Cal and Jude took turns looking through the mirror, watching for Mr Chimp. After much discussion they had settled on a plan of action.
"I still don't see why we can't both of us get out of here", said Cal. "We just make Mr Chimp take us both at the same time."
"First we don't know he can transport more than one of us at a time. Second, I signed the contract so I'm stuck here, so far you haven't signed. And third, I got nobody back there anymore. Everyone I know'd is long gone by now. So only one of us is gettin' outta here."
Cal couldn't argue with Jude's logic. But that didn't mean he had to like it. You don't abandon your friends because things get tough. True friends stand by you no matter what. And Jude had become a true friend. When Cal was down and thought they would be stuck there forever, Jude had picked him up and told him there was always hope. Jude himself was close to giving up until he found Cal. Now he wouldn't believe they could fail. The plan would work, it had to work.
It was a long time before the imp showed himself again. Cal felt guilty leaving Jude but he swore to himself if he got out, he would find a way to return for him. He would not abandon his friend. For now, they had a plan and Cal put it into action.
He started doing the incantation. Over and over, changing the sequence, this time faster, the next time slower. At least a dozen times he tried to make it work. Each time he tried it he hoped it really would work. But it didn't work and finally Cal fell to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes.
Suddenly Mr Chimp popped into view, his jester hat flying. He cried out and scrambled to retrieve it, placing it firmly back in place on his head. "Not bad. For a first try that is", he said with a sarcastic grin.
"I want to go home", said Cal. "I want to know my mom is alright."
"Of course, of course, my dear boy", said Mr Chimp. "It's been so long. Your parents have moved on with their lives. They can hardly remember what you look like. And your so called friends, well, to them your just a ghost of a memory."
"I want to see for myself just the same. If you take me back and I don't want to stay I'll sign your contract." Cal was very convincing because he almost meant it. "If it's as bad as you say, I'll stay here forever and spy on anyone you say. I'll do anything you want. Just take me home one last time."
"Very well", said the imp. He reached over and put his hand on Cal's shoulder. Just then Jude came from behind the two way mirror and jumped at Mr Chimp. Mr Chimp tried to back away but his shoes got tangled up and he tripped, falling head over heels. Cal and Jude grabbed the squirming imp his scrawny arms, lifting him off the ground. He kicked his legs and tried to bite them. Swinging his bald head at them, his hat once again having fallen to the floor. "Eek!"
"Now your going to take both of us out of here and double quick or we'll twist your arms until you do", said Jude. But the imp just shook his head.
"No, I won't. You have a contract with me, that makes you mine."
"Well then, I'll just break your scrawny, little neck and be done with it."
Mr Chimp stuck out his green tongue and licked his purple lips, then came the all too familiar grin.
"Well, I could take Cal back with me. With the same understanding that if he doesn't like the way things are in the other world, he signs the contract and returns here, forever." Cal started to object but Jude cut him off,
"OK. Cal goes back and if he doesn't want to stay, well, that's between you and him. Deal?"
"It's a deal. Now I will retrieve my hat and we can be on our way." Jude started to relax his grip on Mr Chimp but then changed his mind and clamped down on the arm.
"Cal can get your hat for you." As Cal reached for the hat, the imp began to fidget nervously.
"Here you are," said Cal. Then he paused. "Wait, there's something in here." Mr Chimp broke free of Jude's grasp and lunged for the hat.
"Oh, no you don't!" Shouted Jude, his right fist crashing against the imps chin, sending him flying.
"Cal. Put the hat on." Cal stood with a bewildered look on his face then placed the hat on his head.
"OK. Now what?"
"Wish to go home."
Cal wished to go home more than anything he had ever wished before.
"Nothing is happening."
"Keep trying."
Mr Chimp had been dazed by the unexpected blow from Jude. He never would have believed the boy would fight for anyone or anything. The imps anger was aroused, his eyes smoldered a crimson red, smoke came pouring from his pointed ears. His hands were wreathed in flames. "I'll get you for that. When I'm finished with you, you'll wish you were never born."
Just then a thought occurred to Cal and he reached up under the hat. There it was, a small cylindrical object much like the scroll Mr Chimp had showed him that first day in the shop. He pulled it out and unrolled it. It was Jude's contract. Cal turned to see Mr Chimp, his whole body now covered in flames, advancing on Jude.
Cal yelled,"Hey!" And threw the scroll at Mr Chimp. Without looking he caught it in one gnarled, flaming hand. Too late the imp realized what he held, as the contract burst into flames and turned to ash.
Grabbing Jude by the shoulder, Cal wished to go home with all of his heart. Still nothing happened. They were trapped. Mr. Chimp was fully enraged and where a dwarf had stood, was a towering demon belching smoke and bellowing a scream that cut to Cals very soul. They were surely lost.
Suddenly it made sense. Cal smiled at the monster. Then reaching his hand up, he gave the hat a tug and pulled Jude backwards. Instantly the two boy's were back in the dusty antique shop. Staring at themselves in the mirror. They scarce had time to celebrate their freedom when they realized there was smoke. The mirror's wood frame had caught fire. The whole shop lit up like a tinder box.
There would be much speculation as to how the towns only historic building had mysteriously caught fire and burned to the ground. Some suspected are but with the absence of insurance it didn't seem likely. Others just assumed vandals and still others didn't care. It was just a dirty old building taking up a prime location. No longer. The owner couldn't be located and eventually the lot was sold at auction to cover the cost of removing the debris.
Jude went home with Cal. Cals parents were told they had been abducted by some cult who had left the area after Cal and Jude had escaped. Since Jude had no family they informally adopted him. He and Cal became like brothers. Soon life went back to normal. With a few exceptions.
Jimmy the star quarterback quit the football team and joined a Goth band.
Tammy the head cheerleader caused a small scandal when she went to the prom with Cal. They actually had a very good time since she was so relaxed around him. He new her secret and didn't expect anything from her accept her friendship.
Mrs Teal received an anonymous letter letting her know that her ex-husband was already in negotiations with the attorney representing his young wife in their divorce. Hopefully the settlement wouldn't totally bankrupt him. Mrs Teal checked into a clinic the next day and within a year she was sober and engaged to be married to a college professor.
Jude promptly gained thirty pounds before they convinced him, there was always plenty of food. He wrote several historical novels about the great depression. Scholars disagreed on the accuracy.
The End
Until tomorrow,
Ken
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