by J S Landor
Jack nodded slowly. ‘You should be a detective. You saw through him from the start.’
‘Yeah, well … He was hardly gonna get the red carpet treatment. He stole my best friend.’
‘Never! You’ve no idea how often I wished you were there.’
‘Really?’ Grateful for the darkness, Charlie looked down, blushing. ‘I didn’t see through the magpie though. Bad mistake letting him go. Nan was furious.’
‘How could you have known?’
‘I dunno. But Nan was on to him. It’s like she already knew.’
They entered the harbour. While Charlie chatted on, Jack scanned the streets leading off the quay, hoping for some sign of a blue Beetle. He couldn’t imagine how frantic Nan must be.
‘Bet the magic comes from her,’ said Charlie, guessing his thoughts and kindly patting his arm. ‘Hey, maybe it’s like ginger hair – it skips generations. I’m the only carrot top in our family since Grandpa George! Here, show me that mark again.’
Jack turned his palm upwards to reveal the tiny symbol on his finger.
‘Sign of a true Magus!’
‘I dunno, Charlie …’
‘A is for Alpha, right?’
‘And Archimedes.’
‘And the number one.’
‘Numero uno!’ laughed Jack.
‘Exactly. Alpha and the Magus! A and M. Sybil says it’s in your blood. I reckon the mirror came to you so you could learn to be one.’
Jack grinned. Until now he’d hardly dared to think about his dream. If Charlie was right, he had a great deal to learn. It was exciting and scary all at the same time.
Charlie looked at him thoughtfully. ‘If you ask me, that’s why Alpha’s stayed with Flyn. To keep you safe. He has to make it look like he’s on his side – till you’re ready.’
‘Alpha’s not like that. He doesn’t pretend,’ said Jack. And as soon as he’d said it, he felt a rush of protection for the wolf. He wasn’t like any other animus. He’d never been human before, like Pi or Bill. Hermes hadn’t borrowed another soul; he’d transformed the wolf with his own generous spirit. For every Magus, not just one. ‘He had to give Jago a chance,’ he said.
‘You’re kidding. Why?’
‘So he could learn too.’
‘Ha! He’s gonna learn all right. Big time!’ said Charlie. Then, noticing Jack’s far-off expression, she added, ‘You’re not thinking he’ll change, are you?’
‘Nope.’ Jack cut the engine and they floated silently alongside the jetty.
‘Good! You’ve got to get the mirror back. Then we can think about the ship. That’s still way in the future and …’
Charlie trailed off. Jack had already leapt out to secure the boat and didn’t seem to be listening. With the same distant look, he said, ‘We have to find Jago.’
‘Okay. So, now what?’
‘Shhh!’ Jack’s eyes were glued on the hills behind the village. ‘I think we’ve got ourselves a guide. Look!’
Charlie screwed up her nose. ‘It’s Alpha, isn’t it? Where? I can’t see him.’
‘There! See where the path wiggles uphill? Follow it to the right past that big tree, the one near the green barn. He’s in that muddy gateway. Come on! He wants us to hurry.’
Charlie didn’t move. ‘You must have x-ray vision or something. I can see the path but … there isn’t a barn. And how do you know it’s muddy?’
‘What does it matter? Let’s go! If anyone knows where to find Jago, it’s him.’
Together they raced across the quay, through a low iron gate and up the footpath which zigzagged along the edge of the cliffs. Jack took one last look at the lighthouse, then, as dawn turned the hills a velvety green, he plunged down a grassy track away from the sea.
‘A-mazing!’ said Charlie, puffing and panting to keep up. ‘You’ve never done anything like that before.’
‘Like what?’
‘That thing you did back there. Hey, slow down, will you?’
‘What thing?’
‘You know.’ Charlie tapped the centre of her forehead. ‘It’s how Sybil found me.’
Jack stopped dead. ‘What are you on about?’
Doubling over, hands on hips, Charlie nodded at the hills ahead. ‘Still no barn,’ she said. ‘But you saw it like you were there already. You’re a Seer, Jack! You tuned into Alpha’s mind, looked through his eyes. You knew what he was thinking!’
