Title: Strange Days (Part 4)
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 4
Danny banged loudly on Mordechai and Jedediah's door but really, they should be up at this hour anyway. It was hardly time for bed and he knew that Mordechai probably still had some work that needed to be done. He hoped to God that Mordechai was in an okay mood, because after what had happened with Lacey and Ruth, he should be prepared to put on his most passive and cheery face and act his nicest toward Micah. Danny didn't doubt his best friend's rage towards his supposed "most loyal" follower, and he also didn't doubt the strength that Micah was capable of possessing such a rage. All in all this was shaping up to be a very interesting, dramatic evening. He tapped his foot impatiently and grimaced when he heard heavy footsteps coming to the door. Damn Mordechai.
Mordechai opened the door and glared openly at Danny. "To what do I owe this honor?" he spat out.
"Micah has requested the presence of all of us in the Sacred Clearing for an important message."
"This message must be of great importance that he had to deliver so quickly," Mordechai said sarcastically.
"It concerns the future of our town and our new path. So, yes, it is of "great importance"."
"Fine, can we leave then? I have some work to do before bed."
"Where's Jedediah? He must join us too, you know." Danny peered around Mordechai to look inside the house. He did not want to walk with Mordechai alone, but maybe Mordechai would lag behind or have to get his hat and then Danny could just leave without him.
Mordechai turned towards the stairs and screamed "Jedediah!!". A few moments later Jedediah appeared at the top of the stairs, looking very annoyed and confused.
"Mordechai, what do you want? I'm *reading*," said Jedediah, clearly exasperated.
"Apparently our most powerful *Leader* has had a very important vision and we must go to the clearing *immediately*."
Danny grinned slightly when he heard Mordechai use the word "visions." Boy was he going to be surprised when he saw Delilah and learned just who she was!
Jedediah then saw Danny and smiled, nodding. Danny smiled and nodded back. Mordechai grimaced at the exchange and grabbed his hat, storming out of the house. Jedediah walked down the stairs and grinned at Danny. "Well, I didn't know it would take that little for him to leave. I'll have to remember that."
-----------------------
When Jedediah and Danny entered the clearing they saw that most of the others had arrived too. Mordechai was standing towards the front, arms crossed and fully in "enforcer mode." Lacey and Ruth were standing off to the side, quietly whispering to each other, watching intently for Micah and "the girl" to get there. The rest of the children were standing in small groups chattering about what they thought would be happening here tonight. Whatever it was, they agreed, it was going to be big.
Suddenly all of the talking stopped and Jedediah and Danny looked towards the place were Micah usually stood to deliver his visions. They were both standing to the back because they felt it was very conspicuous to have all four of them ("them" being Micah, Mordechai, Jedediah, and Danny) standing in the front, glaring at the kids. Which, of course, was exactly what Mordechai happened to be doing right then. The corn slightly parted and Micah entered, a young girl on his arm. A murmur of confusion went through the crowd while they took in this strange girl. She had long black hair and pale white skin, but she was obviously not related in any way to Micah. Her gray eyes seemed to hold an incredible amount of knowledge, but they were not cold. She was dressed very modestly, in a lilac colored, ankle length dress with a buttoned up lace collar. She seemed to be watching the crowd as they were watching her, memorizing all of the faces of her Father's followers, stopping to rest her gaze on Danny and giving him a kind smile.
----------------------
On the way to the clearing a dozen thoughts had run through Delilah's mind. She had hardly been prepared for this sort of thing to take place so soon after her arrival. Yes, her father had shown her how Mordechai would turn on Micah, that it would be subtle and not at all noticeable at first. He had also shown her the Ruth girl's unrequited love for Micah and all the trouble that, too, would cause. It was very different to be in the middle of it though. She was surprised at how well Micah was taking everything and also of how proud she was of him. Yes, she was very much a part of him, how much she would never tell, but that wasn't it. She was human and yet she didn't fully comprehend the full range of human emotions yet. "Give it time, my sweet one," her father had said to her before she had even awoke, when she was frightened of meeting the one called Micah and being out in this strange world. More time than she had expected, she surmised. Even without her knowledge of some of the events that would take place, she could see that whatever happened with Ruth or Mordechai would end badly. Unless she was already too cynical, it was the only way it *could* go. But for now she would concentrate on the meeting at hand, and her future. With Micah.
