Chapter 7
The President of Independence City
(Long Chapter)
Hey, it’s me! Emma!
Well, like Jack said, I do play a very important part in this part. But that’s not for a few more chapters.
But as for this chapter…hmm…where do I start?…
…
Well, we all went outside with Devie and Dashy to meet someone very special.
“Mr Maxi!” Devashree and Dasharath cried as they met the finder of their hearts and their best friend in the city.
“Oh, my dears.” He greeted them with one big hug. “Oh, care full. I is not as young as you anymore.”
“Mr Maxi, I told you you’d find Emma today.” Said Dasharath.
“And I told you that a skeleton named Jack would be with them.” Said Devashree.
“The only thing no-one told ME was that no-one in this city had ever seen a skeleton before.” Said Jack as he sighed. “Oh, I never seem to be able to fit in to any world but my own. Not even Christmas Town.”
“Hey,” I said. “Look at it this way, when people get to know us, they won’t be wary about us anymore.”
“Oh, Emma, that reminds me.” Said Dasharath, as he pulled away from Mr Maxi and left his sister still greeting their friend. “Speaking of getting to know you, the President himself would like to see you all.”
“The President!?” I spoke a little loudly.
“The President?” Gasped Sarmoo.
“The President?” Jack sounded intrigued.
“The President?” Puzzled Benjamin. “Who might that be, Dashy?”
“President Parker is the holiday leader of Independence City. Just like you are the holiday leader of Halloween Town, Jack.” Dasharath explained.
Devashree then came next to her brother and began to also explain.
“President Ryan Parker is always busy, but he’s made time to see us all today. We did say that you would come today and mine and Dasharath’s predictions have never been wrong.”
“So, that’s why he made time on today’s schedule even before you arrived.”
“Is he tall and scawy wike Jack?” Asked Benjamin. “Or is he big and happy like Father Chwistmas? Or is he fwuffy wike the Easter Bunny?”
“Do you know what I think?” Said Sarmoo. “I’ll bet he’s a formal and proud man like Jack. A joyful character like Santa Clause. And generous to his people like the Easter Bunny.”
“Yeah, I’ll go with that, Sarmoo.” I said.
Mr Maxi started bursting out laughing.
Devashree and Dasharath looked at each other doubtingly.
“That be a good one.” Said Mr Maxi. “You is not knowing the President at all, is you?” He continued to chuckled. “That miserable sod. He has a right attitude from what I heres. And he is hating children is well.”
I looked puzzlingly at Devie and Dashy.
“Is that right?” Asked Jack.
“Well, the President has never been like that towards us. But he doesn’t half rant and rave at his work colleagues when they don’t get things right.” Said Devashree.
“And I did hear his thoughts in my mind as he met us. He was thinking something like. ‘At least they’re not one of those messy, disgusting babies’ and ‘Urgh, the things I have to put up with in this job’. He said some other things too that I really shouldn’t quote.” Said Dasharath.
“Sound like a real cheerful guy (!).” I spoke with a sarcastic tone.
…
So, on our way to the President’s head office at the top floor before the spire of the scraper, we were supposed to wait in reception for the Vice President Katie Anderson. The same lady who looked after Devashree and Dasharath when they first came here.
Mr Maxi was allowed in by the pleading of Devie and Dashy. Besides, they can’t speak English without him.
We were only in the reception for a few minutes, I guess that they didn’t want Mr Maxi making the reception smell like trash for too long.
Anyway, Katie Anderson, the Vice President of Independence City, arrived in only minutes to meet and greet us.
The elevator doors opened.
We turned our heads to see who it was.
“Hi.” The African-American lady spoke politely as she came through the doors. “You must be the children we’ve been expecting.”
We all rose up out of our seats. Me first.
“Yeah.” I walked to her as I nodded. “I’m Emma Donnahue.”
The lady smile as she shook my hand.
“Emma Donnahue? Cool name. My maiden name is ‘Donnahue’. I’m Katie Anderson.”
As I smiled back up at the polite Katie. She had the same first name as my mother.
She looked pretty awesome for a politician.
She had skin like I had back home, dark brown. And brown, (almost black), hair that was tied up neatly. It looked like it was a long as mine though.
And she was wearing a feminine suit and a nylon skirt.
“Hi, nice lady.” Said Benjamin rushing up to Katie. “I’m a child too. I’m Benjamin O’Brien. And this is Benny Bear.”
“Oh, aren’t you a cutie.” Said Katie, mildly roughing up Benjamin’s hair.
“My name’s Sarmoo.” Sarmoo shook Katie’s other hand.
“And my name’s Jack Skellington.”
Katie looked a little startled when she first saw Jack.
