Disclaimer: I do not own SM or HP.
Note: As the last chapter was about the inners, this one will be about the outers and Rini. I'm sure you're probably wondering about their Christmas, huh?
Hogwarts Secret Scandal 19
Shining Silver
Hogwarts was out for Christmas Holidays and many children went home to spend the holidays with their family. This made Voldemort think about Chaos' offer. If Voldemort killed the moon child then Chaos would give him more power. Power was something Voldemort couldn't get enough of. Finding the moon child was difficult. It was difficult enough trying to get a hold of one child let alone two. Voldemort had never heard of the Moon Child. He at least knew what Harry Potter looked like. How was he supposed to find the Moon Child? Was the child male or female? How old was this child? Did it have any distinguishing features like a moon on the forehead? The more he thought about it, the more Voldemort wanted to take this quest. It would take his mind from trying to kill Potter. It might even help him prepare to finish Harry Potter finally. Killing this child sounded simple. If Voldemort had never heard of the Moon Child then he was sure that Dumbledore and the rest of the wizarding world hadn't. Who would be protecting this "Moon Child?" Before Voldemort looked for this child, he had to know more about her. But how? Who could he ask?
"Chaos," he murmured.
Chaos was the one who presented this quest to him. She had to know how to find the Moon Child. Voldemort stood to his feet.
"Chaos!" he called. "Chaos! I wish to speak with you!"
Voldemort waited for a moment. She did not answer him.
"Answer me, Chaos!" Voldemort commanded. "Show yourself to me!"
There was laughter. Voldemort narrowed his eyes. Chaos heard him.
"I knew you would submit, Voldemort," Chaos said.
"I haven't submitted to anything," said Voldemort, "I just wish to speak with you."
The black matter sank through his ceiling and rested in front of him, pulsing as it spoke. "You have thought about my offer?"
"I have given it much thought," Voldemort said, "say I want to kill this Moon Child. I will need to know more about her or him before going after the Child. How do I find the Moon Child?"
"The Moon Child is a girl," said Chaos, "she has the symbol of the Moon Kingdom on her forehead. A golden upturned crescent moon. Find the child with this mark and you find the child."
"If she is from the moon kingdom why don't you look for her there?"
Chaos laughed. "The Moon Kingdom has been destroyed a thousand years ago, Voldemort. She has been sent to live on Earth, yet her symbol still remains and will appear at certain times."
"So she is in disguise?" Voldemort inquired.
"Correct."
"What is the age of this child?" Voldemort asked.
"When she defeated me she was nearly a woman," Chaos said, "but now she can be a young girl. She used up her power to destroy me."
"And the Moon Child was reborn?" Voldemort asked. "How?"
"I do not know," replied Chaos, "there must have been another hand in the matter."
There was a pause and then Voldemort had another question for Chaos—one more personal.
"Why are you after her?" Voldemort asked.
"She is the one who did this to me," Chaos said viscously and the matter flashed rapidly. "She defeated me and I want revenge."
"I see," said Voldemort, "I think I can understand. A child has defeated me as well and that same child as helped me in coming back to power." Voldemort reached his long hand to feel his bald head. "For a long time I had no body but now I have a newer, stronger body."
"Have you decided to take the task, Voldemort?" Chaos asked.
Voldemort paused. "I am curious about this girl. If she is the heir of the Moon Kingdom then she must be powerful. What if I make her join me?"
Chaos laughed and the dark matter flickered. "You won't succeed. She will overpower you. The deal was for you to kill the child, not offer her a new home!"
"I have not agreed to any deal," Voldemort hissed.
You do not need the child to accomplish your destiny," Chaos said, "The power I am willing to give you will be enough. Trying to get the Moon Child to join you will only waste time and energy. You do not want that, do you?"
"No, I've wasted enough," Voldemort admitted.
"Good."
"Will you find the Moon Child and kill her?" Chaos inquired.
"Finding this child will be difficult," Voldemort admitted as he paced the floor in thought. "But Lord Voldemort enjoys a challenge once in a while."
"You'll do it?"
"Yes, I accept," aid Voldemort, "but I will not carry the task out myself. I will assign one of my Death Eaters to track her down." Voldemort cupped his chin. "And I think I know just the one to do it."
"So be it," said Chaos, "it does not matter how you get the job done, Voldemort. I just want the Moon Child to be destroyed."
