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  Minutes later, Colin’s head drooped and his eyes closed.

  His head popped back up and his uncle forced him straight to bed without protest. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep, not a dream in his head, just precious, wonderful, uninterrupted, sleep.

  A familiar voice rang through his thoughts the next morning.

  “Colin, you awake?”

  Colin jumped from his bunk and dashed out of the bedroom, to see Uncle Arnon handing Meghan a glass of juice. He grinned from ear to ear, rushing to her, hugging her hard, making her wince and spill her juice.

  “Sorry,” he said, laughing.

  Tears streamed down their uncle’s face.

  “It’s good to have you back,” he said happily.

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  “What happened? How long have I been here? And why do I feel like I have been beat up, again?” She tried to sit up, but struggled. Uncle Arnon assisted her.

  “It has been nearly two weeks,” informed her uncle.

  “What! That long?” Her memories of the previous two weeks were faint, like a distant dream she could not quite remember.

  “You have been through a lot, Meghan. You had a terrible fever,” he told her. “Do you remember anything?”

  “I do remember the fever. There were times I thought I was literally burning alive. I remember seeing a lot of faces I did not recognize, and then, a lot of darkness, and a lot of lights, and something about roses.” She shook it off and tried to gather her bearings. “Right now, I just feel great!” she added, smiling. “Like I wasn’t even sick.”

  “I am going to run and tell everyone you are awake.

  They will be very relieved.” As Arnon departed, Meghan saw her reflection in the window and quivered.

  “Ugh, I am a mess. Hand me a brush, would you?” Colin did so gladly. Minutes later, a troop of footsteps drew near the camper. “Oh, no,” she cried from the bed.

  “He brought them all here, now. Look at me, I am in my night gown, and have not showered, in, ohhhhh,” she cringed and hid under the covers.

  The door flung open. First, appeared Mr. and Mrs.

  Jendaya, followed by Kanda Macawi, and then Sebastien, Jae, and Uncle Arnon. The camper was crowded with smiling faces. Meghan peeked her nose over the top of the covers at her audience, not sure of what to say.

  “We will not stay long,” insisted Kay. “We are just so relieved that you are better.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured from behind the blanket.

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  “What are you doing?” asked her uncle.

  “I look horrible,” she whispered.

  “She’s already back to normal,” laughed Sebastien.

  “You have been sick for awhile,” added Jae. “You are bound not to look your best.”

  This was not as helpful as he had hoped it would be.

  Meghan disappeared under the blankets until everyone had left. Colin had to coax her out.

  Though she had been out for nearly two weeks, she was surprised at how energetic she felt. She was ravenous, and Colin gladly made her breakfast. She then asked them to leave, insisting she was well enough to shower and dress.

  Uncle Arnon was nervous to leave her alone, but then Colin reminded him he could sense if something was wrong, so he agreed.

  Over and hour later, she finally materialized.

  “I cannot believe it, but I am starving already,” she told them. Arnon hopped into the trailer to make her another plate of food. She sat down next to Colin and minutes later gobbled down another plate.

  “I think this evening,” started Uncle Arnon, “will be time for a belated, although less lively than planned, birthday party.”

  “Wow. I even missed my thirteenth birthday,” she moaned. Then she looked at Colin. “I messed up yours, too. Sorry,” she squeaked in a regretful tone.

  “We can make up for it tonight,” he replied.

  “Until then, young lady, I insist that you rest,” Arnon ordered. She agreed, begrudgingly. A few hours later, after eating another plate of food at lunch, she pleaded for release from resting.

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  “I swear, Uncle Arnon. I will take it easy. I really feel fine. I think a walk would do me some good. You know, fresh air and all that.”

  Arnon thought on it for a few minutes before answering.

  “Okay. Only if you promise to take it easy and Colin has to stay with you. I do not want you to be alone on your first full day of recovery.”

  She nodded yes and tried to keep her pace slow as she excitedly exited the trailer. The first thing they did was grab Jae and then Sebastien.

