Note: Thanks for everyone who read and enjoyed the story! Very Special thanks to TRDowden1 for all the help and support! I could have never done this without you!
This chapter contains a poem written by Paul Lawrence Duncan, who owns the poem, not me.
If the public requests it, there may be a sequel to this story.
Ch. 13: A Young Boy's Heart
Duke looked up to check on Todd, but nothing changed.
Todd was immediately rushed to the hospital after he was found, but the doctors couldn't find what was wrong with him or on what had caused his condition; it was as though he was in a deep slumber that that no one could wake him from.
Vince and Croatoan were also at a loss, and Croatoan even volunteered the use of his powers to see if it could help Todd, but Duke was against it.
"Look, um, I know he controlled you, but . . . don't hold out on saving Todd just because of a . . . grudge," Jennifer told Duke, after she saw Duke decline Croatoan's offer.
Duke ran his hand through his hair and sighed before he replied. "If Todd isn't awake in a month, then maybe, maybe I'll consider his offer."
According to Vince, Todd did not only change every Trouble into a Favor, but somehow the world was changed because of the explosions of the pellucid aether cores. Vince wasn't sure how the world was changed, but he knew there was a change.
Duke sighed as he looked at Todd; too bad the kid wasn't awake to enjoy the changed new world.
Everyone who visited Todd tried to interact with him. Nathan told Todd about all the new Favors, about how all five of his senses of heightened, and that now Dwight was bulletproof. Even though he was against it, Dwight finally let Lizzie see Todd so she could tell her stories about the adventures of Lizzie the Lion-Hearted to him. Dwight shared the news of how Todd's friends contacted them when they didn't hear from Todd and they had to tell his friends that Todd was in an accident and he couldn't have visits just yet because they didn't want to break the children's hearts. He also told Todd that his parents awoke from their comas and had to tell them that Todd was in an accident as well.
Jennifer read Winne-the Pooh to Todd. Paige told Todd on how the world was changed, like there were sightings of gryphons in Salem, while reports of fairies came from Boston. With help from Jennifer, Gloria snuck in Reinette to visit Todd and the cat could sense something was wrong.
'Sad,' Reinette once told Gloria. 'Want Todd back.'
Gloria stroked Reinette's head. "I know, so do I."
Duke sighed again and blinked his eyes, trying to stay awake. He leaned in close to Todd.
"Hey," Duke whispered to Todd. "I know everyone told you all about the Favors and what they can do, but not me. Why? Because I'm not telling you until you wake up, Todd. So wake up so I can tell you and show you what I can do now."
Duke looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Gloria.
"Any news from the doctors?" Duke asked.
"Sorry, kiddo, nothing new from them," Gloria said. "How about you get some sleep and I take over? You know it's useless trying to argue with me, so go sleep. Paige and Nathan are coming over and bringing Jennifer with them; take her out for a nice lunch."
Duke had to smile at Gloria as she let Reinette out of her bag and the cat nested close to Todd. "Thanks, Gloria."
Gloria responded with a nod as Duke got up and left. He found a small sofa to take a nap and he quickly fell asleep.
"Duke," a familiar voice said, waking up him. "Pay attention; this is important."
Duke sat up and saw sitting across from him was Walter Faraday.
"What . . . how . . .?" Duke got out. "Why . . .?"
"I'm just waiting on a friend," Walter causally said. "You're looking in the wrong place."
"What?"
"Todd Beale-Grant is not here," Walter calmly said. "He's just lost, distracted by the wonders of undiscovered realities."
Duke believed he understood Walter's message: Todd's mind was somewhere else and that's why he hadn't woken up.
"How do I find him?" Duke asked. "Where is he?"
Walter gave Duke a thin smile. "You know how: blood will always call out for blood," Walter then looked down the hall. "My friend's here."
"Wait!" Duke said, standing up and for a moment, awestruck seeing Walter walking up to a giant anteater before he continued. "What are you talking about? Where is Todd?! Stop!"
"Duke? Duke?"
Duke woke up when he felt someone shake his shoulder and saw Jennifer looking at him.
"Are you okay? Were you having a nightmare? You were mumbling: 'Stop! Stop!' in your sleep," Jennifer asked as Duke stood up.
