Hikkaba ~ Part 3

Hikkaba  ~  Part 3

I think she would have accepted twenty-five, knowing that Colin is so ill.  Hikkaba shared with Ferlin.

“I don’t understand why you involved Alan at this late stage.”

I didn’t, that was pure chance.

“But, the enchantment, how did he override it and how does that help with your predicament?”  

Just a hundred years ago, the magic encompassed the whole five acres.   Now I have just thirty yards, in any direction, around this glade.   It’s possible there is a degree of intermittence which allowed him to enter.

“It may disappear completely within five years, what will happen to you, to us, then?”

I have existed for so long; it will be interesting to discover what comes next.   Will I disappear in a puff of smoke?   Poof,   The uncertainty is exhilarating.

Ferlin gazed down at the tree.

If you wish to take photographs do so, they will do me no harm.  Very soon I shall experience the third state of consciousness.

Ferlin took out his camera.   “How do you know there are three states of consciousness for you to experience?”

Click!

I know only that ‘Awareness’ was the first state.   I have only vague memories prior to that.

Click!

“And what was the second state?”

Click!

I achieved the second state when I learned to contact and share thoughts with others ‘Communication’, was the second state.

Click!

“We need to know what the third progression could be.   Is there something we humans…”   Ferlin shook his head, dismissing the thought from his mind.

Click!

We will know in due time.

.-…-

Alan was concerned.   For several days Colin’s appetite had been absent.   He had been off work for three days with a virulent bout of flu.   Alan knew it must be serious, all the cheer and bravado had gone from Elise.   She put on a brave face for Alan’s benefit but he knew…   It was Tuesday, and he’d expected her to visit him with her wash basket.   He waited, but she didn't come.

He came down for breakfast.   At first, he thought the kitchen was empty, and then he saw her sitting with her head in her hands.

“Morning mum,” he said.

She sat up and dabbed at her red-rimmed eyes, with a handkerchief, and forced a smile.   “I’m sorry, I haven’t prepared breakfast, would you mind making do with cereal today?   I’m not feeling very well.   I think I’ve caught Colin’s man flu.”

“What’s wrong mum?” he went over and gave her a hug.

She started to cry, the tears poured down her cheeks and she started to tremble, uncontrollable heart-wrenching wails filled the room.  

 “Oh Alan, I don’t understand anything anymore, I feel so helpless.   If anything happens to Col I don’t know what I would do.”

Then he saw the opened letter on the table and picked it up.

“He’s got cancer,” she said.

“Oh my god!”

“According to the specialist he has six months, maybe less.”   She began to weep again.

“I’m sorry…   So sorry…” 

   

“It isn’t your fault son, but he’s my life, and he sits moping in bed refusing even to talk about it.   He just plays the same sad tunes, ‘In the Ghetto’, ‘If I Can Dream’, ‘An American Trilogy,’ over and over.”

Hikkaba, what can I do?

Think Elvis!

.-…-.

He ran back upstairs and burst into Elise and Colin’s bedroom.   Turning off the stereo he grabbed the battered acoustic guitar that had once belonged to the King, the pride of Colin’s collection.  

Colin sat up, “What are you doing?”

Alan handed him the guitar.   “Play,” he said. 

“I can’t, I never learned how,” his face teared up.

“A great Elvis fan like you, has never learned to play?”

“Never,” said Colin.   “I’m tone-deaf, I can’t even sing two notes in tune.   I would give anything to be able to sing or play one of the King’s songs, even ‘An American Trilogy.”

Alan handed him the Silver Star. “Use this as a plectrum.   Think Elvis!”

“But,” his face became alert and his fingers formed the chord ‘G’ and he started to play.  His face broke into a smile.   Elise, who was standing by the door, let out a girlish squeal, began tapping a rhythm on the door panel.

Alan began to sing:

“Holly smoke oh lord snakes alive I never thought this could happen to me!" Colin took over...

"I got stung by a sweet honey bee, what a feeling came over me!”   but it wasn’t Colin singing, it was Elvis.

They played and sang, one after another, every hit Elvis ever recorded and Colin played and sang everything note-perfect.

Several hours later they finally collapsed to the floor exhausted. 

“That was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had,” said Colin.   “How?”  He looked down at his sore throbbing fingers and cried again.   “He was the most fortunate man ever to live, to be able to sing and plays like that.”

 “You were the one playing and singing,” said Elise hugging him.

Colin’s face blanked for several seconds, then he stood up, quite his old self.  “Come on you two, were going to meet a friend.”

“Alan looked uncertain, where are you taking us?”

“Your friend Hikkaba has invited us to a party in the park, ‘Hickory Park’, come on,” he said.   “Bring the guitar, Alan.”

They walked straight through the gates, without a moment’s hesitation.

“Colin, Elise, we’ve heard so much about you,” said Ferlin.

“Mr Hikkaba?”  Colin asked.

“No, I’m Ferlin.   I’ll take you to Mr Hikkaba he’s expecting you, follow me.”

Something was wrong.   Alan could feel it as soon as they entered the glade.   The magic extended just fifteen feet around the tree.

“Aah!   No,” Elise cried out and backed out of the glade.

