The Fear Of Todd

 

By William Travis

 

Book 2 of the Chronicles of Todd

 

 

This book is dedicated to my gemecca, Dominique Travis who offered advice and motivated me with her constant demands for new chapters.

 

Thanks to the following people who were inspirations, advisers and sometimes, poof readers:

Megan & Ronnie Crafton, Krysia & William Cathey, Glenn Jessup, Seth Schnuit, and Robert Willis.

 

Authors Note: A variety of super humans are described in this novel by the main character and his associates. As such, there is a ‘Super-pedia’ appendix in the back of the book to give the reader access to information on the commonly known super humans.

 

Copyright © 2018 by William Travis

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, contact the author at: thepoweroftodd@gmail.com

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

“Thanks, Todd” My father said in his usual southern drawl. “I’m glad ya came clean with yer mom and me ‘bout all this.”

Kismet, myself, and my parents; Andromeda and Coyote Sutherland–all stood in Kismet’s manse.

It had been a busy evening for my folks; they had just gotten back from the Hybrid rally where the New Reich had attempted to kidnap Dr. Vanadel but hadn’t collected my younger sisters from Mrs. Willowby when I had revealed to them I was one of the heroes who fought the Nazis off and defended the good doctor.

Introducing Kismet to my parents was an interesting situation, they were aging second generation hippies although they tended to break the stereotype. Dad owned a used car lot and wore suits to work albeit with tie-dyed neckties while my mother was more urban than the stereotypical flower child unless you looked inside her greenhouse which was filled with various strains of marijuana plants that she grew to sell. Neither of them were easily phased by strange events, but Kismet was a half-demon from a magical realm so she was beyond the baseline of strange for most people. Still, once the initial shock had worn off they had reacted like most parents when their eldest drops a bomb on them, they asked questions, lots of questions.

Kismet and I had spent most of the past hour giving answers and going into explanations. It had taken a while to go over everything, starting with the ice castle and going all the way to the attack they had been present for just a short time ago. I confessed to them that I may have killed a man in self defense and then we moved on to Kismet.

 

She explained about her escape from the realm of Myroc Lune–I had to teach them to pronounce it ‘mir-rok loo-neh’–and her subsequent time spent hiding out in our house. It shocked them to learn she had been watching for days when she wasn’t in her manse or visiting my littlest sister Lucille. I gave a quick summary of our meeting and then falling in love soon after.

We had to stop the conversation after an hour so to allow my mother the chance to retrieve my younger sisters, Karina and Lucille, from the babysitter’s house.

 

I had changed into normal clothes by the time mom returned with my siblings and we did another set of introductions and a truncated Q&A session with my sisters.

Lucille recognized Kismet as her ‘imaginary’ friend, AKA the dark lady who had lived in her closet for a few days.

Yeah, okay that sounds weird and stalk-y, but hey, it’s what happened.

It excited Lucille that Kismet was now my girlfriend and she espoused about how it was like a fairy tale and Kismet was a lost princess.

Yeah, she had her own view of things, but at least she didn’t compare us with ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Karina was more interested in the superhero angle but I told her I’d explain more about it later and we hurried them off to bed, with Lucille insisting that Kismet tuck her in. The rest of us were now in the manse and Kismet was showing my mother her kitchen while I was showing my father the complex steam-punk style lavatory setup with its tiny fire elemental which heated the water tank.

My dad drawled, “This here place, is it some kinda inverted space-thingy like that British show yer mom likes to watch? The one where the guy has the blue box that takes him places?”

“Sort of, but it doesn’t go anywhere on its own.” I told him, “Kismet told me that her mother made it before she was born then gave it to Kismet when she came of age.”

Dad raised an eyebrow, “Came of age? I thought ya said she was sixteen?”

I hurriedly explained, “She is, but things don’t work quite the same there, maybe the years are longer than ours or maybe the night-blooded like her mature faster, I’m not certain. Kismet told me she has been on her own since she was fourteen, she built a small but successful business as an alchemist and seamstress, which is how she ended up here. She had been collecting materials for her potions when she ran afoul a dragon. I drew its attention away from her which prevented her from being eaten. The dragon tried to force his way into our world and when I sent him back she used the gateway between Earth and Myroc Lune to slip into our realm. If she hadn’t done so, she would have died back there.”

