Chosen Chapter 12: The Curious Case of Duncan Phillips
Xxx
As the first snow began to fall, a group of children gathered in the park for a snowball fight. Among them was Cody Benson, a ten year old boy wearing a blue hat. He was a normal kid, except that he was a witch. It was a secret that he had to keep from his friends, otherwise he and his family would be in big trouble. He didn't quite understand why, but his mother explained that bad men would come and take him away if he revealed his magic. As the snow began to increase, most kids went home before it turned into a storm. Cody decided to go home as well. As he passed the playground, someone suddenly threw a snowball at his head.
"Who did that?" Cody asked as he looked around.
A few boys laughed and came out of hiding. There were three of them, all about his age. He did not recognize them. They did not go to his school and he had never seen them before. They all had black hair and pale green eyes, so Cody wondered if they were brothers.
"Who are you?" Cody asked.
"I'm Rex, these are my brothers." The first boy said. "We want to have a snowball fight, but we need one more player. Want to play?"
"I should get home because of the storm." Cody replied.
"Don't worry, my dad said there won't be a storm." Rex said. "He knows stuff like that."
"Okay..." Cody said. "Okay, I'll play for a while."
The other boys smiled and they began to throw snowballs at each other. Cody had so much fun that he completely forgot about the time. When they finally stopped, it was already getting dark. His mom would surely be worried.
"I should go." Cody said.
"Wait." Rex replied. "We want to be friends. We're new, so we don't know a lot of kids here."
"I can be your friend." Cody said.
"Great." Rex said. "Want to know a secret?"
"Sure." Cody replied.
"Promise not to tell anyone?" Rex asked.
Cody nodded and Rex smirked. He held out his hand and it began to glow. As he pointed it at the ground, the snow began to melt away. Cody was surprised. He knew it was some sort of magic and wondered if Rex and his brothers were witches like him.
"Cool secret huh?" Rex replied. "Do you have one as well?"
"I'm not supposed to show anyone." Cody said.
"You can trust us. We're friends now." Rex said. "Besides, I showed you my secret. It's only fair if you show us yours."
"I guess." Cody replied hesitantly.
Even though he was not supposed to use his magic, Cody wanted to show them. They were his friends and they had magic too. He spun his hand and the snow began to rise up from the ground and swirl around him. His mother called his power by a difficult name, but had explained that he could control wind.
"Your power is so cool." Rex said. "Come on, we got something else to show you."
Cody followed the other boys out of the park. When they crossed the street, Cody suddenly heard a strange music. He turned around and saw an ice cream truck driving toward them. When he looked at the others, he saw they were covering their ears and looked scared.
"He found us again!" Rex called out. "Quick, cover your ears. He is an evil man."
"Is he one of the bad men my mom warned me about?" Cody asked. "The ones that will take me away if they see my magic?"
"Yes. He took some of my brothers." Rex replied. "Come on, run."
Rex and the others began to run and Cody followed them. Cody was scared and almost began to cry. He wanted to go home to his mom. The truck was still following them, so they entered an alley and hid until it passed. Rex walked toward the street and checked around the corner.
"We're safe now." Rex said relieved.
"Why was he after us?" Cody asked.
"The ice cream man is evil. He hunts kids like us. He wants to take us away from our parents." Rex explained.
"I'm scared." Cody admitted tearfully. "I want to go home."
"Don't worry, Cody." Rex said. "We're friends now, remember. We can keep you safe. You have to come with us. Otherwise the bad man will go after your family."
"No, I want to go home." Cody replied upset.
"The ice cream man will find you." Rex argued. "You have to stay with us. We are your friends now. We shared our secret, remember?"
"Yeah." Cody replied tearfully.
"Do you want your family to be safe?" Rex asked.
"Yeah." Cody said. "But I'm cold and scared. My mom can protect us."
"She can't help us." Rex replied. "Grown-ups can't stop the ice cream man. Only we can."
"How?" Cody asked.
"We have to work together." Rex replied. "You have to give me your magic. With this."
Rex opened his coat and revealed he was wearing a creepy necklace with a glowing green stone. It looked really old and expensive and Cody wondered how he got it.
"My father gave it to me. It can stop the bad man." Rex explained. "All you have to do is touch it."
