Chapter 13
Author's note; Summary: The gang wonders what to do about the man in the car; Trish goes to Avalon.
The gang sat in the hospital worryingly. Not long ago they had gotten into a fight with Ava and in the process, they had caused a car accident. Now the man in the car was clinging to life. They were worried for the man, but they were worried about something else. They wondered if he had seen them using their magic.
"What are we going to do?" asked Rachel. "If he's seen us using our powers and he lives, he might tell everyone."
"He might not make it" pointed out Kelsey.
"If he does, he might not remember what he saw," said Trish.
Irene didn't say anything, she just slumped in her seat and looked away. Celina looked at her sympathetically.
"You're worried about Sean, aren't you?" she asked. Trish and Kelsey sat in the seats next to Irene and turned to look at Irene. They felt sorry for their friend.
"I hope he'll be okay" muttered Irene.
"I'm sure he will," said Celina kindly. "The doctor said he wasn't hit too hard. He's just been banged up."
Irene didn't say anything, she just rocked in her seat worriedly.
Annie and Rachel felt sorry for Irene. She wasn't their favourite person, but they could tell she liked Sean.
Just then Alex and Vivian came running in.
"Annie!" cried Alex hugging his daughter. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine dad," Annie assured. "I didn't get hit."
"What happened?" asked Vivian.
Annie told her father and stepmother about how Ava was in Florence and how that they were trying to defeat her and that when they hound her at the entrance to town and that they accidently caused the car crash.
"Dad, Vivian," said Annie as Celina walked up to them. "This is Celina, princess of the mermaids."
"Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Yesconis" said Celina shaking Alex's hand.
Lydia and Parker's parents swarmed into waiting area. Trish's family followed not far behind. Finally, Kelsey's parents came in just a minute later.
"Trish!" exclaimed Mrs. Callahan hugging her daughter. "Are you alright?"
"Yes mom" replied Trish.
"What were you all doing out there?" cried Mrs. Callahan.
"We were, uh… hiking" stammered Trish.
"Hiking?" asked Mr. Callahan.
"Uh yeah," said Trish. "We were all hiking and we were heading back when the accident happened."
Elaine and Cat were relieved their sister was alright, but they could tell she was hiding something.
Annie and her parents walked into the hall away from the crowd.
"I'm worried dad," said Annie. "We're worried that the man saw us using our powers and that if he survives, he'll tell the world about mermaids."
Alex and Vivian looked worried.
"Don't worry Annie," said Vivian. "We won't let him do any harm to you or your friends."
"He'll have me to deal with," declared Alex. "I'll even send you back to Alberta to stay with your mother if I have to."
"Now Alex," said Vivian in a gentle tone of voice. "It's possible he won't remember what happened. That happens in accidents sometimes."
"Well I suggest we get out of here," said Alex. "Before he does wake up and wants to question you."
Alex gently pushed Annie along with his arm wrapped around her as the family headed out of the hospital.
…
Trish and Kelsey's parents agreed to let their sleepover with Irene continue and they went back to Irene's house with Irene and Lydia.
They sat in Irene's room talking.
"I still can't believe what happened tonight," said Irene softly.
"I'm sorry Irene," said Trish with regret in her voice. "I should have told you about my mom hiring Ava. Then we could've done something sooner. It did occur to me about the name, but I just thought it to be a coincidence."
"We didn't know Ava was in our world," assured Kelsey sympathetically. "How did she get here anyway? She couldn't have gotten a transport pearl, could she?"
"She probably came through a portal," Irene spoke up. "Celina's parents mentioned that magic beings have lots of ways of getting into the realms."
Irene slept in her bed, Kelsey slept on the couch and Trish slept in a sleeping bag on the floor. Trish laid awake; she thought about what Irene had said.
Trish got up and snuck out of the room and walked out of the house down to the beach near the entrance to the caves.
She walked into the wooded area, where she could sense something magical. She walked up to two trees standing next to each other.
Trish touched the tree on the left. The magical sense felt stronger.
Trish stood in front of the two trees and held her hand out. A portal opened up between the trees. Trish walked through the portal and stepped out the other side. As soon as she stepped through the portal closed behind her. Trish looked around at the beautiful moors and the sparkling night sky.
"Hello" said a voice.
Trish looked up to see a pink skinned being with dragon fly wings. The creature flew down and transformed into human form. Her skin turned clear and wore a pink gown.
"Who are you?" asked Trish.
"I'm princess Forget me not," said the girl. "Princess of Avalon and princess of the sidhes."
"I'm Trish Callahan," said Trish curtsying. "You've met my friend Irene Frost."
"Irene's told me about you," said Forget me not. "You're that human friend of hers that turned into a mermaid."
"Ava's in Florence," explained Trish. "Celina and Sean were sent to capture her. We tried to catch her but she got away. I was trying to find out how she got into Florence and I found a portal."
"I sensed a portal into Avalon being opened," said Forget me not. "Come on, let m introduce you to my father."
…
In a cave Ava was talking to a man. He was an old man with gray hair and short beard and wore fancy blue and grey robes. He held a staff with a blue jewel on it.
"I need you to do this Viserion," said Ava. "If I step in Avalon I'll be captured."
"But if I go into Avalon," said Viserion. "The king won't be to happy about any trouble I'll cause."
"Those mermaids know I'm in the human world now," said Ava. "If they tell the sidhe king, I'll be captured or executed. If you help me, when I take over this world and get rid of those mortals, I'll make you my second in command."
Viserion looked interested and agreed.
…
Forget me not took Trish to the castle. Trish had heard Irene's story about the castle and was impressed.
"Daddy," said Forget me not. "This is Trish Callahan, a friend of Irene Frost."
Trish curtsied to the sidhe king.
