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 29
Tia tried to relax as she and Eric watched the news. It had taken the better part of an hour to put all of the furniture and other things back into a reasonable order. It helped keeping busy - she didn't worry about Tony as much. But now, sitting idly, she couldn't help but worry again.
"Tia!" Uncle Bené's voice called out.
Eric muted the TV as she replied, "Yes, I'm here! What's going on? How's Tony?"
He chuckled as he said, "Oh, he's fine! I haven't heard from him - I'm actually getting information from Trina, Ty's mom. She communicates very well, as if she'd been doing it all her life. There's one thing she doesn't understand, and I don't either. Tia, does the name 'Truck' ring a bell to you at all?"
Tia looked like she'd been shot - so much so that it scared Eric. She couldn't even form words at first. "Uncle Bené . when we were in the orphanage, after Granny Malone died . there was a mean boy there . big kid named Truck. He picked fights with us, tried to steal my star case and tried to beat up Tony. He knew we were different, and he hated us for it. Why do you ask?" The she gasped and asked, "Is he the mystery man?"
Uncle Bené replied, "Apparently so. He's been searching for you and Tony for years because someone that controlled Tony at one point wants to control him again. Tia . would that be this Dr. Gannon you two encountered in Los Angeles?"
Tia was now white as a sheet. She nodded her head, then, realizing that her uncle couldn't see that, said, "Yes, it has to be. How did those two ever meet up?" She paused, then added, "I can see now, though, why they joined forces. Both of them knew of Tony and Tia together - without ever knowing a last name - and knew they were different and could do things humans can't do."
Then a thought struck her, and she said, "Uncle Bené . has Trina told heard what Truck's real name is?"
"Why yes. Tony just read it from his driver's license. It's Travis Pluck."
Tia said, to Eric as much as to Uncle Bené, "I knew it! In the report I was preparing for Eric, it said that the man who started the AAAI was Dr. Gannon, and that a Travis Pluck was second in command! Uncle Bené, I'm afraid that Truck's goal is to turn Tony over to Dr. Gannon. We may have stopped Truck, but until we can get to the source - Dr. Gannon - we really haven't won."
All was silent for a moment. Then Uncle Bené said, "You're right, Tia. I'm arranging a secret place where our New York trio can hide out for the night. Once they're there, we need to have another conference call to make a plan. Eric, would you be able to come up here to visit right away? We might not be able to wait a week."
Eric looked surprised, but said, "If you need me there tonight, I'll be there. My constituents may not understand why, but this is much more important than some dry old debates on the Senate floor. Just let me know what I can do to help, sir."
Uncle Bené chuckled and said, "Eric, we're family. Please stop calling me 'sir' and start calling me Uncle!"
Eric said, "That'll take some getting used to, but I will do it, s- . I mean . I will do it!"
"See that you do!" Uncle Bené said jokingly. Then he added, "Tia, stay near your transmitter. We'll begin the conference call as soon as Tony and company are in place. Eric, I'd like you to be present as well."
He smiled. "I'll be there, Unc!" He and Tia started laughing, and they heard Uncle Bené say, "'Unc'? I've been raising kids for almost 100 years and he calls me 'Unc'?" Then he laughed and said, "Alright, I'll talk to you two tonight. Now behave!" And he was gone.
After a couple of minutes of silence, Tia said, "Eric, let's go back to my place. I have my transmitter there, and while I can still communicate from here, I don't want to take any chances. Also, if we need to get out of here tonight, they'll pick me up near my apartment."
Eric stood and said, "OK, let's go. First let me get dressed, and then we can head out. Do you want me to call my limo?"
She shook her head and said, "No. Let's keep this between us for now. I don't know how many eyes and ears the AAAI might have in Washington, but if anyone here knows I'm related to Tony, I don't want them finding out you're involved."
Tia winked at Eric and said, "Besides . you need some more practice before you are able to defend me!" He rolled his eyes, and as he turned, a pillow came flying and smacked Tia on the side of her head. As it fell to the ground, she looked stunned. "Eric! Did you do that?"
He feigned innocence and said, "Me? Why, I couldn't have! I need much more practice before I could ever defend you!" And he headed off to change clothes.
