Hey everyone,
These next two chapters are going to be pretty heavy. I'm going to cover Sarah's reaction to her former friend having been the actual witch and what that meant for little Eliza this chapter. And I'm going to cover Merlock traveling back to 1463, the day his family got killed, in the next. However, after that, I'm going to turn the whole mood around in the chapters that follow, with the arrival of the Shifter and –
The Goodman dream,

Venquine1990

Chapter 15
A Hectic Weekend – Part 01

10th of May 2418
Goodman Residence, Japan
Sarah's POV

Merlock Holmes really is just amazing. Every time my new boyfriend enters my line of vision, he's just a sight to behold. His lean frame, his wavy, curly hair, his dazzling smile and his beautiful eyes take my breath away each and every time I get to lay my eyes on him. My brother, unfortunately, just doesn't understand what I mean as he told me several times that Merlock always looks the same to him. But not to me and I don't really care.
I still feel for my brother as he's still such a kid and has yet to experience what it means to be in love. Which is a real shame as our joined friend, Amy, is actually crazy for him, yet my silly brother is completely oblivious to this. I can only hope that he will realize it sooner rather than later, though I know it's not a guarantee that he will like her back. And after the whole thing with Jake, I told Amy this and she told me she would accept that.

On Wednesday afternoon, after he came back from his meeting with Adam and Miss Grey, Merlock took me on a walk through the park. It had been an incredible experience. We had walked across a few paths without really saying a word as we just enjoyed each other's company and basked in being in one another's presence. There had been a few families of ducks crossing the pond and Merlock had brought some bread with him.
We had even found one swan family that still had young baby swan swimming after them and we had both taken a picture of the cute little family on our phones. There had been a few statues around the park in front of which we took pictures together and in one, Merlock kissed my cheek just as I snapped the shot. We had shared this one and Merlock had even made it his new background. I had been pleased but embarrassed at his opening screen.
"How did you even get that one?" I asked as I saw a picture of my face up-close. Merlock shrugged and told me he had taken a picture from a distance at some point for the sake of his observation work for the Bureau. This picture had actually been of me and my friends, yet he had simply copied the picture and then edited it until it only showed my face. After this he had sent the picture to his phone and made it his security background.

I had rolled my eyes good-naturedly and told him that he was lucky I loved him. Merlock had actually responded to this by kissing me passionately and returning the sentiment in a husky tone that made my toes curl within my shoes. After this we had just continued our walk. Merlock had even taken me into the foliage of the park and taken me back to the beautiful clearing where it all began. There we had spent time just doing our thing.
I had thoroughly enjoyed rubbing my nose against that of my boyfriend and the content, loving smile I saw on his face the few times I would open my eyes or squint through my lashes made me feel warm and increased my own sense of contentment. In the end, even though he's loaded, Merlock had let me pay for drinks at a vendor at the exit of the park. Merlock hadn't said a thing and I had deeply appreciated this chance to be independent.
I had gotten a light soda for myself and a bottle of water for him. We had just walked the rest of the way home and taken the occasional sip of our bottles. Yet once we got home, Merlock brought me some brilliant news. He explained how our constant need to be near each other this past week was due to his desire having taken on a new form and asked if he could stay over again. Instantly all of us had happily and readily welcomed him over.

Merlock had made a quick trip home to get himself a nice amount of clean cloths and naturally he had walked to school with us the next two days. Yet during the first lunch break on Thursday one of the older students had come up to Merlock and asked him a question that, to my surprise, my brother and I hadn't even thought about. "Hey Holmes, how come we've never seen you on school grounds before? Don't you need to study too?"
Tony and I had shared a startled look and Flint had turned to Merlock in intrigue. Yet while I had noticed that Merlock had tightened his hold on me slightly, he had just calmly smiled and said: "I'm home schooled. My family isn't from around here, but life over there was pretty – hectic. I prefer the natural calm and Tama city just spoke to me. I was taught by Henrietta Macgregor before I came to live here. I also prefer online studies."
The elder student had nodded, yet Tony and I had tried valiantly to hide how shocked we felt about what our friend had just told him. Flint had continued to watch Merlock in intrigue and once we were sure we were alone again, Tony had asked Merlock how much of his words were really true. Merlock had shrugged and said that most of it was half-lies. Later, once we got back home after school, Merlock had further explained himself.

