Silver went down to breakfast the next morning to find the other three already sitting around the kitchen table. They were watching the news on a brand-new television, a welcome-home-for-the-summer present for Menniker, who had been complaining loudly about how he couldn't watch the living room TV while he was eating in the kitchen. Silver sat down next to his cousin, not only did he not receive a single mention about his birthday but none of them even acknowledged he had appeared. Silver was so used to this at this point that he didn't really care. He helped himself to some toast and watched the news reporter who was partway through a story "… The public is warned that Elias is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hot line has been set up, and any sighting of Elias should be reported immediately". A picture was shown of a pale brown chipmunk wearing ragged clothes. He had a gaunt face, overgrown fur and messy red hair on his head. Menthor looked over his newspaper at the chipmunk "No need to tell us he's no good. The state of him. Look at his hair". He gave Silver a nasty look, his long quills were always a source of great annoyance of Menthor. Silver thought that compared to the chipmunk on the TV he felt very well groomed indeed. The reporter then moved onto a new story "Hang on! You didn't tell us where that maniac's escaped from! What use is that? Lunatic could be coming up the street right now!" Menthor barked furiously. Cynthia spun around and peered through the kitchen window. Cynthia would love to be the one to call the hot line number. She was the nosiest woman in the world and spent most of her life spying on the boring, law-abiding neighbours. Menthor banged his fist against the table "When will they learn that hanging is the only way to deal with these people" "Very true" Cynthia agreed. Menthor finished his tea "Better get going. TB's train gets in at ten". Silver, who's thoughts were on his new board servicing kit had just been brought back down to Mobius "Aunt Thunderbolt? Sh-She's not coming here, is she?".
Thunderbolt or TB as everyone but Silver was allowed to call her, was Menthor's Chinchilla sister. Despite not being a blood relative, Silver was forced to call her Aunt all his life, not an unreasonable request for a normal child but the fact that Silver despised her made it feel very wrong. She rarely visited Penders Drive, she bred all sorts of Mobani animals to sell as pets and couldn't bear to be away from them for that long. But everyone of her rare visits stood out horribly in Silver's mind. At Menniker's fifth birthday party, Aunt TB had whacked Silver around the shins with her walking stick to stop him from beating Menniker at musical statues. A few years later, she had turned up at Christmas with a computerized robot for Menniker and a box of lizard biscuits for Silver. On her last visit, the year before Silver started at Soleanna, he had accidentally trodden on the tail of her favourite dog. Pele had chased Silver out into the garden and up a tree, and Thunderbolt had refused to call him off until past midnight. The memory of this incident still brought tears of laughter to Menniker's eyes. Menthor pointed at Silver "TB will be here for a week. And since we're on the subject we need to get a few things straight before I go and collect her". Menniker finally took his eyes off the TV, Menthor bullying Silver was his favourite pass time "Firstly, you will keep a civil tongue when you're talking to your Aunt". Silver gave a bitter look "Fine as long as she does with me". Menthor pretended he didn't hear that last part "Secondly, TB has no knowledge of your… Abnormality. No funny stuff while she's here. And you won't be wearing those in front of her" he pointed at Silver's gloves and bracelets. Silver spoke through gritted teeth "Fine" he would try and explain that without his Talismans he would have a lot more trouble not causing funny stuff but he knew it would be no use. Menthor continued "And thirdly, we've told TB you attend St. Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys" "What!?" "And you'll be sticking to that story, boy, or there'll be trouble".
