by L. C. Miller
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Her place is this way,” Rollen said with a gesture. Abby followed him through the camp to a small yellow tent. He called out to Teresa.
Opening the flap, Teresa looked up in surprise before stepping aside to let them in. Maude had left Jerrity covered in blankets. Abby tried not to stare at all the badges covering his face. “Hello,” said Julie, sitting at a table.
Abby had forgotten that Julie and Teresa were friends. “Hey, Julie,” said Rollen.
“This is a surprise. Is anything wrong?” Teresa asked.
“No, I just wanted to bring this for you.” Abby handed Teresa the white flower. Teresa seemed shocked by the gesture. “Thought you needed some cheering up.”
“Is it working? Is she cheered up?” the little flower asked Abby.
In response, Abby said, “I hope she cheers you up. She stood out from the rest.”
Teresa smiled at Abby. “She’s beautiful! I think I will put her on Jerrity’s table so when he wakes up, it will be the first thing he sees. Thank you, Abby.” Teresa gave Abby a hug, while Julie looked at her funny.
“Ready to go?” asked Rollen.
“You two be careful out there,” said Julie.
See you guys later,” Abby called as she and Rollen left the tent.
Rainy was outside waiting on her. “How’d he look?” she asked Abby.
“Like he got attacked, Rainy,” said Rollen in exasperation. “How’s he supposed to look?”
Rainy appeared wounded. “I just wanted to make sure he was okay. He was always nice to me.”
“Teresa said Maude said he would be just fine. He looks pretty banged up, but that’s about it,” explained Abby.
“Do they think it’s the lightning dwellers?” Rainy whispered as she followed them past the white oak tree.
“Rainy! Where did you hear that?” demanded Rollen.
“From camp,” Rainy said evasively. “Well, was it?”
Rollen rolled his eyes. “You really need to stop eavesdropping.”
“It is, isn’t it?” demanded Rainy as Rollen refused to answer.
“What exactly are lightning dwellers?” Abby asked him.
“Everyone calls them that in regard to the lightning they seem to possess. It’s like a shield to them. It protects them from many things. If they get close enough to touch you, they can supposedly drain your life force while leaving you immobile. When Jerrity was brought in, he kept mumbling about being stunned and struck. But the Madam doesn’t really believe that is what those things are.”
“Why’s that?” asked Rainy.
“Well, for starters, lightning dwellers lived thousands of years ago. They lived deep in caves in the underground and only came out when food was scarce. And they’re loners, while Jerrity kept mumbling about a group. But as a precaution, the Madam has the cats on alert, which is why Bastian is with us.” Rollen glanced down at the fat black tabby. He meowed at them.
“How can a cat protect us?” demanded Rainy.
“That’s another part of the mystery. If it is in fact lightning dwellers, and I don’t think it is, they fear cats. Madam said it had something to do with an old myth about them once being human and maybe were cursed in death or something. Like some kind of living ghosts, just with their own magic.”
They arrived at Abby’s house. “I’ll think of some kind of schedule and send it to the camp,” Abby remarked. “The Madam said I needed to inform her of when I plan to come. It will be more often now because of the spring dance.”
Rainy gave Abby a hug. “You be careful out there, okay?” said Abby. She watched from the porch as they made their way back to camp.
Bombers waited for her outside. “I have tons to tell you and the others,” she told him as she put him around her shoulders and went upstairs.
~*~*
“First, you’re discovered in the middle of nowhere. Second, my dad is accused of murder. And now strange things are moving into the woods and freaking people out. I tell you, this has been one weird year!” said Carly as she, Abby, Ethan, and Aaron walked to their brewing class the following morning.
“No kidding,” replied Aaron. “I mean, did you see all those teachers out there this morning? They were everywhere.” Abby remembered seeing several teachers in the air as well as lots of cats prowling in between houses.
“Did you guys see Mr. Frump? He’s almost as bad at flying as Abby is,” Ethan said, laughing.
“Hey!” Abby exclaimed. “I’d be offended if wasn’t true.”
“But he had help,” broke in Carly. “Ms. Freeberly was holding on to him so he didn’t fall off.”
