Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter. This is a challenge for Jay Ficlover.
Mere Memory 2
Discovering Tom
"What is it, Sailor Moon?" Sailor Mars questioned as Sailor Moon bent down to pick up the mysterious book.
"This book," Sailor Moon said, looking through it, "it was on the ground."
"Hey, that woman dropped it," Sailor Jupiter recalled, walking up behind Sailor Moon. "You think it was hers?"
"Or it could have belonged to that man," Sailor Moon suggested. "But there is no name in here. This whole book is blank!" she handed it to Sailor Jupiter. After she had a look at it she passed it on to the other scouts.
"What's the point of having a blank book?" Jupiter inquired. "How're you supposed to read it?"
"It looks like a journal," Sailor Mercury stated. "If it belongs to the woman, she probably didn't have a chance to write in it."
"Well, seeing that she's dangerous," Sailor Mars stated, looking at the hot spring. It was still pink with Lucius' blood. "We shouldn't return it to her. I'm getting bad vibes from this book. She must've been intending to use it for an evil purpose, no doubt." She stared at the book and flipped through the pages as if trying to read it.
"I'll take it home with me," Sailor Moon said, holding her hand out for Sailor Mars to give it to her. "I'll keep an eye on it."
Sailor Mars hesitated. She looked down at the book and then at her princess. "Sailor Moon, I've got a bad feeling about this. Maybe I should consult the sacred flame to see what this book is all about."
Touched by her concern, Sailor Moon smiled. But she knew that as the Silver Crystal was making her stronger and she was gaining the qualities of Neo Queen Serenity, she would be protected and may whatever is evil about the book. "It's all right, Mars. I'm feeling the power of the silver crystal growing stronger. Whatever might be bad about this book, I'll find out and I'm certain that the silver crystal will protect me."
Looking at the book as if to say, "You be good to her," Sailor Mars slowly handed the book to Sailor Moon.
"Thank you," Sailor Moon stated, "I'll let you know if I find anything."
"Just be careful, Sailor Moon," Sailor Mars said firmly. "Something just doesn't feel right."
"I know," Sailor Moon sighed, looking at the book, the hot spring and all their surroundings. "This was a very strange fight. If these are the start of new enemies, then maybe this book can help us out. I hope that these new enemies—whoever they are—aren't too difficult to fight."
--
Looking through the book, Serena entered her home. Her brother saw the book in her hand when she walked in.
"Hey, you bought a book, Serena?" he asked in surprise.
"No, I found it," Serena answered, closing the book.
"Well," Sammy put his hands on his hips. "I sure hope you'll return it to whomever it belongs too!"
Serena opened the book again, laughing as she flipped the white blank pages at him. "I would, but I don't know who it does belong to. There is no name."
"That's weird," said Sammy, scratching his head as he went to play video games. "Why would anyone want to throw away a new book?"
"Yes, why?" Serena wondered out loud. She trekked up to her room and sat at a desk to examine the book thoroughly. She held her brooch over it but it didn't react to anything. It didn't make the words appear—if there had ever been any—no monster came out of it. The book just sat there. Then after staring at the blank pages for ten minutes, Serena wondered what would happen if she wrote in it.
She picked a pen from her writing utensil jar and twisted it. When she placed the nib of the pin on the paper, she realized she hadn't thought of something to write. It was when she was writing to Darien but usually the words always flowed. Since Darien would be leaving the next day, her mind was on him. She looked at a picture her and Darien together, smiled and came up with a solution. It might have been still something a typical teenage girl in love would write, but it was simple. She wrote her name, drew a heart and Darien's name.
She stared at what she wrote and laughed. Of all the things to write, she wrote something like that.
Inside the book, Tom was thinking the exact same thing. He knew that it was a girl writing something like that. He just knew it and it made his insides turn. Five years ago, Ginny Weasley had written a similar message the first time she discovered him.
No! Tom thought angrily. Not another girl! Not another stupid, eleven year old girl!
Then suddenly, Serena's message disappeared as if it sunk right through the page. Serena rubbed her finger where she wrote it, thinking that it would bring it back up.
"What the?" she wondered out loud.
Tom thought for a moment. He didn't want to reply but he knew the person must've been wondering what the heck was happening so he figured he might as well reply:
WHO'S DARIEN?
"This book…can speak?" Serena wondered out loud. She didn't' know what to do. Should she reply? Should she toss the book away?
