Unatomic Stacey
Chapter 20: Suspicion, Doubts and Weirdness.
(Following School Day)
Demi walked towards gym class.
"Hey," a voice called and Demi turned to see Helen.
"What do you want?" Demi asked rudely.
"Nothing much," Michelle said as she came to stand beside Helen, "except the location of Stacey."
"I don't know where she is," Demi lied.
"Listen to me donation box," Helen said seriously, "you disappeared when she did," she continued, "and she went somewhere with you after she changed," she said, "now tell us where she is."
Demi suddenly grinned.
"You think that you scare me Helen?" Demi asked suddenly, "that your attitude can intimidate me?"
"I know it can," Helen said frankly.
"Think again," Demi told her, "and Michelle," she said turning to the other girl, "too bad you're a Dim," she said and walked away.
"Where do you think…?" Helen started to demand of Demi.
"How do you know that!" Michelle suddenly shouted angrily and Helen turned to see Michelle was now crying, "How do you know that!" she screamed after Demi.
Demi never answered.
(9:30 a.m. at the Carmichael Residence)
"Michelle calm down," Mrs. Carmichael said over the phone, "repeat, slowly," she instructed.
"Demi Jordan knows where Stacey is," Michelle said in a cracked voice, "and she might be a witch," she added.
"Who is this Demi Jordan?" Mrs. Carmichael asked.
"She comes to school through a special programme," Michelle started, "she's an orphan," she revealed.
"Okay," Mrs. Carmichael said slowly, "could you give me the name of the orphanage and programme?" she asked Michelle.
"Yes," Michelle said, "she was first in Grunge Orphanage and after an unsuccessful adoption was moved to Reese's Children's Home," she informed Mrs. Carmichael, "she got picked up by the Deuce Help the Children Programme and through that programme was able to come to my school," she concluded.
"Oh God," Mrs. Carmichael said suddenly.
"What?" Michelle asked fearfully.
"I know that programme," Mrs. Carmichael said, "it's a programme that helps improve the lives of underage witches and those with special abilities."
"Oh no," Michelle said tearfully, "no wonder she knew I was a Dim," she said.
"Wait, she knew about you being a Dim?" Mrs. Carmichael asked incredulously.
"Yeah, why?" Michelle asked.
"Did Stacey and Demi have any unusual contact?" Mrs. Carmichael asked urgently.
"After Stacey came to school with her hair dyed purple," Michelle revealed to Mrs. Carmichael, "she went to meet Demi after school to go somewhere," she told her, "I don't know where," she made sure to add.
"Have you heard of Stacey's grandfather from her father's side?" Mrs. Carmichael asked.
"After I was certain that Stacey had been away too long and you kept skirting my questions I checked a magical witch history book," Michelle confessed, "that grandfather Carmichael is an evil legend," she said in awe.
"You sound more awed than angry," Mrs. Carmichael ensured to point out.
"I can appreciate great magical feats," Michelle told Mrs. Carmichael, "evil or good."
"How did you feel knowing that Stacey was his granddaughter?" Mrs. Carmichael asked Michelle.
"I don't know," Michelle admitted, "she's nice to me so I know she's not like him," she said, "but I'm not surprised that she didn't mention him to me after I asked my mother some questions," she added.
"What questions?" Mrs. Carmichael asked carefully.
There was only silence on the other line.
"Michelle?" Mrs. Carmichael asked unsure if Michelle was still on the other line.
Suddenly Mrs. Carmichael heard the dial tone. Michelle had hung up.
