Chapter Six
Abduction
After the events that had transpired earlier that day, everyone in the museum was on edge, whether it be puppet or human.
The body of the Wheelers had been moved down to the basement where Decapitron and Jake had taken to examining every inch of the bodies to see exactly what they were dealing with.
"I wish you were able to talk to me, dad." Jake said, examining a large bony protrusion on the back of the Wheeler.
Stopping his own examination of the left wheel hand, Decapitron looked over at his son and nodded. He had switched heads to the small black putty one now. True, to Jake's happiness, it had transformed into Rick's head, although he was still unable to speak. Though, it was good to see his father's face again.
Tabitha and Mrs. Leech, meanwhile, were upstairs in the lobby, finishing cleaning up the mess along with the other puppets.
"Jake has been telling me about everything that has happened." She said, sweeping up some glass into the dustpan Mrs. Leech was holding.
The small puppet looked up to her and seemed to smile as she nodded.
"I have to say, it takes one hell of a woman to deal with all of this and not entirely freak out. I'm a Toulon and its taking a lot to keep me sane right now." Tabitha laughed to help ease her feelings, as she picked up the dustpan and emptied it out into the trash can in the middle of the room.
"I know Jake's glad to have you two back, even if it is in this form."
Blade looked over at her as she caught his gaze and added, "Not that there's anything wrong with being a puppet!" she said, holding her hand in the air, trying not to offend them.
"Oh crap," she said, kneeling down to get closer to Mrs. Leech's level, "I think I ticked them off."
Moving to set a hand on Tabitha's Mrs. Leech shook her head as if to reassure her that this was not the case.
Nodding, Tabitha smiled down saying, "If you'll excuse me, all of this. "She said gesturing around her indicating the current situation. "Has taken a lot out of me. I'm heading for bed."
Mrs. Leech patted her hand gently again in a very motherly way. Tabitha smiled almost imagining she could hear her saying sweet dreams or go get some rest.
In the Underworld, Sutaketh was infuriated due to the failure of two of his minions. Flames soared high into the air to reflect his mood as the screams reached a new arc.
Thrusting his hands down at a slab of rock, two Totems were created in a burst of flames. Each one hissed before bowing on one knee toward him.
"Do not fail me. Bring me the Toulon girl."
The two creatures nodded before disappearing in another blast of flame.
In her room, Tabitha had changed into her pajamas, Jake's sweatpants and shirt, and gotten into her warm bed. Shutting the lamp on the bedside table off, she snuggled against a pillow on her side, she pulled the covers up around her and shut her eyes. After what seemed to her to be several moments, she finally began to fall asleep when she heard something.
It sounded like scratching on the wood floor beside her bed.
She smiled, thinking it was Jester or Trickster coming to pay her a visit, but looking over the side, she didn't see anything there. Confused, she moved to the other side and looked over, again not seeing anything.
Lying back onto her bed, she sighed, "Trickster, go play with Blade. I'm really tired. Please."
There was silence for a moment before the scratching started up again.
Figuring it was some type of game, she simply put a pillow over her head and made a mental note to talk to Jake about Trickster and how he needed to take a hint.
Several moments passed before she thought she heard something outside her window. Now this did get her attention as she sat up in bed and turned on the lamp to see what it was.
However, what she did see wasn't on the window, but rather on the floor by her bed. Two small creatures with long claws etching something onto the floor by her bed. They were as tall as the other puppets, but these had scaly skin, protruding noses and flat heads resembling what Jake had referred to as Totems.
She let out a scream as both of them hisses up at her and began to etch something quickly.
The sound of smashing glass from her window caused her to whirl around as a small man and woman stepped onto the windowsill, one of them, the man, standing there with a gun drawn and aimed at the creatures.
"Damn Totems!" he yelled out, firing out a volley of shots at the one closest to Tabitha. The Totem's head exploded in a fleshy blast as it fell to the floor. The second, not paying attention to its comrade as it tried to finish the strange symbol it was carving into the floor.
Jumping from the window, the white haired figure quickly ran across the wooden floor and fired two shots. The first one struck the Totem in the back as it let out a hiss, turning to face him only to find the tip of the gun shoved in its mouth as Dollman pulled the trigger.
The back of the Totem's head exploded out as it fell backward onto the floor at the same time the door to her room burst open and Jake ran inside, carrying the poker from the fireplace.
"What the hell is going on in here?" he shouted before spotting Dollman and the bodies of the two Totems.
"Andre?" he asked as he put the poker against the doorway and looked over to the window before adding, "Elsa? You're back!"
Andre looked up and cracked a smile, "Yes Jake. We are back. Sorry for the long delay, but we've run into a few problems. Apparently the same ones you have." He said nodding toward the remains on the floor.
"It would seem the Totems are back and after something." Elsa said as she dropped down onto the floor and went to stand beside her husband.
Tabitha still sat on the bed, covers drawn up to her chest as Jake looked over and moved to sit beside her. She was shaking slightly and that had Jake concerned.
