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“Well, well, Mr. Finklemans," Otto said. "Here I thought most of my students were studying for my test tomorrow. But not you. Instead, you're here entertaining young ladies." He scanned our group. "Hello, Henry."
"Hi, Mr. Otto."
Otto returned his attention to me. "It's a shame you can't be more like your brother."
"Henry's one of a kind." I met the man's beady eyes and shifted to Valdez. The hair on my neck stood up. I fisted my hands at my sides.
"When I grade your test tomorrow I'll be grading it extra close." He flexed his nostrils and moved by, taking a table across the room with Valdez in tow.
"Wow." Henry’s eyes widened. "He hates you, David. What the heck did you do?"
"Nothing." Having lost my appetite, I slipped out of my chair, grabbed a couple of Styrofoam containers and returned. I handed one to Kayla and Mandy and dumped my meal into mine. A sudden agitation gnawed at me. I wanted to bolt out of my chair and out of the building. I dug my fingers into the palms, my nails stabbing into my skin. This burning need to leave was a warning, but wh— Bam! Magical energy wrapped my throat like strong hands squeezing tighter and tighter. I gasped for air. Heat raced to my face. I raised my hand to my neck, wanting to pull the energy away, but there was nothing to grasp. I wanted to use Gramps’s ring to block it, but it was too late. The power had hit me full force. I sucked up from my lungs from my nose, struggling for oxygen, but my throat was completely closed off. Sweat rose on my forehead, cheeks, and chin. I was seconds away from passing out as the pressure increased on my larynx.
"You okay, David," Henry asked. “What’s going on?”
I practically vaulted out of the restaurant. The second I reached the back end of the Mustang the pressure eased. I placed my hands on the trunk, bent my head, and gasped, choking, coughing. I inhaled one breath after another, the cold air filling my lungs.
The attack took me by surprise. I hadn't had time to prepare, only react. Another wizard had attacked me. Who? Why? Did this have to do with the chupacabras and the drug? Otto. He had to be involved. Didn’t this prove it? It was why he hated me so much. But Otto having wizard powers? He didn’t exactly scream magical. So that left Valdez or someone else in the room. I hadn’t looked at anyone else. I made a terrible agent.
"You okay?" Henry jogged over to me.
"Yeah. I couldn’t breathe.” I had a hard time talking, my voice thick. I coughed. I dragged in air through my nose and exhaled out my mouth. My heart slowly returned to normal.
Mandy and her sister joined us.
I was afraid to face either one of them, embarrassed.
"It's the MSG. A lot of teriyaki places have MSG in their foods. If you have an allergy to it your throat closes up," Mandy said.
I knew it had nothing to do with what was in my food. I’d had teriyaki a dozen times and never once had a reaction. No. This attack was magic, pure, evil, targeted magic. Luckily, the magic had to be used in the line of sight. Otherwise, I’d be dead in the parking lot right now. Fear tensed my muscles.
Henry opened his door and pushed the seat forward. I climbed into the back seat with Kayla.
She rubbed her arms. "Those two teachers gave me the creeps. I got Goosebumps when they came to our table."
I listened. Maybe Kayla possessed witch’s powers beyond the rituals and potions. With my life having flashed before my eyes, I thought it best to go to Homecoming. Who knew? I might be dead if I waited, especially with the danger this case kept bringing me. Gathering my courage, I blurted out, "So, do you want to go to Homecoming with me?" When she remained silent, I added, "I promise I won't get sick again." A nervous laugh followed.
Kayla giggled. "Yes. I'll go with you."
Yes! I had a date to Homecoming. And she wasn’t taller than me!
Henry drove us back to the school where Mandy had parked her car. Once Kayla and Mandy left, we headed for home. "You going to tell me what happened?" Henry asked.
"Someone in the restaurant tried to strangle me with magic." A shiver raced down my spine.
His eyes widened as his hands adjusted on the steering wheel. "Does this have to do with helping Gramps?"
I ignored the question. "Henry. Do you remember seeing the other people in the restaurant?"
"I wasn't paying attention to them, David. Did you see the gorgeous girl sitting next to me?" His mouth wavered.
I sighed. One of these days, he would start thinking with the head on his shoulders. "Don't tell Mom and Dad."
"I won't."
