Jane's Magical Quest

By Dr. Maurine J. Mazaruk

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781483668338

Dr. Maurine J. Mazaruk

How does one speak of themselves? Not that I don't know me but find it very difficult. I was born in Bellingham, Wa and still reside there. I love to read, quilt, crochet, and I love to play on-line games. Most of all, I love to write. I love to watch people and learn from them. The weather signs that nature tells us of what is to come is quite interesting too. The enjoyment of my life are my Sons, grand children and great children. I have never been bored as I so often hear people say. It seems my imagination is always working and the love to learn and investigate keeps me busy.

Book preview

Chapter I

Jane stood at the library window at Lakeway Middle school, in Crescent City, resting her chin upon the palms of her hands gazing out of the window. It had quit snowing and the sun had come out to make the outside World look like a winter wonderland.

As Jane gazed out the window at the snow, her thoughts were about what her mother was planning for the Christmas Party on Saturday. Every Christmas, Jane’s mother always had a theme. She would give everyone invited the title of the theme. This year her mother had started in March. She watched as her mother would be either at the sewing machine or at the table making things. This was rather unusual which made Jane think this year was going to be the best ever. Especially with a theme Old Fashion Fantasy Christmas.

Already Jane’s father got the Christmas tree and everyone, including her brother, Joey, had been putting up the decorations that her mother had made for inside the house. During the summer months, Jane and Joey helped their father to make things to put on the house for Christmas decoration. They make wooden wreaths, lifesavers with bows, candy canes, a sleigh, Santa Claus and many other things.

Suddenly, Jane’s thoughts were interrupted by a movement near the large oak tree which stood in the middle of the playground. She watched as a little man appeared from behind it and seemed to be searching the ground. He was a little taller than her with red hair hanging in soft curls below his shoulders. He had a slightly round face which seemed to be in a frown as he looked at the ground. His red chop side burns seemed to be drawn down as he screwed up his mouth as if it was helping him to find whatever he was looking for. His slight bushy brows seem to almost meet his eyelashes as he frowned. His arms and legs were longer than a dwarf and yet not as long as an elf’s would be.

A wind started to blow and caught the gold feather in his hat and started to glisten in the sunlight as he gathered his plaid tartan of blue, green, red and yellow which was held by a Gold Filigree clasp with a large yellow stone around his neck. The wind caught his dark forest green cape and blew it open to expose a bright green pair of pants and jacket which was held by a large black belt with a gold buckle. He was wearing black gloves and boots with gold buckles on the front as they reached halfway to his knees.

As Jane watched the little man, she had a strong compulsive desire to help him find whatever he was looking for. She looked behind to search for her friend Kris Sandalwood to have her come and see the little man. Jane saw her with the librarian searching through the files on the computer.

Since Jane could not get Kris’s attention she looked back out the window towards the little man who now was heading towards the road.

As Jane was watching him leave, he seemed to be turning around to look at her when the dismissal bell rang. Jane turned from the window and went to pick up her books. Kris joined her and together they left the library to go to their lockers. As they walked towards the lockers, both were excited as Kris was going to stay the night over at Jane’s to help finish up with the decorations and help Jane’s mother bake and decorate cookies. Jane thought no more about the little man by the large oak tree.

Dorm Mc Duff had thoughts of his own when he saw her at the library window. For some reason he seemed drawn to her as if she was a part of something to happen. He waited until she came out from the school building and followed her as she and another girl walked together away from the school.

As he followed Jane and Kris and saw them turn and go through a gate, he saw a figure hiding behind a tree that was across the street. He turned to follow for as he knew it must be Zandu again. Dorm knew that Zandu was up to something no good and wanted to find out why he was here. By the time Dorm had crossed over to the tree, Zandu had disappeared again. He saw tracks leading back to where he had come from and was following them when it started to snow. The snow was covering his tracks so he could not see them anymore and he decided to go back home.

