Chapter 3
Mr. Choy was serving a customer, when pandemonium broke out. One child ran straight into him. "Woe young Daniel, what's the problem?" Asked Mr. Choy. Daniel ran and hid behind him, saying. "It's Sally, she's going to belt me for telling mum over her." Stopping in his tracks he then added. "How did you know my name?"
"Magic Daniel, pure magic." Replied the old man.
"Come here Danny, you little rat." Yelled a very angry Sally.
"Woe, hold on there young Sally Carter, tell me, why so much anger?"
"Er sorry Mr. Choy. You!" She said pointing towards Daniel. "I'll deal with you later. Now I'm sick of being stuck with you, so you stay here and listen to the nice story. I will come back for you later. Don't you dare rat on me to mum or you're dead. Do you understand?" Daniel nodded, looking rather forlorn. "Now hold on Sally." Said Mr. Choy. "I think maybe you should stay and listen to tonight’s story."
"What, no way. That's alright for kids like him." She replied, whilst “pointing at seven year old Daniel. "I've got to meet my mates. I'm off."
"I really think you should stay Sally, it really is in your best interest." Said Mr. Choy persuasively.
"Why?"
"Just stay and find out."
"No, kids stuff." She remarked as she headed towards the door.
"That's a shame Sally, it really is in your best interest."
Sally stopped dead in her tracks, she really didn't know why, but suddenly she felt compelled to stay. So she turned around and sat down quietly at the back of the room. Saying absolutely nothing.
Slowly the crowd gathered until the shop was packed with children of all ages. Mr. Choy sat before his audience and said. "If you're all sitting comfortably, I shall collect the tome and begin." There were loud groans from the children. "Oh what about magic, Mr. Choy?" Shouted a young lad.
"Oh dear." Said Mr. Choy. "I nearly forgot." He grinned and clicked his fingers. Suddenly a pink orb circled the children at high speed. They gasped, the orb vanished as quickly has it had appeared. Mr. Choy clapped his hands together just once and a bouquet of flowers appeared stranded in mid air. Then it moved slowly, stopping in front of Sally Carter sitting at the back. Mr. Choy remarked. "There for you Sally, please take them with my love." Sally did so, though she looked red with embarrassment. She was also very bewildered at the events she had just witnessed.
Mr. Choy crossed to the glass cabinet with his palms up. The glass lid lifted and the tome rose into the air, landing as usual in Mr. Choy's up turned palms. He then sat back down, perched his spectacles on the end of his nose and began. "Today the story is The Old Summerhouse.”
I
Alice Cushing looked very concerned when she finally placed the receiver down. "Who was that?" Asked her husband Phil.
"Oh just mum." Replied a pre-occupied Alice.
"What's wrong Al?" He enquired.
"Mum's not very well Phil. I'm worried love, since dad died, I don't think she's been looking after herself properly."
"Oh dear, I see love." Said Phil whilst putting his arms around tall, slim, attractive, dark haired Alice. "Your mum should sell that big old house and move into sheltered housing. It's much too big for her Al."
"I know love, but mum loves that house. It's been in her family for years. You know she'd never sell it."
"Yes, I know your mum can be very stubborn can't she? Why don't you take the kids up to see her? After all it's the school holidays and you all could do with a break. That way you can kill two birds with one stone."
"Oh Phil darling, what a great idea. What about you? I thought you said you were busy at work and couldn't get time off?"
"I am, though that doesn't stop you and the kids going. I can fend for myself for a week or two. Phone your mum, tell her that you're coming."
Over dinner, Alice informed the children Carl aged twelve, Luke aged ten and young Amy aged eight about going on holiday to visit their gran up in Melrose, Scotland. Carl grumbled a little, saying it would be boring. "Can't I stay here with dad?" Carl always considered himself to be very grown up, after all he was almost a teenager and he felt very mature.
"No you can't Carl, your dad is working, so he can't look after you as well. Can he?" His mum had replied.
Amy butted in saying. "What about Shane? Who will look after him?"
"Daddy will sweetheart."
"But mum, you said daddy was working, so can Shane come to grandma's with us please?" She said has she bent down to pat the dog.
"Okay, I don't see why not and while we are on the subject. Why don't we ask Bonnie if she wants to come too?"
"Fantastic mum, I'll ring her now." Announced a very excited Amy.