------------------------
Micah held up his hand to quiet the small crowd. "I gathered you all here because this is a very joyous and momentous moment in what is the beginning of our history. I did not have a vision. Rather, the Lord has deemed us worthy enough to receive his most precious gift. The young woman who stands here beside me is the daughter of He Who Walks Behind the Rows. Created by him to show us the way as only a child of the True Father can."
He smiled as he watched the stunned reactions on the children's faces. He frowned when he saw the happiness on Mordechai's face and realized what he would be thinking. "Please, do not think that this will end my tenure as your Leader. He Who Walks Behind the Rows has expressed, through his daughter, that he is pleased with me and will continue to need my services. However, the world has become an unstable place and the Lord has called on all of his power to bring to us someone who can provide you with unerring proof that, yes, He is here and with all of us."
Mordechai's happiness faded and he grumbled slightly under his breath. Micah noticed this and he grinned widely.
"Now that I have explained this, I have been asked to give you all what may be the most important message I have ever been given. He Who Walks Behind the Rows wishes to have his message spread across the globe, lest the poisoning of our world start anew. Therefore the Age of Favor will come to mean something quite different. No longer will those who reach their nineteenth birthdays give themselves to the corn," a sharp gasp erupted from the crowd but Micah continued, "Now those who reach the Age of Favor will be required to go out into the world to spread the Message. They will be allotted certain gifts by our gracious God and they must make the children see how disgraceful they will become. To this end, only the children in our town will be exempt from the Age of Favor. All other towns must practice this holy sacrifice."
He paused to let the words sink in. He looked over at Delilah, who seemed to be deep in thought. He took her hand and squeezed it lightly. The fog seemed to lift and she looked at him and smiled softly. He leaned over and whispered, "Is there anything you wish to say?"
She nodded and he gestured as if to say, "whenever you'd like."
Delilah took a deep breath, and words seemed to pour forth as if they were not her own, "My dear brothers and sisters, I am so very grateful to be in the presence of those who love my Father so very much. I would like to insure you that Father knows each and every one of you and He is always watching. Please do not hesitate to come and speak with myself or Micah, if you feel your faith is ever in doubt. I am always eager to listen and learn. There may be times when someone tries to put you in doubt as to the powers of your Leader, Micah, but don't ever believe. You will know if Micah's time as Leader is through, as I will be the one to deliver that message. Sleep well, children, for we are always one."
With that Micah dismissed the crowd and Danny and Jedediah weaved their way through the small crowd to get to where he was still standing with Delilah.
"Delilah, that was some speech!" Danny said, feeling completely as ease with the girl.
"Thank you, Danny, truthfully I didn't know I had it in me," she grinned sheepishly, slightly embarrassed by the complement.
"I suppose it's one of the benefits of having He Who Walks Behind the Rows for a father," Micah said, genuinely happy for the first time it quite a while.
Danny glanced down at his watch. It was quite late, just about time for bed. "Maybe we should all head home. This has been quite a night."
"Yes, I *am* quite tired," Delilah admitted, a yawn escaping past her lips.
"Jedediah, would you like to stay in our home tonight? It's quite late and well, perhaps you don't want to deal with Mordechai?" Micah said the last part in a quiet voice, in case Mordechai was hanging around and listening.
"Actually, Micah, I would be very grateful if I could do just that. I'm too tired to walk all the way home and I think we've all been having problems with Mordechai."
The small group murmured in agreement and started towards the large home in the heart of town.
---------------------------
Later that night, as Micah slept in his room, Danny slept in his, and Jedediah slept in the upstairs guestroom, Delilah lay awake in what was now her bed, thinking about this strange day that would set the tone for the remainder of days to come. Sighing, she rolled over onto her stomach, closed her eyes, and promptly fell asleep.
