So I apologize yet again for taking so long with this chapter. I've just been doing a lot of brainstorming of late. You see, (now I'll going to explain it to you since I'm already mentioned it) I've been thinking of original plots of my on for some time now. I have a couple plots that are unpolished yet, but some others are springing up left and right. And it's all been firing me up to write a story of my own.
Anyway! Time for the 12 chapter!
12: Sleeping Sun
The memory of Ethan Darsch willed to fade away quickly. After weeks passed by, Madison started to look normal again. Sometimes I even wondered if she thought the same of me, marking it down whenever I even looked fraction of the term, 'normal'. But Madison seemed not to be the kind of person who wished to tell of her woes. Instead she kept them to herself, guarding them. She might have even fed her woes a bit. Whatever the case, she only started to talk more two weeks and a three days following Ethan's strange appearance. "Gabe?" She asked, making me flip around violently at the sound of her voice. I struggled for a response at her sudden decision to talk, the simple reply caught me of guard, and I stifled a laugh at myself for not thinking of it sooner. "What?"
She fiddled with her fingers for a moment, her eyes flying around the room to avoid my curious stare. "You said you were planning to visit the castle soon…with Klaus to see how everyone was doing…to try and brighten your mood," She explained. Though it didn't sound like she was finished, I thought she might need a little prodding.
Hadn't I suggested that like, two weeks ago? Why does she bring it up now? "Yeah I was. Did you want to go?" I said, fishing around for her to enlighten me on her thoughts. Her face lit up and she finally centered her eyes on my face. She nodded with enthusiasm and a smile on her lips.
"So...Madison," I started. My sight went to the lamp next to me and I tried to act as if we had never had the conversation earlier. Madison seemed curious and answered quickly, "Yes Gabe?" She asked tentatively. She looked a bit flushed, and I gathered she needed to get out of the house as much as I did. "I was thinking that trip to Disney Castle is doable now, wanna go? Klaus is awake," I suggested, raising both eyebrows to greaten my innocent expression. "...yeah. That sounds good. I bet Klaus will enjoy getting out for awhile...me too."
"I'll go get his car seat," I said, dashing off up the stairs. I came back a few minutes later with a car seat in one hand, and a big baby in the other. Madison gave one glance at Klaus and almost looked surprised at his size."Oh Muscles McGee. Give me that baby," She took Klaus before he would notice his father and started speaking baby talk to him. I give her a sideways glance, one eye brow raised high.
I chuckled slightly, shaking my head and opening the front door for her. I grabbed my wallet from the foyer key table by the coat hanger before following Madison out to the Mercedes.
She waited patiently by the car as I slowly approached both of them, trying not to scare my son. I opened up the back door for her and tossed the safety seat on the upholstery, speedily hooking it up to the belt above it.
I had successfully gotten Klaus a bit used to my appearance; he had stopped completely screaming and had toned down to staring or crying in horror. I gazed at my son. I wish I could have longer, but he started to whimper when he caught my stare. Klaus was getting so big. And every single day I could see more of Charlotte in him. Those expressions, his hair, and his breathtaking smile…both him and Charlotte had never smiled without leaving me stunned and breathless. It was just so…pure. So beautiful and complete. Her smile used to make my fingers tingle, and I would swim into her gray eyes, only to have its icy color freeze me mentally. I used utter care as I took Klaus from Madison's grip, making sure he couldn't my face fully. I stared into the trees as I set him inside the seat and buckled him in. Madison was waiting for me in her spot at the passenger's side. I slid out silently and closed the door behind me. I fluidly skimmed around the edge of the car and went to my door and got in. Madison stayed quiet in her seat, and a strange look rested on her face. It changed as I got in. She was hiding something from me. Of course, usually she did, for my benefit. I never got the feeling she was comfortable airing her thoughts, but, she didn't most of the time because they were questions of Charlotte, I knew so.
