Wolf looked at the grayed hair and the dark circles under Walt’s eyes. His heart made a lurch at what was to come—sooner than anyone expected. Lips forced into a smile, he sat in a chair next to the ailing man. “That’s probably it, boss. Where is everyone?”
Walt waved a hand toward the shoreline. “I think the girls have probably gone fishing or are taking an afternoon nap. I don’t know. Been up here for a couple of hours. No one disturbs me.” He gave Wolf a pointed look with the last words. If Wolf traveled to see him, it must be important. “What can I do for you?”
“Can’t I just come by to say hello?”
Walt’s chuckle was cut short by a racking cough. “Well, if we were back in California, I’d say yes.” He indicated British Columbia with a tilt of his chin. “We’re a long ways from home.”
“Never could pull one over on you.”
As his boss studied Wolf’s security uniform and the differences in what was currently being worn in Disneyland, he knew this was a business trip from the future.
“I have a favor to ask of you, Walt. You remember the boy, Peter, the one who climbed the mast of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship to retrieve that one clue?”
At the memory of the young boy up in the rigging, Walt grimaced. “Yeah. I guess I never figured a young one would find my hidden clues. I remember the look of fear on his mom’s face. I’m going make sure the coming clues aren’t so dangerous.” He glanced at Wolf’s passive face and gave a laugh. “But, you know that already, don’t you?”
Wolf could only shrug. “Yeah. I know you’ll also remember that Peter’s the grandson of your right-hand-man.” At Walt’s nod, he continued. “Well, Peter is only thirteen right now, but I think he’ll continue his grandfather’s legacy as a Guardian. He’s done really well with the quests he’s found, and is pretty keen on the subject.”
“I see the word ‘but’ written all over your face.”
Wolf nodded. “Something happened that none of us could’ve foreseen and it has made Peter a little gun-shy.”
“Anything you care to share, or can share? I keep asking and you usually don’t tell me much.”
Wolf looked out in the distance. They were anchored in a lovely spot. “It had to do with a special, um, artifact you put into place, something unexpected. It’s changed hands quite a few times and caused some problems.”
A worried frown spread over Walt’s face as he glanced over at the ladder that lead up to his little hideaway. None of his family was in sight, and he couldn’t hear anyone talking. Knowing no one else would see it, he reached into the pocket of his slacks and pulled out the heart-shaped red diamond Hidden Mickey pendant. As the sun hit the stone, a rainbow of facets spun and danced over every surface. Still mesmerized by the mysterious piece of jewelry he had received in 1940, Walt reluctantly tore his eyes from it and turned back to Wolf. “You don’t seem surprised to see this.”
“I know what you’re planning to do with it.”
Walt stared at him for a moment longer, his arm dropping from the strain of holding it upright. “Yes, I suppose you would.” He looked at the pendant in his lap, the diamond now hidden in folds of his pants. The familiar Mickey-shaped gold work that held the stone in place was almost too bright in the sunlight. His fingers hovered over the stone, knowing what would happen if he touched it again. But, he was just too tired right then to see whatever the stone would show him and his hand dropped listlessly to the side. “Do you believe in destiny, Wolf?”
The question surprised him. He should have realized that he never could guess what his boss would say next. “No, not really, Walt. I think things happen because of the choices we make.” When he thought about his ability to travel through time, he added, “And, sometimes, the choices that others make for us.”
“Same here.” Walt lifted the necklace a few inches off his lap, the diamond spinning back and forth at the end of the fine gold chain. “Some of the things this diamond showed me when I touched it were wonderful. It gave me hope to continue when things looked the bleakest. It showed me things that would happen in the future—probably some of it in your time—that gave me great pleasure.” His mind turned from the visions of Disneyland to a hidden cavern deep beneath Pirates of the Caribbean. “And some of the things it showed me will never happen. I’ll make sure they don’t happen.” At Wolf’s understanding nod, he continued. “Some things I saw didn’t make sense to me, but I have confidence that you—and the other Guardians—will make the best decisions. Some things that were shown made a lot of sense, like the treasure hunt.” He patted a thick manila envelope on top of a pile of scripts. “You know what this is, obviously.”
“Two good friends of mine will find it. They’ll do you proud.”
Walt studied him a moment. After a cough left him winded, he laid his head back on the lounge. “After what you just told me, I’m worried about this pendant. I never wanted to cause anyone distress. You know that.”
“We all know that, Walt.”
