Harry tumbled out of the Wardrobe, followed by Batman, who was carrying Lucy.
“Put me fucking down…. Please.” She said. He walked over to a chair and placed her carefully into it. They were in what seemed to be an old Pub, obviously now abandoned. Huck and Cinderella were standing opposite the wardrobe, weapons drawn.
“You can put those away,” Batman spoke, in a normal voice, “Nothing followed us through.” He pulled a small aerosol tin from his belt and knelt in front of Lucy, pulling off the remains of her shoe and sock.
“What happened?” Cinderella asked, coming over to take a look at Lucy’s foot.
“A fucking hell hound bit me,” said Lucy quietly, grimacing with the pain while Batman cleaned the wound with an alcoholic wipe.
“A 3-headed flaming Cerberus,” said Batman, as if it were a daily occurrence. He offered the wipe and aerosol to Cinderella. “Clean the wound. The spray-on skin will protect the wound from infection till we get back. I’m going to explore this place… as a precaution.” She nodded.
“3 Heads? You know I didn’t notice. I thought it was a pack from a distance and then… it was all so quick.” She clenched her teeth, ready for the spay, but it was cool and gentle. “Still feels like it’s on fire but a bit easier.”
“Where are Gandalf and Gimli?” Asked Huck.
“Both dead, I think. I saw no trace of Gimli when I went up the stairs.”
“I think he died saving Gandalf, from what we heard,” said Huck solemnly. “We should have…”
“You’d be dead if you had.” Harry put a hand on his shoulder. “Smedley was far too powerful. When I got there, I threw my knife at him.” He pulled out the knife absentmindedly. “It was all I could do.”
“How did you get it back?” Lucy asked, “My foot, it’s still burning.”
“I’ll look for a faucet and bring cool water,” said Huck, moving towards the Bar.
“I used Axio, and it returned to me.” Replied Harry.
“How did you use that?… maybe it’s the effect of being close to Smedley?” Cinderella asked.
“Maybe it is. I’m not sure if I did it,” said Harry. “I think it was the knife. I think it returned to me of its own choice. It’s not a normal knife. I can feel energy in it… It’s very subtle, but it’s there. It cut through the cellar door lock like butter.”
“Where did you get it?” asked Lucy, sounding tired all of a sudden.
‘Susan gave it to me. She came to see me last night… was it last night, I mean the night before the mission?”
“Ok, so it’s no ordinary knife. Thank god he didn’t get it.”
“I think I have Gandalf to thank for that. Even with the knife back, I wouldn’t have made it out if he hadn’t done what he did. I can’t even explain it. He was so powerful”
“Gandalf carried a Totem, Narya, the Ring of Fire. Maybe the same thing happened to that as your wand?” Lucy responded, “Smedley will have it now, but releasing that much energy, it would have killed Gandalf, so at least Smedley won’t have him.” She yawned.
“Rest, Lucy,” said Cinderella.
“The water is off, but I found a couple of bottles of whiskey.” Huck put a tray of glasses and bottles on the table next to Lucy.
“Ok, that might help me sleep.” She smiled, and Huck poured her a glass. She drank deeply and then put her head back. They sat down at the table, and he poured them each a drink. Everyone sat silent for a moment, and soon they were all asleep.
———————————————————————————
Harry woke up with a start. “It’s ok.” Cinderella was squeezing his arm. He looked around; Batman and Huck were with Lucy. “Lucy isn’t waking up.”
“Shit!”
“She’s not dead.” Batman replied, “I think she’s in a coma. The bite was poisoned or infected. I’ve given her antibiotics, but I don’t think they’ll work on her physiology.”
“We need to get her back to the others. They might…”
“We can’t, not without Lucy. I opened the door and.. Inside it’s just a wardrobe.” Batman sounded like he was in his element. “We aren’t close to our base either. We’re somewhere called Dudley in a pub called The Crown.”
At that moment the wardrobe shook, causing everyone to turn around. Cinderella drew her guns, and Batman moved instinctively into the shadow. It shook again and then disappeared with a pop. “Shit!” said Harry.
“It’s protocol. Tumnus called it back as we haven’t checked in.” Batman said.
