Thanx, as usual, to all those who took the time to review the story! To all y'all other non-reviewers, I'll just pray for y'all…
Raya X: A very comprehensive list you have there, don't you think? I agree with all four, though.
chyp: Have fun camping, chyp. I hate camping myself. I'd like it if it weren't for the 40 pounds of crap I have to carry with me. It was horrible, but don't let my experiences creep into yours.
"Listen," James said to Lina, "I respect your intentions, but you're kinda making this harder than it has to be."
"Can't we at least talk about it like adults?" Lina asked.
"I'm afraid not," a voice echoed throughout the room in a thick British accent.
"Who said that?" James said, taking up a defensive posture.
"I did," the voice replied. In a flash of light, the warlock Miles appeared. "Did you like that intro, or how about this one?"
Miles snapped his fingers and disappeared. Then the echoing voice boomed, "I did!" Small fireworks exploded inside the room. The entertaining light display faded to reveal Miles standing there.
"What about that?" Miles asked. "I think that one was better."
"Who the hell are you?" James asked.
"It doesn't matter who I am," Miles replied. "I've come for this pretty young lady here. I'm afraid she knows too much. She'll ruin everything, you know. Can't have that happen."
Miles snapped his finger and a gag appeared around Lina's mouth. She immediately tried to take it off, but the gag shocked both her hands. With another snap of Miles' fingers, her hands and feet became bound by ropes.
"And now," Miles announced, "it's time for the show! I have with me my lovely assistant, bound and gagged as this trick requires her to be. I'm sure you've seen this done a million times already, but let me show you how it's supposed to be done."
Miles clapped his hands twice and Lina disappeared, reappearing in a large box that hung in the air. James just stared in utter confusion. Lina's head stuck out of one side, while her feet stuck out of the other side. If James didn't know any better, he would swear that this person was going to saw her in half! Finally, James made up his mind, deciding against his better judgment. He waved his hand and Miles flew across the room, slamming into the door. James went to open the box, but to his surprise it was bolted shut. Nothing he did could get the box open. Miles gruffly brushed himself off.
"It'll do to have no interruptions during my act, thank you very much," he said. "Besides, a magician never reveals his secrets."
"Same here," James said.
James motioned with his finger and the athame flew out of his drawer, directed at Miles. Miles caught the dagger between his hands, covering it completely. When he opened his hands, a dove flew out of them. He grabbed the dove, covered it in his hands again, and mumbled a few words to himself. He opened his hands and the athame reappeared in his hand. He threw it at James, but while in midair it separated into many knives. With a snap of his finger, Miles caused a large circular board to appear behind James. James slammed into it, while the knives pinned him to it, rendering him unable to move.
"I'll accept that we'll have no further interruptions, then," Miles said.
"What is all this noise?" Wesley asked, opening the door. His jaw was just inches from the floor as he witnessed the scene. "Matt! Get in here!"
"Oh, bollocks!" Miles said as Matthew peeked his head into the room. "We'll meet again, folks!"
Miles snapped his fingers and he was gone. The board behind James disappeared, the knives disappeared, the box around Lina disappeared, and her restraints disappeared as well.
"Do we even need to ask?" Matthew asked. "I was just about to get in the shower."
"Trouble," James said. "We got somebody who has a Houdini complex."
I bet y'all never saw that comin', did y'all? I didn't see it myself! That Miles character is quite a card…the joker! I just made that up on the spot, I swear! Anyway, things are about to get a lot more crazy as the next chapter unfolds, so stay tuned!
