Teaching Ted to Laugh Part 5

V. What Dreams May Become

Ted was so giddy when he left Audrey's house, if his scooter had feet it would've danced all the way back home.

As he pulled up into the driveway, he took in a huge, delicious breath of that fresh, afternoon air. Ted had never felt so happy in all his days, he literally skipped up to the front door. Upon entering he was greeted by his mother. He smiled at her, asking her how her day was. She said not a word, just gave him a look. The boy was so happy he hardly noticed, that is until he heard her speak.

"Theodore Wiggins, would you mind coming this way.", she said in a rather cross manner.

Now Ted didn't think he'd come home that late. Whatever it was that had gotten under her skin, he had no clue what it could be. But never once did he disobey his mom when it came to having a talk, he knew better than that. It was wiser to hear her out then to test her. And so, he followed her into the living room. She took a seat on the sofa and told him to sit. Without question Ted did just that, looking at her with confusion on his face. What had he done wrong? He clearly didn't know, but whatever it was, his mom was not at all happy with him.

Sitting there, Margie Wiggins took out a sheet of paper. "Now I thought we had an agreement young man ", she said with a voice most unpleasant.
Ted said nothing, just gave her a look, like that of someone unsure of what they did wrong. His mother lowered her head in shame, then told him what was written on the page. This note had come with the rest of mail and just like a bill, it came with great peril. This particular note had come from the Thneedville Mental Health Center. Now he knew that whatever was on it, wouldn't be good news. In fact, it was to inform him that he needed to make another appointment. Ted dug his shoe into the carpet as he lowered his head.

"Would you mind explaining yourself, Ted!?", his mother asked in a stern tone.

Ted knew he was in for it now! Audrey was right all along, his secret had now been found out. But what could he tell her without making her flip? If he breathed one word about his condition, chances were great she'd have a conniption  Though with the glare of those piercing, mad eyes, Ted sat there and let out a deep sigh. As he did this, Mrs. Wiggins's expression changed. Before she was angry and a little enraged. Now her face softened as she could tell, that son was going through some regretful hell. Slowly he spoke, asking her not to get mad if he told her the truth.

"That's all I want honey. When I got this letter I thought something was wrong. I was certain you will still seeing the psychiatrist. Now I find out you only went to see Mr. Snochmere once."

"Yeah well, I sort of found out I have ptsd...."

He said it so softly his mom didn't hear. So she asked him to repeat it and make it more clear. And he tried, yes he did but it came out in the very same tone. Now his mother, not impatient but worried. Asked him, "Can you speak up honey?"

With a lump in his throat and fear in his belly. Ted opened his mouth and he started yelling, "I HAVE PTSD   ", he cried out with a scream. Then he covered his mouth as he'd never, ever yelled at his mom.

But Mrs. Wiggins didn't scold her son. With worry in her eyes she took him in her arms and held him. Of course, Ted fought off the affection, he didn't feel he deserved it. After all, he'd kept things from her. Not only about the PTSD but of his fear. Though he wouldn't mention what it was, his mother could careless about a simple fear. She was worried about the other one. It was just as he predicted, his mother became all worried and upset.

Oh, he tried to calm her, "Mom, it's no big deal."

"How can you said that Theodore Wiggins  My only son is a mental case   ", she wailed in grief.

Ted felt like banging his head on a wall. Not only had he kept the truth from her, now she might have to seek help as well. Then came the question, the one he had dreaded. Why did he have this horrible condition? What could have caused such a thing to take place? Was it the abduction? Being locked down in that underground cage? Perhaps it was the thought of being replaced, by something made of plastic and metal, a robotic fake. It was none of that, no those things he could handle. It was what happened during all that, that was giving him trouble. Worst of all, his mother wanted to know everything that went down in O'Hare's little hell hole. Every last detail she demanded, she wanted to know why his mind was so tainted. So, Ted cleared his throat and told her everything he'd left out.