Visibly relieved to hear that, Walt relaxed his tense posture. “Good. Wolf, I know you came here for a favor, but I’m going to ask one of you first.”
“Anything, boss.”
“Take this diamond back to Merlin.”
His mouth slightly open, Wolf couldn’t reply right away. “But, Walt….”
“Don’t ‘but, Walt’ me, son. I don’t mean right now. When the time is right, when its use is over, then take it away. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. You, better than anyone, will know exactly when to do it.” He studied the look on Wolf’s face but couldn’t read it. “Will you promise?”
Wolf snapped his mouth shut. Perhaps it would be for the best. He nodded his promise.
“Good man. I can always count on you.” The pendant was carefully returned to his pocket. “Now that we have been sufficiently distracted, what did you need from me? What about Peter?”
Wolf looked at the loved face, now covered with deep lines. I’m going to miss you, Walt. “You always did have a good memory. I was hoping you could do something special just for Peter. I’d like him to have his own, personal Hidden Mickey treasure hunt that will seal him as a Guardian. He’s too young right now, but he’s growing fast. Could you do that for me?”
Walt glanced at the yellow envelope. “Won’t that one do?”
“No, it’s good the way it is. It starts a wonderful chain of events.”
Silent for a moment, grateful for the knowledge, Walt nodded. “Well, I’ll be back home in another week. Can you give me a month? Anything specific you want in it?”
“No, you know what to do.” Wolf put a hand on the manila envelope. “You know exactly what to do.”
Walt gave him a big smile. “Yeah, I think this one’s pretty good, too. Been working on it for a lot of years.” He put his head back as he thought, but turned to face Wolf. “Are you sure you can’t give me any details? What to use and what not to use?”
“I can’t tell you that, Walt. Just pick what you think will last forever.”
“I like the sound of that. Forever! Well, that pretty much includes the whole Park. Nothing changes!”
“’Disneyland will never be completed, as long as there is imagination left in the world’”
Walt made a sour face. “I hate it when you quote me. I said it will never be complete. That doesn’t mean anything has to be taken away.”
“Oh? Let’s see?” Wolf made a show of thinking back and then he started to count off on his fingers. “Phantom Boats. The Viewliner. Wizard of Bras. Hall of Chemistry. The Conestoga Wagons. Flying Saucers.”
“Okay, okay.” Walt held up a hand in defeat. “I get your point. Don’t worry. Peter will have the time of his life!” Walt struggled to his feet and walked over to the handrail to lean heavily against it. “Are you going now? You could stay for dinner, you know.”
“I don’t want to interrupt your family vacation.”
“You are family, Wolf.”
Wolf looked at Walt and
held out his hand. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
Walt looked at the hand and, instead, pulled Wolf in for a hug. They had never hugged before, but it just felt right. When he felt, rather than hear, Wolf’s breath catch, he patted his friend’s back. “You’re a good man, Wolf. I’m lucky to have known you.”
Wolf pulled away so he could look into Walt’s eyes. There was a sadness there, and an understanding. With a silent nod, Wolf vanished from sight.
Disneyland – Current Day
Sitting on the edge of the Friendly Village, Wolf’s feet were only inches from the gently lapping, green water. The emergency canoe that docked below the Hungry Bear Restaurant had been ‘borrowed’ and he had paddled over to the well-known break in the trees. Behind him, the voice of the Shaman could be heard as he told his tale to the seated warriors. Lights around the camp flickered as they lit the familiar scene.
But Wolf wasn’t there for reflection on his family. He was there for the solitude to reflect on his last visit with Walt. The end had come quickly for one of the most famous men in the world. And the world had mourned his death.
No one mourned more than Wolf. Even now, decades later, he still missed his mentor, his boss, his friend.
He felt alone.
Wolf knew he had good friends. There was Lance and Kimberly, Peter, Adam and Beth. Catie had won a special place in his heart with her kind spirit and loving heart. He knew he could always count on his good buddy Wals. There were others, too, but, they were friends. Not family.
Walt had almost felt like a father to him. Sure, he could visit his real father any time he wanted to travel back to their village. But, now, in the darkness of the night, he sat there all alone. No one waited for him to come home.
The opportunity had been there—was still there—to go back and alter his past by saving his mother. What would it have been like if he hadn’t received his powers but had lived on as a normal human? Marriage to one of the village girls would have been assured. A wife. Children. Growing old together. Grandchildren. Dying together.
