After three weeks...
I was cured and healthy, as well as able to step on my foot without feeling any pain. I smile as I see the house and capture the memory, this being the first time I was out since I was in bed rest most of the time I was here.
I turn as I hear the door Creak! And I see Lilo there.
"Hey," I said nicely with a small wave.
Lilo says surprisingly as she walks in, "Wow, you've changed a lot. Is it because of the bed rest?"
I comment confused, "I really don't know, but I feel amazing. I haven't felt like this in years."
Lilo retorts, "Well...you are different. You're not being so mean and sarcastic as you were before."
"Oh...Sorry," I shrug with a meek smile, "Don't know what got over me?"
"Maybe since you're over your sickness, you're back to being normal?" she suggests.
"Could be?" I state as I shrug in return.
"Oh...That's right, Jumba wanted me to get you. He said it's urgent," she smiles as she grabs my arm and drags me out of the guest room and out of the house.
"Lilo...you're going to rip my arm out of its socket if you tug it any tighter," I whine as we run through the beach.
Jumba calls us, "Oh Earth boy and little girl, come over I fixed it."
Everyone gathers around the generator, all in awe at the thing.
I ask as I point to the machine before me, "Is that the Wormhole Teleporter Generator I've been hearing about?"
"Yep," everyone chorus.
It looked like a futuristic engine. It had a hovering piece of the machine; which was about the same size as a fridge, and cover in chrome.
I say worriedly, "Umm, can we do a test run. I don't want to go to nowhereville."
Jumba say, "It's impossible, there's no such thing as nowhereville."
I rephrase myself, "No, I meant. I don't want to be sent to another place; instead of Kearny, NJ."
Jumba speaks as he understands, "No worrying. It'll being like you never left."
I ask nervously, "Really? Are you 100% sure?"
Jumba talks confidently, "Yep, Jumba making sure to pinpoint it to the time you left."
I proclaim, "I can't believe it. I've been here for weeks, I mean...No one is going to believe me when I say this in school."
"Um...about that," Lilo speaks.
I turn to her and see she was rubbing the back of her neck uncomfortably, "Marcus...you can't tell anyone about this."
"What? Why?" I ask confused.
"It might cause more problems," she insisted.
I look at her and see she was dead serious about this, "Fine. I won't tell anyone."
I say truthfully, "Thanks. For everything, I mean it. Bye guys."
Jumba screams, "WAIT!"
Everyone freezes and turns to him as he continued, "Jumba forgot giving you this. (Hands over a cellphone-type device) You can calling us anytime, and now Jumba opening up the generator."
Jumba turns on the machine and a see the wormhole there.
He says calmly, "Now you can proceed."
Then something came to mind as I ask, "Is the landing softer than the one coming in?"
Jumba adds on unsure, "I'm...not 100% sure."
I question uneasily, "Well how sure are you?"
He guesses, "Probably less than 40%."
I holler both in fear and in anger, "WHAT! No way I'm going in there, sure if it was like 50% - 65%. But 40%, no less than 40%! I bruise easily."
Everyone laughs at my outburst, I join after hearing myself.
I walk around and calmly add, "Well looks like I don't have a choice in the matter, do I?"
I go back and run into the portal screaming, "Geronimmmmmooooooo!"
As I look back, the sights were amazing and once again I was swimming through the dimensions. Next thing I knew, I saw the light coming towards me. It was swiftly approaching me, I put my arms up in order to protect my head because I knew I was going to hit something. I was spat out again, but instead of hitting a tree; I ended up in the old duck pond in the park.
I go up and whip my hair back as I spit out the nasty water. I shout sourly, "Yuck!"
I swim out of the green, moss cover pond and walk up the steps. I shake my body and try taking off the moss, but I couldn't help but laugh because I knew I was home. The smile on my face was really big and bright, "I'm home!"
I ran to my house with my key and open my door, I wanted to see my family; however as I examine the house. My family was out apparently. So I went upstairs to my room to get some clean, dry clothes. I pat my pockets as I try to see if the vial I 'borrowed' from Jumba was with me. I feel it and grin as I place it near my costume, I run downstairs to the bathroom with my dry clothes and one thought in mind. 'Need shower now!'