"It's like I said, most of what I said was partially true, partially false. Home-schooled? Yeah, that was the way things were when I was young, it just wasn't part of what people would call schooling these days. My family isn't from here? Also true as I was born in the middle of Medieval France. They don't need to know that this was almost a millennium ago. And everything else, my preferences and Henrietta teaching me, that was true.
I also constantly make sure to keep an eye on online studies that are most popular and study the ones that intrigue me and, naturally, I keep an eye on the news whenever possible. It's not that I like lying to the general public, it's that I have to if I want to be able to keep my anonymity and protect myself. And I know, Sarah my love, I wish we didn't live in a world where people just instinctively fear and try to destroy what they don't understand either.
But like I said, I keep an eye on the news whenever possible. And just last century, a total of 3.000 people were massacred by just 30 people who were against their beliefs. It took the authorities 13 years to actually catch every last one of them. And considering that there are only six of my kind left – I just can't take the risk. It's either I lie to protect myself, or I risk putting a target on my back for people like those 30 bastards."

For the record I tried to stay vague about this for two reasons. One, I don't feel like offending any kind of religion or other kind of belief. Two, this story, for the most part takes place in the future. I have no idea what kind of religion/beliefs/whatever might come to exist in the next few centuries. I hope that clears everything up.

By the end of it none of us had been able to disagree with his need to lie and I had just felt my care for my beloved grow tenfold, my heart going out to my One like never before. Uncle Bernie had given Merlock a side embrace and told him that he never had to explain himself about his lies again, that we understood his reasons and accepted them. Merlock had gratefully hugged the man and yet again I had seen something important.
Just like when Adam got his mind restored and softly caressed Merlock's hair, just like when Adam had returned from his trip through time, just like when Uncle Bernie told Merlock to use the same honorific. Each time the child in Merlock, probably brought out by his horrible past and the fact that he is the Youngest of the Clan, came out. And each time it was obvious that the inner child was desperate for a father/parental figure in his life.
On the one hand, my heart had gone out to my true love once again and I had felt truly grateful and relieved that Uncle Bernie was acknowledging the way Merlock was holding him and adapting his own hold on my beloved accordingly. On the other, I had tried not to turn red as a sense of relief and accomplishment washed over me at the thought that, one day, my relationship with the handsome vampire could grant him that desired family.

Merlock had also come clean to us about his meeting with Adam and Miss Grey and about what happened during it. Tony and Flint had, upon hearing that he knew what happened, asked him if he'd tell them, but Merlock had declined and said that we should stick to Pterry's plan for the weekend. My two little brothers hadn't been entirely happy with this, but Merlock had held his ground and the two had just conceded after a while.
Naturally Flint and Tony had become really impatient after this, but during our lunch break on Friday, Merlock gave them some invaluable advice. "If you stay focused on tomorrow, today will only take longer to your minds and patience. It's like they always say, time flies when you're having fun." And while he had added to that by pulling me closer against his form and burying his nose in my hair, Tony and Flint had taken his advice to heart.

And after school was over, just as we reached home, Merlock had gotten a phone call from the Time Bureau. For a moment I was afraid that he'd be sent away on a solo mission or something, but Merlock had merely sounded intrigued and grateful throughout the conversation. And after the phone call, Merlock had shared incredible news with us. "Well, it's official now. From now on I'm to help Flint on missions just like I did in the Land of Time.
I've been pulled from my observation mission and assigned as his official partner. If Miss Grey ever has another mission for him, she'll inform him and me at the same time." Flint had started dancing in delight over this news and Tony had jokingly asked what really changed and said that Merlock had basically been helping and fighting alongside us ever since I had asked it of him against Elekin. And we had all laughed and agreed.

Then Merlock had made things even better. With a finger raised in the air and a wink on his face, he had told Tony and me even more amazing news. "Well, the change might only be important on paper, but there is more. Miss Grey discussed it with the board and they decided that your upcoming history exam grade is also going to count as an official pass or fail for the Bureau. Meaning that if you pass, you'll become official Time Detectives.
Though you'll also have to write a paper on a person or area that isn't all that well-known to the history books. Miss Grey will allow you to use your travels of the past year, but you can't pick people like Christopher Columbus or Leonardo Da Vinci, understand?" Tony and I had been amazed at this chance and I had instantly decided that I would do my paper on the little girl we met when we went after Alvin during the French Revolution.
Tony had been a bit bummed out about this, but then he decided he would do a paper on Damian, the young athlete we had met while going after Muscles in Ancient Greece. Merlock had reminded us that it had to be a paper on the person or place, not a report on the mission itself. We had understood this, yet Tony had said that he would write the report first, so he would have a solid base to work with. This had made me incredibly proud of him.

Tony had spent the rest of the day working on his report and Uncle Bernie had promised he would take us out for dinner once we had passed our exams. "I was already planning to take you guys out once you passed, but now we're really have a reason to celebrate." He had happily told us over dinner. An hour later we had all retreated to bed. Merlock had actually retreated to his own bedroom after I had fallen asleep.
He did the same on Wednesday night, though that was after he helped me recover from another nightmare. And just like that night, I feel myself waking up slightly earlier than normal and I quietly sneak over to Merlock's bed. By now I've learned to spot the differences between when my beloved is sleeping and when he's resting and I can tell that he is awake. Yet there is also a frown marring his face and I worry for him.