"No Amy, I'll ring Bonnie's mum later." Her mother had replied sternly.
"Can Paul go too?" Enquired Carl.
"No dear, there really isn't enough room in the car for your friend."
"That's not fair. How come Amy gets to take her friend then?" He grumbled back.
"Because Amy is the only girl. You have your brother for company."
"Yuck, I don't like Luke." Yelled Carl.
"Don't be so mean Carl, Luke is your brother and you should love him. Now that's settled, I don't want to hear another word about it. Now go and pack we leave in the morning." Demanded Alice.
Alice picked up the phone and dialled Bonnie's mum. After a brief conversation she replaced the receiver saying. "Well then Amy love, Bonnie's coming. Let's go pack."
As the morning arrived, there was sheer excitement in the Cushing household. All the children including Carl, though he wouldn't admit to it, were really looking forward to their holiday. Having breakfasted, the family all piled into the car, dog included. They set off to pick up Amy's friend Bonnie Ackers. This accomplished; they set off for the open road, filled with delight at the prospect of having a holiday. Alice thought she could understand the children’s excitement, as the family didn't often get the chance to have a holiday. It had been a year since Alice had visited her mum. In that short time since her father’s death her mum’s health had deteriorated to the extent that the well made robust woman with thick black wavy hair had become thin, pale and grey almost over night. Alice recalled how her mum used to brag about not having one single grey hair in her head. She hadn't taken the children with her has she was paying her last respects to her dad who had passed away suddenly. Alice's parents had always visited her and the children, but since her dad death, her mum only came once. Alice sighed has she reminisced about the old days and her dad. The children fighting in the back jolted her back to reality. "Stop yelling Amy please." She had said.
"It's Luke, mum, he's pinching me and it hurts." Moaned Amy.
"Luke, behave yourself."
"Why can't I sit up front mum? Why does it always have to be Carl?" Complained Luke.
"Because Carl is the eldest, you're too young Luke. You can in a couple of years. That's if you prove to me that you can behave yourself. Okay?"
"Yea, yea." Answered Luke frowning. The journey got worse when Amy threw up all over Luke; she had eaten too many sweets.
Eventually they arrived at gran's house; Alice for one was so relieved. It had been a long and difficult journey and Alice was extremely tired and was developing a headache. Gran welcomed t them with open arms. She had prepared a meal for them, as it was lunchtime. Alice felt better once she had eaten, so she unpacked hers and the children’s clothes. The children were excitedly running around. Soon Alice realised that they were too overpowering for their gran. She said. "Kids, listen, why don't you take Shane out into the garden for a while. I want to talk to your gran. Don't go away. Do you understand?"
"Yes." They said, half-heartedly.
"Carl, you are the eldest, so I'm making you responsible for the others. Make sure they don't get into any mischief please." Carl nodded.
Once outside, the children began to explore the grounds. Amy and Bonnie stopped to smell the wild flowers. The garden was a huge mass of overgrown plants, bushes, hedges and grass. Being over three acres there were lots to explore. Carl was watching the girls chasing butterflies. Meanwhile, Luke had wondered off in front with Shane the families scruffy brown, loveable Lurcher. Luke who is rather small for his age, height wise as well as build. He has Grey eyes, brown thick wavy hair. Ordinary looking though, personality wise he is quiet strong willed and very mischievous. This was always a worry to his mum, as she is always anxious about what he is getting up to. Totally unlike Carl his older brother, who is much taller, slim build with very dark curly hair and the deepest brown eyes ever seen. Much like his mothers. Carl is extremely mature for his age; Alice always thought it seemed like Carl was much older than his years.
Luke let Shane off his lead to run free amongst the long grass. At times Luke couldn't see Shane has he was hidden in the overgrown lawn. He would laugh, as Shane would bounce up and down in the garden, as they ran along together. Stopping and plonking himself on a bench and whilst gazing at the scenery, he suddenly spotted an old summerhouse in the distance. Luke calling the dog headed towards the summerhouse. Arriving at the entrance, Luke managed to prise the old battered door open. They stepped inside to investigate.