Something weird happened. Serena felt as if she was shrinking. She was pulled right into the pages of the book. Serena looked around her. She was in a blank white spotless room.
"Weird," Serena whispered. "How did I get in here?"
Tom was also surprised Serena standing in the book with him. He'd have to invite the writer to come in or whoever was writing in it had to say they were on their way. This girl just wrote a little love scribble, he replied back and she just got in here. Did Jimmu forget to tell him something?
Even though this was a little unbelievable, Tom was excited to have someone to talk too. Watching Serena from the bottom of a staircase, Tom was thrilled to see that she wasn't a silly young girl. She was his age and really pretty too. He never saw hair in a style like that before.
"Hell there," Tom said genially as he got to his feet.
Serena flinched and turned to the sound. "W—who are you?"
Tom didn't' reply right away. He walked to with his hands in his pockets. Serena remained rooted to the same spot. Something was strange about his eyes. He looked hungry—but for what—she couldn't tell.
Tom stopped right in front of her and held out his hand. "I'm Tom Riddle."
Glancing from his hand to his eyes, Serena moved forward and grasped his hand. It felt cold and she would've let go immediately if Tom wasn't holding on. "I'm Serena Tsukino."
Tom pulled her hand to his lips and placed a small gentlemanly kiss upon it. Serena was trying to decipher if he was being polite or trying to charm her.
"Well, it's nice to meet someone with a pretty face after being trapped in here for fifty years," Tom said with a smile as he released her hand.
"Fifty years?" Serena asked. "You've been here that long?"
"Yes."
Serena looked at his clothes again. Of course. His clothes were from the forties.
"How were you able to survive in here? Can you eat or anything?"
"Well, this book is enchanted," Tom explained, waving his arm around him "The environment changes time to time. I guess that's how I'm able to live in here so long."
"Where are you from?" Serena asked. "You don't sound like you're from anywhere here."
"I'm from England," Tom replied.
"England," Serena whispered, "my friend just went there for the summer."
"Ah," Tom sighed, turning around. "I miss it. Where am I?'
"Japan."
"Well, I'm a long ways from home."
"How come I can understand you?" Serena asked. "I do not speak English regularly."
"I think it's the book," Tom explained, "and I do understand a few other languages."
He turned back to Serena. "Tell me, how did you find this book?"
Serena paused. She wasn't sure how to tell him. He couldn't know that she was Sailor Moon. "Well, I was with my friends and we found this woman watching these—these monsters eat a guy that was sitting in one of the hot springs here. She disappeared when she saw us and dropped the book. The man would have drowned if it weren't for my friend Ami. She knows first aid."
"So he lived?" Tom asked, sounding a little disappointed.
"Yes, but he disappeared right after we revived him," Serena answered. "He couldn't have gotten far. He was hurt badly."
"I see," said Tom.
"Do you know who they were?"
"Perhaps. This man—was he blond?"
Serena nodded.
"Lucius," Tom said with a disgusted frown.
"Lucius?"
"It was Lucius that put me in here. His master anyway."
"What do you mean?"
"There is a very bad wizard that Lucius Malfoy works for. Lucius isn't the only one. There are many of them and they plan to take over the world. I found out about their plan and they trapped me in here before I could warn anyone."
"Oh no," Serena whispered. "And you've been here ever since?"
"Fifty long years," Tom muttered. "They come in to see me a couple of times, offer me to join them and when I refuse, they just keep me in here."
"If you're from England, how did you get to Japan?" Serena questioned.
Tom shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe he was trying to get more people to join him. The woman probably refused. She may have been trying to save me or she wanted to torture me too. I have no idea how I got here."
He looked back at her and smiled. "It was good that you found me when you did, Serena. I don't know what would've happened to me."
"Well, I have this little knack at being at the right spot at the right time," Serena said modestly.
"Yes, you do," Tom agreed. "I could use your help."
"Help?" she asked, looking a bit skeptical. "What do you mean? I don't know anything about magic."
"I need to get out of here," Tom said desperately, taking her hands into his pale cold ones. She winced. They felt so icy. They barely felt real. It was as if there was no pulse or life in Tom. "Please, will you help me?"
"I—I don't know," Serena mumbled. "I don't even know you. How can I know I can trust you?"
"Because you found me," Tom said simply. "I've been hoping and wishing for so long that someone would be able to help me and that day has finally come."