And so, just like on Thursday morning, I sneak into the room and crawl under the covers. I cuddle close against the strong, lean form of my one true love and Merlock softly mutters how it's still early. I acknowledge this and mutter how I missed him, that he looked troubled and that I wanted to comfort him. And the smile that always takes my breath away grows on his face as he wraps an arm around me and pulls me a little closer.
Then a thought that occurred to me over the week hits me again and I ask Merlock if he remembers that promise he made me last Sunday. Merlock hums softly in confirmation and I mutter that I realized something vital about the dream Tony and I had. Merlock had been staring up at the ceiling, but now he looks down at me as I say: "Like I said. The dream we have is pretty big and life-changing. But it's also one that needs time to get done.
And while we still have a bit to go before our exams, I – I've been thinking. I – I was wondering if we could – somehow, maybe – make our dream a project for over summer?" Because I haven't discussed this fact with Tony yet, my whole story ends like a question instead of a statement. Merlock smiles at me and whispers how he would love such an idea. I smile back at him and tell him that I will discuss things with Tony and then tell him after.

Merlock nods and then turns his head back up to gaze at the ceiling. I also lie my head back down on his chest and silently, I imagine what life will be like in perhaps only a few weeks to months from now. I know that my dream will indeed change a lot in regards to our daily lives, but I also know one thing for sure. No matter what, me getting the chance to lie here with my beloved, my One, won't be something that will change when it happens. That will remain.
An image appears in my mind of me looking a few years older, Merlock still looking the same thanks to his heritage and the two of us lying in what is obviously a Master Bedroom. I try not to let my face turn red at the fact that, in the image, we are both apparently naked at the top as both our shoulders are visible from under the covers and we are lying closer against each other than we are now. Yet at the same time the image excites me greatly.

A few hours later we've all had breakfast. I discussed the issue of our dream with Tony in private while Merlock was getting dressed and my brother cursed himself for not realizing the problem himself. We agreed that we would discuss the dream with Merlock after hearing Pterry's story. And personally, because of how Merlock looked at me on Wednesday, I feel glad that we have this little something planned like this.
We're all sitting on the couches and chair in the living room with Pterry standing on the table in front of us. Uncle Bernie and Flint are on the two chairs that are on either of the short sides of the rectangular table while Tony and Merlock have me seated between them. This is yet another sign that the news that is about to be shared isn't going to be pleasant and I know Tony is sitting next to me, because Merlock silently asked him to over breakfast.

Pterry looks at all of us for a few moments and then he sighs before he says one word. One word that immediately explains the delay of the last week. One word that horrifies me, astounds Tony and Uncle Bernie and confuses Flint and Rocky, but that leaves Merlock unfazed. A name. "Eliza." The little metallic bird says as he head his head down. Tony's eyes are wide and mine start to shed tears even though I don't really notice it.
Merlock instantly pulls me close against his form and almost into his lap. I myself crawl into it and Tony quickly moves closer to comfort me as well. Flint sees all this and turns to Uncle Bernie, who sighs and says: "Eliza is the witch, Flint. But she was also Sarah's friend for almost 11 years. They met when they were only 3 years old.
They grew up together, but then two years ago – Eliza suddenly left. She moved the day before Sarah's birthday, but we were never informed and no one knew where they had moved to. No follow up address had ever been noted anywhere. Eliza was just – gone." And as he says this, I can't help but think that now it's even more true. Now Eliza is gone for good and I will really never see her again. At this I really start to cry.

For a few minutes nothing is heard other than my sounds of heartbreak and loss. The others don't say a word as they hear me cry, yet Merlock moves himself so that the others can join us on the couch. All of them move around me in the same way we all moved around Merlock last Saturday. And this memory calms me down somewhat as I remember how good it felt to be in Merlock's arms. Just like I am right now.
Slowly I calm down and look up at the man I love as I ask him if Eliza is really better off like this? Merlock sighs, yet he still nods and tells me: "It's like we said, when a witch realizes she is the last of her kind and then finds out that there are other beings, outside of mortals, that are higher in number, they become irrational and will do anything to – as they see it – rectify this. I saw it happen once before, in the 1800's."

My family and I look at him and Merlock sighs again. He leans his head back against the backrest and starts to talk: "The American Revolution in 18th century had, unfortunately, brought about the end of the only Witch clan left. They were one of the Indian tribes that were killed in the conflict. Then, in the early 19th century another witch was born. Her powers started coming about when she was around 13 ½ years old.
She was, thankfully, raised by mortals who still knew about us beings and who, unlike most mortals, didn't hate our kinds. However, this was both a blessing and a curse as they also taught her about us and what we were like. Sometimes they would even teach her where we lived. Those she learned about would then, a few months after she was taught about them, suddenly end up dead. And unfortunately enough she always had an alibi.
This went on for about 30 years and then – she went after David and Henrietta. David's ability to blend into shadows saved them, but it lost the other witch her chance for an alibi and deniability. Instead, she went full on berserk and declared war on us all. In the end she got 40 vampires, 80 werewolves and a whole clan of Imps before 50 of my brethren and I were able to put her to sleep through our hypnotic powers.

