Chapter 4: Magical Powers R Us - 01

Saturday, July 4th, 2020

Location: Earth, United States of America, Southlake Texas.

An hour passed, then two as I sat there numbly watching one fanciful scene after another. Girls in frilly and colorful dresses of across the rainbow sent wildly amazing displays of magic downrange to their undead foes. Each one conjuring different elements like fire, lightning, lava, ice and more exotic effects like golden swords that grew across the ground like vines to cut apart their foes in a burst of white light that rang with the sounds of church bells.

All the while the talking heads on TV speculated endlessly about what was really going on. Conspiracy theories abounded, from government hoaxes to alien invasions. For it seemed no one in the modern world believed the news this time.

Everyone thought it must be some sort of hoax.

Lesia: Well, what do you think?

Looking down at my phone, a hollow feeling in my chest, I couldn’t help but feeling lost in all this. When I woke up this morning, I had planned to spend the holiday with my friend and then we were supposed to join my dad for a late-night BBQ and watch the fireworks display at Uncle Joe and Aunt Patty’s lakeside mansion. It was currently 3:47pm so I had time. The BBQ wasn’t supposed to start until seven. Taking a deep breath, I opened the text message app and replied.

Izzy: About what?

Lesia: About anything.

Izzy: I think I need to go see Chis.

Lesia: Oh, you don’t want magical powers?

Izzy: Are you offering?

Lesia: Yes.

Izzy: No.

Lesia: Why not?

Izzy: Because I don’t need an additional complication in my life right now.

Which was true. I had just graduated high school and was planning to take a year off before I embarked on following my dad’s footsteps in passing the BAR and getting a law degree. Not that getting one excited me but rather it would make my parents happy knowing I could take care of myself. Not that I was passionate about it, for who truly is passionate about studying law? Rather, it was more like I could be driven to succeed at times. Making the choice fit me all the more.

Furthermore, if for no other reason, I didn’t trust her. I hadn’t met this person and the whole thing felt off.

Afterall who just hands out magical power?

It sounds like someone handing out candy.

With a van.

And all you need to do to get the candy is climb inside.

“No, thank you,” I say out loud as I block her number. Then proceed to collect my things and call a rideshare once more. Indenting to visit my friend in the hospital like I said I would. Then I proceeded upstairs to get dressed, and put on a touch of makeup so I don’t look like some sort of diminutive terror that wants to hit boys rather than be hit on by them. Even though violence had become my go to method with dealing with misbehaving members of that gender. Regardless, the red and white short sleeved blouse I put on went well with my blue jeans and sneakers. Even if it kind of made me look like a twelve year old given my height.

Once, I was finished getting ready it was only a few minutes before my ride was here. After greeting the driver climbed into the back seat of the rideshare.

“Where to ladies?” said the young man behind the wheel.

“We’re off to visit a friend in the hospital,” said a familiar feminine voice.

“Gah!” I say with a start. Twisting around to see a platinum blond woman with lavender eyes sitting in the seat behind the driver in the seat next to me. Though she had the angel’s face from my dream, she lacked its halo, wings and that divine aspect of her presence that made her MORE than mortal.

“What are you doing here!” I snap. Fists and teeth clenched as I braced myself for a fight. Both physically and mentally as a bolt of terror passed through me in recollection of that memory. A memory of being far more than I am now and that person had been afraid of her.

Controlling the fear, I used my strongest glare on her.

“I’m here to accompany a friend,” said Lesia.

Meanwhile the driver didn’t pay us any attention and proceeded down the road.

“I didn’t ask you to come with me.”

“Child,” said Lesia with a predatory smile, “you’re going to need all the friends you can get.”

“Don’t call me that,” I say through clenched teeth.

“Ooh, I can see it now that we are so close,” she said with an angelic smile.

“Despite all the eons that have gone by its still bound to your matrix.”

“This is so exciting,” said the platinum blond supermodel with a school girl like squeal as she did a squirming dance in the leather seat.

“What?”

“Can’t tell you, spoilers,” said Lesia.

“Then-”

~Ding, Ding~

“One moment,” said Lesia as she held up a finger.

