DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters created by Alexander Key and
owned by Walt Disney Pictures. This is fan fiction, and not endorsed by
Mr. Key, his estate, or the Walt Disney Company. No copyright infringement
is intended, and no money is being made from this story. It is based on
plot elements used in the books Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from
Witch Mountain, as well as the movies of the same name, although the books
and the movies differ extensively. Please direct all queries, comments,
etc. to kevinpkhaynes@yahoo.com. It is my sincere desire that you enjoy
the story as the pure entertainment it was intended to be. Your feedback
is welcome as well!
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 19
Concerned that Ty might be able to hear them communicate otherwise, Tony whispered audibly, "Let's talk this way so we can whisper." It was funny to think that, after years of communicating inaudibly, he had never found out how to whisper that way! So he and Trina would communicate as humans do for a while.
Tony said, "Trina, we need to find out what other abilities you have. But most importantly, we need to get you to New Home. You don't have to live there permanently if you don't wish, but you might want to! For one thing, you wouldn't have to have a job. We grow most of what we eat, and others provide us with earth delicacies that we can't grow. We help each other build dwellings, so you could have your own home there with Ty, all you want to eat, and never have to have a 'job' again.
"It would also be much safer to experiment with you abilities there, and probably that would be the best place to tell Ty what's up. In my experience, it's hard for 11-year-old kids to keep secrets. I remember when Tia and I were about that age, we didn't tell people what we could do, but we sure used our abilities anytime we needed to . and it usually got us in trouble. I wouldn't want to put Ty in the position of knowing something, or even being able to do something, and him not being allowed to share that with anyone. What do you think?"
Trina looked pensive. "Tony, if I quit both of my jobs - and I have to tell you, I wouldn't mind - what would I do if I ended up not liking New Home? Where would I find work again?"
Tony smiled as he said, "Don't worry. There are many small towns around our area, and you're a hard worker - it shouldn't be too difficult to find a job. Also, there are Homedwellers everywhere, kinda living undercover, and they could arrange for a job and place to live for you if you should choose that. Trina, I know this is hard to believe, but . you have a place you belong now. You're not alone. You have family now, and we take care of our own."
She looked almost overwhelmed. Tony remembered the feeling when he first saw Uncle Bené - after feeling like such a misfit, and not belonging anywhere, to realize that he had a family, someone to take care of him . well, he almost couldn't handle the sheer relief he felt. He imagined Trina felt the same way.
When she spoke, it was almost in a whisper, as if she was afraid that talking too loudly might wake her up from this dream. "I need to tell Ty that we are leaving here. I don't think he'll be too disappointed - he's never liked the school here, and he doesn't have any real friends. But he needs to know. And tomorrow I will give my two-week notice to both of my jobs. The apartment here I can leave anytime, since I'm on a month-to- month lease.
"But Tony, do we need to pack anything? Do we just leave it here, sell it . what?"
Tony frowned, not really having thought about that. "Well, the first priority is to get the two of you to New Home. So, let's not worry about that. Don't cancel your lease yet; leave everything here, and go on a 'vacation' to New Home. If you decide to stay there, then we can come back and clean out the place and end the lease. We could also move it into my apartment, since I don't live that far away. But for now, I only want to concentrate on getting you two to your new family. We can decide the rest after that."
She nodded. Then Tony added, "And you probably should get some sleep. It's been a big day, but we both still have things to do tomorrow. I want to be fresh and ready for Ty when he shows up tomorrow!"
Trina laughed. "Boy, do I know what you mean! He is a great kid, but he can sure take a lot of energy just keeping up with him! You're right, Tony. I'm ready to sleep . although part of me thinks I'll be awake all night just digesting this new information. And Tony - thank you so much! I am so glad you met Ty and that you befriended him! If you hadn't, I would never have known what I now know. I wish I could thank you properly."
Tony just smiled. He said, "Trina, when I see the two of you arrive at New Home, and watch your faces as you just feel the place, that will be all the thanks I need!"
He got up to leave, and she saw him to the door. As he opened it to leave, she impulsively hugged him. He hugged her back, but was a little surprised. She saw that on his face as they ended the hug, and she said, "I'm sorry, but I haven't had any family to hug, except for Ty, for over five years now. Since you're family . get used to it! I'm a hugger!"
Tony laughed and said, "You are definitely one of us! We always show affection. Boy, I think you'll really like New Home! Good night, Trina."
"Good night, Tony." He walked out the door and down the hall, and she closed the door behind him.
Just as he was leaving the front door of the apartment, he heard Trina's voice in his head. "Thanks again, Tony. Take care." He smiled and answered back, "My pleasure. You take care as well."
As he walked down the sidewalk, he heard another voice in his head. "Tony, am I dreaming, or are you talking to me in my sleep? It feels like a dream, but it seems so real! What's going on?"
