Her injuries kept throbbing, reminding Barbara about the previous day. The one inflicted by Jim hurt more - and not because it was deeper. No, that one was proof that her true identity had finally influenced her son's life.
The biggest irony was that she had to hide that one. The one crossing her arm though? Barbara had easily covered that one as a 'kitchen accident', even if that had earned some shocking glares from her co-workers.
"Your kid is right for not letting you there," Mindy, one of the nurses, commented after helping Barbara to change bandages. "Just how?"
"I wonder," Barbara said with a sheepish smile. Somehow, her horrible cook reputation worked as a splendid cover – despite the shock, not even a single person had thought it was a lie.
Now only Jim remained – and she had no idea how to explain it to him. Luckily, this morning they both left the house without encountering each other. Barbara could imagine her son still felt guilty. Any other time, she would give him a heart-to-heart talk.
It was impossible with an additional wound!
She cursed both her own carelessness and the dumb Trollhunter kid. Couldn't that one have found a different time for injuring her? No, that kind of reasoning was simply childish.
Barbara stared at her bandaged arm, wondering how long it would take to heal. Judging from her previous experience, it would take some time, even if she applied some magic ailments. Besides, it was different from a regular sword cut. She closed her eyes, recalling the burning sensation right after the injury. The Daylight was both akin to fire and poison, causing damage even afterward.
The pain had only dissipated after she turned into a human. Well, fleshbags had many weaknesses, but concentrated sunlight was never among those.
Would the damaging influence return once she tried to assume her true form again? Honestly, that wouldn't surprise her in the slightest. She wasn't going to check in any case, focusing on recovery for now.
It also meant losing all control of her allies' actions, and it wasn't even about her brother and his occasional rage fits. Surprisingly, Bular had been behaving so far. She worried more about the changelings. Hopefully, Shen's death would make everyone think twice about pulling any bizarre stunt to impress the daughter of Gunmar.
It only left Stricklander.
Barbara groaned, realizing that she was basically cornered right now. Any move seemed to be worse than a previous one.
"You did what?" Claire stared at Jim in disbelief. "Haven't we decided not to risk pointlessly?"
"Well, it's not like Barverra was interested in listening to my opinion," he responded with a sigh. It was the second time he had to listen to somebody's lecture – Tobes had been the first one this morning, spending the good twenty minutes voicing his opinion.
The worst thing? Claire certainly wouldn't be the last. The rest of the allies would be as happy to chew him for his reckless encounter, and even Toby had suspected that Jim had looked for some enemy to pay back for his incident with the gravesand.
Jim wondered if it was true, and he had attempted that subconsciously. His blood still boiled every time he recalled Barbara's wound. Even the fact that he had finally injured one of the enemies (and a stronger one too!) didn't make him feel better.
At least part of his soul wished revenge, and Jim didn't even know if that was just another side effect from the gravesand or if it had been in his nature from the very beginning.
He hadn't had any sleep during the night, spending his time talking to Draal, who had returned from the patrol. At least, that one hadn't criticized a thing, simply listening to Jim's ramblings.
Draal had only commented that the gravesand was no good and a cheap way to get a temporary power-up or lose yourself in anger. It seemed he had his own experience with that one – not that Jim had dared to ask any questions.
And well, apparently, the basement was equipped by the secret passageway now – something that Jim hadn't expected at all. It might have been convenient, but currently turned out to be just another major headache.
Jim only silently prayed his mom wouldn't randomly decide to go downstairs and start a big cleaning or something. She had been busy lately, and, honestly, Jim tended to visit the basement more often, so…
"We'd better focus on changelings." Surprisingly, Claire kept her lecture short, most likely guessing that Toby had told everything before.
"Ms. Shen isn't around," Tobes piped in. "They say, a sick leave."
So, the enemies had predicted their course of action. Or, perhaps, there was no need for the agent who had compromised themselves.
"Then, it leaves only the mysterious 'big wig'," Claire said with a shrug and turned to Toby. "Have you brought it?"
