I paced back and forth across the room. Today was the day of my interview for the school's English teacher position! I'm a nervous wreck right now. I really want this job, but what happens if I don't get it? What then? Ever since yesterday, Mom has been prepping me for the interview giving me tips on how to present myself and giving me questions that they would ask during the interviews.

"Mo, you're going to do great. You have all the credentials required for the job." Jim said trying to encourage me.

"I don't know, Jim. What if I mess up and accidentally knock the principal's coffee cup onto the principal! What if I leave my ringer on and I get a call during the interview? Do you realize how unprofessional that is?" I panicked.

"Monica, you've been prepping for this interview during the past 24 hours. You'll do fine. Do you mind giving Jim and Toby a ride to school?" Mom asked.

"Sure. I'm going to have the interview at 8:00 anyways." I said. Mom patted my back, giving us both kisses on the cheeks, then left the house.

"Maybe after school I can take you to Trollmarket." Jim suggested. My eyes widened with excitement. I've been dying to see that place for ages.

"Seriously? You mean it?" I questioned. Jim nodded. I tackled him in a hug. "You are the best brother ever. Come on. We better get going. Don't want to be late and also it's always suggested to show up 15 minutes early before an interview begins." I informed him. Jim laughed and shook his. We got into my car, picking up Toby, and went to school. Once we got there, Jim and Toby walked with me over the Principal Levit's office.

"Good luck." Toby said.

"You can do this, Monica." Jim said.

Slowly, I opened the door and entered the office. 7:45. Fifteen minutes early exact. Score one for Monica. I saw that Principal Levit wasn't in his office, so I sat in the chair and waited for him to arrive. After about five minutes, he entered the office.

"Hello, Ms. Lake. I am pleased to see a former graduate of our school interested in returning to teach." He said shaking my hand.

"I'm glad to be back too." I said smiling. Then, the interview began...

After the interview was over, I ran into Jim's teacher, Strickler, I slightly froze when I saw him, but quickly recovered.

"Hello, Mr. Strickler, it's good to see you again." I commented. Mr. Strickler smiled and replied,

"Likewise, I actually just got done speaking to your brother Jim. Your mother has invited me over to dinner tonight and like I told him, I graciously accepted. I hope this won't be awkward for you." Strickler explained.

"Oh not at all." I lied through gritted teeth. It was taking all of my will power not to gag at the thought of my mom dating Strickler and I was also completely terrified because that means my mom is dating a changling.

"That's good. I'll see you tonight, Ms. Lake." Strickler said and he walked away. When he left, I sat in the car until school got out. I searched for Jim until I discovered him walking with Toby.

"Jim, Strickler is coming over to our house later. What are we going to do?" I wondered.

"Don't worry. I've got a plan. While Strickler is eating at our house, this gives Toby, Aaarrrgghh, and Blinky the opportunity to sneak into his office. They might be able to find some information on where the bridge is." Jim explained.

"I don't know, Jim. What if somethings happens?" I asked.

"Nothing bad will happen. Strickler doesn't even know that we know that's he's a changling." Jim said.

"Alright. We'll go along with the plan." I agreed...

Later that evening, we explained the plan to Draal while we were mixing stuff for dinner.

"I do not like this plan. It lacks a certain 'killing the changling' component." Draal protested.

"I would love to, but not until they locate the bridge, okay? And find out what he wants with me." Jim explained.

"We could rip off his limbs, make him talk, more like scream. Now that sounds like a good plan." Draal suggested.

"No, no ripping anything. Our mom... ugh! She kind of likes him. And since she's here, I can't have you busting chops, unless it's a last resort, and only if it's a last resort." Jim ordered.

Draal sighed, "How I will I know this last resort?" That's when I stepped.

"Okay. If everything's cool, I'll tap once. If I run into any trouble, I'll stomp twice. Got it?" I asked.

"Two times, then I tear his limbs." Draal repeated. Then, the doorbell rang.

"Just stay down here and no limb tearing." I ordered. Jim ran upstairs, but before I could, Draal stopped me.

"Be careful, Monica. Changlings are dangerous creatures and cannot be trusted." Draal warned. I nodded, then ran up the stairs to catch up with Jim and to face Strickler.