"How?"
"I don't know," Tom answered, "this book is really strange. I've tried getting out by myself but I need help from the outside to get out."
Serena sighed. "You might be safer in the book Tom, if these people are looking for you."
"That may be true," Tom said, "but the ones who put me in here are going to hurt a lot of people. Everybody is in danger. I'm the only one who knows about them."
"You are?" Serena asked.
"Yes."
Serena slid her hands out of his. "Well…I don't know. I'll see what I can do but…it might be good for you to hide for now."
"I understand," Tom told her. "I hope to speak to you again soon?"
Serena nodded and soon after that, she felt herself growing and being lifted right out of the book. With a thud, she landed back in her chair and she was staring at the Recluse Journal.
"Dark Magic?" Serena said to herself. "I don't really know anything about dark magic."
She sighed and closed the book. There was something strange about Tom. Was he really telling her the truth? Why did he feel so cold and how could he live in that book without food or water? Still, as the Moon Princess, she felt some kind of obligation to help him. She did find him after all. She somehow felt that he was in more danger than he was telling her. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
--
The next morning, Serena went to see Darien off at the airport. Because of Galaxia's attack, he was unable to study in America and he took the time as his chance to go there and study.
"You'll be safe this time, Darien," Serena said warmly. "I know it."
"I hope you'll be safe too," Darien said.
"Of course," Serena laughed. "I'll be just fine, Darien. Don't you worry."
They embraced and kissed goodbye. "I love you."
Darien waved at her and walked onto the plane. Serena remained to watch the plane take off and stayed where she stood for nearly a quarter of an hour. Her life was going to be different without Darien in it.
She wondered about wondering what she was going to do with herself now. Four years without Darien, maybe even more. What was she going to do with her self? But it was for the best. When he'd come back he'd be better prepared to provide for Serena when they got married.
She felt so lonely already. Mina had left for England for the summer. Darien went to America to study. The girls were probably going to be on vacations too. Serena went to the Golden Crown for her favorite drink and to muse over her memories with Darien.
They had been through a lot together in the last couple of years. They were together for a short time in the Moon Kingdom and found each other only briefly before they had to face Beryl again. All those battles that he helped her fight. Where would she be without him?
She had been sitting there for a few minutes when Lita and Ami entered. Seeing Serena sitting there all by herself, they decided to join her.
"Hey, Serena," Lita smiled, "what are you doing here all by yourself?"
"Oh, hi," Serena said, looking up. "I just came for my favorite soda."
"All right if we join you?" Ami asked.
"Yeah, sure," Serena shrugged and the girls sat down with her. Serena stirred her drink with her straw and sighed.
"Serena, is there something wrong?" Ami inquired.
"Oh, you guys didn't know," Serena said, "about Darien? He went to America to study. I just came back from the airport."
"He left already?" Lita asked. "Why didn't you tell us? We'd come with you."
"I guess it was too late," Serena said, I hope he gets there safely this time."
"Hey, of course he will," Lita said optimistically. "We haven't had any new enemies after Galaxia. He'll be fine."
Serena sipped her drink through her straw and nodded. "Yeah, he will. I just—don't know what I'm going to do with myself when he's away."
"We'll keep you company," Ami said quickly.
"I know," Serena sighed, "but—it's not the same." She finished her drink. "Thanks for the talk anyway guys. I've got to get home now."
"Serena, wait," Lita said, "you found out anything on that book yet?"
Serena opened her mouth to answer then closed it again. What would they think if she told them about a sixteen year old boy trapped in a book? She wasn't sure what to think about it either. Serena sighed.
"I'm still working on it," Serena answered. "See you guys later."
Serena paid for her drink then went home. She went up to her room and paced the floor. She wanted to talk to someone about her feelings. But she had already talked to Lita and Ami. They told her Darien was going to be okay. She could talk to the girls all the time and she knew they'd be there for her. But as she had already said, it wasn't the same as being with Darien. She wanted male company. Serena wanted a new person to talk to. Someone who didn't even know who Darien was. Someone like—Tom Riddle.
"Tom," Serena whispered, looking at the book on her desk.
She stared at it for a moment, wondering if she should write in it and talk to him again. He was a handsome boy and he seemed nice, but there was something strange about him she couldn't quite put her finger on. Serena felt lonely already without Darien. He wouldn't be there to hold her, talk to her or kiss her while he was in America. She wasn't sure if he'd come to visit her. Tom was right there in a book. She could take him with her everywhere she went. It was like having a friend she could carry in her pocket. Serena did want to know how to get him out of there. He was a victim of darkness ad as the champion of justice she had to try and help him. It was her duty.