"We have ourselves an agreement then," Voldemort said, turning to the dark matter. "The Moon Child in exchange for power. You had better keep your word."
"You will be rewarded greatly, Lord Voldemort," Chaos said excitedly. "Most rewarded. We will speak again soon, I trust?"
"Yes, soon."
Chaos disappeared and Voldemort touched the Dark Mark on his arm (I believe that he's got his own Dark Mark incase there isn't a Death Eater with him).
"Greyback, come to your master.
A tall, lanky man wearing tight clothes apparated in front of Voldemort. His hair and whiskery facial hair were grey. The fingernails on his hands were long and yellow. The man grinned, showing yellow pointy teeth.
"Yes, master?"
"I have a little job for you," Voldemort said.
"Do tell."
"There is a child known as the Moon Child," Voldemort said, "I want you to find her and kill her."
"You know how much I like kids, master," Greyback said, licking his lips. "How old is she?"
"I do not know," Voldemort replied. "She could be a teenager or a young child."
"She sounds tasty but how will I find her?" Greyback queried, "I've never heard of the Moon Child."
"The Moon Child has a gold crescent moon on the forehead," Voldemort stated, "find the girl with this mark and you'll find the girl."
"I'm honored that you give me this task, master," Greyback said.
"You should be, Greyback," Voldemort said, "I've chosen you because attacking children is your specialty. Also, you and this child have something in common: a connection to the moon. Use that connection to find her."
"Thank you master," Greyback said, "I have a feeling I'm going to like this task."
Reenie found it boring spending Christmas at number twelve Grimmauld Place. She had memorized the Black Family tree, ready every book that didn't try to bite her fingers off and she had only been staying at Headquarters for a week. She used her Luna P ball to clean up the house and it did seem a tad better but it was still creepy, knowing the sort of people that used to live in it. She avoided Mrs. Black's portrait the best she could.
Every so often she would sneak away to patrol the city. Even though it was Christmastime and people may be too cheery to make crime, it was still dangerous. The muggles of England (most of them anyway) did not know that a powerful overlord was seeking to take their lives and rule the world. When Reenie was a scout in training she was not to transform or patrol on her own. She did not know enough at that time. Times were different now. Reenie has practiced her skills since the fight with the fight with Chaos. The guardian cats trained her well. She may have not excelled as much as the other scouts but she was well enough to hold her own. Yet with all the extra experience she's received, it wasn't enough to gain a new transformation. She still could only transform to Super Sailor Mini Moon. Reenie did not mind however. She was more concerned about her powers getting back together than new power. She was still an eleven year old kid. Perhaps when she became fourteen (like the other girls were when they became scouts) she'll receive a new transformation.
On Christmas Eve, Reenie called out onto the roof of Grimmauld Place to transform. The sky was turning orange as the sun was beginning to set.
"MOON COSMIC DREAM ACTION!" Reenie called out.
As muggles passed by the house and saw the lights, they thought it was nothing but Christmas lights. Once Reenie transformed to Super Sailor Mini Moon, she jumped rooftop to rooftop and patrolled the city. As before, she saw no muggles trying to pick pockets or steal purses. Everything was running smoothly. No muggle crime and no wizarding crime either. Everything was just as it should be. When a woman tripped and dropped her belongings, the most unlikely teenagers stopped to help her. The teenagers had tattoos, dyed hair and face piercing. Believing that their kindness was fake, Reenie got ready to strike.
"Here ya go, madam," said a boy with a purple Mohawk.
"Oh, thank you dear."
"You need any help crossing the street?"
"No thank you," the woman said, "Happy Christmas."
"You too."
The three hoodlums let the woman walk away with all her packages and the three teenagers continued walking. Mini Moon groaned; another boring night.
"Maybe I should go back home," she said, "it is Christmas Eve and maybe we can have hot chocolate and marshmallows." She stretched as she stood to her feet and observed the full moon rising. "Wow, the moon always looks so gorgeous when it's full."
As Mini Moon prepared to leave, she heard a scream down the street. It sounded like someone in pain. Mini Moon gasped and jumped toward the sound.
"Almost there," she grunted, "almost…there!"
She got to the busy part of a street. People were crowded around and talking quickly.
"What happened to him?"
"I don't know. He just screamed."
In the middle of a crowd was a man crouching on the ground. He was holding himself and grunting.
