CRUSH
Chapter 7
Strange InterludeLayla felt a strange tugging sensation and a moment of dizziness. Her vision blurred for an instant and she almost stumbled, but quickly regained her balance.
Her senses were filled with a wide variety of sensations; cool long grass under her still bare feet, a light breeze touching her hair, the sound of a nearby stream, and the smell of different flowers.
Her vision cleared and she found herself in what looked like the heart of an old growth forest with enormous trees, ancient and stately. Countless varieties of flowers created a rainbow weaving throughout the lush grass, and a few fat, moss-covered boulders sat scattered about.
It was like a forest out of "Lord of the Rings".
Layla then felt it; a sensation that could only be described as countless voices trying to whisper to her at once, though she did not hear them with her ears so much as in her mind.
It was the trees…the flowers…all the plants.
They were welcoming her.
She had always been able to communicate with plants on a very basic level; to get them to move or grow or shrink, but this was different. She could actually "hear" them in a way she had never imagined…or dared to.
Curious, she placed her hand on one particular huge ancient oak tree and felt a flood of warmth and wisdom engulf her. It was like meeting an ancient ancestor.
"I see you approve of my little grove," came a voice behind her. Layla turned to see Lucretia Mandragore, now wearing a black pantsuit with the skull clasp from before now a large pin on her lapel.
"It certainly approves of you," the witch smiled.
"Victoria," said Will, looking her in the eye, "where's Layla?"
"I…I don't know," said Victoria, as confused as everyone else.
"Could your mother…DID your mother take her?"
"She…she might," said Victoria, "but I have no idea why."
"This is BULL," snarled Warren, stepping forward as his fists burst into flame, "where's Layla! Tell us or…"
"I…don't…know," repeated Victoria, not backing down from Warren one step.
"What's your crazy mother done with my…with Layla?" Warren growled.
"Don't you DARE," Victoria growled back, "don't you dare say anything bad about my parents, Warren Peace, not after all they did for you and your mother!"
Warren could not deny Victoria's words. If not for the Mandragores Warren would have certainly died and his mother would have also perished of grief at losing both him and his father. He lowered his hands and the flames sputtered out.
"Sorry," he mumbled gruffly, "I just…"
"You're worried," said Victoria, gently placing a hand on his broad shoulder like she did it all the time, "I know. But Mother wouldn't harm Layla or let anything bad happen to her."
"Then where is she?" asked Will.
Victoria could only shrug her massive shoulders sadly.
Layla was naturally afraid. Out of instinct she tried to have the plants rise up and interpose themselves between herself and Lucretia or the trees to grab and hold her.
All she received in response was the equivalent of a firm but gentle "no" from the plants.
Lucretia smiled gently, trying to soothe Layla's fears.
"Don't be afraid," she said, "if I truly meant to harm so much as a single hair on your head this entire forest would turn on me in an instant. I dare say that, for you, this is the safest place in the world."
Layla was at a loss for words. The past day had been a mad roller coaster ride of extremes, encounters, and events she had had neither time nor means to assimilate and understand. She was usually the voice of reason and council, and now found herself in need of both. Though confused and on the verge of tears, she held them back, trying to be brave.
"My poor dear," said Lucretia, "this HAS been quite a series of events, especially for one so young. I'll wager you haven't hardly eaten either…"
As if response, a bell began to toll in the distance.
"Splendid," Lucretia smiled, "just in time for tea. Come dear, join me for some refreshments."
She held out her hand and Layla hesitantly took it, noticing how cool the older woman's touch was. As she was led away she felt the voice of the ancients trees;
"You are safe."
They left the forest and came to a meadow that held a huge dark green canopy underneath which was an antique table set for a small feast. In addition to pots of steaming tea there were a variety of meatless sandwiches and cookies the likes of which Layla had only seen in extravagant store windows. At Lucretia's gesture she sat in a comfortable green chair that seemed to mold itself to fit her body and relax her.
"Here we go," said Lucretia, "this is a special herbal blend of my own I think you will find interesting. It calms the nerves while awakening the senses." She filled a delicate china teacup with the rich smelling brew and handed it to Layla, who had given in to her hunger and was eating a watercress sandwich from a nearby tray.
She was hesitant to drink the tea, but remembered the "words" of the trees. After her daughter Victoria had saved Layla from harm three times in just the past hour, it was unlikely Lucretia would harm Layla. She sipped the warm liquid and found it delicious as it did what Lucretia said it would.
