It's true and this entry will prove it.
I was on the boat, ready for uncle Wu to take me to TDL's volcano.
After dropping my journal because I assumed uncle Wu was also ready to take me back to TDL's volcano, he told me that he just got an alert on his phone from Micheal's mom. I was expecting it. There was no way she wasn't going to try to call my uncle or at least text. Micheal is a serious tattletale who only tells half the truth. For three straight years, I've had to deal with his mother's incessant nagging at my uncle.
My uncle told me he had to go and I should stay and wait with the ninjas. But I didn't want to ruin their conversations with awkward silences since I can't know who they are so I asked if I could tag along. He thought for a moment before saying yes. He was like,
"Okay, Lloyd but you have to agree to stay at the st- I mean arcade since that is where I'll be dropping you off."
Detective mode was still on since the whole reason for putting it on in the first place was to find out what my uncle was/is hiding. I heard him when he said "st-" but I couldn't figure out what it was then and assumed it was a slip of tongue since it seemed like he had a lot on his plate.
I didn't want to answer yes to his agreement because I wanted to see what was going to happen between my uncle and Micheal's mother, but I had to say yes because- Hello!- it's an arcade! And I hadn't been to one since school began and I was itching to play the new game that came out at the end of the summer. I decided to agree and say yes.
Twelve minutes later, we were coming out of a taxi that dropped us off right at the arcade. My face lit up when I saw the poster of the new video game I'd been dying to play. I turned to my uncle in hopes that he had some cash I could make do with since I left my wallet at the house.
"How about we head into the police station first?" My uncle suggested.
Funny enough, the police station is right across the street from the arcade. I turned back to look at what my uncle was referring to and assumed that maybe Micheal's mom was inside. It reminded me of the time I almost got arrested. Yeah, good times.
"Alright," I said as I reluctantly agreed. The two of us walked over to the station and I must say, I hate going there. The crude stares from officers, the annoying music they play in the waiting room that just adds more tension to the place, and the annoying self-proclaimed officer who goes by the name of Judy Rivers. Yup, I hate going there.
"Why don't you come with me upstairs today?" Uncle Wu suggested.
"Sure," I replied with a strange feeling tugging at me.
I never follow my uncle Wu upstairs. To me, that floor is where all the real work is done. I'm never allowed up since I have no reason to be, so uncle Wu tells me.
"And the trouble maker finally shows up to the party," It was Micheal's mom, otherwise known as Mrs. Madeline Harper.
"Are you referring to me?" I asked. I know it was rude but there's no nice way of talking to that lady if you've gone through everything I've gone through.
"Who else would I be referring to?" She said, a smirk forming on her lips. She knew very well unless my uncle left, she was safe. And there was a very small possibility of my uncle leaving for anything.
"Is this why you brought me here?" I asked my uncle. "Can't I just head back to the arcade or wait downstairs?"
"Actually, Mrs. Harper was wondering if she could talk to you." I stared at my uncle blankly as he spoke. I turned to Micheal's mom and just knew I didn't want to spend any time with her. Her expression was just so... I can't even find a word.
"No. You said arcade, not the police station. Take me back to the arcade." I told him simply. I didn't want to get ticked off so I forced myself into a sort of neutral emotion.
"Lloyd, don't be like this," Uncle Wu stated.
"Like what?" My voice rose a little but it wasn't really that noticeable.
"Lloyd."
"Gah, fine. But, do you promise we will go to the arcade right after?"
"Promise."
Then I heard Micheal's mom scoff at me. I turned to her with a questioning death glare.
"You sounded just like a six-year-old," She mocked, "Except, you know, more pathetic."
It was like dealing with some bratty middle schooler except it was a full-grown adult with an annoying attitude. A very annoying attitude. If uncle Wu weren't there, I would've punched her right then and there. She had basically just called me a child but in a more specific and insulting way and there was nothing I could do about it.
"Look, lady, the only reason you're not sitting in your grave yet is that my uncle's standing right there!" Sadly, I could only say that in my head since my uncle was standing right next to me.
"Whatever private conversation you want to have with me," I warned, "Make it quick."
"Lloyd, apologize."
"No way! That's not fair! I didn't even say anything wrong." I could not believe he had just told me to apologize. And for reasons, I do not understand. It was like he was trying to put me in a bad mood. I'm not even sure if it were the detective mode that made me think that or something else.
"Look, Lloyd," Uncle Wu said whispering to me, "I am fed up, but last I checked the only reason she's attacking us is that she doesn't like the way you take your anger out on her son. If we're going to try to find a way out of dealing with her and her son, you're going to have to try to be nicer."
