Dracosapiens Epilogue: There’s Got to be a Morning After

I trudged slowly up the footpath to an address I knew all too well. I wasn’t sure what to do. Part of me wanted to right the wrong and free Ella from her bonds but on the other hand, I was terrified of letting her go. My girlfriend’s wrath was a force to be reckoned with.1

“What’s the matter Jake?” her mother asked, grabbing hold of my hand. I flinched and squirmed out of her reach. This lie was going to gnaw at my guilt factor for the rest of eternity…or at least until I died. Whichever came first.2

“Jake? Is something the matter?” Ella’s father took a mighty stride to pass me and block the door. I cringed as his shadow loomed over me like a ticking time bomb. Every time I looked him in the eye, it felt like a betrayal. All I saw was my girlfriend’s beheaded parents, now buried under a mountain of soil beneath our battlefield. Roxy’s ability had seen to that. No tombstones, no evidence, it was the price we had to pay.3

“It’s nothing, really,” I murmured, avoiding their prying eyes, “it’s just…been a very trying day is all.” I pretended to be interested in the neighbours to my left, having some sort of footy and BBQ party out front. What I wouldn’t give to join them right now. Their house seemed so much more inviting than this one - the Paul residence reminded me of a Venus Fly Trap. Innocent, bright colours on the outside just begging you to come in and then SNAP! Reality of your situation is discovered just one fraction of a second too late.4

Mr Paul clapped me on the shoulder and barked. “Can’t say I blame you, kid. Saving us from those Magiks - pure heroism that was.” He smiled appreciatively, soaking up what little rays of sunlight the morning had to offer. A frightening storm was brewing around the Paul house and I could only guess that meant my Ella was finally awake. Judging by the black clouds above me, she was beyond pissed. She was livid.5

“Right,” I muttered bitterly, drowning in my own deception, “saved.”6

Mr Paul’s eyes flashed with a similar intuition to his daughters. My heart raced, knowing that I had slipped up. Given away too much, too quickly. Blown my own idea.7

“What do you mean by that?” he demanded sharply, grey eyes narrowed in speculation.8

I floundered pathetically for another lie. “I’m so ashamed,” I responded sadly, drooping my head for effect, “that we couldn’t have helped you out sooner. I should’ve done something. You say I saved you? Maybe…but look how long it took.” Ella’s mother crooned sympathetically from behind me and I immediately felt sick to my stomach. I didn’t deserve her pity, not even an infinitesimal spec of it. She was much too kind and…much too clueless.9

Mr Paul almost started the waterworks and I recoiled in shame. “You’re a good kid, Jake,” he sniffed, chocolate hair falling limply over his brow, “I’m so glad that Ella met you. Maybe some of that goodness will rub off on her, eh?”10

“There’s nothing wrong with Ella,” I groaned, wishing they would stop. They thought of me as some kind of saint, an angel without a tainted mind. They were comparing me to my girlfriend, the true and pure-hearted hero of the story. I could in no way live up to their expectations, body and soul already corrupted by this unspeakable act of fraud and duplicity. “And I can’t bear to hear you bad-mouthing her,” I continued, a pained expression now permanently imprinted upon me.11

“Who’s bad-mouthing?” he asked gruffly, taking a step backward and grabbing hold of a patio beam. A huge pot with a small and twisted tree sat next to him, throwing wonky shadows over his face. The leaves crackled and swished whilst a metallic wind chime above their door started clanging and banging for all its worth. 12

I turned to Mrs Paul hesitantly, her blonde hair dancing in the breeze. The neighbours out front started yelling to run back into the house, collecting beer bottles and sausages in their wake. A few blades of inch long grass whipped around us, uprooted by the strength of these suddenly rampant winds. Rain started to splatter the pavement, sliding down our necks and shoes that squelched with every step. 13

The misty air hung thick with implication, Max and I understood that all too well; he was smirking at his daughter’s antics. “Ella’s a great girl,” he said, glancing casually up at the sky for clarification, “she just needs to get a better handle on her emotions. She‘s ruled entirely by hormones, thus the weather is too.” 14

I stepped hastily under cover, shielding my eyes from the heavy downfall that was now upon us. “She’s perfect the way she is,” I argued, venting off some of my own guilt-ridden steam, “and if you can’t see that, then you must be blind.” Mr Paul blinked in astonishment as I pushed past him for the door. My hand hesitated briefly before turning the knob but I quickly overcame my fear to step over the threshold. Whatever Ella chose to throw at me now - insults, punches or slaps - I more than deserved.15

