Land of Nod, The Child (Land of Nod Trilogy Book 3) Read online

  “We should have enough power now.” Dave grinned. “And the ‘surprise’ is done now too.”

  Jeff nodded appreciatively. He was curious about the ‘surprise’ Dave had hinted about over the past few days, but he had given up asking. Dave seemed determined to keep it secret until it was complete.

  Jeff walked slowly around the rear deck, admiring Dave’s work. He approached the cabin and stooped to peer in. “Nice,” he said as he noted some of the new features Dave had added to make the long trip as comfortable as possible. The cabin would be small for the six of them, but there was plenty of room to spread out on the decks if weather was nice. There were only three bunks, so they’d have to sleep in shifts.

  Jeff knocked on the resin outer wall of the cabin. “Is this going to be strong enough… if we run into anything?” he asked a bit nervously.

  “Even with all your powers, you’re still a bit flowery, aren’t you?” Dave smiled and then added his trademark creepy laugh. “Heh, heh, heh.”

  Jeff shot him a look.

  “It’ll have to do. Even with the new batteries, we may be pushing the power limits – particularly with the ‘surprise’ I’ve been working on,” Dave said. “You ready for it?”

  “Sure,”

  Dave climbed a ladder to the bridge area that was above the cabin. He clicked several switches, and Jeff could feel a slight vibration and hear a quiet hum as the boat came to life and lights flickered on.

  Dave’s grin grew wider and wider, and Jeff’s curiosity increased.

  Then Jeff felt slightly off balance and had to steady himself as the boat lifted several feet off the ground.

  “Heh, heh, heh.”

  Chapter 4:

  “Cool!” Jeff exclaimed as he climbed the ladder to join Dave on the bridge. “So we can fly once we get to the other continent?”

  “Within limits,” Dave said.

  He brought up a three dimensional globe projection. “We’re here.” Dave pointed to their location on the eastern side of their continent. “Doclotnury is over here.” Dave indicated a city on the western side of their continent.

  He rotated the globe projection to show the pheerion continent on the opposite side. “The pheerions live here,” Dave explained as he swept his hand to indicate an area on the eastern edge of the pheerion continent. “The obvious route for us would be to launch from Doclotnury and go straight at them.” Dave indicated the relatively short distance between Doclotnury on the western side of the human continent and the eastern side of the pheerion continent. “But the pheerions are actively fighting the Doclotnurians, and they’ve got their ships going back and forth to support their efforts.” Dave waved his hand across the body of water between Doclotnury and the pheerions. “There’s a good chance we’d run into a ship and/or be spotted by someone on their coast. So we’re going to go this way,” he said indicating the untraveled water to their east. “Across this ocean and around the continent where we can approach relatively unnoticed. Following so far?”

  Jeff nodded.

  “Now here’s the tough part,” Dave said. A number of points illuminated within the pheerion territory. “Pheerion Rex’s castles.”

  So travelling halfway around the planet in a small boat is the easy part.

  “Your buddy has at least ten different castles Raspy has identified for us, and we can only take educated guesses about which one he’ll be at. So we’ll have to spend some time exploring, gathering info and trying to figure out where he is – all in an extremely hostile environment and with limited resources.” Dave smiled.

  Jeff felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. He knew the trip across the ocean would be tough, and then it would be six people against a king and his army. Their small group would have a very tough task to try to free Jeff’s father, if he’s even there. That seemed tough enough. Jeff had gotten used to those difficulties, but he hadn’t realized how blind they’d be. That seemed to make a nearly impossible task cross the line to just plain impossible. He exhaled loudly and ran his hand through his hair.

  “So I’m thinking we stick mostly to rivers wherever possible,” Dave continued. “Not just to conserve power for a mission that could go on for quite a while, but also to give us some protection from the forest creatures and pheerions.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” After many nearly deadly encounters with forest creatures, Jeff was interested in any strategy that could limit their exposure.

