by Andrea Engel
“I’m not sure either, but I’m one hundred percent committed, and if you join me, together we can figure this out.”
Tink.
Sadie reached into the left pocket of her hoodie as she felt the new weight. She closed her eyes for a second then held the stone up to the Slugs’ glow. The stone read, LEADERSHIP.
“We have to hurry,” Sadie urged. “Let’s go.”
The Slugs led the way to the mouth of the tunnels. They slithered across the ground, their light illuminating the opening. Once they were inside a short distance, the tunnel split in three directions.
Just when a Habnaw’s assistance would have been useful, there wasn’t one in sight. “Which way, Slugs? Do you know which one to take?”
“No, we’ve never been down here before. Should we split up?”
Sadie considered her choices. “I think we need to stick together. There’s power in numbers.” A subtle scent of rose wafted from the middle passage. “Let’s go through the middle one.”
We’ll follow you, Sadie, but what will we do once we get there?
“I don’t know, but something tells me we’ll know when it’s time. Wait a minute! You can communicate telepathically like Banyan and Thelo?”
We can hear each other, and of course you’re so loud, it’s impossible not to hear you.
Really? You’re going to go there? Sadie shook her head.
Sadie reached out to Thelo. Thelo! Finn’s loose in Mystashan. Be careful. He’s already attacked Banyan, who’s badly hurt. I’m going to try to find you via the tunnels.
They continued deeper into Mystashan until they hit another split and then another. Each time, Sadie let her nose guide her and followed the scent of roses. It led to an unfinished stone wall they couldn’t traverse. “This can’t be happening.” I’m so frustrated. She shook her head as if to clear it. We can’t give up. “We have to get to Thelo!”
“You think on that while we rest. This spelunking is more than we bargained for!”
Sadie fought to keep her anger down. “Can’t you see? If you don’t help me figure this out, Thelo is going to die, and so could everyone else. Mystashan would be lost forever.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY
The Main Event
Kill him, Finn. I hope you find your new power helpful.
This voice was crystal clear in his mind. He searched the crowd, looking for the one who had spoken. The owner of the familiar voice was here with him—recognition immediately coursed through him. I did find it a pleasant surprise, Finn replied. Thank you. They made eye contact for a second before his attention turned back to his prey.
The message further energized Finn. He punched Thelonious repeatedly, taking his lifetime of pain and anger out on the mighty creature. Jab after jab. Painful punches, kicks, and elbows. One after the other. Finn’s hands were unstoppable. They needed no rest. Paying little attention to the blood dripping from his fists, he reveled in the sound of bones crunching.
Thelonious’s saliva and blood stained the front of Finn’s shirt as he continued to pummel him with first right, then left fists. He paused and wiped his knuckles across his chest, leaving a streak of dark-red blood.
“You’re pathetic. You won’t even fight back.”
Thelonious moaned softly and lifted his hands to his face. Tiny lightning beams sparked from them to the affected parts of his body.
“Go ahead…heal yourself. I can do this again and again, all day long.” He wrapped the fingers of his right hand around Thelonious’s throat and raised his right fist, ready to launch the next round of blows.
A whisper rose in the crowd, and they collectively inched forward. Finn turned on them, glaring. His squinting eyes blazing with insanity, his voice boomed deeper than before. “Don’t even think about it.”
Still holding Thelonious by the neck, he raised his left palm and used the power of his rage to push the crowd back.
They couldn’t budge; their feet were stuck in place. He watched as they tried.
This day keeps getting better and better.
Finn’s deranged grin increased in size. He looked down at Thelonious, who lingered on the edge of consciousness.
“Why aren’t you defending yourself? Not even one punch, beast? Is the fight out of you already? You know you deserve this. Is that why you’re letting me beat the life out of you? Maybe the time has come for me to kill you at last.”
Finn freed up his leg sheath and pulled out the knife. It hypnotized him for a moment. This wasn’t how it looked on earth.
Here it wasn’t simply an implement of destruction but an item of beauty in its own right.
