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 35
They had seen it all. As hard as it was to watch, they had seen it all, and now it was time to act.
Unknown to Truck and his associate, Tony had been under observation by other eyes the entire time. Tia, Eric, Ty, Trina, and Blair had been, ironically, in an apartment two doors down from Truck. They had been watching Tony from the same set of windows as the enemy, but also listening in on Truck's plan.
The hardest part of all had been watching Truck seize Tony. Just as she had years before, Tia felt the prick of the needle in Tony's back just as he felt it. She also relived the fear and uncertainty as she watched him being hauled away. Ty was beside himself - it took every ounce of self- restraint to keep him from sending Truck to the moon . and the others were quite sure he could have done it.
What helped all of them keep their cool was knowing that they were strong enough to rescue Tony at any point of the plan - even if it meant aborting the plan entirely - and that, if it was successful, they would never have to fear Truck, Dr. Gannon, or the AAAI again.
Between them they had sensed, as Tony had, which day Truck was going to make his move. While most were in the apartment watching when he did, Eric and Blair were in a car, ready to follow Truck when he took off. In the time it took Truck to get Tony into his sedan, the others had time to rush down and get into the rented minivan. When Jake drove off down the street, he never dreamed that Tony's sister and extended family were in hot pursuit.
It was tricky for Eric to drive close enough to keep the sedan in his sights, and yet far enough back so that Truck would not know he was being followed. One benefit to being a Homedweller was the ability to slow Truck's car down, or make a traffic light change early so that he didn't get too far ahead.
So far it had worked. When the sedan drove into the driveway of the old house, Eric had parked the van on the street where a clump of large bushes kept it from being seen from the house itself. He was getting ready to ask Tia what to do, when she got out of the van and using her silent voice told everyone to follow her.
It was imperative that none of them be seen, so they stayed out of sight. Blair, in addition to being a healer, also had the ability to hear from a great distance. As children, Tony and Tia could hear the dogs at Mr. Bolt's mansion from over 20 miles away . Blair could hear much more than that. She would have been able to overhear actual conversations from that far away.
Blair was not only able to hear every word spoken, she was also able to follow the source and know where in the house it was coming from. She communicated to the others silently what was happening. Once Tony was strapped in, Tia knew that the attention of Truck and Dr. Gannon would be diverted. She told everyone, "Follow me," and immediately began to rise into the air.
She floated carefully, slowly, gently, from tree to tree. The others followed suit. Blair, being unable to levitate, was carried along by Ty. It was no problem for him to float along himself, carry Blair, and talk with others at the same time.
When they came to the last tree before reaching the mansion, Tia decided to risk it and fly directly from there to the corner of the house where Blair indicated Tony was being held. She flew quickly - almost like a missile - and landed quietly in the bushes just outside the examination room where Tony was.
The overcast sky was working in their favor. There was more light from within the room than from without, so they could peek in the windows carefully and not be seen. Tia had to push the fear aside when she saw her brother held captive. Setting him free now would not change their situation - it might only make it worse.
Scanning the room visually and mentally, she found that only Truck, Dr. Gannon, and Tony were in the room. Others were in the house, but only these three needed to be reckoned with at the moment. She reminded everyone of their task, and they all began to concentrate.
She saw Truck reaching behind his back. She didn't know he had a gun back there, but she did sense that he was up to no good. Suddenly the hand Truck was moving behind him stopped and started moving toward Tony. Truck looked up in surprise - it felt like someone was grabbing his arm by the wrist and making him reach out and touch Tony's head. Eric smiled - it felt good to get at the bad guy for once.
Dr. Gannon's expression, while difficult to read, took on a look of disbelief. He looked up at Truck and said, "Travis, what are you doing?" Truck tried to speak, but didn't know what to say. He actually didn't know what he was doing!
As his hand rested on Tony's forehead, Blair was working. Healing someone from a distance had never been easy for her - it was always much better to be in direct, skin-to-skin contact with the person. However, Tony didn't need to be healed. He just needed to have the drugs he had been given subside. That she could do from where she was. Tony started to moan and open his eyes a little.
To Dr. Gannon, it appeared that Tony was rousing because Truck was causing it to happen. He looked from Tony to Truck several times, then said, "Travis, how are you doing that? Stop it at once!"
Truck still didn't reply . he tried to say, "I'm not doing anything!" but the words stuck in his throat.
Tony blinked and started to sit up. His straps came undone, one after the other, courtesy of Trina. Blair's work was done now, and Tony's head was clear. He was still somewhat dazed, but he heard Tia's voice telling him the plan was in effect and reminding him of his part.
That was what he needed. He looked up and actually gasped when he saw Dr. Gannon. He had seen old people before, but Dr. Gannon looked like he was almost dead. Even Granny Malone in her twilight years looked more spry and alive than the doctor did.
Remembering his part, he looked up and Truck and said, "Thanks, Travis. You did it! You got me to the doc!"
