Kiian began to dissolve, falling to the ground with both legs dispersing on impact. What little remained reached out towards the twins. First, his hand began to perish, followed by his arm and shoulders. Within seconds, his entire existence was gone.
The floor Rose lay upon began to rumble. The Judge’s death was eroding the stone slabs like a black wave embracing the shore, taking everything within its path.
“Go… go!” screamed Lily.
Rose had already stood on her quivering legs, and now she forced her feet to move at pace. She fled through the arched door and mounted the steps their mother had taken.
Pillars, statues and stones disappeared. Rose poured every ounce of energy into every stride, though taking great care with each step; a fall could be enough to end their journey.
Through the doorway ahead, Rose was startled; perched on the windowsill, a grey parrot fluttered its feathers and flew outside. Rose hadn’t time for questions. She followed.
Whilst fleeing she glanced behind to see an uncontrollable force devouring the sector. The pace was relentless, taking the exterior stone path the twins had barely crossed. She looked ahead and saw a swarm of airborne Govern swirling like a brewing storm.
The parrot perched on a gargoyle, flashing its wings. “Rhaaaw! Rhaaaw!”
Rose ran towards the frantic bird, and knew exactly what to do. Through the maze of granite the parrot flew ahead, Rose chased with urgency, shifting direction in an instant through the jungle of rock: left, right, left, jumping, ducking through the unforgiving arrangement. She continued her pace, watching the parrot make quick turns to check her status.
Bella Air came into view, and Rose let out a yelp of relief. “Nearly there! Mum! I see her!”
Their mother leaned with both hands at the vessel’s bow. She began to beckon the girls, clapping her hands rapidly while tip toeing on the spot. “Quickly! Quickly!”
The twins departed the bridge and boarded the vessel. The parrot swooped down into the control chamber where their mother followed the twins. Rose pushed the lever into flight. The engines boomed and Bella Air soon lifted off the ground.
With precious seconds to spare, the rock that had supported the vessel faded to black as the force beneath rampaged on.
“Well done, sis,” said Lily, and sighed. “That was too close.”
“Yeah. We really did it this time, didn’t we?”
Their mother’s hands were shaking. She steadied herself by the door, watching her daughters in amazement.
Lily smiled at her. “We really did.”
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Let It Be
Rose activated autopilot, before she turned to notice her mother watching in admiration.
“I remember your visit,” said Violet. “Then nothing, until I woke and…”
“It’s okay, mum” said Rose, “we’re just happy we found you.”
The parrot flew into the living quarters. Curious, Rose followed, observing it land on top of the message screen. It began to peck at buttons with its beak, then waited, bopping its head.
“Could it be…” said Rose, beginning to ponder the unthinkable.
The screen displayed a sector location and number. A familiar sight and voice appeared. “What now?” said Pei. “I’m very busy, call back – Rose… Lily, are you okay?”
“Professor, it’s Brunel, he called you, but –”
“Whoa! Brunel called me? He knows my number?”
“But I think,” said Rose, “it might be…”
“Stanley?” said Lily, catching on, observing the parrot rapidly flaunt its feathers.
“Ohhh… ha-ha-ha,” chuckled Pei, “Stanley, a parrot? Ha-ha. Who’s a pretty boy, then – who’s a pretty boy.”
“The Transformo,” said Rose. “He must have used it. Pei, can we turn him back?”
“Ahhh… I see. Just a moment.” Pei searched the messy tabletop, wading through cutter and lifting Dribble Holly. “Gotcha! Now, listen very carefully. Ensure the dial on the Transformo is set to Reversal.”
Rose took hold of it and searched for the dial. “Done.”
“Enter the following digits: forty-six, fifty-one, sixty-six and eighty-three.”
“Done.”
“Now take aim, and pull trigger.”
Rose lined up the target in the device’s iron sight and squeezed the trigger. It fired a flash of bright light. The Transformo then emitted a declining buzz as the twins and Violet could hardly believe their eyes. Sitting on the floor was none other than Stanley Hopkins in all his velvet glory.