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 4
Danny banged loudly on Mordechai and Jedediah's door but really, they should be up at this hour anyway. It was hardly time for bed and he knew that Mordechai probably still had some work that needed to be done. He hoped to God that Mordechai was in an okay mood, because after what had happened with Lacey and Ruth, he should be prepared to put on his most passive and cheery face and act his nicest toward Micah. Danny didn't doubt his best friend's rage towards his supposed "most loyal" follower, and he also didn't doubt the strength that Micah was capable of possessing such a rage. All in all this was shaping up to be a very interesting, dramatic evening. He tapped his foot impatiently and grimaced when he heard heavy footsteps coming to the door. Damn Mordechai.
Mordechai opened the door and glared openly at Danny. "To what do I owe this honor?" he spat out.
"Micah has requested the presence of all of us in the Sacred Clearing for an important message."
"This message must be of great importance that he had to deliver so quickly," Mordechai said sarcastically.
"It concerns the future of our town and our new path. So, yes, it is of "great importance"."
"Fine, can we leave then? I have some work to do before bed."
"Where's Jedediah? He must join us too, you know." Danny peered around Mordechai to look inside the house. He did not want to walk with Mordechai alone, but maybe Mordechai would lag behind or have to get his hat and then Danny could just leave without him.
Mordechai turned towards the stairs and screamed "Jedediah!!". A few moments later Jedediah appeared at the top of the stairs, looking very annoyed and confused.
"Mordechai, what do you want? I'm *reading*," said Jedediah, clearly exasperated.
"Apparently our most powerful *Leader* has had a very important vision and we must go to the clearing *immediately*."
Danny grinned slightly when he heard Mordechai use the word "visions." Boy was he going to be surprised when he saw Delilah and learned just who she was!
Jedediah then saw Danny and smiled, nodding. Danny smiled and nodded back. Mordechai grimaced at the exchange and grabbed his hat, storming out of the house. Jedediah walked down the stairs and grinned at Danny. "Well, I didn't know it would take that little for him to leave. I'll have to remember that."
-----------------------
When Jedediah and Danny entered the clearing they saw that most of the others had arrived too. Mordechai was standing towards the front, arms crossed and fully in "enforcer mode." Lacey and Ruth were standing off to the side, quietly whispering to each other, watching intently for Micah and "the girl" to get there. The rest of the children were standing in small groups chattering about what they thought would be happening here tonight. Whatever it was, they agreed, it was going to be big.
Suddenly all of the talking stopped and Jedediah and Danny looked towards the place were Micah usually stood to deliver his visions. They were both standing to the back because they felt it was very conspicuous to have all four of them ("them" being Micah, Mordechai, Jedediah, and Danny) standing in the front, glaring at the kids. Which, of course, was exactly what Mordechai happened to be doing right then. The corn slightly parted and Micah entered, a young girl on his arm. A murmur of confusion went through the crowd while they took in this strange girl. She had long black hair and pale white skin, but she was obviously not related in any way to Micah. Her gray eyes seemed to hold an incredible amount of knowledge, but they were not cold. She was dressed very modestly, in a lilac colored, ankle length dress with a buttoned up lace collar. She seemed to be watching the crowd as they were watching her, memorizing all of the faces of her Father's followers, stopping to rest her gaze on Danny and giving him a kind smile.
----------------------
On the way to the clearing a dozen thoughts had run through Delilah's mind. She had hardly been prepared for this sort of thing to take place so soon after her arrival. Yes, her father had shown her how Mordechai would turn on Micah, that it would be subtle and not at all noticeable at first. He had also shown her the Ruth girl's unrequited love for Micah and all the trouble that, too, would cause. It was very different to be in the middle of it though. She was surprised at how well Micah was taking everything and also of how proud she was of him. Yes, she was very much a part of him, how much she would never tell, but that wasn't it. She was human and yet she didn't fully comprehend the full range of human emotions yet. "Give it time, my sweet one," her father had said to her before she had even awoke, when she was frightened of meeting the one called Micah and being out in this strange world. More time than she had expected, she surmised. Even without her knowledge of some of the events that would take place, she could see that whatever happened with Ruth or Mordechai would end badly. Unless she was already too cynical, it was the only way it *could* go. But for now she would concentrate on the meeting at hand, and her future. With Micah.