Up until now all that knew were Audrey and the police. Now his own mother would soon know what went on down in that place. Ted explained in as much detail as he could muster, all the facts he had kept from his mother. He started at the beginning, most of it she already knew. Though the part of his recapture was something new, as was the meeting with Mr. O'Hare and the bribes he'd offered him.

"See, the guy wanted a Truffula seed, and he figured I knew where one was.", he said to his mom. "But, I didn't tell him, I couldn't. I knew if I did, he'd do something bad."

His mother said nothing as she listened intently.

Onward he went through those memories he'd rather forget. About being placed and then strapped into a chair. How O'Hare kept asking him where to find a seed, and again he wouldn't tell him anything. That's when the story got a little bit tough for him to say. After all, this was his mother he was talking to and not some shrink. With a deep breathe and a rub of his head, Ted continued the tale. Yet, how could he describe what happened next? Her reaction might just go out of whack   How does one tell their mom, that their very own son was put through such harm? Yes, it was tough for Ted, but he gutted it out as he said, "You know how a person is hired for a certain ability? Will O'Hare had this guy brought in to......get me to answer some questions "

"Mr. O'Hare brought in a Game Show host?", his mother asked dumbfounded.

Ted laughed slightly, "No, Bob Barker he was not  No...he sort of, kind of, forced me to answer questions."

The look in her eyes were filled with great horror  Had her son just told her that Mr. O'Hare had brought in some kind of professional torturer  ? Realizing, because of his silence, she flung herself over her son.

"Oh my Ted   My poor son    Did...did he hurt you Teddy  ?", she cried out loud.

He told her that the guy didn't actually hurt him, so to say. Though what he did do wasn't all that fun either. His mother wanted to know more, more importantly she wanted to know exactly what he did to her son. If he left any mark, no matter how small. She would make sure he was hunted down and brought to justice.

Ted tried his hardest to think of how to tell her. Although he was getting over what had been done to him, there was still a small part of him that didn't like to think about it. Nevertheless, he gathered up his strength and told her in a manner of speaking. That this hired torturer had done something that made him laugh. At first his mother thought he told Ted bad jokes tell he couldn't take it no more. Though this didn't sound to much like a torture, just annoying.

Ted shook his head, "No, he didn't tell me bad jokes. It was a little more than that."

When she didn't respond, he went to tell her that it was something that he didn't like. Something that made him uncomfortable since he was a wee kid.

Still she scratched her head.

"Oh come mom. Four years old, under the knees, kick to the face? None of this rings a bell to you? How could you forget something like that, you're my mother. You got to know how sensitive I am, right? You know, under my arms, the bottoms of my feet."

"I'm afraid I don't understanding what your trying to say honey."

"Okay, that's fine. Let me just come out and say it then. He Tickled Me ", he cried out as he fell back against the sofa.

His mother just sat there for a few second before a smile crossed her face. In moments she was trying to stop from giggling but she couldn't. Here she had thought this person had hurt her son. Water boarding or slow electrocution came to mind, but tickling? It was the silliest thing she'd ever heard. And as she sat their in her own hysteria, Ted grew angered.

"Mom    It's not funny   It was like a living nightmare   "

"I'm....I'm sorry Ted...it's just...it's just...tickling....."

Ted felt like hiding under the couch. It wasn't until he told her the rest that she stopped. What happened afterwards was ever worse for him. He told her after all he'd given him, he wouldn't talk. So, they simply switch him with Audrey. Ted could hardly talk about this, as it still weighed heavy on his mind. Not only the horror of being forced to watch, but of his failure in giving in.

"It was horrible mom.....I don't want to talk about that part ever again  ", he said burying his hands in his face.

She took her son in her arms and rocked him, much like Audrey had done that very day. This time he didn't cry all that much. But this reaction was why she wanted him to back to see Mr. Snochmere. He told her he didn't want to go back to him. After hearing about his conditions, he got defensive. What would happen if he did, and he found out something else about himself? Something that did cause him to go crazy? No, he wouldn't go back for nobody

"But, Ted  You have to go back, he can help you.", his mother pleaded.

