Little Cherine Book 11 - BPost049
Arthur, I think you’re ignoring the fact that a major part of the population resist change and will fight to establish some kind of traditional system.
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No wonder Arthur was unable to create (even if he thought we were only imaginary) only good people and thoughts. For any aspect to be valid, there must always remain the opposite aspect for it to struggle against. Good - bad; Cherinians - Ipohins; Tradition - Revolution.
(Robert) I found the discussion about power interesting, but the above comment also saddened me. Samantha ascribes the changes in her relationship with Arthur to changes in him and does not see that she too has matured in many ways.
For days there was no change and the three men were starting to lose heart. Whatever they did, they could not discover how Vincent was being attacked. Robbie tried as the g-void to trace the energy that had to be originating from somewhere, but he did not find any traces of it apart from what was actually appearing by Vincent. On the weekend, Hettie, Eddie and family, Alki and family and Robbie’s father and family joined us at the taverna in Freddie for a meal. Of course the main topic was the attack on Vincent. We’d analysed the possibilities to death and we did so again. Robyn was sitting next to Dimi and at a moment of silence she touched his hand and looked into his eyes. He smiled and shrugged.
“I was just thinking that there has to be an explanation why you cannot sense the attacker. What if they are doing the same as when you heal people in a different reality? It would mean that they are either in another reality or else, in a different time.”
“We’d never find them then!”
“Why? Can’t you use your healer to search for them?”
“I don’t see how. Dimi, at least you’ve given us something new to try, thank you.”
Campbell asked Robbie, “If you trust me, allow me to share as you send your healer. I think I would be able to strengthen it.”
Robbie shrugged. “I guess you could use it against me once the truce is over, but I don’t have a choice since Arthur demanded we work together. Shall we try it now?”
It took a few days for Robbie to work out how to sense the energy from the attacker. He slowed down time so that as part of Arthur’s energy began to sparkle his healer could sense what energy was being used and draw it to itself. By employing the like-is-attracted-to-like the healer disappeared. Robbie and Campbell screamed and collapsed, unconscious.
Wisps of the healer returned and Cherine instantly enfolded it within her healer. Despite being badly damaged it was able to give directions. Now we had to wait for Robbie to grow strong again -Campbell had only been hurt, not damaged. For some reason Robbie seemed to be hurting more than seemed justified, even after his healer recovered, but he blocked himself from us. Cherine did not protest so we kept quiet, but she also seemed to have withdrawn into her own dark thoughts that we were not allowed to share. It frightened the hell out of us.
Since Vincent is not in danger, only uncomfortable at not being able to protect, we would not allow Robbie to leave before he was fully recovered. This gave us time to discuss what is happening and what should happen many times - thank goodness.
Fiera was listening and at some stage she finally understood. She took Birshima for a walk and they talked. When they returned they were both emoting anxiety, so we asked what is wrong. “I had an idea but do not know if it is allowed.”
“Tell us.”
“Prime Robert, you must not go to fight the man who hurts Vincent - Vincent must seem to go.”
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“Seem to go? Who should go?”
“Bobby.” She rushed on, afraid we would stop her before hearing what she proposed. “Change Bobby to be Vincent. The enemy will attack and Bobby’s shield stop him?”
I quickly asked Vincent, “Do you feel it would work? What exactly is being attacked?”
“It would seem to be my soul. Yes, Bobby’s shield would stop him. Samantha, I cannot agree to this, the shield would kill the attacker.”
I shrugged, “That’s okay with me, Robbie can be waiting for him in the void as the g-void. He burns out his power, if Bobby’s shield has not already done so, and he is brought back to life. Mr Campbell, do you see this as the best plan we have up till now?”
“I’m not fully cognisant as to the powers of Bobby’s shield, but if it is as described, I’d say this is the best plan. Michael and I could also attack so that he is distracted.”
“You’d have to wait for him to attack the Vincent he sees first, which means he should be incapacitated before you can threaten him.”
Before Campbell could insist on simultaneously attacking, as we sensed he intended, Vincent demanded that he appears with Bobby masquerading as him so that the attacker does not know who to concentrate on. He insisted that it is possible that the attacker might not be incapacitated by Bobby and Bobby’s body might be attacked, so he has to be with to protect Bobby. It was obvious nobody was thinking and their egos and need to protect were blinding them to the facts. I looked to Robbie for help, but sensed he too wanted to change my plan so that he could be the one in danger, not Bobby.