Serena walked to her chair, sat down and seized a pen. She opened the book and began her message to Tom.
Tom, do you have a moment?
Hello Serena. Of course I do.
Then instantly, she was pulled into the book and she was looking at Tom Riddle. He was smiling.
"It's good to see you again," he said.
Serena smiled back then frowned.
"What's wrong?" Tom inquired.
"I—I had to see my boyfriend leave today," she answered sadly.
"Boyfriend?" there was a hint of jealousy mixed with surprise in his voice.
"Yeah, he's off to study in America," Serena explained, "and I miss him already."
"Oh, I see," Tom muttered. 'Great,' he thought, 'another girl complaining about her love life! Just what I need!'
"I've talked to my friends about him already," Serena said, "and they try to be supportive you now. They say they'll keep me company—but it's not the same as being with Darien."
"Darien—ah—yes, so that would be him, eh?" Tom asked. "The young man you wrote about when you discovered how this book works?"
Serena nodded and beamed. She began talking about him fondly. Tom listened and did his best to act like he was interested.
"He's so smart, a real genius. Really kind. So handsome. Why…" Serena glanced at Tom. "He looks sort of like you."
"Does he?" Tom smirked.
"Yes, he does," Serena went on, "he's tall, has dark hair." Serena looked intently at Tom's dark, hungry looking brown eyes. They were not at all like Darien's. Darien's were blue, sparkling and kind. "Blue eyes."
Serena sighed and shook her hand, laughing slightly. "Sorry, I don't mean to bore you with all this."
"Oh, it's not boring," Tom lied. "So, he's in America now, then? For how long?"
"Four years, I think," Serena answered, "He's studying to become a doctor."
"So that leaves you here all alone," Tom said sympathetically.
"Yeah, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself," Serena whispered her back to Tom as she felt tears come to her eyes. "I'm just going to be so lonely without him. I mean, I'm happy for him and this will be a good experience but I wonder how this is going to affect our relationship. It is pretty strong; we're destined to be together."
"You're destined to be together?" Tom questioned, walking up to her and placing his hand on her shoulder. It sent a cold chill all the way down her spine. Why was his touch so cold? Was it a result of being in this book for half a century?
Serena shivered and turned back around, sniffing. "Yes, we are. It's a long story but we've faced bigger challenges in our relationship. It shouldn't be too much to handle."
A tear ran down her cheek and Tom reached in his sleeve to pull out a handkerchief for her. "Here."
"Thank you," Serena smiled tearfully, taking the handkerchief from him and drying her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry."
"Here I am telling you how I'm going to be so lonely when you've been trapped in here for fifty years," Serena muttered. "You must've been lonely beyond comparison!"
Tom sighed and put his hands in his pockets. "Yes, I've been quite lonely. You have no idea. At least you've got friends and someone special. I have no one."
"You have no friends?" Serena asked.
"Well, I used to," Tom explained, "fifty years ago—in my time. But a lot has passed. I don't know where they are now. They could be dead. They may have forgotten all about me."
Serena stepped closer to Tom and touched his arm. He looked down at her lovely hand. Her touch was so gentle and warm. He really liked it.
"I'll be your friend, Tom," Serena said brightly.
Tom smiled. "Well, thank you, Serena." He placed his hand over hers. "That means a lot to me."
They gazed into each other's eyes for a while, wondering what to say or to do next. Because they didn't want to ruin the moment, they remained in silence and enjoyed the moment. They didn't speak but just looked at each other for quite a while. Tom began to like her more and more just looking at her. She was so nice to him. Why was she being so nice? It was so easy to work her over. He knew he had to use her energy to get out of the book and become stronger but he kind of liked just being with her.
"Thank you for the talk," Serena said finally.
"Of course," Tom said, "what are friends for?"
Serena chuckled. "We'll talk again soon. I'll see what I can do to set you free."
"You will?"
"Yes," Serena said, "I think you need a second chance."
"Thank you, Serena."
"Hey, what are friends for?"