"So this is my fault? Micheal's the one who never listens. It's like he doesn't understand when someone wishes to be left alone. Why should I be the one getting reprimanded when someone else is at fault?!"
Uncle WU didn't get the time to answer. Another door to the room opened and two police officers came in. I calmed down a bit since I didn't want them to think I would explode anytime soon.
"The booth has been prepared," The first officer said. "The two of you can now begin."
That statement sounded so creepy. Very creepy.
"Begin what?" I asked as the second police officer sat me down on a movable office chair and wheeled me out the door. "What's going on?"
"Nephew, don't worry," Uncle Wu reassured, "It'll be fine."
I could see Micheal's mom walking beside me with her arms folded across her chest. She looked deep in thought and I decided not to bother thinking of what she could be thinking of. I was still in detective mode but it was like something was blocking me from reading her.
We soon got inside a room that looked like one of those criminal investigation rooms in a mystery TV series. I could see a wide glass mirror on both sides of the room, the standard metal table, and two chairs on opposite sides.
"I could have just walked you know," I told the officer pushing the chair I sat on.
He didn't answer so I let myself check out the room- a little distraction to pass the time. Soon, I was tied up in a chain of some sort. I didn't even notice it till they had fastened it to me. I gave them a questioning look but decided not to freak out about it since my uncle told me it would be fine.
I was set up on one side of the table and Micheal's mom on the other side. The cops left the room and closed the door leaving the two of us alone for a chat.
"So why did you organize this?" I asked.
"I just want to know what you have against my son," She stated firmly, "I'm tired of having to worry about his health. Not to mention it's hard paying hospital bills these days."
"That's it?" I asked surprised, "Look, Micheal's mom, I want nothing to do with Micheal, and I would love it if our relationship with each other was nothing more than acquaintances. Sadly, Micheal's the one who wants everything to do with me."
"You can just call me Madeline or Mrs. Harper."
"Why are you being nice?" I asked eyeing her suspiciously.
"Well, you know," She said, her eyes moving to one side, "I just don't want to have to deal with your anger issues."
"Is that what these chains are for?!" I asked panicking a bit. I could see her expression change confirming my thoughts. "You're not a good liar."
"I might not be but I really don't want you blowing up on me," She said, "Someone could get hurt."
"You mean me. Right?"
I got the point almost immediately. I turned my neck hoping to see most of behind me. I noticed a long wire cable plugged into a switch on the wall. It led up to the chains where the copper wires inside were pulled out and wrapped around the chains. If that switch were to go on, the chains could heat up and probably burn me alive.
"Are you trying to kill me?"
"You are really something, Lloyd Garmadon,"
"You can't say that! You're just sitting there while these things are wrapped around me. Don't you know I could die?!"
"Yeah, I do," She said, "But they won't let that and that just leaves me to watch you in pain so you can feel what it means to be in my situation!"
"Why does it always seem like I'm the one at fault? You are always accusing me like it's my fault your son ends up with the short end of the stick. Have you ever bothered to consider Micheal actually wants it?!" I said trying to convince her.
"Don't lie to me. I've known you for three years." She said, "I know you have something against me and my son. Why don't you just give it up?"
"The only thing I have against Micheal is his continuous want for me as a gossip topic."
"You're still lying" She continued. "Micheal's told me everything since day one of your bullying. You just hate him. You choose to treat my son like a punching bag. Fortunately for you, you're going to learn what it means to be in his shoes."
"Is this even legal? You turn on that switch and I promise you you'll be the one with burns all over."
"We'll see about that."
She walked over to the switch and turned it on. I was almost panicking. I'd never felt afraid before, and it wasn't going to start now.
"Micheal's mom, please don't be like this," I asked, "Let's work something out. You could get my uncle Wu and we'll talk something out."
The ringing came back. Just when I'd thought my situation couldn't get any worse, it got worse. It was louder than before and the migraine started again. My vision got distorted along with my hearing both of which just happened to be new features. It cleared up but my migraine still remained.
"Ah, yes, your uncle!" She said with a smirk on her face, "You know, he agreed to this. I don't think there's any way to "talk something out"."
"He did what?" I asked not believing her, "You're lying."
"Now why would I be lying? Your uncle, in fact, suggested it." She said, "After your bully incident with Micheal last week, dear Wu started thinking up ways to fix you. He consulted me, of course, and the two of us thought this whole thing up."
Right then, I wasn't even thinking. My migraine increased and I couldn't think properly. The chains were scalding hot and everything began to look weird. Soon the only thing I could hear was that sickening woman's voice repeating my uncle's name over and over again which really angered me. And then silence.