  “I cannot believe I was out for such a long time. Did anything happen?” she asked as they walked.

  “You did not miss much,” said Sebastien, standing close by her, concerned she might lose her balance, even though she looked steady on her feet.

  “In a couple days you will be going home, Jae,” said Meghan.

  Jae seemed both happy and sad about this.

  “Aren’t you excited to be going home?” she questioned.

  “Oh, of course. I miss my family.” He then confessed,

  “It’s just that, for the first time in my life I have been on my own.” He hesitated before continuing. “It’s a little hard to explain, but my magic is stronger. I can do things I couldn’t do before and my spells last way longer too! I am ready to see my family, though,” he added. “I am sure my mom is worried to death by now.”

  The mood did not stay dampened long, as a short while later it was time for the twins’ belated thirteenth birthday party. It was a happy night. The adults sat around the fire partaking in a few cheerful spirits. Meghan, Colin, and Sebastien taught Jae how to play a card game called black 134

  queens, which he had unparalleled beginners luck at playing.

  Meghan felt nearly back to normal, but started to get noticeably tired. The boys asked if she wanted to stop and get some rest, but she insisted they continue. In fact, Meghan was happier than she had ever remembered.

  Colin sensed this and could not help but grin. It was not often they were able to spend a night, surrounded by friends. They did not want it to end.

  Colin awoke early the next morning. His happy feelings from the previous night vanished, as a strange sense of foreboding overcame him. He looked at his watch. He and Meghan were to meet up with Sebastien and Jae in a couple of hours to head into town, as the Blue Moon Festival was still in full swing.

  Unable to sleep, he got up, dressed as quietly as he could, grabbed the Magicante, and headed to the lake. Colin understood Jae’s desire for space. It was something he did not get a lot of, living in a small camper with two other people.

  He combed the area hoping to find an empty swing, log, or rock near the water; but he was not the only early riser and they were all in use. He trekked onward, deeper into the woods. The pathway became narrow and muddy, growing quieter and darker. Voices resonated in front of him.

  “Oh no. Not again,” he sighed.

  Colin slowed, unsure of whether he had time to run. In front of him, a large boy dropped from a tree branch and thudded onto the ground. Two others appeared, on each 135

  his right and left hand sides. Colin checked behind him and the path was still clear, however, he knew he could not outrun them.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” asked the head bully haughtily.

  Colin did not answer.

  The boy continued.

  “Your sister isn’t around to save you today, little Colin Jacoby.”

  And if I have anything to do with it, she won’t! He tried to block his mind from hers, which was difficult under the present circumstances. More than anything, he wanted her to rest, and not be worried about him.

  Colin backed up a step, still not speaking.

  “Look at the boy who needs his sister to save him,” the first toady taunted.

  “Yeah, not so great now, are ya!” shouted the other. The head bully advanced c
loser, his vicious face right in front of Colin’s, who trembled, but stood ready for whatever torture came next.

  One of the boys pushed Colin down onto the muddy ground. The boys laughed and encroached in on him.

  Colin closed his eyes, waiting for the blows, or the mud, or for whatever embarrassing thing the boys could think of doing to him. A picture developed of the bullies freezing in place, giving him time to get away.

  Meghan’s voice came into his head.

  “Colin, where are you? Are you in trouble?” He did not answer her, but instead blocked her out, feeling foolish. He snuck a daring peek at the three boys, now standing over him. One held a mound of thick mud, heading for Colin’s mouth.

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  When the boys hand was inches from his face, Colin yelled for them to stop, closing his eyes, expecting the mud to smother him.

  When after a minute it did not, he glimpsed upward, squinting, in case they were biding their time, waiting for him to look up. When he opened his eyes, they nearly popped right out of their sockets. Colin jumped up, mud dripping down him, staring at the three boys, each frozen in place. The only thing they could move was their eyes and mouths.

  “What’s going on? I can’t move my arms or legs,” said the head bully. The other two could not formulate a full sentence and just screamed and whimpered.

