“Fine, yes, thank you.” Ms. Fritz clapped her hands. “Bentley, Mantel is close!”
Together, Wantoro, Gillian, and Mateo were led up the stairs and out onto the bustling sidewalks just outside Grand Central Station. It was the dead of night, but the city was as lively as ever. Wantoro was impressed. So many people. So many lights. He stood to his full stature of 6'4 and gazed at the pedestrians walking past. Many seemed to notice him, too. He was a handsome man, after all, and looked to be surrounded by body guards. Also there was his loud, unkempt beard.
Ms. Fritz's excitement reached a feverish pitch and her hair never seemed to be quite slick enough to endure the final leg of the journey. Every block or so, she would redo her bun, taking her hair out of its rigid coil only to recoil it more rigidly. After the party had walked six blocks, her pace finally slackened.
“The entrance should be around here somewhere.” Ms. Fritz squinted at the buildings across the street.
Gillian Nononia clung to Mateo. “What do you suppose Maren looks like now? Do you think we'll recognize her?”
“I'm sure she looks like you, stunningly beautiful.”
“Oh, Mateo.” Gillian went to go slap his belly but instead smiled at its lack. “You really should try to keep the weight off this time.”
Wantoro turned away and watched a yellow taxi swerve around a group of teenagers. Maren's parents had their highs and lows but at least they had each other. He feared the moment when Jeremy would realize Raaychila was missing. Wantoro hoped to be spared breaking the news of Raaychila's coma right away. He yearned to see his son alive and well, a familiar smile spread across his face.
“Beautiful property.” Jasmine interrupted his musings and darted forward to the heavy gates. “Pretty tight security system.”
“Not a problem,” said Ms. Fritz. They had arrived at the Donegall Estate. Ms. Fritz walked to a tree just left of the entrance and inserted her hand into a hollow opening, extracting a set of duplicate keys. Next, she entered a security code into the key box. A speaker buzzed her in as she opened the gates with her key.
Chapter 33
The Break-In
Jeremy stood in front of 467 Cardiff Lane, Maren's address. It was a large apartment building with security guards at the main entrance. Because it was 3:30 am, Jeremy decided to try a side entrance where he might escape notice. Maybe he should just wait until morning? No, he couldn't wait that long to see Maren. The side entrance looked promising. He needed a security code. Jeremy pulled his hand from his pocket, looked around to make sure he was alone, and palmed the security code box.
Concentrate. Jeremy closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. His consciousness drifted between the physical plane and the Haze. A current began to flow into his hand. With a crackle, electricity surged from his hand and fried the security box. Jeremy opened the door and smoothed his upright hair back down. While he didn't have much control over the intensity of the energy, he knew how to produce it. He slipped inside the building.
The elevator took him to the 11th floor, and he found Maren's apartment. Should he knock? Pick the lock? The latter was more exciting. Jeremy took his shoes off and put them in his bag. Next, he scrounged in his pockets for potential lock picks and settled on a credit card.
Jeremy pulled a black ski mask over his face and slipped the card between the door and the wall, easily pushing the bolt back into its socket. No deadbolt? They're just inviting burglary. He crept through the living room until he came to a closed bedroom door. He heard Maren sobbing. He took a deep breath and burst into the room. Maren yelped, but Jeremy immediately stifled her mouth with his hand. Jeremy unmasked himself and grinned.
“Come with me.” Jeremy hugged her and pulled her to her feet.
“Jeremy, what's wrong with you!”
Jeremy pulled the mask back over his face and hoisted Maren over his shoulder.
“Jeremy, put me down!” Maren kicked about, smacking him on the back.
“Quiet!” Jeremy rushed through the apartment with surprisingly little noise, Maren slung over his shoulder. He set her down in the hallway outside her apartment and eased the door shut. He grabbed her hand and led her recklessly down the stairs. When at last they arrived at the exit to the apartment building, Maren came to a halt, catching her breath.
“What was that about!”
Jeremy took off his mask and then took his shoes from his bag and slipped them back on his feet. “I'll explain later, we have to get out of here.” He held the door open and motioned for her to hurry up.
The two ran together for some time, weaving in and out of New York City pedestrian traffic. At last they slowed.
“What is it? Is something wrong?” Maren panted.
