Chapter 13: Getting Too Close
A black van pulled up to the museum. "You sure the guy's info was right?" One man asked.
"He said the kids attend school in this city and there is a school tour today with kids about their age," another guy said. "Believe me, that city official wants his cut too."
"Just focus on getting the two brats out of there," a third guy says. "Our boss isn't going to be too happy if we don't return with them."
The three entered the museum while Mr. Gore was having his students buddy up. "Okay, stay close to each other and don't wander off," he said.
Before he could say more, the three men came up to him. "Stand aside, Sir," he said. "We are here to pick up Poppy and Edgar."
Mr. Gore kept his cool. "I'm so sorry, but there are no children by those names among these children," he said.
Another man held up a photo and looked around before looking back at the other two. "He's telling the truth," he said.
The second man didn't look happy. "Where are they?" He asked Mr. Gore.
"Who?" Mr. Gore asked.
"Poppy and Edgar. Where are they?" The man repeated.
"I told you. There are no children by those names among the children," the teacher repeated.
The kids began to grow nervous of the three men and huddled closer to their teacher. A museum security guard came up to them. "What seems to be the trouble?" He asked.
"We're looking for my kids," one of the men said, showing the guard a picture. "Have you seen these two?"
The security guard shook his head. "Sorry, I haven't," he said. "Are they lost? I can put the word out to the other guards."
"Please do," the man asked.
Mr. Gore looked at the security guard, who nodded and sent out word through his radio while motioning to another guard, using the hand signal for 'help'. The other guard caught on and looked at Mr. Gore, who made the same hand gesture.
Meanwhile, King Pepi was in his sarcophagus and he gazed out before seeing two security guards come inside. "No kids here," one said.
"You know, something seems off," the other guard said. "Those men seem pretty adamant about finding those kids."
"I got that feeling too," the first guard said. "They even knew their names. Poppy and Edgar."
Pepi froze in his sarcophagus, wondering why some men were looking for Poppy and Edgar. "I think they're looking to kidnap the two," said the second guard.
"Then I hope those kids aren't here, but we may need to call for backup."
As the two guards left, Pepi left his sarcophagus and closed it up tight before slipping away, using a secret exit to get outside and get to the Scare B&B, knocking on the door frantically. Oxana opened it a moment later and Pepi rushed inside. "Oxana, are Poppy and Edgar here?" He asked.
"No, they're off with a friend," she said. "Why?"
"There's some men looking for them, though I don't know why."
Oxana gasped in horror and just then, Phantasia appeared with Spooker and the three Hauntley children. The mage looked up to see Pepi's face and knew something was wrong. "What happened?" She asked.
Pepi turned to her. "Who are you?" He asked.
"Phantasia," she replied.
"She's my master," Spooker said. "She and I have been watching over the twins."
Poppy went up to the mummy. "King Pepi, what is it?" She asked in worry.
He looked at her. "Poppy, there are men looking for you and your brother," he said. "They were in town at the museum asking for you two."
"What?!" Spooker asked in horror.
Phantasia's eyes widened. "Oh, no," she said softly, her voice filled with horror too. She snapped her fingers and messenger bats came up to her. "Find the three men looking for the twins," she commanded. "You know what to do."
They flapped away and she went to follow. "Everyone stay indoors," she said before she took off.
The three men were still at the museum and though the police had arrived, the men refused to leave. "We're not leaving without my kids," the man claiming to be their father said.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you will not leave with anyone but yourselves," said a feminine voice and they looked around before seeing everything turn pink and seem frozen in time. The three men saw Phantasia float down towards them and her eyes were glowing pink.
"Who are you?!" One of the men asked.
The mage smiled. "You shall call me...Master," she said.
Just then, the messenger bats swooped around the three men, dropping a pink powder from pouches they carried in their claws and the men coughed a bit from the magic before their eyes went blank and Phantasia's eyes went to normal, seeing they were trapped under the truth spell. "Now then, who sent you three?" She asked.
"Our boss, the kid's grandfather," one said. "He wants them back."
"Their mom made a mistake in breaking the family," said the other.
"He can buy them whatever they need. They are his heirs to his operation," the third said.
"What operation?" She asked.
"The family business," the first one said. "Their dad was supposed to take the kids to see his father to convince them to stay with their father and leave their mother."
"He needs the kids to swindle people," said the second man.
"People will give money if they think it's for two less fortunate children," the third explained.
Phantasia narrowed her eyes. "Nice try, but I know your boss is into making fake money and giving it to people in exchange for real money," she said. "And the children will not be part of such an operation."
"There is a court order for the kids to be turned over to him," the second man said, holding up a paper. The mage had a messenger bat bring the paper to her and she looked at it before tucking it away in her cloak.
"This order is null and void," she said before pulling out a powder from her pocket and blowing it at them. "When you wake up, you will not remember the children. You will be on your way and never return here or to your boss."
The three fell unconscious and Phantasia left, the time spell fading away and she grew worried as she looked over the court order in her hands. She looked at one of the messenger bats and gave the paper to him. "Go find our judge friend that granted the name change of the children and report back to me what he says," she said. "I'm hoping that paper isn't legit, but I've got a bad feeling it may be."
The bat took off and Phantasia returned to the house, looking at the kids. "From now on, you kids don't go anywhere but home and my home," she said.
"What happened?" Boris asked.
"I took care of the men and sent them off with their memories of the children wiped, but one had a court order with him. I'm having a judge check it now, but there is a real chance the order could be genuine," the mage said.
"A court order?" Pepi asked in horror. "You mean...one to turn the kids over to whoever is after them?"
"Yes," she said. "I don't want to reveal more until we know if that document is real or not. Until then, stick close to each other. The battle is now coming to our turf."
With that, she vanished and the three kids gathered close to their parents in fear while Oxana and Boris held them protectively, worried about what would happen next.
Looks like a battle may be unavoidable.
Yes, the twin's paternal grandfather is the one who wants them, along with their birth father, but will they succeed? Stay tuned to find out.
And please leave a review, but no flames!
GoldGuardian2418