"Are you questioning my competence?" he pouted for a bit, then took something out of his bag. Something looking surprisingly like…
"A horseshoe?" Jim raised his eyebrows skeptically.
"A gaggletack," Claire corrected, taking out another one. "It should work. Honestly, we wanted to get more, but those troll merchants ask too much."
"Yep, we've given them all our dirty socks for two of those," Toby complained. "And wanted Archie in exchange for the third one."
Jim chuckled unwittingly, vividly imagining the situation he had missed the previous night. Apparently, he hadn't been the only one who had an unpleasant night. Poor Archie.
After some consideration, they decided to split up as there were two gaggletacks. Claire went alone, while Jim teamed up with Toby - they shared the most of classes in any case.
Initially, having a shapeshifter-revealing tool seemed cool and really convenient, but excitement evaporated fast enough when Jim realized that people weren't actually that eager to touch a suspicious object.
No, of course, it could mean that all of them were changelings, finding excuses to stay hidden, but most likely, everyone suspected some kind of prank and refused to become a potential laughingstock.
Toby was already on the verge of bonking everyone with the gaggletack, even if it might have landed him in trouble. Jim just hoped that Claire fared better - wouldn't her good reputation help?
"Eli, check it out!" Toby called out all of a sudden, handing their approaching friend the gaggletack.
"And what's wrong with this… horseshoe?" Eli looked at both of them with some suspicion, but still took it and even examined the unusual object thoroughly.
Well, not that Jim even suspected him to start with. No supernatural being would try to expose other supernatural beings, and even if, in some bonkers kind of scenario, Eli had turned out to be a changeling who wanted to reveal the truth, he would have shown everyone else his true form.
"By the way, Jim, you'd better come to the rehearsals today," Eli said with some genuine concern. "Ms. Janeth is furious as her play is in danger."
He shuddered as if remembering something unpleasant.
Jim groaned. He had forgotten about the school play entirely - especially after Claire had become a part of all this magical stuff.
Initially, the school play had been just a way to get closer to the girl he liked. With a different activity to bond over, it had lost its importance alarmingly fast.
Jim felt horrible about that one as he knew Claire still cared a lot about the play and would never drop it even if there wasn't enough time.
Not to mention that he would start having problems with Math if he kept provoking Ms. Janeth.
Perhaps, it would have been wiser to quit right now. Steve could have Romeo's part, for example.
"He'll come!" Toby pipped in, ensuring Eli, and dragged his best friend elsewhere.
When there wasn't anyone close, he whispered:
"Hey, Jimbo, I've just remembered that you were in the armor during tryouts. Our changeling can be one of your fellow actors. Or Janeth herself. One of the teachers is a confirmed troll, so why couldn't there be a second one? It could also explain why she's so unfair to you."
Well, the latter was quite a far-fetched statement - if anything, Ms. Janeth had been justified in her anger. She knew nothing, only seeing an unreliable teen who had come to the tryout with no commitment to go to the end. Jim tried to tell Tobes that, but somehow his best friend was already rambling about all the other possible suspects.
"And there's Steve..."
Should he have been surprised that Steve's name was mentioned?
"He wasn't there that day."
"Could be an accomplice though. No one said there were only two changelings in our school. There are at least two," Toby pointed out.
Why had his best friend turned out that suspicious? No, of course, Toby had always been surprisingly keen and attentive to small details, but being outright paranoid? That one was new.
Though...
Jim remembered his recent misfortune involving a changeling. Even if it seemed that all the gravesand was out of his system now (thankfully, no more irrational rage bursts!), it still had left some nasty aftertaste. And well, there was still some justified anger.
Not to mention that Jim had no idea how to face his mother.
All of that was the enemies' fault!
Tobes was right in suspecting everyone, even if it might have been stressful.
And...
One of the changelings was someone they all had known for some time, pretending to be a regular human while plotting some scheme.