"Now then," said Lucretia after she poured herself a cup of tea and sat next to Layla in another green chair, "let's talk about the future, shall we?"
"There's gotta be something we can do," said Zach, "maybe we oughta call Will's parents or Warren's mom. They'd know what to do."
"Oh yeah," said Warren, "I'd LOVE to tell my mom I just let her old enemy kidnap my…kidnap a friend of mine. I can imagine Stronghold's dad's reaction…"
"I'm sorry," said Victoria.
"It's not your fault," said Will, "this whole afternoon…this whole weekend has been crazy for everyone."
"Because of me," said Victoria.
"Because of your FAMILY," said Will, "and we can't blame you for that. Look at me and Warren…we're friends despite our families' differences."
"Actually it's just our dads," said Warren, "my mom doesn't hate anybody…not even your folks, Vicky."
"Don't call me Vicky," Victoria smiled, "and I'm glad to hear that."
"Okay," said Magenta, "if "Bulldozer Barbie" here doesn't have any ideas, how ARE we getting Layla back? If we call anybody's parents or even somebody from school it's likely to start a war."
"Maybe I can help," said a familiar voice.
It was Marduke.
"What about the future?" asked Layla, suddenly feeling defensive again.
"Besides that you will have one?" replied Lucretia with a smile. "You need not be so on edge with me dear, I would think that one who does not like to put labels on things would be more…receptive to others' views."
Layla couldn't argue with that.
"I…I know I TRY not to labels things and people…but you have a very formidable reputation."
"I know," sighed Lucretia, "animate the idols of Easter Island to create an unstoppable army of stone warriors ONCE and it sticks to you forever."
Layla wasn't sure if she was joking or not until she caught the little smile pulling at the corners of Lucretia' mouth.
"I…I'd like to ask you something."
"Feel free, my child,"
"Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?"
"Yes," smiled Lucretia as she sipped her tea.
Warren's hands again burst into flame as he took a step towards Marduke.
"Now YOU," snarled Warren, "I've got NO problem sticking an apple in your mouth and barbecuing you…"
Marduke swallowed hard. This was a nightmare for him. For years he had wanted to finally meet Warren face to face, but definitely not under these circumstances. The last time he had seen Warren, he had just recovered from the fever that nearly killed him and Marduke had given him a fire resistant teddy bear while he slept. His parents had sadly forbidden him from seeing Warren since.
"Wait," said Will, grabbing Warren by his arm to make him stop, "let's hear what he has to say."
Marduke was grateful to Will. He had no desire to fight with Warren, not even in self-defense. He tried to compose himself and focus totally on Will, but his eyes wanted to stray and look at Warren.
"Layla is safe," he said, "she's with Mother in…the grove."
"The grove?" Victoria's eyes nearly popped out of her head, "but NOBODY goes into the grove…not even Daddy."
"Well, Layla's there now…and it likes her."
"What's this "grove" you two are talking about?" asked Will.
"It's a place Mother refers to as a…I don't know, some new age or old world or something term…anyway it's a "wellspring of the earth". Whatever that means."
"It means it's a source of nature magic," Ethan popped in, "anything connected to earth related powers."
He then noticed everyone staring at him, totally stunned.
"What?" asked Ethan, "It's in Basic Magic 101 with Professor Harkness."
"Dude," grinned Zach, "isn't that…like…a CHICK class?"
"Hey," said Ethan as Magenta elbowed Zach in his ribs, "there's a LOT of male magic heroes…Dr. Strange, Dr. Fate…"
"Harry Potter," Warren said, trying not to grin.
"What do you mean it "likes" her?" asked Will, trying to get back on the subject.
"Its…well…it's alive. Sentient. Intelligent."
"Layla's being held by talking plants?" asked Zach. "Cool."
"They don't talk," said Marduke, feeling like he was trying to explain things to a five year old, "at least not that I know of, but Mother communicates with it…them sometimes."
"Why would she take Layla there?"
"I think," hesitated Marduke, "Mother wants her for her apprentice."
There was silence for several minutes between the two women, broken only by the singing of birds and the whisper of the breeze across the clearing.
"You've loved Will nearly your whole life, haven't you?"
Layla didn't know what to say. She only nodded her head.
"I can always tell," smiled Lucretia, "young love is so precious. Worth more than all the riches and power in the world…and this is from someone who's tried to conquer the world on several occasions."