“Oh…oh, you must be the leader Dev and Dash have been talking about. The leader of Halloween Town, right?”
“That’s right. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.” Jack introduced himself in style.
Katie was then no longer startled and she was cool and content with the new visitors, (us).
“Well, the President is waiting for you all.” She said. “Follow me.”
“Is I coming too?” Said Mr Maxi.
“Yes, is Maxi coming too?” Said Devashree.
“Yeah, certainly. How else are you gonna talk to the President without Mr Maxi around, eh?” Katie smiled. “Only the President can tell me what to do. And I say he’s comin’ too.”
“Yey!!!!!” Dev and Dash both cheered.
“Ok, then, dudes. This elevator.” Katie went over to the east elevator. “Now, were gonna be goin’ to the second last floor. As high as the elevator’s gonna go. So hold on tight, this could be one speedy ride.”
And Katie was right.
In a matter of seconds of the elevator starting up we were sucked to the bottom, (well, not literally), as the elevator shot up.
“WheeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEE!” Benjamin gave a continuous shriek of delight.
#WHOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooosh#
The elevator came to a halt as we got to the top floor.
#Ping#!
The doors opened.
“Whee!” Benjamin rushed straight out.
“Hold on there, Benjamin!” Benny Bear chased straight after him.
I chased after him too. And then so did everyone else.
“Benjamin!” I yelled. “Get back here right now!!!”
“Emma, there’s no need to act like that.” Said Jack. “He’s only a little fella.”
Benjamin ran all the way down the corridor and burst through the doors. He tripped up the second he pushed through the double doors.
He landed flat on his face. And then looked up when he heard a voice.
“WHAT IN SATAN’S NAME ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!” Raged an angry voice from a man in the room.
Myself, Jack, Sarmoo, Devie, Dashy, Mr Maxi, Benny Bear and Katie all suddenly came crashing through the doors.
“Benjamin.” I came to the ground to help him up. “What were you thinking? Running off like that?”
The lot of us crowded at the doors.
“ANDERSON!!!” Yelled the angry man. “What is the MEANING OF THIS!?! Bringing CHILDREN into MY office!!!”
“Mr President.” Katie began. “These are the children who Dev and Dash told us about. The children of light, sir.”
“Uhhh…” The President groaned and grumped as he calmed down. “The sticky, clumsy younglings and their mould-eating playthings.” He said, frowning towards Benjamin and Benny Bear.
I picked Benjamin up off the floor.
“For your information.” I began. “Nether Benjamin or any of us are sticky or clumsy, and Benny Bear’s as good a toy as new one.”
“Thank you.” Said Benny Bear in the background. “Nice to know that I’m appreciated.”
Jack came to greet President Parker.
The President seemed a little shocked at Jack’s appearance.
“So, you’re the holiday leader of Independence City? I’m delighted to meet you.” Jack tried to shake his hand.
But the President pulled away.
“Just what the heck are you supposed to be?”
“Oh, my name is Jack Skellington. I’m the holiday leader of Halloween Town. I’m a skeleton.”
“A what!?!” The President was shocked. “Well, those telepathic twerps weren’t joking were they!? I know they’ve never been wrong, but when they said that a skeleton was accompanying their friends, it was the last thing I believed.”
The President then relaxed and shook Jack’s hand as he greeted him.
“But what do you know?” Said the President. “I guess they were right again.”
“Well, you certainly have attitude.” Said Jack. “I can imagine that running a city like this must be hard work.”
“Excuse me, Mr President?” I began. “My name is Emma Donnahue, and I’m the leader of my friends.”
“Ah. The twins told me about you. You’re the girl who’s part metal.”
“That’s right.”
“Where’s the other metal kid?”
“Alex isn’t with us. We still have two more of us to find.”
“But there’s five of you. You, the twins, the African kid and the bumbling boy you’re carrying.”
“I’m not a bumbling boy!” Said Benjamin. “I’m Benjamin O’Brien.”
“You’re as scruffy as Max-trash over there.” Mr President, referring to Mr Maxi.
“Please, President Parker. You must act more cooperative than this.” Katie whispered to the President.
“What more do you expect me to do?”
“Just smile, for once.” Said Katie. “And be nice.”
I heard her every word and I decided to test his niceness.
I brought Benjamin up to him.
Benjamin stretched out his arms and flexed his fingers towards the President Parker.
“Urh…” Parker grumbled.
Katie mildly frowned and nodded forward as if to be saying: ‘Go on. Make a good impression’.
The President managed to bring himself to take hold of Benjamin at arms length.
“So you’re Benjamin, eh?” He half looked at Benjamin.
Benjamin giggled and dribbled a little on the President’s arm.
