Title: Strange Days (Part 3)
Author: ImhotepsGoddess
Summary: Micah and Danny awake one morning to find that all of the adults have died of a mysterious plague (not from the corn). Now that children are in charge of the world, what are the children of the corn's purpose? Add to that He Who's "daughter" and you have one very strange story!
Disclaimer: Well, we all know Stephen King owns the original story. Micah, Danny, etc. and COTC 2 are owned by Paramount, and Delilah is owned by me.
Part 3
Micah had been waiting what seemed like forever for the girl in the lilac-colored dress to awaken. He had dozed in his chair several times but was always jolted awake when he *thought* he heard a sigh or some movement coming from the bed. It had to be about three in the afternoon when Danny poked his head in the door and awoke him for the what was to be the final time that day. He would get no more sleep after that. "Micah, I think we need to have that discussion."
"I am in no position to have such a discussion at this time, brother," Micah said, glaring at his friend under hooded lids.
"As your best friend and the guy who has to live with you, I am nicely asking you to come have a talk with me. She won't wake up in the next fifteen minutes. If she does I'll even talk to Mordechai for you," Danny said firmly.
"Fine, then. Just give me a moment to collect myself."
--------------------------
When Micah walked into what had been the dining room (now it was just a meeting room; all of the children ate together in one house towards the center of the town) he saw that Danny was already sitting in "his" chair. He gestured for Micah to sit down and Micah did. "Now, would you mind telling me what was so important that you had to *drag* me out of there?"
Danny sighed and rolled his eyes. This would definitely not be Micah's Happy Fun Chat. "Micah, you know exactly what this is about. You're the leader. Don't make me spell it out for you."
"Fine. You want to know why I've been so on edge lately and why I let Mordechai's insubordination slip past without a single word, is that right?"
"Yeah, basically. What is going on Micah? Why are you letting him get away with such a thing? You know it will only escalate your problem further."
"*My* problem? Oh, forgive me, I thought you were my best friend. I thought you would stick by me in this matter. Might I remind you that Mordechai wants *your* position and that he hates *you* just as much as he hates *me*," Micah sneered. This was not going well at all. He didn't want to lose Danny's support and friendship. He just couldn't.
"Micah....," Danny seemed at a loss for words at the moment. What could he say?
"Well? *Brother* I'm waiting."
"Damn it, Micah, what is wrong with you? I want to help you. You know I do. I just wanted to know what's wrong. Something has happened, hasn't it?"
Micah closed his eyes. This would be it then, the moment of truth. Danny would know and respect (and possibly friendship and loyalty) would be lost. "Danny, He Who Walks Behind the Rows no longer sends me visions," Danny started to protest but Micah held up a hand, "Let me finish. Although I am still connected to Him, I am no longer the only connection. That girl in there is part of Him as well. How, I don't know. But, Danny, she must have our answers. She must."
Danny saw the distress and desperation in Micah's eyes and tried to find the words of comfort that he knew he must need. But what would be a comfort? Micah knew that Danny had no answers. He wasn't a leader or seer, or anyone else who could give Micah the ultimate comfort of knowing exactly where he stood.
"Is this what your conflict with Mordechai is all about? Does he know?" Danny said suddenly.
"He doesn't know the specifics but I have to believe he does know something. Perhaps he thinks I've lost *all* of my powers and that I'm just helpless little Micah again."
"Then why don't you just show him that you're still the Chosen? Put him in his place! Geez, Micah, he has to know that you are still favored!"
"But that is just the point, I'm no longer the only favored and I don't have the power I had even four days ago. He would know. Yes, Mordechai would know this."
"No, maybe you're not the "almighty leader" anymore. But you are still the leader, right? That's all he needs to know. You are more powerful than he is, period," Danny said firmly, and Micah knew that there was no arguing with this. Even if he didn't wholeheartedly believe him, which he didn't, it still made him feel better to hear it from a person who he knew was being honest with him.
After a moment of silence Micah felt something inside of him jolt. She was awake.
