Lost and Found

Chapter 3: An Explanation

"...him up?"

"...yet, he could..."

"...right of course. Now.."

"...waking up..."

"Ungh... what happened?" I asked as I sat up and clutched my head. Why was I on the floor? I remember touching whatever the ripple was and then.. oh yeah. That explained a lot. The painful scratches on my stomach explained what Pendant had thought of my falling. He was sleeping on the bed, so I hadn't hurt him, which was a bonus no matter what had happened. So... what did happen? My room looked the same, and so did the rest of the house once I checked around. Nothing out of place, nothing a different color, none of my inner organs were on the outside.

But whose voices did I hear? I didn't recognize them, and since I wasn't in the hospital(my clock showed it hadn't even been five minutes since I'd touched the ripple) they couldn't have been doctors.

"Elaine? Matthew?" No one answered, though Pendant did wake up and climb my side until he was sitting on my shoulder. I decided to go look for them, thinking they had gone to the store or something and had left a note, but the door wouldn't open! It didn't have a lock, so maybe it was stuck? I pushed, I pulled, and I threw a chair at it before I tried the window. It wouldn't open either and, after looking out it for Elaine and Matthew, I noticed that nothing outside was moving. The trees weren't moving in the wind and the clouds were floating in place. I did what anyone 14 year old would do when he finds out he's trapped.

I panicked.

I threw the chair again, this time at the "window", but it broke. By this time Pendant had taken refuge under my bed(was it my bed? I didn't know) and I was looking around for more things to throw. I saw stuff on my desk and started throwing them at the "window" too, stopping mid-throw when I felt a something smooth and cool in my hand. It was a purple crystal about the size of my thumb.

Thank you for not throwing me. I heard someone say. I looked around quickly, hands clenched into fists. Please stop squeezing me. I am the crystal you hold in your hand, and I'm speaking to you via telepathy. I looked at the crystal. Was this a joke? This is no joke.

"Ah!" I yelled as I tossed the crystal away from me. It grew spidery legs before it hit the wall and used them to catch itself. "What are you? Where am I? Why can't I get out of my room!" I yelled at the rock as my heart hammered against my ribs.

My name is Ammy. I am what is called a psicrystal. Psicrystals are special stones that are sentient and usually bonded to someone of psychic talent, not unlike the bond you share with your cat. You are currently in a holding area so that you may learn about what is happening to your world without harming someone. The area was made to look like your room for your comfort. You cannot leave until you understand what is going on.

That seemed.. strangely reasonable. I took a few deep breaths and picked up Pendant, both of which help me calm down a little.

"Okay, um.. Ammy. What is going on?"

Magic is returning to your world. With it will come many strange things that must be handled carefully. This is were you come in.

"Why me?" I interrupted. "What strange things?"

You are one of the people that was effected by Magic's return and realized it, embraced it. Your natural talents will grow faster than normal and will allow them to reach heights never before possible. Your world is going to react to this sudden change in many ways. You and a few others from around the world are one such reaction.

"So.. what are the other reactions?"

Creatures, both good and evil, that are considered 'myths' will roam your world once again. Some already are. The ripple you saw was another reaction, which may have changed more people or made a 'myth' real.

"It was the second one." I said without a doubt. "Somewhere a myth became reality. It's dangerous too."

You can tell the difference? Interesting. Wait here. Ammy said as a circle appeared behind it and it stepped through.

"Where am I going to go?" I asked Pendant. "It's not like I can leave."

"Shiny make funny?" Pendant meowed. I felt like I should be surprised, but I'm pretty sure I was in shock. A talking kitten seemed less freaky than a talking rock telling me magic was turning myth and legend into reality anyway. Ammy came back through the circle.

Okay, here's the thing. You can tell the difference between the reaction-ripples, and that can save us a lot of time. Several people from my reality are currently traveling the world trying keep the dangerous creatures in check long enough for everyone on your world to adapt. My people cannot keep up with all of them, and they have decided that I should ask if you would like to help. You and I, along with a few others like you, will take care of the minor dangers. Three others have been asked and they have agreed to help. Would you like too as well?

I thought about of course. But what use would I actually be? The mythical creatures I could think all seemed like they would be way out of my league. Sure, I could hum and changed the color of cat hair, what good would that be against a werewolf or a zombie?

"I'm sorry." I said a few minutes later. "But I can't..."

Why?

"Because I can't! What good would I be? I can't fight, I'm not brave, and you just said people are handling this!"

More help, no matter how little, is always good. You can be taught ways to fight. Bravery can get you killed if you think it means being without fear. The people already working on keeping your world in one piece are dealing with the biggest threats.

"What threats are they dealing with that are so big you need the help of a fourteen-year old?" I snarled at the now annoying psychic crystal.

Demons, devils, and any offspring they may create with people in this world. It will not matter if they are willing. The same for any evil dragons that might make it through.

"You expect me to believe that?" In light of this new information, I wasn't as snarly anymore.

That's exactly the right thing to ask, why should you believe me? I'm just an annoying pebble.

That stung a bit. I'm pretty sure Pendant felt that one too.

"I still can't. Elaine and Matthew will never let me leave because a telepathic crystal says I should."

Do not be so sure. I heard in my mind, Ammy's mental voice hesitant. While you were unconscious they went for a walk. Unlike you, they had no way of knowing a ripple had occurred. Apparently they have being captured by creatures known to my group as goblins. It would be best if you made a decision quickly, as goblins will eat anything made of meat and I need to know whether you are coming to help or not.

I felt my heart skipped a beat, a chill run up my spine, a knot grow in my stomach, and a number of other things that happen when people get bad news. Elaine and Matthew were in danger? They were so nice that I didn't want to believe it, but... what if they were? I didn't want to them to get hurt, even if it meant I would get hurt instead.

"Let's go." I said, my voice filled with more determination than I had ever had before. I'd save them or die trying.