Chapter 3: A Promise to Keep

"What idea Rich?", Nessa asked.

"Is this another one of your magick experiments?", Riley inquired.

Rich nodded as the others had a look of distress on their faces. In the past Rich's experiments tended to have "explosive" results and they still haven't made much progress in that respect.

"What is it this time Rich? Please don't tell me it's another alternative energy attempt. Last time we tried that it took Sean a week to grow his hair back.", Ian chimed in.

"No there will be no explosives this time.", Rich rebutted.

"So what is the attempt this time?", Jenn asked.

"To make pure, clean, radiation-free water for us all.", Rich said as the others looked at him with widened eyes.

"You all know water is absolutely needed for life to continue to exist. And you all know that our irrigation system and back up supply water will only last so long and is tainted with radiation to some degree.", Rich stated as the rest looked downward with the knowledge of their obvious situation.

"My friends, please, we must attempt this. How many more times must I give a funeral for someone who was just thirsty? How many more must fall ill because of mankind's nuclear mistake?", Rich said with a frown.

"Worst of all, how many times do I have to tell Nil another one of her friends has "moved to another settlement?"", Rich asked as he pointed to Nil who was over by the desks playing with the gavel while smiling blissfully.

The others began to notice tears welling up in Rich's eyes.

"I need you all for this to work; please, if we do this we could end the state in which we're living.", Rich beseeched his most closest friends.

"Rich, Nil is like family to us, of course me and Jenn are in.", Mikey said to Rich as Jenn nodded and hugged Mikey.

"Same here.", chimed Nessa with Ian nodding in agreement.

"Nil is my favorite student, of course I'm in….duh.", Riley said with a giggle.

Sean sighed and then answered, "Oh what the hell, my hair will grow back. So help me though Rich, but if I go bald again I'm gonna shave ya myself.", he finished with a sarcastic smile.

So the agreement was made and the plan was set.

"We'll meet at my place in one week's time.", Rich explained.

They then returned to their duties. Rich approached Nil and said, "Ok Nil the meeting is over, lets go home."

"Ok Master Rich.", Nil replied.

Nil ran and skipped happily alongside Rich who smiled as he watched her. When they got back home Nil went into the kitchen and pulled out some pop-tarts they found while scouting a super market. She left the kitchen and walked over to a wall with shelves filled with books. She looked up at a book on a high shelf and looked at it as if asking why it is always out of reach. Nil placed the snack in her mouth and stood still for a second; she then took a small breath and said, "Gravitia!" The little girl was instantly levitated three feet off the floor to reach a book on a high shelf. She then took the book half her size and sat a small table and started to read.

"I see you're getting a jump on your reading today Nil.", said Rich as he entered the room.

"Yup, I want to learn as much magick as you do Master.", Nil enthusiastically answered. Rich smiled and then sat in the large chair near her in front of a small fire place.

"Master, what was that diagram for?", Nil asked.

"It's something that will hopefully make all our lives better Nil.", Rich answered.

The two of them sat there for a while until it was it was time to retire for the night.

"Alright Nil its bedtime.", Rich said as he rose from his seat.

"Ok Master.", Nil said with a yawn as she handed Rich the book.

He took the book and put it back on the shelf wall. As he turned from the wall of books he saw Nil passed out at the desk. He smiled and whispered, "Exitus Pyrae" thus extinguishing the fire place as he bent down to scoop up the little girl. As he did so she kind of buried her face close to his chest. Rich smiled at the child as he carried her off to her bedroom. Rich entered a room decorated with a painted on starry night sky, some simple stuffed animals, and coloring book and crayons on the floor. The dark coated man walked over to her tiny bed and put Nil down softly. He tucked her in and gave her a stuffed bunny to hold which she slowly cuddled in her small arms. Rich stroked her hair and then gave her a goodnight kiss on her forehead.

"Lumus.", he said as he waved his right hand slowly making the stars light up against the blue paint of the room's walls. Rich then left and closed the door quietly behind him and walked to his room. He opened and closed his room's door and walked over to his bed. He changed his clothes and laid down in his bed. Rich closed his eyes and whispered to himself, "Nil, I promise things will get better…I promise."

He relaxed his mind and began to sleep and hopefully dream.