I didn't bother to use my safety belt, and I could feel Madison's disapproving gaze on me as I gunned the engine and pulled out without it on. I drove through Twilight Town silently, but when we came to its exit, I turned the radio on. I went to a station with light music, it sounded a lot like Leeland, and Klaus seemed to calm down in the back.
I glanced sideways at you, curious if you knew the song. As I suspected you sang gently along with it, smiling brightly. I felt lighter myself, this was good, I was starting to recover a bit. Having Madison there helped, she wasn't a life line for me, but instead more like the more who was trying to pull me in. I opened the windows a bit, which made Klaus giggle more. He clapped his hands and smiled hugely.
The cool evening air blew in gently from the windows as I drove them along. Madison smiled lightly as she sang the songs on the radio with a pretty voice. Klaus just lay his head back on the seat and gazed out his window, entirely fascinated with the purple starry sky outside. The sleek black car thrummed near silently, jetting past other vans and ships strewn out in the Space highway before me. I weaved around a slower car and exited the highway onto a smaller road, one with less traffic and more signs. The first sign I took notice told of what we were closing in on, and also names of different roads that were connected to this one. After a few miles of directing green signs and more of the starry space sky, a larger white sign came in my view.
"Welcome to Disney Castle," it read, "Home of the Cornerstone of Light and our beloved King Mickey."
I pushed down on my sensitive gas pedal and shot forward, past the welcoming sign and into the next world.
I watched Madison out of the corner of my eye as she dared a glance at my speedometer. I thought she might freak out instantly. Instead, she saw it, and stared for a moment, probably wondering if it was playing tricks on her or something, then she slowly turned back to the road. I noticed her hands gripped her seat tightly, her knuckles worn white. I slowed down deliberately, smoothly sliding into an empty parking space between two larger cars. Madison shook slightly as I steering expertly into the spot. Klaus giggled again.
I smirked as I climbed out of the Mercedes, swinging around to the back door. I opened the door that separated me from my boy and picked him out. I tried to move his face away from my own by leaning his over my shoulder, but he refused. On the contrary, Klaus looked into my eyes and just stared. I was taken off guard for that moment, and kept gazing into my son's startling blue eyes. Those are were the ones I used to see every day in the mirror. They were my own. I watched him swallow and could feel tension as he put his hands on my chest and kept looking at me. My eye brows knitted together, "Klaus?"
He had never acted this way before, and I was completely curious. I could also hear and feel Madison on the other side of the Mercedes staring at me, in wonder. Klaus let a single tear run down his cheek without cries to follow. I was taken slightly aback, but he then ceased to resist my arms and lay his head on my shoulder. I swallowed my quickening breathing. Klaus had just looked at me without screaming or crying.
Maddie walked up to me, setting her comforting hand on my shoulder opposite to the one Klaus rested on.
We walked to the castle in silence. People filtered in through the main road and parked, I recognized many of Mickey's closest friends. "Look at all the people, is there something going on?" Madison asked, glanced sideways at me. Klaus looked up at me. I looked around again, raising an eyebrow. "Huh, I'm not sure. Maybe it's a birthday party. Darn, maybe I forgot it was some one's birthday..." I said, giving out a bogus horrified expression.
I both searched the area for some sort of clue as to why all these people were here. I watched as Madison walked up to an older man, he was dressed in a black suit, and was aided by a golden cane. I noticed his scent of pipe tobacco, a smell that I was accustomed to. Maddie spoke to him politely, "Excuse me sir, could you tell me what everyone is doing here?"
He down at her with visibly kind eyes, and smiled. "Of course child, everyone is here to celebrate the birthday of one of the Kings dearest friends."
I found myself smirking slightly again, and then thanked the older man. I led the way into the colonnade, Madison following me blindly. Whether anyone knew it or not, I'd been in here before, on a matter of petty things Mickey had wanted to clear up. So I had learned my way around the large castle. I kept going until we came to a tall set of purple shaded doors that went into the Audience Hall. Many voices came from the doors in front of me and I went in and immediately found some one I knew.
