A/N: Just a little transitional chapter… and some laughs… and some set up….

Appendix H

Section C

Alex Age 18

Incant This

"Well, where's all my stuff, then?"

Jenna was on the phone when Alex came into their dorm. The young woman paced back and forth in what space they had, one hand on her hip when the appendage wasn't wildly gesturing.

"In the basement? What if it floods?"

She gave Alex a cursory wave upon seeing her enter. Her expression wasn't necessarily angry, but it was definitely unhappy and slightly concerned. As Jenna turned away again, Alex set her backpack down on the chair and started to unpack, trying not to listen… and failing.

"I'm not buying all new clothes, Mom, that's expensive," Jenna continued. "They're not that bad…. What about my stuffed animals? … I don't care if I'm too old for them, I still care about them…. Can't you put my stuff in the attic instead? … I've seen Dad climb, like, a hundred stairs to get nachos at a baseball game; he can managed the little ladder into the attic…. No, I don't want him to trip and fall and die," Jenna sighed. "You know what, it doesn't matter. Do what you want. Just let me know when you're on your way so I know when to be down in the parking lot, okay? … No, I won't be late…. I don't always—yeah, okay. Yeah, love you, too. Bye."

Jenna hung up and looked at Alex. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," replied Alex.

Jenna waggled her phone. "Talking to my mom." She tossed the device onto her bed. "I'm going to be sleeping on the couch during break. They turned my room into a man cave for Dad."

"Are you kidding?" said Alex. "There isn't even a spare bed somewhere?"

"Well, yeah, there's the guest room, but it's the holidays; we'll have guests," said Jenna.

Alex raised her eyebrows. "All the time?"

"Not all the time," replied Jenna. "But we need to keep it clean between visits."

"Yeah, they can just change the fucking sheets before the guests get there," said Alex. "You're their daughter; you should get a bed."

"Eh, it's fine. I fit on the couch," Jenna justified the decision as she plopped onto her mattress. "Couch is more comfortable than that old sack of springs anyway.

"How was your test?" She pivoted to avoid continuing on the topic.

Alex wouldn't let her.

"Fine," she replied, staring at her roommate, her brow furrowed. "Yours is in about two hours, right?"

Jenna shrugged. "Yeah."

"And your mom bugged you with all that right before your psych final?"

"Not really," said Jenna. "She just texted to say they would be a day late picking me up, so I'm the one who called because I wanted some details. The couch thing just came up."

"A day late?" asked Alex. "A whole day late? That's almost a whole day you'll be alone in the dorm."

"Yeah, so?"

"You have demons after you," said Alex.

"Well, I have the anti-possession-y thing," said Jenna innocently. She pulled it out from under her shirt. "See? I'm wearing it!"

"Demons don't just possess you, Jenna," Alex edified her. Then she shook her head and held up a hand. "Okay, there's something I wanted to ask you."

"What?"

Alex came and sat on the bed next to her roommate. "I just got off the phone with my dad and uncle. They'd be okay if you wanted to come stay with us over break."

Jenna looked sidelong at her, uncertainty etched in her expression. "Come stay with you?" A disbelieving smile jumped onto her face. "What… for the whole break? In Kansas?"

"Yeah," said Alex.

"I…. Oh my gosh, naaaah, come on!" said Jenna. "You can't be serious!"

"Jenna, I'm not comfortable leaving you alone for a month and a half with what's going on," said Alex. "You won't be safe at your parents' house, and I don't have anywhere near enough time to teach you to defend yourself solo before you go."

"I mean, you said yourself these are low level demons. You didn't even break a sweat with the one that was… in me last night," said Jenna, cringing slightly at the mention of the experience.

"I had a devil's trap, holy water, and the exorcism incantation memorized," said Alex. "Do you remember everything I said? In latin?"

Jenna's face went blank and her eyes widened. "Espiritu santo—,"

"Nope," Alex stopped her. "And that's Spanish."

Jenna tried again. "Omnibuses—,"

"Nope," said Alex. "That's English."

"Well, what is it, then?" asked Jenna, whining just a little with exasperation.

"Okay, first words are 'exorcizamus te'," said Alex.

"Exer gee saw-moose tee," repeated Jenna.

"Exorcizamus TAY."

"Exer ji-saw-mus tay."

"Ex-OR, OR, like a boat oar."

"Exor ji-saw-moose tee,"

"Okay, you're coming home with me!" Alex finally burst out, her patience frayed.

In spite of herself, Jenna giggled. Alex had to give in and release her frustration in a chuckle as well.

"And your dad and uncle are really okay with me coming and staying?" Jenna asked, and she sounded a little bit moved.

"Oh, yeah," said Alex. "Well, Dad for sure."

Jenna's nose wrinkled and her mouth quirked to the side. "Uncle Sam doesn't really like me, does he?"

"No, I wouldn't say he doesn't like you," Alex reassured her. "I think he just… wasn't expecting you."

"It's okay," said Jenna genuinely. "I know I come on a little strong."

"Yeah, that's all," replied Alex. "Maybe just, while you're staying, rein in that little bit of… extra friendliness streak you have going on with him."

"I'll do my best," Jenna said. Then her shoulders pulled up to her ears and she suppressed a grin. "He's so tall."

"We know, Jenna, we all know, everyone who meets him knows," Alex said wearily, sagging in defeat with a shake of her head.

Jenna laughed out loud this time. "Okay, okay! I promise to behave myself. I will."

"Thank you," Alex sighed relief.

"No, thank you," said Jenna, her serious side making a rare appearance. "You've only known me for a few months, and you're letting me come and stay with you for, like, six weeks, that's…. Nobody's ever cared that much."

"Well, we've spent a lot of time together, being roommates," said Alex. "We know each other a lot better than most people know their friends because of that."

"Yeah, I guess so," Jenna agreed, smiling.

Then she sighed. "My parents are going to be pissed."

"Let 'em be," said Alex. "You're the one who should be pissed. In fact, that's probably what you should tell them. You didn't want to spend a month and a half sleeping on a couch, so you're coming with me. 'Cause you can't tell them you're crashing at my place to practice fighting the demons that are trying to kill you."

Jenna snorted. "Yeah, they definitely won't believe that."

Alex patted Jenna on the shoulder. "Hey, let's just chill out for a while before your test, okay? Get your head in the right space."

"Sounds lovely," said Jenna.

Then she leaned over and hugged Alex. "Thanks again, Alex."

Alex hugged her back. "Don't mention it."