The Dark Lord's Plot | Chapter 2

Cortland ran down the steps and into the street, tears flinging from his eyes. He wanted so badly to believe that he had never been related to Charlie, but it was no good now. He knew the truth.1

But where to go? As far as he knew he had no other family! No one ever talked of any cousins, or aunts, or uncles. He reached down and picked up a few pebbles off the pavement.2

For now he decided, he would just walk the path and see where it took him. As he walked he thru pebbles toward the pavement making them skid along for a few more feet. It helped release some of his anger.3

It was very dark outside, and starting to get chilly. Wherever he was going, he needed to find it fast!4

He threw another pebble and kept on. Though the clouds were forming up overhead he still had enough light to view the path. 5

Once again, his intuition told him of what was ahead before he saw him. There was a timidly looking young boy standing in front of him. He appeared to be around twelve years of age. He had dark brown hair and light blue eyes. 6

“What is your name?” asked the boy nervously like a puppy that had been beaten. Cortland found this as odd. The boy was well built and tough looking there was no way somebody would beat up on this kid without them getting a little something in return.7

“Ummm. . . Hi. I am Cortland,” he began.8

“I am Abbott!” Abbott exclaimed, “Abbott Ange!” The boy was suddenly excited, overwhelming with happiness and joy.9

“Will you come with me back to my hideaway?” asked Abbott.10

“But, will your parents mind? After all it Is getting dark!”11

“Oh, of course not! I don’t live with my parents I live with a gang over on the south side of town,” Abbott called out proudly.12

“What kind of gang?” Cortland asked wearily.13

“It is a resistance gang. A gang that fights ‘The Dark Lord‘ ,” Abbott said, “We began fighting almost a week ago today, but we have no leader. You may just be our answered pray!” he said loudly. He suddenly looked around to see if anyone had heard him. There was no one in site, so he ushered Cortland along beside him with his right arm over Cortland’s shoulder. 14

Cortland looked at him with a sense of fear, but that all changed after Abbott started talking.15

“You know, besides the gang,” he started, “You are the first person that has ever talked to me. Although, I guess technically you are a part of the gang, if you decide to be.” He looked at Cortland long and hard.16

“Ummm. . .Sure yeah of course!” Cortland said with as much joy in voice as he could congregate.17

“Great,” said Abbot, “but, well if your officially a part of the gang now, what is your full name?”18

“Cortland Pettyfer,” he said. Abbott’s face went white. That scared Cortland. Why had some many faces turned white because of him lately? Cortland took his shoulder from under Abbott’s arm.19

“What?” he said, “Why are you so scared, or whatever, of me?”20

Abbott’s face quickly restored its color. 21

“Ummm. . .What? Oh, no, I am not scared of you,” Abbott said almost with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Then, he turned his head and searched for anybody following them. “Alright. Follow me,” he said, and the pair walked on through the alley toward the small house where the gang lived.22

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -23

The house was almost like the one Cortland had lived in. It was an old wood house, probably built in the 20’s or later, he thought. Cortland wasn’t good at predicating age of things. It was a light shade of blue. Cortland could only tell the color of because of a lantern lit in one of the windows. He could make out shadows of what liked two people.24

Abbott escorted him up to the door. Abbott took out a wand and waved it at the door.25

“Ospikuus.” A face suddenly appeared on the door. The face was of an elderly man, but he seemed very spry. The 3-d face began to come towards them.26

“What is the password?” the man asked slowly.27

“Asparagus.” Abbott said softly.28

“And what are your intensions?” asked the face.29

“I think I may have found us a leader my lord!” said Abbott trying really hard to conceal his excitement.30

“Oh, have you now!” said the face a little more interested, and the door swung open revealing a large living room. The room was fairly modern and nothing like the outside appearance. Lights shone out from everywhere.31

“That is Mr. Jooks,” he is the master of our resistance, “He placed a spell on this building so he has control of who enters.” 32

“Ahhh. . .,” said Cortland like the last piece of the puzzle just fit into its place. 33

After they both got through the door, Abbott turned back towards the door.34

“Lockio,” he said. After Cortland looked at him a little oddly he added, “You got to stay safe when you are forming a resistance now, huh?”35

Cortland gave a weak smile and turned to see the rest of the house. It was huge. Enormous. The middle of the ceiling shot up high to include a chandelier that was almost twenty feet tall. The walls were the color of burnt bronze, and the railings were an eggshell color. Rooms branched off in every direction. Cortland didn’t know where to start first.36

“Follow me,” said Abbott. Cortland followed Abbott to an area left of the door. Abbott took out his wand and pointed it between to doors. He waved it and said, “Exspesio,” and the wall stretched to include a new door.37

“There you are,” said Abbott happily, “This is your new home. It includes a kitchen, two bedrooms, and one bathroom. Hope you enjoy.” He started to walk away.38

“My. . . My. . .My own house,” said Cortland a little bewildered. 39

“Well, yeah, of course! Every member of the gang gets their own house! Put your things away and then meet in the mutual lounge. Then, I will introduce you to the rest of the gang.”40

“Yeah, sure thing,” said Cortland. He really couldn’t think of anything else to say. He was so excited. His own house. He stared in awe.41

Abbott gave a slight cough. Cortland turned around to see that the door was still open. “Your things?” 42

“Ahhh. . . Yes,” Cortland said. He took out his wand and waved his hand into the air.43

“Gotalus.” All of his belongings zoomed to their locations. His clothes moved to his closet. His reading glasses zoomed to the coffee table along with his latest copy of “SpellCasters Today”. Then a thought came to Cortland.44

“But, I have no plates. I mean I wasn’t exactly expecting my own house when I ran away.”45

“Stokolus.” 46

“You are a Spellcaster aren’t you?” Abbott gave a little laugh. Cortland smirked too.47

“Just kidding,” said Abbott, “Now shall we go meet the gang.”48

“Yes. Yes, of course!” said Cortland. They made their way our of Cortland’s house and into the mutual lounge. 49

Abbott stood on top of the coffee table and yelled, “Who fights against the Dark Lord?” 50

“We do. We do.” All of the gang chanted in unison. Their doors opened at exactly the same time and they all appeared in the same spot in their doorway. They looked like little soldiers.51

“Who are the best Spellcasters in the world?” Abbott continued.52

“We are. We are.”53

“Roll Call!” Abbott yelled.54

“John.”55

“Link.”56

“Mark.”57

“Brett.”58

“Susan.”59

“Positions!” Abbott roared.60

“1 check.”61

“2 check.”62

“3 check.”63

“4 check.”64

“5 check.”65

“6 check,” Susan finished. They all looked obediently at Abbott.66

“This is Cortland. Cortland Pettyfer,” Abbott started, “He is a newbie to the gang, but with do time will be your new leader. I suggest you treat him with respect. Is that clear?”67

“Yes, sir,” they chanted simultaneously.68

“Thank you! You are dismissed.”69

“Well, there you are. I know what you are thinking- only eight people go up against “The Dark Lord” . Well, let me tell we have won our first battle just three days ago. Trust me. It can be done,” Abbott said to Cortland. Cortland looked at him oddly and he continued.70

“You may go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be one eventful day.”71

“Eventful?” Cortland asked.72

“Sorry, confidential until you need to know.”73

Cortland gave him a little frown and then went off towards his home to go to bed.74

As he sat in bed he wondered what could eventful mean? Was there going to be a battle tomorrow? But, Cortland wasn’t ready! He had just ran away from his parents and now he was wished into a gang plotting a resistance against “The Dark Lord”, a person so strong he has reined for years. But Cortland had no idea what really was in store for tomorrow!