The next day he found the tracks again which led him back to Jane’s house, late in the evening. Dorm was in awe as he noticed the house had been decorated like a Gingerbread house with Santa Claus in his sleigh and eight reindeer suspended in the air as if to fly towards the roof of the house. In the yard were many different animals spotted and looking up towards Santa Claus as if watching him to land on the roof. The driveway and the sidewalk, between the road and the front of Jan’s house, were decorated by candy canes while all the shrubs and the trees were loaded with many colored blinking lights.

Dorm spotted a tree with a large limb where he could sit and look into a window to check on Jane to make sure she was all right. He climbed upon it and saw the wonders in the house.

Dorm noticed the tree, beside the fireplace, was trimmed with many hanging objects with lights blinking off and on like twinkling stars. This brought thoughts back to him of his own homeland of how they celebrated the day of High Moon.

As Dorm looked on, he spotted Jane coming down the stairs dressed in a long red velvet dress with a white pinafore with Holly berries and leaves. He saw her blond curls peeking out around her beautiful peaches and cream face and cascading around her shoulders.

As he watched Jane advanced towards the tree, Dorm spotted a little boy dressed like one his ancestors, with the green hat and even pointed shoes with bells on the curled up tips of the toes. He could see the red hair as it tried to be unruly around his forehead as he and another little boy were busy playing with their toys by the tree. Dorm could hear the music as it flowed out the window to his ears and it soothed him as he leaned against the trunk and watched. Soon he saw Jane’s parents, Judy and Jack Mc Dougan, dressed like Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, dancing to the music.

A noise came from the street and he looked towards the gate and saw Kris coming with her folks up the driveway to the door bringing food and packages with them.

He returned back to the scene in the den and saw Jane and Joey greet Kris and her little brother. He saw Kris and her family place the packages under the tree and he wondered what it was all about. It was not long before others came to the house to join Jane and her family for the party. No one seemed to notice Dorm on the limb of the tree looking in.

As Dorm watched, it started to snow and knew he better leave as it was getting too cold to stay on the limb anymore. He could not help himself from not visiting Jane’s house and watching her and her family as time went on.

It wasn’t until the late spring as Dorm was coming around the oak tree he bumped into Jane accidently. Her books and notebook paper flew everywhere. He stopped to help her pick them up and apologized to her. Jane just stood there dumbfounded that she was now faced with this little man and talking to him after all the time he had been following her. She gathered herself together as he was apologizing and said, What do you want? Why are you following me? Dorm stepped back and said, To tell you the truth, I really don’t know. All I know is that I would like to be your friend and be able to talk to you. Jane retorted as she was putting her papers back in place as Dorm handed them to her, You sure do have a funny way of doing it! Dorm became defensive and said, I didn’t mean to do any harm Jane looked into his eyes and again had a feeling of something but didn’t know what. She only knew that she needed to talk some more and get to know this little man. She asked as she looked into his eyes, What is your name? Dorm was not expecting her to ask that and stuttered, Ah ahah ah . . . Dorm, Dorm Mc Duff.

Jane put her arms more secured around her books and tilted her head and replied, That sounds like a good name. Are you any relations to Samuel Mc Duff that is in my class? Dorm looked down at her and said, I don’t think so.

Kris came out of the school’s double doors and called to Jane to wait for her. Jane turned to wave to her and then turned back to Dorm and said, I have to go now.

Dorm insisted, I would like to get to know you better. Do you suppose we can set a time so we can talk, just you and me? Jane looked over at Kris as she was approaching and said, I’ll meet you here on Saturday around ten in the morning. Dorm replied, I will be honored. So until Saturday." and Jane went on to meet Kris wondering why she promised to meet this total stranger on Saturday.

When Saturday came Jane hurried to finish all her chores and then asked her mother if she could go to the school playground. With her mother’s permission she grabbed her lightweight jacket, as the days were warmer, and hurried out the door to meet Dorm.

