"What exactly are we shopping for?"
"You'll know it when you see it."
"Are you guys finding everything all right?"
"I think we got….shh!!"
"Mr. Doubter?"
"No! No, we dont have everything. Do you have stoppers for bottles? You know, the thing that people put in to make the liquid not fall out?"
"Corkscrews?"
"That's the one!!"
"Mr. Doubter, we are at a halloween…..party? Why would they carry wine bottles in here?"
"Wine bottles!! You want a corkscrew for a wine bottle? Is there a fancy party for someone coming up? Follow me and I'll show you the racks!"
"We're not here for wine bottles."
"You're not!! What can I help you with then? Could I possibly interest you in a lighter drink or maybe a stronger one?"
"We already have a bottle at home but must've misplaced the cork. The drink is a strong one and also very expensive. You could says it's irreplaceable. I only opened it once for a little while to taste and make sure she would love it, but now I can't give her it half full. I have no corkscrew and would hate for the content to 'slide out on accident if you know what I mean."
"Uuh, I'm just going to act like I never heard that last part, but she does sound like a swell girl if you are giving her the expensive stuff. Tell me, how did it taste? Will she love it?"
"Ohh, ha, ha, ha!! It's to die for!!!!"
"Teacher, you're not making any sense. Why are we here? What's the corkscrew for? Do we have a bottle at home? Are we throwing a party for everyone thanking them for their hard training for tomorrow's tournament? Wait, why are you winking? What is this place?"
"That's a lot of questions for a youngin such as yerelf. I have heard of no here tournament, but I'm surprised that you really don't know why your teacher brought you here?"
"He said we were going to a halloween party but this doesn't look like any I've ever seen. I don't know what vendors are selling….and I don't know this song."
"Oh boy. Sorry I forgot to laugh, but that was really funny. That's what your ol man told you, didn't he?"
"You're calling my teacher a liar?"
"Oh no. I would never call anyone a liar, dear me. All I'm saying is that your teacher may not have been fully upfront."
"Upfront? Doubter?"
"It's okay child. There is nothing to fear here."
" Is it? Is it really? Yes, there is a party going on as you can see with all the costumes and hangings on the wall, but it's no get together sing along party. Everyone and everything always hides its true intentions so listen very carefully and tell me what you hear? What words stick out?"
"Well?"
"Shh!! Let me think."
"ʻOku ofi mai ʻa e kautaha ʻa e kautaha. ʻOku mau hivaʻi hoʻo fakahikihikiʻi mo pato ho talamu. Fanongo ki heʻetau ngaahi tangí pea fakafanongo ki heʻetau kātaki. ʻOku mau kole atu ke mou haʻu ʻo fakahinohino mai ʻa e halá. Kapau ʻokú ke moʻoni kātaki ʻo fakahā mai kiate kimautolu ʻa e moʻoní. Tuʻu hake ʻo ikunaʻi."
"Very good."
"He is a smart kid isn't he?"
"He's the brightest I've seen so far. No one has ever caught on to that language so quickly. Where did you guys say you were from?"
"We are from a small school down in the valley. You might have heard of us….Doubters school of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Mi....you…you're Mr. Doubter!! You are the one who went west and saw the Dragon. We know of your legend. You grew up side by side with this Dragon!! Is that true?"
"Every word you say is true. Now where is my corkscrew?"
"How is a corkscrew going to kill a dragon?"
"It's not."
"Huh? Then why do you want one?"
"There is a new enemy that has risen from the shadows. She stole Dragon's heart and used it to make hers even stronger."
"Excuse me for one second. Could any of you possibly translate what I just said?"
"Oh; pardon my manners. I almost forgot you were here. What your words translate to is: Entity, entity draw close near. We are singing your praises and banging your drums. Hear our cries and listen to our pleas. We ask your hand to come and show us the way. If you are real please show us the truth. Rise forth and cast out the light."
"Light? Who are you trying to conjure? Why would anybody want to destroy the light?"
"He has many names and many faces but most know him as Eelon, keeper of the Divide! He rules the Mists and commands the soul. His legion is big and his strength is mighty."
"You serve him?"
"We serve no one."
"Then why are you bringing him up? Oh no."
"Billy, you can't leave. We haven't gotten our stuff yet."
"You're one of them. You're all one of them!!"
"Tie him down and make him watch."
"Wait! I have a better idea. Mr. Doubter, go get the bottle and bring it here."
"You speak of him as if he were the true enemy."
"He is. I came here for your help and to bring you back, but I don't know anymore. We can't fight him alone."
"What do you mean you're not sure anymore? Even in darkness there is war?"
"Honey, war rages everywhere."
"So…..why are we not dead? You could've let me die or deflected the bullet back to me so that I could come down and help; but you didn't. Is there something you're not telling us?"
"Take it we are not going grocery shopping?"
"We were and then I was going to teach you all how to become a Hopegiver and what you that all entails, but as I've experienced….when you think the path goes one way. God always throws in an unexpected surprise."
"What is it you hear?"
"It's not what I hear; it's what I feel. Shh!! Everybody stay still. Somethings not right here."
" What are we listening for?"
"Articulation! If you stop and listen then you will hear it. All peoples thoughts and minds are connected. Use your senses and hone your skills."
"Huuu, heuww!!!"
"What do you hear?"
"Everything!! 'Cookies are on the top floor.'
'How is your day, Mary?'
'Have fun in the market'
'That'll be twenty dollars and thirty cents.'
'Sir, you gave me a ten. Hey, get back here!!'
'Don't forget the peaches.'
'I won't, mom.'"
"You're doing great, Adalyn and Dandellion. Now focus your senses and truly listen. Look beyond the voices. Now what's there?"
"Goodbye Ali. I love you."
"They kiss. He closes the door and their daughter who was watching on the steps secretly goes back to her room with sin in her heart. Wait a second. 'Put the money in the truck and hurry up.' One of the guys slips on the pavement and hurts his leg."
" 'Hey, get up. We can't let them see you.' 'I said nobody move!! I don't want to shoot anyone, but I will if I have to'"
"Good, girls. Look deeper. Where is the robbery taking place? What is everybody's status?"
"I sense an increased heartbeat. He's nervous. He doesn't want to shoot, but the other is urging him on. The two were raised as kids and he doesn't want to let him….*Bang*!! Oh my gosh!!"
"What is it? What happened?"
"He just shot the boy there in cold blood. He was trying to crawl to his mother and he just shot him. The mother is crying and has a gun pointed to her head. 'Shut up or else you're next.' 'Why did you do that? He did nothing to you.' 'Just pick up the bags and put them in the truck' 'What about these people?' *Click* 'I'll deal with these. Remember, no witnesses'"
"Dandellion, zoom out. Where is this taking place?"
"The robbery is taking place at twenty-third avenue. Police are on their way. 'HELP!! HELP!!' Wait, that voice is different. 'Help!! Help!!' 'Shut up kid. Tie him tighter and get him ready.'"
"What do you smell?"
"I smell incense!! Candles are burning on the wall and there is a huge alter placed in the middle. Wait!!"
"What is it? What do you see, sister?"
"It's Mr. Doubter. He's running out of the building with a corkscrew in hand. Billy!!!"
"Let's go!!