Big shouts to Raya Halliwell/x Raya/Raya Sparrow/The Writer Formerly Known As Raya/(symbol)/The Writer/etc… She seems to be the only one with any input on this story. Is it that bad, y'all?
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"Oh my God!" Stephanie shouted as she stormed into Wesley and Matthew's dorm room, where Matthew and James were watching television. They quickly jumped up at the sound of her voice.
"What's wrong?" James asked.
"It was…" she tried to say, but she found herself unable to make any complete thoughts. "He flew…and we…then Wesley…GO HELP HIM NOW!!!"
"Calm down," Matthew said. "Slow down and tell us what's going on."
"There's," Stephanie began, still panting heavily, "a man flying…on the Quad…and Wesley's out there…and he needs y'all's help…"
"Okay," James said. "Um, you stay here and you'll be safe. And if anybody asks, don't say a word about this."
"Okay," she replied as she sat down.
"Just relax and watch TV," Matthew said. "We'll be back in a minute."
"Hurry," she said as they bolted out of the room.
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They bounded through the Branham-East Lobby, where both Branham and East Halls were connected (hence, the name) and out the door. The Quad was dark due to an absence of streetlamps. After Christmas Break, Matthew vowed to petition the deans to have some installed around the campus. Not having any lights outside didn't discourage the students from being outside; it only made situations like this a lot worse.
They ran blindly into the middle of the Quad, where they could barely make out two bodies that were reflecting moonlight. One had a sword of some sort, and was standing over the other. Instantly assessing the situation, James and Matthew dashed towards the scene. James extended his right hand out while running and the sword removed itself from the demons' hand and embedded itself into a nearby tree. Wesley grasped the opportunity and kicked the demon between the legs, temporarily disengaging him and giving his brothers enough time to arrive.
"Sorry," Wesley said to the demon as he stood to his feet, "I don't usually play fair when it comes to y'all messing with my girl."
"Save the trash talk," James said as he and Matthew arrived. "What's happening? Stephanie ran into the room hysterical."
"This guy," Wesley said, pointing to the demon. "He attacked us while we were walking back from the Student Center. Y'all won't believe it, but it's the same guy we vanquished last night."
"What?" Matthew asked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Wesley persisted. "I don't know what's going on, but it's definitely the same guy."
"Well, let's say the spell again," James said. "Maybe it's more powerful if all three of us say it."
"Abolish his powers.
Banish his hours.
Within this time and space,
Send him away forever from this place!"
At that moment, the demon forgot all about the pain Wesley had inflicted as flames began to engulf him. Black smoke was emitted from his body as he yelled in pain. Without warning, the demon exploded into bits and pieces that scattered on the ground temporarily before dissolving into nothing.
"Hopefully that settled everything," Matthew said.
"Good," Wesley said. "Now I can go to the movies."
"Tonight?" James asked. "You can't go tonight."
"Why?" Wesley asked. "There's nothing else here to do."
"I'm going to my dad's to pick up something important and I invited y'all to come along," James said.
"And we said yes," Matthew added.
"Hold up," Wesley said. "First of all, we didn't say anything. Second, y'all can't just volunteer me for things I don't know about. Third, I have a girlfriend now."
"She'll understand," James said. "Lina did when I told her."
"Who?" Wesley asked.
"Some girl he met at your birthday party," Matthew said. "Apparently, they hit it off and are dating now."
"Well good for you," Wesley said carelessly, "but this is about me. I'll see y'all later tonight, and tell your daddy I said hello."
Wesley walked back towards Branham Hall, but an invisible force prevented him from taking any more steps. He looked back to see James holding his hand out and using his power to keep Wesley in place.
"No fair!" Wesley whined. "You can't do that!"
"I can do whatever I want," James said. "Now, either you can come with us by choice or by force."
"Force," Wesley said defiantly.
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James, Matthew, and Wesley sped down the highway in James' truck. They were headed to Alpharetta, which was about an hour and a half from Oxford. James was anxious to see what could possibly be in an envelope that was apparently so strong that his father, or anyone for that matter, couldn't open it. What if the reason was because only a certain person could open it, James thought. He and Matthew conversed about the various possibilities of what was actually inside the envelope. Eventually, Wesley snapped out of his sullen mood and joined in the conversation.
"I still don't know why y'all forced me to come with y'all," Wesley said. "What's so important that it takes all three of us to come?"
"It may be something that's related to all three of us," James said. "And I told you Stephanie would understand."
"As long as you don't ruin our relationship," Wesley said. "Then I'll have to whoop ass."
"You couldn't even take us earlier," Matthew cut in. "Face it, homeboy, you came out with the short end of the stick."
"That's what you think," Wesley responded. "I could take either of y'all if I really wanted to. I just don't, though, because we're brothers and all."
"And because we're older and bigger," James added. "Accept it, Shorty. At least we're on your side."
"True," Wesley said, abruptly changing the subject. "So, what's really in this envelope?"
"We don't really know," Matthew said. "It's a mystery. Could be anything."
"We should probably be careful, though," James said. "If my dad couldn't open it, it has to be magical."
"Why didn't either of us get one?" Wesley asked. "How come you were the only one of us to get an envelope? Aren't we special enough?"
"What are you talking about?" James asked. "You're the 'twice-blessed' one, whatever that means."
"What does that mean, anyway?" Matthew asked.
"Who knows?" Wesley said. "Probably the same thing as being 'born of both sides.'"
"Maybe what's in the envelope has all our answers," James said.
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Maybe, Jimmy, maybe. Coming up: the brothers meet James' dad, who gives James the envelope and we finally get to see what's inside…provided that James can even open it.