CHAPTER 22
Eric and Aladdin walked down the street in silence. "I see now why you didn't want to go," Aladdin finally spoke up.
Eric sighed. "It would have happened eventually anyway. Dad never did like the rumors of creatures like us living in the forest. Now that he knows that they're true..." Eric stopped and turned to his friend. "He really is a jerk, isn't he?"
Aladdin shook his head. "We really shouldn't talk about your father that way, even if he is... never mind. He's still your father. That has to count for something."
Eric sighed. "I guess so."
Suddenly, they heard someone call, "Eric!"
Eric turned, and was surprised to see his sister. "Kayley! What...?"
Throwing herself into his arms, she began sobbing. "He threw me out for siding with you!"
Eric hugged his sister close. "I'm so sorry, Kay. I never meant for you to be hurt." He waited until her sobs slowed, then pulled her away to look at her. "Why did you get involved? You could have stayed at home."
Kayley sniffed. "I just couldn't live there anymore." She turned to Aladdin. "Could I stay with you too?"
Aladdin smiled sadly. "As long as you want," he assured her.
Eric looked closer at Kayley in the streetlight. "Did he hit you?" he asked.
She touched her cheek tenderly where it still stung. "Is it that obvious?"
Eric winced. "You'll have a nice bruise there for a few days."
Kayley swallowed the tears that threatened to spill out, then shrugged. "At least we don't have to worry about that anymore." Then worry crept into her face. "Right?"
Eric smiled. "Right," he said confidently. "No one will ever hurt you again. I promise."
Kayley smiled at her brother, and hugged him tightly.
"Well well well, what have we here?" a voice said behind them. The three of them turned to see a group of men behind them, holding knives and baseball bats "Three freaks."
Aladdin backed up nervously. "Come on, you guys. We don't want to fight."
"We don't want to fight," one of the men repeated mockingly. They begin to laugh. "Of course you don't," the man continued "You know we'll win."
"I never said that," Aladdin said quietly.
The man stepped toward them threateningly. "Oh, so you think you could beat all of us?"
Eric held Kayley protectively. She was trembling with fear. "Will you please just let us pass?" Eric asked shakily.
"And where would you be headed?" the man asked.
"None of your buisness," Aladdin growled.
"It wouldn't be the forest would it?" The men began to walk toward the teens, who began backing up.
"Like I said, it's none of your buisness," Aladdin repeated.
"Of course you wouldn't be going to the forest," the man laughed. "You wouldn't be seen dead with those freaks of nature, now would you?"
Aladdin tensed. "Back off, sir."
"Is that a threat?" the man asked mockingly. "Oh, I'm so scared!"
Aladdin had enough. "I warned you!" Then he turned into a bear before their eyes. The men stared in horror, then turned and ran as Aladdin roared and lunged at them.
Then Aladdin turned to Eric and Kayley. "Get on," he ordered. Eric obeyed immediately, climbing onto his friend's back, then turned and helped his sister up. As soon as they were secure, Aladdin took off running toward the forest.
...
I know, it's a short chapter. Sorry. My great-grandmother died, and it is HARD to write when you're grieving. I did change the cover art, however. Apparently actual art is easier than writing right now. I do intend on finishing the story, I just need time.