JACOB - ONE MONTH LATER

Sitting on the couch and reading over my notes for my veterinary exam, Papa having actually been the one to suggest I take the class after the last two wild animals I'd brought home to Pina to heal, I spare a glance down at the boy currently laying beside me, head resting on my leg and eyes glued to the movie I'd put on for him.

"Jacob?"

"Yeah?"

"Are all movies from your other home this weird?"

Smiling and looking at the scene playing out, I shake my head at his question. "Not all of them, I think you might be losing a bit of the actual dialog too since some of the English words don't translate well into Eltarian, and I'm sure the program used to translate it isn't a hundred percent accurate anyways."

"Okay, but why exactly does the plant want to eat people?"

"I don't know, just what it prefers to eat I suppose. I think Daddy told me he originally bought it for Aunt Pina as kind of a joke."

"Hmm I still think it's strange. I also don't quite understand how the same words mean different things. Like whore in this language means scary, not someone who mates with lots of people?"

Having to choke back a laugh, I however give a nod, doing my best not to seem overly amused by his question and accidentally hurt his feelings. "Right, there are actually two different types and spellings for that word on Earth, but yes this particular one is supposed to mean scary, not a shop full of females and males with loose morals on mating."

"Okay, but the one female is kind of dressed like a whore if you really want to get technical about it."

Hand moving from his head to quickly cover my mouth, I after several moments, again give another nod. "I suppose I can see your point there."

"Does your other world actually have plants like this?"

"Not really. I think Papa maybe used his power to make one kind of like that once, but Daddy and his friends quickly got rid of it before it could eat anyone if I remember the story right."

"Why'd he do that?"

"It was a long time ago and he used to make creatures like that as part of his way of taking over worlds. He doesn't do that anymore though so you don't have to worry."

"Could he still do it though?"

"I don't know, maybe. I don't think Daddy would be very happy with him if he did though."

"What if he didn't do it to take over worlds but for another reason though?"

"Like what reason?"

"Maybe to eat someone like in the movie?"

Starting to see where this going I however feel compelled to ask. "Anyone in particular you'd want his monster to eat?"

"Maybe."

"Mm, maybe someone you know that's not very nice?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe someone who deserves to be eaten by a plant?"

"Maybe."

"Well we could always ask him, but I'm not sure Daddy would be too thrilled as he really tries to curb his bad behavior when he can and I think him making monsters again falls into that bad behavior category even if it's done for a good reason."

"Oh, well what if it didn't eat the person but just chewed them up a little bit and spit them back out?"

Hunter jumps badly when Daddy says from the doorway, "Who's going to get chewed up a little bit and then spit back out? And by what? Sorry, Hunter."

Lightly, I stroke his hair as he tries to calm down. "Hunter was wondering if Papa could make a plant like in the movie and have it eat someone - or at least chew them up and spit them out."

Daddy laughs lightly, shaking his head. "Man, does he ever belong here. No, Hunter. I pretty well don't allow Zedd to do that any more. Besides, if you're thinking about who I think you are, well, we wouldn't want to make the plant sick, now would we?"

Hunter snickers a little, making me grin at Dad. "No, my lord, we wouldn't."

"Again, you don't have to address me by title."

"Habit."

"I'm sure." Daddy turns to leave the room. "Oh, by the way, Trey is going to be by in a few days. There might even be time for you to have a chess match with him before he has to leave."

My eyes narrow, remembering a conversation I'd heard a while back. "What's he coming here for?"

"He was just by Earth seeing Uncle Jason and he's bringing us a few things and he asked me to get him something so he'll just pick it up while he's here."

Dad doesn't lie to me - any of us really - so I relax slightly. "If I do all right on my tests in a couple of days" I agree.

He leaves the room and Hunter returns his attention to the movie. I try to go back to my studying, but I can't focus. After all, it was Papa's suggestion that Hunter go to Trey and I know that Dad vetoed it, I'm still concerned that Papa might be up to something that even Daddy doesn't know about. But Hunter's gotten a lot better since he's been here. Maybe even enough that Papa's changed his mind? That he can see how much better off Hunter will be with us? Sighing heavily, I decide to let it be for now and see what happens. But I'll tell you right now, if they do try and take him away from me, they're going to have one hell of a fight on their hands and I'll drag Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Pina, Uncle Dar, Aunt Serena and Aunt Kira all into it if I have to.