by carl ashmore
But Becky didn’t feel it. Every bit of her was numb with fear. She wanted to die now. And she wanted it to be quick. But then, suddenly, a strangely familiar feeling swept through her; a sensation she’d had twice before. The top of her skull felt like it had been dipped in water. Swiftly, the watery sensation spread into her eyes, before moving down, filling every inch of her body. Then her eyes shot open - white, blank, emotionless eyes. She didn’t look like Becky anymore.
Chapman stared at her, shocked. ‘What the –’
‘GET AWAY FROM ME!’ Becky roared.
Then, as if seized by the throat by invisible hands, Chapman was hoisted into the air. He dropped the scalpel. Choking, kicking wildly, he was hurled powerfully against the far wall; wood, glass, pottery shattered under his weight. His body slumped down the wall, still conscious, but in a deep state of shock. Confused, he scrambled to his feet. Then he spied the scalpel. Picking it up, he glanced fearfully at Becky and said, ‘W - what are you?’
Then another voice filled the kitchen. ‘She’s my niece…’
Uncle Percy’s fist smashed into Chapman’s jaw, pitching him headfirst into the wall again. This time, he was unconscious before he hit the floor. Frowning, Uncle Percy massaged his knuckles. ‘Thumping people really does hurt,’ he muttered.
At once, Becky’s eyes returned to their normal colour. Swiftly, Uncle Percy grabbed up the scalpel and cut through her binds.
Slightly dazed, as though just waking from a deep sleep, Becky launched herself into Uncle Percy’s arms.
‘Thank God,’ Uncle Percy said, his voice quivering. ‘I – I …’ He couldn’t finish the sentence.
Becky trembled uncontrollably. ‘Uncle Percy, it’s happened again. Remember outside the Red Caves, when the Golden Fleece flew through the air and came to me, and we all thought in some way, it had chosen me. Well, I don’t think it did ... I think I made it happen… I think I can move things, move them with my mind. What’s it called when you can do that?’
Uncle Percy hesitated. ‘Telekinesis.’
‘That’s it,’ Becky replied. ‘Telekinesis. Well, that’s me. I’m telekinetic. Just before you got here, I threw Chapman against that wall without even touching him.’
Uncle Percy inhaled, but didn’t respond.
‘You don’t believe me, do you?’
‘I believe every word you ever tell me, Becky.’ He thought for a moment. ‘However, I think this is a matter for a future discussion, we do, after all, have a certain Jack the Ripper to deal with.’
Becky nodded, but then something else occurred to her. ‘How did you know where and when to look for me?’
‘I remembered your little turn this morning, and the curious damage we saw in this very kitchen. I was also aware that Chapman’s Portravella was too small to be anything other than a very short-range device. I put two and two together and fortunately, I was right… which reminds me…’ He bent down, detached Chapman’s watch, and stamped on it. ‘No more travelling for you, George.’ Then he dragged Chapman’s limp body over. ‘Well, maybe one more trip…’
‘What are you doing?’ Becky asked.
‘I think it’s time Mister George Chapman paid for his horrendous crimes against humanity, don’t you?’
‘You’re not going to kill him, are you?’ Becky replied, shocked.
‘We don’t kill people, Becky. We’re the good guys….’ Uncle Percy delved beneath his shirt and pressed something on the Tracker pack. His chest gleamed white as electrical charge crisscrossed his Portravella. ‘Take my hand…’
Confused, Becky complied, and watched as Uncle Percy grasped Chapman’s ankle. A second later, the three of them were encased in a shimmering globe of fizzing blue and white light. And then they disappeared.
*
A moment later, Becky found herself staring at a familiar, but completely unexpected landscape. Her mouth fell open. Glancing round, she saw a beautiful stretch of silvery white sand and a thick wall of palm trees that merged into a cloudless sapphire sky. Then her eyes were drawn directly above. With a piercing screech, an enormous winged creature soared overhead, its colossal leathery wings flapping in a consistent rhythm, making a deep whooshing sound.
‘Ah, a Pterodactyl,’ Uncle Percy noted. ‘Very common in the late Jurassic era. Becky, can I assume that you remember this place?’
Becky grinned. ‘London. One hundred and sixty two million years ago.’
‘That’s correct,’ Uncle Percy replied, looking over at the unconscious Chapman. ‘Unlike George here, my Portravella can hold considerably more Gerathnium than his, which means it can travel the same distance as any well-stocked time machine.’