“It’s ok mum,” said Alan.  “I’ve been here before, they can help.”

“You’ve been taking advantage of this poor innocent child?   I’ve heard about people like you,” she said.

Alan went over and plucked one of Hikkaba’s leaves, Elise followed him and he placed it in her hand.

“This is like the one I found in your room,” she said, she went silent, a dreamy look on her face.

“What are you doing to her,” he said, voicing his alarm.

She is reliving a childhood memory.

“I haven’t got a leaf, how are you contacting me?” said Alan.

Once contact is made it becomes permanent after a few hours, give or take some.

“What is happening to the magic?   The area is shrinking, I can see it,” said Alan.

Oh that.   I’m dying so I’ve decided my death would be meaningful if I enable others to live and, nurtured new life.   Come closer.

They all moved closer to the tree, it was visibly wilting.

Give us one of your songs Elvis, ‘Loving You’ is nice.

Colin started to sing, Ferlin Alan & Elise sang backing vocals.   The magic held its ground at ten feet, it even gained a little.   As they sang on one after another, buds started to form on Hikkaba.   They sang on, and the buds grew larger and burst into bloom--Large red and white flowers giving off an incredible perfume.   When the singing stopped the petals dropped off, revealing bulbous fleshy green seed pods.   They started to swell, doubling and trebling in size.   Somebody, outside the circle, started to sing ‘Amazing Grace’.   Other new voices joined in.   Alan looked around and saw two dozen people who had been attracted by Colin’s singing.   They closed in, joining the circle, and Colin began to play and sing again.  

They sat within the balmy circle, while outside it began to snow.

It was getting dark and people were drifting away.   It had been a great evening and people wondered why they had never visited the park before.

There was an explosion, bright coloured sparks flashed overhead, like giant fireworks.  The seed pods were bursting explosively.  They shot skyward and just kept on going up into the night sky and out into space.

“They will seek worlds of their own,” said Ferlin.

Another seed pod exploded and those people remaining moved back to a safe distance.   It was a tremendous impromptu firework display that lasted for half an hour.   Then the snow began to set and the swirls became heavier and they made their way home.   Alan had witnessed the tears in Ferlin’s eyes and felt his sadness.

.-…-.

The oncologists gathered in deliberation.   They talked and talked amongst themselves.   Finally, the consultant in charge approached them.

“Mr Armstrong, I have very good news.   We can find no trace of the tumour, it has either disappeared or, he gazed pointedly at the specialist who had diagnosed Colin’s condition, it never existed.   Since there is absolutely no evidence of scarring I’m inclined to suspect the latter.   You’re completely clear of cancerous tissue and can go home.   Congratulations,” he offered Colin his hand.

.-…-.

Elise was sick on Christmas morning but felt a little better as the day progressed.  

“I’m calling the Doctor,” said Colin.

“But, it’s boxing day," she protested, "at least let the poor man have boxing day at home.” 

Colin saw the sense in it, but the sickness returned the following  day, so he drove her to the local health clinic.

.-...-.

“Your sickness is perfectly natural for a woman in your condition Mrs Armstrong, it will last a few weeks then disappear.   You do know you're pregnant?”

“That’s fabulous news,” said Alan.   “Congratulations Mum and Dad.”

Colin beamed with delight.  "Don’t think we won’t be escorting you to this new school of yours, just because of a little thing like pregnancy." 

"Mmm I’m pregnant, after all these years, I just can’t believe it!”   Colin gave her a hug and dabbed at his eyes. 

"I wonder if Hikkaba had something to do with it?"

.-...-.

Before he left for school, Alan went round to 24 Hickory Close.  Ferlin answered the door. “Alan so you’re off to Gorton Grange, nice of you to call.   I have something to show you before you go.   Alan followed him into the house, and out into the park to a familiar but now unfamiliar spot.   Ferlin pointed to where Hikkaba had stood.   The area was empty.   “Come closer,” said Ferlin.   “Look!"

“Yes I see it, a green tendril shoot sprouting from the stump.”   “It may be a parasite or rebirth,” said Ferlin, "only time will tell."
They returned to No.24 where Ferlin found an official-looking envelope on the front doormat.  He opened it and smiled, "Apparently our rate demand was sent in error, people have been complimenting the council on the Hickory Close wildlife park.  We don't owe them a penny!"  

.-…-

Colin drove Elvis through the gates and drew up beside a Bentley and a Rolls Royce.   He climbed out to get Alan’s cases from the trunk.   Elise gave him a hug and Colin shook his hand slipping him a twenty-pound note.  “Never know when you may need a little cash.   Let us know how you’re getting on, send us an email or ring, and don't forget to have fun.  Life is short."

As Alan walked past the Bentley another boy pulled on a school cap and joined him, “Did you just arrive in that MkI Cortina?

“Yep,” said Alan expecting the worst.

“Cool, I wish I'd arrived in style like that."

“My name is Alan.  My dad is a professional Elvis impersonator,”  he said.

“Cool, my dad’s a merchant banker, are you a first-year like me maybe we could bunk in together."

“Maybe,” he smiled, and they enter Gorton Hall together."   Maybe things will work out just fine, he thought.

/ends