But Ted stood firm on this. Besides, Audrey had been helping him more then he ever could. This made Margie curious. In what way was she helping him? She couldn't possibly know anything about psychology.

Ted told her exactly how she was helping. Basically she was making him face his fear. By using the same type of thing that was done to him, only in a friendly, playful manner. It seemed to be working. He talked about all the different types of games they played. And how he found out just how fun it really could be. Because of this he was sleeping better and not getting freaked out by a simple touch. She admitted he was sleeping better. Rarely had she heard him cry out at night. She just didn't understand how this could be good. She worried that allow he was fine now. His trauma could come back and even more intense

"It's been four weeks mom  Four  And nothing has happened  I trust Audrey and because of that I'm getting use to it. My sensitivity isn't gone but it's better then what it was."

"I know you feel that way Ted, and I am happy your getting better. But what if this person comes back?"

This he hadn't really thought of. Though Sternstein didn't seem to be the one to hold a grudge. There was a possibility it could happen, and this thought bothered Ted. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he still had fear and forebodings. Yes, it would never truly leave him but if he could control it, though is mother didn't buy that. She agreed that if he wanted to have Audrey help him that was fine, but he also had to go and see a professional as well.

"And have them dig into my brain, no thanks ", he exclaimed.

"But Ted, you need help."

"I getting help mom, why can't you see that?"

And she told him why. Because she felt that allow it looked like their games were helping, and maybe they were. The stress stuff could get worse, as would his fear. But Ted argued, probably the only real argument the two ever had. There was no shouting and no one walked away angry. In the end, she allowed, for now, for Ted to continue seeing Audrey. However, if he showed any signs of traumatic attacks in any way, shape or form. She would see to it that he went back to the Thneedville Mental Health Center. Ted agreed and with that, he went up to his room to work on a model he'd recently started.

*****

Several days past. Saturday came around as Audrey found herself down in Ted's basement. They'd been looking for some old photo albums for his mother. He was hoping they didn't come across any baby pictures of himself. That alone would've been more embarrassing than being caught kissing a cereal box  Thankfully they didn't, what they did find was Ted's old train set. He laughed when Audrey took it out. He thought that had been sold at a garage sale years ago

Audrey looked at the old, mechanical toy and got an idea. Bringing it up with them, they went in to Ted's room. There they began assembling it, though Ted had no real clue why they were doing it. For one thing, it had no batteries, and the other was, why were they putting it together in the first place? All she said was she had a plan and nothing more. This didn't frighten him, but he was curious as to how she was going to use it. One thing about Audrey, she had a creative mind when it came to turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.

With the track nearly completed. All they needed now was to make sure the remote worked, and then put the train together. Ted had found some batteries that were brand new. He placed them into the back of the remote box, surprisingly the old thing actually worked  Now that the control box had power. They just needed to fit the last two sections of track. While Ted did this, Audrey was busy doing something with the Engine Car. He couldn't quite see what she was doing, but figured one of the wheels had came off and she was reattaching it. However, what she was really doing was far more interesting.

The train itself was almost complete, all it needed was the front section. Before that was installed, Audrey set up several books beside the track. Ted was down right confused as to what she needed those for. Then she placed a small pillow over them and told him to put his feet up on it.

"And why would I do that?", he asked with a nervous smile.

"It's part of the game, silly.", was all she said.

Ted just shrugged and decided to go with it. Next, she took out some stretchy rope and tied his feet together. He wasn't too surprised when his shoes and socks were taken off, but still he had no idea what on earth she had planned. It all was made clear when she placed the front part of the train on the track. There, taped to the engine car were two, small feathers.

'Your going to tickle me with a train set?', he thought to himself, almost laughing at the site. It had to be the most ridiculous thing he'd ever laid eyes on. No one and he meant no one, would ever believe this unless they'd seen it for themselves.

Ted asked her, "How to I keep getting talked into to these things?"

"Cause you love me.", she said with a giggle.