Tony stopped in his tracks at the sound of Ty's silent voice. They might not be able to wait two weeks to explain everything to Ty. Tony answered back, "Ty, it's like a dream, but it is real. Go to sleep, and I'll tell you tomorrow."
He kept his senses on full alert, as tired as he was, because he knew that walking down New York City streets at 2:00 in the morning was not the safest thing to do. He had already learned that lesson his first hour here. As he neared his apartment building, he began to sense danger - so much so that it was like alarms going off in his head.
Confused, he looked around as he opened the apartment building's door. He didn't want to look like he was observing, but he wanted to see where the danger was coming from. Across the street, a car was parked. It was a simple black sedan, which was nothing unusual. Then Tony realized that the driver of the car was looking at him. The alarms intensified.
Tony stepped inside the door, and then peeked out the dirty glass in the door. It was dark inside the entrance of his building, so the person in the car wouldn't be able to see him . he hoped. He studied the car and the driver, and realized that there was a video camera pointed toward him. He noticed another in the back of the car, pointed up toward the window of his apartment!
Wishing he could sense humans and their thoughts as well as Tia, he tried to think of what to do. He remembered that, on the ground floor, there was a cat named Whiskers. He had petted the cat on many occasions, and even made conversation with it a few times. He remembered that Whiskers was amazed that any human could communicate with him! Of course, Tony wasn't any human . he wasn't human at all.
Tony sent out a message to Whiskers that he needed his help. Just a moment later, he heard the cat door open that Whiskers used to get in and out of his owner's apartment, and he heard soft purring. When Whiskers got near the door, Tony said, "Whiskers, across the street is a car. Do you see that one over there?"
When Whiskers said that he did, Tony explained that he wanted him to go over across the street, and quietly jump up onto the back of the car. Then he should tell Tony what he saw inside the car. Tony would let him know what to do then.
The cat seemed glad to have something to do besides sit in his owner's apartment all night. Cats are nocturnal, and this was something fun for Whiskers to do. He jumped through the open window, walked nonchalantly across the street, and started walking around the mysterious car.
Tony could hear him from across the street in their strange, silent language. "Tony, there is one man in the front seat of the car. I can smell on him that he owns a dog - I don't think he has any cats! That means he's probably not trustworthy." That comment made Tony smile. He always liked getting an animal's perspective - it was so much different than a person's.
Then Tony saw Whiskers jump onto the back of the car. "There are some cameras here, and some TV screens too. One screen shows the front of the apartment building - I can't see you on it, but I know you are inside the door. Another shows your apartment! I remember what it looked like when I was last there. And Tony . your radio must be on, because I can see it on the TV and I can hear it as well. This man, with his machines, can see and hear what is happening in your apartment!"
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 19
Concerned that Ty might be able to hear them communicate otherwise, Tony whispered audibly, "Let's talk this way so we can whisper." It was funny to think that, after years of communicating inaudibly, he had never found out how to whisper that way! So he and Trina would communicate as humans do for a while.
Tony said, "Trina, we need to find out what other abilities you have. But most importantly, we need to get you to New Home. You don't have to live there permanently if you don't wish, but you might want to! For one thing, you wouldn't have to have a job. We grow most of what we eat, and others provide us with earth delicacies that we can't grow. We help each other build dwellings, so you could have your own home there with Ty, all you want to eat, and never have to have a 'job' again.
"It would also be much safer to experiment with you abilities there, and probably that would be the best place to tell Ty what's up. In my experience, it's hard for 11-year-old kids to keep secrets. I remember when Tia and I were about that age, we didn't tell people what we could do, but we sure used our abilities anytime we needed to . and it usually got us in trouble. I wouldn't want to put Ty in the position of knowing something, or even being able to do something, and him not being allowed to share that with anyone. What do you think?"
Trina looked pensive. "Tony, if I quit both of my jobs - and I have to tell you, I wouldn't mind - what would I do if I ended up not liking New Home? Where would I find work again?"
Tony smiled as he said, "Don't worry. There are many small towns around our area, and you're a hard worker - it shouldn't be too difficult to find a job. Also, there are Homedwellers everywhere, kinda living undercover, and they could arrange for a job and place to live for you if you should choose that. Trina, I know this is hard to believe, but . you have a place you belong now. You're not alone. You have family now, and we take care of our own."
She looked almost overwhelmed. Tony remembered the feeling when he first saw Uncle Bené - after feeling like such a misfit, and not belonging anywhere, to realize that he had a family, someone to take care of him . well, he almost couldn't handle the sheer relief he felt. He imagined Trina felt the same way.
When she spoke, it was almost in a whisper, as if she was afraid that talking too loudly might wake her up from this dream. "I need to tell Ty that we are leaving here. I don't think he'll be too disappointed - he's never liked the school here, and he doesn't have any real friends. But he needs to know. And tomorrow I will give my two-week notice to both of my jobs. The apartment here I can leave anytime, since I'm on a month-to- month lease.
