Sorceress' Scheme

Davy had been silent for longer than the others, lost in the another place. His mind was focused on the outside world. It tired him, attempting to get a message out, but he wanted something to do and this seemed to be the best way. He'd been observing Nicole and the children, but attempts at communication were, ultimately, futile.

He'd also been loosely monitoring the "battle" taking place in front of him. He wasn't able to see what was actually going on, but he could vaguely sense changes and had a good idea of who was winning. He also knew something that neither competitor did: they were tiring.

The battle had been raging for almost four days now, he was sure of that. And he and the others were starving. But they had only been sitting around. Thomas and Mari had been fighting. Even if the strain was only in their minds, it was still more wear and tear than the "spectators" were suffering.

It was shortly after noon (though he couldn't tell inside an underground cave) when he sensed another change.

His eyes flew open and he willed his tired body to stand. He stepped forward just in time to catch Thomas, who suddenly fell forward.

The boy collapsed limply in his arms, and Davy noticed then that he was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, obviously exhausted. A jolt of panic spread through him. Had the boy lost?

He looked up then as Peter stepped forward, and he saw that Mike had managed to catch Mari. She looked as tired and weak as Thomas did. He exchanged glances with Mike. How were they to tell the winner? Mike's confused glance told him he had no idea either.

Suddenly, Mari opened her eyes and shoved Mike out of the way with more force than neccesary, leaving him on the ground. Before he could protest, he saw that Thomas had stood as well, and the two had locked eyes.

'I won fair and square,' Thomas sent loud enough for all to hear. He was too tired to speak aloud. 'Let us leave.'

Mari glared back at him despite her weakness, and Mike wondered at first if she was going to refuse to comply with her earlier promise. But Mike didn't know that she was bound by the laws of magic. Though she might have done bad things, she had done them for what she believed was a good cause. Sorcerer's laws didn't apply to mere humans, but the boy was a worthy enough opponent that she treated him as much more than a human boy. And it would not help her cause to break a promise - and therefore a law.

So she merely smiled concedingly and bowed slightly. Then she spread her arms wide and dissapeared. Smoke filled the air, and shortly after they all found themselves outside on the beach.

Nicole had poured herself a cup of tea and was about to sit down to it. Somehow she had managed to get all three babies on a similar schedule and they were all napping at the same time. Joanne was at school, so she had the place to herself.

Not for long, however. The door burst open suddenly, and she stood up, going into the living room. Mike, Peter, and Davy entered, and between the three of them they were carrying Thomas, who was looking very weak and sickly.

She barely had time to let out a gasp of surprise when Thomas "spoke" up.

'Don't worry Mom, I'm okay,' he sent, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"What happened?" she asked the others as they set her son down on the couch. "Is he alright?"

"I think so," Davy replied.

"Do you have anythin' to eat?" Mike interrupted. "I'm starvin'."

"Eat?" she asked blankly.

"Eat," Peter replied. "You know, food." He smiled a lopsided grin, and she couldn't resist the urge to wrap her arms around him.

"Yeah, we 'aven't eaten in a few days," Davy added.

"Food's in the kitchen, guys," she replied as they strolled off. Then she looked up at Peter. "Where are the others?"

"Oh Jenny, Micky, and Fiona decided to head to a fast food joint," he replied. "They're gonna bring back some burgers, but I think we'll want more food than that. And I don't we'll be able to last that long." He smiled as he spoke, despite his own hunger.

"What happened?" Nicole asked as she followed him into the kitchen. Mike and Davy were already devouring sandwiches.

"Long story," Mike replied. Before she could respond, one of the kids upstairs began to cry, and she hurried to answer it. Davy offered to help, having already scarfed his first sandwhich.

There was a knock on the front door and Mike held his sandwhich in one hand as he went to answer it while Peter began to clear up the sandwich meat.

Mike opened the door and found three large Burger bags. He blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating.

"Are you gonna stand there or are you gonna let us in?" one of the bags asked. It sounded a little bit like Micky.

Mike was to startled to answer. He looked at his sandwhich for a moment and then stepped aside. The three Burger bags headed past him into the kitchen. Mike tossed his sandwhich out the door before closing it, figuring the mustard must have been too old.

When he entered the kitchen he discovered that the table was covered with small wrapped packages. Burgers. His mouth watered as he stood there, and he took one, immediately unwrapping it.

Jenny took the empty bags from Micky and Fiona and tossed them in the trash before sitting down to eat as well.