"He doesn't' look so well," said a matronly woman. "He needs a meal."
"He needs a haircut," said her teenage daughter, rolling her eyes.
"Shh!"
"Let me through!" Super Sailor Mini Moon landed in the circle and everyone backed up.
"Oh my! Who is she?"
"What's going on here?" Super Sailor Mini Moon demanded. "Has someone attacked this man?"
"No, he just screamed," said a woman, "he must be sick or something."
Super Sailor Mini Moon looked at the man. His pointy teeth bore down in a grimace. His eyes were closed shut and when he opened them his eyes were bright yellow.
"Are you all right, sir?" said Super Sailor Mini Moon.
"I'm fine," he grunted, eyeing Super Sailor Mini Moon. "I was just about to have myself a little snack. My master will be so pleased that I found the Moon Child for him."
"What?" Super Sailor Mini Moon gasped.
The man's yellow eyes locked on Mini Moon's tiara. "The crescent mark may not on your forehead, but it's good enough for me. I used the moon to get to you…you've walked right into my trap!"
"Wait," Super Sailor Moon mumbled, backing up. She learned about the death eaters when she came to Headquarters. She hoped that she'd never have to find the one that liked to attack little kids. "I know you…you're Fenrir Greyback! You're a werewolf!"
Greyback's body became hairier and his new wolfish body burst through his clothes. Mini Moon turned to the bystanders.
"This man's dangerous! Run! RUN!"
Mini Moon pushed the people to get them going. When they saw Greyback turning into a furry, slobbering monster, they ran in a panic. Super Sailor Moon ran after them to make sure no one was left behind. She told people that were standing around outside shops to get to safety.
"Wow, where'd you get that outfit?" said a teenage girl. "I want it!"
"Only scouts can wear these outfits," Super Sailor Mini Moon said irritably. "Run for your lives! There's a werewolf on the street!"
"There's no such thing as—AAH!—what is that?"
Greyback, fully transformed as a werewolf howled at the moon and came walking to the girls. Unlike Remus when he was a werewolf, Greyback was much larger, dark grey and his fur was incredibly mangy. A laugh-like growl escaped his throat. Greyback charged after them. Super Sailor Mini Moon picked up a rubbish bin and threw it at him.
"Move it!" Mini Moon hollered to the girls. The girls screamed and hollered as they run for their lives.
"Sorry but nobody's on the menu tonight," Super Sailor Mini Moon said as she ran off. "Not even a moon pie!"
Greyback chased Super Sailor Mini Moon. He was gaining on her.
"He really must be after me," Mini Moon panted as she ran. "What will he want with me? I thought Voldemort didn't know about the sailor scouts!"
Super Sailor Mini Moon ran as quickly as she could. As her legs raced to evade her attacker, her mind raced to think of a plan. The only thing known to kill werewolves was silver. Where would Super Sailor Mini Moon find silver? She didn't have time to search every shop on the street for pure silver. The werewolf was going to bite her head off the moment he got the chance. She ran and hid into an empty building to catch her breath.
"Think Super Sailor Mini Moon," she said, clutching her chest. "Think!"
Then as she felt her brooch under her hand, she realized she had silver on her the whole time, only in a different form. If the metal silver could destroy a werewolf then silver in its crystallized form should do something.
"That's it," Super Sailor Mini Moon whispered and she closed her eyes. "I know what I've got to do. The silver crystal. It's just got to work!"
Super Sailor Mini Moon's tiara earrings, choker and feathers disappeared. Her birthmark shined on her forehead and her sailor fuku was replaced with a white dress. When Super Sailor Mini Moon opened her eyes, she was Small Lady once again.
Small Lady stepped out to meet the beast. "It's the dog pound for you!"
Snarling, the werewolf charged her and opened his mouth ready to take a bite out of her flesh. His claws were outstretched.
Small Lady brought out the silver crystal from her body and held it out. "SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!"
Just as the werewolf came within a foot of her, he was hit by pink and silver light. He screamed and backed up, shielding his eyes. He tried shielding himself and tried attacking her at the same time. It was impossible. The light was too bright and was taking away his strength.
"Get back!" Small Lady yelled. "I'm warning you!"
The werewolf's fur began to shorten and the wolfish body turned more human. The tail shrank. The claws turned to average sized and clear nails. The fangs into human teeth. The growling and grunts the werewolf sounded more like a man's voice.