“I bought this blade especially for you. Do you like it? It has a special point, one that I’ll be making shortly. Why is it special? Because it can dig rocks out of any surface. Like, say, diamonds out of the hide of a beast. Isn’t that exciting?”
Finn perused the glittering stones embedded in Thelonious, pausing at each one to estimate its weight and value. He smiled down at his quarry. Not only would he be a rich man, but also the fear he saw reflected in Thelonious’s eyes was a gem he would treasure for the rest of his life.
“I have to admit, beast, you’re even more stunning than I recalled. In all this painful madness you call Mystashan, after you tried to kill me and then cast me out, the one thing I’ve always remembered fondly is your treasure.”
“I’m sorry, Finn. Even now I wish I could reach you.” Thelonious’s voice was weak and thready.
“But you can’t, can you? Your arms are too damaged. Your words mean nothing. Know that I am going to enjoy this. Ready?” Finn stuck the tip into Thelonious’s hide. It resisted at first, but he called upon the new strength he needed for this task. He pushed the knife in deeper.
Thelonious recoiled, struggling to move away from the blade.
“Ah, now you try to flee? I thought you were the powerful Thelonious? You’re just a mouse. See this, everyone? Take note of your leader’s cowardice. He tries to escape me now.”
Thelonious managed to climb to his feet. He took several steps before collapsing to the floor.
“Oh, no, you don’t, mouse. Our game has just begun.” Finn knelt over him, his knees pinning Thelonious, making sure he couldn’t escape.
The knife soon found its mark, just under a bright transparent stone.
Screams of agony echoed through the Atrium. Most people looked away.
“Don’t miss the main event! Everyone must watch. It’s a wonderful show I’ve put on for you, called, Life Is Vengeance. It’s rude to turn away.” Finn motioned again with his left hand, and the residents’ heads swiveled to the scene before them. “That’s better. Isn’t this perfect? Wouldn’t you agree, mouse?”
Finn took his time excavating the rest of Thelonious’s diamonds. The smaller ones popped out easily. One by one they plunked into Finn’s pockets. One large diamond on his abdomen gave him trouble; he worked up a sweat even with his new power. The radiance of the stone’s multifaceted light transfixed him. They’ll be mine soon enough. I can’t let their spell distract me now. He dug in even deeper. When the jewel finally came out, a sucking reverberation resounded throughout the Atrium.
The assembled cries fueled Finn’s joy at Thelonious’s pain. Thelonious made no sound. The wounds seeped a multicolored muddiness, and many of the spectators closed their eyes. A brief electrical display lit the hall’s interior until all that was left was dark syrup. Thelonious’s fire was out.
With a menacing smile, Finn stood and faced the crowd. “Now for the rest of you.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
Step on Up
“Will you please wake up!” Sadie told the Slugs. “I can’t see a thing down here.”
A voice called out from farther down the tunnel. “Yeah. Wake up already. I hardly think sleeping on the job is the proper thing to do.”
“Who’s here? Who said that?” Sadie called out.
The bouncing light of a lantern approached as the voice grew cl
oser.
“It’s me, Mardin. Wake up, Slugs. Thelo needs us, and you’re wasting time.”
“What’s happened? How’s Thelo? Have you seen him?” asked Sadie.
Mardin looked concerned. “He’s the one who sent me. I hid in the Velluminator cave, so Finn was unaware of my presence. It’s best you see for yourself.” He lowered his voice. “Thelo couldn’t risk telling the Slugs about Finn’s arrival for fear their lights would give them away.”
“Hey! We heard that! What does that mean?” they asked in concert.
“Never mind. Just keep your lights low. Let’s get a move on before it’s too late.”
“Nice way to talk to us, Mardin. You always think you’re better than us,” grumbled the Slugs, but they moved forward.
Mardin didn’t answer. Instead he felt along the rock wall in front of them. Two-thirds of the way up, he pushed where granite met marble, and a section swung inward, revealing a secret tunnel.
Sadie reached out and touched his arm. “Are we going to make it in time?”