“It’s why we were trying to wake Lucy.” Huck sat in the chair.
Harry noticed a book on the table. “The Grimoire… I’d forgotten about it. Could it help us?”
“I don’t know much about magic.” Batman scanned the book. “It doesn’t show anything strange on the scanner, but that means nothing.”
Harry picked it up. “The clasp is locked.” He strained trying to break the lock.
“Use the knife on it.” Huck leaned forward in his chair.
Harry drew the knife, forcing it under the clasp, thinking to lever it open but instead cutting it clean off with little effort.
“Interesting.” Batman was scanning the knife. “My scanner can determine the thickness of the blade. It’s cutting things at a molecular level.”
Harry opened the book, and they all stood around him. It was filled with notes, sketches, coffee rings and rubbings. He flicked through the pages, each one a mess of doodles and meaningless words. “I don’t see anything obvious, Harry,” said Cinderella.
“Me neither. There are no spells in here I can see, mainly doodles and notes but nothing useful.” He turned to the back of the book. The pages were empty bar one line of handwritten text, which read.
‘Life doesn’t have to end in darkness’
“What does that mean?” Harry turned to the front again. Batman and Huck moved back to Lucy while He, and Cinderella started at the front, going page by page through the book again, more slowly.
There was a sound, something like the ripping of fabric above where they were sitting. Harry and Cinderella stood up and moved towards the others. They stared as a small hole opened in midair above the book, black and bottomless it seemed. It was now the size of a football, and a slimy tentacle reached through it into the room, moving slowly as if feeling for something.
“The book!” said Harry suddenly, and Batman leapt forward, picking up the Gimwear and throwing it to Harry, who tucked it inside his bag. One of the tentacles touched Batman’s cloak and seized it. Batman released the clip and dived out of the way. The cloak burst into flames.
“Get out of here, the door behind the bar.” He shouted, “Take the book and go. I’ll follow you later.” Huck picked up Lucy, and they ran to the bar only to find his way blocked by another tentacle.
Harry struck out at it with the knife, and it fell to the floor. For a moment he smiled, but the tentacle immediately began to grow back, splitting itself into 2. He slashed again, but this time the tentacle dodged and smacked him right across his left arm and shoulder. “Arrggghhh!” Harry screamed. The tentacle had grown razor-sharp teeth along its length, and they had ripped through Harry’s clothing, leaving deep cuts..
Cinderella caught him before he could fall and kept him standing. “Stay with me, Harry.” She said, keeping an eye on the sprawling mess of tentacles.
Suddenly there was a flurry of explosions and the tentacles blocking their way turned them to dust. Batman, who was now in the grip of whatever the thing was, had given them a chance to escape. “Go.” He mouthed, struggling to talk as one of the tentacles tightened around his throat.
They ran behind the bar as fast as they could, and down the hallway. They could hear something slithering along the ground after them, but they just kept running until they emerged through the missing backdoor of the old pub.
“Get away, you 3.” Shouted Cinderella, letting go of Harry, who fell to the floor. She turned, drawing both her guns, pointing them at the missing doorway, bracing herself for what she didn’t know. Suddenly there was a huge explosion. The pub roof collapsed, followed by most of the second floor, all engulfed in a ball of flame.
“Christ,” said Huck, laying Lucy on the ground. He inhaled deeply, trying to get his breath back.
“No!” Shouted Cinderella, and turned to the others, “Oh god, Harry!” He’d collapsed in a pool of blood. And then everything went black.
———————————————————————————
Harry could feel the pain in his left shoulder as he woke slowly. It was intense. “Stay still.”
“Is that you, Fred?” He struggled to face the direction of the voice.
“Yes, stop moving, please. I’ll get Susan, but you need to stay still.”
“Where are we? Are the others?”
“They are ok and in Death’s waiting room.” Fred landed on the back of a chair by Harry so he could see him. “Susan is coming. Lie still.”
A moment later, Susan entered the room. She was smiling but teary-eyed. “Seems you are quite determined not to kiss me.” He went to speak, but she kissed him lightly on the lips. He stopped breathing for a moment. They both did. She coughed, stood up straight and rearranged his pillow. “You need to rest. You’ve lost a massive amount of blood. This room will help you heal.”
