Now that Merlynn was finally alone she rode longer than she intended. The ride was soothing to her despite traffic. “Is it okay that I’m leaving?” Merlynn asked herself as she slowed to a halt at a red light. “Morgana…you bitch. What the hell are you doing? Why do you need an army? Was it even you last night?” The light turned green as Merlynn’s last thoughts bubbled aloud. “It could have been sweet cheeks.” A pot bellied construction worker responded while leaning on an adjacent street light waiting to cross. “ Piss off swine!” Merlynn cursed him flipping him the bird as she balked her tires pulling away.
“No! I won’t let you get into my head. You made your choice and I made mine. I promised that if you truly intend to use that wicked Stone I would stop you no matter what I have to do. Even after we stormed your facility we didn’t learn anything truly, just confirmed what Hiro told us. It doesn’t matter though. Play your games Morgana I will not be a piece for you to move at your leisure.” Merlynn affirmed to herself, noticing a familiar store sign that pulled her out of her head. She slowed to a stop parking her mighty steed and strode into Religious Intentions.
“Cammy! Your favorite customer is here!” Merlynn called into the store as she entered, the door chime blaring a shotgun sound effect. “I’ll be right there!” A brash womanly voice called from the back of the store. Merlynn smiled to herself as she perused the glass countertops of their wares. Handguns of various makes and models lay neatly in rows each with different complementary modifications. Larger rifles hung behind the counter arranged by strength of caliber. As Merlynn wrapped around the counter closer to the register she noticed military grade weaponry including an M57 Grenade Launcher.
“My ears didn’t deceive me! Merlynn darling! Whom are we to make holey today?” A curvaceous tanned woman with a short blonde Bob waltzed in from the back batting lush sapphire eyes toward Merlynn. “Don’t tease me Cams you know what I want!” Merlynn grinned resting her elbows on the counter. “Yes yes just finished the tweaks this morning, as requested I had it ready before your big trip.” Cammy grinned showing off thick teeth through her even thicker lips. Cammy then leaned down retrieving a small black box pushing it across the counter towards Merlynn, whom quickly peered inside then smiled in satisfaction.
“Thanks Cammy! Now, how much for the grenade launcher?” Merlynn asked digging in her pocket for her wallet. “Can’t let that one go yet I’m afraid.” Cammy sighed disheartened. “Lame, but eventually when you do sell it how much would it take for you to part ways with it?” Merlynn asked leaning in thumbing through a wad of cash in her wallet. “ It’s not about money, well kinda. The stupid thing doesn’t work. It’s a nice piece to look at and draws customer attention but other than that it’s a dud. I’ve tried fixing it but getting a hold of the specific part I need cost more than it would be worth in the end.” Cammy lamented pulling the launcher off of the wall laying it on the counter.
“Store policy you know, if it won’t send ‘em to Hell I won’t sell.” Cammy sniggered pushing the launcher into Merlynn’s hands. “You know what, take it. It’s on the house.” Cammy smiled whole heartedly then immediately hung a fifty caliber rifle on the wall where the launcher was previously mounted. “ Really!?” Merlynn giddily asked bouncing. “Yeah why not I already rotated stock. If you still want it that is.” Cammy shrugged leaning back on the counter.
“Thanks Cam! I’ll bring it back by after I fix it. I’ve wanted one of these for a while now and it’s perfect just the way it is!” Merlynn exclaimed in glee. “Your welcome darling! Now fill me in on some gossip. How are you and Nick doin?” Cammy asked with a sincere smile. “We aren’t actually. We both want different things in the end.” Merlynn answered in a somber tone. “Damn Lynn, I’m sorry to hear that. Probably for the best though, seeing as he’s always running around doing the Hero gig.” Cammy apologized pulling out a small flask from her back pocket taking a sip. “It’s fine Cam, least we’re not hurting each other anymore.” Merlynn replied snatching the flask from Cammy, taking a bit more than a sip. “Hey now I’ll have to charge you for that!” Cammy reacted with a bit of heat. “Come on, we both know you stop by the Addled Mimic every day for a free meal and refill, a little sip isn’t going to kill you.”
“Lynn, it’s damn near half empty now. Speaking of the Mimic, I figured you and Claire would have become an item. I’ve seen the way you two act when your together.” Cammy assumed shaking her flask and raising a wry eyebrow. “I want to I’ve just been afraid to ask.” Merlynn admitted blushing a bit. “We’ve noticed that too. Lynn, the girl is beyond infatuated, the way she hangs on your every word and the longing look in her eyes when you leave says it all.” Cammy butted in pointing her chubby index finger at Merlynn.