  The more Jeff thought about the whole thing, the more overwhelmed with doubt he became.

  Chapter 5:

  “How are you doing?” Jeff asked Rasp. After his experience in the battle, he felt a need to connect with his pheerion friend.

  “I am well.” Rasp’s language skills were improving dramatically and quickly, but his pronunciation was still harsh. Getting the words out almost seemed to cause him physical pain.

  Jeff nodded at the video screens Rasp was monitoring intently. “Anything new?”

  “Nothing. No activity of any kindzzz.”

  Jeff looked at the images of the empty apartment. He brought his hand up near Rasp’s shoulder, fully intending to rest it there – to make some kind of contact.

  But his hand wouldn’t fall.

  It just hovered a few inches away. Jeff gave up and dropped it to his side. “I know this is boring. I’m sorry. But it is important.”

  Rasp didn’t have the technical ability to prepare the craft, so Jeff had asked him to monitor the cameras they had hidden in Codi’s apartment.

  They had gathered information indicating Codi was likely the last person to have the mate to Jeff’s locket, but she had disappeared. Jeff feared the locket was already on its way to Pheerion Rex, but since the craft wasn’t ready, he hoped to get additional information if possible.

  “I guess I better get cleaned up,” Jeff said as he turned and nodded at Benji who was pacing – out of place and uncomfortable in the warehouse setting.

  Jeff waved to get his attention and approached. Benji was a huge, bear-like creature who had been a pet/friend to Dave prior to their adventures. He was smarter than most animals but had no language. He could understand Jeff, and Jeff could understand him as a component of Jeff’s mysterious powers. “We’ll be going soon Benji. Sorry to keep you stuck in here.”

  Benji growled an acknowledgement that Jeff understood as an expression of both frustration and understanding.

  “What happened to you?” Nahima asked.

  Jeff turned toward her. Nahima was a few years older than he was, but those few years seemed to make all the difference. Jeff felt that she was probably the most mature, levelheaded and stable member of the group.

  He shrugged. “Got a little messy helping set up the fortifications. Hey, do you think your brother will reconsider coming with us?”

  Nahima shook her head. “I think he wants to stay here and see if he can do anything to help the defenses.” She gestured to Jeff and walked a few steps to a slightly more private area with Jeff following. “I think it’s all been a bit too much for him,” she said in a near whisper. “I think the thought of going off on a mission like this scares the plooch out of him, but defending the city gives him a valid excuse.”

  Jeff knew how he felt, and he wished he had a similar excuse. Baldwin was Jeff’s age and the person he could relate to and empathize with best.

  “And,” Nahima continued. “I’m sort of glad he’ll be staying here.” She paused, and her lip quivered slightly. “He’s all I have left.” She forced a smile. “I want him to be safe.”

  Baldwin and Nahima’s father had been killed two weeks prior, and their mother had been killed prior to that. Jeff knew what it was like to believe his own father was dead, though he hoped recent evidence indicated he was still alive. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose both parents at such a young age.

  Nahima and Jeff stood in uncomfortable silence. After a while, Nahima glanced awkwardly around the large open area then nodded toward John, a tall, thin youn
g man with dark hair, defined features and piercing eyes.

  “What do you think about John?” she asked.

  He’s a maniacal assassin who’s very clever, capable and could be a great asset… if he doesn’t turn on us.

  “What do you mean?” Jeff asked.

  “Do you feel… comfortable with him?”

  Jeff turned and saw John pull something from his pocket. It was an eight-inch stiletto that he always carried, but it was more than a simple stiletto. The blade vibrated at an extremely high speed that gave it the ability to slice through nearly anything like it wasn’t there. John sliced through a metal conduit then retracted the blade and returned it to his pocket.

  Comfortable? Not at all. He scares the crap out of me.

  Jeff shrugged. “Sure. He seems like a good guy.”

  There was something weighing on Jeff.

