisle and skidded to halt so I could make another quick turn. Only a few feet from me stood the man who had cut off Edgar and me when we entered the Arrowhead. He smiled, though more sneered at me and my stomach turned, it was the man in black. I froze not sure what to do, he kept grinning.
“You better keep running, girl, or you’ll get caught.” He nodded his head, his eyes directed behind me and I saw the flash of green as the gremlin entered the aisle.
I rushed around the corner and found myself facing a wall. I turned back around ready to run when I saw the gremlin about to turn down the aisle. He moved slower and more deliberate. I got the feeling that he had no intentions of losing me again. I ducked and crept backward out of the aisle before he noticed me and pressed my back against the wall. I scanned the area for options. I mean I’ve gotten out of tight spots before, though I’ve never had a green gremlin chasing me. I balled my hand into a fist and wished I’d learned some of those tricks I’d seen Dad and Slade use during the fight.
Then like a new friend I was trying to get to know, I felt that familiar tug in my stomach. My eyes went right to the shelf beside me. Rows of old-fashioned doorknobs and skeleton keys were lined up one after the other. I glanced around and all the shelves surrounding me were filled with knobs, keys and maps. Like a switch turning on a light, I quickly sensed the power of those objects and I called to them. The tug in my stomach turned to a squeeze as the knobs and keys began to glow. Blue, yellow... was that pink? And then the whispers similar to the ones in my dream started, urging, begging me to make use of their powers. I closed my eyes not trying to shut the voices out but for the first time inviting them in, and then... they grew louder.
A hot stench brushed my face and I wanted to kick myself. I had allowed my attention to be diverted and now the gremlin was right in my face. Yet I was calm, I felt the energy expand around me and it was comforting and empowering all at the same time.
I didn’t want to open my eyes and look at his ugly face but I did. I balled my hands into fists. If I was going down, I was going down fighting.
I opened my eyes and sure enough the gremlin was right in front of me, drool dripping in big looping beads from his mouth. His forked tongue was licking over rows of razor-sharp teeth. His acrid odor was heavy in the air and his rank breath washed over me causing a rising wave of nausea.
The gremlin swung his head back and let out a wolf-like howl sending the nearby shelves trembling. At this point I knew he wanted me for lunch so I didn’t hesitate, I reacted. I brought my leg up and as hard as I could I kicked him right between the legs. Of course I didn’t stop to think about the gremlin’s anatomy... I took a chance
Luck was with me. The gremlin’s roar shriveled to a squeak as he doubled over.
I stepped back closer to the shelves and the objects that I continued to hear talking to me. My hands were shaking and my whole body began to tremble. The lure of their power was intoxicating and I reveled in the feel of it.
The gremlin growled as it twisted its neck in my direction. Its pale white eyes focused on me and it stretched its mouth bearing its teeth. Its muscles tense like those of a cat ready to pounce.
My arms shot outward of their own accord and my hands stopped shaking and began to glow blue just like I had seen Dad’s do the other night. My body convulsed and from the center of what I can only describe as my being I felt a sense of power form and suddenly rush up and out of my hands. A blast of energy shot into the beast slamming it backward and knocking me over as well.
I got up fast, wanting out of there before he recovered and he came after me again. I took one step and slammed right into a large man. He stood well over six feet. He wore a gray trench coat and a darker gray fedora rested just over his brow. His deep brown eyes assessed me quickly and then he smiled.
“Not bad, kid, but I’d move if I was you.”
He gave me a push and I skidded aside as he stepped up and confronted the gremlin now getting to his feet. My new friend, yup —friend— anyone who helps me deal with a man-eating monster is my friend, stepped forward and pulled something out from inside his trench coat.
As soon as the gremlin laid eyes on the object he began to back up and growl. My friend didn’t hesitate, he advanced on the creature.
I was tired to my bones. Whatever I had just done had sucked all my energy and I prayed that whatever he was going to do would work. Because I had taken my best shot, plus something told me this man could handle himself. I wanted to see what was going to happen, so I positioned myself to get a better look.
He reached into the folds of his overcoat and lifted out a leather case with a silver star, similar to the ones sheriffs wore in the old west. But this one was moving and shifting, each of the points were flipping inward and releasing a beam of silver light. Once they had all moved the center folded in on itself and revealed a set of old-fashioned gears that spun and moved so fast that the motion blurred together. The badge began to glow silver and then a blast of white light shot out hitting the gremlin.
Manacles of pure light wrapped around the gremlin’s arms and legs. He struggled against them and the more he fought the thicker the bands became. He fell to the floor in a futile effort struggling to free himself. He opened his mouth to let out a roar of protest but lines of light swept across his mouth blotting out his howls.
The light grew brighter and so brilliant that I avoided looking at it. When it finally faded, I dared to look and the gremlin was gone. And my new friend was putting away his badge.