“Look Lynn, I know it’s easy to fall back into bad hobbits, habits!! You were in a desolate place after Bo passed and credit to Nick’s moniker he seemed to arrive just in time picking you up and breaking you out of your funk. What developed between you two was unhealthy though. You wanted Bo…and Nick was most certainly not Bo, and furthermore Nick only ever wants one thing. Don’t let the chance of real love pass you by because your too afraid to let go of the past and try something new.” Cammy crossed her thick arms affirming her feelings on the matter.
“Thank you ‘Father’ I truly love our confessionals.” Merlynn thanked her adding plenty of salt. “Anytime my child. Just bring yo’ fine ass back here to church and we’ll sing some Hymns. Now can I getcha anythin else?” Cammy asked batting her weighted eyelashes again. “I think that’s enough for today, I’ll see you when I get back from my trip!” Merlyn replied her voice a bit irritated, as she bid Cammy goodbye. After packing up her new toys in her bikes saddle bags, she grumbled into the wind off to her next destination.
While owning the Addled Mimic and her apartment, Merlynn did not own the lot the bar rested on, nor the building that her apartment was built in. She still had to pay rent for both locations of which she had a miserable monthly reminder in the form of a grizzled old man wearing an expensive suit and hat, pawing a simple but elegant cane, whom was currently watching her screech to a halt standing in front of the Addled Mimic. “Good afternoon, Miss Merlynn.” The old man all but growled through his groomed salty beard. “Afternoon Mr. Reamus. I see your in your Monopoly Man costume, getting in the spirit early are we?” Merlynn quickly jabbed at him with a sharp grin. “Your humor is tiresome as ever, Miss Merlynn. Can we refrain from our usual banter, as lovely as it is, it grows ever more annoying this season.” Mr. Reamus scoffed removing his hat from atop his head. “By all means roll the dice.” Merlynn snickered quickly.
“If you must then.” Mr. Reamus sighed audibly. “My coming here today is two-fold. These past few years you’ve formed a habitual pattern of making your payments late the closer it gets to this season. The first couple instances were a week then two later. However, the latter year you were late by over a month! Then I hear tale that around this time you’ve been leaving on trips going God knows where.” Mr. Reamus began raising his voice then coughed once clearing his throat, settling his tone back to mildly annoyed. “I am here to correct that and collect what is owed else my hand will be forced. Secondly about the company you keep.” Mr. Reamus prattled on until Merlynn forced her own hand in his face, moving closer to tower over him. “What about my friends?” Merlynn asked with an impervious scowl.
“What you do in your establishment is one thing, but you will do good to keep those super powered individuals away from mine.” Mr. Reamus glared into her with golden eyes meeting her gaze fully without backing down. “My friends will always be welcome in my home and that will never change.” Merlynn spoke with absolution. “Then the damages they cause will be reflected on you.” Mr. Reamus answered in absolution. “Fine by me. I’ll pay the banker.” Merlynn growled forcing an obscene amount of money into the old man’s weathered grasp. “A pleasure doing business with you as always, Witch.” Mr. Reamus beamed with a toothy grin, abruptly taking his leave by a blacked out car he hailed nearing the curbside. “Till we are forced to meet once more.” Mr. Reamus added closing the car door behind him before the car unceremoniously drove off. Merlynn seethed in place shaking in anger, the lingering word of Witch bothering her visibly.