Carl suddenly noticing that Luke and Shane was no longer visible, called out to them, but to no avail. Ushering the girls on, they all three quickly moved forward through the magnificent grounds, calling to Luke as they moved. Still no answer came. Amy now was beginning to worry about her brother. "Where's Luke, Carl? I'm scared, what if something's happened to them? What if something's happened to Shane?" She began to cry. Amy is a very sensitive and gentle child. She tends to scare easily; her brothers sometimes take advantage of this fact. They like to scare and tease her; however, deep down Carl is very protective towards his little sister. Amy is also small for her age, thin with a pale complexion and a poor appetite. She has long straight brown hair, deep brown eyes like her brother Carl. Bonnie, her best friend was now consoling her, putting her arms around her and saying. "Don't worry so Amy, they'll be okay." Bonnie Ackers is an only child. Amy and her are inseparable. Bonnie had told Amy she wished they were sisters. Bonnie is taller than Amy is with long blonde hair, deep velvety blue eyes, a rosy complexion and a snub little nose. She is a little on the plump side, but couldn't be described as fat.
They finally all reached the old summerhouse, Carl said. "Wait here you two, I'm going inside to look for Luke." He proceeded to pull
open the old battered door and then he ventured cautiously inside. The summerhouse was massive, all cluttered up with old furniture. It was full of cobwebs and ancient statues, old plant pots and garden furniture were thrown about everywhere. Carl continued on, battling through the obstacles, shouting Luke and Shane. No answer came. After a time, Carl realised Luke wasn't there and he pushed his way back through the cobwebs to the outside world. "No sign of him in there. Come on, we better keep looking."
Miraculously, Luke and Shane appeared suddenly from the old summerhouse. Carl stepped back in amazement. "My goodness Luke, where have you been? Were you hiding from me you idiot?"
"No Carl, I wasn't, Listen." He never got to finish his sentence has Carl now angry had interrupted. "You must have been hiding, because I went into that summer house."
"Listen Carl, I went and I found a door at the other end. I presumed it would lead me back outside. I opened it and we went outside, anyway it's a whole different world Carl. It's weird."
"What do you mean weird? What are you babbling on about Luke?"
"Okay if you don't believe me, look for yourself. It's indescribable Carl, I'm telling you the truth."
"Right, come on then, show me. This better be good." The girls began to follow too. "Wait you two, stay here." Ordered Carl.
"Oh I want to come too." Pleaded Amy.
"No." Said Carl.
"Oh let them come, it won't do any harm Carl." Replied Luke.
"There's cobwebs in there girls, you won't like that." Remarked Carl.
"We don't mind, do we Amy?" Said Bonnie whilst nudging her friend. Amy nodded, though she felt apprehensive.
"Okay then, come on let's go." Demanded Carl.
They entered the summerhouse once more; Luke was leading the way. Having manoeuvred through the cobwebs and obstacles, they reached the door. Luke tugged on the door handle and eventually it sprung open. They found themselves outside; Carl gasped as he surveyed the landscape. He admired the beautiful deep luscious green grass, which seemed so vast it was almost never ending. Luke shouting interrupted his admiration. "Come on, let's go and investigate."
"Luke it's just a vast field." Remarked Carl.
"Yes, but over there in the distance, there is a woodland with a lovely deep blue crystal clear stream. I've never seen water so blue and clear before. Come on and I'll show you."
They followed Luke into the woods. "This is as far as I got, I thought you'd miss me, so I turned around."
"Wow." Said Amy open-mouthed. "Everything looks so vivid, so bright and colourful, like a fairy tale. The sky is so pretty, isn't it Bonnie?"
"Yes it's lovely, deep, deep blue, not even a cloud in sight. Look." She pointed to a butterfly. "That's amazing, I've never seen one with so many colours." The butterfly was certainly an array of colours, blue, red, purple, yellow and green, to mention just a few. "Look over there." Yelled Luke excitedly, he was pointing towards a log cabin.
"Cool, I've never seen a log cabin so big." Commented Carl. "Maybe we should go now guys, it's getting late and mum will worry." He added. At that moment, they heard movement coming from the trees behind them. Carl turned quickly to see a young boy running. The boy looked petrified, on hearing shouting in the distance, Carl grabbed Amy and whispered to the others. "Get down you lot, head for cover." Luke grabbed the dog and dived for cover.
