Lilac Valley

Not a Drill

"I thought the shield would have been taken down by now," Autumn says. "This is the longest it's been up since we were kids."

"There haven't been any more attacks," Marty points out.

"That's because our mayor hates humans," Con says. "Apparently, our mayor hates everyone who isn't a witch, warlock, or fairy."

"Not true," Carter disagrees. "And you have your fair share of hate for humans."

"I'm working on that." He looks at Eddie.

"So we thought everyone could ring in the New Year at our apartment," Autumn changes the subject. "Just the six of us and Kyle and Winter."

"Sounds good," Eddie says.

"Sounds great," Carter says.

"Sounds fantastic," Con says.

~

"One minute he loves her, the next minute he can't stand her, what's up with that?" Marty asks.

"Con doesn't know how to deal with emotions," Autumn explains. "His dad is a minister. It's always bury deep. Be a man. It's definitely the reaction to finding out Carter's dad is..."

"Hateful to a lot of people?" Marty suggests.

"Yeah," Autumn answers. "And Carter is so headstrong, he'll never see anyone else's point of view."

"Perfect for a politician," Marty says.

"This isn't a joke." Marty very rarely hears Autumn's serious voice. "This can go on forever. You didn't listen to her go on about dating Con and Eddie and I think she might've liked Carter at one point. Amber might tear our friend group apart. She cheated on Eddie with Con and...now she's marrying Eddie and we'll have to take care of it. He's your brother. Do something."

"This is not a drill! This is not a drill! Turn off all lights! Lock your doors! This is an Anti-Magic Warning!"

Autumn and Marty look at each other. They turn off their bedside lamps. They run down the hall and shut Winter's door behind them. She is fast asleep. They sit against the wall across from her bed. Marty puts his arm around Autumn.

"Should we hide under the bed?" Autumn whispers. Marty hushes her. They wait for another announcement.

~

Con and Eddie hide in Con's bedroom, on the floor, leaning against the wall.

"Do you remember in kindergarten?" Con asks. Eddie hushes him. "We had our first drill in Miss Cola's class." Eddie hushes him again. "We sat next to each other, so we were under our desks and I brought some toy knights to school and you were really scared and I let you hold them until the drill was over."

"You still have them?" Eddie asks.

"No," Con answers. "But that was the day we became best friends." Eddie smiles. "You can wear my bracelet." Large black beads with a gold wolf charm in the middle. He takes it off and puts it on Eddie's wrist.

"You don't have to," Eddie tries.

"We might be here awhile," Con says.

"You don't want to go and fight?" Eddie asks.

"And leave you unprotected?" Con asks. "Never."

~

"Mom, what's happening?" Kyle enters Amber's room. She hushes him, jumps up, and shuts the door. She returns to the bed. Kyle sits beside his mom.

Amber is on the board.

Should she do something?

Contact the Secretary of Magic?

Call in the National Guard?

"It will be okay." She rubs her son's back. "We will be okay."