Jeremy laughed. “I don't know, but wasn't it a rush?”
“Excuse me?”
“I wanted to take you to my place. I'm not allowed out during the day, or during the night for that matter, but I have my ways.”
“You broke into my apartment. What if my parents heard you?”
“Your parents?” Jeremy frowned. “You mean that older couple you came to the party with?”
“They adopted me and consider me to be their daughter. If they realize I'm missing, they're going to call the police! And why did you wear a mask?”
“Just in case. But listen, Maren, can you stop drawing attention to yourself? I'm trying to keep a low profile.”
“Yeah, because breaking into my apartment in a black ski mask and kidnapping me instead of calling is so covert.”
Jeremy smiled.
“My apartment building has cameras. You broke into my apartment. And didn't you just give a performance for the Velkin Awards Ceremony? That's just like you, Jeremy. You haven't changed one bit. Can you not get past your own self-centered distortion of reality?”
“Maren, your character is all out of sorts,” said Jeremy, looking baffled.
“That's it? That's all you have to say?” Maren frowned. How could someone lack so much self-awareness?
“Cute pajamas.”
Maren looked down. She was wearing her yellow chick fleece pajamas. “Okay, Jeremy,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “You're insane, you know that? And I'm insane for going along with you because you're going to end up in jail. Please tell me what's so important that it couldn't wait 'til tomorrow?”
“We have to be together,” said Jeremy. He shrugged.
“That's all?”
“I could lie.”
“Jeremy, don't.” Maren frowned and watched as a police car sped by. “I'll go with you not because I believe you but because you 're completely out of your mind and I need to help you clean up your mess. That said, we're on the clock. I'm going home in an hour.”
“Thank you Maren, that's very matronly of you.” Jeremy smiled and started walking again. Maren chased after him.
Jeremy and Maren arrived at the estate and Jeremy quickly typed in the security code and opened the gates. The property was in pristine condition. They walked along the cobblestone path past the gardens.
“You'd never think there was a party here only a few hours ago,” said Maren, staring off into the distance.
“Ms. Donegall wouldn't have it any other way.”
“Do you like her?” asked Maren.
Jeremy kicked a stone and put his hands in his pockets. “No.”
“But she is your Earth mother?”
“No. I'm the Resident Artist here. She took me in about three years ago. Loves me, of course.”
“What happened to you before then?”
“I robbed a family of something precious to them.”
“Did you use your ski mask?” Maren smiled.
“No.” Jeremy paused in front of a flowerbed and gazed distractedly at the yellow blossoms. In another week they'd reach full bloom. “I almost forgot.” Jeremy shuffled through his pockets and pulled out a pearl necklace. He presented it to Maren. She laughed.
“Where did you get this? One of your g
ifted jewels?”
“Yes, but it's made for a lady.” Jeremy watched eagerly as she clasped it around her neck. “Doesn't it make you feel good?”
Maren blushed. “Yes, I suppose it does bring back memories.”
“It just makes me happy sometimes, you know? It reminds me of being on Watico.”
Maren stepped off the path and admired a rose bush. Its soft, pink petals had collected dew. She caught a whiff of its perfume. “Jeremy, what was it like to have the entire Farmoore Galaxy at your beck and call?”
Jeremy laughed and joined her by the rose bush. “It wasn't like that. People hated me.”
“They did not.”
“They did.”
Maren knew he was right. Jeremy was unpopular. But everyone had a high opinion of his art, and young girls, especially, enjoyed his appearance.
“Why do you think people disliked you?” Maren avoided his gaze.
“Because I have a temper. I'm vindictive, paranoid.” Jeremy shrugged.
“Well at least you're capable of moments of clarity.” Maren smiled at Jeremy and took to the path again. This time, he chased after her.
Chapter 34
Wanted
Maren wasn't answering her phone. Craig Dern dialed 911.
“State your name and location.”
“Craig Dern. 467 Cardiff Lane, Apt. 11-L, New York, NY.”
“What's the problem, sir?”
“My house was broken into and someone kidnapped my daughter, Maren Dern! His name was Jeremy Chikalto or Jacey Moon! He took my daughter!”
“Sir, please calm down. Did you see the suspect?”