“I’m Detective Inspector Emory. And you are?”
“Chloe,” I said wearily waiting to see if the gremlin would pop out from behind one of the shelves.
“Chloe,” His eyes narrowed and searched my face as if he might have recognized me. “You did a fine job.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“Something wrong?”
“You could say that, I just found out that my family is part of all this.” I waved my hand around.
“Family, and who might that be?”
“Masters.”
His eyes and brow squinted for just a moment and then he smiled. “You’re Elijah’s daughter?”
“Yeah, I am.” I wanted to ask how he knew my dad but before I could Edgar dashed around the corner.
“Chloe, there you are, I’ve been looking all over for you. I tried to follow you when the gremlin chased you but my goggles couldn’t get a fix on your location. Are you alright?”
The words sprung out of him like air out of a fast leaking tire. He took ragged breathes when he finished and I pictured him running all over the store frantically searching for me.
He yanked up his goggles to stare at me with wide eyes.
“She’s fine,” Detective Inspector Emory said. “Your friend here took on the gremlin by herself. She even helped me take him down with a nice display of power.” He winked at me.
“That’s awesome!” Edgar said with a huge smile.
While he was thrilled for me I was stil
l trying to figure out just what I had done. I know I’d accessed my abilities but I had not one clue to how I did it.
“It’s no big deal,” I said nonchalantly. It really wasn’t. I hadn’t even thought about what I was doing. A fault my dad continues to warn me about. But it’s hard, often impossible, for me to do nothing when I see that someone needs help. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, so I react before I think. Or as Dad reminds me... leap before I look.
“DI Emory, what took so long to get rid of that beastie? You know this isn’t the first gremlin to get through into the Portico this summer?” An older man with a wealth of wrinkles on his weather-beaten face and his long white hair pulled back in a ponytail asked. The lapping of his flip flops against the wood floor competed with the soft timbre of his voice.
“I know, Judd, and the HVO is working on it. Don’t worry I wrapped this one up for you with a little help from young Miss Masters here.” he said with a wave toward me.
“Maybe I should put her on the payroll,” Judd said with a laugh and walked over to me, his hand outstretched.
I took it and shook it firmly like my dad had taught me to do.
“And a firm handshake, you’re my kind of lady. I take it you two are here for supplies?” Judd asked as he grabbed Edgar and me each by the shoulder and steered us toward the school supply department.
Emory followed behind us. He placed what looked like a large ear bud in his ear and then tapped it. It opened up and slowly constructed what looked like an antenna and a microphone for him to speak into. I could barely make out what he was saying since Judd was talking to us about jobs at the Arrowhead.
“I’m always looking for young talent, anyone willing to take on a gremlin in my store can have a job here whenever they like. What do you think?”
My question was direct. “How much do you pay?”
“I’ll give you a dollar over minimum wage and a discount on everything in the store except for the backroom. Sound fair?” Judd asked as he walked behind one of the counters and started placing objects wrapped in cloth on it.
“Seems fair to me,” I said smiling at the prospect of having my own money.
“Then you’re hired. Now let’s get down to business. Just what supplies will you two need for school?” Judd unwrapped the items; a doorknob, a skeleton key, a map parchment and quills, something that looked like a cross between a wrench and a screwdriver and a badge similar to Detective Inspector Emory’s, except it was bronze.
“I need a new set of quill’s and inks for my maps,” Edgar said eagerly.
“And you?” Judd asked with a smile.
Without thinking I moved my hand toward the doorknob and suddenly felt nauseous. All the objects on the counter began to glow an array of colors: the doorknob shimmered blue, the skeleton key red, the map hummed and gold lettering began appearing above it, the tool twisted and turned changing its shape over and over and the badge began to shine. My body began to tremble, like when I had fought the gremlin, I squeezed my hands together trying to calm myself. Judd tossed a cloth over the items covering them when he saw my reaction and DI Emory wrapped his arm around me and held me steady.
“Chloe, are you okay?” I heard Edgar but he seemed at a distance. I saw Judd remove everything from the counter and the uneasy feeling quickly passed.
“Sorry, all the excitement must have upset my stomach.”
“No, Chloe, you activated all the vessels, you’re undeclared.” Edgar said excited.
“Interesting,” Detective Inspector Emory said.
“What’s undeclared?” I asked trying to regain my focus.
“That’s what we call a student who has shown ability but has yet to follow one path at the Paladin Academy. You could be a member of Doorknob or the Mapmakers or any of them really,” Judd explained staring at me with what I could swear was admiration.
“But every Masters is a member of the Doorknob Society, why wouldn’t I be?” I asked annoyed that I might be the first in my family to not follow in the footsteps before me and upset my dad.
