“It’s exactly as I remember it,” said Johnny, as he walked around the Goth cabin, lighting candles and examining everything, looking, touching and smelling. The two cats explored the cabin with greater caution, but seemed pleased at what they found. Johnny had mixed feelings. “Except there’s no Uncle Mort.”
“I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to lose family. This can’t be the best of homecomings for you.”
“I should have come sooner. Maybe things would be different if I had.”
“Could’a, should’a, would’a. Life is full of that, there’s no escaping it, Johnny Goth. Look at the bright side. Your friends are obviously happy that you’re here now, and not mad at you about anything. You can only try to make the most of where you find yourself at the moment and go on from there. Plan to do the best you can from here and now.”
Johnny sighed and smiled. “Thanks for the wisdom Elizabeth. It has been a very long day. Why don’t we get some rest now, then get up early and make the most of where we find ourselves in the morning?”
After Elizabeth paid a short visit to the outhouse, she and Fluffy retreated to their room. Johnny prepared to bunk down on the ancient living room sofa after seeing that his goldfish and the cats were comfortable, for he didn’t feel ready to claim Mort’s bedroom. He wasn’t ready to sleep just yet, however. Too much had happened, and it was all churning around in his head.
Including his meeting Elizabeth. Despite everything else that was happening, his thoughts kept returning to her. He had never met anyone like her. She was smart, caring, strong, and beautiful. Every time he encountered her he liked her more.
He was the Goth now though, and had pressing responsibilities to attend to. There was too much he needed to know, things that he should have learned over these last 14 years from his father, his uncle Mort, and Great Two Bears. He reached out with his mind until his thoughts telepathically touched those of another seeking mind. A powerful, more well-trained mind.
“You still remember much, White Wolf. Your thoughts are clear,” pathed Two Bears.
“There is so much I do not know; so much I have missed from being away for too long.”
“Now that you have come home there will be time for you to learn everything. There are pressing problems now though. Big ones.”
“Fenster and his machines at the gates.”
“And perhaps worse things. Tell me about the evil one you met.”
“The man calls himself Dark.”
“Not a man. I have heard that name. He is an ancient enemy of the People, very powerful, and very evil. The People call him the Life Eater. He only pretends to be human, when it suits him to move around humans as a wolf among sheep. Over several days I have sensed his evil presence nearby.”
“Here?”
“Not in our holy places, not yet. But he grows bolder. When he feels more certain, he will come.”
“More certain of what?”
“More certain of what he faces, including you and me. You and I are dangerous prey. Tell me of your encounter with him.”
“We shook hands, and I could feel a power trying to consume me. Then the watch pushed him away.”
“That is why Mort gave you your father’s watch, to protect you as well as to empower and teach you.”
“What is the watch?”
“Much more than it seems, of course. You are old enough to understand now, and you are the Goth. I will explain all of it to you tomorrow. Tell me, is your Father’s image still on the watch, along with yours?”
“Yes, though both of our images age. What does it mean?”
“Perhaps it means hope. Tomorrow I will explain to you the relationship between the Goths, the Tribe, the People, the secret of the Goth watches and my knife, and the great secrets of the Mountain. When you understand your place in all these things, together we will deal with Dark and Fenster.”
“First thing in the morning?”
“Second thing. There is another important thing I must do first, then I will seek you out. There is yet another danger to my people, a danger perhaps from within. But sleep well now, White Wolf. Your return fills my heart with joy and new hope.”
Johnny Goth, his mind swirling, finally fell asleep. Much earlier he had intended to phone Angela, but consumed by the excitement of everything that was happening, he had never even thought of her again. Not once.