D. MacHale - Black Water

Acolytes.

Thats what this was ail about.

It was also about saving humanity from being crushed by a villainous demon named Saint Dane, but that was a little much for Mark Dimond and Courtney Chetwynde to tackle right off the bat. They figured becoming acolytes was the best way to ease into the whole universe-saving thing. The two friends sat together on a musty old couch in a small New York City apartment. They were there to learn the mysterious ways of the acolytes. Not exactly dramatic surroundings, considering they were hearing words that would change their lives forever.

You are the acolytes from Second Earth now, said Tom Dorney, whose apartment it was. With Press gone, Im no longer needed. It may be an easy job compared to what the Travelers do, but I think youll agree its an important one.

We do. Absolutely. Yessir, Mark and Courtney assured him.

Dorney turned to look out his window and frowned. He was an old guy with short-cropped gray hair and excellent posture. He was once a soldier. Old habits die hard.

Is there something youre not telling us? Courtney asked.

Dorney sighed and said, Its just a feeling. What? she demanded.

I dont know, Dorney said, troubled. I didnt like what I heard about Veelox.

Yeah, no kidding, Courtney said.

What I mean to say is, be careful. Saint Dane has finally had a victory, and theres no telling whats next. From this point on, I cant guarantee that the old rules still apply.

This was chilling news for Mark and Courtney on their first official day as acolytes. Dorneys ominous warning was very much on their minds as they left his apartment and took the train back to Stony Brook, Connecticut. Just before the train pulled into Stony Brook Station, Mark announced, I want to go to the flume.

Why? Courtney asked.

Well bring some of our clothes to leave there.

But nobody told us they needed clothes, Courtney countered.

I know. Just thinking ahead.

Thats just an excuse to go there, isnt it? Courtney asked.

Mark didnt argue. I guess I just want to see it again. To prove its real.

I hear you, Courtney said. I do too.

When they got off the train, they both went home and gathered up a bunch of clothes they thought a Traveler from some distant territory might need on a visit to Second Earth. Thats what acolytes did. They supported the Travelers on their mission to protect Halla. Courtney picked out a bunch of simple, functional things like jeans, T-shirts, a sweater, socks, hiking boots, and underwear. She debated about bringing one of her bras, but figured that was overkill. Mark gathered up a bunch of clothes that were totally out of style. It wasnt like he had a choice. Thats all he had. He found sweatshirts with logos that meant nothing, no-name jeans, and generic sneakers. Style was not something Mark concerned himself with. He hoped the Travelers felt the same way.

Mark brought one extra item, but hoped he wouldnt need it. It was the sharp poker from his parents fireplace. It was a woefully inadequate weapon to deal with an attacking quig-dog, but it was all he could find.

Shortly after, Mark and Courtney met at the iron gates in front of the empty Sherwood house. They silently walked around to the side and climbed the tree to get over the high stone wall that surrounded the spooky, abandoned estate. Once over, Mark held the fireplace poker out in front of him, ready to ward off a rampaging quig. Marks hand was shaking like warm Jell-O, so Courtney gently took the weapon from him. If either of them had a chance of fighting off a charging quig, it would be Courtney.

Luckily they didnt run into any of the yellow-eyed beasts. They made it through the big empty mansion, down into the basement, and into the root cellar that held the newly created flume. No problem. They emptied their backpacks and neatly folded the clothes in a pile. Courtney looked at some of the geek clothes Mark brought, and chuckled.

Oh yeah, Bobbys gonna blend right in wearing a bright yellow sweatshirt with a red logo that says,Cool Dude!

Give me a break, Mark said defensively. Its my favorite sweatshirt.

Courtney shook her head in disbelief. When they were finished, they both gazed into the dark tunnel to the territories. The flume. They stood together, each with his/her own thoughts as to what the future might hold.

Im scared and excited at the same time, Mark said.

Really, Courtney added. I want to be part of this, but its scary not knowing what to expect.

Can you imagine being a Traveler? Mark asked while stepping into the mouth of the tunnel.

Well, no, Courtney answered, to be honest.

Well, Ive thought about it a lot! Mark declared. It would be awesome, stepping into a flume and announcing the next amazing place youd like to go.

Its pretty unbelievable, Courtney agreed.

Look at this thing! Mark said, scanning the flume. Its kinda like having a jet fighter.

It is? Courtney asked with a chuckle.

Yeah. You know what its capable of, but have no idea what to do to make it go.

Its not all that hard, Courtney said. If youre a Traveler.

Mark smiled, turned to face the dark tunnel, and shouted out,Eelong!

He looked back to Courtney and said, Could you imagineif-

Mark! Courtney shouted.

Mark saw the terrified look on Courtneys face. She was looking past him, deeper into the flume. Mark spun quickly and saw something he thought was impossible.

The flume was coming to life.

Mark jumped out of the tunnel and ran to Courtney. The two backed away toward the far wall of the root cellar, hugging each other in fear.

D-Did I do that? Mark asked.

Or is somebody coming? Courtney added.

The light appeared from the depths of the tunnel. The musical notes were faint at first but quickly grew louder. The rocky walls began to crackle and groan. They had seen all this before, but only when the flume was activated by a Traveler. Never, ever had a flume been activated by a non-Traveler-until now.

IIdont really want to go to Eelong, Mark cried. Courtney held him tighter, ready to hold him back if he got pulled in by the power of the flume.

The gray walls of the tunnel melted into glorious crystal as the bright light and sound arrived at the mouth. Mark and Courtney didnt dare put their hands in front of their eyes because they were too busy hanging on to each other. But neither felt the tug of the flume, because someone was headed their way. Through the bright light they saw a tall, dark silhouette appear and step out of the tunnel. Oddly, the sparkling light didnt go away. The jangle of music stayed too. This had never happened before, at least not that Mark or Courtney knew. But none of that mattered as much as the man who now stood facing them.

It was Saint Dane. He had arrived on Second Earth. The two had never seen him before, but there was no mistaking the tall demon with the long gray hair, piercing blue eyes, and dark clothes.

And so it begins, Saint Dane cackled. The walls are beginning to crack. The power that once was, will no longer be. It is a whole new game, with new rules.

Saint Dane roared out a laugh. With a sudden burst of light from deep inside the flume, his hair caught fire! His long gray mane exploded in flames, burning right down to his skull. Mark and Courtney watched in horror as the flames reflected in his demonic eyes. Saint Dane laughed the whole while, as if enjoying it.

Mark and Courtney didnt move, except to tremble.

The fire burned away all of Saint Danes hair, leaving him completely bald, with angry red streaks that looked like inflamed veins running from the back of his head to his forehead. His eyes had changed too. The steely blue color had gone nearly white.