by L. EE
“You didn’t hear that? Just now?”
“Hear what?”
“Two voices.”
Marta looked at Andy and furrowed her brow.
“I didn’t hear anything either,” Alden said.
“Then what?” Andy squeezed his eyes shut and wagged his head. “I’m imagining things.”
Reaching the room at the end of the hallway, Andy held his breath as Marta opened the door to reveal the devastation. “Looks like everything’s soaked with that filthy water,” she croaked.
Andy nodded as he surveyed the brown-tinged bedding that still dripped. Firewood oozed water from between its stacked lengths. A steady trickle ran from under the doors of the armoire.
Exclamations reached them from down the hallway: “Abaddon’s going to pay!” “The King’s not going to let this go!”
Marta gasped as she approached the small desk against the near wall and picked up a short stack of papers. “Your artwork, Alden! These are still dry!”
Alden gave a half smile.
“These are what matter most,” Marta declared.
Andy bit his tongue and took a small step toward the door, wishing he could be invisible.
“We’ll all sleep in the dining hall! Gather your things and join us for an all-servants’ slumber party.” A forced chuckle followed the announcement as it boomed down the hall. “Might as well make the best of things.”
“You and Alden are welcome to stay in my room tonight,” Andy offered, glad for the opportunity to tame a smidge of guilt that had morphed into a snapping turtle.
“Thank you, Andy. That’s certainly better than sleeping on that hard floor. Head up to bed. Alden and I will join you shortly.”
Minutes later, Andy threw open the door to his chambers and slammed it shut behind him as he dove onto the bed, dissolving into sobs. I’m just a big disappointment like Dad says.
Several minutes later his body still quaked although his eyes no longer leaked. A shiver rocked his body from filthy clothes that swaddled him in cold dampness. A washbasin of clean water and a soft white towel stood next to his wardrobe. He stripped, washed, and changed into a dry outfit. I don’t deserve this. What I did is unforgivable. His body betrayed him as it relaxed in the comfort of warmth. He shunned the relief, convinced torment was a more fitting partner.
What am I gonna do?
A quiet knock on the door interrupted his sulk.
“Come on in. Let me get some clean water so you can wash up,” Andy offered.
Marta raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Alden.
“No, it’s fine. You’re tired,” Andy insisted.
After washing up, Alden put on a pair of Andy’s jeans and a T-shirt. Inspecting himself in the mirror, he lit up and declared, “These are really different!” Marta couldn’t help but chuckle.
Marta had found a nightgown that had not been soiled in the top drawer of her armoire. After she washed and changed, they all crawled into Andy’s bed—even though three of them shared, there was plenty of room.
Despite being bone-tired, Andy’s mind whirred thinking about everything that had happened. He tossed and turned for what seemed like hours as his guilt morphed from a snapping turtle into a rabid dog.
“Annndyyyy,” sang a wispy voice, interrupting the canine’s incessant barking.
More voices? Am I dreaming? Is it that boggart?
Andy sat up and looked around. He glanced over at the still forms of Alden and Marta as the voice repeated its call: “Annndyyyy.”
It sounds like the King. After everything that happened today, I better go see what he wants…right away. Andy slid out of bed, trying his best not to disturb his companions.
After the warmth of the thick covers, the frigid night air caught him off guard. A shiver rocked his body as he pulled on jeans and sandals. He eased the door open as quietly as possible and stepped into the cold corridor.
“Annndyyyy.”
“I’m coming,” he whispered, trying to reassure the voice.
Even though he tried to tiptoe quietly down the hallway, the scuffling of each footstep reverberated off the hard walls and his eyes darted about. The only light was from the moon attempting to shine through the fog-congested window near the stairs ahead, but the shadows it cast heckled and mocked, and he struggled to quell his rising fear. Glancing over his shoulder every few seconds, Andy scurried up two flights to the sixth floor where he knew the King slept. Even though he had never been invited inside, he remembered Mermin pointing out the door to the King’s chambers the night before when he had accompanied the wizard to his quarters.
Andy stopped outside the door. A thin line of light shone beneath it and he exhaled. Surely it was the King calling me, he tried to reassure himself. He nodded once then raised his fist.
“Who is it?” came the King’s voice.
“It’s me, Andy.”
The King opened the door. He wore a blue satin robe that extended to his slipper-covered feet. “I’m surprised to see you at this hour. I was about to turn in. I’ve been thinking about everything that happened today and contemplating what to do about it. King Abaddon must not be allowed to harm us.”
As soon as the words crossed the King’s lips, the rabid canine morphed into a hyena that began laughing uncontrollably. Desperate to rid himself of increasingly vicious predators, Andy opened his mouth, but words failed him.
“So, what can I do for you, Andy?”
“Well, sir, I came because I heard you call me. What did you need?”
The King smiled. “That’s very thoughtful of you, but I did not call you. Perhaps after all of today’s excitement you thought you heard something. Go back to bed. Rest will do us both good.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to disturb you then. Good night, sir.” That was weird, he thought as he headed back downstairs.