Clomping through the kitchen, I made my way past the dining room to the second floor. “What’s Jake’s problem this morning?” asked Mrs Paul in a hushed voice; I guess she thought I couldn’t hear. “Do you think something happened to him? He’s been acting odd around us ever since we regained consciousness.”16

I stopped on the staircase, one foot frozen in mid-air. My hand tightened feverishly on the railing, knuckles white with tension. “I dunno, honey,” he sighed, plonking along behind her, “but having to experience something like that when he’s so young, it was bound to take its toll on the boy. Funny though, I don’t recall ever being knocked out.”17

My heart skipped a beat. Ella’s mother snickered heartily; she had reached the first step. “Well of course you wouldn’t remember, they would’ve hit us from behind.” I relaxed for a moment, sighing in relief. I gained three more steps before pausing again. Mr Paul just wouldn’t let it go.18

“Yes, but that doesn’t explain the time difference now does it, Jessica? I doubt we were unconscious for a whole night.”19

“Maybe it was a spell,” she huffed, exasperated now. “Whatever it was, I’m not going to even try to understand it. I don’t want to imagine my Ella being involved in something like that. It‘s just awful.”20

“Yeah,” he agreed, finally giving up, “it is a scary thought.” I made it to the second landing with sweaty palms and shaking knees. This was all too much.21

I directed Ella’s parents to their daughter’s bedroom with a grim satisfaction. Tyson had propped a chair against her door as an extra precaution and I could already tell that it hadn’t been moved. Accompanied with the unique storm surrounding this particular neighbourhood, I knew Ella was still safely inside. 22

Although her parents didn’t approve of our methods either, they were still pleased that Tyson and I had put in so much effort to prevent her from going off alone. As far as they knew, we had knocked Ella out, tied her to a chair, cloned her without knowledge and then let destiny take its course. We could hardly erase their memories, so since they had seen our Fake Ella die, we had to create a lie that tied her in accordingly, and it wasn’t easy. Our end result was that Alexis can only clone another member of the Dracosapiens - so Ella’s parents wouldn’t grow suspicious should they somehow remember having a knife at their throats - and that Luke could absorb her ability. Once Fake Ella had served her purpose and our group had discovered the information we wanted, all of us stepped in to fight them off and save her parents, whom we found ‘unconscious’ by the time we arrived.23

Thump.24

Mrs Paul jumped in fright. We were standing in the middle of Ella’s room, carefully avoiding the mess that littered her floor. It was a good thing the Paul family didn’t keep pets - you could lose an elephant underneath all of this.25

“Mmrhmph!” came a muffled cry from behind her closet, followed by another determined thump. The closet door flew open and inside was -26

“Oh, Ella!” her mother cried in dismay, sinking to the floor. Her daughter was sitting on a wooden chair, her legs tied with ropes and her hands bound firmly behind her back. A white handkerchief was wrapped tightly around her mouth and her eyes were shrewd, squinting with hatred. But no force could keep Ella quiet for very long. As we stood in the centre of her room - her parents frozen in fear and confusion - Ella shook her head back and forth, squirming uselessly against her bonds. Finally she wriggled enough to edge the handkerchief out of her mouth. Then she growled, “Jake, you are so dead.”27

Holding my breath in the event she threw me against the wall with one of her wind attacks, I edged slowly toward her chair. I dropped nervously to my knees and unknotted the ropes coiled around Ella’s fragile, ivory toned legs. Then I removed her gag, sorely praying that she wouldn’t bite me. “Better untie my hands next Jake,” she hissed as I tossed the soggy material to the floor,, “I’m gonna need them to strangle you.”28

I smiled sadly. Ella’s reaction was a thousand fold worse than expected. Rubbing her wrists where the ropes had cut in she snarled, “you tied me to a chair Jake. Consider us officially through!” Her words were sharp as razors, cutting through to the very core of me and bringing forth a little fight.29

“But Ella!” I protested, not wanting it to go down this way. “We did it because we care about you. It was for your own good!” Her answering call was a slap across my face and a hefty kick in my calf. I fell to the floor, writhing in pain, hands wrapped tightly around my sore spot.30

“Ouch, Ella. That hurt.”31

“Good,” she thundered, standing over me haughtily. “That’s the general idea when somebody intends to inflict pain.”32