After that was finished, I went straight to my room and ready myself for bed.
A couple of days later...
I didn't have the best sleep. I kept tossing and turning throughout the night, I know that much. I slowly open my eyes and find myself on the couch.
"What the?" I ask as I yawn.
I sit up and stretch a little, I rub my hands on my face and see that indeed I'm in the living room.
"Did I sleep walk or something?" I yawn as I stand up from the couch. I just started my morning routine. I did some cardio, got my stuff and left to school. On the walk, I couldn't help but think about my friends. 'Hope they can forgive me for my behavior.'
As I went to my locker, people started to come in. I turn to say hi, but with one look at me. They all quickly fled like I was the plague. I look down sadly and just went to the cafeteria to get some breakfast. As I went downstairs, more and more people were either frozen on the spot and ran as fast as they could away from me. I know before I liked it, but now...it seems to be more of a problem than anything.
I sigh, "This is going to be a long day and even longer year."
I walk into the cafeteria and I bumped into Jon.
"Oh sorry," he said as he turns around, "Oh, it's you."
"Hey," I speak meekly, "What's up?"
"Everything is good, I guess."
"Oh," I said as I look down at my feet.
We're both quiet for a few minutes before I add, "I-I just wanna say sorry."
"What?" he asks.
I look up to and speak firmly, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" he asks.
"For being a dumbass, piece of shit, etc." I list.
Luis walks in and sees us, "Jon? Marcus?"
We turn and he runs to us. I look to both of them, "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I'm sorry guys for how I was acting and all. Can you guys forgive me?"
I look at them and see they were in deep thought. I look back down as I hang my head down.
"I guess so," Jon states.
"Yeah," Luis adds, "We can forgive you."
I look to them in shock, "Really? Even after all those things I did and said? You can forgive me that easily?"
They nod with smiles and I hug them happily, "You're the best!"
"Marcus...you're making a scene," Jon points out as I release them. "Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!"
Both sigh at him as Jon speaks, "Marcus...what have I said about apologizing too much."
I look down and reply, "Sorry again."
"Marcus...so help me. Stop apologizing," Luis comments.
"Sorry," I said quickly.
Both sigh as I stop talking.
We started to talk about the bad storm yesterday; when Jon asks me. "Marcus, where were you yesterday?"
"What?" I ask confused.
"I was calling you and you never called me back," he explains.
"I...um...uh," I ramble as I try to think of what to tell them, "I was caught in that storm and I fell into the pond. So my phone got soaked and that is why I didn't get your calls."
I smirk knowing that most of it was truth; just forgot to mention the whole staying in another dimension. Both look at me closely and I thought for sure they were going to ask more, but they didn't.
"Fine," Luis speaks, "Sounds something that would happen to you."
"Hey guys, did you heard!" a student exclaims loudly as everyone quiets down and looks straight at him.
"Apparently the New Jersey Devil struck again," he adds as everyone talks.
I repeat softly and confused, "New Jersey Devil struck again?"
"Yeah," Luis speaks getting my attention, "Apparently, all of those things are happening because of something. The problem is that no one knows what 'it' is exactly. What it looks like, nothing."
"New Jersey Devil?" I say to myself. For some reason, I feel like it isn't that; that it is something else. I just don't know what.
"Think of this, at least something interesting happen in this town," Jon comments, which is true.
"Speak of interesting, this week is Parent Teacher Conferences or is it next week?" Luis states, sounding more like a question.
"What!" I shout at him, not realizing how the marking period was about to end.
"You joking right," I beg him and he shakes his head no. 'Aw man...I'm dead. My parents are going to find out all the tricks, pranks and times I've been sent to the principal's office. Not to mention my grades. I'm royal screwed.'
"I'm so dead," I sulk as I slump my shoulders down.
"Maybe you're not," Jon states as he pats my back.
"Thanks for trying to make me feel," I comment.
