When the Gem awakens to call a Hero, the world is ill prepared...and its fate is placed in the hands of a 17 year old boy, named Wendell.
Some will say this is nothing but a tale of fiction.
Let them think as they may.
After all...I can't fix stupid.
Previously: Dax is moved into the Presidential suite, and someone hires a famous assassin to take out Wendell.
Chapter 80
Be careful about wishing for fame. Attention isn’t always what you thought it would be. I should know—I’m as famous as it gets.
Worst part is, you’ll never know who might be watching you.
“But Wendell wouldn’t do that,” the wizard said again, exasperated. “You don’t know that boy—he’s loyal and kind and…”
“Sided with the government faction,” Philburt argued. “We had an agreement and he’s broken it.”
“You don’t know that!” Chuck snapped. “All you’ve seen is what the media’s shown you.”
“I know he never told me he was human. I know that my factories are now plagued with workers who feel they’ve been betrayed by the pilot they cheered on and supported. The pilot they thought was representing them to the rest of the city!” The rich gnome paced in front of the desk. “That’s enough for me to stay away from this whole situation. I have enough problems of my own now—trying to keep the factories running and revolts from starting. There’s a great deal of anger brewing.”
Chuck grabbed his hat from his head and threw it on the ground. “You’re a fool, Bellows, if you can’t see the opportunity staring at your fat face!”
“That’s why we want to form an official alliance,” Deloris chirped in. She quickly moved between the two men. “Isn’t that right?”
Motherboards face drew closer on the computer screen. “That’s exactly right, Deloris. This is why we’re here, Bellows. You and I have always had a good working relationship. I’ve done my work and kept you from any of the backlash I may have caused, have I not?”
Philburt looked warily at the screen. “You have.”
“Well I can’t do that anymore. As much as I’d like to assure you, no one can get away from this situation. It is an opportunity we either have to seize together and make it work, or we all go down in flames. If we choose to go our separate ways, we’ll simply go down faster. With Wendell here…and I’m referring to the personage of the Gnolaum, not the boy…there’s a power struggle already in play. My bugs all over this city are buzzing. The factions are making a play for control. Wendell is the piece everyone wants…and we have to get to him first.”
“He’s not a toy!” Chuck growled, “You’re going to get him hurt.”
Motherboards expression softened. “As regrettable as that may be, Morphiophelius, it is a chance I have to take. Every precaution will be taken to protect him…but this is about our people first and foremost.”
“Poppycock. You children don’t have a clue what you’re doing. I was around before this island was even discovered and I say you’re going to create more trouble than you’ll fix. Just leave the boy alone and let him work it out!” He tried hard not to sob. “Help me find my monkey. That’s what you should do.”
Deloris reached over and squeezed the wizards hand.
Philburt Bellows tapped his lips with his index finger, thinking. “I don’t know.”
“Then make a decision without knowing,” Motherboard said in a dial tone. “Your time is running out. We need to act.”
It was too risky. No matter where he turned, there were problems. Gigantic problems and they all centered around the perceptions of the citizens. The Gnolaum was back and the gnomes of the city were split in their beliefs. Was there a way to flip all this around? Bellows looked up, glancing between them. “What’s your plan?”
“The government stole Wendell,” Motherboard grinned, “so we figured we would steal him back.”
*****
President Stump had been right. When the request was made for Dax to be unshackled, there was little concern about safety. Only Ian Twofold had argued. Dax was now in the presidential suite—and if anything happened to the President, they could blame the elf.
That’s what I saw.
Stump looked more at ease, but I was uptight and overly cautious. The black suits rarely said a word. Were they really under the direction of the President…or were they getting their orders from somewhere else? They had to be plugged into someone, somewhere—didn’t they? The little earpieces and concealed firearms…they were dangerous…and they made me nervous.
But that wasn’t the biggest problem.
“I don’t want to move to another apartment,” I complained to Ian. “There’s plenty of room here…and I should stay here with Dax. If you’re so concerned about everyone’s safety, then you should let me take care of him.”
The albino grinned his creepy grin. “That’s all well and good, but he’s safe here. Invisible to the public. You, on the other hand, are growing in popularity…and after the next few shows, people are going to want to talk to you. A lot. You’ll have fans, fanatics, celebrity interviewers. All of which must be kept at arms length from the President. They cannot come here to interview you. So, the logical thing to do is to have a place set aside for your use, that’s all.”
I looked to Stump, then over the Presidents shoulder to where Dax lay…fast asleep on the couch.
“Take off your glasses.”
“Excuse me,” Ian said softly.
“I said,” I repeated, looking back at him, “take off your glasses when you talk to me.” I snatched the glasses from the gnomes face before Ian could react. I grinned as Ian cringed at the light, keeping his lids clenched tight. “I want to see who I’m talking to.”
Running his fingers through his blonde hair, Ian adjusted his tie and composed himself. “Right. Well,…here I am. Exposed. Satisfied?” He squinted back uncomfortably.
Grinning, “Perfectly.” Then to the President, “You’re ok with this?”
Stump pondered for a moment. “I do understand Ian’s point.”