Truck started shaking his head and said, "What are you talking about, Malone? I just brought you to the doc so he would pay me! That's all! I don't care about anything else!"
Dr. Gannon said, "Travis, you told me you believed in our cause! You told me you wanted to help me because it was your lifelong ambition to rid the earth of this threat! Now I hear you say that you never cared. And Tony is thanking you for helping him. Tell me the truth, Travis! Tell me now!"
Truck started backing up, one hand reaching behind him. Tony was looking at Dr. Gannon. He said, "Vic, Truck is one of my people! We've been working for years to smoke you out, and this seemed like the best chance! He roused me using the powers we have, and now we can make sure you don't bother any of us again!"
Startled, Truck started yelling, "No! That's not true! I'm not one of you, you freak! Tell him!"
Dr. Gannon looked even more pale than before. He began to see his dreams crumbling again. He said, trembling, "Travis, is this true? Are you really one of the enemy? You would rob me of my money just to turn on me?"
Tony nodded and said, "It's all true, doc. You've been had. And now we want to make sure you won't bother us anymore."
Suddenly, Truck yelled, "Everybody SHUT UP!" Tony looked, and his mouth fell open when he saw Truck brandishing a pistol. He pointed it at Tony, then at Dr. Gannon, then back again. He couldn't make up his mind who the target should be.
Tony's mind was racing. So was Tia's. This wasn't in the plan, but they would have to work with it. But what should they do?
Truck pointed the gun at Tony. "Malone, you tell him now that I am not one of your stupid freaky people! And tell him to give me my money! That's all I want!"
Hoping he would be able to deflect the bullet if Truck fired, Tony shook his head and said, "C'mon, Travis. You're carrying this act too far! You know we planned this a long time ago. Stop pretending this is new. Put the play gun away and let's take care of the good doctor."
Dr. Gannon actually attempted to yell. "Travis, I don't know what's going on here, but no matter what it is, it's clear that I cannot trust you! You won't get one dime from me! Our partnership is over at this moment. Now leave me and let me deal with Tony."
Truck looked like a crazed animal. He screamed, "No! I have spent too many years getting to this point! You're not going to rob me now! NO!" Suddenly he swung the gun and aimed it at Dr. Gannon. Before Tony could react, the gun went off.
There was an explosion of noise, and Dr. Victor Gannon fell from his wheelchair. He lay on the ground, not moving.
LIFE ON WITCH MOUNTAIN
By Kevin Haynes
CHAPTER 35
They had seen it all. As hard as it was to watch, they had seen it all, and now it was time to act.
Unknown to Truck and his associate, Tony had been under observation by other eyes the entire time. Tia, Eric, Ty, Trina, and Blair had been, ironically, in an apartment two doors down from Truck. They had been watching Tony from the same set of windows as the enemy, but also listening in on Truck's plan.
The hardest part of all had been watching Truck seize Tony. Just as she had years before, Tia felt the prick of the needle in Tony's back just as he felt it. She also relived the fear and uncertainty as she watched him being hauled away. Ty was beside himself - it took every ounce of self- restraint to keep him from sending Truck to the moon . and the others were quite sure he could have done it.
What helped all of them keep their cool was knowing that they were strong enough to rescue Tony at any point of the plan - even if it meant aborting the plan entirely - and that, if it was successful, they would never have to fear Truck, Dr. Gannon, or the AAAI again.
Between them they had sensed, as Tony had, which day Truck was going to make his move. While most were in the apartment watching when he did, Eric and Blair were in a car, ready to follow Truck when he took off. In the time it took Truck to get Tony into his sedan, the others had time to rush down and get into the rented minivan. When Jake drove off down the street, he never dreamed that Tony's sister and extended family were in hot pursuit.
It was tricky for Eric to drive close enough to keep the sedan in his sights, and yet far enough back so that Truck would not know he was being followed. One benefit to being a Homedweller was the ability to slow Truck's car down, or make a traffic light change early so that he didn't get too far ahead.
So far it had worked. When the sedan drove into the driveway of the old house, Eric had parked the van on the street where a clump of large bushes kept it from being seen from the house itself. He was getting ready to ask Tia what to do, when she got out of the van and using her silent voice told everyone to follow her.
It was imperative that none of them be seen, so they stayed out of sight. Blair, in addition to being a healer, also had the ability to hear from a great distance. As children, Tony and Tia could hear the dogs at Mr. Bolt's mansion from over 20 miles away . Blair could hear much more than that. She would have been able to overhear actual conversations from that far away.
Blair was not only able to hear every word spoken, she was also able to follow the source and know where in the house it was coming from. She communicated to the others silently what was happening. Once Tony was strapped in, Tia knew that the attention of Truck and Dr. Gannon would be diverted. She told everyone, "Follow me," and immediately began to rise into the air.