As Jane arrived on the school ground, she looked around for Dorm. He seemed nowhere in sight. Just as she was peeking around the oak tree, she felt a gentle tape on her shoulder. When she turned around she was faced by Dorm dressed in a jean jacket and a baseball cap. He still had his chop sideburns.

Jane commented, Wow! You’re dressed differently. Dorm looked down at his tennis shoes and said, I thought it better that I dressed this way so as to not draw any attention to me. Am I dressed right? Jane smiled at him and replied, If you dressed like you did the first time I saw you, people would be looking at us for sure. Dorm looked at her and they the both started to laugh.

Afterwards, they walked over to the swings and each took a seat, as Jane asked, Where are you from? Dorm was a little afraid to tell her but thought it best to tell her the truth even though she may not believe it. I am from another world that you don’t know about. Jane interrupted him by saying, I have read about Ireland but never had met anyone from there. Samuel would talk about how his mom and dad came from there. Dorm shook his head from side to side and said, I am not talking about Ireland. My world is elsewhere. I am what you call a Time Traveler.

Jane stopped pushing her swing back and forth and looked over at him with a questionable look and asked, What do you mean you are a Time Traveler? Dorm got up and faced Jane and replied, It is someone who can travel back or forwards into time, not only in this world but other worlds as well.

Jane stood up and looked at him and asked, Do you mean like the planet Mars, Jupiter and Pluto? Dorm turned around and started walking. Jane came up beside him as he answered, Yes. I can go to those worlds but my world is still different. You might call it a fantasy land. Instead of being your imagination, it is real. Jane became curious and asked, Is this why you are here to study what we are like in this world? Dorm looked at her as he stopped and said, No. I am not here to study you. I am looking for someone who might do something to your world or to someone from your world that may be harmful. Jane became a little scared and asked, Who is he and what does he look like?

Dorm went over to the statue of a man on a horse and sat down as Jane stood in front of him as he answered, Jane, I don’t know always what he is going to look like. He is a man with many powers. He can look like a tree, a dog, or another person like you when he is searching.

Jane saw the concern and worried look in Dorm’s face and inquired, Is there any way I can help? Dorm took Jane’s hand and said, I don’t know yet. I have no idea what he is planning. All I know is lately he has been snooping around your house and watching your brother a lot. For what reason, I don’t know.

Jane looked at his hands and noticed how his hands were well made and strong as she asked, What can I do? I don’t want anything to happen to Joey. Dorm placed his other hand over hers and said soothingly, Don’t worry; I will protect Joey the best I can, so no harm will come to him. Speaking of your brother, here he comes. I think I had better go as it is best he does not know who I am.

Jane looked over to her brother as he came towards her while Dorm walked away from her. She turned back towards Dorm as he disappeared from view behind the big oak tree. From behind, Jane heard Joey calling her and she turned to meet him.

Weeks had passed and Jane had not seen Dorm. He had been gone for such a long time that she assumed Dorm must have caught Zandu and would be back any day now to give her the good news.

It was the last day of school and Dorm knew he had to find a way to contact Jane. Finally, he spotted her at the library window. He waved his hand and got her attention and motioned for her to open the window. As Jane opened the window, Dorm asked, Can you meet me by the oak tree when you are out of school today? Jane nodded her head up and down and then was told by the librarian to close the window so the air conditioner would work to keep it cool in the library. Jane looked back at Dorm and saw him heading towards the oak tree as she closed the window.

When the dismissal bell rang for the end of school, Jane went to her locker to meet Kris. She wondered what she was going to say to Kris as she did not know about her secret meeting with Dorm on a certain Saturdays. In fact, Dorm had insisted she told no one about it. For he did not want Zandu to know he was following him.

Soon Jane saw Kris with her dark brown hair flying behind her as she rushed up to her. Jane noticed Kris’s eyes were twinkling with excitement as she came up to her and explained, I’m going to Daphnie’s now and I won’t be able to walk with you today.

