Oracle in the Mist Read online

  “What’s happening?” David asked, jumping back in the seat and sounding alarmed.

  “I wish I knew,” answered Bobby, equally alarmed. “This happened when I was looking at the ball the other day too but I convinced myself that I was just imagining it.”

  “How peculiar,” David said as he took the ball and turned it upside down and all around. Again the mists exited the ball and began to swirl all around the room.

  Suddenly the children heard the ball calling their names, quietly at first and then louder and with more intensity, “Bobby-David-Bobby-David-Bobby-David!”

  “This can’t be happening,” David said. “You’re playing some kind of trick on me, aren’t you Bobby? Tell me that’s what this is?” But he could see by the shocked look on her face and the way that she was recoiling back on the couch as well that she was just as surprised and scared as he was.

  “Bobby-David-Bobby-David-Bobby-David!” it went on and on.

  “How can it possibly know our names? This can’t be …” David muttered as he was determined not to believe what was happening, but then the ball said, “Bobby, David, go to the oak tree tonight at 9 o’clock!” over and over until David said, “Quickly, just put it away and see if it stops then!”

  They put some cushions on it which stopped the voice immediately. The mists disappeared. They sat frozen to the spot, staring at one another in amazement. Bobby was the first to break the silence.

  “What just happened?” she whispered, as if not wanting the ball to hear.

  “I have no idea. This is the strangest thing to have ever happened to me. How on earth did it know our names … I just don’t get it?”

  “Yes and what was all of that about the oak tree?”

  “I have no idea, but one thing’s for sure, there’s no way I’m ever looking at that ball or going to the oak tree again. God only knows what dangers we could be getting ourselves into,” David said adamantly.

  “Well,” Bobby said after taking a moment to think, “I understand you’re afraid, David, but just think, here we are trying to uncover the mystery surrounding our family members and we now have an opportunity to do just that. Going to the tree tonight might just bring us one step closer to our goal.”

  “That’s crazy, Bobby,” David said. “Do you realise what we could be getting ourselves into?”

  “Yes, I think I do and do you know what? Even if you don’t go I’m going to. I’m not afraid,” Bobby said defiantly. She was never one to back down from a challenge.

  David could see by the look on her face that she was deadly serious. He knew her well enough by now to know that there was no point arguing with her and no way of talking her out of it. He shook his head.

  “You’re crazy!”

  “Maybe I am,” she smiled at him. She was going and that was all there was to it.

  David wondered what she was getting him into this time. He had no choice but to follow along with her. He would feel awful if something were to happen to her and he wasn’t there to help her out. After all, that’s what friends were for, right?”

  That night, Bobby told her mother that she was going out for ice cream with her new homeschooler buddy. It was daylight savings and spring and so it wouldn’t be getting dark for some time yet. David didn’t have to think of an excuse at his home because everyone was out at various meetings, dinners or on business trips.

  Bobby and David met at the general store and started the walk to the Brewsters’ property. They were equally apprehensive and excited and talked rapidly about what they expected to happen at the oak tree.

  “That reminds me,” Bobby said, “what was the surprise you had for me yesterday?”

  “It was nothing really,” David said. “It wasn’t anything to do with all of this.” He made a gesture with his hands which must have referred to their investigation around the tree. “My parents were both at home yesterday and I was hoping to introduce you to them. Mum had actually asked you for lunch as well. We were having lasagne with homemade pasta sheets.”

  Bobby felt awful now about their difference of opinion the day before and was glad that they had managed to get it sorted out. She could see how disappointed David was too.

  “I really am sorry about that David,” Bobby said sincerely. “I think it sounds like a lovely idea to meet your parents and the thought of homemade lasagne is making my mouth water just thinking about it.” She touched his hand for a moment to let him know that she cared and that she meant what she said, which seemed to cheer him up instantly. Was it that he did have deep feelings for her or was this how all Italians were towards their friends, she thought to herself. She really had no idea, having never met an Italian before. They smiled at one another.