Silver sat, white faced and furious. A week with Thunderbolt staying here, it was the worth birthday present his Aunt and Uncle ever gave him, even worse than that pair of Menthor's old socks. Menthor kissed his wife "Best be on my way. Want to come Meni" "No" Menniker said rudely going back to the TV. Cynthia smiled and ruffled his dreadlocks "Meni has to make himself smart for his Aunt. Mummy's bought him a brand new tie" "Well, see you in a bit, then". Silver, who had been sitting in a trance, had a sudden idea. He forgot his toast and followed Menthor to the front door "I'm not taking you" "As if I wanted to come. I wanted to ask you something". Menthor stared suspiciously as Silver took out his permissions slip "Third years at Sol… My school are allowed to visit the nearby village" "So?". Menthor went for his keys making Silver rush "I need you to sign the permission form" "And why would I do that?" "Well, it'll be hard work, pretending to Aunt Thunderbolt I go to that St. Whatsits". Silver was pleased by the sudden look of panic on Menthor's face "St. Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys!" "Exactly. It's a lot to remember. I'll have to make it sound convincing, won't I? What if I accidentally let something slip?" "You'll get the stuffing kicked out of you!". Silver didn't flinch at this threat "Knocking the stuffing out of me won't make Aunt Thunderbolt forget what I could tell her". Menthor said nothing, his face was paused on an ugly look, "But if you sign my permission form. I swear I'll remember where I'm supposed to go to school, and I'll act like a Mug- like I'm normal and everything". Silver could see the cogs turning in Menthor's head. Finally he said "Right. I shall monitor your behaviour carefully during TB's visit. If, at the end of it, you've toed the line and kept to the story, I'll sign your ruddy form". He whipped around and slammed the door behind him.
Silver didn't return to the kitchen, he ran right back up to his room. If he was going to act like a real Muggle, he'd better start now. Slowly and sadly he gathered up all his presents and his birthday cards and hid them under the loose floorboard with his homework. Then he went to Lily's cage. Piopio seemed to have recovered; he and Lily were both asleep, heads under their wings. Silver sighed, then poked them both awake. Silver felt guilty over doing this but he had no choice "Lily you're going to have to clear off for a week. Go with Piopio. Razor'll look after you. I'll write him a note, explaining. And don't look at me like that". Lily was glaring at him since she woke up "It's not my fault. It's the only way I'll be allowed to visit Spiral Hill with Razor and Coral". Ten minutes later, Piopio, had a note to Razor bound to her leg and soared out of the window and out of sight. Silver, now feeling thoroughly miserable, put the empty cage away inside the wardrobe and then took off his Talismans. He took out an old pair of white gloves and put them on instead. But Silver didn't have long to brood. In next to no time, Aunt Cynthia was shrieking up the stairs for Silver to come down and get ready to welcome their guest. As he reached the bottom steps he got a "Do something with your hair!" from Cynthia. Silver did genuinely try to flatten his quills this time but to no avail. Honestly though he thought it was for the best. Thunderbolt loved criticizing him so the untidier he was the happier she should be. Silver had to be the one to get the door when they finally arrived. Silver's insides churned as he opened it to find Thunderbolt standing in the threshold. She was very short, and wore a red long sleeved shirt with grey suspenders. The suitcase she was carrying and her grey Mobani dog Pele were both at equal height to her. Despite her small size she had some strength behind her as she pushed pass Silver without a thank you "Where's my Meni? Where's my neffy-poo". Menniker walked into the hall, his dreadlocks were tied behind him in a smart looking ponytail and he had a bowtie on.
