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 23
Early the next morning, Tia got a call from Eric's receptionist. Eric had called in sick, and he asked the receptionist to let Tia know. She said that Tia could go on in to the office and work on the report, or she could take the day off - it was up to her.
Before hanging up, Tia realized she needed to talk to Eric. It really was urgent. So she asked the receptionist for Eric's home phone number, and got it. She hung up and quickly called Eric's home. His answering machine was all she got, so she left a message asking Eric to call her right away.
He didn't. Her emotions told her he was upset at her after what happened the day before. But her instinct - her gut - told her something was wrong. Eric was running from his past, trying to escape from who he really was and is . he needed her help right away.
She could have looked up his address, but since she didn't drive, she wasn't sure if she'd find it. She knew it had to be close to his office, so she set out walking. Depending partly on her heart, and partly on the link she had established with Eric through their relationship, Tia walked straight toward his house.
In less than 20 minutes, she was there. She suddenly felt very nervous, but was also determined. No matter the outcome of the next hour or so, at least she could be completely honest with Eric. Tia had never liked hiding things, and while she understood the need for deception when on assignment, she was looking forward to clearing the air once and for all.
She could see through the front window that he was on the phone. Ignoring that, she walked up to the front door and rang the bell. She waited a minute, then rang it again . and again. She was determined to have this conversation whether Eric really wanted to or not!
Finally he opened the door a crack. He looked awful - unshaven, hair a mess, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, and his eyes were puffy. Tia's heart longed to reach out to this man . she cared for him so much, and he looked like he could really use a friend. She said, "Can I come in?" He didn't reply, just nodded, and opened the door for her.
She walked in, waited for him to close the door, and then walked with him into the large living room. He motioned for the couch, still not speaking, but she shook her head. She stood in front of him, face to face, and said, "Eric, we need to talk. I'd like to find out what's wrong, but if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. No matter what, though, we need to finish yesterday's conversation."
Tia spoke with such strength and conviction - something Eric hadn't seen yet. He seemed stunned, and then sunk down onto the couch and said in a small voice, "I don't know what's wrong. . Our talk yesterday just woke something up inside me. I don't know how else to describe it. I feel . lost . alone . like I don't belong here. I don't want to feel this way, but I can't make it leave."
Suddenly he looked up at her, his eyes questioning. "Why did you say, 'Welcome home'? That's what you said yesterday! Why?"
Tia sat down next to him and took his hand. "I said it because you've been looking for home, and I know where it is. I want to tell you my story - not my edited biography, not my resume, but my real life story. Please listen all the way to the end. Then I'll answer any question you have - and I do mean any question."
Again he remained silent, nodding his assent to what she had said.
Tia dove in. She started at the point where, when living with the Malones, she and Tony realized they were different from the other kids. She talked about being in foster care, about being able to sense things and know things and see things . and move things and lift things.
She talked about her flashbacks into the past, and the wreck at sea. Her voice broke when she talked about Granny Malone dying and going to the orphanage. She described her star case and finding the map.
Taking her time, she told him about Lucas Deranian, Mr. Bolt, Jason O'Day, Witch Mountain, Uncle Bené, and their weekend in California and run-in with Dr. Gannon.
Eric listened numbly, almost in shock. Tia wasn't sure what he was thinking, but she could sure read what he was feeling. He was actually feeling a mixture of confusion and hope.
As she finished her story, including her assignment, she said, "I never meant to lie to you, Eric. But I'm here to find people like you - people that I believe are from my planet. We called our planet Home when it existed. Now we live on New Home. You belong there, Eric. I really believe that, once you visit, you will know - you belong with us."
Eric sounded a little like his old self when he said, "I have four more days of Senate hearings, and then I have a week's vacation. Could you take me to New Home then? I'd love to see if you are right."
Tia smiled and hugged him. She said, silently, "Of course. I'll arrange for the transportation. And between now and then, I can tell you, and show you, more of life on Home." Then, hoping it wouldn't be too much for him to handle, she levitated the Kleenex box to him and it landed on his lap. His eyes got wide, and then he actually laughed.
"Oh wow! How did you do that? Can I do that?" And he started looking around for something to move with his mind.
Tia put her hand up to caution him. "Hold on! Each person from our planet can do different things - some can sense things better, some can communicate with animals better, some can move things around. It will take some time, since you've never used these abilities, but yeah, we'll find out what you can do!"
She looked around and saw a throw pillow lying on a recliner. She said, "Look at that pillow, and concentrate on lifting it. That's all. Just imagine that an unseen arm is extending from you and lifting the pillow."
He knit his brow and concentrated. The pillow seemed to move, but it was still on the recliner. Then they realized that he had actually lifted the front of the recliner off the floor! Tia said, "Not bad - I guess you just have to work on your aim!"
He let the chair go, relaxed, and leaned back against the couch they were sitting on. "Thanks, Tia. You saved me. I felt so lost just a little while ago. Now I know where I'm from, and I have a place to go. I love you so much!"
Tia's mouth fell open, and then she smiled, and her face lit up. "Eric . I love you, too!" And she collapsed into his arms.