"Andre," He said down to the Dollman who was now saying hello to the puppets who were still rushing into the room to see what the commotion was about, "This is Tabitha Toulon."
Looking up Andre climbed the side of the bed and stumbled as he walked towards her, caught in her deep blue eyes. His eyes when he had been alive. He smiled warmly at the frightened girl.
"Hello Tabitha. My name is Andre Toulon and I am your Grandfather's brother." He said as he nodded to her.
The warm smiled the 13 inch man gave her made her want to smile back, "It's a pleasure to meet you Andre. I've heard about you from Jake." She held out her hand and Andre shook a finger in greeting.
"And this…" Andre said, "Is my lovely wife Else."
"A pleasure." Tabitha said with a slight bow in her head to the lady on the floor.
Looking over to Jake, Andre asked, "Jake, has there been any word on your parents? It's imperative we find them."
Jake's smile quickly faded as he replied, "Andre, we need to talk about that. I found them."
Andre could sense the dread as his face grew solemn, "What is it child? Has something happened?"
Looking over Dollman's shoulder he nodded toward the pair of puppets standing in the doorway.
Turning, Andre saw Decapitron and Mrs. Leech as a look of confusion spread across his face. Then, understanding came as he moved from the bed onto the floor and walked over to them, studying Rick's face on his old puppet body.
"My god, how did this happen?"
"They can't talk." Jake answered.
Andre shook his head, "Perhaps not in the way you and I do, but all puppets can speak. You only have to listen."
Turning once more to Rick, he asked, "Tell me what happened. Use your mind."
There was silence as the pair simply stood looking at one another before Andre blinked several times and turned to face the others.
"It is as I feared. The demons of the Underworld are once more after the Toulon bloodline." He stated.
Tabitha shivered, clutching suddenly at Jake's hand, which startled him at first, but then held her hand tightly.
"So," Jake said, "We need to keep Tabitha's safety foremost."
Tabitha looked to him as if he had said something wrong.
"What?" He asked, unsure as to why he was getting that look.
"We need to keep Andre safe as well." She protested.
Shaking his head, Jake replied to Tabitha, but looked between her and Andre.
"Andre, you aren't in your old body anymore. Therefore, it stands to reason; he doesn't want your blood anymore. You're body isn't even from this planet, right?"
To his and Tabitha's surprise, Andre actually laughed, "Child, to Sutaketh, it does not matter what blood runs through my veins. He desires my soul no matter what body it exists in. Now in Tabitha's case, yes, it is her blood that concerns him. In addition," he said, turning to look at Rick before sighing, "We need to keep your father and yourself safe as well."
"Why us?" Jake asked, now really confused.
Rick looked at Dollman and shook his head slightly so only Andre could see it.
"The reason why is not important at the moment. Just know that keeping you and Tabitha safe is our main concern." Andre replied before walking over to Elsa and whispering to her for several moments.
Looking at Tabitha, Jake whispered, "Okay, this just keeps getting stranger and stranger. But don't worry, you are my only concern."
As the words passed his lips, he almost wanted to rephrase them, to take them back. He had just met her yet couldn't explain the attraction he felt or the need to protect he had towards her.
She smiled at him, her blue eyes penetrating him.
"That's sweet. Thank you. It's nice to feel protected."
He nodded, beginning to blush before Andre spoke again.
"Jake, Tabitha, allow me to tell you what is going on." As he climbed the bedpost and sat down as Elsa followed, sitting beside him.
"You see, Sutaketh is another demon who is after me and those of my family and yourselves because he believes I stole the formula for eternal life. It was he who sent Sutekh after me before when Rick and I first met. As he did now, he sent Totems to do his bidding, but that is not all he has at his disposal."
"Yeah, we noticed." Said Tabitha with a grimace, "Those things with wheels in the basement were a hell of a lot more menacing."
Andre arched a brow, clearly confused as to this, but continued, "In any case, he will stop at nothing to get to you."
Pointing over to Rick and Suzie, he continued, "According to your parents, they had began to notice strange things happening in the museum and wrote a letter to you, asking you to return. Days after, they were eating dinner when a portal to the Underworld opened and Sutaketh's minions emerged. They were not concerned with your parent's bodies, for they would be cremated upon entering his realm due to the extreme heat. No, he wanted their souls. So, it was Sutaketh himself that emerged, carrying the Gemstone of Rah. A stone used for drawing out a person's soul and containing it inside the gem. "
Tabitha let out an audible gasp as her eyes widened.
Jake simply sat there, nonplussed, wearing an emotionless face as Andre went on.
"To his great astonishment, he discovered the unusual properties of this place."
Tabitha shook her head asking, "I don't understand."
"You see," Andre began to explain, "There is something mystical about this place. Something even I cannot explain, but it seems to draw the paranormal and unusual here. So, when Sutaketh drew out their souls, instead of being confined inside the gem, they escaped, taking shelter in the only place they could. Inside Decapitron and Leech Woman's bodies."
"So where are their bodies?" Jake wanted to know, sitting up straighter, "Why can't they talk?"