Rex held out the necklace. As Cody reached for it, the stone began to glow brighter. The necklace scared him, but not as much as the ice cream man. He wanted to go home, but he needed to protect his family. He touched the stone. Once he did, a green fog started to surround him. Cody screamed as the fog engulfed him and he was sucked into the stone. All that was left was his blue hat.
"Another one down." Rex said with a smug smile.
"We need to hurry." One of the other boys said. "Before the ice cream man catches us. He keeps getting closer."
"Don't worry, brother." Rex replied as he looked at the glowing stone. "We almost have enough. Soon we will have all the magic we need to resurrect father. And then nobody will be able to hurt us ever again. Not even that cursed ice cream man and his stupid truck."
The kids laughed and ran away. A moment later, the ice cream truck drove into the alley and stopped. A man in his early thirties stepped out and found the green hat in the snow. He sighed as he picked it up, realizing he was too late again.
Xxx
In the Heavens, the council of Elders had gathered around a large marble table in the middle of an open space of white fog. Endless pillars rose from the clouds below and disappeared in the skies above. When the last chair was filled by an Elder, Odin nodded and Sandra rose from her chair to address the others.
"We have heard troubling news." Sandra said. "The children of witches are being taken. Four are already missing in San Francisco."
"Do we know what happened? Who is behind this?" Odin asked.
"We have a report from the mortal in charge of the ice cream truck." Sandra explained. "Demonic children are active in the area. We suspect the two issues are related."
"Then we must act swiftly." Odin decided. "I take it you want to hand this to the Chosen?"
"Is that not why we gathered them?" Sandra asked, sensing the distain in his voice. "Or is there something wrong?"
"They have no Whitelighter at the moment, so it is difficult to keep an eye on them." Odin noted. "Besides, I do not like who they are associating with. Those warlock twins are still suspects in the murder of the Tribunal."
"Odin, I do not see how they could possibly be connected to the Tribunal." Sandra replied. "They don't have that kind of power."
"Perhaps you are right." Odin admitted. "But I want a new Whitelighter assigned to the Chosen. I want to keep a close eye on them, before they become as difficult as the Charmed Ones."
A few Elders nodded and Sandra shook her head in disappointment. "It has been only months since they lost Mikelle." She said. "I think it's too soon. They will see it as us trying to replace their friend."
"They need guidance and supervision." Odin argued. "And we need a direct line of communication. They need a new Whitelighter, Sandra."
"Alright. I see your point." Sandra said. "But at least let me ease them…"
"No, there is no time." Odin interrupted her. "Not with those young witches disappearing."
"Then who are you sending?" Sandra asked.
"Someone who can keep them in line." Odin said. "Someone who knows the rules and will follow them to the letter."
The other Elders nodded in agreement and Sandra realized she was outnumbered. She sat down and hoped things would work out for the best. Losing Mikelle had been difficult for the Chosen, so she hoped they could accept a new Whitelighter, at least until those poor children were safe.
Xxx
Violet had just finished up cleaning and looked around with a satisfied look. The kitchen was spotless and organized. She liked having things perfect, and the cleaning was a great distraction from the mess that was her love life. She had not spoken to Arthur in two weeks, not since she had confronted him for ditching her at the housewarming party. It was clear he needed some time to get his priorities in order, and until then, she did not want to see him.
Violet walked into the living room and gasped. Despite the fact that she had cleaned it this morning, the room was a mess. Duncan was sitting at the dining table with a bunch of books and paper scattered all over, while Billie was lounging on the couch watching TV. Shoes were scattered across the floor, the pillows were a mess, and Billie had spilled popcorn all over the couch.
"You guys!" Violet called out upset. "I spent the entire morning cleaning up your mess. Now I can start all over again."
"Vi, there's three of us in this house, you cannot expect it to be perfect." Billie replied. "Come on, relax and watch trashy reality shows with me."
"This place is trashy enough, thank you." Violet said. "And why am I the one always cleaning up? Seriously, I feel like a soccer mom."
"Okay, what are you really upset about?" Duncan asked with a frown.
"I'm not upset." Violet replied.
"Please, you always start obsessing when something is wrong." Duncan said.
"She is angry with Arthur for not calling her." Billie noted from the couch.