We went into the great hall, and I handed Klaus to Madison as I ran up to Sora a few feet away. Sora grinned instantly and took my hand and shook it, they pulled into a welcoming hug. Tami smiled pleasantly at his side. Madison just stood back and laughed at the sight, balancing Klaus on her hip. My boy looked happy, content at least, and they both seemed to enjoy the sight of my reunion with friends. "Hey, dude, whose birthday is it? Seriously not yours, right?" I asked Sora, glancing over at Tami who gave me a friendly smile.
Sora shook his head, "Nope. It's Riku's. Mickey decided to go all out for him," He explained. "Hey, who's your friend there?" Sora asked, motioning towards Madison. He sort of gaped at the child, but raised both eye brows, and I laughed.
"That's me and Charlotte's child, Klaus. You haven't met him yet of course. He's only about..." I thought back to how many months he'd been alive; months of swelling pain for me...I stretched back in my mind for them. How long had I been suffering? I struggled to get a grasp of the months that had drawn on agony filled, trying to come up with something. Madison must have seen my expression, she came forward. She answered for me, acting as if it were nothing, "10 months." I threw her an appreciative glance, and she returned it. She continued, turning back to Sora, "I'm Madison, but my friends call me Maddie." He smirked and she extended her hand, he shook it lightly. Then he threw me a look I got pretty often around the guys who had known Char. Madison looked up at me to try and find the explanation to Sora's accusing stare.
I shook my head with my eye brows pulled together, but didn't feel the need to give him a dirty look. Instead I gave him the 'are you crazy? I'm not a two timer' one in its place. Sora raised his hands in defense, saying he meant no offence. I chuckled at him, relieving you of the heavy baby, and taking him into my arms. Tami stepped up to Klaus and started to baby talk to him, I had seen this, but hadn't seen my pride decrease, so I'd stayed away from it. I usually just smiled and played with him. Though smiling was already something tough to do. He needed a mother. I looked down at my son and grinned widely as he squirmed and laughed at Tami's gentle tickle. Madison nearly gawked at my wide smile and then she just went to a grateful sort of expression. I enjoyed Klaus's giggles, they made me feel normal. Soon Tami pulled away, still smiling brightly, "I love babies," She said, waving at him a little.
Without meaning to, I went off into a conversation with Sora and Tami, automatically leaving Maddie out. I felt bad, but Tami demanded for your attention and Sora was curious as to how things were since last time. I still maintained a close eye on Madison who stood next to me. Her sight had wandered over to the people surrounding us. Suddenly she went stiff, and then she seemed to dare herself to peek back at whoever she had seen, this time reaching up on her toes to see higher. A sense of familiarity dawned on her face, and then it turned grim. Something was wrong. Despite her actions, I pretended to talk to Sora and Tami just for Madison's benefit. Whatever it was, it wouldn't be good to make a scene. But after a while of half paying attention to Tami talk about the pros and cons of living at the castle, I sneaked another glance at Maddie. She was now turned towards Sora, and she had a blank look on, as if she was debating in her mind what to do. "What's wrong?" I asked, putting a hand on her arm.
"Um, nothing," She said quietly."I just think I need a little fresh air." She managed a smile, but I could see right through it. She quickly turned and exited the packed hall, giving a careful look over at a tall, dark figure. A few times Maddie even ducked behind people before disappearing out into the colonnade. "Madison…?" I asked belatedly.
I sighed but went back to Sora and Tami. "Hey, I'm gonna go follow her. I'll see you guys later," I said, pointing to your direction with a subtle thumb. They nodded, but Sora asked, "Are you going to stay for the party? I know Lucifer's wanted to see you again, and Kairi misses your jokes."