  “Did you bring the ball?” David asked.

  “Yes, I thought I should as it might be about to give us more instructions. I also brought water, crackers, cheese, bread and apples.”

  “Excellent and well thought out. Good girl.”

  Bobby cringed to herself. On the one hand she liked the fact that she had pleased her new friend but there was something creepy about being told “good girl”. She felt annoyed and she couldn’t quite figure out why. They arrived at the tree in silence.

  “Well, here we are again,” he said from underneath the tree, staring up into the mighty and many branches. “What do we do now?” she asked, looking at her watch. It was 8.55pm and the Oracle had said to arrive at 9 o’clock.

  “I have no idea,” he answered. “Get the ball out and put it underneath the tree there and we’ll see what happens.” They took it out of the black velvet bag that Bobby had found for it and placed it on the ground and then stood staring at it for quite some time. 9 o’clock came and went and still nothing happened.

  “This isn’t right,” David said at last. “We must be missing something because the mists aren’t swirling like they were this afternoon. It’s as if we have to activate it somehow. Just think, what was it that we did this afternoon that we haven’t done now?”

  “Yes, this is strange. There are no mists and there’s no Oracle talking,” agreed Bobby.

  Right at that moment, the mists started to swirl and Bobby and David looked at one another and said simultaneously, “Aaah!”

  “I see,” said David, “you have to say the words on the ball to activate it.”

  Then they heard the familiar voice, “Bobby, David, Bobby, David,” and then, “Are you there; are you there?” Bobby and David looked at one another in bewilderment and then the voice spoke again, “Bobby, David, step into the tree! You have to step into the tree together.”

  “What?” said David, nervously, “Step into that tree? I don’t think so.” He began to back away. But Bobby picked up her backpack and the crystal ball and walked around to the other side of the tree.

  “What are you doing?” he yelled at her. “You can’t be serious? You have no idea what’s going to happen. It’s too dangerous Bobby.”

  “I know David, but do we really have a choice? I mean really, we have this opportunity; we can’t just walk away from it. Come on David, what could possibly go wrong?” She used her free hand to feel around inside the hole of the tree. No spiders or other creepy insects — that was a good sign.

  “Come on Bobby; don’t do this. If something were to happen to you I’d never forgive myself. I’m responsible for you, you know?”

  “Oh, pooh, pooh, David Game,” she snapped back. “I’m responsible for myself and anyway how did you ever get the notion that you’re responsible for me? I mean, really …” Bobby frowned at him.

  “It’s not meant to be a rude thing. Please don’t argue with me, Bobby but you are the fairer sex and it’s the boy’s job to protect because we are just stronger …”

  “God, David! Are you stuck in the dark ages? Haven’t you ever heard of a girl being bright enough and strong enough to protect herself? Goodbye David Game …” Bobby said — and with that she stepped into the tree and vanished.

  “What?
” David stared in disbelief. “This can’t be happening. Where did she go?” Right then he heard an earsplitting sound and looked up. There were lights darting everywhere, above the tree, as if giant fireflies were having a dance off and then the lightning began again. It came from the clouds above and bounced off the uppermost branches of the tree.

  “What … what … Bobby, stop fooling around!” David said as he ran around the tree several times but there was no sign of her. This must have been some kind of magical, witchcraft stunt that she had pulled and she would turn up again in a minute, right? But the minutes ticked by and then the thought occurred to him that this was for real. She wasn’t coming back.

  “Bobby,” he yelled again, “what are you getting me into this time?” He looked into the hole in the tree and could feel a sob coming up from his chest, threatening to overwhelm him.

  “No good crying David,” he said to himself out loud. “There’s only one thing for it then I suppose. This is just typical Bobby style, isn’t it? She says she doesn’t need rescuing and yet here I am, the only one who can rescue her. God, I hope I don’t regret this.”