‘But this isn’t the same place as last time though, is it?
‘Er, no,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Last time we parked at what would be Piccadilly in the twenty first century. We’re about three and a half miles from there at the moment. Any ideas where?’
‘No.’
‘Shall we see if George recognises it?’ Uncle Percy marched over to Chapman and kicked him firmly in the ribs. ‘Wake up, George!’
Chapman groaned. ‘W-where am I?’
‘You don’t know it then?’ Uncle Percy said coolly. ‘I am surprised. George, this is your old stomping ground - this is Whitechapel, the scene of some of your most despicable acts.’
Chapman looked disorientated and rubbed his eyes. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Well, you wouldn’t, would you?’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Anyway, I thought I’d leave you here; it’s rather pretty, isn’t it? Much more tranquil than you deserve.’ He pulled out Chapman’s scalpel and threw it on the sand; it landed with a soft thump. ‘Here, you can have your little toy back. You never know, it might come in handy for gathering food, building a shelter, even, perhaps, for self-protection. I mean, you never know what you might find lurking round here.’
Fear flashed in Chapman’s eyes. ‘W-when am I?’
Uncle Percy stared at him with disdain. ‘A time when you can never hurt anyone, ever again.’ He inputted something into his Portravella. ‘Becky, shall we depart?’
Becky nodded. ‘Absolutely.’
Uncle Percy held Becky’s hand as twisting branches of light enfolded them. ‘Any last words for Mister Chapman, Becky?’
Becky grinned. ‘Say hello to Harold for me, will you?’
- Chapter 33 -
The Maritime Mausoleum
Becky and Uncle Percy reappeared on Mary Island to be greeted by a mass of dumbstruck stares and gaping mouths. The crew were still evidently struggling with the idea of people disappearing and reappearing at will. Becky’s gaze shifted downwards to see the Associates huddled in a circle on the ground, bruised and bleeding, hands bound, defeated. Scowling, Doublehook was pinned to a rubber tree, his hooks driven firmly into its trunk. Then, from the side, she saw someone step nervously towards her.
‘You’re okay?’ Joe asked as if he couldn’t quite believe his own words.
Becky saw Joe’s eyes were puffy and red.
‘Course,’ Becky said. ‘Have you been blarting?’
‘No,’ Joe lied, mopping his eyes. ‘But shoot me if I was getting a bit worried about you. I mean, you were abducted by Jack the Ripper.’
‘No biggie,’ Becky replied.
‘So what happened? Where is he?’
‘Right about now, I reckon he’s having lunch with Harold in Jurassic London. Better still, he might be lunch.’
Joe looked impressed. ‘You fed him to a Megalosaurus? Excellent.’
‘Not exactly,’ Becky replied. ‘But hopefully it won’t be too long before -’ Suddenly, an explosion of light erupted behind Joe’s shoulder, replaced by a loud popping sound. Panic rushed through her. Pandora’s Box had gone. Fortunately, Will’s voice calmed her at once.
‘Worry not, miss, your uncle has left to assist Bruce, to lay his friend to rest, and take Pandora’s Box to - ’
Before he finished the sentence, a loud crack heralded Uncle Perc
y’s return. Clean-shaven and grinning from ear to ear, he was wearing a cream linen jacket, white shirt and tie, combat shorts, leather sandals and was holding three large black bags.
‘Phew, haven’t I been busy?’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Reg has finally been reunited with Mabel, and I am delighted to say that Bruce is alive and well. He did lose a bit of blood, but he’s had treatment and is now recuperating nicely in the most wonderful hospital in Bristol, and – ’ His smile morphed into a chuckle, which soon became a laugh. ‘Well, you wouldn’t believe it … it’s so precious, it really is.’ Then he turned to the pirates and did a strange thing: he bowed deeply and said, ‘Bravo, Gentlemen. Bravo!’
Everyone looked at him as though he’d lost his mind.
‘What’re ye speakin’ about, Halifax?’ One Toe Tom asked, confused.
‘Have yer been on the grog, son?’ Will Turnip asked.
‘Actually, no, Will,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘I’m just in a strange mood.’
‘So where’s Pandora’s Box now?’ Joe asked.
