Chapter 3 - The Whirlwind of Progress

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Thackery Binx woke up in a cold sweat. "No… ... I .. I'm not that beast , nor will I ever become it! I .. I have to protect Salem from The Sanderson Sisters … I can't let a new reign of terror begin , especially with me helming the attacks! I .. .. I have to do this … .. for Emily! I … .. I … .. I'm able to vocalize again?"

Thackery sat up in surprise. "Un … .. unbelievable! My ... .. my voice! It … it's back!" He ran around in circles to celebrate. "But how? That ...that potion of course! It looks like that thing had one good use after all … .. I … .. I can talk to people now and explain who I am! I can explain what happened! Oh , after hundreds of years I won't be lonely anymore!"

Thackery bounded out of the museum and head first right into traffic. A car screeched to a stop and honked its horn at him. Thackery was startled and arched his back before looking at it closer. Oh this is one of those car things isn't it? I haven't seen one running before. The car honked again and Thackery bolted off. Well that was rude wasn't it? I'm glad I didn't try talking to them … .. I doubt they'd even listen to me …. ..

Thackery went around street corners, looking for where his old house was. I think I still remember the way … .. Turn left on the next few corners … .. right here aaaand … .. Here I am!

He paused in front of a suburban house. Well I guess this is it … ... A lot has changed hasn't it? Not chickens , no hay … .. I can barely tell this even used to be a farmhouse at all!

The door started opening and Thackery leapt into the nearby bushes for cover. Out walked a teenage boy , his hair slicked back and wearing a brown button up. Binx caught his scent as he walked by.

He smells familiar … .. Maybe he's kin! I've got to met him!

He ran after the boy , trying to get his attention.

The boy looked at him. "Hey come on , shoo! Shoo! You're gonna make me late for school!"

"Is everyone in this time so rude?" Thackery huffed.

The boy stopped mid step and turned to face him. "You … .. You talk."

"Yes, I do. Granted it's been years since I could again but … .. " Thackery trailed off.

"You're ….. You're Thackery Binx aren't you?" The teen asked.

Thackery blinked. "You … ... You know me?"

"Of course I do! All of Salem knows what The Sanderson Sisters did to you." He knelt down to eye level. "But uh, I probably know a bit more about it , being a Binx myself and all .. ..."

"Ah ha! That's why your scent is so familiar, you are a descendent like I thought!" Thackery said , excited. "Now , I haven't been uh … in the loop, timewise … ... What year is it?"

"Nineteen Eighty Seven."

"Nineteen Eighty Seven …" Thackery repeated in awe. "It's been that long … ..." He sighed. "I … .. I don't suppose you could show me around a little?"

The boy exhaled as he held on tightly to his backpack strap. "Well I … .. I gotta head to school but … .. you could tag along if you'd like."

Thackery brightened up. "R … ... .. really? Th .. ... thank you." He ran over to his side. "I will be forever grateful for this!"

"Hey we're family , aren't we? Don't worry about it." He reassured.

"Yeah." Thackery smiled. "Family."

They started heading towards Jacob Bailey High School. "Oh uh , I don't think I got your name."

"I'm Craig , but I go by Crank." The boy replied.

"Crank? I must say that's a rather peculiar name." Thackery said.

"Not as weird as Tackery." Craig teased.

"It's Thackery." He laughed.

"Oh okay Tacky." Craig snickered.

"Thackery!" He laughed again.

"Sorry , sorry , it's just that your name's a little hard to say." Craig said.

"How about you just call me Binx then. You can say that can't you?" He teased.

Craig let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah , I think I can manage that."

The two of them passed by a store window that caught Binx's eye. He paused in front of one of the windows where boxes playing motion pictures were on display. "What is that ?"

"Oh , that's a television." Craig explained. "You uh, watch stuff on it. It's pretty cool."

Binx rested his paws against the glass. "It is very interesting. I think I quite enjoy this ... television … .. thing … .."

"Well I can show you ours after school , but we have to get going." Craig said as he walked off.

Binx followed after him. "You have one?"

Craig shrugged. "Most people do."

Binx's eyes widened in wonder. "Really? That's amazing! We didn't have anything this spectacular when I was … .. human … .."

They passed by a box playing music , startling Binx. He hissed and hid behind Craig's legs. "And what is that ?"

"A radio. It plays music." He explained.

Binx walked over and batted his paw against one of the speakers. The music vibrated against his paw pads. He pulled away and went back to Craig. "I can't say I enjoyed that too much."

Craig shrugged. "I mean I'm more into Madonna honestly."

"Madonna? As in the … ...?" Binx tilted his head slightly.

"Oh no , nothing religious. She's a singer." Craig explained.

"Oh I see. I guess I still have quite a bit to learn." Binx said as he followed close behind.