We got home, and Henry went straight to his room. Unfortunately, I had to stop and put my leftovers in the refrigerator. Mom came in. "Where were you, boys?" I think my mom must have been a guard at a penitentiary before I was born. Nothing ever went unnoticed.
"We were hanging with Mandy and her sister."
"And how old is her sister?"
"Fifteen. She's a freshman." I paused, wanting this conversation over with, so I told Mom what she wanted to hear. "I asked Kayla to Homecoming."
"And?" Her eyes widened with hope.
"She said yes."
Mom clapped her hands. "Wonderful David!"
I pulled out a can of coke and shut the refrigerator door. "Mom, can I take the car to Homecoming?"
"You can ride with your brother."
"Please. I don't want to go with Henry."
"No, David. You can drive a car next year when Henry's away at college. This year you go with your brother."
"Mom," I whined.
"I said no David."
When Mom’s voice rose, I knew I was dead in the water. I stomped off to my room in protest. Every time I went to any school event, I had to go with my brother. Frustrated, I pulled my phone out of my coat pocket and dialed Gramps.
"Hello?"
"Gramps. It's David."
"Hey, David. What's up?"
"Someone tried to strangle me with their magic tonight."
A long paused hung over the line. "Good."
"Good? What?" Geez, I’m glad he was concerned!
"It means we're getting close."
"So this has to do with the chupacabras and the drug then?"
"The man behind it has wizard powers, which means you probably saw the person responsible for bringing the drug here."
"Two teachers were there.” I thought on it. "It could be one or both of them."
"Yep."
"So what do I do now Gramps?"
"Keep your eyes and ears open. If you sense the magical energy, take note of who's near you."
"What if they go for my jugular again?"
"Use the ring I gave you."
"How can I use the ring when I don't know when the attack is coming?"
"As you get older, and with practice, the energy will hit you the second it enters the room."
"That doesn't help me now." I sighed in frustration and changed the subject. "How's Tom?"
"His vitals are better, but he hasn't come out of the comma. The doctors are hopeful it’ll be anytime soon."
"Good. When I visited Sabrina and her mom yesterday, a Laminak fairy was in the waiting room."
"Oh, she came?" He sighed.
“I should have known you called her.”
“I didn’t. Midnight summoned her for me. He called in a favor.” He paused. “Did she bring her bag?”
“Yep.”
“Now I know Tom will get better soon.” Relief eased Gramps’s voice.
"Well, I've got to go, Gramps. I've got a big chemistry test tomorrow."
"Chemistry? You should be good with as much time as you spend in the Wizard Room."
"Yeah, well, they're different."
"I suppose so."
I clicked off the phone, opened my books, and studied chemistry much harder than I’d ever studied before, knowing Otto planned on gunning for me when it came to grading my test.
* * *
I rushed through the doors of Mr. Otto's class just as the bell rang. Throughout my entire day, I ran behind schedule, starting with waking for school. I barely had time to get my jeans and tee-shirt on, before Henry backed out of the driveway. He yelled at me the entire way because I had made him late. Late for what? He got to school an hour before it started. And if it wasn't enough, on my way to my second-period a kid collided into me. I dropped my binder and papers went flying everywhere in the busiest intersection of the hallway. I had to turn in my math assignment with a waffle footprint on the front.
Mr. Otto smacked the test on my desk, while I dug into my backpack to find a pencil. I faced forward in my chair and released a long, weary breath.
"You may begin." Mr. Otto grinned.
I read the first question: What holds atoms together in molecules?" I went blank. Crap. I skipped to the elements and matched their name with their symbols. I tackled the compound section. When I finished everything else, I returned to the first question and faked my way through. Three-fourths of the class had completed their tests and left before I turned in my paper.
Mr. Otto puckered his lips, his stare riveting on my paper. "I think I'll grade yours first." He set it aside.
I returned to my desk, put my pencil away, slung my backpack over my shoulder and trudged to the door. On my way, my foot landed on something button sized and hard. A white tablet. Mr. Otto was absorbed in grading my paper. I stuffed it in my pocket. What was Canis doing in Mr. Otto's class? Had Jerry dropped it or Mr. Otto?
Passing through the door, I reflected on my test. I thought I’d done well on it, but that's what scared me. When I thought I’d done well, I got a bad grade. And when I thought I’d done badly, I got a good grade. Go figure.
