by Andrea Engel
“I’ve got to be dreaming. Come in, Finn! Come in. It’s a miracle, to be sure.” Happy tears ran down her cheeks. She hugged him tightly. “After all this time…I can hardly believe you’re alive. How is this possible? Where have you been all these years?”
Finn backed away and snapped his fingers at her eye level. “Hey, sister…get a hold of yourself. This isn’t a social call. I have important business to discuss with you.”
Somewhat amused by his serious tone, she teased, “Oh? Business? I just made a fresh pot of Earl Grey. Sit with me and have some tea.” Her hazel eyes sparkled. “Don’t you have a moment to celebrate with your sister after all this time?” Rose walked toward the kitchen; Finn followed.
“Oh, there will be a celebration,” crowed Finn. “Tell me what I need to know, and I’ll certainly be celebrating…by myself, thank you very much.”
“Celebrate alone? When we’re just now reunited?” Rose indicated the chairs so he could sit. “Tell me about this business of yours since apparently it can’t wait for us to catch up.”
“Have a seat, Rose.” Finn pulled out two of the kitchen chairs. Once they sat down, he leaned in. “Exactly how do I get back to Mystashan?”
“Mystashan?” She was confused. “Why would you want to go there? I haven’t been there in decades.”
“Don’t play coy with me. Tell me now!” Finn’s foot tapped with an ever-quickening rhythm.
Rose reached out for his hand and clasped it in hers.
Finn allowed this.
“After Thelonious told me you had died, I locked myself in my room for weeks and couldn’t eat. I grew disenchanted with Mystashan. They kept everything about you so quiet. I chose to leave as soon as I was old enough, because I couldn’t stand being there without you. Everything about the place reminded me of you and how you suffered. I missed how we used to do everything together.”
“Oh, boo-hoo, Rose. I’m sure you pined away. Look at you now—you’re practically skin and bones.” Sarcasm hung in the air between them, but he maintained his attention.
He halfheartedly tried to take his hands back, but she held on.
“I took care of you, and in your own way, you took care of me too. I’ve been there for you, just like I’m here for you now. I know Mystashan wasn’t a good place for you.” She noticed the corner of his right eye pool with enough moisture to create one small drop that never fell.
“I’ve been on the earth realm ever since. There’s no passage back. You remember that, don’t you, Finny? Once you decide to leave Mystashan for good, there’s no memory of how to get back.”
Finn sat for a moment. A heavy silence spread through the kitchen. He stood and sighed, then bent and kissed the top of her head. “I believe you.”
He turned to leave. Then he stopped before he reached the door.
Rose stood.
Finn’s right hand rubbed his neck.
“Which means you’re of no use to me.” He walked back to where she stood.
Rose’s eyes teared as she placed a hand on his arm. “No use? I don’t understand, Finny.”
In an instant, his hands clutched her throat, lifting her up. Her feet kicked the chair, which clattered to the floor. Her teacup followed, shattering on the linoleum.
Shock and sadness flooded her face as he tightened his grip around her throat. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she flailed around, grasping for anything she could find. Only her brother’s arms were within reach.
Holding on to him, she felt an unrecognizable energy. She willed her hands to communicate all that she wasn’t able to say aloud. She had loved and remembered him through many years: a lifetime.
Grasping the bit of hope that swirled along with the faces of her loved ones—her deceased husband, her daughter, her son-in-law—she reached her granddaughter. Sadie’s face, her sweet Sadie, stayed with her the longest, and then there was only Finn.
She knew it was over. Her eyes locked on his and held them. In her final seconds, Rose mouthed, “I forgive you.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
In the Heat of the Moment
Even as her body slowed and grew still, Finn felt Rose’s life-force enter him through his palms and fingers. It was strong at first and pulsed with a soft blue light, but it slipped away with each passing moment. He felt her light dimming. He watched as her essence left her body and disappeared into his. It was brighter and broader than all the others combined. He took a deep breath and her energy followed. He reveled in its exhilarating power. He felt charged. Invigorated.