This simplified explanation made me sound more heroic than I really had been. In truth, I had been experimenting with the book and had almost let the dragon loose barely surviving the incident. I gave my father a minute to process everything, “I hope that once things settle down and we both finish school, Kismet can start fresh here. If she can make Mutt a set of shifter clothing then she’ll have no problem getting business from supers out there with similar issues, and people who will tailor for hybrids are always hard to find. Plus alchemy is a rare skill here so a potion business is a possibility too.” I was rambling, but I got that from my dad so he was used to it. I glanced over at Kismet who was showing my mother the wardrobe which was beside the huge bed, “I think mom and Kismet will get along, Kismet is into horticulture and dislikes the processed foods we eat, so mom can help her find the all natural food shops, the farmer’s markets and stuff like that.”

Dad motioned at the two women, “We’ll see son, yer mom is an accepting woman and all, but this here is a lot for us to take in. You being a superhero with yer own super team is crazy enough, but telling her you’re sleeping with a half-demon woman from another dimension is a doozy. Hell son, you ain’t even sixteen yet.”

“Whoa,” I told him, “I never said we were sleeping together.”

He gave me a look that clearly informed me I wasn’t fooling anyone, “You didn’t have to say it.” he replied, “Your mom could tell right off, she said you smelled like flowers all of a sudden, you had the glow about-cha this morning before school. Plus, I gotta tell ya, that whole line of bull you fed her about losing track of time the other night was as transparent as a fishbowl. But ya came clean with us and explained why ya lied, so I think we can forgive ya.”

Dad dropped the subject of my nascent sex life and looked around, “Back to this here manse thing, just how big is it and how does it work?”

I told him what little I knew, “It’s about the size of a football field each way, and it runs on the same day/night cycle as the place it’s attached to, even simulating a sunrise and sunset.” I pointed up where illusionary clouds seemed to move above us in the dark sky. “The manse also supplies her with raw food stuff for cooking, but again I dunno how… Magic is weird, you know?”

He shook his head, “Nope, sure don’t.”

“Yeah, me neither,” I admitted, “but she said the place can support her for years if need be, so its gotta have some serious mojo behind it.”

Dad’s attention switched back to the women as Kismet performed the changing spell and her kitchen melted away and reformed itself to become her alchemy lab.
            Coyote asked, “If she’s got so much space why does she have to do that?”

I grinned, “Why do you use a remote control to change the channels on the TV?”

He shrugged, “Well ’cause it’s easier than… Oh okay, she doesn’t want to walk all over the place, I get it now.” He looked back to me, “Are ya sure about this girl, son? I know love can sneak up on a fella, but how do ya know she is what she says she is? She’s half-demon, you told us that. Could she be working some kinda spell on ya on account of yer book?”

I lowered my voice and recounted an abbreviated version of our session with Poly G, the human lie detector. She had confirmed that Kismet’s story was true and revealed to everyone, including us, that we were in love with each other.

“Well, that’s not nothing I guess. I’ve heard of that gal Poly and she’s supposed to be infallible.” Then he asked, “So, ya got a plan for what happens next?”

“Well,” I said, “We’ll work on new equipment and gear at the factory, although Erika is looking into opening a gymnasium as a cover for a more centralized Samaritans headquarters, but that’s on hold until we get things worked out with Dr. Vanadel. He wants us to attend the hybrid school he’ll set up here in Rollmore. After that, who knows? Maybe the team will move to a larger city, maybe we’ll stay put for a while. I think it will depend on where we can do the most good.”

My dad chuckled, “I meant between you and your girlfriend. You’re too young to get a place of yer own and it will be awkward having your girlfriend living in your closet.”

Yes sir, I’m a first-class fool sometimes.

“Oh,” I said, “Ummm well we might kinda be getting... engaged.”

Dad looked taken aback, “Don’t ya think ya might be moving a little too fast son? I get that you have strong feelings for this girl but it’s only been a week, marriage seems just a tad premature. Heck, your mom and I were a steady couple for years before we got engaged.”

I shrugged, “I’m not like you guys dad, and things move fast in the hero world.”

His eyes flicked back toward Kismet, who was now showing my mother her alchemy tools, “So I’ve heard, them heroes are worse than celebrities, what with guys marrying clones of their dead girlfriends, gals marrying androids, people dying and coming back to life like it’s trip to rehab. But even so, ya might want to reconsider getting engaged after only knowing her for a week.” I think he saw something in my eyes because he added, “But if ya go through with it, best tell your mom ASAP or she’s likely to murder you for holding out on her again. Just so you know, I’ll support your decision either way.” He looked at my mother, “Andi might wanna ground ya till yer eighteen though...”