“The others, where are they… Batman?”
“I’m sorry, Batman is dead. He stopped the creature and closed the portal. Then I was able to come and get you before another portal opened. Until then, the risk was too great for me. If I was captured, he might use me to get to Death.”
Harry already knew Batman was dead in his heart, but it stung him. He went to sit up and found a hand on his chest, reassuring and strong. Susan’s eyes met his, and she smiled softly. “And the others?” he asked.
“Huck and Cinderella are fine, though very shaken. Lucy is still unconscious. She was very ill, but she will pull through. I took her to Tumnus. He’ll care for her. She needs a lot of rest.”
“Was she poisoned or infected or…”
“You can’t poison or infect paper, Harry.” She stroked his brow. “It was a curse, one which puts you into a coma you don’t wake from, unless you know the counter curse. Which was in the Grimoire.”
“You can read that?”
“No, but Barnaby can. He found hidden symbols and codes. He has it now. Lucy will wake up soon and feel awful, but she will be ok.”
“I’m not sure what happened. How did Smedley find us? Maybe it’s the book, maybe he can track it?” His voice became anxious.
“It was the enchantment on the clasp, like the one which protected the book in the shop. Once broken, it alerted Smedley. The book is now just a book, filled with the crazy genius of a tiny man with a small imagination.”
“So… They all died because of me.” Harry felt a pain across his chest.
“I would hug you, but it wouldn’t be a good idea,” she sighed. “No, Harry, they died because of Smedley. He caused all of this, and you had no way of knowing what might happen.” She rested a hand on his chest. It felt warm, and he relaxed. “We needed the book, and now have a better chance. Everyone knew the risks, which doesn’t make it easier, but they went willingly into this war, unlike many others who never get a chance to fight. This is to save lives, more than you can imagine.” Susan touched his forehead, then moved her hand down over his eyes. “Now sleep.” And he fell unconscious. She whispered, “And heal. There’s so much more to do.”
———————————————————————————
Harry woke. A stranger was standing by his bed. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel better, I think. Is that you, Fred?” The pain in his side was gone. Fred nodded.
“Try sitting up, slowly.” He offered his arm to Harry, which he took and eased himself up. Cinderella and Huck were sitting in the room, smiling. They came over, and the 3 of them hugged.
“How long have you been here?”
“Cinderella and Huck have been with you since Susan put you into a sleep state, singing, telling stories,” said Fred.
“Ok, how long have I slept then?” Harry felt a little anxious.
“Four days, lazy bones… and yes, you have bones, flesh, and blood now, thankfully enough of it.” Susan had just entered the room.
“Four days, shit, we need to”.
“Remember where you are. Time is different here.” Huck and Cinderella helped him stand up. He was shaky, but he managed.
“And Fred, what happened to you?” asked Harry.
“Death has decided I am different. He has given me a choice, should I want it. I can choose a name, become a human and live with them while still being able to shapeshift into one other form.“ He smiled. It was an awkward smile. “Still getting used to that. I will then spend a century on Earth and afterwards return to be his sidekick.”
“Apprentice!” Susan said, laughing. They all started laughing. It was so good to laugh. “OK, can you walk?” she asked. Harry nodded, “Good, let’s go get you some food, you’ll need to eat, and… then go and see Lilith.”
“Lilith is here!”
“Yes, I bought her back when I took Lucy.”
“And Death is ok with it.”
“I haven’t told him. I mean he knows, but he’s in denial so he hasn’t mentioned it.” They all smiled. “Food! Come on.” They headed towards the door, Harry taking Cinderella’s arm to steady him.
“So Fred, would you like to tell the group what name you are likely to choose in your new adventure?” Asked Huck.
“Fred, I suppose,” Fred replied, “after all it is my name.”
———————————————————————————
Lilith was in the kitchen cooking. As soon as Harry entered, she came over and hugged him. “It’s not really my thing, hugging, or at least I didn’t think it was, but… It’s so good to see you, Harry. Now eat, I’ve made chicken stew and fresh bread.”