"But Tony, do we need to pack anything? Do we just leave it here, sell it . what?"
Tony frowned, not really having thought about that. "Well, the first priority is to get the two of you to New Home. So, let's not worry about that. Don't cancel your lease yet; leave everything here, and go on a 'vacation' to New Home. If you decide to stay there, then we can come back and clean out the place and end the lease. We could also move it into my apartment, since I don't live that far away. But for now, I only want to concentrate on getting you two to your new family. We can decide the rest after that."
She nodded. Then Tony added, "And you probably should get some sleep. It's been a big day, but we both still have things to do tomorrow. I want to be fresh and ready for Ty when he shows up tomorrow!"
Trina laughed. "Boy, do I know what you mean! He is a great kid, but he can sure take a lot of energy just keeping up with him! You're right, Tony. I'm ready to sleep . although part of me thinks I'll be awake all night just digesting this new information. And Tony - thank you so much! I am so glad you met Ty and that you befriended him! If you hadn't, I would never have known what I now know. I wish I could thank you properly."
Tony just smiled. He said, "Trina, when I see the two of you arrive at New Home, and watch your faces as you just feel the place, that will be all the thanks I need!"
He got up to leave, and she saw him to the door. As he opened it to leave, she impulsively hugged him. He hugged her back, but was a little surprised. She saw that on his face as they ended the hug, and she said, "I'm sorry, but I haven't had any family to hug, except for Ty, for over five years now. Since you're family . get used to it! I'm a hugger!"
Tony laughed and said, "You are definitely one of us! We always show affection. Boy, I think you'll really like New Home! Good night, Trina."
"Good night, Tony." He walked out the door and down the hall, and she closed the door behind him.
Just as he was leaving the front door of the apartment, he heard Trina's voice in his head. "Thanks again, Tony. Take care." He smiled and answered back, "My pleasure. You take care as well."
As he walked down the sidewalk, he heard another voice in his head. "Tony, am I dreaming, or are you talking to me in my sleep? It feels like a dream, but it seems so real! What's going on?"
Tony stopped in his tracks at the sound of Ty's silent voice. They might not be able to wait two weeks to explain everything to Ty. Tony answered back, "Ty, it's like a dream, but it is real. Go to sleep, and I'll tell you tomorrow."
He kept his senses on full alert, as tired as he was, because he knew that walking down New York City streets at 2:00 in the morning was not the safest thing to do. He had already learned that lesson his first hour here. As he neared his apartment building, he began to sense danger - so much so that it was like alarms going off in his head.
Confused, he looked around as he opened the apartment building's door. He didn't want to look like he was observing, but he wanted to see where the danger was coming from. Across the street, a car was parked. It was a simple black sedan, which was nothing unusual. Then Tony realized that the driver of the car was looking at him. The alarms intensified.
Tony stepped inside the door, and then peeked out the dirty glass in the door. It was dark inside the entrance of his building, so the person in the car wouldn't be able to see him . he hoped. He studied the car and the driver, and realized that there was a video camera pointed toward him. He noticed another in the back of the car, pointed up toward the window of his apartment!
Wishing he could sense humans and their thoughts as well as Tia, he tried to think of what to do. He remembered that, on the ground floor, there was a cat named Whiskers. He had petted the cat on many occasions, and even made conversation with it a few times. He remembered that Whiskers was amazed that any human could communicate with him! Of course, Tony wasn't any human . he wasn't human at all.
Tony sent out a message to Whiskers that he needed his help. Just a moment later, he heard the cat door open that Whiskers used to get in and out of his owner's apartment, and he heard soft purring. When Whiskers got near the door, Tony said, "Whiskers, across the street is a car. Do you see that one over there?"
When Whiskers said that he did, Tony explained that he wanted him to go over across the street, and quietly jump up onto the back of the car. Then he should tell Tony what he saw inside the car. Tony would let him know what to do then.
The cat seemed glad to have something to do besides sit in his owner's apartment all night. Cats are nocturnal, and this was something fun for Whiskers to do. He jumped through the open window, walked nonchalantly across the street, and started walking around the mysterious car.
Tony could hear him from across the street in their strange, silent language. "Tony, there is one man in the front seat of the car. I can smell on him that he owns a dog - I don't think he has any cats! That means he's probably not trustworthy." That comment made Tony smile. He always liked getting an animal's perspective - it was so much different than a person's.
Then Tony saw Whiskers jump onto the back of the car. "There are some cameras here, and some TV screens too. One screen shows the front of the apartment building - I can't see you on it, but I know you are inside the door. Another shows your apartment! I remember what it looked like when I was last there. And Tony . your radio must be on, because I can see it on the TV and I can hear it as well. This man, with his machines, can see and hear what is happening in your apartment!"