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 23
Early the next morning, Tia got a call from Eric's receptionist. Eric had called in sick, and he asked the receptionist to let Tia know. She said that Tia could go on in to the office and work on the report, or she could take the day off - it was up to her.
Before hanging up, Tia realized she needed to talk to Eric. It really was urgent. So she asked the receptionist for Eric's home phone number, and got it. She hung up and quickly called Eric's home. His answering machine was all she got, so she left a message asking Eric to call her right away.
He didn't. Her emotions told her he was upset at her after what happened the day before. But her instinct - her gut - told her something was wrong. Eric was running from his past, trying to escape from who he really was and is . he needed her help right away.
She could have looked up his address, but since she didn't drive, she wasn't sure if she'd find it. She knew it had to be close to his office, so she set out walking. Depending partly on her heart, and partly on the link she had established with Eric through their relationship, Tia walked straight toward his house.
In less than 20 minutes, she was there. She suddenly felt very nervous, but was also determined. No matter the outcome of the next hour or so, at least she could be completely honest with Eric. Tia had never liked hiding things, and while she understood the need for deception when on assignment, she was looking forward to clearing the air once and for all.
She could see through the front window that he was on the phone. Ignoring that, she walked up to the front door and rang the bell. She waited a minute, then rang it again . and again. She was determined to have this conversation whether Eric really wanted to or not!
Finally he opened the door a crack. He looked awful - unshaven, hair a mess, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, and his eyes were puffy. Tia's heart longed to reach out to this man . she cared for him so much, and he looked like he could really use a friend. She said, "Can I come in?" He didn't reply, just nodded, and opened the door for her.
She walked in, waited for him to close the door, and then walked with him into the large living room. He motioned for the couch, still not speaking, but she shook her head. She stood in front of him, face to face, and said, "Eric, we need to talk. I'd like to find out what's wrong, but if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. No matter what, though, we need to finish yesterday's conversation."
Tia spoke with such strength and conviction - something Eric hadn't seen yet. He seemed stunned, and then sunk down onto the couch and said in a small voice, "I don't know what's wrong. . Our talk yesterday just woke something up inside me. I don't know how else to describe it. I feel . lost . alone . like I don't belong here. I don't want to feel this way, but I can't make it leave."
Suddenly he looked up at her, his eyes questioning. "Why did you say, 'Welcome home'? That's what you said yesterday! Why?"
Tia sat down next to him and took his hand. "I said it because you've been looking for home, and I know where it is. I want to tell you my story - not my edited biography, not my resume, but my real life story. Please listen all the way to the end. Then I'll answer any question you have - and I do mean any question."
Again he remained silent, nodding his assent to what she had said.
Tia dove in. She started at the point where, when living with the Malones, she and Tony realized they were different from the other kids. She talked about being in foster care, about being able to sense things and know things and see things . and move things and lift things.
She talked about her flashbacks into the past, and the wreck at sea. Her voice broke when she talked about Granny Malone dying and going to the orphanage. She described her star case and finding the map.
Taking her time, she told him about Lucas Deranian, Mr. Bolt, Jason O'Day, Witch Mountain, Uncle Bené, and their weekend in California and run-in with Dr. Gannon.
Eric listened numbly, almost in shock. Tia wasn't sure what he was thinking, but she could sure read what he was feeling. He was actually feeling a mixture of confusion and hope.
As she finished her story, including her assignment, she said, "I never meant to lie to you, Eric. But I'm here to find people like you - people that I believe are from my planet. We called our planet Home when it existed. Now we live on New Home. You belong there, Eric. I really believe that, once you visit, you will know - you belong with us."
Eric sounded a little like his old self when he said, "I have four more days of Senate hearings, and then I have a week's vacation. Could you take me to New Home then? I'd love to see if you are right."
Tia smiled and hugged him. She said, silently, "Of course. I'll arrange for the transportation. And between now and then, I can tell you, and show you, more of life on Home." Then, hoping it wouldn't be too much for him to handle, she levitated the Kleenex box to him and it landed on his lap. His eyes got wide, and then he actually laughed.
"Oh wow! How did you do that? Can I do that?" And he started looking around for something to move with his mind.
Tia put her hand up to caution him. "Hold on! Each person from our planet can do different things - some can sense things better, some can communicate with animals better, some can move things around. It will take some time, since you've never used these abilities, but yeah, we'll find out what you can do!"
She looked around and saw a throw pillow lying on a recliner. She said, "Look at that pillow, and concentrate on lifting it. That's all. Just imagine that an unseen arm is extending from you and lifting the pillow."
He knit his brow and concentrated. The pillow seemed to move, but it was still on the recliner. Then they realized that he had actually lifted the front of the recliner off the floor! Tia said, "Not bad - I guess you just have to work on your aim!"
He let the chair go, relaxed, and leaned back against the couch they were sitting on. "Thanks, Tia. You saved me. I felt so lost just a little while ago. Now I know where I'm from, and I have a place to go. I love you so much!"
Tia's mouth fell open, and then she smiled, and her face lit up. "Eric . I love you, too!" And she collapsed into his arms.