“Mmmr. You’re being ridiculous Ella,” I groaned, waiting for the agony to fade. She had one bare foot placed on my heaving chest and an expression that would frighten small children. Eyes watering with pain I noticed a thin trail of blood around her wrists and ankles; Tyson‘s knots had wound their way into her flesh. No wonder she was angry.33

“Here, Ella,” I offered, trying to stand. Instead, she pushed me down harder with her foot. “But Ella…,” I whispered, taking a heavy, emotional blow to the heart, “I can help you. Please. Let me fix this.”34

“Oh I see,” she crowed sarcastically. “Like how you helped me before? Go to hell Jake, this relationship is over.” She pressed her foot deeper into my chest and I felt one of my ribs give way. CRACK! Yep, definitely broken.35

“Ella, stop that!” her mother shrieked, crawling over to me in fright. “Stop it right now!” Ella grimaced for a moment, considering the options, and removed her foot.36

“At least you got something right,” she threw at me begrudgingly. Mrs Paul put her hands behind my back for support. Now that I was sitting upright, my rib was already mending, I could feel it in my bones. I smirked at my unintentional humour as Ella turned to her family looking sour. “You guys…okay?” Mrs Paul rolled a pair of hazel eyes at her daughter’s concern.37

“Yes, we are,” her father answered coldly, folding his arms in reproval. “So you, young missy, should apologise. If it wasn’t for Jake’s idea, we’d all be dead right now. The boy‘s a hero and he doesn‘t deserve your attitude.” Ella hung her head in shame. The wind and rain changed direction, splashing against her glass windows again and again. Salty tears rolled down her face and the rain pelted down harder on the rooftops.38

“Oh I bet this is just eating away at you,” Gordon muttered softly, a faint mocking to his tone. “Can’t say that you don’t deserve it either. Poor girl doesn‘t even know of the torment she should be enduring right now.”39

“Yeah, well, nobody asked for your opinion now did they?”40

Ella looked just about ready to punch me in the face. “EXCUSE ME?!” Oops I thought bashfully, guess I must have said that last part out loud.41

I hastily tried to do some damage control, waving my hands frantically in defence. In a fight against Ella, it was practically all I could do. “No, not you Ella,” I fumbled sheepishly. “I was talking to Gordon. Honest.” The girl was so unfair sometimes. Sure, if she was talking to her dragon and said something out of turn by mistake it’d be okay but oh no, not if I did it. Whatever happened to equality of the sexes? Did that somehow not apply to ethereal talking dragon spirits?42

I got quickly to my feet, running a hand through tousled black locks. Doing anything and everything to prevent her from getting mad. Mrs Paul followed in my lead; I gave her a hand in getting up from the clothing-strewn floor. She tripped and lost her balance a couple of times as she stood on and snapped a few pencils, but she got to an eventual standing position in the end. 43

A large A3 piece of paper crackled beneath her sole and I brushed her lightly to the side in interest. She had been squashing one of Ella’s sketchbooks from Art Class. The drawing on that first page was so detailed, so exquisite, it must have taken Ella hours to perfect it. I leaned down to smooth out the folds and creases before gasping in astonishment. I had been so absorbed by its intricacy that I hadn’t even seen what the picture held. It was us, frozen in time by a skilful hand and 2B pencil. Ella and I were kissing passionately under a full moon, hand in hand by Sheridan Lake. The moon’s pallid light reflected off the gentle waves of the water, grass blades matted in all directions by our weight. Her attention to detail was shocking.44

“Oh honey,” her mother cooed, looking over my shoulder to see the drawing. “It’s just so lovely. I had no idea you were so…good at this.” Ella’s eyes narrowed sharply and she snatched the page out of my trembling hands. She ripped it in half, then into quarters, then into eighths.45

I frowned at her in disapproval. “Ella, what the hell -?”46

My apparently ex-girlfriend started breathing very heavily through her nose. “Count down from ten,” she muttered under her breath, voice barely audible over the thunder. Several spokes of lightning flashes across the sky outside, illuminating the awful strain on her cherubic face. She dropped the pieces and they floated gently down onto the floor, some flipped to become blank, others appearing like a disjointed jigsaw. “Just close your eyes and count back from ten,” she repeated, hands falling loosely to her sides. As her breathing finally eased, the rain petered out and the surrounding storm clouds faded into nothingness. Bright rays of early morning sun shone through the glass panels, sparkling with water drops and tiny rainbows. When she had ultimately calmed down, Ella politely asked if her parents could leave the room. Mr Paul fidgeted uneasily, not willing to leave me alone with a crazed adolescent female. That sweet, innocent smile of hers was more unsettling than her glare.47