Though he didn't need to respond, he did smile with a  nod.

Audrey returned the smile as she flipped the power switch on the remote. In a playful sounding voice she said, "Here comes the Tickle Train." And off the little toy train went rolling down the plastic track.

Ted watched as it made it's way around the first bend. Barreling down the straight away at about ten miles an hour. The suspense was growing as the train turned the next corner. Just one more left of the four until it reached it's target. Within minutes those two feathers would brush against his bare feet. Ted's toes wiggled as they drew closer. The toy train had just passed the next turn and was now mere centimeters from his soles. As it slowly passed, the soft feather brushed against his feet causing him to laugh. Even Audrey herself couldn't hold it back any longer. It was thee cutest thing she'd ever thought up.

The Tickle Train passed over his feet several more times. With each pass, Ted laughed more and more. The way the feathers brushed across his soft soles made him think of a dream he had not to long ago.
*****

It was a beautiful day in Thneedville. People were out and about in the Down Town area of the city. Ted Wiggins was among the crowd. He wasn't riding his scooter like he always did. Instead, he decided to take a nice, brisk walk into town. He waved to the people as they passed by. Then for some strange reason he fell down an open manhole. The funny thing was, he was on the sidewalk. Who'd ever heard of a manhole in the middle of a sidewalk? Surly he hadn't.

Ted feel down into that cold, dark shaft. But unlike other sheer falls, he didn't plummet. It was like a strong current had picked him up and was gently lowering him. As he descended, Ted saw nothing but darkness, yet for some reason he wasn't afraid. A cool, calming breeze envelope the young man. As he neared what seemed to be the bottom of the shaft. Ted found himself floating slower and slower. A small, brownish-red leather chair with an upright foot rest greeted him below. As he landed upon it, several, soft, cushioned appendages inclosed around his wrists and ankles. The chair itself was so comfortable, it seemed to take any fear he had away.

As he sat there, light began to fill the room he was now in. All around him where different sized cogs and conveyor belts. All at once, the room came alive with the whirring and churning of machinery. With a slight jerk, the chair moved forward. Ted could now see the sheer size of the room as it stretched farther then he could see. The chair slowed to a halt next to one of the larger, moving platforms. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came the sound of a blaring buzzer. The conveyor belt in front of him began to move.

While this was happening, Ted tried to figure out exactly where he was. At first he thought O'Hare had to be involved in this. Perhaps he was in one of his air producing factories. But the place looked older even though everything ran as if it were brand new.

"Where am I?", he asked as his voice echoed all around the place.

The only response that he got, was the sound of the well oiled wheels that moved the belt.

From out of that long, endless dark they came. In single file they marched down that lonely, moving ramp. Boxes of all the same size came down to greet him as they passed by. Upon their tops were names first and last as they went on their merry way. Names that Ted never heard of nor people he knew. Down the line they came, never seeming to end. Not until an opened box came by did it stop. The box contained nothing but air. Ted sat and looked at it, wondering why it was there? He wondered allot since he came to this place. What was it purpose? Who owned it and why? Judging by what he'd seen so far. It must be some kind of deranged shoe makers shop. For the boxes, like this one, all looked like the kind one would find in a shoe store.

From out of the inky blackness, two arms came forth. Their arms were of metal and their hands were gloved. One at a time they took of Ted's shoes, lightly tugging they slip them off. Inside the box they went, each one facing the opposite direction. Then came his socks, Ted found this quite odd. What kind of a place steals someone's shoes as well as their socks?  The answer was never said, as he watched his socks get rolled up and placed neatly inside. The two robot arms did their job with great care, packing his footwear in rolls of newspaper. Then the top of the box was flipped up, upon it's top was his name: Theodore Seuss Wiggins in crystal clear ink  Then that belt did move once again, carrying his garments away into that darkened void.

