Jack James and the Tribe of the Teddy Bear (21 page)

“No,” Cheyton stood firm. “We’re not going anywhere without Pud.”

“We have to find Pud,” Jack reminded him. “He’s got the O/A.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

AFTER SPLITTING UP and performing an exhaustive search, practically encompassing every square inch of the store, they met again near the front exit. All eight of them gathered in an area separated from the rest of the building by two sets of automatic, glass double doors, and dominated by bubblegum machines and soda dispensers.

Jack waited for a customer to walk by, then asked, “Anybody see him?”

“Nothin’,” Lily pouted.

“No trace of him,” answered Amelia.

“Mom?” Jack nudged Liz. She seemed to be staring into space.

“Huh, what?” she focused on her son. “Oh. No. I, uh, we didn’t see anything.”

Jack sounded scared. “Now what are we going to do? We’ll never get the O/A back!”

Takota knew desperate times made the mind work in mysterious ways, so he ignored what he thought was Pud’s voice. Funny thing, too. It sounded something like,
“I’m in here!”
though he felt certain his wishful thinking had conjured it up.

Then he heard it again.

“Did anyone else catch that?” he examined the small space, a gauntlet of machines filled with gummy worms, fake tattoos, jawbreakers, plastic jewelry and an assortment of soft drinks. In the middle of it all loomed a giant glass box with
Toy Factory
airbrushed in whimsical letters near the top. Inside the enclosure, Takota was reminded of their now former home among the stuffed animals. He saw a colorful assortment of imitation wildlife. There were other things, too, namely a strange metal contraption hanging from the ceiling of the container, a mechanical arm with three long, scary claws on its end.

“It’s coming from in here,” Jack stepped close to the Toy Factory. “There he is!”

Amelia, Lily and Liz crowded against the glass, each carrying a Tanakee, all peering like visitors at the zoo.

“Hi, guys,” Pud smiled and waved. “What took you so long?”

Takota was amazed. While they were risking their lives, sneaking through the store, dodging danger at every turn searching for him, Pud had it made, safe and sound, lounging on a tiny pillow, a pair of velvet dice, and a stuffed cowboy.

“Pud, how’d you get in there?” Ayita sounded annoyed.

“Never mind how I got in. Just find a way to get me out!”

“Can’t you crawl out the same way you got in?” Takota asked.

“Don’t you think I would if I could?” Pud climbed down to a small opening inside the machine and stomped his foot. “It’s locked tight.”

“What is this thing, Jack?” Takota wondered.

“It’s a game,” he pointed to a slot on the machine’s front. “You put your quarters in here,” then he gestured to a red handle. “After that you use this joystick to move the crane over something, then press the button and it drops. If you’re lucky, when the crane comes back up, it’s got your prize. It’s supposed to be fun.”

“It’s a rip-off,” grumbled Amelia.

“We have a little advantage here,” Jack said. “Pud can hold onto the crane. All we have to do is drop it to him.”

“Badda-bing, badda-boom,” Pud showed his jagged teeth.

Here you go,” Liz found two quarters in her purse and handed them to her son.

“Thanks, Mom,” he shot a cautious glance over his shoulder. “Pud? You ready?”

“Ready!” Pud crouched in the center of the toy pile, balancing on a plastic camera and a half-inflated whoopee cushion, which blurted its flabby flatulence when he shifted his weight. Or was that Pud? Takota couldn’t tell.

“Okay,” Jack inserted the coins and manned the stick. “I’m gonna get this thing right above you and…”

He took a breath and pressed the button, sending the crane crashing on top of Pud.

“Ouch!”

“Sorry!”

“Grab it! Grab it!”

Pud gripped the metal hooks. Dangling and spinning, it lifted him skyward. He let out a
Whoop!
when the mechanism jolted and swung him to the now open drop box for deposit. Large lights flashed on top of the machine, along with a ring of marquee bulbs circling its face, dancing to a happy tune for the prize winner.

Takota laughed.
Pud? What a prize.

Amelia snatched the giggling rascal. “Let’s go!”

Two steps out the exit and the place was a madhouse of kids and parents. The line for free stuffed toys had grown, stretching along the building into the side parking lot. Takota and the other Tanakee played the dead game while Jack did his best to shepherd them from Savage’s view. Two steps, though, was the furthest they got. Then Pud stirred from his artificial unconsciousness and became hysterical.

“Yikes! Wait!” he tugged Amelia’s collar. “Stop! You gotta stop!”