  Everybody knew John was a contract assassin… but only Jeff and John knew that he had actually killed Nahima and Baldwin’s mother.

  But he was just a weapon, a mindless tool. The real killer was the one who hired him – Duanan.

  Nahima read Jeff’s distant, troubled gaze. “Are you all right? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  Yes. Absolutely. I’m a terrible person. I’ve sold you out. I’m about to bring your mother’s killer on this mission with us because I feel like his skills are useful. And if I really thought what he did wasn’t so bad, I wouldn’t be so terrified you’d find out.

  “No. I’m fine.” He looked her in the eye and forced a smile.

  Nahima locked eyes with him and mirrored his troubled gaze. Then her eyes slid off his, and she looked at a spot on the wall behind him.

  The two of them stood there, mouths slightly open, staring blankly at distant spots, lost in their own thoughts.

  Chapter 6:

  Jeff stepped out of the shower, pushed a button next to the mirror, and the condensation disappeared. He looked into his own eyes. What am I becoming?

  He wrapped his hand around the locket hanging from a chain that never left his neck. He flipped the locket open with his thumb and looked at the photo of himself; it had been taken many years ago. A lifetime ago. He traced his finger around the outline of the photo. So young, so innocent.

  He pulled a robe from a hook, put his arms through the sleeves then tightened the belt. He looked around the room – a small apartment above the work area where the others were still finishing the modifications to the vehicle. Not as nice or homey as Baldwin and Nahima’s house, but it’s good to have my own little place.

  He lifted the aluminum baseball bat that had been resting against his bed. He examined the dried blood and scratched it with his fingernail. It came off relatively easily but left a powdery residue under his fingernails.

  Jeff scowled and walked to the sink. He put the bat under the water and worked to get the blood off it and out from under his fingernails. When he examined it again, he could still see some blood caught in the finely textured surface. He scrubbed a bit more. No, I’m not going to go all Lady Macbeth on this, he thought as he raised the bat to examine it again. I think that damned spot is sufficiently out.

  A knock at the door startled him, and he turned quickly. He rested the bat against the sink cabinet and walked to the door.

  He pulled the door open, and Baldwin smiled from the other side.

  “Hey! How are you?” Baldwin asked but didn’t wait for an answer as he walked past Jeff and headed for a chair.

  “Oh, fine,” Jeff said as he closed the door and took a seat himself.

  “I heard you got beat up,” Baldwin said with a grin. “What happened there?”

  It gave Jeff a good feeling to see him grin, even if it was at his expense. Baldwin had been understandably depressed since the loss of his father.

  “What have you been up to?” Jeff asked, ignoring Baldwin’s question.

  “I’ve been doing some liaison work with Doclotnury. Because of Dad, they seem to think I’m something special,” he answered and then turned bright red. “It feels good to be able to help.”

  Jeff could read a variety of emotions on Baldwin’s face as the two of them sat silently for a few moments.

  “Hey, do you have that book I leant you?” Baldwin asked.

  “Oh, yeah, let me get that for you.” Jeff stood and could feel his muscles stiffening from his earlier encounter. He thought he could see Baldwin holding back a smile.

  “What?”

  “What, what?” Baldwin asked.

  That time, Jeff was sure he was holding back a smile.

  “Are you up to something?” Jeff smiled to himself at the thought.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Jeff could tell that was a lie. There was definitely something going on, but he couldn’t tell what it was. Jeff started toward a cabinet to get the book Baldwin had requested. He had his back to Baldwin but quickly snapped his head around to see if he was trying to do something.

  Baldwin just sat with his hands interlaced across his belly. He tried to keep a straight face, but Jeff could tell he was straining.

  What’s he up to?

  Jeff opened a cabinet. He ran his hand across the spines of several books but couldn’t see the one he was looking for. He closed that cabinet and opened the one next to it. His finger bounced from book to book until he found the one he was looking for.