--
Serena talked to Tom nearly twice each day. She discovered she only had to write in it to be able to come in and speak with him. They talked about themselves but she didn't' reveal that she was Sailor Mon. The more she talked to him, the more she forgot about Darien. It was weird but perhaps just what she needed. There was still a boy in her life she could talk to. Serena even forgot about writing to Darien when last time he took of she wrote him every single day. They talked about their hobbies and interests and though history wasn't her best subject, she told him what he missed in the past fifty years. She wanted to show him her world. She wanted to see him sing karaoke, play video games, watch movies and give him a chance to do what he couldn't do before.
Serena carried the book with her nearly everywhere she went. It felt to her that she was showing him around Tokyo. Serena saw Raye, Amara and Michelle at her temple and decided to figure out if they knew anything about wizards and witches. Perhaps it would somehow help her free Tom. She couldn't tell them about Tom however. Amara would become over protective. She was always overprotective of her when it came to boys. Raye had sensed something wrong about the book and she'd have her throw the book away.
"Hi, kitten," Amara said.
"Hi," Serena waved, "how are things?"
"Good," Michelle answered, "sorry about Darien leaving."
"Oh, it's all right," Serena said, "I know he'll do well."
"You've been writing to him every day?" Amara teased.
"Er—actually—no I haven't," Serena admitted.
"You haven't?" Raye asked in surprise. The other girls looked as shocked.
"I've been busy too," Serena shrugged.
"Has he written you?" Raye asked hopefully.
Serena shook her head. "It's only been a week. He must be settling in and I bet it must take a while for the mail to get all the way here from America anyway."
"Yes, I suppose," Michelle agreed softly.
"You know," Serena said, "I saw this movie about witches and wizards the other day and it got me thinking about magic. What do you guys think about magic?"
"Huh?" Michelle mumbled.
"I mean, is there real magic? Like dark magic?"
"Well, we've fought dark beings before," Raye said, "They're not exactly witches and wizards though."
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Serena shrugged. "But how would you fight dark magic?"
"With light magic probably," Amara answered, "I guess that's what our powers are."
"Yeah, maybe," Serena said, "well, I think I'll need to see the movie again. Thanks."
"Why do you ask?" Michelle inquired.
"Just curious," Serena answered and she turned away to return back home.
So black magic could be destroyed with good magic. Serena wasn't a witch but a sailor scout. Could she be able to free Tom somehow with her powers? She never did something like that before. She hitched her bag up more on her shoulder as she turned the corner and jumped back.
There was a monster about to attack a person. Serena had no time to call the others. She had to transform immediately and stop the monster before it was too late. Serena dropped her backpack and called upon her power.
"MOON ETERNAL POWER!"
Feathers and ribbons swirled around her as she became Eternal Sailor Moon. She shouted at the demon to distract it from its prey.
"Hey you there! How dare you attack someone just for walking down the street!" she cried.
The victim gasped, stepped backward and tripped.
"I think I twisted my ankle!" the victim howled.
Disturbed, the demon growled and started to make its way to Sailor Moon. It looked like it was made entirely out of fire. It could drift around like a ghost.
"In the name of the Moon, I shall punish you!"
The fire demon opened its mouth and shot a fireball at her. Sailor Moon jumped out of the way just in time but the fireball got her bag that she dropped to ground. Sailor Moon stared back at it in shock. The book was in there!
"No, Tom!" she exclaimed. She looked at the monster which was now going back to its victim. There was no time to waste. She had to stop the monster before it destroyed the innocent person. She had to put the fire out later. Maybe Tom would be all right if she hurried.
Sailor Moon summoned her staff and pointed it at the monster. "SILVER MOON THERAPY KISS!"
Silver light shot at the monster just as it was about to devour its victim. It was destroyed within seconds and Sailor Moon hurried to her burning bag, or what was left of it. She stomped the flames out and pulled out the charred book. Shock and fright took Sailor Moon over. What if Tom was…?
She looked at the monster's victim. Now that he was all right, he tried to get to his feet. Sailor Moon hurried to him to see if he could walk.
"Do you need help? Can you walk?"
"I thought I twisted my ankle but I think I'll be all right," he answered, "my house isn't far. I'll be all right."
"Be careful," Sailor Moon told him and she disappeared down the street. She had to find out if Tom was all right. If he was hurt—if he was dead—she'd never be able to forgive herself!
She was back to Serena once she got to her house. There was no one home. Her parents were working and Sammy was at a friend's house. Serena took the book up to her room, going through the pages.