Perhaps it would be so much wiser just to rip off that bandaid in one swift motion.
With that kind of sudden found determination, Jim headed right to the rehearsals. Toby followed, planning to check everyone present with a gaggletack.
As a team of two, they could pull a sneak 'attack' as Tobes called it.
Ms. Janeth met them both right at the entrance, barely able to hide her annoyance.
"Look who's decided to grace us with his presence!" she nearly hissed. "Mr. Lake, I've thought you've already forgotten about our existence!"
Yep, she was beyond just upset. Jim wondered if there was any possibility to apologize without sounding insincere.
After all, he had actually forgotten about the play at some point!
"Jim had a reason for not coming. He had an injury. See?" Toby decided to help and pointed out at his best friend's still bruised face.
It may have felt like a whole eternity had passed since that fight with the Gumm-Gumm soldier, but it had been actually only a few days. So many things have changed!
A shadow of sympathy appeared in Ms. Janeth's eyes, but her tone remained strict:
"I get that, but Mr. Lake wasn't that diligent before as well."
"He'll make up for that. He's even brought some props," Toby assured their teacher. "Show her, Jimbo!"
There was an odd nudge.
"Show what?" Jim looked at his friend with confusion.
"That," Toby whispered, putting a lot of emphasis.
Jim nearly smacked himself for being that slow when there was some easy way to trick Ms. Janeth into touching the gaggletack.
And - she wasn't a changeling too.
"A horseshoe?" she asked, examining the object in her hand. "I'll give you a point for finding something that authentic, but if you paid more attention to the script, you'd know there are no horseshoes in Romeo and Juliet!"
"I guess I've missed that part." Jim smiled sheepishly. Ms. Janeth looked less irritated now at least, so he wondered if she forgave him.
"You may have appeared today, but we need a more reliable actor for the main part," she said.
"I'll promise to attend regularly..."
"As an understudy," Ms. Janeth interrupted him. "Steve is the main pick right now. I've given you too many chances before!"
She turned on her heels and headed to talk to some other actors.
Jim groaned.
"Cheer up, Jimbo! Now you won't feel guilty if you miss another rehearsal."
Toby most likely meant it as support, but somehow, it worked the opposite.
On the other hand, it was so odd. Only this morning, Jim had considered dropping the school play altogether, yet now, with an actual chance to do so, he felt upset.
"Move aside, buttsnacks!"
Steve arrived with a yell, full of himself as usual. Seeing Jim, however, clearly soured his mood. Well, no wonder, as he had apparently gotten in some trouble with teachers because everyone had suspected him of starting a fight.
"So, what's up, Dumbo? Came to see me kissing the girl?"
At least, Steve had enough brains not to start another fight, choosing some verbal offense instead.
Jim was close to ignoring it, but the latter part caught his attention.
Kissing.
Wait, there was a kissing scene in Romeo and Juliet! How could he have forgotten something that important?
No wonder that even before actually remembering it, he had felt upset about the possibility of losing his role!
Not that he thought that Claire might have preferred Steve, but still!
A part of him genuinely wished that Tobes was right and Steve was actually a changeling, even if it was somehow petty.
And Steve himself did nothing to calm down Jim's rising irritation. At the moment, he was reciting one of Romeo's monologues, full of himself and arrogant.
That was it.
Later, Jim would try to explain it with an accident, but he knew well enough that he had actually thrown the gaggletack at Steve. The only actual accidental thing was that it hit his head.
And honestly, this time, Jim was definitely disappointed it hadn't worked.
Still, it paled compared to Toby's emotions.
"How's it even possible?" he grumbled, sneakingly recovering the gaggletack, while furious Steve was looking around in search of the culprit and rubbing the hurt spot. "Perhaps, this thing has malfunctioned? Let's try again!"
Jim stopped it right in time - before the gaggletack flew for the second time. No matter how satisfying it felt, hitting Steve more was undoubtedly pointless. He wasn't a troll in the end.
