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Authors: Claudia White
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the car to a stop in front of a tall seventeenth-century white stone building. “I haven’t told you about Felix yet.”
“I know a lot about Felix already…need I remind you that I lived in the same house with him for a few years?”
Harmony turned off the engine and turned to face her uncle. “He’s suffered an accident and is in a coma.”
“Accident?” Joe snarled sarcastically. “Never assume where Horace is concerned. You also need to know that Horace’s interest isn’t only with Felix. Elaine Hutton has uncovered some of the same types of information as those cave writings described. From what I understand, her work is just about to be published―something that Horace won’t be terribly happy to see done. But I don’t think that eliminating Elaine would solve his problem, because the publisher already has rights to the book. The only way that book will not be published is if Elaine cancels the publication, and that is something that she would never do.” He opened the door but paused before stepping out.
Harmony’s eyes flashed angrily. “Joe, get back in. Let’s get over there right now and make sure that he doesn’t do something horrible to them.”
Joe shook his head. “Now that Horace has control of Felix and his family is living comfortably under his roof, he controls the cards. If we make a move, and it’s the wrong move, then all their lives could be in danger.”
C HAPTER T HIRTEEN
Felix listened to all the subtle sounds that disturbed the silence as if they were music. He knew from the quiet that the hour was late. In the hospital, someone had usually come in and given him some kind of injection long before now. He was happy that it wouldn’t happen tonight.
For the first time in days he began to feel uncomfortable, like he had pins and needles all over his body. It’s like my whole body is waking up, he thought excitedly. Seconds passed and his discomfort grew. He was sure that he could feel his hand twitch and he could just about wiggle his fingers.
The door squeaked open and Felix waited excitedly. He would show whoever was there that he was getting better. With all his energy he tried to lift his eyelids.
“Ah, Felix, I see the Burungo is wearing off,” Professor Stumpworthy said quietly. “It’s the most powerful sedative in the world. Funny, other doctors aren’t aware of its unique properties.” He sighed happily. “At first I had thought of letting my little virus work its magic, but since you haven’t begun to mature, I didn’t know what would happen to you—it might actually kill you,” he chuckled oddly, “and you being in a coma is much more effective.”
Felix listened in horror.
“As planned, your illness brought the rest of your family here. Your father, as a man of science, will enjoy participating in some of my little experiments. However, your mother presents a bit of a problem. I can’t very well have her disappear; that wouldn’t do any good. I do have other tricks up my sleeve. I’ll admit that they’re experimental, but they could be very effective. Your little sister may prove a useful tool before I try them out on your lovely mother,” he hissed. “And you, my dear boy, are serving your purpose quite nicely…for now.”
For the first time since his paralysis had begun, Felix panicked when the piercing pain of the needle stung at the back of his neck. The drug took effect immediately and the panic left as Felix was sent even deeper into relaxed oblivion.
“No change?” asked Stumpworthy as he walked into Felix’s bedroom the next morning.
Elaine was sitting by Felix’s bedside; she could see the concern in Horace’s expression. She shook her head sadly. “Jake said he’ll go the hospital to run some tests.”
Horace nodded somberly. “Yes, I’ve arranged everything. He’ll have everything he needs, including a bed should he feel the need to rest while he’s waiting for the results. It can be such a waste of time
“I know a lot about Felix already…need I remind you that I lived in the same house with him for a few years?”
Harmony turned off the engine and turned to face her uncle. “He’s suffered an accident and is in a coma.”
“Accident?” Joe snarled sarcastically. “Never assume where Horace is concerned. You also need to know that Horace’s interest isn’t only with Felix. Elaine Hutton has uncovered some of the same types of information as those cave writings described. From what I understand, her work is just about to be published―something that Horace won’t be terribly happy to see done. But I don’t think that eliminating Elaine would solve his problem, because the publisher already has rights to the book. The only way that book will not be published is if Elaine cancels the publication, and that is something that she would never do.” He opened the door but paused before stepping out.
Harmony’s eyes flashed angrily. “Joe, get back in. Let’s get over there right now and make sure that he doesn’t do something horrible to them.”
Joe shook his head. “Now that Horace has control of Felix and his family is living comfortably under his roof, he controls the cards. If we make a move, and it’s the wrong move, then all their lives could be in danger.”
C HAPTER T HIRTEEN
Felix listened to all the subtle sounds that disturbed the silence as if they were music. He knew from the quiet that the hour was late. In the hospital, someone had usually come in and given him some kind of injection long before now. He was happy that it wouldn’t happen tonight.
For the first time in days he began to feel uncomfortable, like he had pins and needles all over his body. It’s like my whole body is waking up, he thought excitedly. Seconds passed and his discomfort grew. He was sure that he could feel his hand twitch and he could just about wiggle his fingers.
The door squeaked open and Felix waited excitedly. He would show whoever was there that he was getting better. With all his energy he tried to lift his eyelids.
“Ah, Felix, I see the Burungo is wearing off,” Professor Stumpworthy said quietly. “It’s the most powerful sedative in the world. Funny, other doctors aren’t aware of its unique properties.” He sighed happily. “At first I had thought of letting my little virus work its magic, but since you haven’t begun to mature, I didn’t know what would happen to you—it might actually kill you,” he chuckled oddly, “and you being in a coma is much more effective.”
Felix listened in horror.
“As planned, your illness brought the rest of your family here. Your father, as a man of science, will enjoy participating in some of my little experiments. However, your mother presents a bit of a problem. I can’t very well have her disappear; that wouldn’t do any good. I do have other tricks up my sleeve. I’ll admit that they’re experimental, but they could be very effective. Your little sister may prove a useful tool before I try them out on your lovely mother,” he hissed. “And you, my dear boy, are serving your purpose quite nicely…for now.”
For the first time since his paralysis had begun, Felix panicked when the piercing pain of the needle stung at the back of his neck. The drug took effect immediately and the panic left as Felix was sent even deeper into relaxed oblivion.
“No change?” asked Stumpworthy as he walked into Felix’s bedroom the next morning.
Elaine was sitting by Felix’s bedside; she could see the concern in Horace’s expression. She shook her head sadly. “Jake said he’ll go the hospital to run some tests.”
Horace nodded somberly. “Yes, I’ve arranged everything. He’ll have everything he needs, including a bed should he feel the need to rest while he’s waiting for the results. It can be such a waste of time
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