He gazed at his feet that were now bare and helpless. He looked to his right as he saw what appeared to be color. Many different ones did he see. As they got close he could tell, that the objects coming towards him were the tops of Truffula trees. All of them nice and soft, and going straight for his bared feet. As each bunch of tuft passed by, their tender, soft bristles brushed across Ted's soles. Oh how they tickled his sensitive feet, and Ted could do nothing but laugh out with glee. One by one they came forth, tickling his pink, tender soles. Though maddening it was, Ted found it most enjoyable. Though it seemed like torture, those soft, fuzzy tufts seemed to tease him. The belt never sped up nor did it slow down. It kept it pass as more tufts came down. Now two, now three, now four and now five. They whisked passed his soles as they moved down the line. No longer was he in control. The more tufts that came forth, the laughter out poured from his mouth.

His toes, how they danced as each tuft made a pass. Ted's face started to sweat as tears rain down his cheeks. The more they tickled him the more happy he became. It was like he didn't want it to end, but like most things that are to hard to believe. Ted Wiggins himself awoke from his dream.

*****

Ted walked into his room. He still couldn't believe he'd had that argument with his mother. At least now she knew everything he'd kept from her, which made him feel better.

As he closed the door of his room, he spied an object laying on his bed. He walked over and picked it up. In his hands he held a medium sized plush doll. It's frame was rounded and it's arms were somewhat curvy. He gazed at that smiley face, it's bright, blue hat sitting upon it's head. He remembered this guy, it was a present from Audrey. He'd gotten it some four weeks ago. After he'd found out he had PTSD as well as a phobia for tickling. She'd tried everything to make him feel comfortable with that word. And so, one bright Saturday morning she came to his house with a gift in her hands. They went up to his room and she gave it to him.

"Open it.", she said with a grin.

Ted did just that, tearing the paper away, wondering in awe what could be inside. When he opened the box he stared with amazement at the funny looking, bright orange creature. It was a plush but of what, or whom he wasn't to sure. The look that he gave her said it all. So reaching into the box, Audrey pulled him out.

"Who or what is that?", Ted asked very curious.

"This guy? His name is Mr. Tickle.", she said with a bright smile.

Ted's eyes grew wide as he shouted out, "WHAT    ?"

"That's his name silly.", she said with a light giggle.

Audrey came and  sat on his bed, playfully bouncing the doll in her hands. She looked at Ted with mischievous eyes and with a soft voice she said, "I think someone needs a tickle   "

Ted dived away from the soft, plushy thing. Shoeing his hand at it as if it were something bad. Telling her to keep it away. At first she didn't notice the general fear in him. She thought he was just playing, that is until he fell off the bed. Audrey put the doll down and ran to his side. Picking him up she asked if he was alright.

"Yeah, just keep him away from me ", he said pointing at the smiling toy.

"Ted, it's just a doll, he's not going to hurt you."

"I'm not worried about him hurting me. I'm worried about him tickling me."

Audrey shook her head. With a sad look she pick the Mr. Tickle plush up. She thought he might like it, that it might make him feel better. Had she known just how frightened he was, she would've never bought it. With a heavy heart she took it in her arms and walked towards the door. Ted told her to wait, seeing how sad she was, he felt really bad. In a soft voice he told her to leave it. After all it was a present, and nothing she gave him would ever be thrown away or returned. Even though he feared the soft toy. He excepted it all the same.

A week had gone by since he took the gift in. Audrey had arrived to his house, she found Ted up in his room reading a book. She looked about the place but wasn't to shocked to find his little friend was nowhere in sight.

With a happy smile on her face she asked him, "Okay Ted, where did you hide him this time?"

Ted looked up from his book and acted like he had no idea what she was talking about. He wasn't fooling her, she knew without a doubt that his Mr. Tickle doll was somewhere in his room. She started to look all around. The closet, dresser, under the bed but no matter where she looked he was no where to be found.

"Okay Ted, where'd you put him?"

"Put who?", he asked in general confusion

"Oh, you know who Ted. Your Mr. You-Know-Who plush. Now where is he?", she said trying not to laugh.

He informed her he wasn't hidden, just put away. That wasn't the answer she wanted to hear, but she would play his game just the same. So, again she asked him where he might be.