  Colin stepped closer.

  “Did I do this?” he asked himself.

  “What did you do to me?” cried the head bully. “You will regret this.”

  Comprehension started to dawn on Colin. Somehow, as with Meghan under the twisted oak tree, he had made magic happen all on his own. He wondered if he could do it again. He walked closer to the head bully, who instantly went quiet, his eyes following Colin’s every move.

  Colin was not sure exactly what to do, so he waved his hand around, but said nothing. This got the boys nervous again.

  “Hey, what are you doing?” the head bully pleaded.

  Colin concentrated carefully.

  “Stop talking,” he ordered.

  At once, the three boys went silent. They still tried to talk, but nothing came out! Colin, both stunned and satisfied by the outcome, smirked, and said, “Take that!” He picked up the Magicante, which he had thrown onto a 137

  dry patch of ground, and sauntered on his way, leaving behind three confused and frightened boys.

  As he walked, still astonished at what he had done, the screams of the boys returned. Colin’s pace quickened.

  Gratifying as it was, he did not know if he could do it again.

  Half way home, he ran into his sister, along with Sebastien and Jae. They saw him covered in mud, but grinning happily.

  “Hey guys,” he said cheerfully.

  “What happened?” They all asked him, concerned and out of breath.

  “Oh, I fell in the mud,” he laughed. “Gonna go take a shower.”

  Meghan tried to read his mind, but he blocked her.

  “I thought you said he was in trouble?” questioned Sebastien.

  “I thought he was. I guess he handled it.” It came out as more of a question.

  “That’s good, right?” asked Jae.

  “Yeah, I guess.” Meghan was not sure what to think.

  Colin always needed her help to get out of trouble, why was today any different?

  “You should not be exerting yourself that much yet anyway,” said Sebastien.

  Meghan’s face went flush over his concern.

  They headed back home where Uncle Arnon, Kanda Macawi and Sebastien’s parents were getting ready to drive into town. They wanted Meghan to ride with them, but she insisted she was up to walking.

  After Colin cleaned up, he, Meghan, Sebastien and Jae headed out of the camp. The festival was crowded with 138

  summer travelers, and the day flew by swiftly. While there, Colin glanced around, hoping to see Jasper Thorndike’s tent set up again, but it was not there.

  That evening, as the sun went down and the breeze cooled, they strolled jubilantly back to camp. Colin and Sebastien were busy watching Jae attempting to juggle, with Meghan lagging behind, happily amused.

  Soon, they grew bored of Jae’s attempts to juggle, so he used a spell to light the balls on fire. As he attempted to juggle, Meghan found herself strangely attracted to the flames. Jae’s attempt failed and the juggling balls scattered onto the dirt road. As Colin and Sebastien laughed over his failed attempt, Meghan’s gaze followed one of the rolling balls. The flames drew her in and a shadow in the flame caught her eye.

  How can I be seeing this?

  In the flame, the shadow grew, until finally, she could decipher the image. It looked eerily similar to the road they were walking on right now, and she was nervously peering into to the sky. A figure appeared in the sky, and began to dive.

  They were under attack!

  Two Scratchers dove at them, knocking them to the ground.

  Blood!

  It spread over the ground creating a crimson pool.

  Meghan inhaled deeply, as if she was taking her very first breath and then her trance ended and the image disappeared.

  “Meghan, are you okay?” asked Colin, as Jae put out the flames. Sebastien pulled at her arm when she did not answer. She stared blankly, wondering what the vision 139

  had meant. Her heart stopped for a brief moment, as she dared believe what her gut was telling her.

  Was it really a warning?

  But how?

  There was no time!

  She struggled to find her voice, but all that would come out was a frightened whisper.

  “Run. Now!”

  Colin, Sebastien and Jae stared, bewildered. She looked at the three of them with an ominous gaze, her legs unable to move.

  It was too late.

  A shadow flew overhead.

  A low snarl filtered through the thick pines. Sebastien was the only one not to understand, yet.