Andy slipped into bed and minutes later exhaustion mercifully whisked him off to dreamland. But not for long, for just as he dozed off, he heard the same voice: “Annnndyyy.”
Surely it’s the King this time. Andy wiped his eyes, slowly pulled his jeans and shoes back on, stumbled across the chamber, quietly opened the door, walked up to the sixth floor, and knocked on the door of the King’s chambers.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Andy again, sir. I heard you call, so I came to see what you needed.”
A minute later the King pulled open the squeaky wooden door. His hair peeked out at odd angles like he had been asleep.
“Andy, I did not call you. Please go back to your chambers and get some rest. We both need it.” His tone was flat.
“I’m so sorry. I could have sworn—” Andy felt his cheeks warm. He turned and headed back to his room. What did I hear? I know it sounded like him.
He slipped back into the warm bed but did not have opportunity to doze off before he again heard the call: “Annndyyy. Annndyyy.”
Same sing-songy tone. Same unhurried pace. He doesn’t sound upset—that’s a relief. It’s got to be the King! Andy deduced. But if I disturb him one more time… He shuddered. I’m ignoring it.
“Annndyyy. Annndyyy,” it came again.
I’m crazy. That’s all there is to it. Okay, fine. He pulled on his jeans and sandals, crossed the chamber, eased the door open, walked up the stairs, and again knocked on the King’s chamber door.
“Who is it?” the King yawned.
“I’m really, really sorry, sir, but I could have sworn I heard you call…”
The King eased the door open fully and Andy breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the man wore a curious grin rather than an angry scowl. He had no doubt the latter would have greeted him had it been either of his parents.
“I can assure you I did not call.”
Andy grimaced and swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry for disturbing you, sir.”
“It’s all right, Andy. I appreciate your diligence in offering help. But I’m wondering about the voice you’re hearing.”
That makes t
wo of us. Andy shuffled his feet.
“Don’t feel bad. Why don’t you try this: the next time you hear the voice, ask it what it wants. See what it does. Let me know what happens in the morning.”
Feeling like a complete idiot, Andy stammered, “Okay.” He’s humoring me. The sovereign gently closed his door and Andy smacked himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand before turning.
He returned to bed. Marta and Alden still slept, oblivious to all that had just happened. Stupid, stupid, stupid, Andy berated himself as he stared at the ceiling. And then he heard it again.
“Annndyyy.”
This is crazy. I’m crazy!
“What do you want? Please speak,” he whispered.
“About time!” came a voice in his head that sounded strangely like his father. “After your conscience brought me up to speed, I sent it back to the land you came from for a much-needed rest.”
What?
“I’m your inneru.”
My what?
“Your inneru.”
What’s that?
“In the land you come from, you call us your conscience. In the land of Oomaldee, we are referred to as innerus. Both consciences and innerus hail from the same species of innerbeings; we’ve always had a symbiotic relationship with humans. However, consciences have evolved to handle a more sophisticated and refined human. They are not hardy enough to withstand the harsh climate of a place like Oomaldee. Innerus are a much tougher breed. We’re more down to earth and won’t take your crap; we’ll tell you the way things are and not sugarcoat it.
“When someone enters this land, an inneru is assigned to take over the responsibility of keeping their human’s thoughts in line. That said, I have to admit, I’m not very happy about being assigned to you. I was enjoying a vacation after spending the last seventy-seven years as another’s inneru. You slipped into the land very unexpectedly. Headquarters was short on available staff, so they pulled me off my vacation and here I am.
“As I was saying, I just got through being brought up to speed by your conscience. Not a good report, I must say. Seems as though you regularly ignore it and do what you please. It was worn out and despairing from all you’ve put it through.” As the voice spoke, its tone became stern. “I refuse to be treated that way. I will not be ignored. Is that clear?”
Is that you, Dad?
“While your father is the voice of your conscience, and I also sound like him, I’m not him. When you return to your land, I will turn you back over to my counterpart. Hopefully you will treat it with more respect. In the meantime, we have a few issues to discuss. ”
This is too weird. I must be dreaming.
“You’re not dreaming. The exercise you just went through with the King was me.”
What? You made of fool of me! How could you do that?
“Just showing you my power. I can make your life miserable if you choose to ignore me.” It paused briefly, then slowly and sternly added, “I am not your conscience. I am your inneru. And I will not be trifled with.”
I don’t like you.
“Matters not. You can’t get rid of me. Now, it seems we have an urgent matter that needs to be addressed.”
Andy panicked. Does it know about the flood I caused?
“Come on! I’m in your thoughts. Of course I know about the flood. I also know it was an accident. But you’re dying inside because you’re afraid of what might happen when you’re found out. That is very clear. Your stomach is upset, you’ve been crying, you’re on edge.”
Andy exhaled loudly.
“Andy, I know you’ve only been here a couple days, but do you care about these people?”
I guess so.
“You guess so?”
Okay, yes. I care about them.
“Exactly. That’s why this is bothering you so much. Why do you care for them?”
Andy considered and finally replied, I feel like they understand me. But I screwed up so bad! They’ll never forgive me. I’ve hurt them too much!