"I—" Walter's words came back to Duke and he finally understood. "I know where to find Todd."
Jennifer was confused and curious and chased after Duke into Todd's room. Before anyone could speak or react, Duke got out his knife and cut his palm.
Just as Jennifer touched Duke's shoulder, a drop of Duke's blood landed in Todd's mouth, then—
"Duke? Where are we?" Jennifer asked, finding herself and Duke floating in space with the lights of the aurorae, supernovas, galaxies, and suns of different colors for scenery.
"Wherever Todd is," Duke said, watching a quasar pulse.
"How am I—" Jennifer started to say.
'Shiny thing!' Reinette exclaimed flying past them, trying to catch a small comet.
"Um, how are we here?" Jennifer asked, indicating herself and Reinette.
"You were touching me and Reinette was lying next to Todd; I guess being in physical contact with us drew you both in," Duke guessed.
"How are we going to find Todd?" Jennifer asked and Reinette stopped her chase as her ears perked up.
'Let's find Todd!' Reinette said, floating up to them.
"So . . . where do we start?" Jennifer asked, looking around.
"We go over there," Duke said, indicating a certain area.
"Why?"
"I don't know . . . my instincts tell me to start our search there," Duke said.
That actually made sense to Jennifer and she, Duke, and Reinette began their search of Todd. They flew past dancing stars, and galaxies changing colors, until they reached a floating door.
"Duke . . . there's a door in front of us," Jennifer said.
"Yeah, I see it too," Duke said. "And Todd's on the other side."
Duke floated forward and tried the doorknob, but it didn't work.
"May I try?" Jennifer asked. "You know I have a magic touch with doors."
Duke smiled and let Jennifer have a go at it. Jennifer turned the doorknob and the door opened. Duke, Jennifer, and Reinette floated inside and found themselves walking in a desert.
"Now what?" Jennifer asked as she and Duke scanned the area.
'Todd!' Reinette said and dashed off.
Jennifer and Duke followed Reinette and she led them to a tall dark tower surrounded by roses.
'Todd!' Reinette said again when she saw Todd lying on his back in a field of rose petals, looking up at the sky, watching the clouds form exotic animals on his whim.
Todd lifted his head when he heard Reinette and she ran to him as Jennifer and Duke caught up.
'Happy! I found Todd!' Reinette said as she rubbed his hands and purred as Todd sat up straighter, looking amazed.
Duke looked like he was about to cry, but he held it in, so Jennifer cried for him and ran up to Todd and hugged him.
"Duke? Jennifer? Reinette?" Todd asked once Jennifer let go. "What happened? How are you here? Are you dead?"
"What?" Duke asked as he finally joined the others. He hugged Todd. "Do you remember fighting the Void?"
"Yeah, but I felt exhausted afterwards, and I collapsed," Todd said, stroking Reinette as Jennifer and Duke sat on either side of the boy. "I woke up floating . . . somewhere . . . and looked around. I soon saw an opened door and went in. I was lost in the desert, but then I saw the tower and the roses. The door was locked. I don't know how to survive in the desert, and started to freak out, when a bear appeared and said: 'The roses grant you permission to use them as nutrients and to drink the dew they collect in the petals.' I asked the bear how to get inside the tower and the bear said: 'What you seek is not in the tower; the tower cannot help you find what you seek.' Then the bear was gone. Afterwards, various animals came to visit me; one even taught me how to change a cloud's shape: watch."
Todd looked at the cloud and it soon formed into a fox.
'Wow! I want to try!' Reinette said and looked at a cloud and it formed into a fish. 'Yay! Fish!'
"After a while, I thought I died . . . and this is some form of the afterlife," Todd said.
"Todd . . . this isn't some form of the afterlife," Duke said. "If it was, we'll be in some little bar in the tropics where the beer is always ice cold, the surf perfect, the women beautiful and the sea and the sky are so blue they just blend together so perfectly till you can't tell one from another."
Todd had to laugh before he spoke. "Then . . . where are we?"
"We're . . . somewhere," Jennifer said. "But you're not dead, Todd; neither are we."
"You're in a coma, Todd," Duke said. "You haven't been responsive and . . . we'll explain how we found you later, but everyone misses you, and we're here to bring you home."