Smirking with a little doubt, I nodded uneasily, "I'll just be a minute...hey but, I was wondering, who is that lady over there?" I asked, pointing over at the tall lady in a black dress. I didn't make the pointing finger too noticeable, so they would catch my drift. Sora made his mouth into the shape of an 'o' when his eyes followed my finger. He seemed to tune his voice down into a whisper and stepped a little closer. Tami just stayed away, wearing a look of disgust by the turn of subject. "That's Mickey's new assistant, she's totally evil and everyone knows it, but for some reason, Mickey thinks she's an angel. Either that, or he trusts people too much, and that's the over-reactor King Mickey we're talking about. Some of us think she brain washed him or something, but pretty much all that's for sure is that she's a total witch. She worked for some guy named...um...Lord Averil or something like that. Just don't talk to her, she's mean, and likes to pick into you, if you know what I mean." I had frozen. Lord Averira. Was she a spy? Or was she just finding a job? No way, this can't be good, and if Sora --of all people-- thinks she's a witch, then it has to be true. I turned quickly and headed out after Madison, holding Klaus close, but something cold hooked my arm.
The icy hand held on firmly, and I pried it off without looked to see its owner. Klaus stared at the hand, like it was fire, something hurting me. I gritted my teeth and looked up at see that tall lady in black. I stepped back, not wanting her to touch my child. "I've been meaning to meet you Mr. Embick; I believe you know our King quite well?" She asked, her voice sending small shivers down my spine.
Her face was young, held together with a yellowish skin, hard at the cheeks bones and surrounding dark green eyes. I nodded slightly, feeling my brow mesh down towards my eyes. I felt my face turn hard, but she did not seem to like me either, like I was an obstacle. "We're good friends. Though I'm not sure I've met you before, are you his new assistant? I've heard of you somewhere, I believe," I replied, yet also trying to wrap this up quick. I just wanted to grab a piece or two of information from her, and then it was off to find Madison. The lady skipped my question, pretending she hadn't heard it, "Excuse me, but had you seen a girl with blue wings around here? I could have sworn I saw her just a minute ago."
I froze again, so that's what Madison was walking away from. This lady was bad news. I decided to lie, "Yes, I'm pretty sure I saw her going over to see Queen Minnie's very popular new blue dress," I said slyly, pointing way over on the other side of the hall, knowing Minnie would be able to deal with this witch. The lady nodded curtly and left. I grimaced and waited till she was out of sight and then dashed out of the room. Klaus looked happy to be away from her cold presence. I found Madison out in the colonnade, leaning against the wall, gripping her elbows.
I stopped in front of her and just gave her a vacant stare. She answered my silent by obvious question, "I'm fine, I just..." She looked off into the moon in the sky above and grew quiet. She was at a loss for more words. I could easily see through her lie and knew this couldn't be good if she'd thought to lie to me to cover it up. I shook my head, taking a light hold of her arm and leading her towards the doorway. We needed to get out of here. I didn't care if Madison wanted to face her fears, I didn't care about anything but the safety of her. She needed to get out of here, that lady was definitely not on my mental 'ttyl' list. I'm not sure if Maddie tried to pull away from my grasp, because I could feel her tugging against my monstrous strength…or at least she wasn't succeeding in getting away.
When I looked back at her she was staring at me, almost questionably, but that aside she was nearly running to keep up with me. As we got to the parking lot, we passed the older gentleman again, he saw us and Maddie worried expression and my fierce determined one. He got the wrong impression, because he used all his strength to catch up with me and clonk me on the head with his cane. This made her giggle a bit, but she politely assured the old man that she was in no danger--at least none relating to me. He looked back to Madison, and replied lightly "Oh, well, I'm glad you're alright, you just seemed quite frightened." He shot me a quick look, he was obviously still skeptical. It threw Maddie off, I could see it on her face, this man didn't know her at all, and yet still was trying to protect me. She thanked him, and we made our way to the car.