Pulling out the latest I phone. I just stared as she rapid fire sent off at least a dozen messages a paragraph in length each. Her thumbs a blur of motion as she navigated the phone better than most teenage girls, I’ve seen who lived on it. Leaving me gaping like fish.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

I’ve never seen a phone, or thumbs move that fast.

“There, all done.”

“What were you saying dear?”

“Oh, right.”

“Then can you tell me how you can be here now, but not earlier?” I asked.

“Ohh, that’s easy darling.”

“I’m not really here.”

“Bullshit.”

My words harsh and clipped as I struggled to rein in my temper as she seemingly played me off like I was some sort of imbecile or gullible fool. Causing me to curse. A bad habit that I tried to avoid.

“Then what the fuck is sitting next to me? Some sort of hologram, no wait, illusion?”

Ok, admittedly I was scared and I don’t do my best when I’m scared. My word choices can get a bit lame. But hey, at least I could pat myself on the back for being able to talk and think through the fear. Something I felt was only possible due to the multitude of fights I have been in.

Gah, the thought of that makes me fell like I’m some sort of diminutive thug.

“At least now your showing some interest in magic,” said Lesia with a grin.

“This body,” she said with a flourish toward herself.

“Is a simulacrum basted upon what I would look like if I were a tier one mortal human born on your world. It took me hours to make it and it was done just for you,” said the angel as she leaned towards me with a smug grin.

“Ok, now go away,” I said as I glared at her. My arms crossed under my breasts as give her my best glare.

“Nope,” said the angel.

“I can’t force you into anything but I can annoy you into giving me what I want.”

“And what do you want?”

Turning, she looked at me. All joking, and pretense forgotten as those lavender eyes bored into me. Gently, she grabbed my hand and pride my fist open. Holding it with both hands stared into my eyes and said, “My lord, I would give anything for you to sit upon your throne once more.”

“ANYTHING.”

“But until then,” said Lesia as she dropped my hand and turned to stare out the window.

“I will take my enjoyment by being by your side.”

Taking her cue, I turned and looked out my own window. My mind spinning with questions on what might happen next.

“I’m sorry but were not allowing any more visors to see Mr. Green at this time,” said the nurse kindly as finish pleading with her for the third time. I had even gone so far as to call Oliva to get Tabitha’s number. Then call her to see if she could get me in to see her brother. Though in all honesty I didn’t think she would try and help after the events of this afternoon but no.

Tabitha had tried to get me in to see her brother but the hospital wasn’t letting anyone but family see him at the moment and even then, in only short intervals. Tabitha herself had been upstairs, seeing him, but the nurses has said that there were too many people there for him already and everyone needed to go home.

“You know, this wouldn’t be an issue if you just accepted my proposal,” said Lesia as we walked back out to catch ANOTHER rideshare to take us to the house where my parents would be. To go to a fourth of July party that I was in no mood to attend at the moment, but I was damned if I was going to let HER and everything else that had gone wrong today get in my way.

“No,” I said rather firmly.

“Just a snap of your fingers and with the right skills he could be healed.”

“Just like that man you saw on TV.”

“No.”

“Why not!” said Lesia with a pout and a deliberately childish glare.

“Because there is a saying that Chris told me once that I think fits in this kind of situation.”

“Oh, what’s that?”

“What kind of wisdom could a human have that could explain why you are refusing magical powers from an Angel of the highest order?”

My glare at her sanctimonious tone bounced off ineffectually.

“I’m waiting,” said the angel as she tapped her foot outside. Eyes turned away as she looked for our ride.

Taking a deep breath, I said, “The first hit is always free.”

Turning, the angel in human form looked at me curiously.

“What?”

“The first hit is always free,” I said, repeating myself.

“That’s a saying about drugs,” said Lesia.

“Yes, it refers to the fact that once you take the first hit your addicted and they now have a customer for life,” I said in an attempt to explain.

“I’m well aware of what the saying is,” said Lesia in a biting tone as she played with a lock of her hair thoughtfully.

“And while from your perspective it may be applicable in a twisted sort of way. However, that’s fundamentally flawed because after the first, ‘hit’ as you say. I’ll have very little to sell you.”

“Never the less that’s how I view it,” I said as I rubbed my sore head.

“I could help you with that,” said Lesia.

“No.”

“Boo, your no fun,” said Leisa with a pout.