Dad and I wandered over to where our respective ladies now sat talking over a pot of tea in the freshly reconstructed kitchen area. I led my dad over to one of Viceroy’s many perches, this one being near the table where the women sat. The raven had been watching everyone since we entered but now focused on us with his dark eyes.

I muttered low and quiet out of the side of my mouth, “Remember, he’s a jerk, so keep your cool.” When we stood before the raven I announced, “Viceroy, allow me to introduce my father, Coyote Sutherland.”

I braced for the inevitable ‘idiot’ remark but the bird looked at my dad and said in his magpie voice, “A pleasure, sir Sutherland.”

Okay, what the heck was that? Was the bird trolling me now? Had he been screwing with me the whole time pretending to not speak much English?

Dad smiled, “Well now, that’s real impressive Mr. Viceroy, and it’s good to meet you too.” He gave the bird a polite half-bow and then turned toward the ladies.

I eyed Viceroy as my dad and I joined the women at the kitchen table. Kismet poured my dad a cup of tea and then excused herself for a minute, when she returned she had the books I had given her from the family bookshelves she set them on the table, “These are the books your son loaned to me when we first met, they have been a valuable resource for me as I have been adjusting, but he acted without your consent and I cannot keep them, knowing they are your property Lady Andromeda.”

My mom looked at the books, “Oh sweetie, those books haven’t been opened in years, and they were family books, so Todd had every right to loan them to you. I’ll go a step further and give them to you free and clear. You seem to be getting far more use out of them than I ever did.”

Kismet looked like she might tear up, my mother had no idea how much books meant to my lady and Kismet was still coming to grips with the fact that books are a common item in this world.

“That’s a wonderful gift mother, books are always appreciated.” I said as I moved the guides back into Kismet’s hands. Then I made a show of checking my phone, “Hey look at the time, it’s late and I have classes in the morning and all that so we should go. Mom, you and Kismet can talk more tomorrow while I’m at school.” I stood up and my parents took the hint, thanking Kismet for her hospitality and the tea, as they followed me back into our house. Mom even waved at Viceroy, “It was lovely meeting you Viceroy.”

The freaking bird answered her in the same friendly tone he had used with my father, “Visit anytime, Lady Sutherland, your presence is as a ray of sunshine that sweeps away the gloom.”

Okay, seriously? He and I had to have a talk. Why was he so polite to them and so rude to me?

Once we were out of the manse, I said, “I’m glad we had this talk, but I should get to bed so I can be up at a reasonable time.”

My mother gave me a stern look, “Just whose bed will you be sleeping in tonight, Todd?” her tone was that one mothers everywhere used when you better have the right answer–or else.

I started to stammer out a reply when I heard Kismet’s voice from behind me, “Mine of course, his mattress is far too small for the both of us to lie upon in comfort.”

I went rigid and turned a bright shade of red, but before I could say anything, my dad interjected, “Right ya are young lady, his is just a twin while that bed of yours is bigger than a king-size.” He turned to my mother and said firmly, “Andi, let’s go downstairs and leave the lovebirds alone.”

My mother looked like she wanted to protest, or maybe punch my father in the jaw, probably both, but dad turned her around, “It’s late honey, he needs ta get some sleep tonight, and before ya say something, let me remind you about how honesty is the best policy, even when it might not be whatcha want to hear.”

It was obvious that my mother very much wanted to say something but instead she left with my dad who closed my bedroom door behind them, mouthing the words ‘be safe’ as he did.

Kismet said from behind me, “Your mother seemed agitated upon her departure. Did I draw her ire through an impolite word or deed?”

“It’s complicated.” I informed her, “You see on Earth there’s a social taboo against kids having sex in their parent’s home. Plus, she’s only just discovered that you’ve been here for a while and to top everything off, tomorrow is a school day. She’s worried that our relationship will hurt my grades.”

“I see.” the half-demon girl said, “Does my presence create ill will from your parents? If so, I can relocate my manse somewhere else. Perhaps I should connect it to the cavernous structure where you train with your associates?”

I shook my head, “It’s not that, it’s just we are moving fast for her and my dad. In my world courtships often last for months before the couple has sex and it can be years before they marry.” My rational brain cleared his throat and pointed out a detail that needed to be addressed. “Speaking of relationships, if we do get married, how does that work on Myroc Lune? Is there some kind of ritual with parents or priests, do we have to register somewhere?”