“Well done, girls! Well done!”
“Stanley!” the twins cried.
Rose dropped the Transformo onto the rocking chair and threw her arms around him, squeezing his neck and windpipe. He returned the affection, only gently.
“You two are amazing,” he said. “And well done, Pei. Even though you’re a housebound malfunction, I had my faith.”
“Remarkable…” said Violet.
Stanley stood up and held Rose by her shoulder. “Yes, quite. But we mustn’t let our guard down – not yet,” he said, eyeing the twins with warmth. “We could still be targeted.”
“All along, you were a parrot,” said Rose. “I thought you might have –” Her voice boarded on angry. “You should have told us.”
“I had no choice, the Govern cornered me. I had to act fast. And once transformed, I thought having feathers could be useful. Good disguise, don’t you think?”
Violet stepped towards him. “Without your help, I wouldn’t have made it, and neither would have my girls. Thank you.”
Stanley smiled, nodding. “That’s quite all right. I’m more than happy things turned out well for you – for all of us. Except…”
“Brunel,” uttered Rose.
“Yes,” he said. “Silly bird…”
“We buried him,” said Lily.
“I know.”
Violet reached out and took hold of Stanley’s hand. He appeared a little wary. “My girls mean everything to me. I can’t thank you enough.” Whether she had forgotten, or whether it was the excitement of the moment, she reached out towards Lily.
“Wait!” said Stanley. “We’re out in the open atmosphere. A touch may be all it takes.”
“Not now,” said Rose. “I’m not sure I’m ready – not yet.”
“We need more time,” said Lily.
Stanley nodded. “But we can’t leave it long. In any case, we must seek refuge.” He walked into the control chamber, then turned and glanced at the twins. “I know just the –”
Thud!
It dropped from the ceiling and reared its sleek, shiny black body. The Govern radar remained switched off as the twins’ nemesis rose from the ground.
“Stay back!” shouted Stanley, reaching out. “Stay still!”
The Govern stayed, appearing to think.
“Oh no… please no…” said Pei helplessly.
“Wait!” urged Stanley, spreading out his hands at the devourer. The Govern turned without urgency towards him. “Your orders are over. You hear? It’s over. Let us be, please.”
It fluttered its tentacles, breathing intensely. Then, relentless, it slid towards the twins.
Violet’s reaction was instinctive. She reached to protect her daughters, making contact with Rose, followed by her sister.
Lily’s face became denser; colour strengthened. She held out her hands in front as they materialised and became flesh-like.
Rose’s hands, however, faded. Her legs were next, then her torso. “Sis… I –”
Two words. That’s all she could say within the seconds of separation.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Forever L and R
Amongst the twigs, leaves and soil, Rose snapped open her eyes to glimpse the dark forest of Hampshire. “Lily!” she screamed, and glanced over her shoulder to find no sign of her.
As she stood with the moon lighting her face, her heart beating hard, she stared at the grand oak tree
and touched the bark with her fingertips. It was solid. “Lily?” she uttered, and dashed into stronger moonlight; still nothing.
Rose turned to face home and did the only thing she could think of – she ran. She raced down the winding path and over the small bridge. Soon, she passed the rotting tree house to reach her back garden.
Over the fence, abrupt shock stalled her: a disturbing sight glowed. She shook her head while walking towards red embers of a dying bonfire. Her head fell into her hands as her mind overflowed with utter confusion.
She ran to the porch. The door was locked, she remembered, and looked up. Rose climbed the guttering pipe and stepped upon the porch roof. Her window was ajar. She opened it, climbed in and saw that nothing had changed, but she felt like a visitor.
The moonlight beamed into the bedroom while Rose looked out at the forest. She remembered every detail: Lily, Mother, Stanley, Brunel, the Govern…
The Govern! The last vivid image of the approaching menace sent chills over her body. Without her, Lily was a regular spirit, she assumed, and not the conjoined powerhouse.