“I didn't see him, but I heard my daughter yell his name. I was in my bedroom. He's a young man, around eighteen years old, and I saw him at the Donegall Estate last night. He went by the name Jacey Moon, but my daughter mentioned that he's Jeremy Chikalto. He has golden brown hair, he's tall, around six foot. Bright blue eyes, thin. She said his name, I know it's him!”
The operator typed something into his computer. “Jeremy Chikalto. We have him on file, a missing person report. Wait, he's a murder suspect. At the Donegall Estate, you said?”
Bruce stood up, knocking his chair back. “Murder?!”
“Murder?!” cried his wife.
Chapter 35
The Hot Spring
Lyrna lay on the window ledge looking out at the streetlight across the street. An hour had passed and Jeremy hadn't returned. She jumped down and busied herself with her food dish – halibut garnished with rosemary – when she heard a scream from down the hallway.
“Jacey! Jacey! Get up! The police are looking for you! Oh my dear sweet Jacey!”
The room flashed red and blue. Sirens sounded in the distance. Lyrna puffed and jumped back up on the window ledge. Two police cars skidded around the street corner towards the Donegall Estate. Lyrna mewed and ran the length of the room, not knowing quite what to do. She felt helpless. Lyrna gave one last mew and leapt out the window. She'd have to find Jeremy.
Lyrna ran along the cobblestone path to the garden pavilion. On her one side was the stone wall of the Donegall Mansion, weathered and covered in ivy; on her other, the exterior stone wall and thick bushes. She approached the pavilion and her fur stood on end. The hot spring bubbled before her. The perimeter of the pool was lined with white stones, and the pool itself was full of steaming, stinking green fluid. A dark shadow fell on the pool. Lyrna heard a familiar voice.
“Look who it is! My favorite pet. Lovely little creature, this fizdruft.” Ms. Fritz was now hovering over the hot spring. The IIU, Wantoro, Gillian, and Mateo emerged from behind a bush. “Where's Jeremy?”
“Lyrna!” Wantoro jerked forward but was held back by the IIU.
Lyrna puffed and hissed. “Wantoro?”
“Lyrna,” shouted Wantoro. “Where is my son? Is he here?”
“And Maren!” cried Gillian.
Ms. Fritz smiled. “Excellent question Wantoro. Tell us, fizdruft, where is Jeremy?”
Lyrna growled.
“But wait, here's the man of the hour, and what a fine young man!” Ms. Fritz clapped her hands together and laughed as Jeremy emerged from behind the amphitheater. He was tall now with a boyishly handsome face, and the start of a trim, muscular build. His large, blue eyes glinted in the moonlight and his brow raised slightly in alarm. Maren followed, thin with wavy blonde hair and sharp cheekbones.
Jeremy and Maren locked eyes with their parents. “Father?” Jeremy stumbled forward.
Bentley raised his weapon. “Let me demonstrate why you should do as we say.” He aimed it at a small shrub and shot a conical stream of fire, igniting the shrub and quickly turning it into a pile of ashes.
“Incinerator. Very dangerous.” Bentley narrowed his eyes and pointed the weapon at Maren.
“People, please. I know things are heating up, but let's proceed in an orderly fashion,” said Ms. Fritz, savoring her pun. “Bentley, you can lower your weapon. Jeremy, Maren, as you can see we've brought your parents. Jeremy, it seems you did not follow orders and seek out Mantel. He is here now, right in front of us.” Ms. Fritz pointed to the bubbling sulfur pool. “Let us step into his pool.” Ms. Fritz hungrily examined the crack in the ground. Steam rose from the crevice. “It's ready.” She stepped behind Gillian, and Jeremy and Maren watched in horror as Ms. Fritz hit Gillian's back flush with both palms. Gillian teetered and then stumbled into the pool, her scream fading into the hole. The ground shook. “Perfect!” yelled Ms. Fritz as Maren started to bawl.
Wantoro realized his window to do anything helpful was rapidly closing. Suddenly, he elbowed the nearest captor in the chin, making him drop his gun. The IIU scrambled for it, but Wantoro got there first. He pointed the gun at Ms. Fritz.
“Let's make a trade,” Wantoro said to Bentley. “You let us get a head start, and Ms. Fritz gets to keep her head.”