------------------------
Micah held up his hand to quiet the small crowd. "I gathered you all here because this is a very joyous and momentous moment in what is the beginning of our history. I did not have a vision. Rather, the Lord has deemed us worthy enough to receive his most precious gift. The young woman who stands here beside me is the daughter of He Who Walks Behind the Rows. Created by him to show us the way as only a child of the True Father can."
He smiled as he watched the stunned reactions on the children's faces. He frowned when he saw the happiness on Mordechai's face and realized what he would be thinking. "Please, do not think that this will end my tenure as your Leader. He Who Walks Behind the Rows has expressed, through his daughter, that he is pleased with me and will continue to need my services. However, the world has become an unstable place and the Lord has called on all of his power to bring to us someone who can provide you with unerring proof that, yes, He is here and with all of us."
Mordechai's happiness faded and he grumbled slightly under his breath. Micah noticed this and he grinned widely.
"Now that I have explained this, I have been asked to give you all what may be the most important message I have ever been given. He Who Walks Behind the Rows wishes to have his message spread across the globe, lest the poisoning of our world start anew. Therefore the Age of Favor will come to mean something quite different. No longer will those who reach their nineteenth birthdays give themselves to the corn," a sharp gasp erupted from the crowd but Micah continued, "Now those who reach the Age of Favor will be required to go out into the world to spread the Message. They will be allotted certain gifts by our gracious God and they must make the children see how disgraceful they will become. To this end, only the children in our town will be exempt from the Age of Favor. All other towns must practice this holy sacrifice."
He paused to let the words sink in. He looked over at Delilah, who seemed to be deep in thought. He took her hand and squeezed it lightly. The fog seemed to lift and she looked at him and smiled softly. He leaned over and whispered, "Is there anything you wish to say?"
She nodded and he gestured as if to say, "whenever you'd like."
Delilah took a deep breath, and words seemed to pour forth as if they were not her own, "My dear brothers and sisters, I am so very grateful to be in the presence of those who love my Father so very much. I would like to insure you that Father knows each and every one of you and He is always watching. Please do not hesitate to come and speak with myself or Micah, if you feel your faith is ever in doubt. I am always eager to listen and learn. There may be times when someone tries to put you in doubt as to the powers of your Leader, Micah, but don't ever believe. You will know if Micah's time as Leader is through, as I will be the one to deliver that message. Sleep well, children, for we are always one."
With that Micah dismissed the crowd and Danny and Jedediah weaved their way through the small crowd to get to where he was still standing with Delilah.
"Delilah, that was some speech!" Danny said, feeling completely as ease with the girl.
"Thank you, Danny, truthfully I didn't know I had it in me," she grinned sheepishly, slightly embarrassed by the complement.
"I suppose it's one of the benefits of having He Who Walks Behind the Rows for a father," Micah said, genuinely happy for the first time it quite a while.
Danny glanced down at his watch. It was quite late, just about time for bed. "Maybe we should all head home. This has been quite a night."
"Yes, I *am* quite tired," Delilah admitted, a yawn escaping past her lips.
"Jedediah, would you like to stay in our home tonight? It's quite late and well, perhaps you don't want to deal with Mordechai?" Micah said the last part in a quiet voice, in case Mordechai was hanging around and listening.
"Actually, Micah, I would be very grateful if I could do just that. I'm too tired to walk all the way home and I think we've all been having problems with Mordechai."
The small group murmured in agreement and started towards the large home in the heart of town.
---------------------------
Later that night, as Micah slept in his room, Danny slept in his, and Jedediah slept in the upstairs guestroom, Delilah lay awake in what was now her bed, thinking about this strange day that would set the tone for the remainder of days to come. Sighing, she rolled over onto her stomach, closed her eyes, and promptly fell asleep.