They all sat at the table and ate, like it was a Sunday lunch, and chatted. They talked about Gandalf, Gimli and Batman, about Lucy and Tumnus and shared funny stories about their life since being pulled out of the books. It helped Harry understand his birth, his incomplete memories, and he finally felt he belonged in the world, however he made it here, and that these were his people.
“Right,” said Susan. “Once everyone has finished, it’s time we introduced Lilith to my Grandad?”
“Are you sure about this, dear?” Asked Lilith.
“No, I have no idea if it’s the right thing to do, but we need to try everything,” Susan said. “We need more information, just an idea of what to do, anything.” She stood up. “We can’t… we don’t want to lose anyone else.”
“Very well then, let’s go meet my ‘Ex’.”
They moved out of the kitchen and into the study. Death was sitting in the golden throne. “It’s not very me, is it?” He seemed to be talking to himself.
“No, Grandad, it isn’t. I’ve brought someone to meet you.”
“Hello Lilith.” Death sounded unimpressed. “How have you been?”
Lilith stood frozen for a moment, her clenched hands slowly relaxing. “I’m good, been a while. You been well?”
“Can’t complain. Sorry I killed you.” He smiled, but he smiles all the time.
She walked towards Death and stood beside the throne. “You’re right, It’s not really your style,” She patted the throne.
“No. I prefer the stool.” For a moment there was silence, and then both Lilith and Death began to laugh. One of the Freds brought over a tray of tea.
“Err… so Grandad, has it brought back any memories?”
“Lots,” He replied. There was definitely a twang to his voice. Maybe it had been a smile.
“Ok, but I mean, you know.”
“How I killed Lilith. No, just all the feelings. The memories were removed and destroyed, very professionally.”
“Fuck.” Swore Susan.
“Language! Not in front of your Grandmother, Susan.” They both laughed again. Harry noticed they were holding hands.
“Oh god!” She turned to the others. “Well, that didn’t work, and now I have a Grandmother!”
“No, but it was worth a try, Susan.” Harry took her arm. “Now help me over to that chair so I can sit. It seems I am still recovering.”
Huck, Cinderella, Susan and Harry all sat at the opposite end of the table while Death and Lilith caught up. Huck poured them all some tea, and they sat a while in silence.
“I was hoping we’d get a clue,” said Susan finally. “We can’t just take him on without knowing more.”
“Maybe Barnaby will find something in the book?”
“Maybe. We’ll go and see him once you’ve had a little more rest.”
“She’s not going to be a problem, is she?” whispered Cinderella, nodding towards Lilith, “you know, remaking the universe etc? Like she wanted to before.”
“I’m not the original Lilith. I don’t have that kind of power, but my ears are as good.” They looked around to find Lilith smiling at them. “And I’ve kind of moved on. Humanity is quite a mess, and I wonder if I’d have changed that. But I can tell you, he might not remember anything, but I have. It’s been quite the ‘download’… The joy of quantum connections.”
“Oh thank god,” said Cinderella, “and I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“Don’t be, it was a wise conclusion.”
“Do you remember your death?” Susan interrupted. “Sorry.”
“It’s ok, not all of it, but yes, I can remember being able to hide strands connecting me to the totems from everyone successfully apart from him,” she patted Death’s arm, “Death could see them… but that’s all I remember.”
“Hmmmm,” said Death, “yes, my sight is enhanced. I can see the life, spirit lines and connections into the afterlife. The energy must be similar.”
“Ok, but it doesn’t help us if Death can’t be involved.” They all looked at Death.
“I can’t be involved.” He said.
“No, he can’t, so I will have to join the group,” Susan spoke slowly and deliberately. It grew dark and silent in the room.
Finally, Death spoke. “Yes, Granddaughter, it has to be you.” The room grew darker. “But you know I can’t come to save you if you are captured.”
“Yes, Grandad, I know, but it’s the only way. I have the sight.”
Harry spoke next. “But we still don’t know enough. You can’t…” Susan took his hand.
“I’m the only choice, Harry, and I might be the only person who can find what it is we need to know. Others have lost their lives to give us this chance.” She sounded strong and determined. There would be no changing her mind, because she was right. “Ok, we need a plan, but first let’s remember the dead, and also the living, which is why we are doing this.”
The fire crackled loudly in the fireplace while they drank their tea in silence.