Nicole came in the kitchen then, carrying the twins in her arms. Davy followed close behind her with Robert, whom he promptly gave to Fiona.

"Any one going to tell me what happened or do I have to wait until you've finished eating?" Nicole asked as she passed Darin to Peter.

The others laughed. For the next half hour they took turns eating and telling her the story while she fed the children. They had just finished when she heard Thomas' silent voice calling her from the living room.

She gave Amber to Davy and brought a cup of tea to Thomas.

She sat on the coffee table in front of the couch and helped him to sit up so he could sip the tea. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked.

Thomas smiled as he sipped the tea. "Getting better," he replied weakly. "I'll be able to go to school tomorrow."

Nicole debated whether or not to tell him that the next day was Saturday. She finally did, and he laughed.

"Good," he replied. "More time to rest."

Nicole smiled as she watched him sip the tea. When he had finished, he gave the cup back to her and sighed.

"Something wrong?" she asked. He shook his head.

"Man, I do not want to see the sort of dust pile in the Pad now," Mike declared as the group made their way out of the kitchen. Nicole couldn't help laughing.

Micky followed soon after him, rolling his eyes and making faces behind Mike's back. Jenny started to laugh. Mike turned around to see Micky smiling angelically, which only made Jenny laugh even harder. Mike grumbled to himself.

"Thanks for the use of the kitchen, sis, but I suggest you buy new mustard," he told Nicole as he headed out the door. She was confused but decided not to ask.

Davy was equally confused, but said nothing as he left after Mike, smiling back at Nicole. Jenny and Micky followed as well, saying their good-byes. Fiona took Robert and followed.

"I'm afraid I will be leaving soon," she told them. "But I'll be back to say good-bye before I go."

"It was terrific having you," Nicole replied as she waved good-bye.

Peter emerged from the kitchen then, having cleaned up the hamburger wrappers and ketchup spills in the kitchen.

"Boy it's good to see you again," he murmured in her ear as they embraced. She couldn't agree more. But they were interrupted just then as both twins began to wail from the kitchen. Peter turned back to attend to them, and Nicole went back to Thomas.

"Do you need anything else?" she asked her son as she picked up the tea cup. He shook his head, and she saw that he was thinking deeply about something. She headed in to the kitchen to take care of the cup.

"Do you think he's really going to be okay?" she asked her husband, taking Amber.

Peter thought for a moment. "I really don't know," he replied honestly. "Do you think we should take him to a doctor?"

"No doctors!" Thomas insisted from the next room. "I don't need a doctor. I said I'm fine!"

Both laughed. They had forgotten momentarily that the downfall of having a telepathic child was that he was an expert eavesdropper when he wanted to be.

(A few days later)

Thomas was sitting on the couch, reading a book for a homework assignment. Joanne was watching TV, and both twins were upstairs for the moment, sleeping.

The front door opened and Peter, Nicole, and Mike entered. Mike was carrying a baby, Thomas noted right away.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for a baby," Mike was saying as they entered. "I'm not even sure why she gave him to me!"

"I'm sure she felt you'd be the best father for it," Nicole replied sensibly.

"Well, what if she was wrong?" Mike declared. Thomas stood up from the couch. This was interesting.

"Mike, trust me. You'll be fine," his sister assured him. She left, heading upstairs to check on the twins.

"Peter, help me out here. You know this is a bad idea!"

Peter shook his head with a smile. "You'll be fine," he replied, repeating his wife's words.

"I will, sure, but what about him?" he gestured towards the baby he held, which was becoming a bit antsy.

Thomas stepped forward and held out his arms. Mike gladly surrendered Robert to his nephew, and sat down on the couch.

"You're gonna keep the baby, Uncle Mike?" Joanne asked. Mike nodded grimly. "How come?"

Thomas looked at Mike as well. He'd been wondering the same thing himself.

"His mother seems to think that the middle of Alaska isn't a great place to raise a child. Apparently I'm going to do a good job."

Joanne peered over her brother's shoulder at the small child. His big brown eyes looked back at her.

"I don't know why. I don't know anything about raising kids," Mike grumbled. "I don't even own a crib. And there isn't much room for him."

Peter shook his head and laughed. "Mike, we didn't know anything about raising kids when Thomas was born," he pointed out. "And he turned out just fine. Right?" He turned to Thomas for backup.

Mike turned to Thomas. He certainly couldn't argue with that. "But this baby isn't Thomas," he pointed out.

"No," Peter agreed. Thomas was one of a kind. "But that doesn't mean that he's going to be a horrible child."

