Back in the cavern, Dr. Herkeimer and Mrs. Steers prepared to duel to the last. Mrs. Steers rolled up her sleeves. Dr. Herkeimer straightened his vest, tie, and last his coat, pulling his shirt sleeves down to show below the coat sleeve.
"I've been waiting for this," said Mrs.
Steers. "It’s time I teach you a
few manners about slapping around young boys.
Namely Sam. Prepare yourself!”
“I really don’t want to fight a lady,” said Dr.
Herkeimer. “It’s against my gentlemanly
ethics.”
“You jack-ass,” said Mrs. Steers. “You are a terrible person. You will beat up, slap around, and mentally
torture a young boy, but you can’t fight a woman. Dream on, buster. I’m going to show you what this woman can
do.”
The rest of the Club members found their own vantage
points, where they could use their own strengths to help defeat the Doctor. Mrs.
Steers planted her feet about twenty feet away from Dr. Herkeimer. She clasped her hands together, rubbing her
palms. Quickly, she pulled her hands
apart, forming an off-white orb about the size of a basketball, and sent it
sailing. The orb moved so fast that Dr.
Herkeimer had no time to think to move out of the way.
Mrs. Steers’ thunderous orb hit him square in his
chest. The bone-shattering blast threw
him back against the stone. The thud of
his body hitting the wall echoed throughout the cavern. His clothes ignited making him look like a red
and orange flare. Everyone was stunned with
horror as the limp Dr. Herkeimer slid to the floor.
Once the flames died down, Dr. Herkeimer tried to lift
his arms, struggling as the searing pain engulfed him. He could see blurred figures moving around
the cavern. He tried to speak but
couldn’t. The cavern grew darker and
darker.
From up above,
a small speck of white light formed, slowly swelling. He could see it moving
down towards him, growing and growing in brightness. Blinded by the light, he barely
held his hand up over his squinting eyes and felt a wave of warmth and
belonging come over him. A tunnel of
light formed.
"Ully," a young girl's voice called out to
him. "Ully, I've been waiting for
you. Come and play with me."
At first, he couldn’t see her, only hear her voice. She called his name again. "Ully."
From out of the bright light came a little girl
dressed in old-fashioned clothes. She beckoned him to come with her.
“Ully Herkeimer, I’ve been waiting a long time. Come
play with me?”
“Who are you?”
Dr. Herkeimer didn’t recognize her.
“Do I know you?”
“Of course, you do, silly,” said the little girl. “Come play with me. I’ve got all your favorites. Mother sent me to get you. So get up, lazy.” She joked and smiled, still beckoning him to
come with her.
Dr. Herkeimer looked up at her, still unsure who she
was. He then grinned. A flood of
memories came back. "Sissy, is that you?" He could feel himself floating up, leaving
behind his body.
"Come on, Ully," she repeated. "Come and have tea. It's your favorite."
Dr. Herkeimer took her small soft hand. He noticed his own was young again. He was as he had been at sixteen. Enjoying his time at the seaside cottage.
They ran up the walk together. His
Mother sat fanning herself on the porch.
She waved.
In the middle of the yard, under a large tree, sat a
tea table, all laid out with cups and saucers, teapot, and a plate of cookies.
They sat down.
Sissy began to pour Ully a cup of tea.
No comments:
Post a Comment