“If…that’s what you really need,” replied her mother uncertainly, taking in her new-found tranquillity. “We’ll be downstairs if you need us,” she continued hastily, looking only at me. “Play nice, Ella.”48

“Of course mother,” she laughed breezily. “Whenever have I not?” Mrs Paul clasped her lips together and shut the door behind them. I was in the dragon’s den now, completely alone to be used as Ella, the Dracosapien saw fit. She paced for several moments, indicating that I should sit, silently, on the bed. I obliged without question.49

“So…,” she began awkwardly. “Good to see that you are - erm - alive.”50

“Are you though?” I asked a little frostily, scratching my elbow. “Because the whole blow to my leg and face thing gave me some pretty mixed signals.”51

“Guess I deserved that,” she sighed, collapsing heavily onto a pile of clothes. “Anyway, what I’m trying to say to you is…thank you.” I gave her a disbelieving look and she continued. “You saved people who are very important to me Jake, even though their lives hold no real value for you. So, I’m saying thanks and…whatever.”52

“Whatever?” I chuckled, despite the knot now clenching in my stomach. A sense of dread was overwhelming my mind as if something horrendous lay just around the corner.53

“Yes,” she responded stiffly, hiding her emotions behind a meticulous composed mask. “Whatever.” 54

Her tone grew very sharp all of a sudden, a touch of fury showing through. “And don’t think this changes anything between us, either,” she growled, waggling a finger in my direction. “I’m serious Jake. I can’t forgive you for that. Ever. We’re through. Done.”55

“Finito?” I murmured weakly. 56

Ella nodded briskly, no humour underlying her expression. “Exactly Jake. There’s just no coming back from something like that.” And then, without warning, it swept over me, the dreadful truth, more completely and undeniably than it had until this moment. Ella was breaking up with me, she’d never be mine to hold again. There was so much I had never asked her, so much I should have said…all that time wasted on useless things when I could have been pouring my heart out to the girl I loved. And now it was too late.57

She glided over to one of the draws by her bedside to lift out a shiny, silver and purple object I immediately recognised. The necklace I had given to her for her sixteenth. The day it had all began. The day everything went wrong.58

She handed me the unwanted present with a watery smile. “I know that’s not why you gave it to me Jake, but…I can’t bear to keep it because of….” She never even finished the sentence. I clutched the cold necklace in my hand so tightly that it hurt, its sharp points carving through my skin. I could not prevent the hot, traitorous tears spilling from her eyes and nor could she. I looked away from Ella to stare blankly out the window, not really seeing anything.59

“Is this it then?” I whispered quietly, turning to her in remorse. She was wiping away the few traitor tears that had escaped with the back of her hand. Her lashes were thick and wet and I felt a familiar sting behind my own. “You don’t love me anymore? Is that it?” Ella shied away from my determined glance, but I wasn’t letting her leave in silence. “Say it Ella. If that’s how you honestly feel, then say it to my face. Tell me straight up that you don’t love me anymore!” More silence. “Damn it, Ella!” I moaned. “Please! This is infuriating! Why can’t you just -”60

“I don’t love you anymore.”61

“What?” I choked, not daring to believe my ears.62

She took a deep breath and then tried again, stepping forward to show me the ringing truth behind her words. “I said - I said I don’t have feelings for you anymore. That part of me is gone.”63

“I see.” My words sounded so formal and uncaring; it had to be the numbness and shock kicking in. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to react. Was the guy meant to beg on his hands and knees for forgiveness or simply walk out the door without another glance, knowing that her mind was made up? I didn’t move. I tried to turn my emotions into gentle whispers on my tongue, but all I managed to squeeze out was, “Ella…I…”64

“You know what I wish for?” she mumbled sadly, picking morosely at her chin. I shook my head, not really wanting to know. She lifted her wrists gently and blew on the sores Tyson and I had created in our haste. I pursed my lips, not trusting myself to speak. Poor Ella. I had left her trapped, bleeding and alone in a closet. What the hell was I thinking? Surely there could have been an easier alternative?65

“In all honesty, Jake,” said Gordon, stepping in, “I think that really was the only option. Any other human girl and you could have just locked them in a basement or something but Ella is smart, she’d find a way to break loose and more than that, the girl has super powers. Keeping her locked in a room wouldn’t hold her for very long. I’m not saying your method was right - if it were me I’d never trust you again - but yes, I get what you were trying to do for her.”66