“All of you, stop it!” Cherine called out. “We will follow Sam’s plan without any changes - apart from the fact that I will be with Robert in the void. I have to be.”
Even Campbell was dismayed by her demand (does that mean he does not want her harmed or was it just his ego?). I had to think very quickly or we’d be in trouble. I laughed. “Of course Cherine will be represented. Her Warriors of Love will go as the entity they become. No soul, whatever its talents can fight them and Robbie as the g-void.” Cherine’s eyes burned into mine, but she acquiesced without protesting, sensing that everyone backed me.
Robbie made a feeble attempt. “Sam, Arthur told you not to interfere, that it is up to the three of us to handle this on our own.” Campbell nodded in agreement.
“He has also told us many times that nothing is written in stone, to quote his own words. We must always remain flexible and use the best strategy available to us.” I forced a change of subject. “So, who is the enemy? Was Dimi right?”
Robbie shook his head. “Don’t ask Sam. Yes, he was right, but that’s all I’ll tell you.”
From Cherine’s face I suddenly knew and I crumbled. If I was right, I’d feel too ashamed of having Campbell know. I could have screamed in protest when I heard my voice demand, “All of us must know Robert. All of us, including Mr Campbell.”
“It…it is a Robert. One of my alternates.”
“Which one?”
“A new one.”
“His Cherine has allowed this!?”
“Sam, he does not have a Cherine, he killed her and their daughter by mistake during their first years together.”
“Why the hell hasn’t he asked for your help - you could bring them back for him, he must know that, he came to our reality to leave the messages with the networks.”
“He’s no longer sane Sam.”
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Robbie and Vincent found themselves having to deal with a big bunch of girls in distress. Despite my own feelings I was still able to wonder as I saw Campbell holding Goldi to him, trying to soothe her. Her emoting must have been tearing him inside. Even now that I write, knowing what happened, tears fill my eyes at the thought of that Robert and all the suffering he must have lived through for it to drive him insane. I need to take a break, I’ll be back soon.Sorry about that, I’m okay now. I better carry on from where I stopped.
For Bobby to come with us, his parents had to come and Cherine was adamant about being with her Bobby so we had to cancel that idea. We tried to think of another plan, but were not doing well when Cherine accepted that she would only be placing Bobby in more danger if she went with and agreed for him to go. We had to meet Bobby in the void so that they could create their World. Tchiri helped Bobby project to the exact image of Vincent. We then came up against the next problem. Tchiri refused to allow Bobby to go alone and remained within his mind. By then we had keyed ourselves up to actually facing Robert the attacker, so we gave in and allowed her to stay with him.
Robbie went to the reality where he had to become the g-void in the World of the Sparklers so that he could take his body with. As soon as a Sparkler returned to confirm that Robbie was the g-void, Bobby was taken to that Earth while Michael and Campbell kept themselves blocked so that they would not be sensed. Bobby knocked on the door but nobody answered. He teleported into the house and Tchiri confirmed he was not there. Campbell and Michael questioned the neighbours and they were told that Robert has been gone for over a day. We assumed that when he sensed Robbie’s healer he jumped realities so that we could not find him.
Robbie returned in time and watched. As Robert jumped, he tagged along. Robert went from reality to reality until he found himself on an Earth without people. He stood without moving, staring at the devastation. He obviously decided this Earth suited him, for he found himself a house still standing and used it as his base. Robbie watched as he went for long walks day after day, unable to find peace even there.
As Robbie said once before, when we are attacked we should take action immediately or else our empathy gets the better of us. Feeling his misery and even able to sense some of his chaotic tortured thoughts that were steeped in bitter emotions and self-hate, Robbie felt he could not make Robert suffer even one more time. He decided to take the risk on his own. He materialised in front of Robert.
“I can bring them back…” Robert was gone. Robbie found him (still on the same planet) and this time first blocked him. “As I was about to tell you, I can bring your Cherine and Rosie back. Stop trying to fight me and listen damn it!”
It was as if his words did not make any kind of sense and so Robert could not hear him. Like a trapped wolf he fought to break free of the blocks without stop, damaging his mind further.
We did not know what was happening and waited for Robbie and the others to return, worrying why it was taking so long. Suddenly Cherine gave a cry of frustration and leaving the house walked out into the garden. We ran out as we sensed her become The Light.
“I’m going to Robert, wait here.”