“What,” she asked. “What’s the matter?”

Pud patted himself down. “I lost the machine! I don’t have it!”

“The O/A? Where is it?” Jack sounded frantic.

He sprinted inside again, jostling a little too rough for Takota’s taste. Takota wanted to do his own running, but they had to keep up appearances. It was tough for him to remain silent and still, especially when they made it to the Toy Factory and found a sniffling little boy, about the age of Lily, working the joystick.

“No way!” Jack approached the glass. Their worst fear was confirmed. The O/A sat in the midst of the prizes and, most disastrous of all, a six-year-old with a runny nose was about to grab it up.

“Hey, kid,” Jack said. “You don’t want that.”

“Yes I do!” the boy positioned the crane, ablaze with anticipation. “It’s cooool!”

“No it’s not. It’s lame.”

“You’re lame,” the boy snuffled. “Leave me alone.”

Amelia leaned against the glass and pointed. “But don’t you want that neat banana? Or what about that cowboy?”

“No, I want
that
.”

With the skill of an expert bomber, the boy’s steady hand tilted left, then readjusted right, forward a hair, then
click
, he hit the button and down went the hooks. A direct hit on the O/A. The crane rose, bringing the sleek, violet object with it.

The apparatus shook when it reached its apex. The O/A slipped a bit. Then the mechanism ran its course, arriving at the bin and depositing the award to another jubilant display of light and sound.

“All RIGHT!” the boy reached into the chute to gather his booty. The second he took it in his hands, Jack stole it from him.

“Sorry, kid. Can’t let you have it.”

He went into instant hysterics, wailing and flailing and lunging for the O/A in a wild attempt to wrestle it away from Jack. Takota wanted to grab it. He could have kept it safe from that snotty kid. He remained still, but if the boy had gotten an inch closer he would have taken matters into his own hands.

JACK ORDERED EVERYBODY to follow him to the exit. Just a few yards through the parking lot to his mom’s car and they’d be free. The automatic doors opened. Takota peered over Jack’s shoulder and spotted Savage, next to him stood the Chief of Police. The tall businessman with sinister good looks seemed to notice them. His eyes grew big and he pointed.

“That’s them!”

“Come on!” Liz retreated through the automated doors again. “We can go another way!”

They hurried into the store, passing the little boy in the heat of his feverish protest.

“Hey! Gimme my toy! Gimme my toy!”

“Back off!” Lily waved Enola at him.

Takota shuddered, watching Savage and the chief fast in pursuit. When they got near the entrance, the electronic doors slid closed, forcing them to wait, tapping their toes impatiently. The doors reopened and the boy’s antics became even more animated.

“They stole my toy, officer! They stole my toy!”

The chief slowed to talk to the boy. Savage continued the chase.

The runaways dashed past the checkouts. It seemed to Takota they had a good head start, and just might get away. But then Roberta stepped in front of them, scowling, blocking their path with her wide frame, and stopping them in their tracks.

“You
did
take that teddy bear from those nice people! What’s wrong with you, Liz? What’s gotten into your head?”

Liz spoke fast, holding Cheyton in her arms. “Roberta, please listen. I know it sounds insane, but these things are real! They’re alive!”

“You, too?” Roberta sounded dumbfounded. “That’s what Dillon said. Babbling on and on about a teddy bear coming to life. What’s going on around here?”

“This,” Lily held up Enola.

“Hello,” Enola smiled, extending her hand in a polite gesture. Ayita and Pud grinned and waved. Takota burst from Jack’s schoolbag, beaming from ear to ear, happy to be out of the confined space.

“Oh, my!” Roberta covered her mouth.

“Stop them!” Savage hurried to catch up. “Those animals are mine!”

“Freeze!” commanded the chief. “Drop those teddy bears, or whatever they are, and put your hands where I can see them!”

“Oh, my!” Roberta repeated.

Liz and Lily did what they were told, placing Cheyton and Enola on the floor. Reluctantly, Jack did the same with Takota. Then Amelia set down Pud and Ayita.

Pushing between Savage and the Police Chief, the little boy with mucus streaming from his nostrils pointed at Jack.

“He’s got my toy!”

The chief noticed the O/A in Jack’s hand. “It’s Ben James’ weapon!” he drew his gun. “Drop it—NOW!”

Takota felt the overwhelming instinct to extinguish the threat immediately. Before he could act, Cheyton beat him to the punch, rushing and crouching at the chief’s feet.