But he just couldn’t do it. Had he been selfish? He asked himself that question over and over. Was it selfish to want to keep the life—lonely as it was—that he had created for himself in the now? Would it always be lonely? He had to keep holding onto the hope that it wouldn’t always be this way. There was the wonder, the hope that perhaps….
No, she’s been gone for a long time. But his memory of her was still sharp. What did that mean? Was she still out there somewhere or did she go back to save her mother? Why do I still remember her?And, why can’t I find her anywhere? Where else could I possibly search, and how?
Letting out an uncharacteristic sigh, he shook his head slowly side to side. Good thing Lance wasn’t around. I’d never hear the end of it if he caught me mooning over someone. At the thought of his sarcastic friend, Wolf gave a low chuckle.
“My, aren’t we all over the place? First you give a wistful sigh. And then you laugh at your own joke. Care to share with the class?”
Wolf sprang to his feet and wheeled around, surprise and happiness mixed on his face. “Omah!”
“Well, at least your eyesight is still good.”
His arms reached out for her, but, then, suddenly dropped to his side. The broad grin on his face began to fade. Why was she here? What did it mean? “I’m glad to see you.”
When she saw his welcoming gesture abruptly end, she began to doubt of the wisdom of her return. His words, though, seemed to be what she needed to hear. The wary look on her face turned into one of cautious joy. Not sure what to do next, she licked her dry lips. “I…I couldn’t do it, Wolf. I couldn’t go back and save my mother. I didn’t want….”
Wolf took a step closer. He could see the unshed tears in her blue eyes as they shimmered in the moonlight. “You didn’t want to what?”
One side of her lips turned up in a small grin. “I’ve never heard you speak softly like that, Wolf. I like it. I couldn’t take the chance that…I’d never see you again.” She took one step closer.
“Me, either.” Wolf held his arms out again.
Omah didn’t even hesitate as she rushed into his embrace.
Before he kissed her, before they sealed their futures, Wolf looked deep into her eyes. “We don’t age, you and I. You know this means forever.”
“I do.”
Arm in arm, heads together, they quietly chatted about their future together. Wolf told Omah what Nimue/the Evil Fairy had done to them and what she had tried to do to Peter. Her plans completely ruined, she had gone back to her own time to wait and plot and scheme.
Deep in his heart, Wolf knew she would be back someday. His mind still churned with unanswered questions. Had he done enough? Could he have done anything else?
“What are you thinking? You look a million miles away. Are you thinking about me?”
“I was just thinking about Nimue.”
The coy, womanly look fell. “Oh.”
“I always wanted revenge for what she did to me all those years ago, how she put me under her spell and stripped everything from me.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “It took a long time to recover my health and…my dignity. And, now we know what she did to our mothers and why,” he added, as Omah leaned back against his arm.
“I think we got the best revenge of all, Wolf. I can’t think of anything else that would make her more miserable.”
Wolf leaned away from her to look into her face. Her smile was smug and assured. “What do you mean? She didn’t get the pendant, and she’s still alive.”
Omah didn’t know what he meant by a pendant. Wolf hadn’t told her that part of the story yet. That explanation could wait for a later time. “Oh, I think we both came out on top.”
“Explain.”
Omah cuddled into his warm side. She knew they would be together from this moment forward. “Sometimes love is the best revenge of all.”
-THE END-
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About the Author
Nancy Temple Rodrigue
Nancy lives in the small town of Lompoc, California.
Her work shows her admiration and respect for the man who started it all–Walt Disney. Her love of all things Disney was shown in her first four Hidden Mickey novels. This Hidden Mickey Adventures series features even more action-adventure Mystery starring Wolf and the next generation of clue-solvers.
Hidden Mickey Adventures 1: Peter and the Wolf, Hidden Mickey Adventures 2: Peter and the Missing Mansion, and Hidden Mickey Adventures 3: The Mermaid’s Tale were written for all her readers to enjoy–Adults, Teens & Tweens (9 to 90), and Hidden Mickey Adventures 4: Revenge of the Wolf continues the adventure.
See your favorite Disney Parks in a whole new way with Nancy’s Hidden Mickey Quests series. Designed to be played inside the Parks, these games and quests take readers on a new, exciting journey.
Nancy actively holds book signing and speaking events. Visit blog.hiddenmickeybook.com to follow the author’s blog and learn the locations and dates of her book signing events.
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