"Tom, please be all right!" she pleaded.
She grabbed a pen and scribbled in it franticly.
Tom! Are you all right?
No answer. She tried again.
Tom, answer me, please! Are you hurt?
He didn't' reply. She couldn't even be pulled in. She called his name a few times. If he wasn't answering and if the book couldn't allow her to enter, then did that mean that Tom was…? Was he…?
No! Serena wouldn't believe it! She had just made a new friend and she couldn't lose him now. There had to be a way for fix the journal so she could speak with him. But what? What could she always count on to help her in times like this?
Of course. The Silver Crystal! She had no other choice.
Serena placed the book on her bed then called upon her silver crystal and she changed into the moon princess. Holding the moon crystal in front of her, she spoke to it.
"Silver Crystal, please, I ask you to save my friend Tom!"
"SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!"
The silver energy swarmed around the book. It was glowing. She felt a little resistance. Was the dark magic within the book keeping her from saving Tom? Her crystal had to be stronger than this magic. It had to be!
The moon princess strained and sweat beaded over her forehead. Slowly, something was happening. The power crystal flipped through the pages and the writing was visible. The pages were ripped from the book and began assembling themselves into a shape of a person. Princess Serenity was shocked to see this but she did not let go of the crystal. Then the paper-figure began to look more solid. It took the image of Tom Riddle. When all the pages were gone, the charred book and empty book fell off Serena's bed. Tom Riddle fell down on Serena's bed. He looked to be motionless and his clothes were burned. Was he dead?
Princess Serenity lowered the crystal and it entered her body. She jumped on her bed and shook Tom. "Tom! Tom!"
Tom coughed, and sat up. He looked at the Moon Princess in surprise and she threw her arms around him.
"Tom, I'm so glad you're all right!" she cried. "I was so worried that you were—oh Tom!"
"Serena?" he mumbled, surprised at her dress. He'd never seen her wearing that elegant silver gown before or that gold crescent symbol on her forehead. "Serena—what happened?"
Serena was too overwhelmed to reply. She held on to him tightly and sobbed. Tom was rather touched. She was crying over him. No one—no one has ever done that before. Not even Ginny Weasley. Yes, she cried because of him, but it was because he made her do things she didn't want to do. He made plenty of girls cry in the orphanage because he terrorized them. Serena was crying for a different reason. Serena was crying because—did she really care for him? He couldn't' believe it. No one seemed to really care for Tom Riddle before.
Princess Serenity finally found her voice and pulled her tear-filled face to Tom's. Since she nearly cost him his lie, she felt like she owed him the truth. "Tom, I never told you this because it's supposed to be a secret. I—I am a magical being."
"I don't understand," said Tom. He was still in shock that he was out of the book.
"I can do things," the Moon Princess explained, "you knew me as Serena but I can become a powerful being called Sailor Moon. You know, like a super hero. But I can become an even stronger being, the Moon Princess. That is who I am. It is a long story and I'll tell you about it sometime."
Tom gazed at the symbol on her head. "So…is that what this moon means on your forehead?"
"Yes," the Moon Princess answered, "I was trying to find a way to get you out. I was on my way home and there was some sort of monster that could spit fire and it caught my bag that had you in it!"
"So—you thought I was dead?" he asked slowly. "I do remember fire but I don't know how it happened."
"It was my fault. I tried everything," The Moon Princess wailed, "I tried writing to you and calling for you and then I thought of using my silver crystal to get you out!"
"Silver Crystal?" Tom asked bewildered.
"It's a magical gem that can do many things," Serenity explained, "I was trying to heal the book to heal you and it somehow pulled you out of the book. I didn't expect it to do that! But I'm glad it did!" she squeezed him and sobbed harder. "I feel so stupid. I thought I lost you! Oh, are you hurt? Should I take you to a doctor?"
"No, I think I'm all right," Tom said, looking at his burns. "I think you healed you me when you pulled me out."
Serna kissed his cheek in relief. Tom was speechless. He wanted to know more about this power of Serena's but he was so taken back he couldn't speak. Why did Serena care for him so much?
"You're safe now," the Moon Princess whispered. "I'll take care of you. You can stay here with me. I won't let anything else happen to you, Tom, I promise."
Tom slipped his arms around The Moon Princess and looked around. He couldn't believe it. He was out of the book. He was free. Now that he was, what was he going to do about it?
TO BE CONTINUED