  A second shadow flew over them.

  The four huddled together, looking upward. The air was silent, not even a breeze swayed high up in the trees.

  “Colin,” started Jae.

  Colin jerked up his head, blocking his thoughts from Meghan. Why does he want me? Did he find out what I did? How could he? I can’t fight Scratchers, a couple of bullies, maybe. He answered hesitantly.

  “Yeah, Jae?”

  “Don’t suppose you have that nifty old book with you?” He did not!

  It was the first time he had left the trailer without it.

  “What do we do, Jae?” breathed Meghan, trying to ignore the pool of blood, still fresh in her mind from her fiery vision.

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  “How many are there?” asked Sebastien, wisely picking up what was happening. There were now five flying ominously overhead.

  “I wish you hadn’t forgotten that book,” squealed Meghan.

  “Sorry,” was all Colin could muster.

  “No, this is my fault,” said Jae.

  The other three gaped at him.

  “I should have been prepared for this. The blue moon is tomorrow. I dropped my guard.”

  Sebastien stood up tall.

  “Just tell us what to do, we will be fine,” he said.

  Meghan flicked her head to look at Sebastien. Was it his blood she had seen? There had to be a way to stop her vision from coming true.

  “For now,” said Jae. “Stay close. Let’s keep moving.” They proceeded slowly, watching the shadows fly overhead. A high-pitched, shriek-filled howl cut into the air.

  “C’mon, this way,” urged Jae. “Stay together.” The shrieking grew closer and the foursome started to run.

  Sebastien grasped Meghan’s hand, helping her along.

  Seconds later the foursome fell forward onto the ground, as a webbed wing of one of the Scratchers knocked them over. The group got up and scampered out of the way, as another of the Scratchers came diving down for a second swipe. Meghan, Colin and Sebastien ducked out of its way, but one of its claws grazed Jae’
s shoulder. He screamed and fell. The other three ran to his aid.

  “I’m fine,” said Jae. “It’s not deep.” It may not have been deep, but it bled heavily. Jae left behind a bloody puddle as he got up.

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  Meghan hoped desperately that this was the all the blood that would be shed.

  Two Scratchers flew high overhead and the other three circled the foursome, creating a forceful wind each time their wings beat against the air. The creatures howled and clicked, as if talking to each other, planning their attack.

  Jae pushed through the other three, rushing forward. He held out his hand, palm forward.

  “Emissio!” he yelled furiously.

  A blast of heavy air broke the circle, forcing the Scratchers to retreat, but only long enough for the foursome to run a short distance down the road. Another dove, separating the group, and knocking Sebastien to the ground. He picked up his head in time to see another of the Scratchers diving.

  “Meghan, behind you!” he warned.

  Colin heard Sebastien yell and watched as the claws of the creature opened wide and enclosed around his sister, lifting her off the ground.

  Jae raced to Sebastien’s side.

  “We cannot let it wrap its wings around her.”

  “What happens then?” Colin asked, afraid of the answer.

  “She’ll die!” Jae confirmed.

  Colin watched the Scratcher lifting Meghan’s body higher off the ground, thankfully not in the right position to be wrapped in its wings.

  Jae furiously talked to himself, trying to figure out what to do.

  “I’ve got it!” he suddenly shouted. “I’m gonna do a spell to pull it forward.” Before Jae had the chance, the remaining Scratchers had them surrounded. Meghan was 142

  now fifteen feet in the air, kicking and trying to free herself.

  Colin’s mind was overwrought with fear and something inside him changed. From his toes to his fingertips, he felt a power surging through him. A power so strong he was afraid he might explode if he did not use it.

  “Jae,” he yelled, “I will hold these ones off,” he said firmly. “You get my sister back!”

  Jae started to question him, when Colin interrupted.

  “Just go.” Colin faced the circling Scratchers. His knees shook uncontrollably. Hoping he had not made the biggest mistake of his life, and, not being sure if he was doing it right, he faced his palm outward.