Robbie was trying to force Robert into a sleep when he sensed Cherine. Robert stopped struggling for a moment and then with a cry of unbearable grief he collapsed and went into a coma.
“Bring him to us Robert.”
Cherine seemed to reappear almost within seconds of her leaving. She stared at us with sorrowful eyes and then became our Cherine again. Within minutes all of them returned, Robbie carrying Robert. It is the closest I’ve ever come to liking Campbell. As he accepted the whiskey from Maria he looked at Robert with pity. “How can you help him?”
“I have to get from him the time and place of the deaths of his Cherine and Rosie. I’ll bring them back so that they help us heal him.”
“What drove him to such hate of Vincent?”
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“His inability to create his own protector. He blamed Vincent because he felt that if he’d had a protector his family would still be alive. He could not accept the blame for their deaths so he passed it on to Vincent, making him responsible and a monster that had to be destroyed. He must have dreamt of me and heard me threaten to reabsorb Vincent, for he was trying to absorb him. His plan could not have worked, all it would have done is destroy what is left of his mind, for Vincent is not a part of him. Arthur, it is amazing what powers he has acquired thanks to his insanity.”
Robbie, with Dommi and Cherine and Meli, took Robert to the house. We stayed at the taverna to share with those who’d tried to help. Campbell watched his glass morosely without speaking for a while.
“Samantha, I’m not certain that I was of much help. What do you think is the real reason Arthur wanted me here? Once the truce is over I will know a lot more about all of you and be a more dangerous opponent if we come to the point of fighting each other.”
“Michael, any warnings?” I asked.
He almost looked at his wrist, but controlled himself in time. “No.”
I took the big decision. “Arthur, being with us has exposed some of our vulnerabilities to you? In that case I’ll ask you to extend the truce for as long as you stay with us and I hope you’ll stay for at least a month or more.”
“Why?” He paused. “You honestly believe that nonsense that you should allow your enemies to know everything about you?”
“Yes, we honestly do. Will you stay?”
Michael grinned. “Arthur, how can a gentleman refuse such an invitation? You do realise that if you stay for long you’ll cause me problems? My Ipohin will wonder why I’m here with you.”
Stiffly he answered, “You feel you have to stay to protect them?”
Michael chuckled. “They don’t need me, I only want to stay to watch how Samantha will drive you crazy with her weird logic. Anyway, if my mother is right in her beliefs, then I should also give you the opportunity to get to know me better.”
“The whole lot of you are crazy!”
Cassie grinned as she replied, “With Robert for our father, what did you expect?”
I went over to Campbell and spoke earnestly. “I meant it, I will be grateful if you do stay. Don’t mind them, they are not teasing you as much as they are teasing me.”
“We will stay in Freddie?”
“Yes. Is there anywhere you would like to go? Maybe the Lace world?”
He glanced over at Goldi. “No, I would like to go to Goldi’s planet if she does not mind.”
“Freddie?”
“Now!?”
“Yes please. Can you think of a better world for Robert to wake up in?”
“We’re on our way.”
I turned back to Campbell. “Thank you.” I went for a walk to think about what I’d done. I sensed Sebura following me so I sat on the grass and waited for him.
“He wants to kill you.”
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“He wants to kill me, you wanted to use me - what’s the difference Sebura? He has many gifts and could do much to strengthen us as Cherinians if he changes. Sit with me for a while.”
I heard, through my loves, boxee Cherine speak to Campbell. “My Arthur wanted to meet you. Why did you refuse?”
“After what Arthur the author wrote?”
She frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“To quote: Arthur shook his head. “It seems all my alternates are rotten!’ and you replied, ‘The one who attacked? He’s just stupid and weak.’ What was the point in meeting him after that?”
“I’m sorry but you are misquoting, that was said about your alternate who tried to take over his world. You are neither stupid nor weak, but you are stupid to be fighting them, especially Samantha. Take the opportunity to get to know her and you’ll realise I’m right. She has the softest heart of them all.”
“Softest! You obviously have not watched how she has fought me and bested the keenest minds among our governments!”
“I have, we dreamt everything. She fought you because of her heart. She was protecting her family because she loves them so much.”
Perplexed, he said, “I didn’t agree to stay, I only asked whether she planned for us to stay in Freddie and the next thing I knew we were on our way to Goldi’s Planet.”
Haven said, “The day you admire the way she thinks and gets her way is the day we will be friends. Mr Campbell, she would not have cared to trick you into staying if she did not think you are worth fighting to make you our friend.”
