A/N: Okay, here I am with chapter 12. If I get it done tonight, I might be able to do chapter 13 before church tomorrow...I dunno. Review replies at the bottom as usual.

Choices

Chapter Twelve: Disturbing News

I sighed with relief as Granpa's shop came into view. I didn't look behind me, because I knew that the Huntsclan was still following me, and they might be able to see my face if I did. Then I realized that they could just follow me into Gramps's shop-I had to lose them! I took a sharp right into a dark alleyway and bolted to the end. I used the metal rungs built in the side of a building and climbed to the top. Then I ran across the top of the building, climbed down the rungs on the other side, and darted back down the street to Granpa's shop. My heart was beating wildly as I ran inside, slammed the door shut, and locked it in three places. Only did then I breathe a sigh of relief and turn around.

"Hey, kid, what's your hurry?" said Fu Dog, who was sitting at the front desk.

"No time," I said, panting. "Where's G?"

"Uh...he left about ten minutes ago. Got a hot tip from somebody that the Huntsclan was up to something in New Jersey. He called your mom to find you so you could come...she said you were out, and that you couldn't go anyway because it's a school night..."

"Oh no!" I yelled, kicking the object closest to me, which unfortunately happened to be a large stereo. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" I yelped, jumping up and down on one foot.

"Kid, calm down. What's up?"

"The Huntsclan is NOT in New Jersey! Who gave G this 'hot tip'?"

"I don't remember his name...some leprechaun."

"Victor," I muttered.

"Huh?"

"Never mind, Fu." I started pacing the length of the shop, trying to figure out what to do next. Random thoughts and worries darted around in my mind, and it took a while for me to sort them out. Okay, don't panic. I just can't believe that Victor betrayed me...and Amanda! He was so nice! Now I'm left defenseless with no powers, and Gramps is gone to New Jersey, and I only have Fu for protection. There's no time to do anything. I don't have time to get Gramps, or organize a magical army...I don't even have time to get a hold of Moms...The Huntsclan'll show up any minute, and I'll be... "Dead." I said the last word aloud. The feel of it rolling across my tongue and the horrible way it sounded panicked me. "Fu, what do I do? I'm dead, oh, I'm dead meat!"

"Hey, kid, mind telling me what's going on here!"

"Okay, I met this leprechaun, and he betrayed me to the Huntsclan. He also told Gramps that the Huntsclan was in New Jersey so that I would be left defenseless. Oh, Fu, the Huntsclan's gonna be blastin' down the door in a second, and I don't know what to do!"

"Relax, kid, you're not completely defenseless. You've still got me. But most importantly, you still have your dragon powers."

"Erm..." I told Fu all about the potion and my deal with Victor.

"Well," said Fu, "you still have me. Okay, kid, here's what we do. We have a few masks in case of identity emergencies in the back. They're magically enforced. Won't come off unless the person who is wearing it takes it off or the person who is wearing it comes in contact with sphinx hair."

"Say what?"

"Listen, kid, it's the whole thing about how magical creatures are rendered powerless when they come in contact with sphinx hair. The mask loses it's magic."

"Oh...well, what if the Huntsclan has sphinx hair?"

"Stay away from it. As I was saying, grab one of those masks. It should protect your identity long enough. When the Huntsclan arrive, you keep them busy. Fight them, distract them with some mac-daddy moves, I don't care, just keep'em busy until I can get a hold of Gramps. I've got him on speed dial on my cell. Until then, we stay behind the desk."

I ran to the back and grabbed one of the masks and pulled it securely onto my face. Then I skidded into the room and dove behind the desk. Fu was on his cell phone. "Listen, Gramps, the Huntsclan isn't in NJ...Jake said that...yes, I know...yes, he saw them...come quick, he's in big trouble...how long-?...half hour?...I know your wings aren't what they used to be but...yes...yes...Uh huh...he's in big trouble...okay...well, just try to hurry, I-" He was cut off as the door was blasted open. "Hurry!"he whispered into the phone, then hung up, turning to me. "They're he-ere!"

A/N: Well, I hope you enjoyed it...I thought it was pretty good myself. Oh, and I'm really sorry if any of the words are bunched together, because I promise you, they weren't when I typed it. Something funky's going on with my computer, and it's not cool...anyway, please continue to read and review, and I'll have chapter 13 asap-maybe even tomorrow!

~Emachinescat ^..^

Review Reply

To Fuddog: I'm glad u liked it. I thought it was a pretty fun chapter too. Love, EMcat.