Early for lunch, I got in line and got through quickly. Sitting at our table alone, I ate. A minute later, the bell rang. Sam and friends showed up.
"Hey." Sam beamed.
I waited for him to sit with his lunch. "What's put you in such a good mood?"
“I know the perfect girl for you to take to the Homecoming dance, and I’m almost certain she’ll say yes."
"I've got a date." I gained surprised expressions from everyone at the table.
"Who'd you ask?" Sam asked.
"Kayla Peyton." I shoved an apple slice in my mouth and munched.
"As in Mandy Peyton's sister?" Brett’s eyes widened.
"Yeah."
"How'd you swing that one?" Martin leaned forward at the table to hear my answer.
"My brother.” The realization made it a hollow success.
"She's hot!" Trevon’s mouth stayed open.
"Yes, she is." My confidence started to build. I had no idea anyone knew her. She hardly came across as the friendly type.
"So why don't we double date?" Sam asked.
"I wish we could. I have to go with my brother." It came out whiny again.
"It’s okay. We'll meet you at the dance." Sam’s shoulder’s slumped.
I frowned. Sam had a transportation and money problem. He worked a paper route, and most of it barely covered the tickets to the dance, corsage, and his suit. He lived with his mother in a two-bedroom apartment in town. They barely got by month to month. He hadn't seen or spoken to his father in six or more years. His father had left one day and never returned.
"I wanted to drive Kayla myself, but my mom’s making me go with Henry." I rolled my eyes.
"Bummer," Trevon said.
Thinking about Sam's situation, I was petty for complaining. My parents would pay for our tickets, dinner, and corsages, and I owned a suit.
We remained at the table throughout lunch discussing the dance, teachers, and girls. We headed our separate ways to our classes. Halfway to my class, I ran into Mr. Otto.
"Finkleman. Because of the dance on Saturday, there'll be no detention."
"Great!"
"Don't get your hopes up, Finkleman. You still have to make it up the following Saturday."
My smile faded to a scowl. Crap. "Why can't we call it even?"
"Tell you what Mr. Finkleman. If you get an A on your chemistry test, we'll call it even."
"But you've already graded my test. You already know what I got."
Mr. Otto grinned, looking like a bulldog taking a crap. "I know." He chuckled and strolled away.
Jerk. I guess I didn't do well on the test. I sighed. The warning bell rang. Dashing through the nearly empty hall, I made it to my Social Studies. I counted the minutes until school ended for the day, caught a ride home with a neighbor girl and hopped on my bike. Parking in front of my parent’s shop, I entered. I had to wait until a customer left, and then called out, "Abracadabra." The door didn't open. What the heck? I called out again, "Abracadabra."
"David," Dad said. "We changed it."
"To what?"
"Houdini."
The door rolled opened. I slipped inside, shut the door behind me, and dumped my backpack on the floor. Retrieved the pill from my pocket, I set it on the table. I needed a potion to extract the main ingredients in this tablet. Once we had those, Tom and Gramps could work on a counterpotion. An antidote was better than Frankie and Eddie's solution to the problem: afternoon appetizers.
I boiled the bark of Wahoo, also known as Indian Arrow Wood and known for removing hexes and made an infusion to use as my base. I sprinkled goldenrod flowers, mandrake root, the fern of moonwort, and mastic. Next, I dropped a few liquidambar seeds for good measure. I mixed the herbs and base together. Once I crushed the pill to powder, I added it.
With my wand in hand, I held it over the potion and willed my energy into it. The mixture began to bubble. It became thick and blood red. The liquid spilled out from the bowl and onto the table. The bloody goo took shape, sprouting legs, swirling and making a body, and head. I pulled back my energy, but it was too late. Gray hair with hints of green and black spots sprouted, sharp fangs jetted, ears and a tail emerged. Its back arched and razor spikes popped out along its spine, as sharp as claws. A Mastiff-sized chupacabra snarled, snapped, and bared its teeth at me from the tabletop.
I jumped back, crying out at the same time. The creature lunged at me. I dove under the table, just as the animal thumped to the ground. It’s paws slipped on the linoleum floor. I clambered to my feet in time to throw a wall of energy out, a four-feet-high doggie door size.
