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 27
Tia was almost beside herself, and Eric was doing all he could to keep her calm. Uncle Bené let Tia know that he had contacted Tony, and that Tony and Ty were heading to the mystery man, who was camped out at Tony's apartment and was holding Trina hostage. Tia almost yelled at Uncle Bené, "No! He can't go alone! This is a set-up. This person . whoever he is . knows Tony's abilities. He'll be ready for anything. Uncle Bené, I almost lost Tony once, and now the same person that nearly made Tony kill me is trying to control him again!
"Aren't there any Homedwellers nearby you can send?" Tia was crying now, and Eric almost couldn't contain himself. He had never seen Tia like this before, and the contrast with the happy, relaxed Tia just moments before was startling.
Uncle Bené did his best to reassure her. "Tia, Tony is going to a place he knows, in broad daylight, with one of the most powerful Homedwellers I've ever known. This mystery man will be lucky to get away with the ability to walk, especially if he threatens Ty's mom. Now, I have several Homedwellers in the area, and they're heading there now, but when they arrive I want them to get a mental fix on what's happening before they intervene."
Her uncle suddenly became aware of another presence "listening" in. "Tia," he asked with concern in his voice, "someone near you is listening to our conversation. Who is it?"
Tia wiped her face and tried to calm herself at his question. In her emotion and fear she had all but forgotten that Eric was right there, watching and listening. "Um . Uncle Bené . it's Eric. He's definitely a Homedweller and has been practicing his abilities . with my help, of course. That includes communicating like we do. I wanted him to listen in - he's so important to me, I want him to know everything about me. Even when I act foolish like I just did."
Eric walked up to her from behind and lightly put his arms around her, trying to let her know that he still accepted and loved her. He looked up suddenly when he heard Uncle Bené's voice say, "Eric . welcome. I look forward to the privilege of meeting you. Anyone that can impress Tia the way you have must be exceptional. Thank you for being there for her now."
Eric seemed truly humbled when he said, "With all due respect, sir, Tia is the exceptional one. She has brought a purpose and meaning to my life that was lacking. I'm fortunate to have met her, and if you and your Homedwellers are anything like her, I can't wait to meet you."
Tia smiled at him, a wonderful, radiant smile. Uncle Bené said, "Likewise, Eric. I am going to stop communicating with you so that we here can be ready to receive any messages Tony sends. Tia - you know I'm a man of my word, and I give you my word that the moment we hear anything about Tony's situation, I will personally let you know. Just keep your watch/transmitter with you."
"OK, Uncle Bené. Thanks. I'll be waiting." And he was gone.
Eric exhaled sharply and said, "Man, your family has its own special way of communicating, doesn't it?" Trying to lighten the mood, he added, "What do you do if they call while you're in the shower? Or in the middle of a good book? I mean, it's not like the phone, which you can ignore or turn off!"
She shot back, silently, "Well, you'd better get used to it! It's now your way of communicating as well!" Then she smiled and said, "Actually, once you get to New Home, you'll find that family is more important than anything. We lost our planet, and many of us lost family members, so the ones we have left, and the place we live, are more important than any activity. If someone does interrupt, which can happen, you just tell them you'll contact them soon, and it's fine.
"One thing I've noticed that's quite different between humans and Homedwellers is the way we get along. While we can look and sound very different from each other as individuals, we consider ourselves one big race, no matter the individual differences. And because of that, we never let anything get personal. Every Homedweller is related to me in some way, so what I say to them and what they say to me is important. If someone disagrees with me, I don't feel like I'm bad - I just realize that my idea doesn't match with theirs.
"Are they sometimes wrong? Oh yeah. But so am I. I've been wrong so many times in my life that I have no right to criticize anyone - from any planet! - for being wrong as well. That's how we learn and grow. So we never feel insulted when someone corrects us or points something out. We accept it as a way to learn and grow, even if we don't agree with the other person."
Eric looked pensive. "Sounds like utopia, Tia. Almost too perfect to be true."
She kissed him, then said, "Well, Senator Homedweller, in one week you get to find out!"
He smiled at that thought and said, "Man, I hope I can wait a week!"