“Is your relationship with these people something you want to grow?”
I guess so.
“Then what do you think you need to do?”
Andy hesitated. No, I can’t. I can’t tell anyone. They’ll hate me!
“Suit yourself.”
Ugh. I really hate you.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but it’s your prerogative. May I remind you I wasn’t the one who got you into this predicament?”
Andy’s thoughts churned until finally he wondered, What would I even tell the King and everyone else?
“You’re smart, you figure it out.”
A real help you are.
The following morning, Andy woke to a rooster crowing. He was alone in his bed. He stared at the ceiling, his stomach clenching as he tried to figure out what he would tell the King at breakfast. As he rolled over and got out of bed, he nearly stepped on a large stone lying on the floor. It was the color of amethyst, perfectly round and highly polished, the size of a baseball.
Where did this come from? He picked it up and the core began to pulse. He brought it up to examine more closely. As he did, a trumpet blast sounded as if an announcement were about to be made by an important official, much like during the Curse Day remembrance ceremony.
“It was my request that brought you here to the land of Oomaldee,” a voice boomed. Andy jumped and nearly dropped the sphere. “I have great plans for you that you know not of, Andrew Ferrin Smithson. From before your birth, I have chosen you.”
“What? From before my birth? Chosen me? To do what?” interrupted Andy. “What do you know about me or my birth?”
Ignoring Andy’s questions, the message continued, “I was there as you emerged into the world and your lungs first drew breath. I was there protecting you when you were two years old and you ran out in the middle of the road. I prevented you from being struck by an oncoming car.”
Andy scratched his head. “Wait a minute!” He’d heard the story about nearly getting himself killed when he was little. “How would you know anything about my life? Who are you?”
The stone continued pulsing but the voice stopped for a full minute. Andy shook the sphere and struck it against his palm. At length it continued, “I saw your curiosity and what you could do, for both good and bad. Andy, have you ever wondered why your mind works the way it does? Have you ever wondered why you feel like you never quite fit in?”
“How would you know how I feel?” The instant the words escaped, Andy wished he had not yelled. The message paused once more although the stone continued to pulse for another full minute.
“If you do what I ask, you will become a great leader in this land. Even the King will follow you.”
What’s it talking about? This is crazy!
“You need not know who I am or even trust me right now, although you will in time.” The calm of the voice grated on Andy’s nerves. He rubbed the back of his neck. With all the strange things that had happened, he was afraid the prediction might just be wild enough to be true.
The stone continued to pulse. “Tell the King everything you have heard. Leave nothing out.”
“But who should I say told me?”
The rock stopped pulsing then vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. Andy stood for several minutes looking at his empty hand, trying to make sense of it all. Well, at least now I know who brought me here.
“Hey, let my parents know I’m okay!” he called as an afterthought.
Andy entered the dining hall and saw the King sitting at the head of the long table, wearing his standard black T-shirt and faded blue jeans.
“Good morning!” he boomed, motioning for Andy to join. “Sleep well?” he asked with a sly grin.
“I’m sorry for disturbing you last night, sir.” Andy felt his face warm.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Away from home, new surroundings—I’m not surprised you thought you heard something.”
Better get this over with before I lose my
nerve. He took a deep breath and plunged in, “Sir, I caused the flood yesterday. It was me.”
The King stopped chewing mid-bite. His eyes wandered up from his cereal, meeting Andy’s. “What do you mean?”
Andy recounted everything. Partway through, he paused and took a deep breath, trying to hold back tears. “I’m sorry! I never meant to hurt anyone. It was an accident.”
The King sat quietly for several minutes, considering.
Andy fidgeted as he awaited a response. Please say something.
“Interesting,” the King at last pronounced.
He’s not furious?
“I don’t understand how you could have found the emergency switch. It’s hidden. Only Mermin and I know where it is.” He shook his head, continuing his reverie.
“I don’t know, sir.”
“I know telling me the truth was not easy, Andy.” The sovereign’s voice was even. “Your actions created a lot of damage for my servants as well as the castle—it could have collapsed.”
Andy nodded and squirmed as the full weight of responsibility pressed hard. But while he staggered under the burden, the pressure crushed the cackling hyenas that had hounded his thoughts, restoring a measure of inner calm.
“Yet, you took responsibility,” the King added. He paused, letting the words penetrate before concluding, “I’m proud of you.”
Andy eyes met the King’s. “Really?” Maybe there’s something to this truth-telling after all.
The King raised a cautioning hand. “I’m proud of you, not for what you did, but for taking responsibility and telling me the truth even though it wasn’t easy. This is a virtue I try to live by. I happen to believe that one’s success comes only from responsibility, diligence, and dignity.”
Andy exhaled. Never before had he done anything like this—he usually tried to take the easy way out by not coming clean.
“Thank you, sir.” Andy took a bite of toast, basking in the overwhelming relief and feeling calm for the first time in several hours. But relief proved fleeting as the realization began to dawn on him that he would need to apologize to everyone he had affected. His stomach lurched.