“What the!” the chief kicked. Cheyton leapt, clung onto the man’s belt, then shimmied to his backside.

“Turn around,” Savage pulled a black pistol from his coat and took aim. “I’ll get him.”

Cheyton dropped to the floor. Savage pulled the trigger

Pop!

A bright orange, feathered projectile lodged in the back of the chief’s leg.

“You gotta be kidding me,” he dropped to his knees.

“Crap!” Savage reached his sleeve to his mouth. “All agents close in on aisle eleven, GO!”

The store crawled with people carrying the same type of gun as Savage. From every angle, they emerged, pointing their weapons.

“Guys, you gotta go!” Jack instructed the Tanakee. “Run!”

Without thinking, Takota scurried away, scrambling to the building’s far corner. He knew his fellow Tanakee were behind him. He felt their footsteps and heard their breathing. He stopped and let them catch him. First Cheyton, then Pud. Ayita and Enola came next, but no one else.

“There’s the way out!” Cheyton motioned to a red, metal door with the words
Fire Exit
printed in large letters. “Let’s go!”

Takota rejected the idea. “I’m not leaving Jack.”

“And I won’t leave Amelia,” agreed Ayita. “She might be in danger.”

“What’s gotten into you two?” Cheyton scowled. “Why all this allegiance to humans?”

“You just don’t get it!” Takota bellowed. “When are you going to learn it’s not all about you?”

“Look who’s talking! All I tried to do was keep us safe, and I was doing a good job of it until you screwed it up. Now look at the mess we’re in!”

“Cheyton,” Enola stared at her mate, her radiant aura sparkling. “We have to help the children.”

Ayita searched behind them. “They’re trapped, come on!”

Takota followed her, scaling a large stack of paper products to the ceiling. They navigated the open rafters, swinging from one aisle to the next until they reached the front. There they saw Jack, Amelia, Lily and Liz, surrounded by Savage and his men with guns pointed. Nearby, the Police Chief leaned against a counter, rubbing his leg.

“Where are the creatures?” Savage took a measured step toward Jack. “Where are they hiding?”

“I’ll never tell you! Never!” Jack yelled. His mother pulled him close.

“Chief Sillay, Chief Sillay!” a young officer hurried to the stricken man. “Are you hurt?”

“Never mind me,” he grunted and gestured toward Jack. “They’ve got Ben James’ weapon. Get them!”

“Freeze!” the cop fumbled his gun from its holster.

“I’ve gotta do something,” Takota readied himself for the descent.

Ayita stopped him. “Just wait. Help’s coming.”

Takota wondered what she meant. Then he found out.

“Make room! Comin’ through!”

Pud, riding his favorite miniature bicycle, rolled into the group, throwing several of Savage’s operatives off their feet. The police officer aimed at him, yet seemed too amazed at the sight of a bike-riding teddy bear to pull the trigger. Instead, he watched quizzically while Pud flew past. A moment later, he took aim once more. By then Cheyton and Enola showed up on bikes, too. They startled the cop and kicked him in both shins.

Takota and Ayita leapt to the floor and rushed to lead their human friends to the emergency exit. He thought they’d make it, too. When they got close, with the solid red door in sight, their flight for freedom came to an end.

“Stop right there!” another policeman positioned himself in their way.

Behind them, Cheyton and Enola hurried around a stack of soft drink cases, ditching their bikes and continuing on foot. Savage followed, along with three of his goons. Other men and women emerged from intersecting aisles, dressed in all different manner of clothing from jeans and sleeveless shirts to full business suits similar to their boss. Joining them were even more police, forming a dense human wall, closing in on the terrified fugitives.

“Whoo-hoo!”
Pud came by for another pass, pedaling his bicycle through the band of pursuers once again. With his gun, Savage tracked the moving target, aimed, and fired. Pud’s perpetual smile disappeared. He patted the thick, orangey brown hair on his stomach, then gave the shooter a confused glance. He lost control of the bike and went down hard to one side. He didn’t stop immediately. Instead, he slid past Savage, directly to Cheyton, who crouched and scooped him up. Limp in Cheyton’s arms, Pud’s head rolled side-to-side.

“He killed Pud!” Lily bawled.

“He’ll kill us all!” Liz screamed.

Savage stepped closer, keeping his glare on Takota while the police barked orders for them to stay where they were. Running wouldn’t have helped. Takota knew that now. Savage would have caught up with him no matter where he went. Besides, he wouldn’t leave Jack’s side.