Then it changed. His body grew intensely hot. Excruciatingly hot. This was new and unpleasant. He began to panic. He’d never felt this uncomfortable before. This hadn’t happened with the others. Rose’s essence created unbearable heat throughout his body. That’s when he saw that girl, her granddaughter—his grandniece. The image only stayed a second, but he knew.
After a tortured forever, the heat felt as if it were scorching his arms and legs before blazing like a cauldron in the center of his chest.
He didn’t know what happened or why his eyes were tearing nonstop. He felt weak. Minutes ticked by. He sat on the floor, next to his dead sister. As he stared at her face, he tried to recall the last words she’d uttered to him. For the briefest moment, he felt almost…lost.
What was that? What the hell just happened? Shaking, Finn stood up carefully. He held on to the back of his chair until he stabilized. An inexplicable comet of blue flame left his chest, flew across the room, and set the curtains alight.
Absorbed in his inner world, Finn blankly watched the fire consume them.
This will take care of itself, I see.
As he walked out and closed the door behind him, he hesitated. Something compelled him to run back inside. He grabbed a throw blanket from the couch and batted the flames until they were extinguished. Black smoke swirled through the kitchen.
Finn took one last look at his sister before exiting her house.
Now rid of his internal inferno, he had returned to himself and regained his strength.
“I will never allow an intrusion like that again. This is the last time anyone will catch Finn Montgomery unprepared.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Say “Uncle”
Air! I need air! Two hands pressed harder until only blackness remained.
Sadie blinked then closed her eyes again. She saw once more the lonely figure lying on the kitchen floor. Is that Gramma? The curtains are on fire! Gramma! Get up! Get out of there! She opened her eyes and did her best to focus on her surroundings, but her double vision and the throbbing pain in the back of her head made it a challenge.
There’s no fire. Where am I?
As Sadie gave her head a few brisk wake-up shakes, dizzying nausea and confusion swept through her. With some trouble, she slowly remembered her vivid dream. No. It wasn’t a dream at all. It was real—and it was awful. That disgusting man who hurt Banyan and stole my music box killed Gramma. I saw the whole thing!
Sadie struggled to stand up but couldn’t move against her restraints.
What’s happening? Why am I tied up? A familiar chill coursed through her. That man. Where is he? I have to get free before he comes back. How could I feel what Gramma felt? Nothing makes sense, not unless…Was I at the Velluminator? How’s that even possible when I can’t move?
Another wave of nausea hit her, and whatever had been inside her stomach forced its way out.
She panicked, pulling as hard as she could against the ropes. No use. They wouldn’t budge.
Sadie couldn’t absorb everything that was happening. Being tied up. That strange, hateful man. The fact that Gramma Rose had met with such an unimaginable end.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me the truth? I was in danger too. I am in danger. Maybe they don’t know the whole story? I mean, who would…except for Rose and that vile man?”
Then it hit her like a thunderclap.
That maniac is my great-uncle!
Her stomach
somersaulted again.
Once her queasiness calmed, Sadie sobbed, feeling the last moments of Gramma’s life. It’s like losing her all over again, and he’s my uncle on top of it.
I need to stop him! I need real answers from Thelo. I won’t let him blow me off again.
Sadie struggled against her bonds. What do I do next? I’m screwed.
“Can anyone hear me?” she screamed. “Help! Help! I’m over here!”
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
Sideshow
Finn moved through the shadows, hiding behind boughs of dense leaves, as they provided good cover. As he drew closer to the village, its landmarks grew familiar. He immediately sought out the Atrium. It was hard to miss, taller than anything around it. It represents everything I hate about this horrifying place.
Finn waited behind the thick trunk of a chestnut tree, biding his time as several villagers strolled up and down the slate walkway. He waited until the path was empty then darted across.
Moving through the Atrium’s archway, Finn sensed the beast’s presence within the main chamber. He progressed slowly as his eyes adjusted to the low light. The beast sat quietly, his back toward Finn.