“Yeah, but she nearly fell off hers, too,” Aaron said, causing them to laugh.
After Brewing was over, Abby made her way to morphing class alone. Ethan had run on, wanting to talk to Aaron some more. She stopped walking when a painting caught her eye. It held four women sitting in a circle on the beach. A fire gleamed brilliantly, and their bright dresses flashed.
“You’re late,” spoke a voice from behind her. Abby turned around and looked down at Wonks as the bells stopped ringing.
Silently groaning, Abby said, “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Wonks stared up at Abby with beady eyes. “You’re right it won’t happen again. And do you know why?”
Before Abby could say anything, another voice said, “Ah, hello, everyone. Is everything okay?” Ms. Freeberly stepped beside Abby.
Wonks snapped, “Abby here was just inspecting the empty portrait instead of going to class. I am about to give her detention!”
“Oh, I don’t think that is really necessary. Abby isn’t the first one to be late because of this painting,” Ms. Freeberly intervened. Openly glaring, Wonks stomped off.
“Does she like anyone?” Abby asked before she could stop herself. She was surprised when Ms. Freeberly laughed.
“Not that I am aware of. On your way to morphing class?” Abby nodded and started walking, and Ms. Freeberly joined her.
“Why did Wonks say that portrait was empty?” Abby asked.
“Because it is. That portrait has been empty for a long time. The principal leaves it up hoping its occupants will one day return.”
“I think they’re back. There were people in it,” Abby said. Ms. Freeberly seemed surprised as she looked back toward the painting.
“Right this way, hurry up now.” Abby got sidetracked as she watched Mr. Figg hurry students through the halls.
“Why are they inside?” Abby asked Ms. Freeberly.
“He just wants to show them a few of the animals that live in the school.”
Abby didn’t say anything for a minute. Nearing the door to her class, she blurted out, “Are you sure it doesn’t have anything to do with the lightning dwellers moving into the woods?”
Mr. Freeberly stopped in her tracks. “Where did you hear that? Did the Mystics tell you that?” she demanded in a rather rough tone.
“No. It’s just one of the rumors going around,” Abby lied. She hadn’t known Ms. Freeberly was aware Abby was associated with the Mystics. “Do all the teachers know I’m a Mystic?”
Looking sharply down at her, Ms. Freeberly seemed surprised before replying. “No, they do not. And it would be appreciated if you didn’t say that so loud.”
Abby glanced around at the empty hall. “Does it have anything to do with those things in the woods?” Abby asked again.
“You’re late for class, young lady,” said Ms. Freeberly as she ushered Abby into her classroom.
Abby told Carly what happened and they couldn’t wait to tell Ethan and Aaron at lunch. When Abby entered the mess hall, she saw Ethan and Aaron with a crowd of people around them. “Hey, Abby, is it true you have a flying carpet?” the twins asked as she joined the crowd.
Abby appeared stunned. “How did—”
Ethan interrupted. “Of course she has one. It’s so cool! She can stand up and ride it and also ride it upside down. Abby will b
ring it to school in the morning, okay?” Abby and Carly stared at Ethan like he was nuts.
“Are you crazy?” Abby whispered loudly as the crowd dispersed.
Ethan shrugged. “It’s about time they know about it. Besides, now you don’t have to fly the broom to school.”
Abby stared at him.
“Face it, Abby,” said Aaron. “You can’t ride a broomstick to save your life.”
Carly burst out laughing as Abby glared.
Both Ethan and Aaron nodded their heads. “Just wait and see, tomorrow everything will be fine,” promised Ethan.
By the time school ended the next day, Abby was ready to cheerfully kill Ethan. She did fly her carpet to school that morning and hadn’t even made it halfway before she found herself surrounded by the twins, Owen, Michael, Calvin, Chris, Rosie, and a few people she didn’t know.
She laughed when she heard cheers as she shot past a lot of them. Once she made it to school, her mouth dropped as she saw even more students waiting. Martin flew up to greet her. “That thing is so cool!” he yelled over the chilly wind.