Jack stared at her dumbfounded. She was right. He’d always been able to sense Alpha’s presence, but this was completely different. For the first time he’d been able to tell exactly where the wolf was – and see what he could see.
‘I didn’t realise I was doing it,’ he said.
‘That’s the whole point! You don’t even have to think. It’s a gift; you were born with it.’
Charlie nudged Jack in the ribs and barged past him. ‘Alpha reads your mind too, of course. The name on the boat – now that was neat. Come on, what are you waiting for?’
Chapter 37
Alpha kept well ahead of them, testing Jack’s newfound skill to its limit. Several times he thought he’d lost the wolf for good, then a landmark in the distance would rush at him – a tall yew in front of a cottage, a church spire, a bridge over a stream – and for a few seconds, no more, it was like jumping through the lens of a powerful microscope. The details of Alpha’s location became so clear Jack could see cobwebs in the grass where he was walking, hear a cockerel crow in a barn, even catch the scent of washing on a line.
A mile or so on, they found themselves looking down on Dunton, where Jack’s train journey with Jago had come to such an abrupt end. Normally, the familiar sight of the town’s Ferris wheel would have filled him with happiness, but Jack felt his mood darken. Why had Jago retraced his footsteps here?
On the outskirts of the town, they stopped at a petrol station to buy breakfast and while Charlie drifted to the sweet counter in search of chocolate, he tried again to focus on Alpha’s whereabouts.
Outside, the early morning traffic thundered past and several people stood chatting at a bus stop. He hoped the wolf was keeping a low profile. The last thing they needed was a scene like the one at the railway station. He replayed the moment the detective had sprinted along the platform, gun in hand. Except this time, instead of watching from the train, he was on the platform too and when Alpha jumped clear, the barrel of the gun seemed to swing and point at him.
Bang. A new image from an entirely different location reared into view – a machine of some kind, an ugly, yellow, rectangular thing with two piston arms and a flat roof lined with giant blades. He felt the mark on his finger prickle. Was Alpha in some kind of danger? He could hear the wolf’s heart pounding as if it was his own.
The sound of heavy boots came close and a chain whipped across the ground. Then a raw pain hit the back of his throat. His windpipe tightened until he began to lose focus …
‘You all right?’ Charlie tugged anxiously at his sleeve.
Instantly, the sensation faded. With a swift nod, Jack grabbed the chocolate bars she’d chosen and walked to the cash desk where a bald man sat reading a newspaper. ‘Is there a junkyard near here?’ he asked abruptly.
‘Auto breakers, you mean? Sure.’ The man took his time to fold up the paper and leant across the counter. ‘Bit young for car spares, aren’t we? What you after?’
‘Just some old tyres,’ Jack replied. ‘To make a swing for her.’ He nodded over at Charlie.
‘I see. Couple of scavengers, eh?’ The man winked at Charlie. ‘Well then, Slater’s the place.’
‘And where’s that?’ said Jack, trying not to sound impatient.
‘Through the industrial estate over there, by the canal. Not far, ’bout ten minutes, I’d say. Watch that main road though. Lunatic drivers this time of day.’
‘Thanks.’
Jack slammed a fistful of coins on the counter.
‘Won’t be open yet, mind. Late starters that lot, not like some of us … Oi, hang about, don’t forget your change!’
But Jack was already out of the door, dragging Charlie across the forecourt after him.
‘What’s going on? I don’t want a swing!’ she protested.
‘I know! Shut up, Charlie, and just walk, will you!’ Steering her in and out of the traffic, Jack turned left down a wide road lined with factories and offices.
‘It’s Alpha, isn’t it? You looked like you were being half throttled back there. What’s the matter? Is he okay? Jack? Talk to me.’
‘I don’t know!’ exploded Jack.
‘Sorry! I only –’
‘Honestly, Charlie. You’ve no idea how hard this stuff is! It comes in such short bursts. I get flashes – bits and pieces – then “bam!” it’s all gone and I wonder if I’m right or not.’
‘Okay, okay, calm down! You’re doing just fine.’
‘Yeah, right!’