It was nice to know that at least somebody thought of my intentions as good, even if their opinion didn’t count in her books; they counted in mine. I wondered vaguely what Ella was going to say to Tyson tomorrow, since he played such a major part in our scheme. Would she reject his friendship completely now? They already fought each other on everything, I shuddered to think what would happen if the fights got worse. Which of course was why Tyson had offered to give the others a lift home today and pass the Paul residence altogether. The guy was such a coward.67

“Says the one who was too afraid to even cross the threshold because his girlfriend was inside,” chuckled Gordon, stopping me in my paces. I scowled at him but didn’t respond. It was a wise move on my behalf, I couldn’t be sure how much dignity I had left.68

“Jake?” prodded Ella sadly. “Are you still listening?”69

I snapped out of the conversation and grimaced; my face just wouldn’t let me smile now. I nodded briefly, trying to remember where our last conversation had ended so I didn’t appear confused. I fought back every urge to race for the door and slam it behind me, every impulse to beg for another chance and every itch just to grab hold of her face between my hands, kiss her and let everything be alright. But that ship had long since sailed so I sat on her bed patiently, waiting for her to speak.70

Ella twiddled her thumbs meekly, jagged locks of dark brown hair standing wildly in all directions. I felt my stomach unknot as I took in her hair, that sweet, pale face of hers and pouting red lips. “I wish we could just go back to the way things were,” she groaned in longing. “Just friends, you know? No complications between us and -”71

“I could do that.”72

Ella blinked, a single tear rolling down her left cheek. “You don’t mean that Jake,” she said quietly, shaking her head. “Staying friends after a relationship…that never works. It’s like the coward’s way out of a break-up. Something to say just to soften the blow when in reality, it only makes it worse.” She scooped up the drawing pieces and tried putting them back together. It was almost symbolism for how we stood as a couple now. Broken and trying to find a way to come back from it, to heal the rips and tears of our relationship.73

“Ella, listen to me,” I begged, wondering where on earth my words were coming from. “I would do anything for you, and if a friend is all you want right now,” - I cringed - “then that’s all I’ll ever be. As long as I still get to be with you then I‘m…happy.” That last part didn’t sound right to me, but I wasn’t about to object to it if there was even the smallest chance that Ella would accept my reasoning.74

She smiled angelically, lashes thick and wet from all her tears. “I’d like that,” she whispered softly. “But only if you can put up with me for a little longer.” She pretended to look concerned. I slid off the bed and hugged her tightly, afraid to let go. I moved my hands skilfully down from her shoulders and back to her elbows. I went further, reaching for her tiny, bony wrists to push a fraction of my energy into her pulsing wounds. I held out my hand to see if she would let me heal her ankles as well. Her answering smile of appreciation was dazzling. It stopped my heart for a moment. I had to wrestle back the desire to throw her to the ground and kiss her more passionately than I ever had before…and succeeded.75

Her gaze was questioning as she took in my fanatical gleam and heaving chest. “Something wrong?” she asked, perturbed by the sudden change in mood.76

“No, not really,” I panted breathlessly, “Gordon just said something amusing is all.”77

“Oh sure,” he scowled, “blame the dragon for your raging hormones. It’s not like he has feelings.”78

I chuckled dryly. “Oh yeah, he’s a real riot.”79

“So…um,” Ella fumbled pathetically. “What happens now?” There was silence for a moment, we looked around the room for some sort of flashing sign to save us from the awkwardness. Tiny motes danced pleasantly through the rays of sunlight shining through her window, now dry of all rain. I looked to the floor and saw a lacy undergarment that was rather appealing to me. Ella coughed loudly and raised her eyebrow in suggestion. I turned hastily in the opposite direction, acting as if I hadn’t even seen her flaunty underwear. She didn’t buy it.80

That’s when I noticed the black and red bra hanging from one of the wall racks, a pale white one with butterflies near her pillow and a shiny pink one on the top of her laundry basket. My stomach purred, lusting for the garments I would never be able to see on her. I swear they were mocking me, saying, “oh look at me Jake, look at me. Look what you’re missing out on.” I glowered hatefully at my shoes, the only place safe to look at for the time being.81

“We really need something to entertain ourselves,” Ella mumbled sourly, myself in full agreement.82