“Urgh. How delightful (!)” He gave a sarcastic remark.
I frowned at him. I knew he was being sarcastic.
“Can you put me down?” Said Benjamin. “You’re hurting me under my arms.”
“Gladly.” The President practically dropped him.
Benjamin landed on his hands and feet.
I began to smell something as I came back to the President to get Benjamin. It was a burning smell.
“Do you smoke?” I asked him.
I could smell cigarette smoke on him. “If you do, I think it’s best if you keep away from the little kids.”
“Couldn’t be happier.” He grumbled. “I’ll admit I’m not so good with little kids. But you, Emma, I can tell that no-one has ever patronized you. What do you say if me, you, the twins, the black boy and your skeleton friend have a little chat while Katie here keeps messy boy here entertained?”
“Ok. But Mr Maxi will have to stay too.” I said. “And you seem nice enough Katie. And you like Benjamin too, don’t you?” I said.
“Of course I do.” Said Katie, picking up little Benjamin and swooping him up into her arms like a baby. “The silly little thing.”
Benjamin giggles with delight.
The President groaned with slight disgust.
We all sat down around this huge table that I guessed was designed for the Presidents most important meetings.
I sat myself down and fiddled with my necklace as I listened to the President.
“So, Emma. The twins tell me that you’re the smartest of your friends.”
“I guess so.” I sighed. “But something happened that made me doubt that I should be leader.”
I turned to Devashree and Dasharath.
“I guess you know about Nadallia and Anastasia?” I asked.
“Well, I know something happened to them.” Said Devashree.
“And I know that their hearts are now missing.” Said Dasharath.
“But we don’t know what it was that caused that to happen.” Said Devashree.
“Whatever killed them it blocked itself from out telepathic power.” Said Dasharath.
“But it must have been intelligent.” Said Devashree. “Because it knew it had to stop us from finding out what it was.”
“It wasn’t natural. And it was no accident. It blocked our powers purposely.” Said Dasharath.
I understood from both sides what they must have meant.
“It was the spirit.” I began.
“The spirit?” Gasped both Devie and Dashy at the same time.
“Nadallia and Anastasia were both possessed.” I continued.
“Demonically?” Questioned Dashy.
I nodded.
“You can’t be serious.” Said Katie, as she nursed Benjamin on her lap.
“I’m afraid I am.” I sighed.
“After Nadallia disappeared and the children were all scattered, we unfortunately found Nadallia dead.” Jack explained. “But as for Anastasia. We found her safe and sound. It was after Halloween that she disappeared. I found her again, but she was barely alive.”
Jack looked like he was trying not to cry.
“And soon after that, her behaviour started to change.” I continued for him. “She had seizures. She started acting violently. She injured herself, sometimes quite seriously. We had to restrain her, and she would struggle and scream for hours on end. She attacked every one she could. She spoke in this strange voice and in different languages. So many bizarre things happened to her. Things you’d have to see to believe.” I explained.
The President was surprisingly quiet and he listened to me and Jack. He appeared to be intrigued.
“But surely you didn’t just jump at the fact that she was possessed?” Said Katie. “She might have had psychosis.”
“That was the Doctor’s first assumption.” Said Jack as he began to explain. “But as Annie got worse, the Doctor’s medical diagnosis were being out ruled. And we had to find a cure for Anastasia soon before it was too late. That’s why the vampires performed the exorcism.”
“What’s an exorcism?” Katie asked.
“It’s a religious ritual.” The President began to explain. “In which a holy Priest or Rabi would attempt to expel the evil spirit.”
The President then looked angry. “That holy trash disgusts me. How could you do that to such young child!? That’s what I bet killed her!”
Jack stood up and banged his fist on the table.
“For your information, the exorcism was a success!” Jack hissed at the bad tempered President. “I saw that spirit with my own eyes as it left Anastasia’s body. She died after the exorcism due to heart failure, and these children’s hearts are not like your’s, sir. They’re very different in deed.”
“Yeah.” I rooted for Jack. “They look like this!”
I cupped my hands together, and when I opened my hands, I revealed my heart. As long as it was in my body or in my grasp, I would stay alive.
Katie gasped.
Mr Maxi gasped.
“That be amazing.” He gasped too.
I made my heart shrink back into my chest.
“There was nothing we could have done to save Anastasia or Nadallia.” I said. “But there is now.”
“What?” The President seemed slightly confused. “If those kids are dead, then how can you bring them back?”
“Well, this is going to sound strange.“ Said Jack. “But I had a vision of Anastasia the night after she died. She told me that the spirit was still out there and that the spirit held the answers to how to bring Anastasia and Nadallia back to life.”
Katie and Mr Maxi seemed puzzled. But the President looked like he had heard it before.