They watched quietly as the young lad managed to find a hiding place. The voices from the distance were slowly becoming louder. Peeking out from behind a bush, Carl saw three individuals that could only be described as robots. They had silver skin, but looked human in every other way. The only other difference being their clumsy manner, they walked with jerky movements. Carl over heard their conversation. One said. "This highly irregular, I'm picking up six different heart beats in this vicinity."
The second one replied. "The machine must be malfunctioning once more AN225. We will leave here now, no purpose in staying. The boy is not here. Come AN225 and AN3270." With that, they entered a strange looking vehicle. Which was also silver in colour and resembled a Ferrari. Carl noted this vehicle did not have wheels, though it did have legs just like a spider. When the threesome approached the vehicle the door automatically opened. Once they were inside the legs folded in and it took to flight. Hovering silently about three feet into the air, it began to glide across the sky like it was on a cushion of air.
Carl was now standing, open-mouthed. Then putting his hands to his face and rubbing his eyes. He started to shake his head, no, he thought, I really did see it. The others followed suit, standing up and were all looking somewhat bewildered. Luke said. "Wow! What was that?"
A voice from behind said. "You mean you don't know? Are you kidding me?" They all looked around to see who was attached to the voice. In all the excitement of what they'd just witnessed, they had forgotten about the young boy. At least he looked your normal everyday run of the mill kid, about his own height and weight with straight brown hair. Carl thought to himself. "Hi I'm Carl. Who are you? More importantly, who was that?"
"Hi Carl, pleased to meet you." Said the boy holding his hand out to Carl. "My name's Ryan. Thanks for not giving me away."
"Who are they?" Luke asked impatiently.
"They are Androids, we call them EA's"
"EA's?" Said Carl now frowning.
"Yes EA's. Evil Androids. Where you've been man?"
"Carl, I want to go home. I'm scared Carl, can we go home please?" Said Amy whilst tugging at Carl's sleeve.
"Whose that?" Asked Ryan pointing to Amy.
"Oh this is my young sister Amy. Luke my brother and Bonnie is Amy's friend."
"Oh my goodness, what's that?" Yelled Ryan who had now dived for cover behind a bush.
"It's okay Ryan, you can come out now. It's only Shane."
"Shane? What is Shane?" Ryan enquired.
"Shane is our pet dog. He's harmless." Remarked Carl.
"You can come out now." Yelled Luke.
Ryan surfaced gingerly. "Dog! Where are you lot from? I don't understand dog and you don't seem to know about EA's. Explain this to me please?"
"What can I say, we come from our gran's old summer house back there." Said Carl pointing towards the fields. "Dogs are normal where we come from. However, EA's are definitely not. I am very confused. What year is it?"
"Year! 2005 of course." Answered Ryan.
"Okay, we all agree on that." Remarked Carl. "Well, what's this place called?"
"Its called Esorlem. Don't you know?" Asked Ryan.
"Esorlem! How's that spelt?"
"E S O R L E M."
"Melrose! It's Melrose backwards Luke!" Carl shouted, looking rather pleased with himself. "Now we're making progress. Tell me Ryan, what's this planet called? It wouldn't be oh how would you pronounce it. Htrae?"
"It's spelt HTRAE, but it is pronounced as a silent H. So it's Trae!" Replied Ryan.
"Wow it is a parallel world." Declared Carl. "So you don't have dogs?"
"We have robotic pets." Ryan muttered indignantly.
"Look Ryan, we have to get back home, if we can. I hope we can come back tomorrow. Will you be able to meet us here again?"
"I suppose so, same time?" Enquired Ryan.
"It's 6.pm. now. What about 4.pm. tomorrow. Is your time the same?" Asked Carl.
"Yes, I make it 6.pm. too. So I guess it must be. Okay see you tomorrow. Good luck in getting back home."
The four children made their way back to the old summerhouse in silence. All deep in thought. When they reached the door of the
summerhouse, they were all totally relieved. "Oh thank goodness. I can' t wait to see mum." Exclaimed Amy.
"Listen Amy, we can't mention any of this to mum or gran, okay?"
"Why?"
"Because she wouldn't let us go back tomorrow and we don't want that do we?" Asked Carl.
"I don't want to go back there. It's scary."
"Well we do, so you better not blab Amy or else!" Said Luke threateningly.
"Luke!" Yelled Carl.
"What? What did I say?"