“Lynn?” A sweet woman’s petite voice called out in concern holding open the door to the Addled Mimic. Merlynn snapped back to reality as her eyes fixated on a gorgeous slender woman holding back long silver bangs that drooped over her scarlet eyes. Her skin was notably pale in the dim light of the doorway, making her blushing red cheeks all the more noticeable. “Claire!” Merlynn gushed as she briskly approached her. “Are you okay?” Claire asked showing Merlynn through the door. “I’m way better now that I know you’re here. I didn’t think you were working today.” Merlynn smiled happily as the two walked to the bar proper. “ Corey asked some of us if we wanted extra hours that he and Daisy would be busier since it was closer to your trip.” Claire answered walking around the bar fetching Merlynn a beer and popping the cap off with just her thumb. “Awww how thoughtful.” Merlynn cooed taking a sip from the beer. The two sat in silence, Claire twiddling with a strand of white hair as she watched Merlynn drink deeper into her beer. “Lynn…will you tell me why…it bothered you so much when that man called you a witch?” Claire asked dropping her gaze to the floor. “I’ll tell you only if you come sit by me.” Merlynn finally answered pulling away from the last sip of her beer. Claire happily nodded grabbing another beer for Merlynn as she sat down beside her brushing her hip against Merlynn’s.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Long ago, when I was significantly shorter and stupid beyond my years I had a Master who taught me and Morgana everything we wanted to know about magic. Morgana was amazing when it came to things like the history of magic and the more complicated mechanics of magic but lacked in actually practice. I was always terrible with stuff like that so I had to study my butt off, barely scraping by when it came to the written work of it all. In practical use though I was beyond a natural. On our first day of practical training we were supposed to set fire to a hay bale by making a small flame, like a lighter or lit candle. I turned mine into ash, slinging a beach ball sized fireball at it before Morgana had even finished her incantation. I honestly think that’s when out relationship started to sour. We both continued training under him until our sixteenth birthday.” Merlynn recalled as she unknowingly cuddled closer to Claire.
“Was it a special time? Like your coming of age or something?” Claire asked while Merlynn sipped on her new beer. “ Sorry I didn’t mean to make it sound like that. It being our sixteenth wasn’t important, what was however was our Master telling us both that we learned everything he could teach us and that it would be up to use to continue our studies on our own. He had wished to celebrate with the both of us but Morgana declined him coldly, promptly leaving upon graduating.” Merlynn paused lighting a smoke before finishing her second beer. Claire furled her brow in distaste profusely waving smoke away from her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t even think…” Merlynn quickly apologized holding her smoking hand away. “It’s fine, please finish.” Claire coughed once. “My Master had one trick left up his sleeve he hadn’t shown either of us yet, wanting to save it for a special occasion. After gathering up the materials we needed we performed an elaborate ritual together that allowed us to view a moment in time. The ritual wrapped us in a bubble like field and flung us to a specific moment in time, during the witch trials of Salem. The ritual itself was not intended for actual time travel, but instead was supposed to allow us to see history but not actually interfere.” Merlynn continued, slowly reaching for Claire’s hand. Claire smiled softly accepting her hand. “I take it something went wrong.” Claire suggested leaning to look Merlynn in her eyes. “Terribly so, it was the first time I actually realized the stupid legend was real. I had leaned against the wall of the bubble trying to get a closer look at some puritans building a witch’s pyre. When I placed both hands against it the bubble popped dropping us physically within that time. I freaked out as my Master paced flabbergasted at what could have went wrong. The commotion we made quickly drew the attention of the puritans whom immediately cast us as witches capturing us both. As they tried dragging me away my Master lost control of his anger blasting the two men who held me away wreathing them in flame. I then watched as he sacrificed his own blood and name to break the ritual so it would recoil, sending me back. As I felt the spell pulling me backwards I screamed in absolute terror as I heard the men and women chant ‘witch’ over and over as they tied my Master to the pyre setting him ablaze. In his last moments before the fire consumed him I heard his words on the wind before the spell spat me back into our time, in his now empty cottage.” Merlynn finished beading tears in her eyes.
“Lynn, I am so sorry.” Claire sobbed alongside her pulling Merlynn’s hands to her supple chest. “I never knew you were hurting this much. Please if you ever need me I’m here for you.” Claire pulled herself closer to Merlynn leaning her forehead against hers. “I’ll always be here for you.” Claire whispered softly. “I would like that…” Merlynn softly responded lifting her eyes to meet Claire’s before leaning in kissing her deeply. “Wow…” Claire cooed blushing nearly as hard a she was fumbling over her words. “Was that okay?” Merlynn asked more timid than a rabbit. Claire responded by throwing herself onto Merlynn pushing her way into another deep kiss. “I second that wow!” Merlynn grinned through locked lips and quick gasps. “Ahem! Sorry got a bit carried away.” Claire blushed even harder pulling away. “Don’t be it made me extremely happy.” Merlynn smiled wrapping her hand around Claire’s holding it in her lap.
The two sat in bliss while more customers came in, each being greeted by a different server. “I think I might need to get back to work.” Claire admitted slightly embarrassed. “Oh sorry about that I hope I didn’t get you in trouble.” Merlynn worriedly apologized. “Don’t worry I think I’ll be okay. I am pretty close to the owner now and all.” Claire grinned standing up adjusting her uniform. Merlynn smiled wickedly as she pulled Claire into a quick kiss. “Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?” Merlynn asked lingering on the word ‘join’. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Claire accepted with an excited smile. Merlynn watched wrapped in happiness as Claire loftily meandered to the kitchen deftly dodging trays of food and drink as if it were reflex. Merlynn leaned on the bar propping her chin up from the weight of her smile. She then squeed wriggling happily in her own achievement until her moment was interrupted by two drunk dick heads who stood over another bar patron aggressively coming onto her.