I strapped Klaus in hurriedly, and he stayed quiet, just curious. If he kept any more of this silent business up, I'd begin to worry. I rubbed my bruised head bit as I slid into the driver's seat, freezing in place as I saw a dark figure cast against the parking lot's small amount of light. I ordered Madison to get in with haste. She moved mechanically to get into the car, face sheet white. I turned the car on, letting the back red lights fly up to the face of the person approaching us. My voice was urgent and deep as I spoke to you, "Madison, I want you to duck down below the dashboard if I give the signal, cover yourself as best you can." The lights went on, and the face made my breathing stop. The sharp, angular face of the new assistant became bigger, coming closer. "Get down!" I whispered, making sure my lips didn't move as I said it. The auburn shuffled under the dash. I slowly started to pull out, but the hag yelled to me first, making me stop. The old man by the courtyard eyed me carefully. Good a witness. "Mr. Embick!" She shouted as she came closer, I felt slightly claustrophobic as she rounded in on me, smiling wickedly. "Mr. Embick, I just wanted to ask you if you had seen that girl anywhere. I went back and asked the queen, but she said that the girl that had come to her had gone off and joined a group of other ladies. I know that wasn't her, and I have the sneaking suspicion you know who I am referring to," She said darkly, her voice getting lower as she glanced over at the old man. I got ready to lie, thinking of one fast.
"A girl...hmm, well if I had met her personally I'm sure it would have left an impression on me, I don't meet girls everyday. I have seen her, yes in the Audience Hall, but never met the girl."
Luckily, Klaus had begun to whimper. Soon it switched into tears and cries. I did a classic touchdown in my mind, and I heard the crowd cheering. Hah, I win you old witch. I figured Klaus had gazed at her face too long and it had started to scare him. "Well," I said in conclusion, trying not to smile at the fact of my son's crying. "I'd better get going. My son doesn't sound too happy, the poor guy's probably jus tired I guess."
The lady raised one thin eye brow but sternly, before stepping back a bit, "If you would, please keep an eye out for that girl. She's a relative of mine, haven't seen her in a while."
I nodded back to her, but I had already started to pull away, flipping some quiet music on and hit the gas gently. I watched out of the corner of my eye as the arrow on my speedometer hit eighty. As I got out of Disney Castle, I started to speed on the highway, going as fast as my high powered Mercedes would take me. Luckily, on space highways, there was no such thing as a speed limit. It's was common for people just to time warp through them or drive at incredible speeds.
After a few seconds, when she knew we were well away from that place, Maddie got up in her seat. She laid her head back against the headrest, closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She opened her window a bit to feel the breeze on her face. She grew more relaxed. I waited patiently for her to regain composure before I asked her what she knew was coming. Too soon I couldn't take it anymore. "Madison, what's going on?" I drilled deep into her eyes for a moment before I had to return my eyes to the road. She turned away from me also, looking down at her hands. "When I worked as the advisor for Lord Averira, she was prosecuted for her dark magic. She had done many horrible things, some things too horrible for me to want to remember. So I 'advised' that she should be locked up for good. Which I thought she was…"
Then what was she doing at such a big party like this, where she could be spotted out like that?
I swallowed hard, feeling the importance to get out of there dawn on me once again. We entered in the limits of Twilight Town, coming in through Sunset station. I flipped my glance back to Klaus for a second, who had quieted down after a while, he dozed contentedly. "Well, one thing for sure, she's out, and she's on the move. And I have to fix this. Since she's after you, I have no plan to let you out of the house on you own. I don't want to know what she wants with you, but I can't lose you either so I'm not going to find out the hard way. I'll go in to the castle maybe next week, see if I can get more info on her, besides I haven't seen Riku in a while, he's sure to give me more in on her back ground."
I drove slower into the forest that led to home. I saw Madison nod in acknowledgement. "Sounds good," She sighed. "I'd better listen to you this time. You have knack for being right sometimes, you know that?" She asked, looked to me as I parked by the gate.
I laughed, "Yeah I know."
Gabe can be right sometimes too Kim. I hope I portrayed you well while I fixed up our roleplay. Be honest and review. Or…review and be honest…yeah that works.