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 27
Tia was almost beside herself, and Eric was doing all he could to keep her calm. Uncle Bené let Tia know that he had contacted Tony, and that Tony and Ty were heading to the mystery man, who was camped out at Tony's apartment and was holding Trina hostage. Tia almost yelled at Uncle Bené, "No! He can't go alone! This is a set-up. This person . whoever he is . knows Tony's abilities. He'll be ready for anything. Uncle Bené, I almost lost Tony once, and now the same person that nearly made Tony kill me is trying to control him again!
"Aren't there any Homedwellers nearby you can send?" Tia was crying now, and Eric almost couldn't contain himself. He had never seen Tia like this before, and the contrast with the happy, relaxed Tia just moments before was startling.
Uncle Bené did his best to reassure her. "Tia, Tony is going to a place he knows, in broad daylight, with one of the most powerful Homedwellers I've ever known. This mystery man will be lucky to get away with the ability to walk, especially if he threatens Ty's mom. Now, I have several Homedwellers in the area, and they're heading there now, but when they arrive I want them to get a mental fix on what's happening before they intervene."
Her uncle suddenly became aware of another presence "listening" in. "Tia," he asked with concern in his voice, "someone near you is listening to our conversation. Who is it?"
Tia wiped her face and tried to calm herself at his question. In her emotion and fear she had all but forgotten that Eric was right there, watching and listening. "Um . Uncle Bené . it's Eric. He's definitely a Homedweller and has been practicing his abilities . with my help, of course. That includes communicating like we do. I wanted him to listen in - he's so important to me, I want him to know everything about me. Even when I act foolish like I just did."
Eric walked up to her from behind and lightly put his arms around her, trying to let her know that he still accepted and loved her. He looked up suddenly when he heard Uncle Bené's voice say, "Eric . welcome. I look forward to the privilege of meeting you. Anyone that can impress Tia the way you have must be exceptional. Thank you for being there for her now."
Eric seemed truly humbled when he said, "With all due respect, sir, Tia is the exceptional one. She has brought a purpose and meaning to my life that was lacking. I'm fortunate to have met her, and if you and your Homedwellers are anything like her, I can't wait to meet you."
Tia smiled at him, a wonderful, radiant smile. Uncle Bené said, "Likewise, Eric. I am going to stop communicating with you so that we here can be ready to receive any messages Tony sends. Tia - you know I'm a man of my word, and I give you my word that the moment we hear anything about Tony's situation, I will personally let you know. Just keep your watch/transmitter with you."
"OK, Uncle Bené. Thanks. I'll be waiting." And he was gone.
Eric exhaled sharply and said, "Man, your family has its own special way of communicating, doesn't it?" Trying to lighten the mood, he added, "What do you do if they call while you're in the shower? Or in the middle of a good book? I mean, it's not like the phone, which you can ignore or turn off!"
She shot back, silently, "Well, you'd better get used to it! It's now your way of communicating as well!" Then she smiled and said, "Actually, once you get to New Home, you'll find that family is more important than anything. We lost our planet, and many of us lost family members, so the ones we have left, and the place we live, are more important than any activity. If someone does interrupt, which can happen, you just tell them you'll contact them soon, and it's fine.
"One thing I've noticed that's quite different between humans and Homedwellers is the way we get along. While we can look and sound very different from each other as individuals, we consider ourselves one big race, no matter the individual differences. And because of that, we never let anything get personal. Every Homedweller is related to me in some way, so what I say to them and what they say to me is important. If someone disagrees with me, I don't feel like I'm bad - I just realize that my idea doesn't match with theirs.
"Are they sometimes wrong? Oh yeah. But so am I. I've been wrong so many times in my life that I have no right to criticize anyone - from any planet! - for being wrong as well. That's how we learn and grow. So we never feel insulted when someone corrects us or points something out. We accept it as a way to learn and grow, even if we don't agree with the other person."
Eric looked pensive. "Sounds like utopia, Tia. Almost too perfect to be true."
She kissed him, then said, "Well, Senator Homedweller, in one week you get to find out!"
He smiled at that thought and said, "Man, I hope I can wait a week!"