The Assassins (#2)

Chapter 6: A Funny Hat

Grandpa Tommy strolled towards us, with a happy grin planted on his face. He beckoned us to follow him to the attic, and gestured to a box with a lock. The box looked like it was kept for millenia, old and dusty. It looked like one touch on that box and it would break into pieces.

"Who wants to volunteer to open the lock? Anyone?" Grandpa Tommy said. Everyone exchanged looks, as if no one wants to step forward to try. Unable to control my excitement, I raised my hand.

"I'll give it a try, Uncle Tommy." I said bravely, but inside me felt like backing away from the box. But I was really curious to find out what was inside. He fished out a key no bigger than your thumb, and handed it to me. I looked at the key in my hand, looked at the lock, and looked at Uncle Tommy, and back at the key. Travis snickered. Uncle Tommy glared at him, and his ears turned bright pink. Jade giggled.

I shrugged and fit the key in the whole. Miraculously, it fitted in perfectly. I heard a click and cautiously opened the lid, afraid that it might crumple to pieces. What was inside was just an ordinary hat. My mouth gaped open, unbelieving my eyes.

"A hat? Why would you keep a hat in that box?" I laughed.

"It is not any type of ordinary hat, Percy." Uncle Tommy said. We exchanged amused looks.

"It is a magical hat which determines whether you group of youngsters are rare- that means you have other powers besides shape-shifting. When this hat glows blue, it means that you have other powers besides shape-shifting. If it glows green, you can only shape-shifting into any type of animal. If it glows white, you only can shapeshift into one animal only." He explained. He smiled.

"Who would like to give it a try?" He asked. Unexpectedly, Lyte stepped forward, and said bravely, "I would want to try." Uncle Tommy nodded, and placed the hat on her head. At first, nothing happened. Then, a blue glow outlined the hat, and everyone including the shocked Lyte gasped. Uncle Tommy nodded his head in happiness.

"Good good. Now who's next?" Everyone pushed and shoved, but Uncle Tommy said, "Percy, you next."

"Me?"

"Yes you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, now hurry up," he said in an impatient voice. I walked towards him and he placed the hat on my head. Funny thing - I heard whisperings.

Hey, this boy's a powerful one, more powerful than any other shape shifters. I wish I was him! I've always wanted to be like him! This is so unfair! A gruff voice spoke.

This boy's got many powers. You should consider yoourself lucky that you are a fortune teller, Sam. Don't complain! Don't worry Percy, you'll realize it soon enough. Another soft femine voice said.

How did they know my name? I thought.

Oh we do, we know every shapeshifter's name. The two voices said in sync. I glanced at everyone. They had a look of confusion on their faces.

"What?" I asked. Vincent pointed at the hat.

"It's....it's....gold! The colour of your hat is gold!" I looked at Uncle Tommy. He too, was surprised. He took off the hat, but said nothing. I rushed to Lyte.

"Did you hear those whisperings they said?" I asked. She nodded.

"They said I was very special,and powerful. They also said I had other special powers I have yet to discover." She said. She looked in my eyes, her perfect brown eyes twinkling.

"What about yours? What did they say?" She asked. I rubbed at the back of my neck and said, "Well.....if I say it...don't get angry ok?" She frowned but and nodded.

"They said that I was very very special, and more powerful than you. Like you, they also said that I have more powers I have yet to know." I said.

"I see....." she smiled.

"Hey Percy! Tell me what's my colour!" Jason said, pointing the hat.

"Green," I said. He pouted. I patted him on the back.

"It's okay, I'll teach you some skills I've learnt. It'll help you shapeshift better and faster." I winked. His mouth spread into a wide grin.

"Thanks bro!"

"No problem, Jason." I said. For the next thirty minutes, everyone got to try out the magical hat. It turns out that all of us are in the 'blue' or 'green' category.

"If there are three dorms we built, what about the third one?" Chloe asked. Uncle Tommy rubbed his chin. He faced us, showing his toothless grin.

"Weapons. We'll make weapons." Uncle Tommy chirped. Travis and Vincent pumped their fists together, while some shuddered. I pumped my fist in the air. Lyte stared at me as if I said something like 'what is 1+1?'.

"What? I love weapons!"

"Travis, Reece, Percy, Wilson, Vincent, Grover, come with me. We have to carry some things to make our weapons." We silhouetted Uncle Tommy.

"Aye, Captain!" And we followed him to the storeroom.

"A while later, Travis brought out tons and tons of metal put on a metal pushcart, followed by Vincent, whose head was blocked by the high pile of wood he was carrying. Reece, Wilson, Grover and I pushed two heavy metal carts that have those razor-sharp looking knives and a series of buttons beside those sharp knives.

"What are those?" Rebecca asked, her trembling finger pointing at the knives. Uncle Tommy glanced at the machine and said, "Oh, these? These are helping tools for us to make our weapons," For once, he gave us his mischievous grin.

He rubbed his hands gleefully.

"Let's get started!"