"He's in a safe place.", was his reply.

"And where might this safe place be?"

"Audrey, he's fine. He's safely locked away in my desk drawer."

She looked at him with much puzzlement. "Okay, I know I'm going to kick myself for asking this, but why is your Mr. Tickle plush locked in your desk?"

He told her it was to keep him safe, safely away from him that is. If this was any other situation she would've laughed. But by the look on his face she could tell he wasn't joking. She never thought that a doll would scare him so much. She thought he was getting along well with him quite well.

So, Ted explained and told her about the day she read him the book. This book happened to be about the same guy that the plush was based on. Audrey felt it might do him some good if she read him a children's book, about the subject that caused him to worry. It looked like it worked, but later that night, Ted in his sleep had a horrible fright. In his dream he was being chased by Mr. Tickle. He kept saying his little phrase about someone needing one. Ted ran and ran tell he woke with a jerk

The next part he found hard to say. He asked Audrey not to laugh as he began. When he awoke from his dream, and he wasn't sure how or why. The doll must have been laying on his pillow when he was asleep. Now, with his head drenched in sweat. He peered down at the sheets, and who should be peeking up at him from within. It was his old friend Mr. Tickle with a huge, pleasent grin.

"I freaked  ", cried Ted.

Audrey covered her mouth for fear of losing it.

Ted grabbed the toy and Mr. Tickle went flying across the room. That didn't seem to satisfy Ted, so he got out of bed and placed him in his desk drawer and locked it. There he would stay for fear that one day he'd get his revenge and tickle him.

Audrey walked over to his desk and asked for the key. It was on the top shelf and she took it down. Fitting the key into it's slot, she gave it a turn and opened it up. Inside the drawer, staring up at her was Mr. Tickle, and he was sure glad to see her. She took him out and showed him to Ted.

"See Ted, he's just a doll. He's not going to hurt you."

"That's what they said about Chucky ", Ted stated.

Audrey rolled her eyes and took him with her. Placing him next to her on the bed, she tried to convince him that doll's don't get upset. And for days on end, he kept him as far away as possible. Until one day he felt a little more comfortable. Before long Ted was actually taking naps with him. Not long after that he remained on top of his bed, along side his Ted and Audrey plushes.

Now Ted looked at the plush that laid on his bed and smiled.

Ted walked over and sat on his bed, picking up his Mr. Tickle, he gave him a hug. He couldn't imagine now why he was so terrified of the cute, little guy. He placed him back, next to his beloved plushies. Then back to his desk he went to work on his model.

Around a quarter to five Ted went downstairs for dinner. As the three of them ate, there wasn't much to say. Though some conversation did come up. Nothing was spoken about Ted or his problems and he was thankful for that. After he had finished he went into the living room to watch some tv with his Grammy Norma. After a couple of shows he took his leave and said 'Good Night' to his family.

Up to his room he went and did some more work on his model. Several hours went by as he cleaned off his desk and got ready for bed. After changing into his night shirt and sweats, Ted hopped on his bed and climbed in. He stared up at the glow in the dark stars on his ceiling. Counting them one by now until he grew sleepy. With his Audrey plush in his arms he snuggled his pillow and closed his eyes.  

He slept very sound and peaceful he did, until he awoke and found he was in a van. He looked all around but nothing looked familiar. In fact, he didn't know anyone that owned a van.

"Had a nice nap there Ted?", a voice called from the front.

He recognized that voice with it's slick English style. Yes, it was he, the torturer himself, Sternstein. Frantically Ted froze in his seat. He began to glance all about himself. Except for the seatbelt across his chest and lap, his limbs were free. He breathed a sigh of relief, for a second there he thought he'd been captured again. Though he still wanted to know why he was here. The tall man only told him he was going to take him to see a friend. This, Ted didn't care for. Whomever consider this guy to be a friend was no good for anyone especially him. But Sternstein told him to relax. He wasn't in any danger and no harm was to come to him.