The chupacabra hit the wall, bounced back, and came at me, frothing and scrabbling at the energy again and again until he broke through and pounced on me, sending me hurtling backward. My back and head smacked the ground. The chupacabra’s teeth sunk into my coat. Its head thrashed side to side. Rip! It yanked again. Rrriiiiipppp! The creature’s mouth bulged with the cotton-polyester material. Using muscle strength, I shoved the creature off of me, scrambled to my feet, and sent a bolt at it, hitting it directly in the chest. It slammed into the back door. Stunned for a few seconds, it slowly rose on all fours, shook its head and body, and showed me his fangs.
The creature paced right, left, and halted. Rising on its two back legs, its front paws reached out. Claws slashed from its pads. Drool dripped from its long tongue. It growled a throaty menacing rumble, rising louder. Red eyes glowed.
The secret door from the magic shop creaked open, and my Dad ducked his head in. "What's going on in here?"
"Get out Dad. Close the door. Don't come in no matter what," I yelled, inching toward him.
"Whoa!" He spotted the chupacabra and flinched. "What the heck—?"
I thrust magic at the door and slammed it in his face, locking it.
The creature used the distraction and leaped on the table, sending candles, vials, candle holders, bowls, satchels, and charcoal blocks crashing to the floor. One of the heavy ceramic bowls shattered.
I held my hands out; my fingers spread wide. Drawing on my energy, as quick as electricity I sucked it from the earth into my feet, legs, through my abdomen, heart, arms, and hands. I spread my fingers and shot it at the creature. Sparks exploded as my energy collided with the magic controlling the beast. A tug-of-war began between us as I gained an inch, and lost it, my body leaning forward, and back.
I weakened and broke the exchange first. The chupacabra jumped at me. I slid under the table. With the outside door in sight, I sprang to my feet and ran. The door flew open.
"Hit the floor!" Gramps cried.
My face, arms, and knees kissed the hardwood unceremoniously. I rolled on my back and raised my head.
Gramps shot jagged bolts of purple lightning, reminding me of a firefighter releasing water from the pressurized hose. His magic flowed from him into the chupacabra.
The creature’s eyes bulged ready to pop out of his head. He screeched, howled, and exploded. Red droplets splattered the table, walls, and jars, but fizzled into black ash and disintegrated into nothing. The smell of smoke hovered in the room and the rotting egg smell dissipated quickly.
I was shocked by the power of my grandfather's magic. I'd have to remember not to piss him off!
I thumped my head on the ground and laid there staring at the ceiling, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Silence filled the space except for my heavy breathing. My hands trembled, not just from the attack but the magic depleting my strength.
Finally, Gramps broke the quiet asking, "You okay?"
"Yeah." I pushed to my feet and wobbled. "Thanks."
Gramps yanked me into a bear hug and held me tight.
"Gramps," I squeaked. "I can't breathe."
He released me. "Sorry," he mumbled. "Did he bite you?"
"No." I lifted my arm, the shreds of my coat dangling off my arm and chest. The creature’s teeth had come short of my tee shirt sleeve and meat of my arm. “Great. Mom's going to have a fit. She bought me this coat for school.”
“How’d the creature get in here?” Gramps rubbed his jaw, glancing around the destroyed room.
“I found a pill on the floor in my chemistry class. I brought it here to connect who made it. And—”
Dad banged on the wizard door. "David. It’s Dad! You alright in there?"
Flicking my magic at the lock, it opened. Mom and Dad rushed in. Mom's eyes widened seeing my tattered jacket.
"The coat's ripped." I grinned sheepishly.
Mom brushed my hair away, turning my face side to side.
I knew I had a few bumps and bruises, but nothing too visible for her to flip out over.
"Oh, David. Your new coat. It's beyond repair." Mom's light brows came together, her arms folding across her chest. Priorities.
"I'll pay for a new one," I mumbled.
"With what money?" she asked.
I swallowed. "I’ve got a part-time job running errands for Gramps and his boss, Mr. Hoss." I thought it best to keep the drugs, chupacabra, and a crazy wizard trying to kill me out of the conversation.
"What happened in here?" Dad asked.
"I was experimenting, and it got out of hand."
"I'd say it did. What the heck was that thing?"
"A mean dog." The less my parents knew, the better. "Luckily, Gramps came in when he did and destroyed the thing."
The bell at the shop's front door rang. "I'd better get that." Mom paused. "We'll talk about this later at home." She slipped through the door, shutting it.