Arriving nearly thirty minutes late with the angel in tow proved to be inconsequential as the party was being held in a lakeside mansion with the majority of guests being fashionably late as well. Which wasn’t surprising given how all the previous events the owners have hosted had turned out the same way. The building looked like a modern three story twelve thousand square foot lake side home. The catering truck from a local, well known barbeque joint explained the tantalizing aromas of cooking meats. A hollow grumbling from my stomach reminding me that I hadn’t actually eaten anything since breakfast.

After texting my parents and letting them know that I was here. The two of us made our way inside. Memory from last year’s event had me making weaving through the crowd like an eel as I made my way towards the food.

“Get back!” said Lesia as she found herself surrounded by a crowd of young, affluential men barring her path.

Cries of, “I’m here with a friend,” “No, I’m not interested in a boyfriend right now,” “Please move,” and the oh so pleasant, “Leave me alone!” Fell on deaf ears.

As the angel’s protests died in the background of more than one too many young men who had too much to drink. I couldn’t help feel justice had been served for all the pestering she had done to me over the course of the afternoon.

Looking back, I could see her waving for help in the midst of a throng of a dozen men in their twenties. Each of which looked to be a player spotting a slab of fresh womanly meat. Their jewelry, perfect looks, and predatory attitude making them stand out from those in the crowd who were actually wealthy. For the truly wealthy and powerful had people come to them and not the other way around.

Seeing that raised hand sink into the crowd like a drowning person going under for the last time gave me a sadistic feeling of glee. Only for even that to flee my mind as the sight of the buffet set out for the party came into view.

Grabbing a plate, I piled it high and made my way outside where I found my dad sitting at a table with my mom and another couple. Joining them, I sat down next to mom. The two newcomers looked fit and well off. His polo and jeans and her summer sundress looking expensive. The Prada handbag next to Jenna spoke loudly of that. Their appearance, and bearing spoke of people with a degree of power. As did my parents attitude while talking to them.

But I didn’t care.

They were guests just as much as I was.

Afterall the owners of this place had been friends of the family since before we moved into town four years ago. Uncle Joe and Aunt Patty invited us over for every holiday. My mom and Aunt Patty having been best friends since childhood.

“Simon, Jenna, I would like to introduce to you Elizabeth Swalwell, my eldest,” said Dad.

“Hi!” I said with a polite wave of a BBQ covered beef rib before digging in. Only for my mother to sigh in exasperation.

Ignoring all this my father continued on, “She likes to go by Izzy.”

“Izzy, this is Simon and Jenna Hainsworth.”

“Their son Richard goes to the same High school as the one you went to.”

At that comment, I could feel mom stiffen a little beside me and could see the same on Jenna. Curiously I looked up from my food as I had only barely been paying attention.

A girl’s got to eat after all and I had only been able to get a single bite in.

“That little shit of a son of mine is doing it again,” said Simon with growl in his voice. Before abruptly grabbing his drink, which looked to be alcohol, and knocking it back.

“Though I suppose you of all people can relate,” he said with a glance at me.

“I bet I can,” said Dad with a laugh.

“Izzy’s gotten into more trouble than both my sons combined!”

“Dad!” I snapped and everyone laughed at my embarrassment.

“Though this time a boy is in the hospital,” said Simon.

“By boss didn’t even tell me that the case had come up before they decided not to press charges,” growled Simon.

“It’s going to be all right,” said Jenna as she rubbed her husband’s back.

“Just because he dodged a criminal suit doesn’t mean there won’t be a civil suit,” said Simon darkly.

“Oh, I understand,” said dad as he began to relate a tail of one of my fights. Meanwhile my mind went into autopilot nibbling on some potato salad and Cole slaw. The names clicking into place as Simon and Jenna were the parents of Richard. One of the boys who had bullied Chris.

One of the bullies from the video who had pushed Chris into traffic.

One of the bullies I had beat up for beating on Chris had been Richard.

Fuck me.

I did not want to have that conversation right now. Nor did I want that topic to even come up as I am sure everyone is well aware of it.

Yet before I could find a way to excuse myself a voice spoke.

“Well, well, well.”

“What do we have here.”

“If it isn’t little miss Rampage herself,” said Richard.