“You’re not serious…”
“I’m not saying I completely agree…but there is wisdom in getting you your own place. You’ll need to be free to move about and interact, Wendell. I’m actually quite excited for you. Now you’ll have a platform to speak from and you have all the media to announce it to the whole of the city!” Stump looked over at Dax. “He’ll be fine here, with me and the children. Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of him.” Then to Ian, “Where’s the apartment located?”
The assistant grinned. “Five floors down. Senators level—so you can rub shoulders with the leaders of the city.”
“Excellent,” Stump said.
Ian nodded. “We made sure he had the largest accommodations available. He can conduct press conferences, events…anything needed without ever having to leave.”
“But I can leave…correct?” I asked pointedly. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in another cage.
Ian smirked. “Of course. You are now free, as our First-Class Fluffiness has stated, with the key to the city.”
Stump slapped the arm of his wheelchair. “Excellent! Then there shouldn’t be any problems. You can come up here any time you like, Wendell. I’ll make sure each my security understands that.”
I nodded, but I still wasn’t altogether sure it was a good idea leaving Dax. Not so soon after getting him released from the clutches of Mr. Upshot, anyway. But there didn’t seem to be much choice in the matter. Not if I wanted to make headway with the people of Clockworks. “I’m expected to do interviews?”
“Absolutely!” cooed Ian, nudging me in the leg. I didn’t like it. It was a bit too friendly. “We have a short bout with WHRN Prime Time…you remember Dusty and Pip I assume?”
“Mostly their backsides,” I snorted.
Both Ian and Stump laughed. “Then an intimate little gathering at your new place with Rishima Geebler.”
I moaned.
“Another interview later in the week with Nikki Cadby on the Inside Gnome show.”
“What about The Voice?” Stump asked.
Ian’s smile faded. “Yes. We were able to get a booking with that…hack. Though I don’t know why you even bother with that faceless…”
“Because he happens to be the most popular radio personality in Clockworks history. One that the people love and trust.” He nudged me and grinned. “Educated, respectable, and doesn’t take cheap shots…which is always nice.”
“Cheap shots make the programs fun,” Ian argued.
“They soil the content and cloud the mind,” Stump retorted. “Now take Wendell down to his place and let him get settled in.” Then to me, “Get rested up and come back for dinner if you can, alright?”
I forced myself to smile…my attention lingering on Dax’s prone body. The wasn’t going as I wanted it to, but I had to roll with whatever I was dealt…at least for now. Following Ian into the elevator, I was immediately tailed by two black suits. They stood in front, one of them pressing the button down.
“What are they here for?” I asked.
“Protection,” Ian said bluntly, “of course.”
*****
The apartment they’d arranged for me looked almost as big as the penthouse we had come from. It had a gigantic kitchen, a spacious living room, three bedrooms and even in indoor waterfall of recycled water. Everywhere I looked, there were lush, green plants in beautiful clay pots. Croton, Chinese Evergreens, Dracaena, heart leaf Philodendron, even English Ivy and Boston Ferns. Though there were others with blue bark, pink leaves and furry-looking flowers which didn’t look familiar at all.
The very presence of the plant life eased my tensions.
I breathed easier and relaxed.
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
The entire place was furnished, too, but with gnome-sized accommodations.
“We’re working on having some custom furniture built for you as quickly as possible. Should have something by dinner tomorrow at the latest. So,” Ian shrugged, “sorry about the wait.”
I stared at the gnome curiously. A little obsessed with his job, maybe, but nice enough…in his odd way. Well, now that I’m on the right side, anyway. “Thanks.”
Ian nodded. “You know, Wendell…I know I’m not well liked for what I do. It’s my job, you know, but,” he paused, then thought better of it.
“What?”
“I just,” he paused again, but this time, taking his glasses off, so I could see his clear, albino eyes. He looked up. He attempted something that looked faintly like an awkward smile. Emotions engaged in deadly combat over facial control. All of it seemed strange, considering how instant and free his smiles were.
This was different.
“I wanted you to know that I’m glad your here too.” He laughed nervously, then. “Don’t get me wrong…I’ve never really been a religious gnome and certainly not a church goer, but…” The awkward smile softened, smoothed out. and looked more real to me. “If all this is true, I’m starting to think that I’m privileged to be a part of what’s happening.” He slipped his glasses back on. “If that makes any sense.”
Huh. I stared bluntly at the gnome, who slowly started swaying nervously and looked away.
Maybe the albino wasn’t so bad after all.
A black suit walked out from one of the back bedrooms. “Sir, we’re settled in.”
Ian nodded.
“Settled in?” I asked.
“Yes. For your protection. Oh come now, Wendell, you can’t expect the government to provide all this and introduce you to the city and not take your safety issues seriously.”
“Safety issues?”I scoffed. “What safety issues?”
“Well we don’t know what they are yet, do we? That’s why we take precautions, so we never have to find out.”
I sighed, my head flopping forward.
Back on the leash.
“I’ll send up a tailor, so you can have some clothes made. Can’t have you looking like a typical teenager when conversing with a billion gnomes, now, can we?”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said.