Thunderbolt threw her suitcase into Silver's stomach, knocking the wind out of him, seized Menniker in a tight one-armed hug, and planted a large kiss on his cheek. Silver knew perfectly well Menniker hated their aunt as much as he did but Menniker got one thing Silver didn't, payment. As they separated from their hug Menniker had twenty Mobiums in his hand. As Thunderbolt then greeted Cynthia Menthor walked inside jovially and closed the door "Tea? And what will Pele take?" "Pele can have some tea from my saucer". They all proceeded into the kitchen, leaving Silver alone in the hall with the suitcase. But Silver wasn't complaining; any excuse not to be with Aunt Thunderbolt was fine by him, so he began to heave the case upstairs into the spare bedroom, taking as long as he could. By the time he got back to the kitchen, Aunt Thunderbolt had been supplied with tea and fruitcake, and Pele was lapping noisily in the corner. Silver saw Aunt Cynthia wince slightly as specks of tea and drool flecked her clean floor. She hated animals. Menthor sat opposite his sister "Who's watching the other animals, TB?" "Oh, I've got Society Max watching them. He's retired now, good for him to have something to do. But I couldn't leave poor old Pele. He pines if he's away from me". Pele growled as Silver sat down which finally caught Thunderbolt's attention to him "So… Still here are you?" "Yes" "Don't say yes in that ungrateful way. It's damn good of Menthor and Cynthia to keep you. Wouldn't have done it myself. You'd have gone straight to an orphanage if you'd been dumped on my doorstep". Silver almost blurted out that he'd rather live in an orphanage but the thought of Spiral Hill made him stop. He forced a painful smile which just angered Thunderbolt "Don't you smirk at me! I can see you haven't improved since I last saw you. I hoped school would knock some manners into you". She gulped down the last of her tea "Where did you say he went, Menthor?" "St Brutus. It's a first-rate institution for hopeless cases" "I see. And do they use the cane there, boy?". Silver paused but then saw Menthor nodding yes from behind Thunderbolt "Oh, yeah. I've-I've been beaten loads of times" "Excellent. I won't have this namby-pamby, wishy-washy nonsense about not hitting people who deserve it. A good thrashing is what's needed in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred". Menthor seemed to be worried that Silver might forget their deal as he abruptly changed the subject "Heard the news, TB? That escaped prisoner" the rest of the night was uneventful. They listened to a long tirade of the two siblings talking about how they approved of hangings.
As Aunt Thunderbolt started to make herself at home, Silver caught himself thinking almost longingly of life at number four without her. Uncle Menthor and Aunt Cynthia usually encouraged Silver to stay out of their way, which Silver was only too happy to do. Aunt Cynthia, on the other hand, wanted Silver under her eye at all times, so that she could boom out suggestions for his improvement. She delighted in comparing Silver with Menniker, and took huge pleasure in buying Menniker expensive presents while glaring at Silver, as though daring him to ask why he hadn't got a present too. She also kept throwing out dark hints about what made Silver such an unsatisfactory person.
Over dinner on the third day came one of these comments "You mustn't blame yourself for the way the boy's turned out, Menthor. If there's something rotten on the inside, there's nothing anyone can do about it". Silver tried to remember his board care handbook. He went through all the ways to keep the board in good condition. Thunderbolt took a glass of wine "This… Shadow person. What did he do?". Menthor and Cynthia looked at each other "Uh… Nothing. He didn't work. Unemployed" the latter answered. Thunderbolt gave an unsurprised scoff and wiped the wine from her mouth "As expected. And a drunk to I supp-AH!". The glass in her hand suddenly exploded, luckily the glass shards didn't hurt anyone. Thunderbolt, covered in wine, stared surprised at her hand before letting out a short laugh "Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I've got a firm grip" "Are you alright?" Cynthia asked horrified. Menniker brought Thunderbolt a towel and she wiped her face "Oh, I'm fine, dear. Not to worry". But Cynthia and Menthor were worried, they were staring at Silver in fear. Silver decided to skip desert and excused himself and Thunderbolt was drunk enough to not notice he was out of her sight. He went into the hall and then leaned against he wall breathing heavily. It had been a long time since he lost control like that and the absence of his Talismans wasn't helping. The Spiral Hill form wasn't the only thing at stake now, if he kept this up he's going to get in trouble with the Ministry of Magic. He ran up to his room and spent the rest of the night in their.