‘I mean it. Look, you got us this far!’
‘On a road to a junkyard! Not much of a Seer.’
‘You are! It takes practice, that’s all. You’re picking it up fast and you’re doing it without the mirror. Who knows, maybe it’s a good thing it was taken away.’
Jack stared at her, speechless. Of all the crazy, stupid things … he pulled himself up short. Hadn’t he had a similar thought at the lighthouse?
‘I’m not saying what Flyn did was right,’ Charlie said hastily. ‘All I mean is you’ve discovered something – something you didn’t know you had.’ She stuck her fist in the air, superman style.
Something right under my nose, thought Jack. He glanced down at Alpha’s seal on his finger and smiled at Charlie’s cleverness. Even though they were the same age, sometimes she seemed a lot wiser. Then again, sometimes she didn’t. She was now beating off imaginary attackers with a kung fu manoeuvre. He gave her a shove.
‘Come on,’ he said. ‘Alpha’s chained up near some big machine. We’ve got to find him. Fast.’
Chapter 38
At the end of the industrial estate, they reached a rough road running alongside the canal. It led to a square of wasteland surrounded by a high wooden fence on which a blue sign announced: ‘Slater’s Auto Breakers. Quality parts for all makes and models. Welcome to car heaven!’
Two heavy iron gates at the entrance hung ajar and on the ground nearby lay the pieces of a broken padlock and chain. Jack and Charlie exchanged glances. Taking care not to disturb the rusting hinges, Jack eased himself through the gap and motioned at Charlie to follow.
Inside, a hush hung over everything. Even the birds seemed to have forgotten their early morning chatter. Hundreds of dead and broken-down cars were strewn everywhere, some rusting among the grass and weeds, others stacked on top of each other in tottering heaps. Jack couldn’t help thinking it was more like a graveyard than heaven.
A twig crunched explosively under Charlie’s foot. She froze, mouthed an apology and they took cover behind an old bus filled with batteries and bits of exhaust pipe.
In the centre of the yard, behind a Portakabin sales office, stood three semi-circular buildings made of corrugated iron: Nissen huts from the second world war which now served as workshops. Jack scanned the windows for signs of life. All were dark and empty. Nevertheless, something about the furthest building held his attention. He shut his eyes and the mark on his forefinger smarted. Alpha felt very close indeed.
He whispered this to Charlie and she nodded. Then her face fell. ‘Over there, Jack, look!’
Beyond the buildings, surrounded by more piles of wrecked vehicles, was an ancient, yellow car crusher – the same machine Jack had glimpsed earlier. A flattened slab that had once been a pickup truck lay spewed out of one side, and on the platform that led into its gaping mouth sat its next victim. The car’s wheels were missing and the entire front end had been burnt out, but Jack would have recognised the make anywhere. It was a Beetle. A blue one.
He was vaguely aware of Charlie saying something and trying to hold him back, but it felt like a switch had flicked in his brain. He couldn’t stop himself. He got up, wriggled free of her grasp and tore down the muddy track.
Coincidence, that’s all it is, he told himself. There were plenty of old classics that colour … hundreds probably. It couldn’t be –
No such thing as coincidence, my dear.
As Nan’s words played through his mind, he slowed to a shuffling sort of run, went a few more paces, then stopped. Two black and white dice dangled from the Beetle’s rearview mirror.
‘Noooo!’ he screamed.
His legs buckled beneath him and he sank to his knees. ‘What have I done?’ he muttered. Was this why Alpha had brought him here? To show him the consequences of his actions? The mangled wreckage wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t gone and left her.
‘Nan!’ he cried, and suddenly he was seeing the world through a prism of tears.
In the long silence that followed, a shadow fell across him. ‘Now then,’ said a familiar voice, ‘we’ll have none of this.’
Too numb to move, Jack went on staring at the dice. They looked so fragile and foolish hanging there. Why weren’t they burnt too? He dug his fingers in the mud. ‘Where is she?’ he muttered.
‘How should I know? This has nothing to do with me. For heaven’s sake, get up!’