"Do you know the way out of here?" Todd asked as they all got up and Duke nodded.
"This is why you didn't need the tower," a turtle said, suddenly appearing at their feet. "The ones you seek found you."
"Okay . . . let's get going," Duke said, leading Jennifer, Todd, and Reinette away from the tower and roses and back to the door.
"You didn't know it was still here?" Duke asked as they stopped in front of the door.
"I did, but the door didn't open for me," Todd said.
"Well, I'm here now," Jennifer said, smiling, and opened the door for them.
When they walked through, they found themselves floating in space.
"How do get back home?" Todd asked.
"I know the way," Duke said and everyone looked at him; Duke shrugged. "It's instinct."
"So . . . Todd . . . I guess you didn't hear us," Jennifer said as they floated through space. Todd shook his head. "Well . . . we have a lot of stuff to catch you up on, but most importantly, your parents are awake."
Todd smiled as tears formed in his eyes.
"You're going to wake up to a changed world, Todd," Duke said, smiling at him. "You're going to love what I can now."
Duke led the others back to where he, Jennifer, and Reinette first appeared. He then realized he had no idea how to—
Duke opened his eyes and found Jennifer lying on a cot, beside him, also waking up, and Paige noticed them.
"Duke," she said, getting everyone's attention, as Reinette lifted up her head and shook it.
"What happened?" Nathan asked as Duke and Jennifer got up.
"I'm - not sure," Duke said, and noticed Todd shifting in the bed. Duke and Jennifer went over to Todd's side and he slowly opened his eyes. Reinette got up and purred as she rubbed his face. Todd saw Duke as the others gathered around the bed.
"Hey," Todd said.
"Welcome back, kid," Duke said, smiling.
Everyone greeted Todd; Gloria was the last one who came up to him. She smiled at Todd, then gently slapped his cheek.
"Why can't you get a tattoo or steal a car to annoy me than risking your life?" Gloria said, then hugged Todd.
"Jennifer said my parents are awake," Todd said as he sat up straighter.
"You can see them as soon as the doctors check you out," Gloria said.
"We have a lot to tell you, Todd," Paige said and smiled. "I don't even know where to start."
Todd took in a deep breath and collected himself. He then opened the door and swallowed hard to hold back his tears when he saw his parents sitting up in bed. Patton and Ida smiled when they saw Todd and he ran to embrace them. As Todd and his parents babbled questions to each other, Duke and Jennifer entered the room. Soon, Patton noticed the couple.
"Do I know you?" Patton asked Duke.
"This is Duke Crocker and Jennifer Mason," Todd explained. "Duke's my . . ."
"19th removed cousin," Duke said and grinned along with Todd; Patton and Ida looked confused.
"Todd . . . a nurse told us that you were under the care of Dr. Verrano," Ida said. "Why isn't she here?"
"Um, she will be soon," Todd said.
"And why were you staying with her?" Patton asked. "The nurse wasn't clear how that happened."
"Well . . . Dad . . . it's a pretty unusual explanation . . ." Todd said.
"Have you been keeping up with the news?" Jennifer asked.
"Not that much," Patton said.
Duke and Jennifer gave Todd encouraging looks.
"You know what to say," Duke said.
Todd then explained the Troubles and how the Beale and Crocker families are related. He then told Patton and Ida about his Trouble and what happened when he was in Haven. When Todd was done talking, Patton and Ida looked at Todd incredulously and Duke noticed.
"Look, before you think we brainwashed your kid, allow us to prove that he's telling the truth," Duke said and nodded to Jennifer.
Jennifer walked up to the closet and opened it, showing it was empty to Patton and Ida. She then closed it, but kept her hand on the doorknob as she closed her eyes and concentrated. Jennifer simultaneously opened her eyes and the closet door and out walked Gloria carrying a file folder and Reinette. Patton's and Ida's eyes grew wide as Reinette jumped onto a nearby chair and began cleaning herself.
"If you need more proof," Duke said and gesture his hand at a glass of water near Patton. The water floated out of the glass and swirled around the room, moving at Duke's command. Duke then caused the water to hover in middle of the room and concentrated, and the water formed into an octahedron before it floated back into the glass. Todd was amazed.