Knowing he would amuse them, he said, “I think you Cherinians are going to have your way because you’ll drive all those who oppose you crazy.” We were told later on by our alien friends, who’d been listening, that his comment also made them laugh.
Their first foray into the mind of Robert was solely for seeing his memories. Robbie had done so superficially, but to find out the exact time of deaths is not that easy. People do not tend to look at a watch at such times. They had to become part of his time sense so as to work out when Robbie should be there as the void. The problem was further exacerbated by the fact that his insanity had distorted his time sense since then. Cherine and Meli worked with Dommi while Robbie mostly concentrated on watching for attacks. Dommi showed Robbie and they returned to their bodies.
Robbie was annoyed to find that Freddie had left for Goldi’s planet, but he kept quiet. He asked Campbell to go with him and promised to have him back soon. The girls shared my conversation with Campbell and Robbie sent me his approval, forgiving me for sending Freddie to Goldi’s planet.
Robbie prepared a small platform, big enough for four people and with Campbell for company they left. With carefully muted joy we saw them return, a Cherine and another girl with her. She does not look like our Rosie and has a different soul.
Robbie shared with us their grief when they saw what had happened to their Robert. Determined to bring him back as soon as possible, the new Cherine demanded she be taken to him immediately. Robbie refused her and our Cherine backed him. They pointed out to her that she does not have any experience in visiting the inner worlds of the mind and they do not know what to expect once they arrive. It is possible he’ll attack them as soon as he sees them. Robbie needed to eat and sleep before attempting the mental journey, so it was delayed for the next day.
Campbell surprised us by joining us for breakfast. Robbie was in a good mood and chatting with the new Cherine, but his eyes strayed to little Rosie often enough to make her uncomfortable. She did not realise that having collected her soul he knew that she does not have the same soul our Rosie has and it made Robbie curious as to how different she would be. At seven years old we could see differences but only time will show her real character. Robbie leant over towards Campbell with a smile.
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“If you are to get to know us Roberts as we really are, what better place to start than the mind? Join us, if the danger does not frighten you.”
“What danger?”
“Arthur, I’ve done this a number of times and I still fear doing it. He could be busy trying to kill Vincent in that inner world he’s hiding in and seeing me he might think I’m Vincent. Since we will be in his mind, it means that he will be more powerful than me.”
Vincent interrupted them, “Robert, I think you should do as author Arthur asked and capture the energy he sent.”
“Not until we are certain Robert will not attack you again.”
“I can’t come with you into his mind with this energy, it would destroy his mind.”
“I guess you’ll have to stay here then.”
“But Cherine and Dommi are going with you - his Cherine also. I cannot stay away.”
“We’ll have Arthur Campbell with us. Now go play with Amelia, the poor girl has not had much fun since your anniversary.”
They entered Robert's mind and as Robbie identified the passage to Robert's inner world, he kept up a running commentary so that Arthur understands what he is seeing. The instant they found Robert, Robbie urgently called to them to return to their minds immediately. They’d found Robert in purgatory.
Maria did it again! The instant he sat up she brought him coffee. Robbie lit a cigarette with a smile. “At last we have proof that he is a real Robert!” New Cherine took exception to what he said and prepared to retort angrily. Robbie stopped her. “No Robert blames others, whatever happens. For the first time he is blaming himself and that makes me happy. It also makes it easier for Dommi and my Cherine to help him - they’ve had to help me under similar circumstances many times.”
Acidly, our Cherine said, “You’ve never created a hell for tormenting yourself.”
Robbie grinned. “I know! What a great idea. What did I do? I become an artist without any talent and other such insipid things. His idea is much more to my taste.” Cherine fell for it and bunched up her fists even as her heart clenched with fear. Robbie burst out laughing and grabbing her folded his arms around her as he tightly squeezed. He took a moment to explain to the new Cherine, “Don’t worry, we’ll have him out of there soon.” Then he concentrated on our Cherine, his heart shared by us also.
As they prepared to go into Robert, Robbie asked, “How should we appear to him? A scenario that might work is that I enter as God and the rest of you as angels.”
Dommi frowned at him. “You will not do that.”
“Fine, then?”
“As we are. He knows you exist. We’ll just have to find a way to make him listen to you this time.”
Robbie gave us a wink and closed his eyes.
Because Campbell thought he knew enough, he slightly strayed out of curiosity. As he found himself being torn apart Robbie enveloped him. As soon as he had calmed down, Robbie asked him whether he wants to return. He insisted on going with them and promised not to stray again.