Mike sighed.

"If it makes you feel better, he can sleep here for a few nights," Nicole said, coming back down the stairs. "But we're not keeping him."

Mike nodded and heaved a sigh. "I guess I don't have a choice in the matter, then, do I?" he asked.

Peter laughed at that. "Nope," he replied with a grin.

Mike grumbled again but agreed, still grumbling to himself as he left.

"C'mon Joanne, it's time for bed," Nicole told her as she took the baby from Thomas. "You, too, little guy," she added. She and Joanne headed up the stairs.

Peter went into the kitchen and began to make himself some tea. Thomas followed and took out three tea cups, which he set on the table.

"Can I ask you something?" Thomas asked, sitting down.

Peter shrugged. "Sure," he replied as he took out the milk and sugar. "Can't guarantee that I'll know the answer, though," he added with a smile.

"Did you ever feel like you had to do something that you didn't feel you could do?"

Peter frowned in thought and sat down at the table. "You mean was I nervous about something? Sure. I've had stage fright more times than I can count. "

"No, not stage fright," Thomas said, shaking his head. "Something more important than that."

"Oh yeah," Peter replied after a moment's thought. "I was nervous about being a father."

"You were?"

"Yep. I was pretty young when you were born, remember?" he reminded the boy. "I didn't think I was ready for it. And I wasn't sure I was ready to settle down, either."

"Why did you, then?"

Peter shrugged. "Love, I guess," he replied. "And I didn't want you to have to grow up without a dad."

Thomas nodded as he thought this over. The tea kettle began to whistle, and Peter stood up to pour the hot water into two of the cups.

Thomas continued to think as he added milk and sugar to the drink.

"Are you nervous about something?" Peter asked finally, his curiousity winning him over. He attempted to look casual as he stirred his tea.

Thomas took a sip of the hot liquid and set it down again. "Yeah," he admitted. He paused for a moment. "It's this whole prophecy thing." He reached for the stone around his neck. "I keep wondering if maybe they have the wrong person."

Peter nodded as he drank the tea. "I can understand that," he replied. "It's a big responsibility."

"It's not just me, either, you know?" Thomas continued. "If I don't do whatever it is I'm supposed to do, then the whole world is going to suffer. Not just me. What if I can't do it?"

Peter nodded again. "That is a big problem," he agreed.

"I was thinking about it today. The other day, with that whole battle thing? If I hadn't won, then something would have happened to you all. What if I can't do it next time?" he went on.

Peter shuddered inwardly, thinking of the next time. "It's a lot of pressure," he agreed. Thomas nodded. "One thing you have to remember is that you're not in it alone."

"I'm not?"

"No," Peter assured him. "First of all, you've got us to back you up. Second of all, you're forgetting the second half of the prophecy."

"Second half?"

"Yes. There's supposed to be another person helping you save the world. You work together."

Thomas nodded. "I forgot about her," he admitted, his thoughts turning then towards his mysterious ally. "I wonder who she is," he thought aloud.

"I guess you'll find out when the time comes," Peter said.

"I'm not sure yet how I feel about all this," the boy said suddenly. "I mean, about me being part of a prophecy. It gets me thinking - why me? I've been different since I was born. Why?"

"Do you want to be normal?" his father asked.

Thomas thought for a moment. "I don't know," he admitted. "Part of me does. But then I think I would be bored."

Peter laughed. "Yes, life would certainly be less interesting if you were normal," he agreed.

Nicole entered the kitchen then. "What's so funny?" she asked as she poured herself some tea.

"I was just thinking about how boring life would be if Thomas was a normal kid," Peter informed her.

Nicole looked surprised for a moment. "Normal kid?" she asked. "I don't know, life would be weird." She studied her son's face. "Are you feeling left out of the normal group?"

"No," Thomas assured her. "I like being weird. I'm just concerned about the responsibility."

Nicole nodded in understanding. She took a sip of her tea. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're not alone," she told him. "The rest of us are weird, too."

Thomas laughed at that. He had forgotten, momentarily, that his parents, Davy, Micky, and Jenny possesed strange powers as well. "True," he replied. "I almost forgot."

"I wonder if Robert's going to be weird, too," Peter mused then, and the subject changed for the evening.

A short while later, Thomas went to bed. He paused, as he usually did, in his window and stared up at the stars. Something about them made him look up at the sky every night. As if to assure himself that they were still there. They seemed to be one of the few things in his life that were normal. And he liked that.

Back to main page

Back to read the last part again

Email me and tell me what you think!