“Now I have you!” Savage chortled.

Liz begged. “Please, sir. I give up. We give up. Just don’t hurt my children, please!”

Savage didn’t acknowledge her presence. He pointed his gun at Takota. “You thought you could escape? From ME! I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!”

Takota’s instinct was to leap out of the way. He simply couldn’t with Jack and Lily behind him. He had a duty. He backed against both of them, waiting for the shot he was certain would come.

Then a strange fog gushed from the shadows, blending into a stream of tattered rags. A gust of wind snapped the shreds, whipping and swirling in the haze, taking a shape Takota found familiar.

“Hey,” Jack gestured. “I’ve seen that before. Amelia, you remember?”

“Yeah, that’s the thing we saw behind the store. What’s it doing?”

“Look!” Takota pointed at Savage. The man was retreating, trembling as if witnessing the most vicious, most brutal scene imaginable. Same with the others—the agents and police—they all stepped back, quaking, staring at the bizarre, hovering entity.

“What’s going on?” Liz’s hair tussled in the windstorm.

Takota saw a narrow gap where the ragged, flowing shreds had split. It was giving them a path to the emergency exit. He motioned to his friends. “Let’s go!”

He led them all through the opening. Cheyton had to carry Pud. Lily tried to help, but he refused. It didn’t slow him down. Without reducing speed, Takota jumped and hit the push handle on the emergency exit. An artificial shriek filled the store.

“It’s an alarm,” Liz announced. “Keep going!”

Warm sunshine spilled on their faces as they sprinted outside. Takota checked behind them. Inside the store, the ghostly tatters were fading. Savage blinked hard and their eyes met. Takota slammed the door.

“My car!” Liz was breathless. “It’s out front!”

“We won’t make it,” Amelia panted.

BEEP!

A yellow, oblong vehicle sped toward them, seemingly from nowhere. Thin and elongated, it reminded Takota of those cream-filled snack cakes Pud enjoyed so much.

“What is that?” Ayita stooped into a fighting stance.

“Uncanny! It’s a Volkswagen van,” answered Amelia. “I love those things.”

It raced closer, then jerked and leaned onto two wheels.
Jolting sideways, it came to a quick stop, rocking and swaying, all tires on the ground safely.

The big, sliding door rushed open. A woman in purple with stunningly long, white hair looked at them. The storyteller, Teresa Tree. She came alight when she saw the Tanakee. She waved and her lavish wrap dangled from her wrist.

“Get in!”

Without questioning her, they each piled into the van. Right away everyone’s attention turned to Pud while Teresa navigated the backstreets of Willow.

“He’s dead, isn’t he?” Lily especially became frantic, her breathing fast and heavy, her lower lip curling.

“Lily, calm down,” Jack assured her. “Pud’s not dead. Here,” he pulled the feathered barb out of Pud’s chest. “See?”

“It’s a tranquilizer dart,” said Amelia. “He’s just sleeping.”

“Oh, thank Eteea,” Enola sighed.

“That man’s lucky,” Cheyton snarled. “If he’d hurt Pud I would have shown him no mercy.”

The van buckled and rocked when it hit a pothole in the road.

“Oops. Sorry,” Teresa smiled. “You guys all right back there?”

Lily crawled next to her. “Teresa, you’ll never believe it. It’s like one of your stories, only all come to life. The teddy bears—they talk! They’re alive! Jack tried to tell us, but we didn’t listen. Now these bad men are after us and the police are after us and…”

Teresa interrupted. “And a great big being made of bright slivers of light appeared and scared the bad people so you could get away, right?”

“That’s right,” Lily blinked. “How’d you know?”

“Because I’m the one who sent it. That was a protection spell. I hope those guys didn’t soil themselves. It can be pretty scary to those with corrupt intent.”

“Protection spell?” Liz squinted. “What is it, some kind of new-aged sorcery?”

“Not new-aged. But sorcery? I guess you might call it that. Though I prefer to call it a psychic science.”

“It’s not any science I’ve ever seen,” Jack said.

“It was just a little something I placed over Winmart, to protect the Tanakee while they lived there.”

“A spell of protection,” Ayita repeated. “So that’s why the shadow people couldn’t find us there.”

“Yep,” Teresa kept concentrating on her driving. “And it worked well, too. Kept you safe from the Nagas.”

“The Nagas? Who are they?” asked Jack. “What do you mean?”