And we needed all 50 of us to make sure she would sleep until the next witch was born. Any less and our powers would have lost their effect on her before then. Luckily – or unfortunately enough, it depends on how you see it – it took us another 34 years before we found Ebony. She herself was already 20 by the time we found her and her and Marigold became fast friends – and great helpers of me and my clan as the rest of us died out."
Merlock's tale is horrifying, yet also deeply touching. Yet at the same time I understand what he isn't telling me with the last bit of his tale. With how few of us are left, we wouldn't have been able to keep Eliza asleep until the birth of the next witch. It just wasn't an option. And while these facts hurt, I can't help myself. I turn to Pterry, who is still on the table, but who hopped over to the edge closest to me and I ask him if Eliza was happy when they left her.

Pterry nods and says: "We stayed for about ten minutes after Eliza fell from the tree. She was confused and befuddled thanks to the fact that I had erased her memories, but the elder treated her exactly like Adam said. That woman took one look at Eliza and I could tell. She had adopted the girl into her heart just upon first sight, even before Eliza admitted that she had amnesia." And while I hate the fact that, by now, my friend is long dead, I still feel at peace.
Just like Merlock, I can tell that Pterry is telling me something without actually saying it. And thanks to everything that I have learned about Vampires in the last week, I know that this really is for the best for my old friend. "If she had stayed, not only would she have been a victim of her own irrationality, she would have never been able to really grow into the witch that she is. She would always have to fear how her powers would make others treat her.

Now she has that chance. Or better said, she had." This reminder that my friend is gone, like my parents, hurts horribly and I silently decide for myself that, if nothing else, I want to visit the place where she died. I remember that Adam heard that the forest is gone and think about how this might make it harder for me to find the location. But then I remember who I might start working for some time soon and an idea pops into my mind.
Flint had gone to sit on my lap while I was crying. I smile gratefully at him as I lift him up and set him down on the floor. Instantly he asks if I'm alright and I give him a soft word of confirmation and tell him, and the others, that I need to take care of something real quick. And with that I head over to the huge computer in the section of the living room that is partially sectioned off by a large green curtain. I sit in front of it and work on the computer.

A few presses of the right buttons later and Miss Grey's face appears on the screen. The woman hides how this sudden call has startled her as she only shortly says ah before she greets us and asks how she can be of service. I apologize to her for the sudden unexpected call and I voice my idea. "I would like someone in the Time Bureau to find out when it was that the forest, in which Eliza presides, died out. I – I want to say goodbye to the place that she –."
Yet even though I know it already happened centuries ago, I can't bring myself to say the last two words. Miss Grey's face shows her sorrow and her care before she shocks me as she says that Merlock and I really are alike. I turn from her to my One and back and Miss Grey explains: "Merlock, on Wednesday, asked me the same thing. A Time Card to let him travel back to the day his parents died. I received said card this morning."

And to my awe a gold card, that looks just like a credit or debit card but that is used to help the Time Cycle to travel to the correct period of time, slits out of the small rectangular slot that is set beneath the huge screen. I take the card from the slot and hear Miss Grey promise me that she will get the required data and time card sometime soon. I feel grateful for this, though at the same time, my mind is currently elsewhere.
"I may want to say goodbye to my longest friend, but Merlock deserves to say goodbye to his family all the more. And he lost them in a horrific violent manner." I nod and make up my mind. I head over to the man that has had my heart for some time now and hand him the card. Just like always, Merlock puts the card in his breast pocket, yet I follow this by pulling him close against my form, silently promising that I will be there for him.
Merlock returns my embrace and the way that he holds me against his form conveys his gratitude. A smile adorns my lips at this. Flint wants to take the Time Card and leave, but Merlock tells him that he's forbidden from going without Adam. And after another quick call it's all settled. Tomorrow, at around 11 o'clock, Merlock, Flint, Tony, Uncle Bernie and I will meet Adam and Petra in France in the fifteenth century.

Good luck, guys,
Okay, so some of you might feel like I build this whole thing up, just to let it fizzle out or something. But I'd like to think that the trip that the group will make to the forest that Eliza died in is a nice way to end all of this. And besides, as distraught as Sarah might be over all this, she always was the smart thinker of the group and she has a close bond with plenty of people who care for her. So I'd like to think that I portrayed all this well.
Let me know, okay?

Venquine1990