"You know what, just leave Amy to me. Amy take no notice of Luke, he didn't mean it. Did you Luke?"
"No, if you say not." He muttered.
"Amy don't you want to go back and see the pretty butterflies again? It's not scary really; we can come home whenever we want. We can't let Ryan down; he's expecting us. Anyway I bet Bonnie would like to go back wouldn't you Bonnie?"
"Yes, I do. Come on Amy, it'll be fun. Please say you will for me." She pleaded with her friend.
"Oh alright." Muttered Amy. "I won't tell mum."
"Good girl." Remarked Carl.
They entered the house, where their mother was waiting to greet them. "Hi you lot. You were out a long time, did you enjoy yourselves?"
"Yes mum, gran's garden is massive." Commented Luke.
"Tomorrow gran said she would stay at home, but she thought it would be nice if I took you lot out for the day. What do you say kids?" They all looked at one and other. "Don't look so enthusiastic." She said.
"It's not that, we just thought we'd like to walk Shane through the garden again." Said Luke.
"We would love to go mum, but what time will we be back?" Carl asked, whilst glaring at his brother for his silly comments.
"Well, I don't know, why?"
"Because Shane will need a walk, so we can't be late."
"We could take him with us." Said his mum.
"Yes, but if we did we would be restricted. We couldn't go into cafes or museums." Carl remarked feeling pleased with himself for pointing that fact out to this mum.
"Yes you're right love."
"So we can't be late then mum. Can we be back by 4.pm?"
"Why 4.pm?" She questioned.
"Well I think that would be a reasonable time to leave Shane, that's all."
"Okay yes, we shouldn't leave gran too long anyway. So that's settled then kids."
The next morning, having had breakfast the family set off for their day trip out to Edinburgh. Having thoroughly enjoyed their day, Carl reminded his mum of the time. She said. "I must say Carl, you really are keen to get back. What's a matter with you? You're not normally so worried about the dog. I thought having a day out would be a thrill for you."
"I know mum, I just worry about gran and the dog at home all alone. Especially gran not being well."
"Oh Carl you really are growing up fast aren't you? Come on kids it's time to go back to your grans."
They arrived back at the house around 3.50.pm. Carl looked at this watch and then signalled to Luke by pointing to his wrist. He then called the dog, bending down Carl put the dog's lead on. He shouted to his mum. “I’m walking the dog, I’ll be home about six.”
“Carl it doesn’t take two hours to walk the dog! What are you up to?”
“Nothing mum, honest! We just love grandma’s garden.”
“Alright, just behave yourselves, all of you.” With that all the children departed and headed off towards the old summerhouse.
II
On entering the summerhouse, Carl said. “Come on, we’ll be late. Listen you guys stay together. Okay?” They all nodded at Carl’s remark. It wasn’t very long before they once again found themselves back in the woods, where they had previously met Ryan. Carl glanced at his watch it was 4.05.pm. On looking around, he could not see Ryan anywhere. “We’re five minutes late, do you think Ryan didn’t wait for us?”
“I don’t know.” Replied Luke. Suddenly, Amy spotted him in the distance. “Over there.” She shouted. “In the bushes.” Just at that moment, a silver vehicle hovered above them. The children all ran for cover. Unfortunately, Amy fell and the vehicle, which was still directly above her, produced a red beam of light that fell upon Amy. Has the light beam landed upon her, she disappeared as if by magic. The vehicle glided away as quickly and silently has it had appeared.
The children picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and came out of hiding. Carl and Luke hadn’t realised that Amy was missing at first. It was Bonnie who had alerted them. She was sobbing uncontrollably. “Come on Bonnie, calm down. What is it that upset you so?” Asked Carl, whilst comforting Bonnie.
“Bonnie, where is Amy? Isn’t she with you?” Questioned Luke.
“No,” she sobbed. “She has been killed by that machine.” Carl and Luke looked at each other horror stricken by Bonnie’s comments.
“Killed!” Yelled Luke.
“Bonnie, listen to me. What exactly did you see?” Carl asked, trying hard not to panic.
“Well, that silver thing shot her with a red beam.”
“Oh god, she’s dead. Her body has been disintegrated.” Screamed Luke, who was increasingly fast becoming hysterical.
“Wait a minute gang.” Said a voice from behind and they all turned around quickly to see Ryan standing there.