"That's your Favor, Duke? You can control water?" Todd asked.
"Yeah, I can also breathe underwater for hours," Duke said, grinning at the kid.
"Would you like the test results to show they're related?" Gloria asked, showing Patton and Ida the file folder.
"Yes . . . but we believe you," Ida said, then looked at Duke. "So . . . what are you saying? Do you want Todd . . ."
"Todd is your kid and I'm not going to take him away," Duke said, looking at Todd. "He is my family, but you've done a great job raising him, and I don't want to change that. He loves you, so I'm not going to fight you over custody. All I ask is take we hang out."
"Please?" Todd asked. "Duke said for Summer Vacation we'll go on a trip on his ship."
Patton and Ida looked at each over.
"We can work it out," Patton said and everyone smiled. Reinette finished cleaning herself and began to sniff Patton.
"Oh . . . and this is my cat . . . Reinette," Todd said as Reinette climbed onto the bed. "Reinette, this is my mom and dad."
'Mama! Papa!' Reinette said and began rubbing Patton.
"Did the cat . . ." Ida said.
"Yes, she did," Gloria answered as Reinette purred.
"Can I keep her?" Todd asked.
"If not, Reinette can live with Gloria or me," Jennifer suggested.
"I—" Patton began.
'I love Papa,' Reinette purred.
"If you can teach her not to do that in public, then yes," Patton said and stroked Reinette.
Todd smiled and hugged his parents.
A few days later, Patton and Ida were discharged from the hospital to attend Todd's returning home party in a park in Haven. Besides Duke, Jennifer, Gloria, Vickie, and Aaron attending, Nathan, Paige, James, Dwight, McHugh, Lizzie, Beatrice, and Jean were also there.
In the middle of the party, while Lizzie was busy telling Todd on how to incorporate Lizzie the Lion-Hearted into the stories of Dirk the pirate, Beatrice and Duke pulled Jean aside.
"Hi, Jean," Duke said. "My name is Duke Crocker. I'm . . . your dad. I know I haven't been around because . . . something prevented me from being near you . . . that will be explained later . . . when you can understand it. You probably think your mommy and I are going to live together and be like a family you read in storybooks, but . . . I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen. I . . . had to move on, Jean, live my own life; I have someone else that I want to get to know better, her name is Jennifer Mason. This doesn't mean I don't love you or your mommy, it just means I won't be the right dad for you. I do want to get to know you Jean, and I hope you will let me into your life. I'll even help your mommy find the right daddy for you."
Jean just stood there for a minute, then she walked up to Duke and hugged him. Duke hugged her back and cried tears of joy.
Night of the Harvest Moon Dance
Myron Fane opened the door to his apartment to see Todd wearing a grey suit with a red tie. He held a plastic case.
"Hi, Mr. Fane; is Bridget ready?" Todd asked.
"I think so; come on inside," Myron said and Todd did so. "Bridget! Todd's here!"
Bridget entered the room wearing a pretty pink and white dress that made Todd blush and smile when he saw her.
"Hi, Todd," Bridget said, smiling at him. "You look good."
"Oh—thanks . . . you do too; this is for you," Todd said showing Bridget the plastic case which had a corsage inside. "Would you like me to put it on?"
"Sure," Bridget said, and placed her arm out and Todd slipped the corsage onto her wrist. Bridget smiled as she examined the corsage. "It's beautiful; thanks, Todd."
"Okay, you kids have fun now," Myron said, opening the door for them.
"What? No embarrassing dad lecture?" Bridget joked, making Myron chuckle.
"I don't need to because you're chaperoned," Myron said as he escorted Todd and Bridget to the front door.
When they got outside, Bridget saw Jennifer and Duke, dressed up, waiting for them, standing next to Duke's truck. Jennifer gave Bridget a big smile and wave, while Duke just casually waved at her. It was Jennifer who volunteered them to chaperon the school dance. Even though Duke wanted to 'dance' with Jennifer in a more . . . private way that night, he had a hard time saying 'no' seeing how happy Jennifer and Mrs. Lackey were, so he agreed.
After a few photos, Jennifer opened the door for the kids, and once everyone was seated and safe, Duke drove off as Myron waved to them.