“You’re much older, Beast. It hangs in the air around you like the putrefying rodent you are.”
“Welcome, Finn. I’ve been waiting for you.” Thelonious stood and turned to face him. “I knew you would find me.”
“Of course I found you. Your treachery has clung to me these long years. It’s always been there, boiling under the surface, although I didn’t know what it was until recently. Once I knew its nature, its innate tracker led me right to you. Time to make things right. Unlike you, I finish what I start.”
“I understand why you would see it that way. But maybe there is a chance you might see it differently? Perhaps you could sit with me for a few minutes?” Thelonious sat on the crystal bench and offered Finn the seat beside him.
Finn paced in a semicircle around him. The lines in his face deepened, as did his anger. “What good would sitting do? I don’t want to talk. That’s all you ever wanted to do, but it never helped a thing.”
“We can sit in silence for a moment first. Maybe that will help?”
Finn shook his head in disbelief. “The way you speak is like a puzzle no one can understand.”
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“No questions. You know why I’m here. I hate what you did to me, and I hate you. Period.”
“Finn, I know you. You and Rose—”
Red exploded behind Finn’s eyes at the mention of her name. “How dare you! You killed her, not me. I won’t stand here and listen to this.”
“Finn, I am so sorry. Mr. Felix brought you to this land with the sole intent of saving two young lives, but it was meant to be Rose alone. We read that in the cloffuls, but he couldn’t leave you to die when he was capable of transferring you both.” Thelonious looked up at Finn, pacing, following him with his eyes.
“Right away, you glitched. We could tell you were different. Your arrival was never meant to happen, and accordingly it did not go well. We had no choice but to send you back to earth with as normal a life as we could secure. We could not put Mystashan at risk.”
“Who cares about your Mystashan? And you…who are you to talk about me being different? You’re the same as what exactly?”
Thelonious exhaled and lowered his head. “Most transfers to our realm have been successful. There was only one other who was like you. He began to fade with his first step into Mystashan. All that was left of him was his voice. Later that faded as well.”
Crushing pain ricocheted through Finn’s head and into his ears. He squinted, holding the sides of his head. It lasted half a second then was gone.
Thelonious looked at Finn without expression. “We are all a little damaged. That’s why we have our lives, to grow and transform.”
Finn pointed, stabbing the air. “What BS is this? I’ll never believe a word you say. Never. You lie to everyone. You’re nothing but a liar and a murderer. You snapped Beagle’s neck. You strangled Rose. You even tried to drown me all those years ago. Admit it!”
“No, Finn. I tried to save you.”
Behind him, Finn heard a throat being cleared, and he turned around, newly aware of his audience. Oh, good. They’re arriving. It’s about time. The numbers in the Atrium increased, surrounding the pair.
“I remember exactly what happened,” Finn huffed. “Don’t deny it. It was the day you showed me the island could change. We walked toward the water, and land grew beneath your feet.” Finn gestured wildly with his arms. “You told me to try for myself, but the water didn’t change for me, and I fell in. You knew I couldn’t swim.” Finn jabbed his finger pointedly at Thelonious. “Your arms held me down. Then others came. There were witnesses, and you had no choice but to save me.”
“You are not remembering it correctly, Finn. It did not happen that way. I cared for you, but as much as I tried, I could not help you.” Thelonious clasped his hands in front of him and looked up at Finn with moisture forming in the corners of his eyes.
“Cared for me? Really? I remember once thinking that might be true. A single solitary moment before I saw you for who you truly are. But now I’ve come to set things straight. There’s no going back.”
“Are you certain, Finn? There’s always a way. You do have a choice.”
Finn faced the growing audience and summoned his “big tent” bravado.
“Step right up! Don’t be shy. Come one, come all to see the greatest ending on earth…Oh, pardon me! Not earth…Mystashan!” He paused for just a moment. “If you only knew what a gift I’m giving you today. Your deaths will transport you well beyond the misery that is this place.”
