The Power of Twelve by William Gladstone Page A

knew that that land could never be used for anything but as a storage place for industrial waste. That is, until Mr. Hardy used his connections with the Illuminati to change the zoning,” Mr. Wheeler explained, relishing the thought of the tens of millions of dollars he had “earned” in that single transaction.
    â€œWhy, just thinking about his kindness I cannot help but offer up another toast to Mr. Mackenzie Hardy and the diligent protection and assistance of the Illuminati,” Mr. Wheeler toasted again with a wide smile on his face.
    â€œThank you,” Mr. Hardy acknowledged and then turned to Arnie with a kindly but intense stare. “What your father says is true. It is only because of the Illuminati that you have so much wealth. This will never change. You are, as is your father and your mother and as will be your brothers and sister, part of the Illuminati for your entire lives. It is a great privilege to be a member, but it comes with a great deal of responsibility. Do you know what responsibility is?”
    â€œNot really, but I guess it’s like taking out the trash if you agree to do a chore like that,” Arnie offered.
    â€œYes, it is exactly like taking out the trash.” Mackenzie Hardy smiled. “You could not have chosen a more apt example. When you are older you may be asked to take out quite a bit of trash. It may sometimes be human trash, but it will be trash nonetheless. Will you be able to accept this responsibility?”
    â€œOf course I will, if that is what I must do to honor my mother and father,” Arnie responded.
    â€œIt is less about honoring us than honoring the Illuminati,” his mother interrupted. “The Illuminati are greater than your father and I. The Illuminati are greater than any single family, any head of state, or any human being you will ever meet. You must promise Mr. Hardy and your father that whatever happens to you in this life you will always honor and obey the commands of the Illuminati.”
    â€œOf course I will, Mother,” Arnie concurred as he returned to eating his lamb.
    Mr. Hardy looked again at Arnie and told him, “Arnold, I can tell that you are going to be a great man and a loyal servant to the Illuminati. Who knows? Perhaps one day you will merit my role as the Grand Light and Keeper of the Code of the Illuminati yourself.”
    â€œSo that is why my parents are so taken with Mr. Mackenzie Hardy,” Arnold contemplated. “He is the leader of the Illuminati. He must be the most powerful man on Earth. Someday I will be too. I will observe, listen, and learn.”
    And that is exactly what Arnie Wheeler did every day for the next thirty-seven years, until by unanimous decree of the innercircle of the Illuminati he was indeed appointed the Grand Light and Keeper of the Code.
    Arnold raised his glass to himself, enjoying the exquisite beauty of his original Picassos and Monets on his living room wall. Outside, the Sun had disappeared completely, and the incoming surf was lit only by the house’s security lights. “To the Code!” Arnold toasted out loud. “To the Code that will preserve the power of the Illuminati for the rest of time.”

CHAPTER NINE
    CHOCOLATE, CAFFEINE, AND CONSCIOUSNESS
    A BIGAIL WAS ADJUSTING to being in a human body, and Barbara was adjusting to sharing her consciousness with Abigail. Most of the time the two consciousnesses were in harmony, but from time to time Abigail would insist on taking control. In particular, she had developed a fondness for dark chocolate and insisted that Barbara purchase chocolate bars wherever they went. Soon she was consuming two to three large chocolate bars a day.
    Barbara tried to slow down Abigail’s consumption, but to no avail. Barbara found herself getting jittery from the extra caffeine, waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep. “Abigail, this chocolate craze has got to stop.