The Catchers

by Stuart J. Kent

  “Also, breaking and entering into an official government building,” added the other officer, reading the next line down.

  “Well…” replied Colin, trying to explain.

  “Bringing a dangerous beast into a public area!” said the second officer pointing up to Spot, who was now sat on top of the Ministry, roaring and spitting flames.

  “Ah yes, that…” Colin mumbled still trying to explain.

  “Leaving a dangerous beast on government property, disrupting an official public event, knocking unconscious an officer of the law,” continued the first officer.

  “You didn’t, did you?” asked Trixie in shock as she interrupted the conversation.

  “Well, you see…” said Colin again, trying to think of a reasonable explanation.

  “Firing dangerous spells in a public area without due care or attention!” continued the officer still reading off the list of offences.

  “Ah, hang on, that was because I was trying to protect my family and friends,” Colin replied, certain he was right to do so.

  “I see, sir, so you admit you also placed minors in a dangerous situation, add that to the list,” said the first officer.

  “Will do!” replied the second officer, pulling out a pen to write with.

  “Now, look here, I have just helped to save the city from falling under the will of a mad dark wizard who wanted to take over Magictasium, I’m one fifth of a hero,” Colin replied, trying to defend himself.

  “Leading and fulfilling a revolution against a dark and illegal authority that had yet to establish itself, that’s another one,” said the officer in reply.

  “What?” exclaimed Colin, in disbelief that defeating the bad guys before they had a chance to take over was now considered breaking the law.

  “Oh I see, now you’re pretending to be senile, well that won’t work with us, sir, it’s all going down,” said the second officer, scribbling away on the notebook.

  “This is ridiculous!” gasped Colin in despair.

  “Trying to use spells from another magical culture, add that one too,” replied the first officer.

  “Now, these are all very serious charges, sir, and they are mounting up against you, so I think it is best that you come with us at once to the station so we can get this whole matter cleared up properly,” the first officer then said before grabbing Colin’s left arm.

  “No wait, stop!” cried Colin in despair as the officer restrained him.

  “Come on, sir, don’t make a scene now, let’s just leave here quietly and let the good, law-abiding folks enjoy their night,” said the second officer grabbing Colin’s other arm.

  “Please just stop and talk to the council, and you will see this is all just a mistake, a terrible horrible mistake!” cried Colin, trying to pull his arms free.

  “Resisting arrest now, sir,” said the first officer.

  “Adding it to the list,” said the second officer.

  “No, stop! Stop! STOP!” cried Colin as he was dragged away. “SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!”

  The End (Well Nearly)

  A few days later, back in Colin’s cottage, Jamie was painting the walls in his little bedroom his favourite colour: bright postbox red, using a rather large bristly brush and a big old pot of paint that he had found in Colin’s tool shed. As he slopped the paint on the walls and spread it about a bit, Trixie entered carrying a large mysterious box under a blue sparkly sheet.

  “You know, we do have a magic spell to do that,” she said seeing him covered in big splodges of paint.

  “Great, now you tell me!” he groaned dropping the large paintbrush into the pot of paint, having already painted a wall and half that morning by hand. Then Jamie noticed the mysterious package under the sheet that Trixie was holding and inquired curiously,

  “So, what have you got there?”

  “A present for you,” she replied, placing the box on top of the old wooden chest of drawers next to Jamie’s bed.

  “I know you really want a pet, and Spot’s got to go back to the mountains soon.”

  To which Spot let out a disappointed groan as he sat with his head leaning in Jamie’s window.

  “So, here you go, a pet… TADA!” she said before pulling the cloth away.

  Jamie stared at the large empty glass tank that sat before him and suddenly he had a strange feeling of déjà vu, that he had seen this glass tank somewhere before.

  “Hello, my friend Jamie!” cried a familiar Latin voice from inside the box.

  “Oh no!” exclaimed Jamie in horror.

  “Yes, it is me, Emilio!” cried the talking chameleon excitedly as he appeared in the middle of the box.

  “Enjoy!” grinned Trixie naughtily before quickly leaving the room with a slightly evil chuckle.

  “Oh no, oh no!” muttered Jamie in despair on seeing the very talkative and slightly annoying lizard.

  “Oh yes! Jamie, we will become best buddies, the greatest roommates ever, during the day we will entertain ourselves with tales of heroic endeavours and at night we shall sing karaoke!” Emilio cried excitedly, before starting to do just that.

  “Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl… come on, join in, Jamie, you know the words!”

  “Oh magic!” muttered Jamie in despair.