Witch and Wizard - James Patterson [66]
No, the thing that freaks me out is that I can tell he’s got magic. A lot of it. Serious mojo.
His Oneness gestures for the crowd to quiet, and they hush even before his hand is fully raised. How often in human history has somebody like him taken control of a whole society? You know the answer, my friends: far too often.
It looks like he’s going to give a speech, which will definitely put me over the edge. I mean, it’s bad enough that his evil puss is going to be among the last things we Allgoods see, but now his words are going to be among the last things we hear.
That is, unless this vague but growing feeling I have is in fact some sort of witch’s intuition. See, I have this weird sensation that at the last moment we’re going to find a way out of this horrible, unspeakable situation… and live to fight on, and hopefully have something to do with bringing goodness and prosperity to all, aka Prophecy Six.
But that moment isn’t here yet. In this moment, there’s just quiet.
How can a hundred thousand people be so absolutely quiet?
So quiet you can hear the faint breeze riffling through the stadium.
So quiet there’s nothing to do but be scared, really scared.
So, how are you doing—wherever you are? Listen, please: seize the moment, however worried you may be about what’s coming next. It’s your brain, it’s your life, it’s your attitude…. Go out there and fill up with sights, sounds, and ideas that are bigger than yourself. We all know from history—to say nothing of this current reality—what can happen if we stay quiet and just do what’s put in front of us.
And don’t worry too much about Whit and me. Word of what happens next will get to you.
I promise.
And I’m a scary witch who keeps her promises.
TO BE CONTINUED
Excerpts of
NEW ORDER PROPAGANDA
as Disseminated by
The Council of N.O. “Arts”
ESPECIALLY OFFENSIVE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN BANNED
as Dictated by The One Who Bans Books
THE BLUEPRINTS OF BRUNO GENET: A particularly repugnant, rule-breaking experiment in mixing dramatic text with pictures. This story of a young inventor distracted many readers—young and old alike—and greatly reduced measurable productivity at schools, workplaces, and residences around the world.
MARGARET’S PEN: The tale of a little girl, the barnyard animal she loves, and an unexpectedly small friend who saves the day. In the face of this ridiculous premise, its immense popularity is a prime example of just how flawed human society was in the days before the New Order.
THE PITCHER IN THE WHEAT: An immensely corruptive “coming-of-age” tale about a youth who endeavors to infect the populace with his cynicism and world-weariness.
THE THUNDER STEALER: This piece of fiction, steeped with references to some of the more outlandish legends of the Old World, is about a boy, Percival Johnson, who steals from the gods and brings down all kinds of divine wrath—and misadventure—upon himself. The entire series about this Percival Johnson is forbidden.
RATTERS’ TRIP DOWN: The patently improbable saga of a pack of talking rodents who find their lives turned upside down by encroaching human development.
GARY BLOTTER AND THE GUILD OF REJECTS: The deeply troubling story of a delusional boy who realizes his job as a scribe is much easier when he uses his so-called magical powers.
THE FIREGIRL SAGA: This bizarre thread of folklore, which promotes secretive “love” relationships between humans and nonhumans, once bred massive, manic cults of creature-worshipping females.
THE ELDEST DRAGON: This epic fairy tale not only illogically suggests that persons under the age of twenty-one are suitable for leadership roles but is also offensive in its glorification of the long-proved-mythical fire-breathing lizard.
SOME PARTICULARLY REPREHENSIBLE NOISE POLLUTERS OF THE FORMER AGE
as Defined by The One Who Monitors Auditory Stimuli
The Groaning Bones: Their lineup changed