  And with that he ran into the tree at full pace. If he had been there to see it, David would have noticed that the lightning strikes and flashing lights above the tree looked just like an alien space craft.

  Meanwhile, Bobby woke up to find herself in very strange surroundings. She had no idea what had just happened. The last thing she remembered was stepping into the tree but she did remember bright lights and lightning flashes …

  She had to fight off a sob of panic. What had she gotten herself into? She already regretted that she had mocked David and would do anything to be with him again. She would cling to him and never let him go. What if she never saw him again? What if she never got home again?

  “David, are you here too?” she whispered, hoping for a response. She glanced around the room. She could see that she was in a hut of some sort made from bamboo and palm fronds. The floor was sandy and there was no furniture to speak of. Right then she became aware of the fact that she was fully clothed and lying in a bed. She felt behind herself, just to be sure. She felt sweet relief when she touched the coarse canvas of the backpack. At least she would have something to eat if she was all alone.

  Then her hand was drawn to something warm in the bed beside her. She quickly pulled her hand back when she realised that it was a living, breathing form lying beside her.

  She closed her eyes and felt herself freeze in terror; the seconds ticked by like hours. She couldn’t bring herself to look behind her. That could be anything lying right next to her. Then she heard the quietest whisper.

  “Is that you, Bobby?” She recognised David’s voice and was quite certain there had never been another time in her life that she had felt so glad.

  “Yes,” she said and turned around, slipping off the backpack.

  “Where on earth are we?” he said still whispering.

  “I’ve got no idea David, but I’m telling you, I’m so glad to see you.” She threw her arms around him and kissed him on his cheek.

  “What have you got us into this time Bobby Fairweather?” he asked and hugged her to him as well. “Have you got any idea what we just did?” he asked Bobby, looking both scared and excited. Bobby remembered then that David was a science fiction nut and was constantly talking about journeys to the centre of the earth and time machines and she assumed he had an extensive library at home which featured all of his favourite books. Now she found herself feeling grateful for this interest because he might have an explanation for what had just happened.

  “No, no idea,” she answered.

  David continued, “It looks to me as if we just travelled through a wormhole to another dimension or even,” and he paused and looked around again, wideeyed, “even a parallel dimension.”

  “I’m so glad you followed me in David. I wouldn’t want to be here by myself,” Bobby confessed, surprising even herself at with the words that were coming out of her mouth. She gave him a little hug.

  “But I thought you didn’t need protecting …” David teased.

  “Oh, I don’t need rescuing or protecting — but just for company, you know …”

  “Oh sure, I know,” he went along with her. He looked down at her and they both burst out laughing.

  “Hey, at least we’ve got some cheese. If nothing else, we won’t go hungry”

  “That’s great,” he agreed, “and in the meantime, let’s try to figure out how we did the very thing that scientists have been trying to do for hundreds of years.”

  “I’d love to help you figure that out David, but right after we have something to eat I need to work out how to get back home. My mum’s going to be worrying about me.” Bobby suddenly became aware of the reality of the situation. “And besides, we could be killed at any given minute. I say we get out of here.”

  “Hey, this was your idea, Bobby. I just followed you. It’s a bit late to be regretful. Anyway, I don’t think we were lured here by that voice to be eaten or killed. No. Whoever it was that was calling us, knows us, somehow. I have a feeling this is where the children came when they disappeared back in 1930.”

  Bobby saw the sense in what David was saying and relaxed a little. David stood up.

  “Let’s look around a little,” he said and went to a small window and looked out. It was broad daylight with a clear blue sky and the sun was shining. In the distance was an ocean.

  They both suddenly became aware of huge waves being smashed upon a shoreline and then they heard something else — voices talking to one another and coming towards the hut. Bobby cringed inside with fear but her ears pricked up as well.

  “Well, I can’t see any point in doing that; they’ll be here sometime soon; I am sure.”