---------------------
Danny stood back and watched his friend disappear into the room. He knew that Micah didn't believe him, but he was glad that all this was out in the open. Now that the girl was awake, perhaps Micah would be at least the Micah version of happy again (this version being about one or two levels below normal people happiness). The thing with Mordechai wasn't going to go away though. If ever he'd seen a power hungry psychotic in his life, this guy would be it. Well, ok, Mordechai did have his good points. He was pretty loyal, on the surface, and very dedicated to the cause. He would probably go along with whatever He Who decreed, the problem was that the decreeing usually came from Micah's mouth and Mordechai was insanely jealous of Micah at the moment. One could only hope that his loyalty to He Who would override his hate of the leader and he would do the right thing.
-----------------------
Micah quietly walked into the room and immediately locked eyes with the disheveled looking girl on the bed. She smiled slightly and cocked her head to one side. "You are Micah. He Who Walks Behind the Rows showed you to me," she said matter-of-factly.
"Who are you? If I may ask such a question." Micah furrowed his brow in confusion and continued to stare at the girl.
"Oh, I was sure that Father would have told you about me. I am so very thoughtless. My name is Delilah. Your Seer and counterpart." Delilah held out a pale, lightly freckled hand and Micah kissed it without thinking. When he realized what he had done he blushed a deep red and stumbled over an apology.
"Please, Micah, you are the height of gentlemanliness. I would not expect any less from you. After all, Father picked you and you are the leader."
A question suddenly formed in his mind about her choice of words, "Why do you call Him Father and not "the Father" or He Who Walks Behind the Rows?"
"Yet again an accidental omission on my part. I am He Who Walks Behind the Rows' flesh-and-blood daughter," she watched as Micah stiffened and shrunk back slightly and she gave a short but entirely cheerful laugh.
"Micah, do not be fearful of me. I have not come to take your place, nor am I completely unflawed. I am simply a girl endowed with certain gifts to help my Father's followers towards their destinies."
"So you know what we are to do? Please, Delilah, I must know this!" Micah as a rule never begged, and hated to look weak, especially in the face of a direct link to his God. Yet at this moment he couldn't find the strength to care about any of that.
"Micah, you already know the basics. There is nothing that I can tell you that will make you feel 100% at ease."
"Then why are you here? Why did he pick now?"
"Because now is when the world is in the most chaos. For all of the innocence of children, they are also very much influenced by adults and are unable to make any important decisions, it seems, without them."
"Then what are we to do? How can we go all over the world and convert them to our ways?"
"Simply put, Micah, *we* can't. Father has decided that it would be best that as the town grows instead of the elder children giving their blood to the corn, instead they will be sent out of this town and into the world at large. Of course, Father will give them certain...powers of persuasion that will allow them to more easily influence any town they might come across. At first the conversion of the towns in our vicinity will take place, then slowly the state, then ultimately the entire United States. Other towns, of course, will continue to sacrifice past the Age of Favor. Only this town, my birth town, will be saved from this," Delilah leaned back on her pillows and carefully watched Micah's reaction. A look of shock, followed by happiness passed on his face. Apparently this was just the kind of answer he was looking for.
"And what of me?"
"You, my dear one....well, let's just say that Father has a plan for you, yes he does. But even I know it not. Only he shall know of this until the time is right. I do know that he approves greatly of you and you will be rewarded for your loyal service."
Micah smiled down at the young girl and felt as if a weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. Just then the he heard voices at the front door. Raised voices. Sighing, he looked at Delilah. "I'm sorry, but I must attend to whatever is going on out there."
"Of course you must. Do not let that boy and those girls ruin His plans," she said in a dark, forbidding voice. Almost instantly she changed the subject, "Can you please direct me to the nearest shower? I am sure that I look such a fright."
He raised his eyebrows and pointed to the door that lead to the room's adjoining bathroom. "Thank you ever so much," she said, smiling a sunny smile at him.
-------------------
When Danny opened the door he hadn't expected to see Lacey *and* Ruth standing there with angry looking expressions on their faces. Actually, every time he opened that door he prayed that it wouldn't be them.