She watched closely as the woman did her best to ignore them by burying her nose in her book like an ostrich until one of the men pushed the book flat on the table leaning his face near hers. She flailed her hand while holding her nose at the sheer reek of the man’s breath. As Merlynn turned prepping a spell to eaves drop on their conversation, the woman abruptly stood pushing her thin rimmed glasses through her short jet black hair and snatched her book from the table tucking it under her arm as she huffed angrily out the door. When the two men decided to follow her too eagerly out the door Merlynn rose quickly from her seat as did her own anger.
She hurried out the doors narrowing her heated gaze around the corner of the building to the right as she glimpsed the rushed feet of the two men just slip by. “Leave me alone!” the woman screamed in a high octave followed by the agonizing tatter of cloth. The woman’s scream fueled Merlynn’s beating steps as she trained her summoned staff on the first man he saw. “Drop the girl dirtbag!” Merlynn’s voice boomed as a rush of kinetic energy ripped from the tip of Merlynn’s staff knocking the closet man ten feet into the air and onto the hood of an abandoned car. The man lay cold and unmoving as his friend screamed his name. “I’ll kill you for that bitch!” The second man roared drawing a long knife from his pocket. He then lunged for Merlynn as quick as he could manage. “Freeze in place, Ondine!” Merlynn called forth beckoning a spout of water swelling the man in a column that drug him to its center as he fought against it. Then a sliver of water pulled away from the column twisting into the beautiful image of a nymph whom reached out with one finger freezing the column solid upon her touch. The nymph then seductively walked to Merlynn on a rising wave to receive a kiss. Upon being kissed the Nymph released her watery form falling to the ground as plain water once again.
“Are you okay?” Merlynn asked draping her coat over the half naked woman. “Stay away from me!” the woman screamed in shock. Merlynn dropped to her knees looking her in the eyes. She was smaller than Merlynn thought originally, roughly around the same size as Gloria she noted as she softened her voice. “How old are you?” Merlynn asked as motherly as she could. “ Eighteen.” the girl squeeked lifting her head revealing her terrified brown eyes. “ My name is Merlynn, I have a daughter named Gloria about your age.” Merlynn spoke in a soothing voice as she rubbed the girls small back. “I’m Jane.” She squeaked again fully raising her face with a quivering lip. “Your not a pervert are you?” Jane asked giving Merlynn a wry look. “Why the hell would you think that?” Merlynn shot up irritated. “I saw you snogging that cute lady earlier and heard one of you mentioning being the owner.” Jane replied attempting to cross her arms but were trapped by the long sleeves of Merlynn’s coat. “Dropping eaves is bad you know.” Merlynn grunted helping the girl up. “What were you doing in the bar after hours young lady?” Merlynn asked crossing her own arms. “I got caught up reading my new book, and no one else has given me any fuss before. They won’t sell me beer or liquor still but least they let me stay long as I keep to myself and order something here and there.” Jane admitted showing Merlynn the book.
“Hey this is the sequel to the My Sexy-Ed Teacher! I didn’t know it was out already!” Merlynn squealed in joy. “Yeah I just got it today. I was planning on waiting till I got home to read it but my landlord called and said a fire had broken out in the building and my apartment was compromised. So I parked my butt at the Addled Mimic and read while trying to figure out where I would be staying for the next few days.” Jane reluctantly admitted pulling Merlynn’s coat tighter. “I live pretty close by if you’d like to stay at my place for the time being.” Merlynn offered with an open hand. “I don’t have any money to give you else I would have rented a hotel room or something.” Jane murmured nervously. “That’s fine, just let me borrow your book when you’re done with it and we will call it even.” Merlynn smiled sincerely. Jane nodded fervently as she felt the cold getting to her. Merlynn giggled leading her out of the alley and onto her bike. “Hey what about that guy you froze?” Jane asked worried. “He should already be thawing out, I recalled Ondine early so she wouldn’t kill him.” Merlynn answered revving her bike to life. “Who!” Jane asked as Merlynn took off like a bat out of hell. The two screamed into the cold dusk as the sun slowly dipped behind them.