“And…Tyson enters through curtain number three.” A dramatic voice that was all too familiar popped eagerly through the window. The panels were thrown wide and Tyson climbed easily over the sill, stretching lazily as he moved into the far corner. He was dressed in a plain white singlet and tattered jeans, a pair of flashing rainbow sunnies perched amongst his golden spikes. I could tell he was wearing the same shoes as he had last night, the thick layer of cacked mud on the bottom a dead give away.83

“Hello ladies,” said another friend, I knew instantly knew to be Luke. His blazing red hair stood out against the green foliage and blue skies behind him. “What‘s crack-a-lackin?”84

“Not much,” I shrugged, hoping I wouldn’t have to go into detail. “But there’s only one girl in here. I’m a boy.”85

“Nope,” he disagreed, scanning the room carefully. “All I see is two ladies and Mr Super.” Tyson guffawed stupidly, standing as far away from Ella as the room would allow. Ella blushed and muttered something under her breath. Next second, a huge gust of wind swept around the room, gathering her clothes into a pile before being tossed into the closet behind her.86

“Sorry,” she muttered. “I don’t usually leave stuff lying around.” Liar, I thought. Ella’s room was always a sty.87

“I think she is referring to the bras and underwear you apparently keep drooling over,” Gordon suggested slyly. “I must say, you are quite the perve.”88

I flushed but otherwise ignored the comment, watching Ella lean backward to shut the closet door with a snap. Luke hoisted himself into the room now, to stand several feet away on the other side of the window, almost as if he were waiting for somebody else. Just how many people were planning to sneak in this way? 89

Luke was wearing an ochre shirt, grey shorts, a pair of hiking boots and a long, silver medallion around his neck. He looked like your stereotypical explorer, then again, he was an archaeologist. 90

“Might we cut in?” asked Peter politely, head suddenly jumping into view. Instead of climbing in however, he simply leaned his arms across the sill as if it were the most relaxing position in the world. I knew it couldn’t be, I mean, how did they even climb up to the second story in the first place, let along hang there? Their ribs had to be severely bruised.91

“Well this just keeps getting better and better,” Ella laughed. “I’m really starting to feel like a minority.”92

“As you should,” Tyson agreed. “Guys trump girls in practically everything.”93

“Oh really?” she smirked, raising an eyebrow dubiously. “Care to put your money where your mouth is then?”94

Tyson backed off straight away. “Nope, sorry. Can’t. Real shame. Peter and I are going to one of Luke’s parties today. That’s why we’re here. Figured Jake might need a lift.” He tossed me a wink and I grinned. A party with the guys was exactly what I needed right now. Something to take my mind off the bad and focus on the good.95

“Don’t you be flying home drunk then,” Ella growled.96

“Yes mother,” Tyson griped. “Seriously, you worry too much.” He walked over and yanked me to my feet. “Come on, man. Let’s go.”97

“Bye Ella,” I muttered, letting him push me toward the exit. “See you whenever.” Tyson shoved me briskly out of the window and right before I could snap my neck, he wrapped one arm around my torso and stopped me from pulverising my own face. One never fully appreciated the dirt and grass until they were just inches away from collision. 98

“So how’d it go?” he asked, helping me to my feet. He looked genuinely concerned.99

“Not good I’m afraid. She dumped me.”100

“Ah,” he moaned in understanding. Peter and Luke were instantly behind us. “Sorry J, that sucks out loud. I know how much you like her.”101

I shrugged. “Ah well, this stuff happens I guess. I can’t keep juggling a girlfriend, homework and a super hero identity.”102

“I hear ya,” Tyson nodded fervently. “I can’t wait for graduation. Then we‘ll be kicking ass twenty-four seven.”103

“Some of us like to actually sleep you know,” Peter cut in. “You know, key to our survival and all that.”104

“Details, details,” Luke laughed with a causal wave of his hand. It was just like having two Tysons. “None of that matters right now. Today, we are here to celebrate beating those Magiks to a bloodied pulp and having left them to scurry away with tails between their legs.”105

“You’re acting like it was a victory,” I answered coldly. “Or did you forget what that battle cost? Face it, we’re weak. Sure we beat them, again, but on both occasions none of us even had had the guts to finish the job. We’re pathetic and Ella’s parents are dead because of it.” A frantic scurrying to my left had me instantly on guard. Someone or something was hiding within the bushes. The four of us stepped forward and with a shriek, Mrs Paul ran back into the house, the family’s mail gripped tightly in one hand. She had heard every word.106