“What won’t?” Ian said.
“A tailor. I have all the outfits I need.”
Ian snorted. “If you expect to represent anyone, including yourself, Wendell, you’ll need something…”
When you’re chained in place, and controlled by others against your will, your mind has a habit of turning inward. I’d tried to make my own discomfort more productive. Gathering an image in my mind, I sent a small portion of my will to my mägoweave.
The results were better than expected.
The blue color of my jeans darkened, as the fabric of my t-shirt rolled down my arms, splitting into layers. My sneakers, firmed up, the white stripes fading away to reveal polished, black leather. The final result was a perfectly tailored black suit, with a white tie…the near opposite of Ian’s own outfit. The only real exception was the tiny smiley face looking out from the center of my tie.
It winked at Ian.
“Like this?” I said.
The gnome just stood there and…gawked.
With a single index finger, he pulled the top of his mirrored glasses down over the bridge of his nose. His teeth flashed like a sudden avalanche of snow. “Now that,…is imPRESSIVE!”
I smirked. “Good enough?”
Ian shook his head and reached out to feel the fabric of my jacket sleeve. “It’s perfect.” His head popped up, one eyebrow arched. “Can you make anything you want, like that?”
“Absolutely any kind of clothes I need.”
A single defending whistle left Ian’s lips.
I frowned. “So I’m free to leave. At any time?”
“That’s correct.”
“And I assume wherever I go, these guys’ll go with me?” I shot the stoic gnomes a frustrated glance.
“Also correct.”
I sighed. Make that a choke collar.
*****
“Oh, I don’t think it was completely horrible,” Ian tried to reassure me.
“Really?”
The gnome fidgeted, then swallowed. “Actually no. It was pretty bad.” He flipped open the leather pad and pulled out his silver pen. “But hey, you LOOK good!”
“Ian…”
“Luckily we’ve spoken with Ms. Geebler and let her know her job could be in jeopardy if she pulls a stunt like those boys in there,” he grinned slyly, “no matter who she’s dating.”
I did a double take, seeing that distasteful smile on the albino’s face—which I knew was in my behalf. I know this sounds a bit crazy, but all this felt…dirty. Like I was cheating, somehow. My dad always said that sometimes when you’re dealing with snakes, you have to find yourself a bigger snake. Ian was ‘my’ snake.
…who loved every moment of his job.
With two guards in front of us and two more behind, we approached the station doors.
I could hear screams and…cheering? The closer we got to the glass doors, the more bright-eyed faces of the public came into view. Gnomes holding up their hands—trying to peer through the mirrored glass.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“That, Mr. Dipmier, is your adoring public,” Ian said smugly. “Granted, some of them are plants by us to get the ball rolling, but the rest of the people will catch on soon enough.”
“You…paid people to cheer for me?” I gawked.
“Goodness no!” Ian gasped, “We would never pay people to do such a thing. That would be unethical! Corrupt! Why I’m shocked to think we would use such tactics and waste the hard earned credits of tax-payers!”
I smiled. “Good.”
“We blackmailed them.”
Yes, this is my snake. The gopher-gnome from hell.
Doors opened to what appeared at first to be several thousand gnomes, huddled along the sidewalks, crouched in corners and even standing on vehicles. All to get a good look at the human now known as the Gnolaum.
“There he is!”
“Woah—he’s TALL!”
“Of course he’s tall, stupid—he’s a human!”
“The Gnolaum isn’t supposed to be human, is he?”
“I thought the Gnolaum was a gnome…”
Comments flew through the air as countless camera flashes exploded…everyone wanting a shot of me.
One of the flashes went off in my face as I turned around. The sudden jolt startled me and I stepped backwards, tripping over Ian’s foot. “W-w-woah!” Arms flailing, I tumbled backwards and onto the ground.
“Are you alright sir?” asked one of the security team. Leaning forward he offered a hand.
Pop.
The sound was followed by a wheezing noise.
I noticed a small trickle of blood drip down the side of the gnomes mouth…followed by a growing patch of red on his shirt. He fell forward, onto me.
“SNIPER!” roared the closest black suit. In the blink of an eye, I was blanketed by broad gnome bodies.
Gnomes around us screamed and ran for cover.
“Get him to the van!” Ian yelled, and instantly we were in motion.
The murdered special agent was left on the ground…as the detail pulled me into a bullet-proof vehicle and slammed the door shut. The driver peeled away from the studio entrance and raced down the street, skidding around the corner, making for the expressway.
Across the street and above the lights of the electric WHRN advertisement, a shadow picked up his pen and notepad.
So he took the shot, using the opportunity to see if the hired detail was as efficient as they looked.
Not a chance.
This left one option in his mind. Whomever hired the bodyguards wasn’t overly concerned about keeping the mark alive. Convenient, considering that for once, John Gain didn’t have to make the death look like an accident.
On the contrary…he was being paid to make it look as messy and as public as possible.
Sliding the pen into his breast pocket, he made a mental note to check the postal box and see if his new laptop had arrived.
Own your own copy of CHOICES