I sighed, ready for a long lecture to greet me at dinner tonight.
Dad frowned, his arms crossed over his chest. "David." He spoke in a scolding manner. "I'm going to have to forbid you from using this room if you do anything like this again. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Sir," I mumbled. I poked mournfully at the substantial rip in my coat sleeve.
Dad turned to Gramps. "I don't think you should have David help you anymore."
"But Dad!"
Gramps narrowed his stare. "Marcel. I need David's help. Until I get my strength back, I need his powers. I can't do this on my own, not after the heart attack."
"Oh, so you're finally willing to call it a heart attack, huh Pop?"
Gramps's face reddened. "I'm not as young as I used to be. Getting around at my age isn't easy. David's young and full of energy."
"But his powers aren’t as powerful," Dad said. “And he’s my son, not yours. Yours is standing in front of you, your disappointment, the one without powers. Remember?”
"That’s why I need David.” Gramps lifted his brows, ignoring my father’s outburst.
“No.” Dad folded his arms across his broad chest.
Gramps exhaled in a rush. “I know I was hard on you and, yes, I was disappointed you didn’t have a drop of magic in your blood. But your son does. He has more powers than ten wizards put together. A mature wizard wouldn’t have been able to fend off this spell, but David did, and he’s only sixteen. Don’t you see why I need him? Don’t deny David his future, his destiny because of troubles between you and me. You’d let Henry practice with the U of W football team if he were given the opportunity. So why do you deny David his chance? This is his future.” Gramps’s face reddened. His chest rose and fell, and hand slowly rose to his chest.
Dad’s gaze dropped to Gramps’s hand. His frown softened. Shaking his finger, he said, "You guarantee me David's safety comes first."
"Done."
"And he won't get in dangerous situations."
"Done."
"And this job won't interfere with school."
"It won’t."
Dad riveted his glare from Gramps to me. "Your mother can't know. She'd be worried sick. Got it? Both of you?"
We nodded.
"Okay. David clean this mess. Then you need to go home and do your homework. School comes first.”
"Okay."
Dad headed to the wizard door and paused. “You know Dad; I started this wizard store hoping to bring you and me closer. Even though I didn’t have powers I could, at least, be a part of your world through this shop. We’ve had the Wizard Shop for four months and the times you’ve been here was to see or help David.” Pain flickered across his face. He slipped out the door and shut it.
A heavy silence filled the room, as we remained in our thoughts for several minutes. I broke it saying, "Thanks for your help with the chupacabra."
Gramps smiled. "I meant what I said to your Dad."
"I know."
"While you clean up, I'm going to call Hoss."
"Do you have to tell him what happened here?" I didn't want to hear from the guy about it.
"Yep. I have to. We're getting close, and this attack proved it."
"So how did this wizard attack me through a pill?"
Gramps shook his head. "The pill was designed to manifest the creature, once you touched your magic to it."
I tipped my head back. "I was set up." Whoever had dropped the pill, knew my habits. They knew I exited out the side door after chemistry class each day. They knew I would take it, bring it back here, and use my magic on it. Hadler came to mind. But Jerry didn't know I was a wizard or that we had a wizarding shop. Otto was my next guess. He had to have dropped it. He had to be behind it. Otto was an expert on chemicals, and somehow he found out I had powers.
"I'm afraid so."
"I fell for it." I frowned. "Is the person behind the drug and the wizard two different people or the same?"
"We don't know."
I sighed. This entire time, I had been assuming the leader of the chupacabras and wizard were one in the same. Maybe it’s two people, not one. I tried to think of a student who dabbled in magic successfully. Mandy’s sister, Kayla admitted to creating spells and potions, but somehow I didn’t think she’d attack me this way. Was I naïve?
"A wizard would have to be pretty skilled to put such a powerful spell on a pill." I swallowed.
"Yep."
"So the person isn't a student?"
"Probably not. You're the most skilled teenager I know, and you weren't aware of this spell, let alone knew how to do it."
"You think you know who did this, don't you?" I asked.
"No." He returned his attention to me. "I think Tom does, but he's not awake." Gramps left me to clean and exited out the back door. I suspected he avoided going into the magic shop because he didn't want to take Mom's wrath. I didn't blame him.
I wished I could do the same!