Uncle Percy composed himself. ‘I’ll show you soon, Joe. Meanwhile, I’ve brought some clothes for each of you so you might want to change for our return trip to the twenty first century.’ He threw a bag to Becky, Joe and finally Will, and the three of them left to get changed, returning a short while later to find that Uncle Percy had summoned Beryl. Then he approached Blind Hugh.
‘Hugh, what can I say? Thank you and your shipmates so much, for everything. Your rescue was - well, it was timed to perfection. I really don’t know what we’d have done without you all.’
‘Aye…’ Blind Hugh gave a toothless smile. “I ‘ave ter say I wish I could’ve seen it with me own eyes, but I’m guessin’ me buckos did me proud.’
‘They certainly did,’ Uncle Percy replied, before turning to the crew. ‘And, as I promised, you are now all exceedingly rich men.’ He gestured to the tunnel entrance. ‘If you take that path into a sea cave, you’ll find a second tunnel. In there, you’ll find three caves overflowing with more wealth than any man could spend in a hundred lifetimes. There’s also a ship moored down there, The Winchester Man, that would certainly benefit from a new crew.’
Celebratory shouts rang out, as the pirates jumped up and down, danced jigs, hooted loudly, and then broke into a loud, vigorous rendition of ‘The grand Black Head.’ Amidst the jubilant faces, there were two that weren’t smiling - Blind Hugh and Jim.
Uncle Percy placed his hand on Blind Hugh’s shoulder. ‘I’m assuming that now you’re all rich men, you’ll want Jim to stay with you?’
‘Then ye assume wrong, Mister Halifax,’ Blind Hugh replied sadly. ‘Jim is too good fer this life, and the richer we be, the more chance they’ll be scallywags wantin’ a slice of it. Jim, as a rich gentleman, is in more danger than he is as a humble powder monkey. No, Mister Halifax, we still be requirin’ that you take the boy. Take the boy and show him a proper, decent life.’
Jim tried desperately to hold back the tears. ‘But Mister Livesy -’
Blind Hugh knelt down, his fingers gently stroking Jim’s cheek. ‘I’m sorry, boy. But surely yer must understand … me and the rest o’ these salts will be dead soon enough. And who’ll protect ye then from the bilge rats that’d slit yer throat for a single doubloon, never mind a fortune. We’re doin’ this because we love ya, boy… I love ya… I love ya with every beat of me old heart.’
Uncle Percy gave a strange smile. ‘I respect what you’re saying, Hugh. However, I don’t think it’s fair on Jim if -’
‘Hang right there,’ Blind Hugh cut in angrily. ‘We had a deal, Mister Halifax. If yer about ter tell me that – ’
‘If you’d let me finish,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘I was going to say that I don’t think it’s fair for Jim to make the journey alone. I’d like you to come, too. I’ve already set up lodgings for you both at a wonderful house with a splendid lady, a place I know that Jim can grow up well loved, well educated and comfortable for the rest of his days.’
Blind Hugh’s lip trembled. ‘I can come, too? I get ter go ter the future?’
‘A hundred and thirty eight years into the future. What do you say?’
Blind Hugh’s face exploded with joy. ‘Yes, sir… a thousand times, yes…’
‘Good,’ Uncle Percy replied. He leaned towards Becky and Joe and lowered his voice so only they could hear. ‘To be quite honest, I knew he’d say that.’
Blind Hugh was too thrilled to notice. He turned to the other pirates and roared, ‘I’ll be voyagin’ to the future, me boys. The ultimate voyage!’ Then he wrenched Jim close, and the two of them remained locked in each other’s arms for an age, beaming, as loud, boisterous cheers surrounded them.
Becky, Joe, Uncle Percy and Will watched as Blind Hugh and Jim were inundated with messages of luck and support as the crew bade their farewells.
‘So what will happen to them?’ Becky asked, looking at Blind Hugh and Jim.
‘They’re going to live at 16 Heriot Row, Edinburgh, in 1857, with a lady called Hilary Chambers, the widow of a time traveller friend of mine. She moved there after her husband died. The thing is, she and her late-husband, Arthur, always wanted children but couldn’t have them. She was delighted when I told her about our situation and insisted that Hugh and Jim come live with her…’
A short while later, a very nervous Blind Hugh and Jim trailed Becky and Joe into the time machine. Will sat with Uncle Percy up front. Becky watched as Blind Hugh’s fingers probed every inch of the taxi’s interior, his face igniting with child-like wonder at the new materials, textures and smells in his reach. She thought he already looked ten years younger.