She began to rub herself warmer, then cupped her face as tears flowed. “It did happen, it did happen, it did happen,” she muttered, sniffling. “Can’t be have been a dream. It can’t have been a dream,” she continued.
Her thoughts turned to her father, sleeping peacefully in the adjacent room. She was tempted to wake him and see him again; and say what? Why would he believe her? Even Mary or Lynn wouldn’t believe her; especially when all the other spells hadn’t worked for them that very night.
Tickey ticked, displaying two forty-eight.
Rose leaned on the windowsill and rested her tormented head on her arms, remembering. She felt like crying, but no more tears were left. Her reminiscing only increased her questions, and the answers seemed to be another galaxy away.
She closed the window and crept towards her bed, then curled around Sophie and closed her eyes.
* * *
“Sweetheart! Time to get up!” shouted her father.
Rose awoke to a sudden realisation: she was dressed in her school uniform – then the rest.
She forced herself out of bed and began to walk. With each step taken, she almost turned back. The kitchen radio was heard while she descended the stairs, along with the sound of cupboards closing and the tings of teaspoons. Soon, she arrived to see her father.
“Morning, sleepy. What time – Rose… your uniform’s dirty.”
She looked at her father with sorrowful eyes and dashed towards him, wrapping her arms round his waist.
“Rose… what’s the matter? What’s wrong?”
“Sorry,” she muttered, weeping.
“Whatever for? Have you been out?”
She wouldn’t release her embrace, and continued to sob into his t-shirt.
* * *
Had Rose been less upset, she may have been grounded. She didn’t smile the whole day, or the following. Her constant withdrawal was no doubt worrying for her father, but she couldn’t pretend all was well.
On the third day since returning from the forest, she sat at the kitchen table with her favourite hot chocolate and shortbread combination. Her father sat opposite and ran through a number of questions. Though Rose didn’t speak about her concerns – what was the point?
Nights merged into day, and Rose had little time for anything but worry. She rarely ate all her meals, turning down her most cherished puddings, and woke in the night, wishing to hear Lily’s voice. She watched weather broadcasts, hoping for a full moon, only to be disappointed.
Then, on the eighth day, a scattering of clouds drifted in front of a vibrant moon. By the window she waited, watching the night go by, and read Spirit Awaken over and over and over again.
Another disappointing night followed, and so did another day of dread.
* * *
On the eleventh day since returning from the forest, Rose studied the moon, just shy of full. Her reading ritual began, followed by her wait.
Tickey displayed five minutes to midnight, at which time Rose’s door opened, and she watched Sophie enter and greet her by the window. She stroked her gently, rocking head to head, eyes closed, listening to Sophie’s deep purrs while teardrops fell.
“Rose…” said a faint male voice.
She knew the voice, and raised her head, her hair obscuring a clear view and her vision blurred with sadness.
“Greetings, Rose,” said Stanley from aboard the faint, hovering, silent Bella Air. The vessel drifted between the neighbours’ trees and came to a halt beside the porch roof.
“Rose!” cried Lily.
“Hey, sweetie!” called her mother.
“Hi–ya…” she squeaked, unable to verbalise her relief. She opened her mouth to form more words. “Sis… Mum… Stanley…” she whispered. “That really you?”
The three stood like a family portrait, seeming delighted.
Rose pushed the window fully open and spoke urgently. “I wasn’t sure if it was true. I thought I might have dreamt it all. The Govern… how did you escape?” she asked, wiping her cheeks and breathing through her mouth as her nose was stuffed up.
Stanley smiled with a cheeky expression and raised an eyebrow. “The Govern, you say? That horrific creature you mention is now…” He reached down and brought up a cage. “Our pet rat, Piper – named after the Pied Piper.” A faint rat scrambled inside the cage, sniffing the air and clawing at the bars. “The Transformo, Rose – thankfully it was at hand,” he said, glancing lovingly at Violet. “And luckily your mother is a good shot.”
Rose laughed joyfully, as did the lady in question.
“As for us… we came as soon as we could – from Angelo. We had to wait for decent moonlight, see. And I’m glad that spell of yours continues to work.”