I found out later that Robert had read a number of books by Dennis Wheatley about Satanism, so he was able to dredge up from his memories horrific descriptions for creating his hell. He was being constantly tortured and the devils torturing him told him again and again that he has to pay for killing his Cherine and Rosie and he agreed with them, in spite of the terrible pain. None of Satan’s minions paid any attention to the new arrivals since they were only programmed to torture Robert. Robbie blasted the devils and Cherine joined him. New Cherine was too awed and sickened by what she was seeing to react. Suddenly she saw a devil forming again with an instrument in its hands for torturing her Robert. With a wild scream she blasted it with raw power. The world about them began to fall apart. As quickly as he could Robbie enfolded her as he shouted at her to stop. She had damaged our Robbie’s soul by the time she came to her senses and our Cherine had to take him into herself.
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“Arthur, I have to get Robert out, you handle him.”
“What do I do?”
Dommi answered, “I’ll stay with you. Arthur, just stand by me and help. Cherine,” she said to the new Cherine, “You get out with them right now. What the hell did you think you were doing? All this is your Robert’s mind, you have damaged him.”
Dommi sent out energy to help restore the damage while emoting her mother love. Robert felt her for he stopped creating new devils and stared at her. That was the breakthrough needed and when Dommi spoke to him, he actually listened to her.
He responded, “Satan is getting clever, this is a new form of punishment. What will you do if I come with you? Will you make me see myself killing them again?” As I said, he listened to her, but he did not believe her. Finally Dommi and Arthur had to return to their bodies and they saw the devils reforming and applying their instruments to tear and burn his flesh. They left with his screams torturing their minds.
Arthur Campbell looked as if he were going to be sick. With a pale face he asked, “God, how can you stand it? I don’t think I can return to that.” He then noticed that Robbie was not conscious and our Cherine and Irene were lying on him, their eyes closed. “Will he recover?”
“Yes. They’re in his mind soothing him. Would you like…” Maria came out with a double whiskey so I stopped.
New Cherine was crushing her Rosie to her and weeping. Wendy put her arms around them and Cherine buried her face against her. She cried until her sobs became hiccups. Wendy pulled away slightly. “Cherine, Dommi was afraid more than angry, nobody is blaming you. Your Robert will recover and he’ll be proud of you for being brave enough to attack. Be strong for him and your Rosie.” Aganthi joined Wendy and soon the two of them helped her relax.
It was after lunchtime when Robbie opened his eyes. He came to his feet and put his arms around new Cherine. “It’s alright love, I’m glad to see that you are his cub also. Let’s have a light lunch and then we’ll go back together and let’s make certain we get him out of there this time.”
As they lay down to enter Robert again, Robbie glanced at Campbell. “It seems that at heart you are a masochist, just like me. Are you certain you want to come with?”
“Damn you Robert Teller! I’ve learnt more in this short time I’ve been with you than I have for years. Why are you permitting this!”
“Well,” Robbie deliberately drawled, “if I’m to become a despot, the more you know the likelier it is you’ll be able to stop me.”
Almost angry with Robbie, Campbell closed his eyes without answering him and left his body.
Two hours later they returned without Robert. Apart from Robbie, the rest were depressed. Robbie asked for a few beers and mezedes and pulled Lucy onto his lap. She had to hang on as he needed one hand for eating and drinking and the other for feeling her thigh.
“We’ll get him tomorrow with Solomon’s help.”
“Solomon! What can he do!” Dommi asked.
“What you wouldn’t let me do. He’ll go as God and stop this nonsense. If that doesn’t shake Robert out of his fixation, then we’ll have to send Samantha in.” Those who were not family stared at him with amazement, for he was emoting strongly enough for everyone to feel his good cheer. “Rosie, tell us about your father and your life - we saw that the Normals know about you, how come they did not fear you?”
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“The Americans tried to bluff the Russians and the Soviets fired their nuclear missiles. Dad teleported like crazy, but he managed to send all of them into space. By the time the Americans realised the missiles had been launched they also knew that they had disappeared. Dad appeared in the White House and warned the president so they did not try to launch their missiles. CNN mentioned that a superman has appeared on Earth who can fly faster than light and that he stopped the war. They soon found us and because the public loved us, they gave Dad a medal and we became heroes.”
“Hmm, that wouldn’t stop them from fearing you - not for long.”