"Figures, that explains a lot." Duncan remarked.
"I am not angry with him. We're just taking some time to think." Violet explained frustrated. "Or more accurately, he is taking some time."
"And you're okay with that?" Billie asked.
"Of course. I'm an adult, and we're in an adult relationship." Violet said. "We can handle this."
"Vi, you've been burying yourself in housekeeping." Duncan noted. "You even color-coordinated my closet. Including my boxers, which is a little weird."
"And the house is practically sterile." Billie added. "So just tell us what is going on."
"Alright." Violet admitted with a sigh. "I thought I could be an adult and create some distance, but I miss him. I'm worried. I want to know he is alright."
"Vi, Arthur is a smart guy." Duncan said. "He can take care of himself."
"And it's understandable if you miss him." Billie added. "But you have every right to be angry. He bailed on you at the party with some lame excuse."
"But I'm not just mad. I'm worried." Violet said. "I'm afraid this Wizard thing is becoming this crazy obsession. And with Bryant and his mysterious boss around, I'm nervous. Like things can go wrong every moment. So I clean to keep myself distracted."
"We get that." Duncan replied. "Though maybe you can find something else to keep you busy? Something that won't drive us insane as well?"
"I'll try." Violet said. "What are you doing, anyway?"
Violet walked over to the dining table and Billie joined her. The table was scattered with books and journals on magic. Billie picked up the small leather journal she used as a Book of Shadows.
"What are you doing with all this stuff?" Billie asked. "And why is my Book of Shadows here?"
"Well, after Valefar, I realized that it might be a good idea to organize and combine our magical knowledge." Duncan explained. "So that when something like that happens again, we will be ready."
"Like a new Book of Shadows for all of us?" Billie asked.
"Something like that." Duncan replied.
"I think that's a great idea." Billie said. "We're a coven, so it makes sense that we share a book. And that way, we can all add stuff."
"What would I have to add?" Violet asked. "You guys know way more about magic than me."
"I guess, but you can add things as well." Billie replied. "Like all the spells you created so far. Out of the three of us, you're the best spell writer."
"Really?" Violet asked with a smile.
At that moment, there was a jingle in the room and a column of orbs descended into the room. A petite woman with blonde hair and glasses appeared. She was dressed in a grey dress suit and looked like a strict librarian.
"Hello." The Whitelighter said.
"Who are you?" Billie asked annoyed. "Ever heard of a doorbell?"
"Excuse me." The Whitelighter said. "I must apologize for the interruption, but it is quite urgent that we speak. My name is Gretchen. Your new Whitelighter."
"What?" Duncan asked.
"No." Billie said instantly. "We don't want a new Whitelighter. We had Mikelle."
"Yes, and while I am sorry for your loss, the Elders insisted." Gretchen said. "They don't want to lose contact with their most valuable asset."
"Asset?" Duncan replied insulted.
"In technical terms, of course. We appreciate all that you have done so far." Gretchen said. "I simply meant that the Elders think you are very important. And they want to keep an eye on you."
"Why is it so urgent?" Violet asked.
"Yes, well, I'm afraid there is a certain situation that…" Gretchen started to say, though she fell silent and gasped when she noticed all the magical books on the table. "Oh dear. This is not acceptable. Magical tomes must be kept protected at all times, in a suitable room."
"What?" Billie asked confused.
"Did Mikelle not teach you the basic rules?" Gretchen asked as she walked over to the table. "Magical tomes must be kept in the altar room along with any other magical tools."
"We have a study." Violet suggested.
"I was afraid of this." Gretchen said as she corrected her glasses. "It seems clear that Mikelle did little to teach you the basic rules."
"Excuse me?" Billie asked annoyed. "Are you implying that Mikelle did a poor job? Because she was our friend. She was like family."
"Whitelighters and witches are not supposed to be friends." Gretchen said. "Our relationship shall be purely professional. I am just a liaison to the council of Elders."
"Trust me, we won't be friends." Billie replied. "Now get out before I kick you out."
"I'm afraid can't do that." Gretchen said.
"I warned you." Billie replied. "Bye now."
Billie waved her hand and the front door flew open. She then flung her hand and threw Gretchen out on the front porch. Violet was shocked, but before she could do anything, Billie slammed the door shut and walked away.
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