(Noon at Galactic Guardian Headquarters)
Alexandra continued walking towards her quarters. As a member of the GGPE (mentioned before in ch7 when Stacey got arrested) she had the option of getting her schooling where she worked. She often used that option so she usually lived at the base too. Her family was very proud of her and Alexandra was proud of herself. Her family had given her the first name Alexandra because an Earthling with that same name had saved her mother's life. Being a Trika 7 from the Trikamore Galaxy meant that family was extremely important. It also meant that they were on the planet where none could rise above working class status. Her planet while not the poorest of the Trikamore Galaxy, was far from one of the richest. And many didn't move away because of dedication to family. Alexandra was one of the few who could look beyond family and to the reality of the situation. Through travel they could gain strength, knowledge and independence. So she decided to aim for those things. While her family missed her and she missed them, her joining the GGPE had it's benefits. The plight of planets being unfairly treated in the Trikamore Galaxy was getting heard better now. Pressure was now being placed on the Trikaraton to change his laws. While most won't be changed for millennia if not longer, some changes have helped her planet and even poorer ones like Trika Jun which had only people sleeping underground because they were too poor to build above ground and were used as free labour for other planets.
"Worthless bitch," Urania muttered angrily as she stormed past Alexandra in a rage.
Alexandra wondered what that was about. Urania was usually very good-natured.
"I'm going to quickly check her most recent thoughts," Alexandra decided and closed her eyes and did so.
Alexandra's eyes suddenly flew open.
"Oh my God," Alexandra whispered.
(1pm at a Castle in Transylvania in the Magical World)
Grandfather Carmichael sipped his red wine as he watched his Queen Dertah eat her steak and vegetables. She had been especially obedient and unwavering in manners towards him lately. While he was happy he was also suspicious. He had also noticed that Demi seemed to be getting soft lately. He didn't want such a negative influence around Dertah. He was going to reassign Demi to something else and cut off all access to Dertah when it came to her (Demi). He wanted Dertah to be all obeying partner and killing machine. There was certain things he couldn't get from her for being a relative. So he was going to get everything else. There was no question to that in his mind. Plus he had a little test for Dertah. To prove her loyalty a bit more.
After they finished eating Grandfather Carmichael rose and motioned for Dertah to also rise.
"Follow me to the dungeons," Grandfather Carmichael ordered.
"Yes Lord Carmichael," Dertah responded and followed him.
They kept walking and going down many stairs and different passages. Dertah never complaining or tried to use magic at any point. Eventually he reached the dungeon he wanted and opened the thick ancient wooden door. There was one occupant in it. A teenage girl in what looked like a school uniform.
Penelope.
Who?
Penelope from school.
Your school?
Duh!
Whatever. Lord Carmichael's watching and I have to continue being his obedient Queen unlike you Miss Delinquent.
Whatever you weirdo.
"Do you recognize her?" Grandfather Carmichael asked Dertah.
"She gives me a headache," Dertah decided to say.
"She should," Grandfather Carmichael responded, "she used to bother you a lot when you were Stacey in school," he told her.
"How come she's just pulling at the chains and crying?" Dertah asked curiously, "why are her eyes closed and she's not making a sound?"
"Oh I just sealed her eyes shut, shut off her hearing and made her unable to make any form of sound vocally," Grandfather Carmichael revealed with a smile, "do you like it?" he asked her.
Dertah looked at the dishevelled teenage girl sobbing, chained to the wall and covered in dirt, grime and also a few bruises.
"It's beautiful," Dertah breathed.
Are you kidding me?
"Do you want to do her something?" Grandfather Carmichael asked suddenly.
Dertah looked at her Lord curiously.
"Something bad," Grandfather Carmichael expanded, "for all the trouble she caused you in the past," he added.
"I have no memory of my past," Dertah said simply, "but," she continued, "I have to punish lowly humans who at any point disrespected me," she said darkly, "even the old me," she added.
Dertah no. I forgive her. Just leave her alone. Please.
She has to pay for whatever she did. Lord Carmichael wants me to. I can tell.
Dertah entered the dungeon and stood before Penelope. She kicked Penelope so hard in the stomach that she spat up blood.
Grandfather Carmichael clapped.
I have to get her out of here. I barely remember her and only as a bully. But she's still a living being. I can't let this happen to her. I have to find a way to separate Dertah and I. And I have to find it now.
End Chapter 20
After all the waiting I've finally updated. Thank you for reading and please review.