  “Orr, orr, orr, screech, screech,” came a most peculiar noise. The two voices seemed to be communicating with each other.

  “What! Oh Sebastian, that’s preposterous! No they’re not going to end up in another time zone so don’t even think about that. This is the only time zone. Remember, that’s what the Oracle said. No we’ll stay with our original plan and … quiet now, we’ll take a look inside and see if they’ve arrived.”

  David took Bobby’s hand and stood slightly in front of her as if to shield her.

  “Screech,” came the response in the strange language.

  “Indeed, Sebastian,” whispered the male voice and then the hut door opened and in stepped a tall, lean, middleaged man and a monkey.

  “Orr, orr, orr, orr, screech,” said the monkey.

  “Quite right, Sebastian, quite right. I told you, the Oracle is never wrong. Professor Lambert, at your service,” he said, to the children, bowing slightly in the same way that David would.

  “Orr, orr, orr,” said the monkey, looking up at the professor.

  “Oh, terribly sorry old chap; getting a bit carried away, aren’t I? This is Sebastian, most esteemed colleague, assistant and scholar in his own right. We are most pleased to be finally meeting you and to be making your acquaintance,” and they both bowed again. Bobby and David stood motionless and speechless.

  “I take it your names are Bobby and David,” said the professor, sensing their apprehension. “Oh yes, we’ve been expecting you for some time now … some time … let me see, I think it equates to 80 years your time …” he said and looked thoughtful.

  “But how … and why …” David attempted to put all of his jumbled thoughts into one question.

  “Well, it’s quite simple really. Ah, so many questions and so much time. I expect you want a lengthy explanation to all of this?” the professor said and gestured with his hand by waving a 180 degree circle of the hut. “Now I don’t know about you, old chap,” he said and stepped forward and shook David’s hand very fast and then clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly way, “but I personally think that an occasion such as this calls for some tea, don’t you?” He then gestured towards the door.

  The children look
ed at one another as they were being ushered out of the door. Outside, the bright sun blinded them for a moment and they each stood blinking. When Bobby was able to finally open her eyes properly she found herself rubbing them over and over again just in case what she thought she saw was not what was actually before her. It was in utter amazement that she realised that it was all very real and not some kind of a dream after all.

  What she was looking at was more incredible than any scene she had ever seen in any movie. It almost defied description. Darkskinned people and all kinds of animals were walking about, sitting with one another and doing all kinds of crafts together. They were selling to one another in a market place and still others were sitting and picnicking with each other. Children were mingled in amongst the animals and adults and played games with each other like hopscotch and knuckles.

  It took a moment to take it all in and then Bobby realised what it was that was so alarming about what she was seeing, as a large, poisonous looking snake slithered through the crowd and on into the bush. Lions sat and were patted by babies and tigers and leopards walked around without a care in the world and certainly not looking as though they were about to make a meal of any of the people. There was harmony and serenity between the people and the animals. It was quite extraordinary.

  “Ina, Ina and Henry! Ina and Henry!” People started to point at the children and shout out the familiar names.

  And then they were rushed at by a large group of natives who clamoured around them, and reached out to touch them or just stood staring at them, smiling warmly. Other natives insisted on kissing them and wrapping their arms around their shoulders in the warmest and most tender way. It didn’t feel threatening at all, thought Bobby. In fact it was quite pleasant.

  “Hello. You are back, yes, yes?” was the question that was being constantly asked of them. All thoughts of getting home to Daphne or worries about where and how they had ended up in such a place left the mind of Bobby. She suddenly became aware of the professor trying to convince the people that their names were Bobby and David, not Ina and Henry.

  “Yes, I know it’s remarkable, I agree. The resemblance is just remarkable; quite a shock in fact,” and even the professor stood back to marvel at them, smiling and clicking his tongue in awe. Then Bobby heard a question being spoken that seemed to reverberate throughout the gathering and suddenly everyone became quiet as they awaited the answer.