"Hmm," Luis speaks as he is lost in thought.
"What?" I ask him.
"Just that...isn't funny how all of the sudden, you're no longer a jerk just as fast as you turn into one," Luis points out and I thought about it.
"Now that you mention it..." I start as I thought, "Before I did turn into a jerk, my family members have all been highly aggressive at one point or another. Like...something just intensified the emotion on purpose."
"What do you mean by that?" Luis asks.
"It's just that...they said they've heard weird things happen in my room," I answer, "And then..."
I stop as I thought back to when I saw my costume's mask winking at me, "My costume winked at me."
"What?" Jon and Luis speak in disbelief.
"Yeah...it winked at me. I thought I was actually going crazy in that moment," I comment.
"Anything else weird on unnatural?" Jon asks me.
The bell rings, signaling for everyone to go to home room. Jon and I say bye to Luis as we went to our home room. We were the first ones to the door and Jon kept asking me question after question about the weird things.
"Does this have to do with the whole Lilo and Stitch coming here?" he asks me.
"I highly doubt that," I answer as I look around, making sure there was no Lilo and Stitch appearing out of the blue.
Jon grabs my shoulder and turns me around, "Okay, that's it. I know you're hiding something Marcus. What is it?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all," I retort as I mentally curse myself for doing it in an obvious way.
He looks at me and I sigh. I look around and put my hand on my face as I try my best way to say this whole thing without sounding completely psycho.
I say while blushing, "I don't even know where to begin, I mean if I were to tell you. You would find me crazy and also find it extremely hard to believe."
He speaks, "Come on, try me."
I give in and say, "Well you see..."
After I told him the story, he laughs. Then he continues to talk, "What stuff are you on? I mean you bumping into Lilo and Stitch numerous times, falling into their world, etc. It's...it's complete nonsense. What stuff have you've be doing?"
I yell harshly, "None. It's the truth."
He looks at me and realizes. "Oh my god, you're not joking," he retorts.
I response to him, "No, I'm not."
I grab Jon by the wrist and take him somewhere private. I open one of the empty classroom's doors and we went in. I close the door and lock it. I need to show him proof of the story being true, I was hoping I've something. I take my bag off and reach inside for my cellphone that Jumba gave me and called him. I pull it out, the ugly looking yellow circular phone from my bag and give it to him to hold. I close my bag and I take it back, Jon was already confused at what it was. I began pressing random buttons on it, "Come om, come on! Work you piece of -"
Then Jumba and the gang were in front of us.
Our jaws dropped and Jumba says nicely, "Hello Earth boy. How's school?"
I say dumbfounded, "Umm... you're in my school."
They gang looks around and Pleakley asks, "It's nice. But what's with the clothes?"
I reply annoyed, "It's our uniform policy. Yeah, Jumba when you said phone..I thought it'll be like calling you from it, not having astral projections of you here."
Jumba chortles a little and responds, "Smart right, still in experimental stages. First, holograms not astral projections. Second, you never asked about the phone."
Jon said, "Oh my god. You were serious about everything."
I heard footsteps coming to us and I begin to panic. I turned and say quickly, "Later guys, bye."
I close the phone and the holograms disappeared.
I turn to him with confidence and lowly state, "Ha, told ya. All was true."
"Then...the New Jersey Devil must be that experiment," Jon denotes as I look to him.
"You sure?" I ask him.
He looks to me, "What other thing can bend metal around three people?"
"It's just...if that thing is an experiment. Why didn't it leave to go to another place and why only at night?" I ask him.
"You need to get more information from Lilo and Stitch," he states seriously and I nod.
"So after school, you, me and Luis search the town for the experiment," he orders.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Back it up, back the truck up!" I retort, "What do you mean 'search the town for the experiment'? Um...if I'm not mistaken and tell me if I'm wrong, but can't they do almost the impossible."
"Yeah. You're going to call Lilo and Stitch and then we'll look around the town together," he explains.
"Are you listening to yourself," I state looking at him like he's crazy, "It sounds like you want to chase it."