Jane looked hurt and surprised by the statement but understood after Kris explained, I have to catch the bus and go to Daphnie’s house. Mom and Dad are not going to be home tonight as they have to go to Dad’s boss’s place for dinner. You’re coming to the party? Jane gathered her things and as they walked towards the door and responded, Mom said I could. I’ll be there around seven as planned. Are you sure that Daphnie has no idea about what is going on for her birthday? Kris shook her head proudly and said with surety, She thinks that I was just lucky to spend the night over at her place and that I don’t know it is her birthday and she will be surprising me instead. Okay? Jane cocked her head to look at Kris and said, You little devil. Just then they both heard Daphnie call to Kris and say, You better hurry up the bus is about to leave. Kris gave Jane a quick hug and then ran off. Jane watched and waved as the bus drove off towards Daphnie’s house.

When it was out of sight, she walked over to the oak tree and noticed at the same time the school grounds were pretty empty. As she approached the oak tree, Dorm appeared from behind it and walked towards her. When they were close enough, Jane noticed the worried look on Dorm’s face as she asked, Is there something wrong? Dorm stopped and looked down at her and said, I think there is. What it is I don’t know. But it has something to do with Joey. What do you mean something to do with Joey? inquired Jane. I believe Zandu has something planned with Joey being involved. I have to meet with my advisor before I can definitely say, replied Dorm as he stooped and picked up a stick and dragged it behind him.

Jane crossed in front of him and walked backwards as she asked, What can I do while you’re away? I don’t want Zandu to get Joey. Dorm stopped and placed the end of the stick in his other hand and toyed with it as he answered, I need you to watch Joey. Don’t let any strangers get too close to him. If anything out of the ordinary should happen, I want you to contact me right away.

Jane looked at him and realized she did not know how to contact Dorm and inquired, I don’t know where you live and I don’t have your phone number to call you. So how am I to contact you? Dorm removed a ring off of his forefinger and took Jane’s hand and placed it on her forefinger and said, There. Now it should not be a problem for you to contact me. Jane looked down at the ring and asked, How do I call you with this ring? Dorm held her left hand and instructed, You see this little bump on the side here? Jane nodded her head as he continued, Just press your finger on it here and it will call me. Jane reached down and put her finger on the button and asked, Right here?

OOOOOOOUUUUUCH! bellowed Dorm as he held his hands to his ears. I am sorry, said Jane worriedly as she took her finger away from the bump on the side of the ring. Again she pressed the button but very lightly and asked, Is that better?

Jane looked down at her wrist and noticed the time on her watch.

Jane knew she had better hurry on her way as her mother would be looking for her soon. Dorm noticed her looking at her watch and said, I told you before I was a Time Traveler. You won’t be late. Just take my hand and we will be at your house at the right time. Jane took a hold of his hand and felt a little dizzy as she felt a tug. It seemed hardly a second when she found herself still holding onto Dorm’s hand and standing facing a large tree with a shrub fence behind her. She looked up at him and asked, How did you do that? He smiled and said, told you that I was a Time Traveler. Jane looked back at him in wonderment and asked, Can you do this any time whenever you want to? Dorm shook his head back and forth and then admitted, I am just learning how to travel back and forth into time. There is much I have yet to learn. So, I am limited on what I can do. If I had my full abilities, I would know what Zandu’s plans were and know what to do. But, I don’t. Jane heard the sadness in his voice and said, I will keep an eye on Joey, especially when we go camping next July. Dorm looked up at her and inquired, What are you talking about? What is camping? Jane explained what was camping and Dorm stated afterwards, That is what we do in our world when we travel long distances. Jane looked at him in amazement and asked, You don’t have planes that fly or other transportation like we have here?

