The Scooby Gang
Book Two:
Homecoming
Chapter 4:
Changes
Spots POV
"Its getting dark, should we start?" Jordan asked, walking into my office. I looked down at the picture I held. It was a photo of the original six of us; me, Charlie, Dutchy, Blink, Joe and Mike. We lost one of our number since it doubled and gained one. So now we sat at an odd thirteen.
Lots of things had changed since Racetrack and his brothers showed up. Blink had gotten softer, Dutchy opened up, Charlie ran wild, Joe started talking lots more, and Mike. Well... Mike isnt really the type to change. Being alive for roughly half a millenium will do that to a person.
Most of the new kids have had a slightly positive influence on the house. Specs is smart as they come, and he and Jordan make up the knowledge that Dutchy once posessed. Jack keeps Charlie in line because it seems I cannot do it anymore. Taylor and Scott keep Joe and Mike from getting bored with eachother. Pie Eater adds to our number of blood doners. Only humans can, and it used to just be Blink and Charlie, which wiped them out. Now theres more vampires, but there's also many more people. Besides, they dont have to eat too often.
Charlie has really run rampant. She does what she pleases, goes out... she's wild. She's done something, with Jacks help I imagine, to the area where Dutchy's staircase used to be. I've got Adrienne 'practicing her energy attack' so I can break through the forcefield and board up the door.
I came out of my reverie, nodded and stood, walking ahead of Jordan on our way down to Staircase hall. It looked like a scene from Practical magic.
The lights had been turned down and there was only a dim glow from the two candles standing on the mirror in the center of a pentacle, made from branches inside a large circle, drawn on the outline of the zodiac. Adrienne sat outside the circle, threading slender quartz medallions onto silver chains. I saw that the sage, water bowl, and mirror sat in the center of the large star shape. Everyone else was standing around the edge of the circle, and I couldnt see Charlie until she spoke.
"Alright." she said softly, taking the necklaces from Adrienne. As if it felt like the right thing to do, we made a circle around her, holding eachothers hands.
I watched wordlessly as she gently poured the sage into the water. She seemed different in this light, almost more complete. Something about the power she posessed and the fact that she was going to put some of it into this complicated ritual for all of us...
It almost seemed like she was uniting an ancient power of wicca with the unimaginable power inside her head.
She seemed younger in this setting, I really couldnt tell what it was. She'd been dabbling in witchcraft since I'd known her. Her power had definately matured since that time when we first locked eyes. She was like a wild animal, running from a poacher. Her feet pounded on the soft wet ground as she ran through the rain, trying desperately to get somewhere... anywhere. And I, being out on my evening stroll, was standing still and looking up at the moon as it forced its way through the heavy clouds when she pitched headlong into me. I stood first and looked at her, istting on the ground, terrified. And so I spoke to her, whispering inside her mind that I meant no harm to her, reminding her that she did, in fact, run into me first.
She had whispered an apology and I offered to get her out of the rain. She nodded and here we are.
Everyone held perfectly still as one by one she called one of us into the circle, dipped our necklace in the water, swung the amulet thrice through the flame and mumbled something other her breath. It wasnt until I got up there that I found out what exactly she was saying.
"Thrice around and thrice repeat,
all evil does this flame defeat,
I invoke the goddess of Earth and Sky,
pray keep this necklace round your neck
and never shall I see you die,"
I took my place once more in the outer circle as she continued on with her chant.
"By the earth that is her body.
And by the air that is her breath
And by the fire of her bright spirit,
And by the living waters of her womb,
The circle is open, but unbroken
May the joy of the Goddess live in our hearts
Merry meet, and merry part And merry meet again."
She stood and placed her own necklace about her slender neck, walking from the circle. She left everything where it was, and I felt no need to chide her about it. It was really quite eerie once I thought about it. Everyone headed up to bed with their necklaces on, except for the vampires. They went out to party. Or something.
Scotts POV
"God, that was really creepy," Taylor mumbled as we headed out the door.
"Nah, I've seen worse," I said, thinking of my cult experiences.
"I dont want to know," Jordan said, shaking his hair out of his face.
"I dont even think she tries to be creepy," Mike said, glancing up at the sky.
"She certainly doesnt have to," Jordan replied.
"Hush," Joe said quietly. I was almost glad to see someone defending the girl who had spent lots of energy defending us.
"Oh come on," Mike said, rounding on Joe and stopping the group.
"'Oh come on,' what?" Joe asked, tugging on his white dress shirt. I can feel the fight coming on. I really can... and I dont think its the vampire senses helping out.
"She's crazy Joe! Its obvious!" Taylor, who hadnt spoken again yet, stood with his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Jordan and I stood silently next to him.
"Thats bullshit Mike," Joe said shortly, his tone void of any emotion except annoyance.
"Its not," Mike began with the air of an indignant child. "You know it! When Dutchy-"
"He meant the world to her, you know that!" Joe yelled for the first time. We all flinched subconsiously.
"She was crazy before that! You know it! She was in a fucking asylum for a reason!" I was in the middle of thinking the word asylum when Joes fist flew through the air and connected with Mike's cheek. Mike made no move to strike him back, but merely stood watching as the smaller man ripped the necklace from his neck and walked into the night.
Yeah I know its been forever. But you still love me... right? And if not... I know you love them.