“Ryan, how long have you been there?”
“Long enough to realise what has happened to Amy. She’s not dead, they’ve taken her.”
“Who? The E.A.s?” Said Luke whilst wiping tears away from his eyes.
“Yes. I’m afraid it isn’t good, you see anyone they don’t like gets turned into androids.”
“Oh lord! My sister is going to be an android!” Sobbed Luke.
“We have to do something. We have to get her back. Ryan where
do they take their prisoners?” Demanded Carl.
“It’s no use, once they have your loved ones, you never see them again. I should know, they have my brother Nathan.”
“Please Ryan, tell us what you know about the E.As? Tell us everything about your world?” Pleaded Carl.
“Okay, follow me. I’ll tell you as much as I can on the way, but once we’re there, I’m gone. You can do what you like, though I warn you, it will be suicide.”
They followed Ryan through the woods and Ryan began to tell his story. “It all started about ten years ago. This guy, Henry McVeigh became the mayor. He was very rich, ruthless and powerful. He lives in an enormous castle that is well guarded. When crime rose sharply, the town’s people complained to him. McVeigh said he would put a stop to it and he did.”
“Good.” Interrupted Luke.
“What’s this got to do with Amy?” Quizzed Carl.
“Well if you let me finish.”
“Sorry, go on.”
“Anyway, this McVeigh chap invented the E.As to keep people in line. That’s just the beginning. The E.As are everywhere, anyone even children that don’t comply to their wishes are taken.”
“Where to?” Asked Bonnie.
“You think he turns them into E.As don’t you? What makes you think that Ryan?” Carl inquired.
“Yes I do, because a friend of my dads did a plumbing job up at the castle and he said that is what happened to the prisoners.”
“They take children Ryan, why don’t the parents stand up to them?”
“Obviously, because they are afraid.”
“Are you telling me they let their children be taken without putting up a fight?” Carl stated, looking rather shocked.
“Yes that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Well not me, I can’t sit back and do nothing. No way, I won’t go home without Amy. I would die first.” Carl stated bravely.
“Wow!” Is all Ryan could say in response to Carl’s remarks.
They finally reached the outskirts of town after walking for a good hour. The time was almost 5.30.pm. “How far is the castle from here?”
“Only about ten minutes away in that direction.” He answered whilst pointing towards the main road ahead of them. They noted how quiet the town appeared. “It’s just like a ghost town.” Luke commented.
“What’s a ghost town? Does that mean it’s haunted?” Bonnie questioned rather innocently.
“No silly, it means quiet, empty.” Said Luke.
“Oh, I see.” She said.
“Now, wait up.” Said Ryan. “I’ve just had a thought, the dog. We must keep him out of sight. Remember folks around here have never seen a dog before. He will draw their attention to us.”
“Yes, I see. Good thinking.” Remarked Carl.
“There is a derelict building down the next street, we could leave him there.” Ryan suggested.
They walked down the side street to the derelict site. Ryan entered the building and the rest followed. “It’s a disused warehouse, but it’s safe enough. The floor is sound, the dog will be safe here.” Remarked Ryan.
“Listen Luke, I think it would be best if Bonnie stayed here with the dog and we will come back to get them both after. What do you say?” Asked Carl.
“Yes I agree, you’re probably right Carl.”
“No, I don’t want to be left here alone. What if something happens to you and you never come back? I’m scared.” Bonnie wept silently.
“Okay, okay.” Said Carl all the while trying to console her.
“Well, I’m not leaving Shane here alone either.” Replied Luke.
“Have you got any better ideas?” Asked Carl, whilst glowering at his brother.
“Hang on,” said Ryan. “We could take the dog to my friends house.”
“Can he be trusted?” Questioned Luke.
“She can be trusted. She will hide the dog until we get back.”
“We get back?” Said Carl. “I thought you didn’t want any part of it?” He added.
“Well, I can’t abandon you greenhorns can I?” He exclaimed.
“What’s a greenhorn?” Bonnie quizzed.
“Never mind.” They all chorused.
“Come on, let’s move on quickly. Kayla’s house is only around the corner.”
They headed off around the bend to a row of scruffy terraced houses. Ryan said. “Stay here, I’ll have words with Kayla and prepare her first. Okay?”
“Okay.” They chorused. After