Just at that moment, Jane’s mother called for her as Dorm remarked, "I haven’t time to explain it to you now. Your mother is calling and you need to go. I’ll see you at another time. Jane was just getting ready to run to her mother when she turned to ask Dorm when could they meet again at the school and if it was to be next Saturday but he was already gone. Jane ran quickly to her mother just as the automatic sprinklers came on and got wet. Her mother met her at the door with a towel laughing at the sight of Jane and told her to go upstairs and change into some dry clothes.

As Jane went up the stairs she peeked into the living room and could see Joey’s red head lying on Dad’s shoulder watching TV. After she changed her clothes she went downstairs to help her mother fix dinner. Her mother was a very pretty woman in her early thirties. Jane hoped someday she could be as pretty as her mother.

After dinner, Jane’s Dad, who was in his late thirties, dark hair, tanned from working outside in the weather on electrical lines, returned to the living room with Joey following him like a shadow. Joey worshipped his father. He thought his father could do no wrong. Of course, Jane could see how it affected her father to be proud of his family and be loved. Jane turned towards the table and started gathering up the dishes and carried them to the kitchen sink. Her mother was already by the sink washing the pots and pans. As they were cleaning up after supper, Jane’s mother asked her if Daphnie had any idea that a surprise party was in the making, Jane told her Kris was already over there and Daphnie has no idea what was going on.

After finishing up in the kitchen, Jane and her mother joined her father and brother in the den. As they watched the tail end of Gilligan’s Island, Jane looked up at her father as he said, I guess you better get ready young lady for Daphnie’s party. Just remember that I will be picking you up around 9 o’clock as we want to get an early start tomorrow in preparing your garden on Saturday. Jane was surprised with her dad’s last remark. She didn’t care now if she not going to stay overnight with the girls and Daphnie. She was interested in having her own garden. Jane looked at her father with excitement and said, All right!!! and ran upstairs to her room to change into her party clothes.

As her father drove her to the party, they discussed about what kind of flowers she would like to have in her own little garden. Before she knew it they had arrived at Daphnie’s house. Daphnie was outside playing with Kris and some of the other girls when she called to them. Jane kissed her father goodbye and then ran off to join them.

Time flew by when Jane heard her father knocking at the door of Daphnie’s house and turned to the group and told them that her father was here to pick her up. After telling her friends why she could not stay the night, they became excited for her. Jane waved goodbye to her friends as she and her father drove off heading for home.

As Jane and her father drove up the driveway to their house, Jane swore she saw a shadow move near Joey’s window and thought about Dorm’s warning as she realized she had forgotten about the promise she made to him. She rushed out of the car and tried to get a closer look and then realized that it was just a shadow of a branch from a tree waving in the evening breeze cast by a street light.

The next day, Jane met her father at the car ready to go to the garden shop to get her flowers. She noticed Joey wasn’t around and asked, Where is Joey? Doesn’t he want to go with us to the garden shop? Her father held open the door for her as he answered, Joey is busy with his friend Fred, playing in his new sandbox that his father made him yesterday. Her father pointed to the next door neighbor’s yard and Jane could barely make out Joey and Fred in the sandbox between the slats of the fence.

Her father went around the front of the car and got in and started the motor as Jane turned her head to see if that was really Fred Joey was playing with as she again recalled Dorm’s warning about Zandu.

At the garden shop, she picked out several kinds of flowers with the help of her father and the plant food to prepare her garden with for the seeds. When they came upon the pansies, Jane spotted a Whirly Bumble Bee. She thought this would be just the thing to have in her flower bed. She turned to her father and asked if she could have it and explained how it would be so perfect for her flower garden. He stroked his chin as he pondered about the idea and then said, You, know, I think you are right. That would be just the right thing to set off your garden. Let’s get it, and he plucked it from the stand it was in and added it to their purchases.

On the way home, her father said, After dinner we can prepare your flower bed to plant the flowers tomorrow. It will give the dirt a chance to mix well with the fertilizers and other nutrients.