Duke knew of a good café nearby to stop and get dinner before they got to the school. The gymnasium of Patrick Danville Middle School was nicely decorated for the Harvest Moon Dance. Duke promised Todd that he wouldn't embarrass and shadow him, and he and Jennifer left Todd and Bridget and went over to the other side of the building. Todd and Jennifer soon saw their friends and they talked and socialized for a while. Then they soon saw Caesar and his date, a blonde cyber-bully named Julie Morrigan. As Julie left to get punch, Caesar went up to them.
"I don't know how you did it, but I'm going to find out how you made the others forget what happened at the Family School Carnival," Caesar said.
"Just give it up, Caesar; you don't know what you're dealing with," Samiir said.
"I know you're somehow involved," Caesar said, indicating Todd. "You're one of them, aren't you? One of those 'Troubled?'"
"Of course; it runs in the family," Todd proudly said and smiled. "But you're not getting anything from me."
"You can't keep Haven a secret; each day there's news of something strange. When it all comes to a head; I'll be in the front, leading the way," Caesar said.
"Yeah, over a cliff," Dominic added and his friends laughed, while Caesar fumed.
Luckily, Julie came back and Caesar decided to lead her away from them.
"Glad that's over with," Bridget said and saw that Samiir and Dominic had lead their dates onto the dance floor. Todd and Bridget looked at each other.
"So . . . do you want to dance?" Todd finally asked.
"Really? Do you want to?" Bridget asked.
"Yeah; I really would," Todd said, smiling at her and took Bridget's hand and they went onto the dance floor and they both started to dance.
Duke looked over and saw Todd and Bridget dancing, and smiled proudly seeing the results of his dance lessons.
"What are you smiling about?" Jennifer asked, trying to follow Duke's gaze.
"Oh, I'm just planning to spike the punch," Duke joked and Jennifer playfully slapped his shoulder for her response.
"Wow, Todd! That's great!" Bridget said, amazed seeing the changes in Todd's dancing.
"Duke taught me," Todd said, and blushed and smiled as they went over to the side when the song was done.
"Really? He must be a great teacher," Bridget said.
"Yeah," Todd said, smiling as he watched Duke talked Jennifer into dancing with him. "I'm proud I'm related to him."
Later on in the night, Bridget asked Todd if he wanted to slow dance and he accepted. Bridget really was having fun with Todd and enjoyed dancing with him. She smiled at Todd, then leaned in and kissed him. After the kiss, Todd blinked, then smiled and gave Bridget a kiss, causing her to softly laugh afterwards.
"I guess this means we're dating during the summer," Bridget said after the song and they went over to the side. She then noticed Todd winced. "What's wrong?"
"Duke is taking Jennifer, Reinette, and me on a trip on his ship during Summer Vacation," Todd said.
"Wait, your cat is coming on the trip?" Bridget asked.
"My Dad said Reinette is my responsibility and if I'm going to be gone over the summer, then she should come with me," Todd said. "I'm sorry, Bridget, I mean I could ask Duke –"
"Todd, I'm okay; I'm cool with it," Bridget said.
"Really? You are?"
"I am sad that you're leaving, but we can talk and write to each other," Bridget said. "Besides we're not serious."
"Oh, no, we're not," Todd said with a small smile, then covered her hand with his. "But . . . maybe we could try again when I come back when school starts?"
"Well . . . if you promise to not make some mysterious island girl your girlfriend, I think we can," Bridget said and smiled.
"I'll accept that promise if you promise not to go out Caesar over the summer," Todd said, making Bridget laugh. "Or an aspiring musician."
"Deal," Bridget said and they shook hands and kissed once more.
Summer Vacation
Ida opened the trunk of the car and sighed.
"Todd, you are not taking your skateboard," Ida said as Todd gave Jennifer Reinette's pet carrier.
"Duke said it was okay," Todd said.
"What if it gets broken, or you lose it, or it gets stolen or—" Ida said.
"If anything happens, Todd is going to pay for it," Duke said. "Depending on where we are, he'll work and get paid if anything you listed happened."
"What do you mean 'depending on where we are'?" Patton asked.