"So, what's going on Danny?" Lacey demanded. In fact, she had been doing that a lot lately. So much so that he was beginning to regret not letting Micah and the others sacrifice her from the start. That would have been quite a lot easier than what he was dealing with now.
"Yeah, Danny, what's this I hear about a strange girl occupying Micah's bed?" Ruth practically yelped. Yes, Danny hated her too.
"Actually, she's in the guest room. That's about all I can tell you. I don't know anything else myself."
"Well, Mordechai is going around saying that she's Micah's replacement and that soon Micah is going to be heading out into the corn. As in not coming back."
As Ruth said this she seemed to be close to tears. Danny was utterly and completely disgusted. Not only with Ruth and Lacey for coming where they're not really wanted, but obviously with Mordechai for spreading this ugly rumor as "news" and stirring up the relative peace of their little town.
"Don't believe a word Mordechai has to say. You of all people should know, Ruth, that Mordechai has a problem with Micah and would like to see him gone."
"Mordechai's never lied to us before. Why would he lie now?" Ruth seemed, for some reason, to believe the little psycho and Danny couldn't figure out why.
Just as he was about to open his mouth Micah appeared in the doorway, the look on his face a cross between utter happiness and weary anger.
"What are you two doing in my home at this hour?"
"Well, first of all Micah, it's only seven o'clock. Second, we wanted to know if what Mordechai has been saying is true," Lacey stated smugly. She really hated this little bastard and didn't know why Danny and the others put up with him.
"What has my most loyal follower and enforcer been saying, Lacey my dear?" Micah said in an even tone.
"He's been telling some of us older ones that you're out and some chick from the field is in," she stated wryly.
"First of all, "that chick" is quite important to us, the daughter of He Who Walks Behind the Rows. Second, don't believe what you hear from Mordechai. Especially about my so-called impending demise," Micah sneered, his temper clearly getting the best of him.
Danny shifted his gaze between Micah and Lacey, trying to figure out how to go about ending this petty fight. Suddenly the girl in question appeared in the hall.
"Perhaps you should call Father's followers together for a meeting, Micah?"
Author: ImhotepsGoddess
Summary: Micah and Danny awake one morning to find that all of the adults have died of a mysterious plague (not from the corn). Now that children are in charge of the world, what are the children of the corn's purpose? Add to that He Who's "daughter" and you have one very strange story!
Disclaimer: Well, we all know Stephen King owns the original story. Micah, Danny, etc. and COTC 2 are owned by Paramount, and Delilah is owned by me.
Part 3
Micah had been waiting what seemed like forever for the girl in the lilac-colored dress to awaken. He had dozed in his chair several times but was always jolted awake when he *thought* he heard a sigh or some movement coming from the bed. It had to be about three in the afternoon when Danny poked his head in the door and awoke him for the what was to be the final time that day. He would get no more sleep after that. "Micah, I think we need to have that discussion."
"I am in no position to have such a discussion at this time, brother," Micah said, glaring at his friend under hooded lids.
"As your best friend and the guy who has to live with you, I am nicely asking you to come have a talk with me. She won't wake up in the next fifteen minutes. If she does I'll even talk to Mordechai for you," Danny said firmly.
"Fine, then. Just give me a moment to collect myself."
--------------------------
When Micah walked into what had been the dining room (now it was just a meeting room; all of the children ate together in one house towards the center of the town) he saw that Danny was already sitting in "his" chair. He gestured for Micah to sit down and Micah did. "Now, would you mind telling me what was so important that you had to *drag* me out of there?"
Danny sighed and rolled his eyes. This would definitely not be Micah's Happy Fun Chat. "Micah, you know exactly what this is about. You're the leader. Don't make me spell it out for you."
"Fine. You want to know why I've been so on edge lately and why I let Mordechai's insubordination slip past without a single word, is that right?"
"Yeah, basically. What is going on Micah? Why are you letting him get away with such a thing? You know it will only escalate your problem further."
"*My* problem? Oh, forgive me, I thought you were my best friend. I thought you would stick by me in this matter. Might I remind you that Mordechai wants *your* position and that he hates *you* just as much as he hates *me*," Micah sneered. This was not going well at all. He didn't want to lose Danny's support and friendship. He just couldn't.
