Out of Twinlon

Chapter 6

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

--Theme from "Cheers"

Midday, the hour of rest. Normally the citizens who were working would take a break, but that has been abolished since the tower appeared. The female Canis were forced to entertain the controlled male Canis. Their children were forced to become soldiers. The Magis and the Non-Magis were forced to lift heave stones to repair parts of the tower and to build a large monument of Xaviera. If the Magis used their powers, they were killed. If anyone tried to escape, they were also killed.

Trying to repair the tower was hard for Mima's parents. Especially when all of them had the urge to cast a levitation spell on the heavy stones. "Is Nemo dead?" she asked her parents after lifting a very large stone.

"I don't know Mima," replied her mother, "but wherever he is, I'm sure he's safe."

"Hey!" bellowed the slave driver, "No resting, keep moving!" He lashed his whip at Mima's mother.

***

When Rosa woke up, she realized she was on the floor. "How did I end up here?" she thought to herself. She got up and looked at the time. Quarter after twelve. "This is weird." Balthazar walked into her room. "Thank God you're here Balthazar," she said as she picked him up. "You're the only one that understands me. Last night, I had a really strange dream. There were three elf-like cat creatures. Each had long hair and cassocks like the ones monks wear. They were floating above a lake, like the one in mom's painting. They were talking about someone named David. I know David is a common name, but could it be the David we know?"

Balthazar cocked his head to look at Rosa. "How could this be possible?" he thought, "The last time she came to Lake Twinlon, I erased her memory of my people being in existence. How is it that she envisioned our conversation?" He gave a loud mew, making Rosa think he is agreeing with her.

"You're right Balthazar. It could be David. The thing is that when I saw him being carried off by strange men, it must be David."

***

David woke up to the voice of his father yelling. "I'll be there in a moment!" he replied, still on the bed. He got out of bed and headed for the kitchen. His father handed him the phone. "Hello?"

"David, it's Ryan," came the voice from the other end of the line. "I need you to come over as soon as possible."

"What for Ryan? I just got up."

"It has to do with Seth."

"You mean this is serious? You could talk to me right now." David headed for the basement.

"Before noon, my babysitter, I and my brother went to the park. Seth was there and he . . . he . . . he . . . well you know what I mean."

"Ryan, you should be fighting your battles. Seth stays away from me because my dad caught him shoplifting. He's really busy right now. So if you want revenge for your unseen wedgie, don't turn to me."

"Some help you are David," Ryan said as he hung up the phone.

David walked out of the basement and into the kitchen. He placed the handset on the charger. "Why do I have a father that works for the local police?"

"I'm guessing Ryan has 'Seth' problems again," replied Galen with a piece of toast in his mouth.

"Have you registered Nemo yet?"

"You mean for School? I don't about his parents. They could be coming for him in late August."

"What if he was meant to stay with us. What if he--"

"What if he was a puppy who has no home? Just this once. After this, no more stray pets or strangers, got it?"

"Yes dad."

"Now why don't you go and check if you still have your old uniforms?"

"Yes dad," David replied for the second time. Just when he was about to head upstairs, Nemo appeared. "Good afternoon Nemo. Did you sleep well?"

Nemo nodded. "I didn't mean to over hear your conversation, but who is this Seth?"

"I'll explain to you when we get upstairs," replied David. Nemo followed him.

When they came to the spare bedroom, David started looking for his old uniform. "Seth is not what you call your average school bully. He's part nerd. One thing that I find him different from other bullies is that he uses his knowledge on how to beat people in a special way." He looked in a box on the shelf. "Not here," he whispered to himself. "Anyway," he continued, "Seth tried to shoplift a top of the line calculator while my dad was driving me to school in his cruiser. Dad suspected something so he said, 'You want to get to school early? That way you can set your traps up without anyone noticing.' Knowing that Seth never turns down an offer he entered the cruiser. 'Thanks Officer Mallow,' he said and as the cruiser started moving, 'wait a second this is not the right way to the school!' He realized that dad was taking him to the police station so he can call his parents." David found a green box right next to the other box. He opened it up and found his old uniform. "Here it is. It might be a little small, but at least it saves us money to buy one."

Nemo took the box and placed it on the bed. He took each piece of clothing and examined it closely. First was a white shirt with the school's crest on the breast pocket, a green tie, a green cardigan, and a pair of green pants. "Strange garments you have, but it will do."

"Well, I have to get dressed. You can try it on if you want to."

"Thank you David. Thank you very much."

David smiled and went to his bedroom to get dressed.