She smiled, nodding, before another query came to her attention. “And what about Kiian?”
“Gone, sis,” said Lily, in raptures, “along with the Govern.”
“And hopefully for good,” said Stanley. “As of now, our world is ruled by one force, and one force only – spiritkind. For how long is uncertain. But my goodness, you should have seen the streets across Angelo. Men, women and children cheered for days.”
The three stepped down from the vessel and onto the porch roof. Violet stood as close to Rose as she could without entering the bedroom. “I’m sorry you had to wait, sweetie, with all that worry.” She paused, looking deep into Rose’s eyes. “And I’m sorry I can’t be a mother for you.” She then learned closer and kissed her daughter’s cheek. Rose could almost feel the contact. “I will always love you,” she said, hand on heart.
“You too. All of you.”
Her mother nodded with a smile and stepped back.
Lily stepped forward, and the twins stared at each other. “Sis,” said Lily, “I’ve got something to tell you.”
“What… ?”
“I have feet.”
All laughed, except Lily.
“It’s true, though. I can walk now. I can also smell, taste and touch. And I can wear whatever I want.” The twins’ eyes were bright with happiness before Lily’s face became serious. “I’m alive, sis.”
Rose reflected her sister’s expression, slowly nodding her head, trying to control her breathing. Her mouth was torridly dry, and her throat gasped for water. “Lil– I’m sorry that I didn’t know you were always there – all along. I wanted to tell you that, from the moment we met.”
“It was awful, but that’s over now. I’ve got my life, with Mum and Stanley. But… I’m going to miss you. Well, not always, but most of the time.”
“You too…”
Lily glanced behind at Stanley, then returned her gaze to Rose. “I guess this is it. Have a great time, sis.”
“I will. See you soon? How about our birthday, every year?”
“I hope so. Take care of Dad, won’t you. And that flea bag.”
Rose stroked the feline in question. “I will, don’t worry, I
will.”
“Bye, sis,” said Lily, and stepped towards her mother.
Stanley wiped his eyes, then blew on his handkerchief. “All aboard!” he said, showing Lily and Violet to the steps while lifting his top hat. “Madam, Miss.” He followed them, retracted the steps, and then held onto another lever. “Rose, I would like to introduce you to our new, improved vessel, minus the creaky rocking chair,” he said, beaming with pride, “To the L & R!” He pulled the lever, causing the sails to drop in silence. The letters L & R were lavished upon the fluttering sail.
“Wow…” uttered Rose.
“We have our own vessel, sis,” said Lily. “I decided on the name. It had to be the L & R, and not the R & L,” she added with a smug grin. “Just doesn’t have the same ring to it.”
“You’re right, sis, it doesn’t,” Rose said cheerfully. “It’s perfect. Oh, and Stanley, try looking inside the cuckoo clock. You might find your journal in there.”
He smiled, nodding. “So long, Rose. You’ll forever be in my heart. Only one last thing.” He straightened his back, arms by his side. “Atteeennntion!”
Lily immediately stood to attention. Rose did too, followed by their mother, not wanting to feel left out, Rose assumed.
“Atttt eaaassse!” he ordered, and saluted.
“Another time, sis,” said Lily.
“Take care, sweetie,” said Mother.
“Bye,” said Rose, and blew a kiss for all three as the L & R swept around and drifted towards the night sky. It cruised afar, distant, and returned to the Realm of the Black Rose.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
A New Master
On the night the twins were invited, Mr Orwell stood within the dense tropical forest he had once meticulously mastered. The golden mask displayed his glowing eye sockets, and with them he gazed at a full moon, while Ike clung on to his ruff.
Curious, he listened with trepidation to the sounds of a new voice; a new master, perhaps.
“You know, Mr Orwell,” said an Irish voice, “I grovelled to that beastie of yours. On my hands… on my knees. I grovelled and I grovelled… and it growled and growled.” His tone of voice was lowered with fatigue. “So I grovelled some more…”
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