She flew the carpet low to the ground and almost got bombarded with people trying to touch it or get on. More gasps sounded as she shot it straight into the air. “Students, be quiet!” Wonks came scurrying out the open door.
Trying to see what had the students’ attention, she too looked up and gasped. Principal Bauble soon stepped outside. “Silence!” she yelled, magnifying her voice so it washed over the crowd. “Time for your classes! Abby, come down now!”
Abby flew her Glider to the ground and jumped off. Rolling itself up, the carpet immediately flew into the case. The principal and Wonks walked over to Abby. Ethan mouthed “sorry” as he and the rest of the students went inside.
“Things were just beginning to die down with you,” said Principal Bauble before she turned and headed inside. Wonks looked slightly ashen-faced as she glared at Abby before she too turned and went inside.
Ethan, Aaron, Carly, the twins, Brannon, and Martin waited inside for Abby. “First, you’re a new student, then you’re an Unrestricted, and now you have a flying carpet. You’re surprising everyone, Abby,” Brannon teased.
“Sorry,” Ethan said again, grinning at her.
“No worries, Abby, it’ll die down by lunchtime, I’m sure.” Carly swung an arm around Abby. By the time lunch came and went, Abby was wishing she had stayed home.
She found herself the center of attention yet again, and every time she tried to hide, someone found her. “Bet you love all the attention,” snapped a gray-robed student as she passed Abby in the halls.
Waiting for Ethan, Aaron, and Carly outside the school, Abby saw Walt, the boy at the Halloween dance who pretended to be a mouse pretending to be human, walk up to her. “Hiding again?” he asked as she tried to blend in with the rock wall. Seeing her embarrassment at being caught, Walt laughed. “It’s all right. I won’t tell anyone.” They talked while she waited. Abby tried to ignore the angry glances sent her way by a few girls in yellow robes as they made their way to their brooms. Walt caught their looks and grimaced. “I bet you’re wishing you didn’t come to school today.”
Abby laughed. “You have no idea how bad I wish that. Remind me to never listen to Ethan’s advice of how everything will be fine and soon forgotten.”
Walt started laughing. “I would think you’ve been living with him long enough to know that already.”
Abby laughed as Aaron and Carly came along. “Where’s Ethan?” demanded Abby. “I’m gonna kill him.”
Aaron pointed back toward the door as Ethan shot his hand out, waving a large red cloth. “That’s supposed to be white!” Abby shouted.
Ethan took a timid peek through the door opening. “I’m in Red Dragons. I don’t have anything white.”
Abby glared at him as Walt, Aaron, and Carly snickered. Ethan grinned and stepped forward. “I’m so going to get you for that!” Abby promised him while she unrolled her carpet. Walt shook his head and went back inside.
“I’m sorry, Abby,” Ethan said again.
Abby glared back at him as she stood on her carpet. A slow grin spread across her face. “Enjoy your ride home, Ethan.” Pointing her wand at his broom, she said, “Slowpokeski!”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Both Carly and Aaron burst out laughing as Ethan’s jaw dropped. “What did you just do?” he cried, running to his broom.
“You should pay more attention to your charm books,” giggled Carly, getting on her broom.
Abby glanced back and laughed as she saw Ethan sitting on his broom. It slowly rose into the air and started moving forward at an even slower pace. “Abby!” yelled Ethan as she started giggling. “Aw, come on!”
It took Ethan a good twenty minutes to fly the usual five-minute broom ride. When he got home, Brannon and Misty were outside with Abby, Carly, and Aaron.
“Okay, funny, funny, ha-ha. Now how do you fix it?”
Abby tossed him a book of charms by Silvia Carbunkle. “Look it up. I believe it’s page sixty-four.”
Grabbing the book, Ethan quickly sifted through the pages.
“Did he show you the two-headed rat in the cellars?” Brannon asked Misty while Ethan tried to fix his broom.
“That was the creepiest-looking thing I have ever seen.” Misty shuddered. “I asked my sister and she couldn’t recall ever having to study the inside animals before your last year. I’m not sure why we’re studying them now.”
“Maybe Mr. Figg wanted to change things up a bit.” Brannon shrugged, and everyone but Ethan went inside. “Are you hungry?” Brannon asked Misty as they went into the kitchen.