"NO…I can't…be beaten by a child!"
"I'm not just a child," Small Lady said, forcing more power from the crystal. "I'm small lady!"
The werewolf fell onto all fours. The gray long had streaks of black. The eyes turned brown. There was no more likeness of a wolf in Greyback. He was nothing but a mere wizard now. Exhausted, Small Lady sank to her knees and the crystal went back inside her body.
"I did it," she murmured, "I did it."
Greyback was laying nude in the middle of the high street and there were still hours of night left to go. Greyback pushed himself up, looking at his human hands. When he had the curse of the werewolf he still had wolfish attributes even when not transformed. He kept his fingernails long. Now they were short. He brought his hands up to his face—surely his whiskers were still there? No. His face was quite smooth. He felt his teeth. Straight. He brought his hands to his hair—short. He kept it long. The silver crystal took every wolfish trait from Greyback.
He was absolutely furious that he could no longer become a werewolf. He loved that part of him and now it was gone It was like losing his identity. No matter. There was still more than one way to tear a child apart. He may not be a werewolf anymore but he was still a Death Eater. He was not going to lose to a child, no matter who she was. Greyback unsteadily stood to his feet.
"I'm going to make you pay for this," he said and his voice no longer sounded raspy. What in the name of Merlin did the child do to him?
Small Lady gasped. "No! How can you be alive? I used the silver crystal on you!"
"You're going to wish your stupid little gem killed me, you brat," Greyback said, limping toward Small Lady. "Because I'm still going to kill you! At first killing you was just a mission from my master—and yes—I took it because I happen to like playing with little kids. This time—I'm not playing. This time, kid, it's personal!"
"No!" Small Lady cried, pushing herself away. "No, please!"
"I'm going to break your neck," Greyback said, "I'll rip you apart!"
"No!"
"You've taken more from me, you brat!" Greyback grabbed her by the throat and squeezed hard. The Dark Mark on his left arm was right in her face. The skull looked like it was laughing at her. Small Lady closed her eyes.
No! It can't end like this! Someone, help!
She wished the scouts have received their transformation pens already. Then they could help her. She wanted Tuxedo Mask. Luna had not sent anything to Darien so Reenie sent the locket. Reenie knew it would be the best thing for him. Now she was going to die before he even got to look at it. She was going to die before he got to thank her. She was going to die before her parents got back together. She was going to cease to exist anyway. It didn't matter anymore.
So…this is it? She thought as everything went black. This is how it ends?
SWISH! THUK!
"Aaugh!"
Greyback hollered and released Small Lady's throat. Small Lady recognized that sound. That was the same noise the roses made when Tuxedo Mask threw them. Had he come? Could he perhaps have received his present early and he came to save her?
Tuxedo?
Small Lady slowly opened her eyes. Greyback was holding his left wrist. It was bleeding badly caused by a long and thin object that had pierced it. Small Lady tried to focus. A rose? No, an arrow.
"Back off, Greyback," said a male voice, much unlike Tuxedo Mask's. "When are you going to learn that the kids don't like playing with dogs like you?"
"Who?" Small Lady said in a hoarse voice, reaching for her throat. Through her tears she saw a tall figure. The figure wasn't wearing a tuxedo or a top hat—not even a cape. Instead the figure was wearing a long trench cat and a broad rimmed hat. In his outstretched hand was a crossbow.
Greyback laughed. "Really? I thought your sister did, Ashton."
The man walked closer into the light and he shot Greyback in the leg. Greyback hissed in pain.
"You've just been cured," said the man, "but you're still sick. You're still as much as a monster as you always were. I've come to put you down, you dog."
"You'll have to wait," said Greyback, "I'm busy."
"I'm through waiting," said the man called Ashton. "I've tracked you down since you killed my sister. There's a bounty on your head, you know? A thousand pounds, dead or alive."
"A thousand pounds?" Greyback said, "is that all?"
"But now that you no longer become a werewolf I think they'll dock it down to five hundred," said Ashton. "I really don't care about the money. I just want you off the streets."
"The Ministry of Magic doesn't have to question me to know that I like little kids."
"Yeah, but you're a Death Eater and I'm sure the Ministry would be interested to know what your master is up to."
"I'm not saying a thing," Greyback said, "you want to put me in the pound, go ahead in and try but you know that turning me in won't bring your sister back, does it?" Greyback said with a nasty grin. "I suppose I was just having too much fun. A shame, she would've made a great addition to the pack."