To this Andre had no answer as he shook his head, "I am not sure. Even your parents don't know what happened to Sutaketh after they escape his grasp. As to why they cannot communicate, I can only offer a possibility. You see, when I created my sons and daughter, I placed their souls into the bodies using a known method. They require the serum to live. The way your parents entered the bodies was forced and they moved about because of their strong emotion of love for you. So, perhaps it is due to this that they cannot speak."
A hissing sound from under the bed got their attention as Blade emerged and began hissing rapidly.
Both Andre and Jake said at the same time, "What rune symbols?"
Getting to their feet, Jake pulled Tabitha from the bed and pushing they moved it to the side of the room, revealing an intricate series of symbols carved into the wooden floor surrounding the bed. It had nearly been completed except for two symbols that were half finished.
"What are those things?" Asked Tabitha, looking down at them reaching out to touch one of them.
" Don't." Jake warned pulling her hand back.
Moving from symbol to symbol, Andre studied them carefully before replying, "It seems as though Sutaketh desired you so badly he didn't care what was brought you down to him. Had the Totems completed this circle, You, bed and all, would have been dragged down into the Underworld."
Tabitha's eyes went wide with fear.
"Okay." Jake said, clutching her hand tighter, "From this point forward, we all use the buddy system. Dad and mom, Andre and Elsa, Blade and Trickster. Jester, Six Shooter and Tunneler can alternate with Blade and Trickster. Point is I want no one alone. "
A loud hiss from Blade caused him to look down as Jake explained, "He's the new guy. I need the best to train him."
Blade seemed to accept this answer as he nodded and gave a salute. Trickster answered with his "He he he."
The small laugh caught Andre's attention as he looked down and asked, "And who is this?" pointing to Trickster.
Jake chuckled, "Oh yeah, I forgot, you don't know about Trickster. He's my creation."
Andre's head turned to look at Jake with a strange expression. If Jake didn't know better he would have sworn it was pride and surprise.
Turning to the new addition, Andre nodded to him, "Well, welcome to our family Trickster."
"So, since it is late and we are all tired, Tabitha can come sleep with me."
He knew he had made a grammatical mistake as he quickly corrected himself, "I mean she can come sleep in my bed while I stand guard."
There was a faint "Ooooo." And "He he he" from the side but Jake didn't even bother looking at them.
Coughing, Andre said, "Yes. I think that would be best. I need to speak with your father."
Looking to Tabitha, Jake was not surprised to see her blushing brightly, but smiling at him. He was sure his own face was bright red as he escorted her from the room and down the hall to his own room.
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to embarrass you." He said, opening the door and shutting it behind them, turning on the light.
The room itself looked almost how she thought it would. There were dirty clothes in a pile in the corner, a worktable with numerous tools and pieces as well as what appeared to be a blueprint with a small figure on it. Several details pointing to various parts of the body.
In the center of the room was a king sized bed with a red comforter on it. Various smaller pillows lay scattered on the bed. No doubt for the puppets to sleep on.
"Go ahead and crawl in. You need the sleep more than I do. Besides, I have some work to do on my project."
Nodding, she lifted back the covers and got into bed, pulling a pillow close. Sitting down at the table, he began looking at the blueprint and scribbling in a few things with a pencil for several minutes before decided to look over at her.
He was rather shocked to see her lying there staring at him with those blue eyes.
"You know, you don't have to be scared of me." She said with a smiled like a cat that caught the canary.
"Totems, those things with wheels and a demon are out to kill us and you think I'm afraid of you?" He asked, arching a brow.
Hmm. He did have a point there, she thought before replying, "You need sleep too and I won't bite."
His heart was now racing as he nodded, "Sure, you're right." Before walking over to the lamp in the corner of the room turning it on. It gave off a dull light before turning the main light off.
Walking around to the other side of the bed, he laid down, wearing only a t-shirt and cut off shorts.
The two lay there, looking at each other before they couldn't help it and smiled at one another.
"Some day, huh?" he asked, not sure what else to say.
"To say that this is the most unique experience I have ever had would be an understatement." Tabitha said with a giggle. Truth was she was feeling a little giddy so close to Jake or perhaps her body was so full of emotions from the day it didn't know what to feel.
They were quiet for another period of time, neither one feeling tired now in the least.
"Thank you for protecting me today." She finally said, stretching so her hand was now beside his.
With another stretch from the pair, their faces were now only inches apart.
"You have the most wonderful eyes." He heard himself say, this time not wishing he hadn't said it.
She smiled broadly, "Thank you." Before leaning forward and kissing him.
Breaking it off, she pulled back, unsure of how he would react. But, she was pleased when he pulled her forward to kiss her himself.
After a few more light kisses Tabitha's body finally relaxed enough to sleep and as she slipped into slumber land. Jake held her close running a hand lightly through her hair.
"I promise to protect you Tabitha." He whispered into her ear softly and to his delight she smiled and murmured happily in her sleep.
Jake leaned back against the pillow, intent on figure out what to do next but soon he drifted off as well.