“True, every Masters is a Society member. But that doesn’t mean you declare right away. It might take time before your powers select the path you’ll travel, that’s all.” Judd stopped as if he was about to add something else but thought better of it.
“I’ll tell you what,” Judd reached underneath the counter and produced a small yet simple brass doorknob. “This is a training knob. Use it to start focusing your power. It’s a good sturdy vessel and will help you learn.”
I reached out and took it. The power inside the knob connected with me immediately and I grasped it tightly... it felt just right.
“Thank you.”
“No problem, I’ll just deduct it from your first paycheck.” He said with a wink. “You two better get going. I need to clean this place up anyway.”
We thanked Judd and Detective Inspector Emory again and headed for the door when I chanced one last look and saw Emory and Judd lean in close to one another The acoustics in the old building made it possible for me to hear them if only in whispers.
“A guy in a black overcoat came in right before the Masters’ girl. I can’t be sure, but I think he opened the portal.” Judd kept his voice low and I strained to hear him.
Emery nodded. “He let the gremlin in on purpose.”
A chill ran through me when Emory glanced in my direction. Edgar and I kept walking and they kept talking. Their voices faded as we got further away until I couldn’t hear them anymore. I thought back to running through the store and seeing the man in black, the same man who had attacked us in Paris. He’d followed us here and now he was after me.
“I better head home. Once my mom hears about the gremlin, she’ll be worried. I’ll text you later,” Edgar said and with a wave ran off.
I headed to where we had started... the Portico entrance. My mind was spinning with gremlins, training knobs and the thought that Dad was holding back a lot more than he was saying. It wasn’t just me being paranoid. A little voice in the back of my head was screaming at me asking if maybe this was what happened to Mom.
I stepped out of my strange new world and back onto the Washington Street Mall. The sun was high in the sky and I realized it must be passed lunch time and Dad was probably getting worried.
“There you are!”
I heard Val before I saw her like most times. I turned to see her rushing toward me.
“I almost called your dad. I was worried that weird Edgar kid had kidnapped you.”
I’d completely forgotten that Val had been waiting for me and really didn’t even know what to say to her after what I’d just been through.
I settled on the most normal thing that had happened to me. “I got a job.”
“Shut up really? My mom won’t let me get one she says I have to concentrate on school. But I tell her, Mom, I’m the top of my class and a good multi-tasker. I can handle it.”
I let Val keep talking as we walked without paying much attention to her. All I could think about was this odd world I was now a part of, and why it seemed that everyone knew more about my family then I did. The man in black stood at the edge of all my thoughts his words replaying over and over in my head.
You better keep running girl or you’ll get caught.
Chapter 7
Status: I meet the most frustrating person of all time.
Dad wasn’t happy about the gremlin incident, so I didn’t even consider mentioning the man in black. He wasn’t the only one who was going to have secrets from now on. I wanted to find out everything I could about my family and our enemies. The Arrowhead seemed like a good place to start my research. Dad agreed that I could work there for the remainder of the summer but he wanted me focused on school when it started in the fall. That was fine by me since I intended to delve head first into my studies. It was the only way for me to learn about my abilities.
When I wasn’t practicing to channel my energy and focus my powers on using the training knob, I was
either working or hanging out with Edgar and Val, even though Val was annoying and never stopped talking about herself. She also had the uncanny ability to find us wherever we went. So she became a member of our odd little group. I had thought about getting in touch with Slade and asking him to hang out but I stopped myself.
Slade was a good guy and I worried that I would bring him nothing but trouble. With that tempting smile of his I was afraid I might make a fool of myself around him. Relationships weren’t my thing. I’d learned that the hard way and anyway, I had enough to worry about. Yet that didn’t stop us from texting every day and me constantly making excuses for why we weren’t getting together.
Dad had begun a new tour that was moving through the Southwest and though he would use a portal to come home most nights I had free reign, and I really started to enjoy myself for the first time in a while. I tried asking Edgar what he knew about my family history but he could only tell me what he’d read. He did know that my dad had been kicked out of the Society and that it was a real big deal. But other than that he didn’t know.
He explained that each society group keeps records that are available only to their own members and that the Doorknob Society would have the ones on my family. That made me focus even harder so I could be declared for the Society and get access to the records.
On days off from work, like today, I spend at the Cape Beanery. It’s down the block from Mission Way, a European style café with tables, couches and booths so you could lounge and enjoy yourself. It smelled of fresh caffeine and had bistro tables set out front for the summer. Val waved franticly as I walked up and I sat next to her. Edgar was tinkering with his goggles, attempting to get one of the gears that were stuck to move.
“Why do you wear those silly things?” Val asked.
“I need them to help me with my maps to see cracks in space time,” he answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Whatever,” Val said rolling her eyes. “I got you a frozen coffee,” she said cheerily as she pushed it toward me.