Ted stared out the front as they drove through down town Thneedville. The van took a left on South Snucker Street. This he thought to be quite odd. There was no shops in that part of town. Nothing but old factory buildings that once belonged to O'Hare. Now they were mere husks of there former stature. Nothing but emptiness occupied their interiors. All the windows were dark, no sign of life was in them. As the van rolled down the deserted roads, a lump formed in Ted's throat.

If this was the industrial section of Thneedville, that meant there was hardly any people present. This also meant that if he so choose, Sternstein could do anything he wanted to him and no one would know. All the images of the past came back to him. And just as he was about to flee from that metal wagon, the van suddenly stopped in front of a large, metal, shuttered door. The driver pressed a button on a tiny remote, and up did the door go. Into the spacious place it went, no other sounds except for the engine graced Ted's ears. The poor young man was alone with nothing but his own fears. His breathing grew heavy as the van stopped and the engine shut off. In that dank, ancient room he heard the noise of the shuttered door as it closed with a 'Clang '

Suddenly the ground gave way as both him, Sternstein and the van went down into the underground. Ted had no idea how far they had traveled, but when the van stopped he gave a slight jump.

"Basement floor ", the tall man said with a smile. He got out of the van and asked Ted to follow.

With trembling hands he undid the latch. The belt came loose and snapped back into it's holster. Slowly he opened the side door and had a peek. This room was smaller, danker and it reeked. It smelled of old newspapers and wet dog hair. Ted literally though something had actually died in there.

"Come on, come on.", the tall man said as he danced. Up to a door he marched, as he punched in a number combination on a side panel.

The door unlocked and slid open, much like the secret one of O'Hare's had done. Now Ted didn't feel like going inside, who knows what might lurk behind the innocent site. But Sternstein insisted, telling him it was alright. He wasn't going to do anything, no harm was going to come to young Ted. Though he didn't trust the tall man, it was clear that the door was the only way in or out of this place. And so, with a deep breath, Ted got up his courage and walked through the opening.

Beyond that door was something to behold. The walls were painted with a dark brown and alined with gold. Unusual designs curved all about, images of vines and leafs and all sorts of things that grew in the ground. Strange looking symbols adored this magnificent hall, Sternstein told him they were written in a ancient language. Even he could only decipher a few of them. One of which said, "Nature is the Key to Life." While another said, "Magic is Everywhere." Though they didn't have much meaning to Ted, he did sort of like the messages that they held. The hallway seemed to go on for a mile. At last they came to another entrance. These double doors were made out of fine, polished wood. Upon their surface was more of the same writing, as well as a beautiful picture of a Truffula tree, all of which were made out of gold plating.

"Go on, my boy.", the tall man said.

Ted moved closer to the door. He was unsure wether it was open or locked.

"If my friend wishes it so, it will open for you.", Sternstein said.

With that, Ted took hold of the rightmost handle, pulling it down it opened without any hassle. He flung the doors wide as he looked inside. Before him was a room made of brilliant, marble so white, that it dazzled the eyes with it's beautiful might. Before he entered he turned to the tall man. "Are you coming in to?", Ted asked.

"No, my boy. I must remain outside. It is you my friend wishes to meet and not I!"

Ted turned around and walked into the room. As he did the doors slowly closed with a soft 'Boom '. The young man turned around and seeing them shut, he made his way forward, just a little bit frightened. But the peace of this place seemed to put Ted at ease. The columns that held up the domed ceiling, were made of the same marble stone. All about the room hanging from above, where sheets of fine silk. Large, ornament decorations made of pure silver, that jingled and tinkled as they clanged together. The music from these put his soul at ease. As Ted continued forward he was met by a set of four, marble fountains. All of which displayed a creature of the forest. One a bar-ba-loot, a Humming Fish and a Swomee-Swan. All three of them formed a triangle upon the floor. In it's center was a fountain that held the image of the Lorax, Guardian of the Forest. The sound of the water splashing inside those marble basins brought joy to his heart. He'd never seen anything like this place before

Further on ahead, Ted came to another odd bit of furniture. It was a table made out of a reddish marble and polished to perfection. Upon it's surface in the same gold plate, was a picture of a great Trufflula tree. More of the odd looking text was displayed, but since Sternstein wasn't with him, Ted had no idea what it said.