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 29
Tia tried to relax as she and Eric watched the news. It had taken the better part of an hour to put all of the furniture and other things back into a reasonable order. It helped keeping busy - she didn't worry about Tony as much. But now, sitting idly, she couldn't help but worry again.
"Tia!" Uncle Bené's voice called out.
Eric muted the TV as she replied, "Yes, I'm here! What's going on? How's Tony?"
He chuckled as he said, "Oh, he's fine! I haven't heard from him - I'm actually getting information from Trina, Ty's mom. She communicates very well, as if she'd been doing it all her life. There's one thing she doesn't understand, and I don't either. Tia, does the name 'Truck' ring a bell to you at all?"
Tia looked like she'd been shot - so much so that it scared Eric. She couldn't even form words at first. "Uncle Bené . when we were in the orphanage, after Granny Malone died . there was a mean boy there . big kid named Truck. He picked fights with us, tried to steal my star case and tried to beat up Tony. He knew we were different, and he hated us for it. Why do you ask?" The she gasped and asked, "Is he the mystery man?"
Uncle Bené replied, "Apparently so. He's been searching for you and Tony for years because someone that controlled Tony at one point wants to control him again. Tia . would that be this Dr. Gannon you two encountered in Los Angeles?"
Tia was now white as a sheet. She nodded her head, then, realizing that her uncle couldn't see that, said, "Yes, it has to be. How did those two ever meet up?" She paused, then added, "I can see now, though, why they joined forces. Both of them knew of Tony and Tia together - without ever knowing a last name - and knew they were different and could do things humans can't do."
Then a thought struck her, and she said, "Uncle Bené . has Trina told heard what Truck's real name is?"
"Why yes. Tony just read it from his driver's license. It's Travis Pluck."
Tia said, to Eric as much as to Uncle Bené, "I knew it! In the report I was preparing for Eric, it said that the man who started the AAAI was Dr. Gannon, and that a Travis Pluck was second in command! Uncle Bené, I'm afraid that Truck's goal is to turn Tony over to Dr. Gannon. We may have stopped Truck, but until we can get to the source - Dr. Gannon - we really haven't won."
All was silent for a moment. Then Uncle Bené said, "You're right, Tia. I'm arranging a secret place where our New York trio can hide out for the night. Once they're there, we need to have another conference call to make a plan. Eric, would you be able to come up here to visit right away? We might not be able to wait a week."
Eric looked surprised, but said, "If you need me there tonight, I'll be there. My constituents may not understand why, but this is much more important than some dry old debates on the Senate floor. Just let me know what I can do to help, sir."
Uncle Bené chuckled and said, "Eric, we're family. Please stop calling me 'sir' and start calling me Uncle!"
Eric said, "That'll take some getting used to, but I will do it, s- . I mean . I will do it!"
"See that you do!" Uncle Bené said jokingly. Then he added, "Tia, stay near your transmitter. We'll begin the conference call as soon as Tony and company are in place. Eric, I'd like you to be present as well."
He smiled. "I'll be there, Unc!" He and Tia started laughing, and they heard Uncle Bené say, "'Unc'? I've been raising kids for almost 100 years and he calls me 'Unc'?" Then he laughed and said, "Alright, I'll talk to you two tonight. Now behave!" And he was gone.
After a couple of minutes of silence, Tia said, "Eric, let's go back to my place. I have my transmitter there, and while I can still communicate from here, I don't want to take any chances. Also, if we need to get out of here tonight, they'll pick me up near my apartment."
Eric stood and said, "OK, let's go. First let me get dressed, and then we can head out. Do you want me to call my limo?"
She shook her head and said, "No. Let's keep this between us for now. I don't know how many eyes and ears the AAAI might have in Washington, but if anyone here knows I'm related to Tony, I don't want them finding out you're involved."
Tia winked at Eric and said, "Besides . you need some more practice before you are able to defend me!" He rolled his eyes, and as he turned, a pillow came flying and smacked Tia on the side of her head. As it fell to the ground, she looked stunned. "Eric! Did you do that?"
He feigned innocence and said, "Me? Why, I couldn't have! I need much more practice before I could ever defend you!" And he headed off to change clothes.