"Micah....," Danny seemed at a loss for words at the moment. What could he say?
"Well? *Brother* I'm waiting."
"Damn it, Micah, what is wrong with you? I want to help you. You know I do. I just wanted to know what's wrong. Something has happened, hasn't it?"
Micah closed his eyes. This would be it then, the moment of truth. Danny would know and respect (and possibly friendship and loyalty) would be lost. "Danny, He Who Walks Behind the Rows no longer sends me visions," Danny started to protest but Micah held up a hand, "Let me finish. Although I am still connected to Him, I am no longer the only connection. That girl in there is part of Him as well. How, I don't know. But, Danny, she must have our answers. She must."
Danny saw the distress and desperation in Micah's eyes and tried to find the words of comfort that he knew he must need. But what would be a comfort? Micah knew that Danny had no answers. He wasn't a leader or seer, or anyone else who could give Micah the ultimate comfort of knowing exactly where he stood.
"Is this what your conflict with Mordechai is all about? Does he know?" Danny said suddenly.
"He doesn't know the specifics but I have to believe he does know something. Perhaps he thinks I've lost *all* of my powers and that I'm just helpless little Micah again."
"Then why don't you just show him that you're still the Chosen? Put him in his place! Geez, Micah, he has to know that you are still favored!"
"But that is just the point, I'm no longer the only favored and I don't have the power I had even four days ago. He would know. Yes, Mordechai would know this."
"No, maybe you're not the "almighty leader" anymore. But you are still the leader, right? That's all he needs to know. You are more powerful than he is, period," Danny said firmly, and Micah knew that there was no arguing with this. Even if he didn't wholeheartedly believe him, which he didn't, it still made him feel better to hear it from a person who he knew was being honest with him.
After a moment of silence Micah felt something inside of him jolt. She was awake.
---------------------
Danny stood back and watched his friend disappear into the room. He knew that Micah didn't believe him, but he was glad that all this was out in the open. Now that the girl was awake, perhaps Micah would be at least the Micah version of happy again (this version being about one or two levels below normal people happiness). The thing with Mordechai wasn't going to go away though. If ever he'd seen a power hungry psychotic in his life, this guy would be it. Well, ok, Mordechai did have his good points. He was pretty loyal, on the surface, and very dedicated to the cause. He would probably go along with whatever He Who decreed, the problem was that the decreeing usually came from Micah's mouth and Mordechai was insanely jealous of Micah at the moment. One could only hope that his loyalty to He Who would override his hate of the leader and he would do the right thing.
-----------------------
Micah quietly walked into the room and immediately locked eyes with the disheveled looking girl on the bed. She smiled slightly and cocked her head to one side. "You are Micah. He Who Walks Behind the Rows showed you to me," she said matter-of-factly.
"Who are you? If I may ask such a question." Micah furrowed his brow in confusion and continued to stare at the girl.
"Oh, I was sure that Father would have told you about me. I am so very thoughtless. My name is Delilah. Your Seer and counterpart." Delilah held out a pale, lightly freckled hand and Micah kissed it without thinking. When he realized what he had done he blushed a deep red and stumbled over an apology.
"Please, Micah, you are the height of gentlemanliness. I would not expect any less from you. After all, Father picked you and you are the leader."
A question suddenly formed in his mind about her choice of words, "Why do you call Him Father and not "the Father" or He Who Walks Behind the Rows?"
"Yet again an accidental omission on my part. I am He Who Walks Behind the Rows' flesh-and-blood daughter," she watched as Micah stiffened and shrunk back slightly and she gave a short but entirely cheerful laugh.
"Micah, do not be fearful of me. I have not come to take your place, nor am I completely unflawed. I am simply a girl endowed with certain gifts to help my Father's followers towards their destinies."
"So you know what we are to do? Please, Delilah, I must know this!" Micah as a rule never begged, and hated to look weak, especially in the face of a direct link to his God. Yet at this moment he couldn't find the strength to care about any of that.