Before the young man was more of the same silky curtains and silver, musical ornaments. "Who goes there?", came a voice, very low and full of authority.

The sound echoed through out the room, it was hard to tell were it actually came from. Then from out of no where came a noise like a rushing wind, all along the walls it sang. Ted's eyes darted about the massive space, searching for the origin of the mysterious voice. What he found was very overwhelming. For before him stood a tall shadow, both honorable and foreboding. Ted backed up as he looked at the figure. It stood straight and tall as the voice again called, "I say again, who goes there?"

"I'm Ted, Ted Wiggins.", he said with a shake.

"Ahhh   The Seed Bearer   I have been waiting for you  "

Ted stared at the dark apparition and asked who it was. It told him that it was the, 'Keeper of this Sanctuary'.

"And what do you want with me?", he asked.

"You hold great power within your hands, young Seed Bearer.", it said.

Ted gazed at his hands and being modest, stated  he only planted one seed. But the figure told him that by doing so, he had caused great change in these lands. That was the reason it wished to meet with him. Ted felt there was much more to it then that. And he asked the shadowy figure what else did it want. With a gesture of it's arm, it asked him to approach the table behind him. Ted did, not knowing why. It's next request was far more stranger. For it asked him to lay upon it's surface. Ted didn't like the sound of this. For all he knew he could become some sort of sacrifice. Yet, this being insisted he did as it commanded. Not wanting to anger it, Ted got up on the table and laid himself down. Without warning, clamps began to wrapped around his wrists and ankles . These shackles were the same as the ones in his Truffula dream. Though he felt no pain, he didn't like the fact he couldn't move. Try as he did, Ted failed to get free.

Now that he'd been bound in place, the figure emerged from behind the curtains. It was tall and cloaked in dark green with gold sash, it's face concealed under a hood. On it's chest it bore the symbol of 'The Tree of Life'. It strode forward slow and with purpose. It stopped at the end of the table. It did not speak but took hold of his shoes, pulling them off. Thin fingers took hold of the toes of his socks and removed them.

"What are you doing?", Ted asked as he tried to look forward, but could see very little.

"Your laughter, Seed Bearer is what I require. I wish to hear it, and feel it's power.", it said. With that it pressed a button on the table's top, concealed as one of the many gold, decorative markings.

The table seemed to come alive with the whirring of mechanisms built into the marble structure. The front part of the table pushed forward and slide down, revealing a hidden compartment within it's base. A mechanical appendage came forth in the shape of an arm. The end consisted of three pincers that represented a crud looking hand. In it's metallic grasp it hold a soft, green Whozit feather. It brought the soft, little thing up to the bottoms of Ted's feet. It began moving it's hand-like end back and forth, causing the feather to whisk across the naked soles.

Ted couldn't bear the sensations and began to laugh. Try as he must, Ted couldn't release his feet from the clamps. As the feather sailed back and forth against the tender, pink flesh. Ted's laughter grew louder and louder. His sensitive toes started  wiggling maddingly. He couldn't stop laughing no matter how hard he tried, the Whozit feather was just too soft.

As the young man laughed, the figure walked over to him. Gazing down at him with it's features hidden beneath a hood. Ted stared up at it, tears of ticklish joy running down his cheeks. "Who...who...are you...?", he said as he laughed.

With gentle hands, the figure took hold of it's hood. With one motion it pulled it back revealing a beautiful young women with red hair and bright, green eyes. "Someone that loves you.", she said.

"Audrey.", Ted said in his sleep. "I love you.", he smiled as he hugged his Audrey plush.

From that moment on, although he may have had some effects because of what O'Hare and Sternstein had done to him. Ted Wiggins was never really scared of or being tickled.

The End