Mana Pool Snippets - Keystone

Part 6

But there was an issue: Andrea stayed behind. She kept on yelling that it was her home, there problem, and she had to fix it, even she said her totem thought it was a good choice. Katie felt dumbstruck and abandoned, unable to help any further as time ticked. Worst was not leaving with Andrea’s rescue spell Katie kept calling it. The past few days, Katie poured over her spellbook to find that spell, but sadly she found no hint.

Not even Jaruka contributed. He became a hermit ever since, not at all answering the cell phone they gave him. Great for the family, not so for Katie and Scott. Jaruka being quiet makes them jittery.

“You remember what I told you about the spell?” Katie asked.

“Yep,” Robert said, nodding.

“It’s a game changer. I can, if I figure it out, save you guys. It’s hard enough what she said because she said it a million miles per hour.”

“Well—“

“Robert, listen. If you black out, or Mom, or Dad, or heck little Jacob, and you guys start going all zombie, me and Scott will save you, regardless of any reason. I don’t care what Mom and Dad fear, it will happen.”

“Alright, I get it,” Robert said. “I go zombie, you make me a terran. Case settled.” Even though Robert was the one that got Katie into the supernatural years ago, he still wasn’t comfortable about being a terran. Responsibilities of magic probably, or that the tail could exclude him from dates.

“She does have a point,” a third unknown voice said.

It scared the two and they looked all over the store. The huge oak door was open but not enough for anybody to get through. Katie saw a car out front but couldn’t remember when they pulled in. Katie kept looking then looked down at a creature partially hiding behind the wine rack, standing on its hind legs. The large quills behind it could very well puncture through weak flesh if anybody didn’t see it.

It stared back at Katie, and Katie stared right back. It was no mistake it was a totem, a Celtic tribal tattoo was etched along the left side of its face and the glowing blue bleady eyes.

Robert put his feet down and leaned over the pay counter. “There’s a porcupine in the store,” he said.

“I can see that,” Katie said. “I’ll handle this.” She walked around the bar and approached the totem, then crouching. “Hello there.”

“H-Hello,” he said.

“What’s your name?”

The porcupine gulped. “Dallas. My name’s Dallas, Andrea’s totem.”

Katie gasped as her heart filled with joy instantly. “Oh my god. Is she here. Please tell me she’s here.”

The porcupine nodded. “She’s behind the door. She made me come out to meet you, and I still hate the real world.”

Katie quickly turned at the door. Andrea stood there, hands behind her back, and wearing clothes of her own with a pant mod for her tail. She looked pretty and nothing like she was a week ago. Her black hair was clean, straight, and exposing her elf ears.

Katie screamed and went for her for a hug. “I was so worried about you. I thought about calling but…” Sadness and gladness welled inside Katie.

“I’m fine, Katie. Really,” Andrea said. “I thought about calling too but Mom and Dad refused for being embarrased.”

“But what are you doing here?” Katie asked. She noticed the porcupine walking up and hand to move from the sharp quills. “How are your parents?”