"I do," he insists, "But I know that with Stitch here we have a better shot of getting it."
I look straight at him and I can see he was dead serious, "Fine. I'll call them. I might as well keep a journal and record anything weird, abnormal or any other anomaly, anything like that. There has to be a connection."
"Good idea," he comments as I open the door and we leave.
We go to the home room and were there for a few minutes.
After school...
Jon and I found Luis and told the story to him, who thought we were smoking pot because he didn't believe a single word we said. I say with a smirk, "Fine, I'll prove it to you."
I take out the device and showed it to him. He ask, "What in the hell is that?"
I answer, "It's my holophone."
He questions again, "A holo...what?"
I respond, "It's a hologram projector, a size of a cellphone. Now watch what happens as I press the button."
I push it and the holograms show, we all say hi and Luis was just in shock.
He says, "Wow, this is amazing. You know how many people would like to do this."
I reply, "No, no one must know. Now...Lilo, Stitch. I need you guys to come here ASAP. We think we've a clue about the missing experiment, but we need you guys to come here and give us some more information. Deal?"
"Deal," both said,
"Good, we'll wait for you by the park. Okay?" I state and they nod.
I closed the holophone and look to my friends as we run to the park.
Four hours later...
I run to the park while muttering, "I'm late! I'm so late!"
I jump over the long stair find Jon and Luis waiting for me, "Sorry...I kinda had an accident that's why I'm late."
"It's fine," Jon states as he walks up to me, "They're not here yet."
"What! What do you mean they're not here yet!?" I ask loudly. Jon cringes from that and I say softly, "Oh...sorry."
"Well...we waited this long, we can at least wait a few more minutes until they come," Luis explains as we walk to the bench and sit there, waiting.
Few minutes later...
We see Lilo and Stitch running down the park's middle path, coming to reach us.
We go up to them and I demand, "Okay...spill about the experiment."
Lilo counters as she crosses her arms over her chest, "You know I can't, it's classified."
"Then you're not getting what we found," I reply with a smirk.
"What?" Lilo exclaims confused.
"That's right. Either you tell us more about the experiment or we're not giving you what we know," I gave her a choice.
She turns to Stitch and both walk off as they whisper to themselves. I look over to the guys and they shrug their shoulders because this wasn't supposed to happen. They were supposed to give us the details the instant they got here, but that didn't work. I look back to Lilo and Stitch still talking. Now I was starting to worry. What happens if they still don't tell us anything? How can we stop something we don't even know what it looks like? I see both standing up from the huddle and walking over to me, I'm hoping they'll tell us something; anything useful about this experiment.
"So..." I start.
"Fine...we'll tell you everything we know," Lilo comments and I smile as Jon and Luis walk over.
We all sit on the steps as Lilo explains the situation. "Well...Before Hamsterwheel messed around with Jumba's machine and equipment. We were having another problem."
"Problem? Um...excuse me, b-but what problem exactly? If you don't mind telling us what that is," I ask nervously.
"Well...one of our cousins found one of my old pictures of Stitch and brought it to life. We were trying to catch it, but Hamsterwheel came at the same moment and we both chased after the copy of Stitch," she states.
"Wait," I cut her off again, "If it is a copy of Stitch...Isn't good already?"
"No, not really. The copy of Stitch was brought to life by a picture I had before Stitch turned good. So since Stitch was bad in that picture, so is the copy. Anyway, we were chasing after it when it crashed into Jumba's lab and a lot of chemicals were spilled on it during the chase. Then the copy did a feint attack to us and before we knew it the machine was on and the experiment was long gone," she adds.
"Chemicals? So...it might not even be the same when you chased it and might not even have the same abilities as Stitch," I counter, noticing I sounded like a downer. "Sorry."
"Yeah...that's why we keep losing it, but at night it seems to be at its strongest because we can find it. But, it always gives us a slip," she retorts.
"So...this is a wild goose chase or a needle in a haystack situation?" I ask, sounding a little annoyed.
All of them looked towards me and I said, "What? It's true."
They all roll their eyes at me and we gather around, formulating a plan.
