Jeffrey took hold of Bogg's arm. "Bogg, let's get out of here."
"Sure, kid. Any place in particular?"
"No," came the quiet answer.
"Okay, here we go."
So, in a flash, they were gone from the gloomy place filled with sorrow.
They landed—this time, feet first, but in a dark place.
"Bogg?" came Jeff's voice. It sounded frightened as the boy grabbed his arm.
"It's okay, kid. Just stay close to me,"
Jeff didn't say anything, but Bogg could feel the boy's head move in a nod.
"Ouch!" Bogg cried out, as his leg hit a piece of furniture.
"You okay?" Jeff asked worriedly. He loved his father and really didn't want to see his father get hurt in any way.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just hit something with this darn knee,"
Jeff let out a sigh of relief. Landing somewhere that they didn't know was one thing, but landing in a dark, cold place was entirely different!
He knew Bogg told him not to be scared, but he couldn't help it. He hated dark places, especailly at night and during a storm.
Jeff felt Bogg's arm go around his shoulders. "We'll be okay, Jeff. There's absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Remember: we're a team."
"Uh, huh." Jeff bravely answered. He felt Bogg patting him on the chest.
"That's my boy. C'mon,"
They started again, inch by inch, trying to find anything that felt like a light or a lamp.
Finally, they found some lamps and Bogg lit the first one. Jeffrey walked around and lit another one and held it in his hand.
"You know, Bogg, I AM kinda tired."
"I was thinking the same thing, kid. Wanna try and find a room upstairs?"
"I'm game if you are,"
Bogg moaned. "Smart kids give me a pain,"
Jeff grinned and followed the taller man upstairs. On the wall there were framed pictures of historical figures.
The voyagers looked at each one, thinking how funny they looked in oil painting!
They got to the first room and Jeff made it his.
"I'll take the room right across the hall. You'll be okay here?" Bogg said in a whisper.
"Bogg?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are we whispering?"
"I don't know. I just felt like I needed to for some reason,"
"Oh, okay." Jeff chuckled.
"You'll be okay here, Jeff?"
"I'll be fine." Jeff assured his friend and father.
But, once he got inside the room alone, he wasn't too sure.
He watched Bogg go to his door and the pirate turned to face him.
"If it makes you feel any better, Jeff, leave the door open. Just remember, I'm right across the hall."
"Right. Night, Bogg."
"Good night, Jeffrey."
With that both men went to bed. Jeff had to admit, as old as the bed looked, it was the sofest bed he'd ever been on! He went to sleep almost emediately.
Across the hall, it was a different story for Phineas Bogg. He didn't want to tell Jeff that they had landed in Transilvania, October 31st. And by the looks of things, it was in 1884. What was scary, even for him, was that this huge house seemed empty almost too quiet.
He was too tired to sleep, so he sat in the old rocker by the window. Bogg put the lantern right by the window. He watched and listened to the rain until it lauled him to sleep.
Bogg didn't know how long he had been asleep, but he heard a knock on his door and knew it was Jeff.
"You okay, kid?"
"I heard some noises and got kinda scared," came the honest answer.
"Wanna watch the rain with me?"
"Sure, if it's okay."
Bogg smiled. "It's more than okay, Jeff. I was getting kinda lonely myself,"
Jeff walked to him and sat on his lap. The boy was thirteen, but he still wasn't too old for this kind of comfort.
Soon, Jeff laid his head on Phineas's chest and they both went back to sleep on the rocker.