Uncle Percy rolled down Beryl’s window. ‘Oh, and one last thing, gentlemen, after you’ve collected the treasure, would you be so kind as to go to that cabin over there?’ He pointed in the direction of Blackbeard’s Hut. ‘There’s a little parrot with a penchant for rum that would make a fine mascot for your next ship.’
Short Jack Copper chuckled. ‘Consider it done, matey. I’ve always wanted a parrot for me shoulder.’
Uncle Percy smiled, and inputted the new coordinates into the time panel. Jim’s hand tightened anxiously around Blind Hugh’s. Then the time machine shuddered slightly, as streams of blue and white light spilled from the dashboard.
‘Tell me what it looks like, boy,’ Blind Hugh said to Jim.
Jim watched spellbound as the light twirled and looped before his very eyes. ‘It be like shooting stars, Mister Livesy, sir,’ Jim panted. ‘It be like flying through a night sky filled with shooting stars.’
Becky couldn’t have put it better herself.
*
Beryl materialized on a long street of large grey stone terraced houses. Facing south, they overlooked a large park, its borders guarded by trees and tangled hedges. A thick, dewy fog had settled all around, hiding the sky and giving the scene an eerie, otherworldly air.
‘So when is this?’ Becky asked.
‘3.30am, December 1st 1857,’ Uncle Percy replied. He leapt out, opened the rear doors and pointed at the adjacent house. ‘Hugh, Jim, welcome to your new home.’
Jim helped Blind Hugh from his seat and on to the street. Then he looked up at the house and his eyes bulged with astonishment. ‘And this be where we’ll live?’
‘That’s right, Jim,’ Uncle Percy said.
‘I ain’t ever seen anywhere so grand,’ Jim added quietly, as Blind Hugh’s arm curled around his shoulder.
Uncle Percy smiled. ‘Now, Hugh, you’ll be staying with Hilary, an old friend of mine, for as long as you want, and I have established a bank account that will give you a very handsome income should you wish to move, although I don’t think you will.’ He cast Becky a very curious look. ‘Anyway, we must be going soon so I think it’s about time you met Hilary, don’t you?’
Becky, Joe and Will said their goodbyes and watched as Uncle Percy helped Blind Hugh and Jim up the dozen or so steps to a large front door, which he rapped twice. From with
in, a light flickered to life and the door opened to reveal a tall, attractive woman of about sixty years of age. Wearing a broad, kindly smile, Hilary Chambers gave Jim and Blind Hugh a welcoming hug before ushering them into the hall. Then she turned and whispered something in Uncle Percy’s ear, pointing to the house next door. Together, they began to laugh. Uncle Percy was still laughing when he returned to the time machine.
Becky looked baffled. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘Oh, it really is amazing. I just didn’t see it coming.’
‘What’s amazing?’ Becky asked impatiently.
‘Well, throughout our trip, I’ve noticed curious parallels with a certain adventure story about pirates. The most famous pirate story of them all, as a matter of that.’
‘You mean Treasure Island?’ Joe asked.
‘I do indeed, Joe, yes,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘I mean we’ve had Blind Hugh instead of Blind Pew, Short Jack Copper instead of Long John Silver, Mister Flint instead of Captain Flint. There have been plenty of these little coincidences.’
‘So?’ Becky asked, intrigued.
‘So, Hilary has just informed me that Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island lives just next door at number 17. He’s only a young boy at the moment, but apparently Hilary has been invited to dinner at the Stevenson’s house tomorrow night. What’s the betting that our Jim and young Robert become good friends?’
Soon, they were all laughing, too.
‘So Treasure Island happened because of us?’ Joe asked.
‘It happened because Robert grows up to be a truly gifted writer with a remarkable imagination, but I think we can take a modicum of credit, don’t you? Anyway, would you like to see where I’ve buried Pandora’s Box? As luck would have it, we can visit Bruce at the same time. He’s been there for three weeks now and is feeling much better.’
‘Yes, please,’ Becky and Joe said at the same time.
Uncle Percy smiled widely. ‘If you think the Treasure Island connection was unexpected. You just wait until you see this …’
*
Beryl reappeared in a dark, deserted alleyway, flanked on both sides by gigantic walls. Everyone clambered out quickly and Uncle Percy triggered Beryl’s invisiblator. Then he moved towards the passage's entrance and the gardens beyond.