Jane was excited about working in her own garden so soon. As soon as dinner was over, Jane followed her father outside to get started on the flower bed. Jane didn’t realize how much work there was in preparing the dirt for her flowers. Her father kept repeating to her as she turned the dirt, If you do not fluff the dirt properly the flowers will not be able to breath. Also, it helps the flowers to get food and water. They are a lot like people. Give them lots of love and good care; they will grow healthy and beautiful just like you and Joey.

This, again, reminded her about her promise to Dorm and she looked over and through the fence and could see that Joey was still playing in the sandbox with Fred.

All evening Jane worked in her garden in preparing it to plant the flowers tomorrow and still checked on Joey every so often. Just as it was getting twilight, she heard her mother call for Joey. At first he didn’t appear right away and caused Jane to panic a little but was soon calmed down when Joey finally appeared behind the loose board of the fence. She looked down at her garden and then up to her father as he said, Well, I think it is time that we went in too. You have worked pretty hard and you definitely need a bath before you go to bed.

Jane looked at herself and realized how dirty she was. There was dirt packed on the knees of her pants and the only things clean about her hands were the palms as they had been wiped on her shirt leaving it dirty. Her face was covered with smudges from the back of her hands. Like her father said, she was a dirty mess. She just hoped that her mother wouldn’t be mad.

In fact, her mother was waiting by the back door with a robe in hand and Jane’s pajamas in the other pointing to the bathroom that was close to the door of the kitchen. Her mother turned to her father and stated, You are next after she is done, as Jane took her robe and pajama’s from her mother and headed towards the bathroom.

After showering and getting her bed clothes on, Jane went to kiss her parents good night and then went upstairs to her bedroom. She didn’t realize, until she was in bed, how tired she was. She barely remembered the next morning of putting her head upon her pillow.

Jane got up and walked over to her window. There out on a limb Mrs. Robin was chirping to her baby birds in the tree. Jane leaned over to check the bird feeder and noticed that it was empty. She left the window and went downstairs to get some birdseed for Mrs. Robin. On returning to her room she looked out at the little birds nest and saw the three little robins were asleep.

Very gently she opened the window and reached for the bird feeder to fill it. Just as she had finished putting the full feeder back in its place in the tree, Mrs. Robin returned with a worm and woke up the baby birds and reached with their mouth wide open for the food their mother had brought.

As Jane watched Mrs. Robin feed her babies, she thought how wonderful it must be to be able to fly anywhere you want. Just then her mother broke into her thoughts by calling her to get up and get dressed and to meet her downstairs to help make the breakfast.

After going down the stairs, Jane entered the kitchen where she found her mother busy mixing the pancakes. The smell of bacon and eggs was in the air as they were cooking on the stove. Jane approached her mother and asked, Can we have strawberries and whipped cream on the pancakes today? Her mother looked down at Jane and replied, I don’t see why not if you whip the cream. The strawberries are already in the refrigerator.

Jane went to the pantry and got the packaged whipped cream and then to the refrigerator to get the milk. She measured to make sure she had the right amount and then stood on the stool her mother had in the kitchen for when she helped and whipped the cream.

As she was setting the table, Jane’s mother called to her father and Joey to come and eat. As her father entered the doorway with Joey trying to push him aside, he said to Joey, Look what Sis and Mom have prepared for us today.

Joey climbed upon his chair and looked and said, Great whipped cream and strawberries for pancakes!

Jane hurried with her breakfast and started doing the dishes before the rest of the family had finished because she was anxious to get started on her garden. Her mother saw how anxious she was and said, As soon as your father is through eating, both of you can get started on your garden.