"Micah, you already know the basics. There is nothing that I can tell you that will make you feel 100% at ease."
"Then why are you here? Why did he pick now?"
"Because now is when the world is in the most chaos. For all of the innocence of children, they are also very much influenced by adults and are unable to make any important decisions, it seems, without them."
"Then what are we to do? How can we go all over the world and convert them to our ways?"
"Simply put, Micah, *we* can't. Father has decided that it would be best that as the town grows instead of the elder children giving their blood to the corn, instead they will be sent out of this town and into the world at large. Of course, Father will give them certain...powers of persuasion that will allow them to more easily influence any town they might come across. At first the conversion of the towns in our vicinity will take place, then slowly the state, then ultimately the entire United States. Other towns, of course, will continue to sacrifice past the Age of Favor. Only this town, my birth town, will be saved from this," Delilah leaned back on her pillows and carefully watched Micah's reaction. A look of shock, followed by happiness passed on his face. Apparently this was just the kind of answer he was looking for.
"And what of me?"
"You, my dear one....well, let's just say that Father has a plan for you, yes he does. But even I know it not. Only he shall know of this until the time is right. I do know that he approves greatly of you and you will be rewarded for your loyal service."
Micah smiled down at the young girl and felt as if a weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. Just then the he heard voices at the front door. Raised voices. Sighing, he looked at Delilah. "I'm sorry, but I must attend to whatever is going on out there."
"Of course you must. Do not let that boy and those girls ruin His plans," she said in a dark, forbidding voice. Almost instantly she changed the subject, "Can you please direct me to the nearest shower? I am sure that I look such a fright."
He raised his eyebrows and pointed to the door that lead to the room's adjoining bathroom. "Thank you ever so much," she said, smiling a sunny smile at him.
-------------------
When Danny opened the door he hadn't expected to see Lacey *and* Ruth standing there with angry looking expressions on their faces. Actually, every time he opened that door he prayed that it wouldn't be them.
"So, what's going on Danny?" Lacey demanded. In fact, she had been doing that a lot lately. So much so that he was beginning to regret not letting Micah and the others sacrifice her from the start. That would have been quite a lot easier than what he was dealing with now.
"Yeah, Danny, what's this I hear about a strange girl occupying Micah's bed?" Ruth practically yelped. Yes, Danny hated her too.
"Actually, she's in the guest room. That's about all I can tell you. I don't know anything else myself."
"Well, Mordechai is going around saying that she's Micah's replacement and that soon Micah is going to be heading out into the corn. As in not coming back."
As Ruth said this she seemed to be close to tears. Danny was utterly and completely disgusted. Not only with Ruth and Lacey for coming where they're not really wanted, but obviously with Mordechai for spreading this ugly rumor as "news" and stirring up the relative peace of their little town.
"Don't believe a word Mordechai has to say. You of all people should know, Ruth, that Mordechai has a problem with Micah and would like to see him gone."
"Mordechai's never lied to us before. Why would he lie now?" Ruth seemed, for some reason, to believe the little psycho and Danny couldn't figure out why.
Just as he was about to open his mouth Micah appeared in the doorway, the look on his face a cross between utter happiness and weary anger.
"What are you two doing in my home at this hour?"
"Well, first of all Micah, it's only seven o'clock. Second, we wanted to know if what Mordechai has been saying is true," Lacey stated smugly. She really hated this little bastard and didn't know why Danny and the others put up with him.
"What has my most loyal follower and enforcer been saying, Lacey my dear?" Micah said in an even tone.
"He's been telling some of us older ones that you're out and some chick from the field is in," she stated wryly.
"First of all, "that chick" is quite important to us, the daughter of He Who Walks Behind the Rows. Second, don't believe what you hear from Mordechai. Especially about my so-called impending demise," Micah sneered, his temper clearly getting the best of him.
Danny shifted his gaze between Micah and Lacey, trying to figure out how to go about ending this petty fight. Suddenly the girl in question appeared in the hall.
"Perhaps you should call Father's followers together for a meeting, Micah?"