"Well, if something happens in Cuba—" Duke began.
"You're taking Todd to Cuba?" Patton incredulously asked.
"What's wrong with Cuba?" Duke innocently asked.
Todd believed Duke had everything handled so he went to say good-bye to his friends who came along to see him off.
"Please be safe, Todd," Marianna said. "I read about indescribable sightings in the news."
Todd grinned. "Duke's an expert at dealing with unusual situations; we'll be safe."
"Don't forget to take lots of pictures," Taslima said.
"I won't."
"Man, I am so jealous; going out to sea, being on adventures," Dominic said, making Todd grin. "Don't forget about us back here in boring old Delain."
"I'll write," Todd said. "Duke said the places we're going don't receive Wi-Fi signals, so it's going to be old-fashion pen-and-paper communication."
"You have to tell us everything," Samiir said.
"I will," Todd said and after shaking hands or hugging his friends, he turned to Bridget. "Hey."
"Hi."
"Thanks for . . . asking me to the Harvest Moon Dance; I had a lot fun with you," Todd said.
"Yeah . . . me too," Bridget said.
"I hope we have the chance to do something fun again when I come back," Todd said.
"Well, as long as we keep our promises, I think we can," Bridget said and they chuckled. "And don't lie because I'll ask Reinette if you're telling the truth."
They laughed again and hugged, then Bridget gave Todd a quick kiss on his check. As Duke was saying good-bye to Jean and Jennifer was talking to Stan, Dwight, McHugh, and Lizzie walked up to Todd.
"Are you going to see merepeople on your vacation?" Lizzie asked, making the men smile.
"Um, maybe," Todd said, thinking that he could be right.
"If you do, would you bring me a souvenir?" Lizzie politely asked and Todd agreed and hugged her.
"Make sure Duke doesn't do anything illegal out there if Jennifer's not watching him," Dwight said, shaking Todd's hand, causing the boy to smile.
"Vince wanted to be here, but he said he has business with Croatoan and something about remodeling the armory for Mrs. Lackey . . . or something like that . . . half of what he said went over my head," McHugh said, making Todd smile. "Anyway, he asked me to wish you bon voyage."
"See you when you get back, Todd," Nathan said, shaking Todd's hand. "It's great to know that not all members of the Crocker family are annoying."
As Duke glared at Nathan, Paige handed James to Gloria and hugged Todd.
"It's wonderful to meet you, Todd," Paige said. "I hope you visit Haven when your family has a chance."
Paige then took back James and Gloria went up to Todd and hugged him.
"You're a Crocker all right; you won my heart, just like Duke," Gloria said and hugged Todd again. "I'll be here if you ever need me."
Patton and Ida finally agreed Todd could take his skateboard, and they hugged and said their good-byes. Afterwards, Todd boarded The Cape Rouge and waved to his friends and family as the ship sailed off.
Duke looked out to see Jennifer walking out onto the deck while Todd was at the bow of the ship and Reinette was sitting next to Todd's feet. Duke smiled and asked the waves to direct The Cape Rouge and they obeyed him. Duke left the wheel and walked over to Todd.
"Ho! For the plains where the dolphins play,
And the bend of the mast and spars,
and a fight of the night with the wild sea sprite,
When the foam has drowned the stars." Duke said, getting Todd's attention as he joined the boy. Todd looked him and smiled.
"And pray, what joy can the landsman feel
Like the rise and fall of a sliding keel?" Todd said. "Paul Lawrence Duncan, right?"
Duke proudly nodded and smiled at Todd as he placed his hand on Todd's shoulder.
'I love you, Duke,' Todd said in Duke's mind. Duke was shocked but amused.
'Todd?' Duke asked with his mind.
'It's my Favor! I wanted to surprise you!' Todd said as Jennifer joined them. 'I can connect minds telepathically!'
'Does Jennifer know?' Duke asked.
'Yes, she does,' Jennifer said, wrapping her arms around Duke. 'I suggested to Todd to surprise you.'
Duke just grinned at Jennifer and kissed her, then messed with Todd's hair.
'Love you too, kid,' Duke said, smiling at Todd.
Duke then looked out into the horizon with his family, the people who he loved and loved him back, ready to explore a changed world.