“Well, we did help when a tsunami struck Asia and we stopped a big fire in the pine trees in Greece.”
“I did not sense an Alki in your father’s memories. Isn’t he your friend?”
“Alki…Alki Georgiades? I never met him, he had a heart attack and died before I was born.”
Robbie grinned. “That’s okay, we’ll get him back. He’ll probably have lost his fortune, but we can help him start off again. Is there a Hettie and Eddie Mansfield?”
“I haven’t heard of them.”
“What about your grandmother Marian, where is she?”
“She moved back to England two years before I died.”
“Is she married?”
“She wasn’t, I don’t know now.”
“I hope she isn’t. Looks like your world is going to keep us busy for a while. Don’t worry sweetheart, everything will turn out alright, we’ll set Samantha on them.” The only ones rude enough to laugh out aloud were Michael and Campbell. Since I had to forgive Michael I couldn’t very well get angry with Campbell - but I was annoyed with Robbie. I’d love to throw a pillow at him now and then.
The next morning Robbie explained to Solomon exactly what he wants of him; of how he should behave and the psychology that explains why it will work. Solomon agreed, but for the first time we sensed he was anxious. They went into Robert and were gone for one and a half hours.
Dommi felt uncomfortable at assuming the glow and wings of an angel, but both Cherines did it quite happily. God ordered Robert to stop torturing himself and told him that as a reward for all the good he has done, he was giving him back his Cherine and Rosie. It did not take long for the scenery to change and then Cherine had to hold him as he cried and shared with her his pain at causing their death. He only felt love from her and came out of that almost rational once more. He is still very fragile and he seems to carry a permanent pain in his eyes, but with the changes we are bringing to his world and family, I think he will soon be too caught up in the strangeness of his life for him to continue dwelling on the past. There will be the odd moments his memories overwhelm him, but his two loves are aware and will be there to help him.
Arthur, now all that happened starts to make sense. We’d wondered how any Talent could affect Vincent - we just had not thought of the possibility of a Robert doing so. Of course Vincent would be vulnerable to him. This episode has taught us that should we ever meet an evil Robert, we cannot allow Vincent to join us in the fight. As for your declaration that if the attacker persists in attacking Vincent, your energy will harm him - I’m guessing that your love for Robbie encompasses all Roberts, so of course your energy would not harm him. It is amazing how much you got wrong without losing the ability to remain effective - I guess you do take after our Robbie in some ways J.
At a moment that the new Tellers were not with us, Robbie asked Campbell, “You’ve just had an example of how arrogant I can be. Have you thought of a way I could help them without seeming to be arrogant?”
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“I did not see what you did as arrogant. You were caring, but, I can’t help asking myself, would you be like that for anyone or just another Teller?”
“I earnestly hope it would be for anyone - of any species.”
I was annoyed by what Robbie had just asked; I do not concede Campbell the right to judge us - even if I do believe everyone has that right, so I cut in on their conversation, “Robbie, can you think of any world better suited for healing the new Tellers than Goldi’s Planet? I’ve also promised to show it to Mr Campbell.”
He gave me a gentle smile. “I think we all need to spend some time there. Bobby, would you like me to show you and Birshima my favourite places on that planet?”
Campbell was astounded (so were we) when he found a lovely home with his name waiting for him. He had told me the truth about his love for beauty. He spent his days on-planet almost delirious in his praise of the planet and rhapsodised about this or that particular beauty all the time he spent with us. Every night he stayed up until he’d watched the moons perform their dance of light at least once. I think it will take him some time to recover from Goldi’s Planet.
As for Bobby! Somehow the company of Robbie turned him into a child again and he soon swept Birshima along with him. From the second day onwards little Rosie spent some time with them so that Cherine could be alone with her Robert and she also forgot herself in the beauty she saw/experienced.
With some hearts healed, we are on our way back to the reality of the new Cherine.
“Cherine, what happened to your Dominique, why isn’t she part of your family?”
Robert answered. “She fell in love with someone else and married him.”
“No wonder” Robert said, “I would have died a number of times and so would Cherine have, if not for our Dommi. She is essential to all Teller families. I want to meet your Dominique and if she really is happily married then we have to find you another Dominique. Cherine, there was no Wendy at your school?”
She thought about it for a while. “Not like your Wendy. She was thin and tall and had brown eyes. I think she is half Greek.”
“Definitely not our Wendy. You did go to the American school?”