"Let's check someone else," Jim said with a sigh, taking the gaggletack away from Toby.
Obviously, not everyone was willing to touch the horseshoe, but somehow, they ended up checking everyone at the rehearsals.
"No trolls here," Toby stated blankly.
"Really?" Claire approached two of them swiftly. She must have arrived at some point while they had been still amid the investigation.
"And how are things on your side?" Toby inquired.
She shrugged.
"Nothing. Not even people who found some excuse not to touch the gaggletack."
Oh, Jim had definitely underestimated Claire's popularity and communication skills. Apparently, unlike in their case, no one found her request fishy. She was amazing.
He wanted to voice that, but Ms. Janeth's voice interrupted him:
"Where's Juliet?"
"Oh, shoot, should go!" Claire beamed at both Jim and Toby and hurried to the scene.
The rest of the day went without any memorable events. Well, minus Claire hurling the gaggletack at Steve after overhearing his not-that-nice remark.
Even if Jim now knew for sure who wasn't a changeling, most of the student body and at least half of the staff remained unchecked.
Toby insisted on going to Strickler, and surprisingly, Claire was on his side this time, leaving Jim in the minority.
"It won't hurt to check him, and you'll have some peace of mind," she said.
Was she suspecting their History teacher as well?
Why couldn't anyone see that Mr. Strickler was actually a nice person who cared about his students?
He wasn't a hostile shapeshifting troll. Full stop.
Jim took a deep breath as he started to feel some irritation building.
Just great - the gravesand continued giving him more nasty surprises. Probably, it would be a good idea to talk to Zoe about it, seeing that she had the most knowledge about the issue.
"I think we should finish for today," Toby said as if sensing that something was off. "Everyone is tired."
"I'll go to Douxie then," Claire agreed at once. "Let's see how things are on his side!"
"I'll go as well," Jim said. Hadn't he just considered talking to Zoe? It could be the best opportunity to do that.
Both Toby and Claire looked at him with barely hidden concern.
"You'd better sit out this one, Jimbo," Toby began. "Out of three of us you've had the least rest those several days."
Claire nodded.
"Taking a break is important too."
"It's just a walk and talk," Jim argued, slightly surprised at those two teaming up so effortlessly. It was as if they had discussed something like that before. Though... Last night, they had most likely had more than enough time to think of some possible scenarios. Maybe other teammates had also supported that stance.
"Fine!" Toby muttered. "Just don't overextend yourself! Claire, you stop him if he does something reckless!"
"Aren't you coming?" Jim looked at his best friend in surprise.
"Nah, I've just remembered there's an important task I'll have to finish!" Toby waved him off and walked away.
That was odd. Usually, they both always stuck together, and...
Wait, did Tobes just give him an opportunity to stay alone with Claire?
Suddenly, Jim became extremely conscious of his crush's presence. While his focus remained solely on trolls and the supernatural, there were no complications and he could talk to her normally.
Now, though? His brain was close to shortcutting again. And here went the hope that he had overgrown his inability to talk to Claire!
Somehow, Claire ended up being the one talking while they were walking to the Zoe's apartment. Jim couldn't help but only nodding and humming. A part of him was absolutely terrified of his crush's possible reaction to his lackluster responses.
Luckily, she was more invested in discussing her own findings during the gaggletack investigation.
"By the way, what kind of task did Toby mention?" Claire asked.
"No idea."
Honestly, it could be anything. Or just an excuse not to be a third wheel. Jim was only sure that his best friend wouldn't end in some mess - out of two of them he always was more level-headed.
Probably, he should have said that aloud to assure Claire and finally start sounding somehow competent, and...
He opened his mouth and shut it at once, noticing Douxie rushing toward them.
Something had happened - and from his expression, there was no good news.
"What's wrong?" Claire inquired first.
"Bad guys have outwitted us!" Douxie said, his voice full of frustration. "I sneaked to the museum today. They've moved Killahead!"