She floated carefully, slowly, gently, from tree to tree. The others followed suit. Blair, being unable to levitate, was carried along by Ty. It was no problem for him to float along himself, carry Blair, and talk with others at the same time.
When they came to the last tree before reaching the mansion, Tia decided to risk it and fly directly from there to the corner of the house where Blair indicated Tony was being held. She flew quickly - almost like a missile - and landed quietly in the bushes just outside the examination room where Tony was.
The overcast sky was working in their favor. There was more light from within the room than from without, so they could peek in the windows carefully and not be seen. Tia had to push the fear aside when she saw her brother held captive. Setting him free now would not change their situation - it might only make it worse.
Scanning the room visually and mentally, she found that only Truck, Dr. Gannon, and Tony were in the room. Others were in the house, but only these three needed to be reckoned with at the moment. She reminded everyone of their task, and they all began to concentrate.
She saw Truck reaching behind his back. She didn't know he had a gun back there, but she did sense that he was up to no good. Suddenly the hand Truck was moving behind him stopped and started moving toward Tony. Truck looked up in surprise - it felt like someone was grabbing his arm by the wrist and making him reach out and touch Tony's head. Eric smiled - it felt good to get at the bad guy for once.
Dr. Gannon's expression, while difficult to read, took on a look of disbelief. He looked up at Truck and said, "Travis, what are you doing?" Truck tried to speak, but didn't know what to say. He actually didn't know what he was doing!
As his hand rested on Tony's forehead, Blair was working. Healing someone from a distance had never been easy for her - it was always much better to be in direct, skin-to-skin contact with the person. However, Tony didn't need to be healed. He just needed to have the drugs he had been given subside. That she could do from where she was. Tony started to moan and open his eyes a little.
To Dr. Gannon, it appeared that Tony was rousing because Truck was causing it to happen. He looked from Tony to Truck several times, then said, "Travis, how are you doing that? Stop it at once!"
Truck still didn't reply . he tried to say, "I'm not doing anything!" but the words stuck in his throat.
Tony blinked and started to sit up. His straps came undone, one after the other, courtesy of Trina. Blair's work was done now, and Tony's head was clear. He was still somewhat dazed, but he heard Tia's voice telling him the plan was in effect and reminding him of his part.
That was what he needed. He looked up and actually gasped when he saw Dr. Gannon. He had seen old people before, but Dr. Gannon looked like he was almost dead. Even Granny Malone in her twilight years looked more spry and alive than the doctor did.
Remembering his part, he looked up and Truck and said, "Thanks, Travis. You did it! You got me to the doc!"
Truck started shaking his head and said, "What are you talking about, Malone? I just brought you to the doc so he would pay me! That's all! I don't care about anything else!"
Dr. Gannon said, "Travis, you told me you believed in our cause! You told me you wanted to help me because it was your lifelong ambition to rid the earth of this threat! Now I hear you say that you never cared. And Tony is thanking you for helping him. Tell me the truth, Travis! Tell me now!"
Truck started backing up, one hand reaching behind him. Tony was looking at Dr. Gannon. He said, "Vic, Truck is one of my people! We've been working for years to smoke you out, and this seemed like the best chance! He roused me using the powers we have, and now we can make sure you don't bother any of us again!"
Startled, Truck started yelling, "No! That's not true! I'm not one of you, you freak! Tell him!"
Dr. Gannon looked even more pale than before. He began to see his dreams crumbling again. He said, trembling, "Travis, is this true? Are you really one of the enemy? You would rob me of my money just to turn on me?"
Tony nodded and said, "It's all true, doc. You've been had. And now we want to make sure you won't bother us anymore."
Suddenly, Truck yelled, "Everybody SHUT UP!" Tony looked, and his mouth fell open when he saw Truck brandishing a pistol. He pointed it at Tony, then at Dr. Gannon, then back again. He couldn't make up his mind who the target should be.
Tony's mind was racing. So was Tia's. This wasn't in the plan, but they would have to work with it. But what should they do?
Truck pointed the gun at Tony. "Malone, you tell him now that I am not one of your stupid freaky people! And tell him to give me my money! That's all I want!"
Hoping he would be able to deflect the bullet if Truck fired, Tony shook his head and said, "C'mon, Travis. You're carrying this act too far! You know we planned this a long time ago. Stop pretending this is new. Put the play gun away and let's take care of the good doctor."
Dr. Gannon actually attempted to yell. "Travis, I don't know what's going on here, but no matter what it is, it's clear that I cannot trust you! You won't get one dime from me! Our partnership is over at this moment. Now leave me and let me deal with Tony."
Truck looked like a crazed animal. He screamed, "No! I have spent too many years getting to this point! You're not going to rob me now! NO!" Suddenly he swung the gun and aimed it at Dr. Gannon. Before Tony could react, the gun went off.
There was an explosion of noise, and Dr. Victor Gannon fell from his wheelchair. He lay on the ground, not moving.