“Oh no, that was too expensive.”
Robbie gave Wendy a look that promised her he will find her alternate. He gave a sudden smile. “Wendy, why don’t you and Candy sing for us?” He’s not bad as a matchmaker; they soon had Cherine wanting her own Wendy.
Robbie decided we should treat this world gently - and be discrete at first. He decided the first step would be to bring back their Alki. Vincent went to the void with Robbie and the Arthur-energy was trapped according to instructions in small stasis fields. Vincent then took a platform and returned to our Athens and brought Alki, his family, Wendy’s mother and Tassos with his family.
I hid my grin when Alki did not hide the fact that he is uncomfortable being with Campbell. Campbell made the most of it, embarrassing Alki even further. One evening, after supper at the taverna, Alki and Marian came to our home for a chat.
Alki said, “This must be the nicest Robert and Cherine I’ve met.”
“Hardworking and brave also. Unfortunately, not much good as the Robert of his world. He does his fair share of good deeds, but he hasn’t given any thought to the future. Don’t worry, we’ll soon have him acting like a real Robert.”
Marian teased, “You just don’t like the idea of a Robert existing who’s nicer than you.”
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Robbie nodded, as if deep in thought, and then mused aloud, “I wonder what the Marian of this world is like, maybe she is also nicer.” He looked up with dismay on his face. “Oh dear, I didn’t mean to imply that you’re not nice.” She laughed at his too obvious attempt at revenge.
“Alki, how should we help the Alki we’ll bring back? As you know, all Roberts need a rich pappou and he’ll be starting from scratch again.”
He nodded, but his thoughts were serious. “I think it will depend on a number of factors. Does Elias exist, were they friends? If so, then we must help them both. What about Eddie and Hettie, if they don’t exist, did they and when did they die? If they are to become Cherinians it might be a good idea that all of them work together.”
Annavi asked, with wonder in her voice, “How has Robert managed to jump realities and do so many things without ever going to the void?”
These two, even their little Rosie who is seven years old and still a virgin, will be a source of wonder for all of us for a long time. They took a different path from us and yet succeeded in gaining gifts and powers that most Roberts would envy. Their Cherine told us that some of the powers her Robert gained came to him when he was under stress, such as when he needed to stop all the missiles. I think we’ve had it too easy (in some ways) because of having our author, Arthur, writing for us.
Freddie arrived in their reality in the void and protruding the tip we watched for signs of trouble. First thing we noticed is that they are also producing horrendous amounts of pollution and are heading for the same catastrophes we are struggling with. From their adverts on tv we realised they are also using the same chemicals our people used to use for producing large amounts of food cheaply. Their news broadcasts mention the same tensions between the super powers with the unspoken threats of nuclear missiles behind everything they say. Almost makes me feel nostalgic J
Maybe Robbie was feeling the same way I was, for he told us that he and Cherine are going on their own to Kefalari for a coffee. We pretended to moan, but we understood why he was doing it this way so there was no envy. Cherine went as a woman of about twenty.
Robbie looked at the menu and grinned. “Isn’t it nice seeing everything so cheap. Do you sense Nicko?”
“He’s a Normal Robert, I can’t sense him from so far away. We’ll have to go closer to his house.”
It was obvious that they were recognised and the presence of Cherine was furiously being discussed with many people crossing themselves with almost a religious fear. They wondered how she could be alive and if Robert had managed to bring her back, why hadn’t he brought back their daughter. Those who knew him by sight also found it strange to see him smoking. Robbie decided they better move before the area becomes flooded with journalists. At least they could jump openly without causing Robert problems.
They arrived by the gate to the house of the Spiropoulos family. Robbie opened it and they knocked on the front door. The maid opened the door. “Kalimera, is Nicko at home?”
“He’s at work.”
“Is the office in Piraeus?”
“Yes. Who should I say called?”
“A friend of his. Don’t worry, we’ll call on him at the office.” She obviously had not recognised them so they had to walk away until they were out of sight so as not to frighten her. We’ve been to the offices of Elias a number of times so they jumped. Cherine got the giggles as Robbie apologised for the fright they’d given everyone, asked if they know where the offices of Mr Elias Spiropoulos are and they left, running down the stairs laughing.
The secretary recognised him and was obviously terrified, so Robbie only asked if he can speak to Nicko. She showed them through to the boardroom and offered them coffee or cold drinks. Nicko walked in.
I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)- posted: 9th Jly, 2020
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