Ashton's dark eyes narrowed. "I was going to turn you in alive but you don't deserve to live!" He raised his crossbow and shot Greyback twice in the art.
Small Lady closed her eyes and turned her head away. Ashton placed his crossbow in the holster on his leg and looked at Small Lady.
"You're not hurt, are you?" he inquired.
Small Lady opened he eyes and looked at Ashton. Unable to speak, she shook her head.
"Did he attack anyone else?"
Small Lady shook her head again.
"Good," said Ashton.
"Are…are you an...Auror?" Small Lady asked feebly.
"No," Ashton answered, "couldn't become an Auror because I'm a squib. I became a bounty hunter instead. I've hunted dogs like Greyback for years. Looks like the kids are safe from one monster." He looked at Greyback's dead body, reached inside his trench coat and threw a net over him. "I saw what you did to him. Did you plan to cure him?"
Small Lady shook her head. "I thought my crystal would destroy him but the crystal also contains healing powers."
"Greyback has many victims," said Ashton, "would your crystal work on them too?"
"It should."
Ashton smiled and bent down to Small Lady. "Would you help me find them and cure them? Most of them are kids just like you."
"I'd love to," said Small Lady, "but I am a student at Hogwarts. When I go back I won't be able to help you. I'd stay and help you but…"
"I understand, you have to go to Hogwarts and learn all you can," said Ashton, "I'll find a cure for the others on my own. You helped me find Greyback so I'll split the bounty with you."
Small Lady shook her head. "No, you keep the reward. I didn't even know there was a bounty on his head. Besides, I'm no bounty hunter."
"All right," said Ashton, "then you should be getting home, young lady. Your parents would be worried about you."
"Right," said Small Lady as she rose to her feet. "I'm sorry about your sister."
"I blame myself for what happened," admitted Ashton, "I couldn't' help her because I'm a Squib. My powers weren't developed enough and I was seventeen."
"Oh."
"Lucy was only eight," he said with a sigh. "Greyback attacked her while she was playing outside. He broke her neck when he attacked her. Killed her instantly."
"I'm so sorry."
"I saw the whole thing and couldn't do anything," said Ashton sadly. "I didn't want any other children to suffer like my sister had so I became a bounty hunter and hunted Greyback ever since. I thank you for catching him for me. You've made my job easier."
Ashton bent down and picked Greyback up and put him over his shoulders. "I'd better take him down now. Good luck, kid."
"Wait, Ashton," said Small Lady, "maybe I can help you. I'll study more about my crystal. It has many powers. Maybe I can give you something to help you."
"You can?" he asked, a glint in his eyes.
"May I keep one of your arrows?" she said.
Ashton reached into his quiver of arrows and handed not one but three arrows to Small Lady.
"Use them however you see fit," he said, "thank you."
Small Lady nodded and turned away. Ashton may not have been Tuxedo Mask but he had saved her life. She had just witnessed the downfall of one of the most dangerous Death Eaters—and she had a hand in it. Ashton may had finished Greyback off but Small Lady was the one that made him weak. Her Christmas Holidays had finally become more interesting. However, one thing bothered her. Why was Greyback after her?
Everyone in the wizarding world could not believe that Greyback was dead. So many people had become victims to the werewolf Death Eater. Reporters wanted the details how he was captured but bounty hunter Roy Ashton just said that someone else had already slowed Greyback down and he just finished him off. He did not want to expose any information the mysterious girl he found. He didn't' even know her name and he knew that the press would be trying to find her. Reenie was grateful that she wasn't in the papers. Luna and Artemis wouldn't let her patrol alone ever again if they found out.
Christmas morning Amara found a peculiar package sitting on her desk in the office by the Quidditch fitting rooms. There was no tag indicating to whom it was from. She thought it may have been from one of the students but why would they just leave it on her desk? And why give her a present anyway? She didn't have any prized flying students. Nevertheless, she sat at her desk and opened her gift. It was an unusual dark blue stick with the planet Uranus on top and blue feathery wings right underneath. The symbol of Uranus was emblazoned on the middle of the stick in gold. As Amara held the strange stick in her hand, she felt a strange sensation. It felt very airy inside her little office and she suddenly got the urge to go flying.