“There’s no telling, Sadie. We’re taking the most direct route, but prepare yourself for the worst.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
The Echo of Impact
Everyone did their best to be quiet, but to Sadie’s ears it was a cacophony of shhh. She whispered her entreaty to the near darkness. “Don’t you realize that with every shhh, there’s extra noise echoing in here?”
The Slugs singsonged in unison, “So how does a whole sentence rank on the Noise-o-Meter?”
“This is serious. Remember why we’re here. That’s it. Please. No more speaking.”
“Look who’s talking,” the Slugs whispered.
Sadie wasn’t sure her plea of silence would work, but to her astonishment, it did. They continued on a steady incline. The dirt turned soft going uphill, covering the sounds of their footsteps and other tracks. Up ahead a filtered light flickered through water, and they knew they were close.
A deep silence took hold of each heart. Sadie held an image of what the next moment might bring. I have to be ready, she reminded herself. The group came upon the Velluminator cave unnoticed, as the waterfall screen kept them invisible. Still, they were able to see out.
Sadie heard Finn’s sickening laughter before she glimpsed the ramifications of his unwanted arrival in Mystashan.
All this devastation. I can’t believe this is happening here. She was shocked to see the Atrium in complete disarray. Slugs, I can’t find Thelo. At the mention of Thelo’s name, the Slugs climbed on top of one another, extending themselves, and pointed directly at Finn.
“You see what I mean, Sadie?” asked Mardin.
Sadie couldn’t believe what she saw. Thelo, devoid of his jewels, with hollow bloody pits dotting his hide, lay viciously beaten in the middle of the Atrium floor.
“Sadie?” Mardin turned to face her and noticed her head shaking.
“He’s a monster. My uncle is a monster.” Tears fell. She closed her eyes and withdrew inside herself to let the shock of it loose. She shook her arms and legs to bring herself back.
The Slugs held a collective deep breath then parted the watery curtain to get a better look.
Slugs, can I count on you to have my back? Sadie looked at them, pleading for their cooperation with her eyes.
Yes, we’re with you. They yawned once in confirmation.
Sadie was about to respond when she heard it.
We know you’re here.
This came from behind them in the tunnel. Everyone stopped where they stood.
“Did you hear that?” Mardin’s forehead creased.
“I did.” Sadie replied. Slugs, keep your eyes on Finn. She felt their level of concern rise.
First there was a scraping sound, and then a bang echoed in the high-ceilinged space near the back of the cave.
Everything has been set in motion, you outdated fossils. You can’t stop him. We’ve already won.
Aware of the danger behind them now, she knew it was time to move ahead. She stepped out, and the second she emerged, Finn turned to face her.
“Who dares disturb my moment?”
Sadie’s courage faltered when she noticed that his eyes flashed scarlet, as though his pupils were on fire.
She looked past him to Thelo, who lay still. A fire built within her; her fury filled her heart.
She ran straight at Finn, extending her arms. Blue light pulsed from her palms, pushing Finn back half a dozen feet. Sadie put herself between Finn and the immobilized Thelo.
“Stay away from him!” she roared.
She bent forward to check on Thelo when Finn’s response hit her.
Her feet lifted off the ground, slamming her back into one of the Atrium’s stone columns, knocking the breath from her lungs. Everything went dark for a moment. Her eyes opened to see two Finn Montgomerys standing in front of her. Her head pounded. She struggled to breathe. Everything blurred. What happened?
“Who do you think you are? You can’t stop this. You’re going to die with the rest of them.” Finn stood a couple of feet away. His mouth hung open with viscous drippings at one corner. His eyes were way too wide.
Sadie looked over at Thelo. Slugs, where are you?
We’re in the Velluminator.
Distract him, directed Mardin.
She glared at Finn, who seemed pleased. All right, Slugs, she thought, be on your marks. Stay alert. She returned her attention to Thelo.
“You’re too late. He’s mine to do with as I please.”
“Are you enjoying yourself? When people are in pain?