“So, we have to find the spirit.” I said.
“Well, I know something that might help.” Said Katie. “If you would like to hear it.”
“What?” I asked. “What could you possibly know about the spirit?”
“Well, I know that if you find out the name of a demon then you can use its name to command it to do what you want.”
“Really?” Sarmoo smiled with hope.
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“I read it somewhere. But if this demon is real then I’m sure that that information is too.”
I certainly took this into consideration. We needed all the help we could get.
“But the evil demon isn’t the only reason you’ve come here, is it?” Said Devashree.
“You were trapped in Christmas Town, weren’t you.” Said Dasharath.
“Oh yeah.” I remembered.
“The holiday door back to Halloween Town was locked, and so we had to find another way out of Christmas Town.” Jack explained. “I know it must have been the spirit because the door was emitting dark mist from round the edge.”
Jack sighed as he though about Halloween Town and all his people he missed.
“Oh, my precious town. My beloved Sally, I miss you so.” Jack sighed.
“See, Jack was due to marry before the door was locked.”
“Oh, how awful!” Exclaimed Katie.
She sat Benjamin on the table as she went over to Jack.
“I know how you feel, Mr Skellington.” She began. “When I tried to get married, my wedding was delayed also. But my fiancé soon returned and now I am Mrs Carl Anderson.” She continued. “I never lost hope in my fiancé. And I’m sure your Sally won’t have lost hope in you. As long as you love each other you’ll never be truly part.”
Jack smiled.
“You’re very bright.” He said. “Maybe you should run this City.” Jack mildly leered towards President Parker.
“Anyway.” Sarmoo continued. “We dug up a train from the snow in Christmas Town, that’s where I was found, and the train took us here to Independence City. We have now found Devashree and Dasharath, so I believe we should now continue to find our way back to Halloween Town.”
“Yeah, Sarmoo’s right.” I said. “Do you know of anyway of travelling to the other holiday worlds from this city?” I asked Katie.
“Well, we had no idea that other worlds existed until Dev and Dash came.”
“Well, have you ever seen any symbols anywhere in your city that look like a Jack-O‘-Lantern?” Said Jack.
“What’s a Jack-O‘-Lantern?” Katie puzzled.
“It’s a hollowed out pumpkin with a scary face carved into it and candles inside making it glow.” I explained.
“Ooh! Ooh!” Mr Maxi put up his hand as if he was in a classroom. “Yes! Yes! I has seen it!”
Jack jumped up out of his seat and so did I.
“Where?” Jack rushed to Mr Maxi. “Where?”
“I has seen a picture of a pumpkin with a face on it on one of the subway trains.”
“Then that’s where we need to go.” Said Jack.
“Hold on one minute.” Said Maxi. “That train be in the Danger Zone. I is afraid that the whole place will collapse. Besides the train be in bad condition.”
“Then we’ll just have to fix it.” I said “Just like we fixed the train we came in.”
“Oh, you’re all wasting your time!” Said the President.
We all looked across to him.
“You won’t survive a minute in the Danger Zone and a train there would be impossible to repair. You’re all stuck here!” He began to out rage. “And as for those hearts, GET REAL! They’re long gone. And that so called ‘Evil Spirit’ that your tryin’ to find, I’ll be dead before he ever exists!!!”
I didn’t like this guy one bit.
And by the look of Jack’s face, he agreed with me.
“How dare you treat my friends so shamefully!” He angered back. “You set a bad example for your people! You shout and rage, you have terrible temper, you’re rude and impudent and I have never seen anyone this disrespectful towards children!”
Jack continued his protest.
“I can’t understand how you can run a city as holiday leader with an attitude like that. For example, Emma is so modest thinks she is not worth of leader. She’s wrong. Emma has over come any obstacle that blocked the path for herself and her friends. She reunited herself with Anastasia, Benjamin, Sarmoo, Mathew and now Devashree and Dasharath. And Emma is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that her friends get home safely. You? What have you done for your people that can compare to that? I would like to know.”
The President leaned forward over the desk towards Jack.
He smirked a little.
“Well, Jack Skellington. I can tell you that I’ve never let any of my people die because I leaped to an absurd conclusion that they were possessed by an evil demon that was living inside their body.”
The President glared towards me, still with the smirk in his face.
“Don’t you dare say that about Emma.” Jack glared back at the President. “If we left Anastasia without an exorcism she would have DIED! The exorcism was her only chance, and as for that demon…I assure you…‘Mr President’”
Jack lowered the tone of his voice.
“Whether you believe in them or not, demons…do…exist.”
The President gave one last remark as his smirk now appeared to bare mild maliciousness.
The President replied…“Of course they do.”