"We found Ava," said Trish. "But she got away when we tried to capture her. There's a portal in Florence Oregon where I live. That's how I got here."
"It's nice to meet a friend of Annie and Irene," the king greeted kindly. "And I'm appreciative for king Merrow to send Celina and Sean into your world to stop her."
"Thanks," replied Trish. But she was still worried. "I don't know why she would follow Annie and Irene when they came back to the human world."
"You're friends are interfering with her plans to take over the magical world," explained king Phillip. "She's always resented humans. There was a time magic was believed in throughout the world. But as humans became more fearful of magic, the magical community decided to keep their magic hidden and as time passed, most humans have forgotten about magic and the only magic they believe is in stories."
"Ava's never liked the rules," said a female sidhe. She wore a sapphire blue gown with a darker blue waistcoat and a line of silver buttons on the front. "She was proud to be a sidhe and wanted to get rid of humans so she wouldn't have to hide magic."
Trish listened the story in surprise, Ava really was trouble. She could understand why they had to stop her.
"I better get back," said Trish. "It's late, and I should get back before my friends find out I'm gone."
"Of course," said Phillip.
"I'll show you out" said Forget me not softly.
The two girls left the castle and walked back to the portal. As they walked through the moors, they talked.
"You know, I was always proud to be the princess of Avalon," said Forget me not. "But sometimes I feel like it's no fun."
"Really?" asked Trish.
"I'm going to rule as queen of Avalon and the sidhes one day," sighed Forget me not. "I spend half my time in the castle because father is kind of protective. He's been worried about me ever since my mom died."
Trish looked at the princess with surprise.
"I'm sorry" she said sympathetically.
"I was young when she died," replied Forget me not. "She was very beautiful. She named me Forget me not after her favourite flower and because my eyes are blue."
"You know," said Trish. "I was quite amazed at the world of mermaids when I found out Irene was a mermaid, but when I became one myself, I was a little afraid about my powers. But I came to accept them and I think you'll make a great queen."
Forget me not smiled at Trish.
Just then a man appeared in front of them.
"Who are you?!" cried Trish.
Forget me not looked at the staff.
"He's a sorcerer!" she cried. "They're a type of witch!"
"That's right sidhe," he said slyly. "I am Viserion and I have come to capture the mermaid for Ava."
He waved his staff at Trish and she collapsed to the ground unconscious.
"What do you want with her!" cried Forget me not.
"The sidhe Ava sent me," said Viserion. "To eliminate the mermaids who stand in her way of becoming ruler of the magic realm. I am going to send her the mermaid's soul."
"You can't do that!" cried Forget me not.
Viserion aimed his staff at Forget me not and a beam of blue light zapped her and she flew to the ground and fell unconscious.
The sorcerer picked up Trish and carried her to the river.
…
Viserion arrived at the river and placed Trish's body in the river making her transform into mermaid form. Then made a picture of Ava appear in the water.
"I got one of the mermaids Ava," he said. "Now all I have to do is recite the spell and you'll have the soul of a mermaid."
"Very good Viserion," said Ava with an evil grin. "But hurry, before any of the mermaids or the sidhes catch us."
Meanwhile Forget me not regained consciousness and realized Trish was in trouble. She transformed into sidhe form and flewoff through the moors as fast as she could.
Viserion began to cast the spell.
"Megala pnevmata pairnoun tin psychi tis gorgonas."
The wind began to blow, and the sorcerer continued to recite the spell. Forget me not flew through the strong wind. She could sense it was coming from the river and flew down there as she could.
Viserion continued to chant the spell. Trish's body was sinking underneath the water as he recited the spell.
Ava watched as he chanted the spell. Finally, she thought to herself. I'll have one of the mermaids souls and the magical world will be mine.
Forget me not flew in and saw the wizard casting the spell.
"Hey!" cried Forget me not.
The sorcerer turned around in surprise. Before he could say anything Forget me not unleashed blue lightning bolts and zapped Viserion in the chest. He screamed and was blown to bits.
"No!" cried Ava furiously and the image of her disappeared.
Trish resurfaced and gasped as her eyes opened.
"Trish!" cried Forget me not. She landed at the edge of the water and transformed back into human form. "Are you alright?"
"I am, thanks to you" sighed Trish.
Trish climbed out of the water and Forget me not helped her dry off to regain her legs. Then Trish said goodnight and went back through the portal.
…
After school the next day, Annie, her parents and the rest of the gang went to the hospital to check up on the man. Irene went to Sean's room to check up on him.
"Sean?" Irene called softly stepping into his room. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Irene," Sean ground a bit, sitting up. "A little sore still. But it was just a bump."
Irene held up a cup of juice for him and he drank through a straw.
"You were great fighting Ava," said Irene softly. "I'm glad it was a small hit."
Meanwhile Annie, Rachel, Parker and her parents were arriving to check up on the man.
"He's just woken up a few minutes ago" said the doctor and he allowed them in.
"Do you think he remembers what he saw?" asked Parker.
"If he does," said Alex. "We'll be prepared for what happens next."
"Hello," said Annie kindly. "I'm Annie Yesconis, this is my father and stepmother and my friends Rachel and Parker. Do you remember you're name?"
The man looked at them a bit confused.
"I'm George," said the man. "George Clemons."
"My friends and I were the ones who found you after your accident," said Annie awkwardly. "Do you remember what happened?"
"I was driving," said the man thoughtfully. "And I lost control of the car and crashed into the sign."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well, we're glad you're okay," said Rachel dismissively. "We'll let you rest."
With that everyone left the hospital.
As soon as they were gone though, George picked up his cellphone and made a phone call.
"Yeah," he said. "I'm in Florence and you won't believe what happened."
Author's note; Who do you think this man is? And who he was talking to on the phone?