For the next few days Silver had read through his handbook of board care over and over so he could memorise and go over it in his head whenever Thunderbolt decided to insult him. This did work although it apparently gave him a somewhat glazed look as Thunderbolt began saying he looked mentally subnormal. And finally the last day came. Cynthia cooked a fancy dinner and Menthor uncorked a few expansive bottles of wine. They managed to get through the starts without a single comment on Silver. Then during the Steak Pie Menthor bored them with a long talk about Mad Gears, his drill making company. When Thunderbolt got through her fifth (Very full) glass of wine Silver thought it was time for him to leave but Menthor told him with his glares to stay put. When Thunderbolt finished her pie was when it started "Excellent nosh, Cynthia. It's normally a fry up for me with all the pets to look after". She let out a loud burp "It's good to know my nephew's eating well. You'll be a proper-sized man, Meni, like your father. Yes, I'll have a spot more brandy, Menthor". As she took her next glass she finally looked at Silver "Now, this one here". Silver went through the handbook again as Thunderbolt said "This one's got a mean, runty look about him. I've seen it with the Chao I've got. I had Society Max drown one last year. Ratty little thing it was. Weak. Underbred". Silver had read through that handbook ten times but right now he couldn't remember any of it "It all comes down to blood, as I was saying the other day. Bad blood will out". She put her hand on Cynthia's although it took her a few times to find her hand "Now, I'm not saying anything against your family, Cynthia. But your sister was a bad egg. They turn up in the best families. Then she ran off with a wastrel and here's the result right in front of us". Silver couldn't drown her out anymore, he was shaking.
He may not be allowed to leave the room but he didn't have to stay at the table. He took a few plates and headed to the sink to clean then. But then it happened "It's one of the basic rules of breeding. If there's something wrong with the bitch then there's something wrong with the pup". Silver dropped the plates "Shut up! SHUT UP!" he roared. For a few seconds there was stunned silence, all that could be heard was Silver's heavy breathing. Finally, the very white Menthor said "You, boy… Go to bed. Go on!" "No, Menthor" Thunderbolt said holding up her hand. She gave Silver a piercing look "Go on, boy, go on. Proud of your parents, are you? They go and get themselves killed in a car crash (drunk, I expect)" "They didn't die in a car crash!" "Yes they id you nasty little liar and left you to be a burden on their decent, hardworking relatives. You are an insolent, ungrateful-". But Aunt Thunderbolt suddenly stopped speaking. For a moment, it looked as though words had failed her. She seemed to be swelling with inexpressible anger. But the swelling didn't stop. Her great red face started to expand, her tiny eyes bulged, and her mouth stretched too tightly for speech. She was inflating like a monstrous balloon, her stomach bursting free of her waistband, each of her fingers blowing up like a salami "Menthor! Menthor, do something!" she managed to get out. "TB!" Menthor and Cynthia both yelled as she rose out of her chair and hit the ceiling. Menthor jumped and grabbed one of her feet to pull her down but then Pele leapt forward and sank his teeth into Menthor's leg. Silver in the confusion ran out of the room into the hall. He went for the cupboard under the stair and without even meaning to the door burst open. He pulled his trunk, board and other equipment out and brought it to the front door. He ran upstairs and went into his room. Now alone he gave a grunt and kicked his bead in anger. He fell onto his bed trying to calm down. He glanced over to his bedside cabinet where there was a picture of his parents. They were happily dancing in a park during what looked like a beautiful autumn day. This managed to get Silver to think straight. He put his Talismans back on, wrenched open the loose floorboard and stuffed all his books, Lily's cage and his letters into the pillowcase. He then took the picture and put than in as well right on the top. He ran back downstairs but now he was met with a deranged Menthor "You get back in there! GET BACK IN THERE AND PUT HER RIGHT!" "No! She deserved what she got! I'm going! I've had enough!". Menthor advanced on him but Silver raised his hand making him freeze "Keep away from me!". Menthor backed away "You're-You're not allowed to use magic outside of school" "Yeah, try me". He backed away to the door to the living room where Cynthia and Menniker were cowering "They won't let you back now. You've got nowhere to go" "I don't care. Anywhere is better than here". Then in an instant Silver was out on the dark street pulling his heavy trunk behind him