Unfortunately, Bentley already had his gun trained on Jeremy. “Get in the pool, Wantoro. Fritz is expendable and she knows it. That's part of the deal.”
Ms. Fritz grimaced and held her breath.
Wantoro knew he had lost. He dropped the gun and looked at Jeremy, tears welling up. “Goodbye, son.” At last he stepped into the pool, the steam quickly enveloping him. Two IIU members shoved Mateo in after him.
Jeremy and Maren cried out. They ran towards the IIU, Jeremy aiming his hands at Bentley's chest. Two blue currents shot out, throwing Bentley backwards.
Ms. Fritz motioned for the IIU to close around the pool. “Jeremy, Maren! If you want to see your parents again, you must trust me and jump into the pool! Here is not death, but life! Come, everyone, into the pool!” Ms. Fritz disappeared into the Earth.
Just then, a police officer rounded the corner. “He's over here!” A few more appeared, weapons drawn. “Everyone, put your hands in the air! Do not attempt to run. We will fire if necessary!”
The remaining IIU members grabbed Jeremy's arms and he grabbed Maren's. A police officer fired a shot at an IIU member's thigh. The IIU all at once jumped into the sulfur pool. Jeremy pulled his arm away from the clench of the IIU before they disappeared into the ground. The ground rumbled.
“Step away from the pool with your hands up!” The police closed in.
“We have to go into the pool. Maren, please!”
Maren shook her head. Jeremy took her hands, interlocked his fingers with hers, and faced her. “Maren, please.”
“But the police,” her voice trailed off as she looked into his eyes.
“I'm sorry.” Jeremy threw himself and Maren into the pool and Lyrna followed.
The police exchanged bewildered looks and crept towards the hot spring. The bubbling green liquid seethed. The bottom of the pool, if there was one, was not visible.
“We're going to need some backup,” said an officer into his radio.
Chapter 36
Mantel's Maze
The instant their bodies touched the scalding water, steam, not bubbling green sulfur, enveloped them. Thi
s too came to pass, and within seconds, Jeremy, Maren, and Lyrna were free falling in a tunnel. And they were dry. Even more miraculous, they weren't falling so much as they were rapidly floating downward, as if there were an invisible counter-force to gravity. Jeremy blinked and looked around him. The tunnel was formed out of various kinds of rock and soil, and patches of it would inexplicably light up and go dark at random intervals. Every now and then, a chill came over his body.
“Maren, stop screaming. Maren!”
“Huh?” Maren stopped screaming and opened her eyes. “What's going on?” She looked at Jeremy and then at the tunnel wall floating past.
“We're going to be okay.”
“Okay?!”
“I've seen some weird things these past couple of years. Trust me, this is fine. We're going to get through this.” Jeremy looked down. Blackness. He swallowed.
“Hello,” said a wheezing voice from above. It laughed and was joined by the squeal of another.
“Who said that?” Maren pulled Jeremy closer to her. Lyrna slipped in between the two of them and shivered.
“So cold!” said Lyrna.
“Look who's falling from grace.” A ghost emerged from the gloom and circled the party. It was white and wispy with long fingers and a sunken face. It's mouth was huge and grinning. “Do you see this?”
“Poor fledglings!” said another, fatter ghost, as it popped out of the stone. Jeremy, Maren, and Lyrna screamed in unison.
“They usually come in through volcanos, don't they? We should take them to the catacombs!”
“We mustn't meddle!” said the fat ghost, suddenly serious. “The others went to the Heart, maybe he wants them?”
“I must say, graveness does not become you!”
At that, the two ghosts burst into laughter and whizzed about. The thinner ghost went straight through Maren. She gasped.
“What, what are these things,” whispered Maren, drawing Jeremy and Lyrna closer to her.
“We're lost souls. Unsorted, as they say. Ghosts. But all the better, we'd have gone to hell.” The two ghosts disappeared back into the walls of the tunnel and Jeremy, Maren and Lyrna landed softly on a stone floor.
“Jeremy!” said Maren. “Ghosts! Where do you think...”
“I don't know.” Jeremy looked around. Torches lined the walls of stone corridors and showed hundreds of coffins stacked vertically, fitted into the walls, and covered in cobwebs. The air was damp and cold. “We didn't smash to bits on the ground, so let's just relax.”