  “Here it is… ” He paused as he noticed something unusual on the book. Jeff’s first thought was that it was a black knit cap. He leaned in to get a better look but jumped back as he saw it move.

  Jeff stumbled backward and began to fall. As he fell, the black, fuzzy thing leapt toward him, landed on his chest and latched onto his shirt. He was still falling, and his eyes crossed as he tried to see what it was. He decided it was an enormous tarantula – about three times as large as a normal one.

  He hit the floor and felt his head bounce as he swatted at the spider. He made contact, and it flew several feet. He made several gurgling guttural vocalizations that he had never heard himself make before.

  Baldwin was on his feet and broke out in a fit of laughter. He dropped to one knee next to Jeff but couldn’t stop laughing. “Are you… okay?” He had to force the words between laughs and gasps for breath.

  Jeff nodded uncertainly, his eyes wide and focused as Baldwin reached for the spider then shook it uncomfortably close to Jeff’s face. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid of this little thing?”

  “Is it poisonous?”

  Baldwin snapped his fingers twice at the top of the spider, and it stopped moving. He snapped them again, and it came back to life. He snapped again, and it went still once more. “It’s just a joke robotic thing. Hard to fool someone older than five – unless they’re from a foreign dimension.” He laughed a few more times as he helped Jeff to his feet.

  Jeff began to laugh himself as the shock wore off, and he realized how funny he must have looked. “Okay, okay, that was a good one. I thought something was up.” He shook his finger at Baldwin.

  He took the spider from Baldwin and examined it more closely as he dropped himself in a chair. “This is pretty cool.” He twisted it and examined it from a number of angles. It looked very real with coarse, bristly hairs, realistic eyes, spinnerets and other details. There was nothing that revealed it to be artificial even upon close inspection. He snapped his fingers twice, but nothing happened. He tried again but still didn’t get any movement. The third time it moved, and Jeff dropped it quickly. It hadn’t just moved its legs in a robotic walking motion as Jeff had expected, but it had twisted and wiggled in his hands as a real spider might have. After he dropped it, the spider seemed to be getting its bearings. Its front feet moved around, feeling the surroundings before it began tentatively moving toward Baldwin.

  Baldwin leaned down and waved his hand a few feet in front of the robot spider. It seemed to sense the object, paused… and then leapt directly toward Baldwin who caught it and broke into
laughter as it wiggled.

  Jeff laughed with him. “That’s so cool!”

  “Here, take it,” Baldwin turned it off with two quick snaps and stood to give it to Jeff. “Keep it as a reminder of me on your trip.”

  Jeff’s expression turned more serious as he took the spider and looked Baldwin in the eye. “Are you sure you’re not going with us?”

  Baldwin shook his head. “I want try to help here, and besides, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be much use to you,” he said with a frown.

  “Oh, don’t say that. You’d be a great help.” No you wouldn’t. You’d be more likely to get in the way than help. Please don’t go. I have to keep the task in mind – can’t be soft or emotional anymore. I need to be as tough mentally as I am physically.

  Baldwin smiled. “I really hope you can find your father.” His smile disappeared as quickly as it had come, and Jeff knew he was thinking about his own father.

  Poor guy. I wish you all the best, buddy, but just stay here.

  What am I becoming? I need to get out of this environment before I become a monster.

  But what if the effort to get out of here is the thing that turns me into a monster?

  Chapter 7:

  Jeff snapped his fingers twice over the spider to turn it on and then put it on top of the stack of randomly piled notebooks. He smiled as it cautiously made its way across the books.

  When he felt he had stalled enough, he reached for a notebook and sighed. He had been working to decode his father’s notebooks, but it was tedious work that hadn’t produced much real insight. The books were filled with equations and technical musings on those equations that were nearly as foreign to Jeff after decoding as they had been before. Whenever he found a passage that he thought was useful, he wrote it in the special notebook. He had less than a page in that notebook, and nearly all of those comments had come from the last notebook his father had created. He opened his special notebook and read what little he had.