As soon as her father was done they left for the garage. Both Jane and her father gathered up the flowers in boxes and carried them out of the garage to the flower bed they had prepared the night before. They both worked very hard for the next few hours rearranging the flowers until they were where they wanted them to be and then planted each one with care. When through, they stepped back to admire the creation they had made with the flowers. Feeling quite pleased with herself, she turned to her father and remarked, They do look beautiful. Jane’s father put his arm around her shoulders and replied, You did a good job on those you planted. But, now comes the hard part. Remembering to water and pull the weeds as they grow. You need to check them and make sure there are no slugs or bugs killing them.

Jane looked at her garden and then again back up at her father and said, That shouldn’t be so hard. Oh, it’s not the work part, dear, but the remembering will be the hard part, admonished her father.

As Joey came out the front door from watching his cartoons, he saw Jane and their father standing beside the new flower bed. He came up to Jane and said, You and Daddy made a pretty flower garden. He stood beside his father and looked up at him and asked, Can I have my own flower garden, Daddy? He looked down at Joey and chuckled as he rubbed the top of Joey head gently, When you are as old as Jane, you can plant your own. Joey pushed his father’s hand away and asked, Do I have to wait that long? Both Jane and her father started to laugh and said together, Yes.

Joey was just about to say something else when Fred poked his head out from the lose fence board with his curly blond hair in array and called, Hey, Joey. Do you want to come over to my house and play in my new sandbox? Joey looked up at his father and asked, Can I Daddy? He looked down at Joey and reached down and patted him on his bottom lovingly and said, Get going. Fred isn’t going to wait all day for you. and both Jane and her father watched as Joey rushed over to his friend and disappeared behind the board in the fence.

Jane’s followed her father as he went to the faucet at the corner of the garage and attached the hose that was lying on the ground to it. He gave her the nozzle end and said, You go and sprinkle your garden while I go in and tell your mother that Joey is over at Fred’s house.

While he went into the house, Jane reached down and turned the water on and pulled on the hose where her garden was and started sprinkling it. As she was sprinkling, Dorm came up from behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. Jane turned around as he asked, How are you today? You didn’t meet me at the school, so I thought I would check on you here at home. Jane looked at him with a grin on her face and said, I am sorry that I didn’t make it to school but I have been busy with my father planting these flowers and I am watering them now. Aren’t they beautiful?

Dorm looked at the garden and said, Those are mighty fine flowers and you really did a good job in planting them. Jane looked into Dorm’s face and saw he had something on his mind and asked, What is the matter? Has something happened? Dorm looked over at her and asked, Has anything strange been happening to Joey lately? Jane looked at him and thought what a strange question to be asking when he could see him playing with Fred thru the fence. As she thought about how Joey had been acting lately and answered, Well, Joey is talking an awful lot in his sleep. There have been times we have caught him sleepwalking. He never used to do that. I don’t know if that means anything or not. Jane saw Dorm look up at the sky and almost saying to himself, It is starting. What is starting? asked Jane. Dorm was scaring her with his actions. I think that Zandu is trying to work on Joey and wants Joey to do something. I want you to make sure he does not leave the house when he is sleep walking, answered Dorm. Why? Is Zandu trying to get him to leave the house and go with him? asked Jane. I think so. I am not sure because I don’t know what Zandu is trying to do, replied Dorm as he continued, Just make sure you keep a close watch on him.

Dorm looked over and thru the fence to where Joey was playing with Fred and remarked, You have a real nice little brother. Don’t fail him. He paused as if trying to hear something and then turned to Jane and said, I better go now. I need to find out what is going on. I won’t be able to meet you on Saturdays anymore because I am going to be pretty busy. I will contact you when the time is right.

Jane watched him as he left and went out the front gate. She knew he meant for her to really and seriously keep a close watch on Joey and the ring was a call button if she had any trouble.

For the next two months Jane kept a close eye on Joey. Several times she had woken up during the night from the sound of him walking in his sleep. Many times he almost made it out the door. During those times it was as if someone was calling him. Each time it was getting harder and harder for her to turn Joey away from the door. Many times her mother had helped her to get Joey back into bed.

As time progressed it caused both her and her mother worries and