She read the message that came with the gift : When all seems lost and at its darkest, hold out this planet renovation rod high and call out "Uranus Planet Power," to spark the light and will to fight. Where charms and spells fail, Scout power will prevail
"What the devil is this?" Amara wondered out loud.
As Michelle was a famous musician, she got plenty of presents and fan mail. She had gotten a few unusual things in the mail but the mysterious sea-green renovation rod surpassed them all. This was more than just fan mail. Who would send her something like this? Was it a joke? What would happen if she said the incantation written on the message? It looked too valuable for her to just throw it away but these days she couldn't trust anything she got. Michelle had to run tests on it to see if it was safe.
"It is very beautiful," she admitted to herself, "but I should have this checked for curses." Michelle placed the renovation rod in a box. The wizarding shops were closed for the holidays. Where could she take it to be checked? She didn't want to wait too long. Michelle did not know enough about curses and jinxes to check it herself. The shops would be open after Boxing Day. She would just have to wait until then.
During breakfast, the students and staff remaining at Hogwarts talked about the presents they've received. Amara was pondering about the strange artifact when Trista spoke to her.
"Amara, you know how to check broomsticks for jinxes, don't you?"
"Huh?" Amara took her eyes from her half-eaten breakfast and looked at Trista. "What? Jinxes?"
"Yes, I've heard of brooms that are jinxed to toss riders," Trista explained, "and you know how to test them, right?"
"Yeah, sure I do," Amara said, "why, got a broomstick for Christmas?"
"No, not a broomstick," said Trista, "I'm not sure what it is. I've got this strange item for Christmas from an anonymous person and I want to have it tested before I try it out."
"Does it look like a stick with a planet on it?" Amara asked immediately.
"Er, yes," said Trista, "the planet Pluto I believe."
"How strange," said Amara, "I've got one a lot like it."
"Has anyone else got one?" Trista inquired.
"I don't know," Amara said and she turned to Professor Sprout. "What did you get for Christmas, Pomona?
"Let's see," Pomona said, "pruning shears, mandrake seeds, a new hat…" As Professor Sprout named off more things having to do with Herbology, Amara leaned back to Trista and muttered out of the corner of her mouth.
"I believe we're the only ones," Amara said.
Trista brought her renovation rod to Amara's office after breakfast so it could be tested for jinxes.
"Yes, very similar to mine," Amara said as she examined it and compared it to her own renovation rod. Amara picked up her wand, tapped the rods and muttered some words. The rods laid still. It took almost an hour for Amara to test the rods for jinxes. She even tried putting on a jinx and the rods would not take them.
"Very strange," Amara said, "even when I try to put a jinx on them they remain jinx less. I guess whoever sent these to us put a spell to keep them from getting jinxes."
"Who do you think did send them?" Trista inquired as she picked up her rod.
"I don't know but I believe we can call them a friend," Amara said, "They must think that we are the only ones that can use these sticks and keep them safe."
"Yes, do feel like they have a lot of power," Trista added, looking over her rod. "when I hold it…I feel like…I can control anything. How does your stick feel when you hold it?"
"It makes me feel like I want to go flying," Amara answered, "very strange."
Trista looked at the planets on both of their renovation rods. "Our sticks have planets on them. I believe others have received one as well, for each planet."
"You heard Pomona though," Amara said, "she didn't get one."
"We can keep asking," Trista stated, "Perhaps Professor Sinstra received one. Why would whoever sent us these things just send two? I'm sure there are another seven out there."
"You are right," said Amara said, "you think that maybe some of the students received one?"
"Well if none of the staff received them," said Trista, "then the students are our only option."
"I wonder if there is some kind of communication device on this," Amara said and she tapped her renovation rod. "Hello? Can anyone hear me?"
No answer. Amara sighed.
"It seems we will have to do this the hard way."
After Boxing Day, Michelle took her renovation rod to a joke shop to have it checked for jinxes and the storeowner ran many tests on it but found nothing wrong.
"I've tried everything," the storeowner said, "but I could find nothing amiss."
"Nothing at all?" Michelle asked.
"I even tried jinxing it," the storeowner admitted, "but this stick thing just shielded it somehow."
"Unbelievable."
"Whoever sent you that must be a real friend."
"Yes—a shame I don't know who it is," Michelle murmured, "thank you for your time."
She paid the man and left the store. Who in the world sent her such a powerful gift? Why couldn't they at least say who they were?
TO BE CONTINUED