Layla could not help but smile at that. It was so strange to hear a villain joke about such a thing to begin with. She had never really thought about what it must be like for the bad guys…if they had lives outside of trying to rule the world, looting Maxville or just being an overall threat to humanity.
"But here's a piece of advice from someone who has been there," said Lucretia, leaning forward to have Layla's undivided attention, "first love does not necessarily mean the ONLY love."
Layla felt herself blushing. She knew Lucretia had to be referring to Warren. Even after homecoming and she and Will had gotten back together she had still found herself attracted to Warren. When the gang was together she could feel him looking at her with that same sad look as when she had first seen him watching Will in the cafeteria. She always wanted to take his face in her hands and look into his eyes and tell him she did feel the same way for him…but there was Will.
Will…who she had caught kissing Victoria in front of everyone at LIMBO yesterday. Who she had just caught kissing her again just a while ago before the other Mandragores had attacked. Who had…
Layla felt so confused. How was it possible to love two men at once?
Lucretia put her hand on Layla's, smiling sadly at her.
"Let it out Layla. Let it all out."
Layla finally began to cry.
"Her apprentice?" Will was stunned.
"Layla's gonna be a witch too?" Zach was in awe, his mind whirling at the potential, "can she do that with already having powers?"
"Marduke, you moron," said Victoria, "Mother's not going to make Layla her apprentice, and you know it."
"No I don't," said Marduke, "she could be."
"I'm sorry he scared you, everybody," said Victoria, "but Marduke's not really too bright sometimes. That's why he's not in the "mastermind" division at his school."
"Hey," said Marduke, "I am so smart! Mom didn't tell me to use the ring to imitate Warren so I could pump Will for information about Layla; that was MY idea. Uh-oh."
The last part came out because Marduke realized everyone had heard him.
Victoria crossed her arms before her broad chest in triumph; Marduke had Daddy's weakness for getting easily flustered, especially if he felt he was being insulted.
"So THAT'S what I saw,' said Will, remembering the shape changing trick Marduke had pulled earlier in the fight, "why did you want to know about Layla?"
"Because," said Marduke, blushing, "I…when I talked to her earlier…I like her."
Now everyone was staring at him. Marduke wished he could teleport back home, but Dad had ordered him to stay there and explain EVERYTHING that had been going on the past day, and the teleporter would not work until then.
"WHEN did you meet Layla?" asked Will.
"Just this morning, after she…" he almost started laughing at the memory, "she "pulped" you. I used the ring to get close to her, but she figured out I wasn't Warren and decked me…twice." Marduke left out the stolen kiss. Some things were worth getting punished over.
"Only twice?" asked Magenta.
"I talked to her and…she's such a nice girl, not like the ones in my school. They're cute but…"I want this, I want that, I want to rule the world…blah, blah, blah." I just…I guess I just wanted her to notice me."
"By attacking us?"
"I'm a super villain," Marduke shrugged is shoulders, "that's how we usually get attention. I'm sorry everybody."
It was simply not in Will's nature to hold a grudge. Even after he first fought Warren in the cafeteria he wanted to shake hands with him and make peace. After "Save the Citizen" he tried again but Warren had just stalked off. Now they were friends. Could he be any less gracious with this guy who was the brother of his…what was Victoria? His girlfriend. Yes…and maybe more.
As much as it still hurt Will to think about what he had done to her again, it seemed that Layla would have more than one shoulder to lean on if Marduke was telling the truth about his feelings.
"Hey," smiled Will, holding out his hand to Marduke, "I know how liking…or loving somebody makes you do stupid things. I could write a book."
While Will and Marduke shook hands, Warren's eyes narrowed as he looked at Marduke, then the silver ring on his hand.
Lucretia produced a large embroidered handkerchief and handed it to Layla.
Layla felt embarrassed at her display until she saw that Lucretia had nothing but sympathy for her.
"Feel better now?"
Layla nodded, then took a sip of cool tea to relieve her dry throat.
"Why do you think I love Warren?"
"The question is why DO you love him?"
Layla had to bite back a hundred reasons; his smile, his gruff persona that masked his gentle nature, his wild unruly hair, the way he squinted when you talked to him like he was focusing on every word you said, his sense of humor…
She then noticed how Lucretia was smiling at her…did she need to blow her nose?
"You've answered the question."
"I…didn't say anything."
"I could see it in your eyes, my dear."