"What?" both Jim and Claire exclaimed in disbelief. All this time, the enemy's base had remained one of the few constants. It was convenient to know their location and plan the ambush according to that knowledge.
Weren't all of them too naive? As if the evil trolls would have ever played nice, leaving such a convenient opening for them to use.
Obviously, they had moved elsewhere as soon as possible. Hadn't their team fought against someone without reservations, someone who easily used dirty tactics?
And something like changing the base wasn't even a foul play, just basic common sense.
One of the few advantages the Trollhunter's team had before had already evaporated.
"Now catching a changeling is vital," Douxie voiced everyone's thoughts. "Without up-to-date information, we can only roam around blindly."
"But wasn't the bridge, well, massive?" Claire asked. "Could it mean they didn't move it that far?"
That made a lot of sense, actually, and Douxie's expression told Jim that he considered the same.
"We need a map," Douxie said after some silence.
Those last few days made Toby reevaluate a lot of things. His best friend had gotten his wish granted, but what was the price?
Toby shuddered, remembering how close Jim had been to dying - and not only once. Not to mention that gravesand accident, which clearly had damaged his best friend's psyche. Toby didn't even want to imagine how horrible it felt to injure something dear. No, obviously, Jim tried to keep a brave facade...
Like always, actually.
If there were a choice, Jim would always pick enduring the challenges alone, pretending that everything was fine.
At times, it drove Toby crazy.
Though, to be honest, at the moment, Toby was more upset with himself.
What kind of a sidekick was a dead weight?
He should have been a helpful teammate, yet... As time passed, Toby kept realizing that he had somehow become the only one without much contribution.
Blinky had his vast knowledge of the troll stuff.
Aaarrrgghh, despite all his pacifism, was still a hulking brute.
Douxie and Zoe both could provide a lot of support with their magic.
Archie also knew a lot, not to mention his shapeshifting skills and reconnaissance abilities.
Even Claire, the recent addition, was already learning some spells.
And when it came to someone like Draal...
Thinking about all of that made Toby feel even more pathetic and useless.
That was why he had been that invested in this changeling search - if he couldn't have a physical or magical power-up he had to compensate it with smarts.
Obviously, not everyone in his suspect list had been a shapeshifting troll (or more like only a selected few in the best-case scenario). But even one would be a success.
Toby was rather disappointed about Steve, but he wasn't the only highly suspicious person around.
Leaving aside all the possible suspects at school, right now, he was interested in checking some people outside.
And somehow, his orthodontist was the first on that list.
Be it his slightly unorthodox appearance or somehow sadistic job - everything just screamed fishy to Toby. Besides, Dr. Muelas could have possibly learned about the amulet.
After all, Toby had been in his clinic when Jim had tried to tell him about it.
Yes, that had to be it!
Besides, Toby had a visit scheduled for today, so it could be a perfect opportunity!
Or so he thought, as disappointment was the only result he got.
The gaggletack didn't work with Dr. Muelas, and as much as Toby wished to think it could be some glitch or something, he had to admit that his deduction had been wrong to start with.
Not to mention that his hygienist took away the gaggletack.
Another disappointment and useless fuss instead of the so-much-needed result.
No, there was still time. He could try with someone else after getting the magical horseshoe back.
Somehow, it felt as if painkillers this time were stronger or something. Toby had always thought he had gotten used to those after spending so much time enduring all kinds of manipulations with his poor teeth.
Yet now he could swear that numbing effects spread too much, to alarming levels actually. Had the hygienist made a mistake with the dosage?
"I've thought you were smarter," Gladis commented out of nowhere.
"What do you mean?" Toby asked, rather confused. Why would she have begun to doubt his intelligence when he had done nothing dumb?
"So many careful steps and hiding away your identities to the point that the entire Order tries to find you out - only to throw everything out of the window and barge in with a gaggletack? Apparently, you've survived so far only because of your luck, Trollhunter!"
Three thoughts flashed through Toby's head nearly simultaneously.
First - Gladis was the enemy.