She gave me that smile I loved so much, “By tradition an agreement is reached between the families of the betrothed wherein the poorer family pays a fee to the richer one for increasing the status of their child. This encourages children to marry within their own social class, although some lower class merchants will save for years in the hope of marrying a child into the higher caste.” She paused, “This will not be a concern since our families are in different worlds and my mother, despite her noble status, has never recognized me as her child, thus she can claim no price on my status. Once the marriage dowry has been agreed upon, the intended spouses and their parents appear before a magistrate who witnesses the union and charges a fee to record the marriage in the official records. At that point the couple is married in the eyes of the law and remain so until one dies or they both appear before the magistrate and declare their wish to un-marry. A dissolution of marriage must also be affirmed by any living parents and by the children that the marriage has borne. The couple must then pay a new fee to record the dissolution and the couple often hires an adjudicator to divide their belongings. The process can take days or even weeks and it can be quite expensive to un-marry if the couple has been together for many years and is wealthy.”

I laughed a little at that, “Divorces can get expensive here too. Our marriage customs can be stupidly complex or ridiculously simple depending on the people involved. Normally a couple will date for a while, which is the period where they see each other but live apart and can romance other people too.” She seemed less than pleased at that explanation but I plowed on, “Then there is the ‘exclusive’ or ‘serious’ stage where the couple agree to only date or have sex with the other person. The serious stage is a precursor to getting engaged. The engagement is when a couple announce that they plan to marry and start making plans for a ceremony. Engagements can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few years. Then there is the ceremony which can be anything from appearing before a justice of the peace, which is like your magistrate, and signing a marriage license, or the ceremony can be grand events in great halls. Big weddings are expensive and can cost more than a house.”

She had a puzzled expression and asked, “Why would anyone spend so much on something so simple as a marriage ceremony? Why deplete the couple’s coffers at the start of their lives together?”

“Oh,” I said, “in most cases the parents of the bride and groom who pay for the wedding and the reception here. It’s a matter of pride with some people, they want a big wedding, a big reception and a big ring for the bride… Meanwhile, some people are just as happy being married by an Elvis impersonator in Vegas for a few dollars without all the pomp.”

Kismet’s eyebrows knitted, “This world is so strange, Todd. Your people can make complex things like creating portraits into an act as simple as pressing a fingertip to glass, but they also take something as simple as a marriage and transform it into a public spectacle requiring years of effort and hideous expense to achieve.”

“Yep,” I agreed, “We’re a strange bunch here on Earth. But it’s where I keep all my stuff, so what can you do?”

She gestured to the door of my closet, “I keep all my belongings within the manse, save that which was needed in my shop. Those goods will be claimed by my apprentice Sheleta in time. I left a writ of inheritance that would pass ownership to her if I did not return from my trip to the Bleaklands.”

I took her hand, “I’m sorry you lost your shop, once I get some money together I’ll help you open a new one if you want to make clothes or potions again, it’ll be more complicated here because we have a lot of laws and you’ll need permits and stuff. Erika can help with that since she’s getting good at dealing with bureaucracies although she’ll probably want a cut. You just need to decide what you want to do, I think you could excel at either, or both.”

“Perhaps I shall begin anew, but perhaps not.” she said. “I confess that I do not feel a great loss at losing my business, it is a small price to pay for the freedom and safety of your world.”

I corrected her, “My world isn’t all that safe. You’ve seen the people we have running loose. Ilsa was a friend, and she might have killed us all if Siphon hadn’t shut her down.”

I got a smile that said she knew far more than I did, “Yet you have no chaos engines, and the monstrous beings that stalk my world are rare here, sometimes they are even friendly like your beast-man friend, the Mutt. Even your cats are docile creatures and I’ve not seen a single public flogging or chain gang.”

I couldn’t argue with her observations but I was curious, “What was that about cats?”

“Ghastly creatures on Myroc Lune,” she explained, “cats are vicious and capable of killing lone travelers or even small groups when they gather as a clowder. I find it strange that while the ones here resemble those on my world, you consider them harmless and even build shrines to them in your homes and make offerings of food and baubles to them.”

I blinked, “Shrines? You mean cat trees? Those aren’t….” then I thought about it for a moment, “Huh, actually... I guess they are shrines.” I agreed.

She took my other hand, “We can discuss this another time, my love, for now we are wasting valuable time, you require rest, but before that I must ensure that I am not accused of coercion concerning your upcoming decision.” She gave my arms a tug and pulled me into the manse where we enjoyed another night together.