Layla felt embarrassed. She had attacked Will out of jealousy and anger because he was with another girl while she had been secretly pining for Warren. But she had never acted on her longings, while it seemed every time she turned around Will was with another girl.
"What should I do?"
"We all make our own destiny," replied Lucretia, "look into your heart, deeper than you ever have before. There you will find your answer."
"Could you tell me something a little less…Jedi sounding?"
"Well, at least you didn't say "Sith"," laughed Lucretia.
"Let me tell you a story. I was in love with Warren's father…back in the day. I would do the most outlandish things to get his attention; animate zombies, summon demons, try to awaken an elder god…which is very stupid as all they do is just roll over and go back to sleep, not to mention the morning breath…but I was a witch in love.
"Instead I nearly always ended up fighting Angelica. I still don't know how she kept overcoming the things I threw at her.
"It was when I first met and teamed up with Barnabas that I realized I had only been carrying a very long-lived schoolgirl crush on Baron…especially when I learned that he and Angelica were engaged to be married. I was devastated…how could I possibly compete with her…but you've met her, haven't you?"
Layla nodded. Angelica Peace was definitely not a woman she would want to compete with for the attention of a man…or anything else.
"That was when Barnabas spoke up and declared his own love for me. Oh, the things that man said…well, let's just say he is the reason why all of our children are such incurable romantics. The rest is history."
"I see what you mean," said Layla, "I shouldn't be blind to what is in front of me because of my own wants…or what I think I want."
"You are wise beyond your years," said Lucretia, "would that more of us could see that."
"But…it still hurts."
"Young hearts break so easily…but thankfully they can also heal quickly"
"I always thought…Will and I…"
"No one says you can't still be friends…isn't that what you've always been? If I know my daughter she will insist on it. She wants to be your friend as well."
"Do the Commander and Jetstream know she's YOUR daughter?"
"Not yet," smiled Lucretia, "but I'm just dying to see the looks on their faces when they find out."
"Why do you keep looking at me?" Warren had kept catching Marduke glancing at him, and then turning away when Warren saw him.
"Sorry," said Marduke, embarrassed. "It's just…so much history between our families and we've…never met until today. I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused."
"Okay," said Warren, accepting Marduke's outstretched hand in a firm handshake. But before he could release it, Warren yanked Marduke close to him.
"You EVER use that freaking ring to impersonate me again," Warren growled into Marduke's ear with breath as hot as a desert wind, "and I'll melt it off you…along with your hand."
Marduke only nodded his understanding as Warren released him, gave him a final scowl, then turned to stalk off and talk with the others.
Marduke felt a jagged knife go through his heart. He could only stare at Warren's back and again wonder how things had gotten so out of hand. Mother had told him to only use the doppelganger ring to help Layla along, not pull what he did with Will both at his house and during the fight. Now it had cost him something he had always secretly longed for. It had cost him Warren's attention…his friendship. It was his punishment.
"Well," smiled Lucretia, "I think it's time we got you back to your friends…they're probably worried sick about you."
"That sounds like them," said Layla.
"Such concern is touching…cherish it always."
"Do I need to do anything?"
"Simply close your eyes dear," said Lucretia, "it helps with the momentary vertigo from traveling this way."
Lucretia stood up, and placed a hand on Layla's shoulder.
"I am so glad we had this little talk, dear. I hope that it's helped you in some way."
"It has," smiled Layla, "thank you."
"The pleasure is all mine," replied Lucretia, "it's so nice to have someone of your generation here in my little part of the world. I'm afraid my own children do not share my appreciation for the quiet of nature as you do."
"It's…it's beautiful," whispered Layla.
"And you are always welcome here," said Lucretia.
With that she gestured, and Layla vanished, sent back to where she had been.
Just as Lucretia reseated herself at the table, she heard a sound behind her and turned to see her husband strolling up the path to the canopy.
"I'm too late to meet our little elven princess?" he said sadly.
"I'm afraid so," said Lucretia, noticing Barnabas had already picked out a nickname for Layla. He was getting more sentimental by the day, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
"A shame," he said as he seated himself and poured a cup of tea, "still it's best she get back to the others. They should have just enough time to get ready."
"Ready?" asked Lucretia, her eyes narrowing in surprise as she looked at her husband.
"Barnabas, you old devil, what have you got planned?"
Now it was Dr. Mandragore's turn to smile like the cat that had just swallowed the canary as he took a sip of tea.
To be continued.