The Haunted Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 5)

Chapter 9: Chain Reaction

"Cynthia!"

Cynthia jumped, fortunately not jostling Wilmik in the process. She crouched down out of instinct and listened.

"Cynthia!"

She was sure it was Sabrina's voice, but she hesitated at the possibility it might be a trick. Wilmik was holding steady, but he was still unconscious and would be no help. Her helmet showed two figures approaching. Well, if it's an ambush, it isn't a very big one, at least, she thought. Taking a deep breath, she left the cave and climbed the hill behind it.

"Sabrina!" she called, relieved to see it was indeed her friend. She tensed at the stranger beside her, however.

"It's okay," Sabrina said when they came within speaking range. "It's Ford. Well, it's partly Ford."

"Is this a weird alien thing?" Cynthia asked.

"More like brainwashing, like I explained before. He's had a relapse. I've been getting better since I talked to you, though everything's still not clear," Sabrina admitted. "Anyway, he doesn't believe me. I thought he might believe you."

"Believe me about what?" Cynthia turned to face the Emperor.

"You call her Sabrina. Is that her real name?"

"Yes, of course it is," Cynthia replied. "I've known her since we were kids. Sabrina Marie Devon."

"And...do you know who I am?"

"I don't recognize you, but Sabrina says you're Ford. That makes you the Queen's son. Scotty sent me here to try to find you both."

"And who is Scotty?"

"Her brother."

He shook his head in frustration. "None of this makes sense! I know who I am!"

Cynthia folded her arms. "What on earth would we have to gain with this story, if it isn't true? Believe me, it isn't any easier for me. A few days ago I had no idea any of this existed! When Sabrina told me you'd been in trouble, I knew it was probably bad, but I at least expected it to involve humans! Then whatshisname popped into my living room out of thin air, and next thing I know I'm tagging along after Scotty and spacewalking and crashing into boggy planets as a civilian observer on a military rescue operation. You don't think it occurs to me that maybe what I really need is some serious psychotherapy and maybe some heavy-duty drugs? About every ten seconds! And if I ever see planet Earth again, I'm going to take a sabbatical, find a deserted beach, and drink until I'm convinced this is all a bad dream. But first we have to get out of here. Which means finding a ship, I guess."

The Emperor was clearly not convinced. "I am not going anywhere until I know what is going on."

"Well, when you find out, let me know," Cynthia said. "All I've gotten so far is that you're not yourself, that you've fallen into really bad company, and that your family desperately wants to find you so they can help you. There's also some kind of big political problem, but I'm not even going to try to figure that out. Oh, and your sister Marie thinks you have all the fun."

He frowned. "Marie?"

"Yes. Talks a mile a minute, seems to be the docent of Sabrina's apartment?"

"My cat!" Sabrina exclaimed. "Is he okay?"

"She's taking care of him," Cynthia assured her.

"Far be it from me to interrupt your chat," the Emperor snapped, "but this is neither the time nor the place. I am going back to the house to find out what is going on. Kesta is coming with me. You may do as you like, but stop trying to peddle your delusions!"