Second - she mistook him for the Trollhunter.
Third - he had to run!
Correction - he wished to run, yet his body refused to move as if paralyzed. No, there was definitely something wrong with those painkillers.
"Foolish child," Gladis smirked. "You should have learned that in this world you perish the second you drop your defenses. Even if the location seems safe. But seriously, finally, after all those years of humiliation, I have the chance to rise to the top! I have to thank you for this opportunity."
She seemed so happy, obviously believing that she had caught the biggest prey possible.
Should he have corrected the misunderstanding? Toby hadn't wavered with that one - he would never betray Jim, even if that meant saving his own neck.
He just needed a way to escape - and well, if enemies believed that he was their target, then there would be more time for Jim.
Toby tried to roll out from the chair, seeing that his limbs were basically useless. Whatever Gladis planned, she definitely talked too much, losing her chance to kill him.
Toby silently thanked his own luck - with a more focused enemy, he would have been dead three times already. The plan was seemingly working as he was out of the chair already.
What a pity that he couldn't roll his way out of the dental clinic!
Toby considered yelling for help for a second but realized it would be pointless. Dr. Muelas was definitely not around - otherwise, Gladis would be way more discreet. And he knew for sure he was the last patient for today, knowing the schedule by heart.
Did it leave fighting as the only available option? Toby didn't even want to think about his own chances against his clearly inhuman opponent. He had no magical armor even if Gladis thought otherwise.
Probably, he should have considered taking some training while he still could!
As for now, his only chance would be a successful surprise attack. Wasn't Gladis a human at the moment? Perhaps, throwing something at her head could actually knock her out.
She wasn't even paying attention to her captive, turning away from him, and kept venting about her own miserable position and how everything would be different now.
Toby slowly tried to stand up, fighting his own wobbly limbs' resistance while his hand was searching for something heavy enough to throw. His fingers felt something cold and metallic, and he didn't give it much thought. It was heavy - it should do its job.
Gladis turned to him after hearing some odd sounds. The time itself seemingly slowed down as the metallic object made a sloppy arc through the air, hitting her forehead.
Its shape was horribly familiar.
The horseshoe.
No, the gaggletack.
If Toby's chances of survival had been already minimal before, they definitely dropped close to zero at the moment as Gladis turned into her real troll form in a flash of bright light.
There was no mistake now - she was one of those shapeshifters they were looking for! Not that the discovery made Toby happy - perhaps, deep inside, he was still clinging to the hope that everything had been just a huge misunderstanding.
The reality before him was a sturdy female troll, pissed to the point of growling.
"Halt at once, you vile assassin!"
A voice called from above, attracting both Gladis and Toby's attention. The next second, Blinky landed on the floor with a heavy thump, but thankfully on his legs.
A backup came from the most unexpected place.
"Why are you here?" Toby blurted the question, even though he should have better just be grateful for any help.
"We saw you coming inside, and Aaarrrgghh proposed to wait until you were out," Blinky said while keeping some distance between himself and Gladis. Toby looked up, finally noticing Aaarrrgghh trying to get in without much success. Apparently, Blinky was that confident only because he expected some muscles involved.
The thing was that Aaarrrgghh, well, got stuck. Not that Toby could blame the poor guy - human buildings were never constructed for nine-foot-tall brutes.
Blinky realized it with some delay, nearly simultaneously with Gladis, who previously backed up, anticipating a serious fight.
The seemingly turning tides somehow ended in another messy situation. Blinky hadn't lied, claiming he was no fighter - currently, he could only run and panic, giving the enemy more than enough confidence.
Toby unwittingly reached for his phone. What was the point of being foolishly stubborn? There was a need for an actual backup, and...
He found Jim's number in his contact list and stopped before calling him as the memory of his best friend's experiences of those last few days flashed through his mind.
Jimbo didn't need another fight with a troll. Just not now.
Toby switched to Douxie's contact instead, silently praying that Jim and Claire had already gone home after the planned talk...