Everyone in the school was talking about what had happened. The story began with the snake on Thomas’ desk, then it became the snake on the floor. One boy clarified that the snake had been in Brendan Eriksson’s bag and yet still, someone argued that the snake had been in Thomas’ desk. Anyway, the cobra bit Thomas.
But if it was a cobra, how is it that Thomas was still alive? another one argued against this theory. Anyway, the “cobra” or “mamba” had its head bitten off by the black belt who proceeded to chew the reptile’s spine.And, so where does Brendan come in? one asked.He planted the snake for Thomas.No, that can’t be true. Brendan was not that type of guy. He was quiet.It’s always the quiet ones, another said. But what about the fight?Oh, yes, the fight. Brendan parried five Bradley punches before unleashing a fury of blows no one knew he were capable of.So, Brendan Eriksso‘I’m just a guy looking for someone,’ the stranger answered. He looked about a few years older than Brendan, if not the same age.‘Who are you looking for specifically, kid?’The stranger chuckled, ‘Do I really look that young?’ he asked Brendan as he walked towards him.The stranger’s face reminded Brendan of someone. The smile was cold as if it knew no laughter or love at all and his body looked starved thin. He had never seen him before so who was he?‘Today I’m nineteen,’ the stranger said.‘Well, you look my age or just a year younger.’‘And looks can be deceiving…anyway, scrap that, it’s my turn to ask questions. What are you doing here and how did you manage to throw that tree like it was just a pencil?’‘I didn’t throw anything…you must be drunk, man we don’t live in “La La Land”, do we?’&ls
He finally arrived by the “magical” tree. He slowly immersed his hand inside it, followed by his whole arm, then he paused still for a moment in hesitation. He took one long breath and then, without thinking it through, he pushed his whole body into the tree.Brendan found himself exposed to what looked like some kind of unknown dimension. Behind him, where he had used as an entrance into the tree was only a vertical black slit, like a cut, which meant he could still use it as a door when he needed to leave. He did not think he would want to stay there too long. One madness at a time, he thought. He exercised as much caution as possible. The temperature there was much cooler. There were trees and vegetation everywhere, but more beautiful and more colorful than the Bradwield forest itself. Nearby were a small stream and a hundred yards to the north of the stream was a small cottage with brick walls and a thatched roof. It looked as if no one had lived in it f
‘That’s cute but, are you going to answer my questions or not?’‘I’ll answer any question that doesn’t involve your biological parents.’‘Why not?’‘Because I do not know them.’He began thinking of which question to ask first. ‘How do you know Howard Eriksson?’ he asked her.‘I did some dealings with his father, Jonas. I brewed him a potion that gives anyone who drinks it incredible powers.’‘What kind of powers?’‘The drinker of the potion can run at three times the speed of sound and he or she will gain the strength of ten men just by taking a very small sip.’‘What about healing powers?’‘It does not offer any healing powers, unless if you were injured before you drank the potion because it is the beginning of a new life so it can only heal you once. And how is it that you are interested in him, my love,
‘Jack? He falls under the Race of Phantoms now. I took his soul in exchange for the powers of teleportation and other several powers.’‘But you took his soul in exchange?! You’re heartless!’‘Come on, my love, do not be so cold towards me. So…’ she stared at him in expectancy, her mystical and awkward smile also staring at him, ‘…are you going to join me or not?’‘Never in a million years. Thanks for opening my eyes, though. I’m going to use these abilities to hammer out monsters like you.’ He frowned bitterly at her.She chuckled for a moment then said, ‘I assure you, my love that if you were to try and start a war with me you would not be successful.’He pretended not to hear the spirit vandalizing words she had just spoken. He put two of his fingers over his mouth, trapped in thought. He was thinking of another question to ask. ‘What about the gold, dia
Brendan was now becoming even more irritated. He tried to think of a statement that would make her leave him alone. The results were almost unrewarding. ‘What about school?’ he asked her, thinking this was the best question to launch.‘I left as soon as I heard that you thought I set you up with Thomas. And going back to Simon would be…’ she shrugged, ‘a complete nightmare.’He sighed again but this time in agreement. Even though Brendan was still thinking about forgiving Samantha, there was still a long way to go for Simon. That was a lotto she didn’t have a chance of winning. ‘Let’s go but..,’ his face frowned suspiciously, a sudden thought occurring to him. He wondered why he hadn’t thought of this before. ‘How did you think of the forest as the right place to look for me? And how is it that I find you standing right at the same place I used to get in?’‘I just…guessed,’ she shrugged.This answer threw Brendan off the rails and he grabbed her by her arms and she immed
‘Coming, Mrs. Cooke,’ Samantha replied releasing her grip on Flicker. ‘Brendan!’ She exclaimed when she saw him. She was covered in tears down to her neck. ‘Fred, this is my classmate, Brendan. Brendan, this is my brother, Frederick who had been missing for two years!’Fred gave a short laugh. ‘Looks like we meet again, Eriksson.’‘You’ve already met?’ Samantha was beyond surprised.‘Yeah, a while back,’ Fred answered, his grin still spread across his face.‘And you didn’t tell me, Brendan?’ she shrugged in protest. ‘Fred, we’ll catch up later after school, okay?’‘Sure, sis.’‘Coming, Brendan?’ She beckoned him and they both walked into class.‘Our fight isn’t over, Eriksson,’ Thomas whispered in his direction as soon as he sat down.‘You really think I’m scared of you, Bradl
‘Owen, this is my best friend; Simon Drewmorphin, and I’m Brendan Payne.’‘Brendan what?!’ Simon almost roared in surprise.‘It turns out that my parents’ last name is Payne. It sounds crazy, I know, but maybe it will give me a better chance of finding my father,’ he said.‘You should inform the principal though,’ Simon advised him.Owen had already sat down beside Simon again, listening to what they were saying.‘Samantha’s missing brother has returned,’ Brendan continued their conversation.‘What…What in the world?!’ Simon bellowed.‘Yep. He just appeared from nowhere somehow and he’s calling himself, “The Flicker”. ’‘The who now?’ he asked again in astonishment.‘Who’s Samantha?’ Owen joined the conversation whispering.‘Oh, no one special. Just a witch who likes to rui
‘I want you to count my inheritance money for me.’ He was proud of himself for using the word “inheritance”. Much more subtle.‘Money?’ she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.He nodded.‘Howard left you money?’ Her eyes continued to widen in bafflement.‘Yes,’ he answered plainly.‘It must be a fortune if you can’t count it yourself, right?’‘That’s why I’m asking you to do it…If you are willing to do it.’‘Wow! I cannot believe you trust me this much but yes…yes, of course I will,’ she nodded her head quickly as if this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.‘I never said I trust you,’ Brendan said coolly, but inwardly he was relieved that she had said yes. ‘I have my own reasons. So, I’ll drop it by your house tomorrow?’‘Yes, yes, tomorrow’s perfect.’ She stood