“What people? I don’t see any people around here, except for your unfortunate self, and there are some who would debate whether you even fit that category.”
Finn snatched a young Habnaw from the paralyzed crowd. He held the boy up by one arm. “Like this, for example? Not a person.” Finn hurled the whimpering child against the pillar to his left. An awful crunching sound echoed throughout the Atrium.
No one could help the poor boy, though many struggled to do so. They couldn’t move; they were still under Finn’s hold.
Sadie’s hands curled into fists.
Sparkles of light rushed into the Atrium. The Silars had arrived, encapsulating the boy. These tiny beings carried the Habnaw high above the heads of the gathered crowd. With pained expressions, the onlookers watched as the boy’s tiny seeds of hair burst individually into flames. Soon his light burned out.
“There. Are you going to cry? Over that thing you call a person?”
Sadie feigned detachment. “Maybe I’ll cry or maybe I won’t. What’s it matter to you?”
She choked down the bile in her throat. I can’t allow him to hurt anyone else. I have to keep this fiend away from Thelo. I wish I knew what to do next.
Sadie stared at Finn while her main focus remained inward. On her heart, where Thelo and Banyan lived. On her muscles and how strong they were. On her brain, where a thunderstorm picked up speed.
“Well? What are you doing? Are you going to stand there and stare at me? Let’s see what you’ve got. I don’t have all day.”
Waiting for an inner answer, Sadie closed her eyes. The darkness inside grew lighter. Her crystals appeared in her mind’s eye. Each had a signature quality, like its own song. At once, all five emitted tones of variously pitched frequencies. She felt them filling her body, mind, and spirit with a reassuring energy. Patience, appreciation, accountability, cooperation, and leadership—all were present and singing their songs.
Sadie opened her eyes and calmly looked at the sneering Finn, whose face glowed with feverish excitement.
“I’ve waited years to be here, to exact my vengeance.” He kicked Thelo and laughed. “I have nearly everything I came for. Can you say the same?”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
Unconditional Conditions
Sadie studied Finn for a moment. She couldn’t believe there was anyone this evil. “Can I at least say good-bye to Thelo?”
Slugs, get ready.
Sadie turned to Thelo, dropping hard to her knees. “Thelo. Talk to me.” She waited for an answer, but none came. “Wake up. It’s me, Sadie. You have to wake up. Please.” Muddy tears streaked her face. “Wake up right now!”
Finn laughed. “‘Wake up…wake up and save us.’” He rolled his brilliant-red eyes. “I told you—you’re too late.”
Sadie ignored her uncle’s gloating while she assessed Thelo. His brilliance was gone. Where his magnificent jewels once shone, there were now small maroon pools of something sticky. As gently as she could, she cradled Thelo’s head.
She searched again for any vital signs, but all she heard was the silence of the night and occasionally Finn’s booming laughter.
“Thelo, wake up!” she begged. “This isn’t the way it’s supposed to happen. You can’t be dead.”
Finn’s falsetto voice mocked Sadie’s grief once again. “‘Oh, Thelo, you can’t be dead. It’s not possible. I need you!’ It’s about time you realized that you don’t need him. Now you can’t say your uncle never gave you any advice. Thelonious wasn’t there for me either when I thought I needed him. And look how well I turned out!”
Sadie’s tears dripped down onto Thelo’s face. “You can’t be gone…you just can’t,” she whispered.
Finn yanked her to her feet. “Enough! No amount of your bawling is going to bring him back.” He stared her down, but he was the one who blinked and turned away first. “I’m going to enjoy killing her immensely,” he announced to the crowd.
“Slugs! Now! Grab him!” Make sure his hands are bound.
Her outburst caught Finn off guard.
At Sadie’s command, the Slugs snapped into action, twisting and binding Finn’s hands tightly together behind his back. The Freanweas and Habnaws, now free of Finn’s paralyzing hold, encircled him, while the Slugs elegantly wove their strong emerald vines around and through his arms and legs, leaving him standing bound. Even with his newfound power, Finn was no match for their united strength and was subdued. He was now the immobilized one.