Carly suddenly jerked and looked at Abby. “We didn’t tell them about Ms. Freeberly!”
“Oh, that’s right!” Abby exclaimed.
“Broom works fine now. And Fintz was outside,” said Ethan as he came back inside. “What’d I miss?” he asked, looking at them.
“Come on,” Abby said as she raced up the stairs.
Abby explained to them about the conversation with Ms. Freeberly. “She really wouldn’t answer you?” asked Aaron.
“Not only that, but she practically pushed me into the classroom.”
“Huh,” said Ethan. “I didn’t know she knew you were a Mystic.”
Carly rolled her eyes at him. “That’s not the point. The point is, Ms. Freeberly knew something about the lightning dwellers and didn’t want to tell Abby.”
Ethan seemed stunned. “Oh! Okay. So what do we do now?”
“We could go talk to Orn about it again,” suggested Abby.
“Or go to the school’s library?” Carly said. “It might be easier to check out the library. That way if anyone comes across us, we can say we are studying for exams.”
The next few weeks Abby didn’t get to spend as much time in the library as she would have liked. She had forgotten all about the weird creatures in the woods as she watched Ethan, Aaron, and Carly practice for their ROC race. It was the first race with Sea Serpents against the Stone Leprechauns. The blues against the grays.
“You’ll do great!” Abby assured Carly as they made their way to the shore.
“Come on, Carly!” yelled another classmate in blue robes. Carly waved bye to Abby as she sped off with her broom in hand. Abby looked around at all the boats lined up along the shoreline, pretending she knew where she was supposed to go.
“Hey, Abby, want to ride with us?” Martin came up to her with Viviane and Paul.
“If we get there early enough, we can get the best seats in the place,” said Paul as they made their way to an empty boat.
“You have no idea what’s going on, do you?” Martin asked Abby.
“Is it that obvious?”
Martin laughed and nodded.
“What’s so funny?” asked Viviane.
“Abby’s never been to a race,” Martin informed them.
“Seriously? You’re joking!” Both Viviane and Paul stared at Abby incredulously. “Do y
ou know how they come up with the races?” asked Viviane as the boat rocked in the waves.
Abby shook her head. Viviane started to explain how each house created a maze for the other houses to complete. “The mazes could have creatures they have to get across, potions they need to drink, riddles they need to answer, or animals they need to get. One year, the Earth Dragons created this field the other teams needed to cross. But when they did, spells started flying. They were stunning jinxes and slowing charms. Took them forever to get across once they were hit with one of those.”
Abby laughed. “I heard Brannon talking about that one day. I used that spell to slow Ethan’s broom down a couple of weeks ago. How long does it take to create the maze?”
“Months … literally. That’s why they do the races at the end of the school year,” explained Paul.
“We toss ideas around in the wing room if you ever want to come in,” Martin told her.
“I might have to do that,” said Abby. “What’s that?”
Martin, Viviane, and Paul looked up to see the huge island coming into focus. “It’s where we hold the races,” said Paul excitedly. “See the towers over there? That’s where we’ll try to sit.”
“Referees, this way! Come on, referees, hurry up now!” Abby could see a short balding man yelling and waving his arms.
“Referees?” asked Abby as the four of them climbed out of the boat.
“They have to monitor everyone to make sure no one cheats. At least four students from the other houses have to go help monitor the game. Your name is drawn randomly,” Martin explained as Abby watched Aaron and three other students in yellow robes walk toward the balding man.
“Boy, is he lucky,” said Ethan as he came up. “Didn’t mean to leave you, Abby. I forgot you didn’t know where you were going.”
“Aaron’s refereeing today?” asked Paul.
Ethan nodded. “Malcolm, Jenny, Sarah, and Victor are referees from the Firebirds Wing,” Ethan said gloomily.
“Aw, cheer up, man. I’m sure you’ll get to referee soon,” reassured Paul as he slapped Ethan on the back.
“See you after the game!” Ethan jogged toward the Red tower. Abby followed Martin, Viviane, and Paul toward the Green Dragons Wing tower.