Two hands grasped Jack from behind and the next thing he knew, he was being hoisted to his feet. He wrinkled his nose, overpowered by the stench of whisky. ‘Lemme go!’
Jago did as he was asked, turning Jack to face him. He looked haggard and grey and his eyes had sunk deep in their sockets. ‘Only a coward would tamper with an old woman’s car. And whatever else I may be, I’m not a coward. Your school bully did this.’
‘Blunt?’ exclaimed Jack.
Jago nodded. Half drunk, he looked as if he’d aged by a hundred years. ‘Pi saw him go into the garage. Schoolboy revenge, I’m afraid. Way of the world.’
‘Revenge? Ha! Well, you’d know all about that!’
Jago looked taken aback. ‘You’re referring to Archimedes, I assume. I wonder how you came by that little tale.’
Jack said nothing. Jago could assume whatever he liked. He hoped Charlie was keeping her head down.
‘Well, I don’t deny it,’ said Jago, swaying slightly. ‘I told you the mirror was destructive. It killed my son.’
‘So? People die! I know how that feels. I lost my parents, remember? But I didn’t take it out on everyone else.’
‘Oh, is that right? Then what was the storm about, hmm? You should be careful how you direct your energy. It has consequences.’
‘I didn’t cause the storm!’
‘Not entirely, no. I gave the instruction, of course. But you – you doubled its strength, caused havoc beyond anything I ever intended.’ Jago raised an eyebrow. ‘I’d say we make a good team.’
Jack was speechless. Jago was twisting everything, behaving as if he’d done nothing wrong at all. Why was he even here? What did he want?
In the cracked wing mirror of an old Mercedes truck, he caught a glimpse of ginger hair beneath a black beanie. Charlie had just disappeared via a side door into the farthest workshop.
‘You see, I’ve been dealt a bad hand,’ Jago continued. ‘I can’t change the past and I’m sick to death of this present. If you’d seen the things I’ve seen, led the lives I’ve led, you’d understand. I want a different future, a new beginning.
‘I have a confession to make, Jack. I too overlooked something right under my nose. My old self lost a son, but I think fate has sent someone in his place.’
Jago’s yellowing fingers unfurled. In the middle of his palm lay Jack’s silver pen. ‘If I could rewrite the last twenty-four hours, I would. Here, this is yours
.’
Jack gazed down in astonishment. Jago’s hand, he noticed, shook ever so slightly. Did he really mean he was sorry? ‘You can’t undo what happened,’ he said. ‘No one can erase time.’
‘Ah, but you’re wrong,’ cried Jago. ‘You’re a Magus, my boy. It’s within your power to do exactly that.’
‘Tsche, tsche, tsche.’
Overhead, an insane screeching broke out. A pair of black and white wings swooped down and suddenly the pen was gone.
‘Pi!’ roared Jago, balling his empty hand into a fist. ‘Damn it, Pi! Bring it back. NOW!’
Pi’s boyish form materialised on top of the tallest heap of cars. ‘It’s mine!’ he shrieked. ‘You said I could have it!’
‘Thundering idiot …’
‘I did everything you wanted,’ wailed Pi. ‘Everything!’
‘I don’t have time for this. Get down at once!’
Pi shook his head furiously. ‘So it’s a new beginning, is it? You said you’d get us out of here. You and me!’
‘I’m warning you.’
Pi stamped his foot and the pile of cars teetered below him. ‘Just cos the mirror won’t work! That’s why you need him. He’s not a Magus.’
‘Shut up, Pi.’
‘He’s not your son either! He’s just a … a puppet!’ Pi began dancing a crazy jig like a marionette.
Jago lifted his hand.
‘No! Don’t!’ Pi flung himself down.
A groan of metal erupted from the base of the tower and the topmost car tipped forwards. Pi slid across its roof and down over the bonnet. With acrobatic skill, he managed to grab hold of the car’s bumper.
‘Little fool. Use your wings!’ bellowed Jago.
But Pi didn’t bother to transform. He simply clung on, his feet dangling uselessly. Jack could see he was crying.
Jago raised his hand again, his fingers trembling with rage. ‘You had your chance. You bring this on yourself.’