All through the crowd, voices whispered: “What did he just say?” “Death? Does he mean us?” “I didn’t sign up for this.”
“Yes, we’ll see soon enough. Before I take care of the rest of you, though, it will be an honor to dispatch your beast leader first. You don’t mind waiting, do you?”
Thelonious spoke in a commanding tone. “I want all of you to know that there is no cause for alarm. In fact, it would be best if you remained calm and filed out of the Atrium.”
“We aren’t leaving you, Thelonious,” cried one of the Mystashanians.
“How will you save us?” another voice called out, begging for reassurance.
“We’ve been over this. From what we’ve seen in the cloffuls, our choice is to let this play out. It is time.”
“Cloffuls shmuffles. Enough with your ridiculous messages. Nobody cares.” Finn spat at the floor in front of Thelonious.
A Freanwea grabbed Finn’s leg, trying with all her might to push the tall man to the ground. “Come on, everyone. We can take him!”
“No,” Thelonious insisted with grounded authority.
Finn’s hands tingled with newly awakened energy. He flung the knee-high Freanwea across the Atrium, into one of the crystal pillars, as if he were throwing a small stone.
Huh, would you look at that? I’m even more powerful than I knew. Well, it makes sense that power is on my side. Mystashan must agree that I’m in the right.
Before anyone had a chance to blink, Finn ran headfirst at Thelonious, knocking him off balance. The new energy gave him all the leverage he needed. They both fell onto the marble platform, with Thelonious on his back. Finn landed on top of him with an elbow to his face. He watched as Thelonious’s large dilated pupils shifted back and forth.
“Please, everyone. Stay back,” Thelonious croaked, pleading with a weakened voice. “You all know where to go.”
Finn turned to the crowd, arms spread wide, and bellowed, “I hope you heard the lies your leader spun around my drowning incident, but yes, go ahead and trust him. This will be the last time you hear anything from him again. Stay and watch your ‘fearless’ leader’s demise.”
Straddling Thelonious, Finn turned and looked at his quarry. He heard encouragement from
someone in the crowd: Kill him, Finn.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Bye the Glow
“Help! Help! I’m over here,” Sadie called into the darkness, hoping someone would hear her.
“You don’t have to shout. Always with the shouting.”
It was the unmistakable unified voice of the Slugs. Sadie searched the ground nearby. “I can hear you, but I can’t see you. Where are you guys? We have to hurry.”
“We’re right here. Just look down.”
The warm yellow light grew into a brighter glow as realization dawned on Sadie. You’re the rope!
“Let go of me already. There’s a lunatic loose in Mystashan, and I’m not sure what he’s going to do.”
“A lunatic you say?” The Slugs released their grip and dropped to the ground.
“Yes, he’s out of his mind. His name is Finn. Finn Montgomery. He killed my Gramma Rose.” Sadie grabbed the tree for support as the realization hit her with fresh feeling.
Rose’s and Finn’s names whispered through the Slugs. Their lights went dark.
“Don’t go back to sleep. I need you!” Sadie gained her footing once more. “I need your help.”
Their lights flickered back on. They lowered their tiny heads. “We know where he’s going.”
“You do? Where?”
“To find Thelonious. Finn lived in Mystashan for a short while when he was a boy and didn’t leave on the best of terms. In fact they weren’t his terms at all. What can we do?”
“We need to think of a way to find Thelo and stay under Finn’s radar.”
The Slugs gave a collective shrug—well, as much of a shrug as vines can give.
Sadie kicked at a tuft of grass at her feet. The tender roots broke free, revealing the rich dirt below. Dirt!
“I’ve got it…the tunnels! Lead the way.”
The Slugs’ lights dimmed. “We’d rather not get involved. This isn’t our fight.”
Sadie knelt. “Don’t you see? It’s everyone’s fight. We’re talking about your home.”
The Slugs murmured; it went on and on. “Just for the record, we’re not sure that you know what you’re doing, but we’ll show you where to go.”