Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight

Chapter 8

Soon after taking the test, Danny learned that Chris, Doug, Matt, and Alonso had also passed it. However, due to his overwhelming excitement, the rest of the school year passed slower than Danny would have thought possible.

Yet the school year did end as Spring transitioned into summer's sunny days, marking the last day of school.

Jumping off the bus, Danny sprinted across the road, crossed his yard, and entered his house. He'd finished packing a week ago. The pamphlet had advised prospective students to pack only the essentials, suggesting that everything else would be provided once they arrived at the Academy of Light. Danny also packed a change of warm clothing at the suggestion of Sabrina's father. The journey would be a cold one.

Grabbing his loaded backpack, Danny slipped the dagger he'd received as a gift from Tyramear into a side pocket. He sat near the door, rhythmically tapping his foot, waiting for his mother to return from work so that his adventure could begin.

Thirty-one minutes later, the familiar jingle of keys announced her arrival.

Danny ran to the door and yanked it open before his mother could even put the key in the lock.

Startled, Patricia Firoth placed her hand on her chest, "Danny, you almost scared me to death."

"Sorry," said Danny, he added, "Can we go now?" even before the sincerity of his apology could register.

"Can I at least come in and put my things in the house first?"

It was then that Danny noticed his mother had a handful, a brightly-colored red bag, an orange lunch box, and a large sack of groceries. "Here, let me get the groceries," reaching for the sack. After taking the hefty assortment of foodstuff, Danny stepped back, giving his mother ample room to enter the house.

She placed her red bag on the floor and walked into the kitchen with Danny following closely behind. She placed her lunch box on the counter while Danny opened the bags of groceries, quickly helping her to put them away.

"Okay, can we go now?"

"My, you are in a hurry, aren't you?"

"Yes," he nodded dramatically for effect.

"Well, do you have everything packed?"

Danny held up his bag.

"Is that all you're taking?"

"You read the pamphlet, Mom. Everything we need will be provided for us once we get there, including clothes."

"Okay, okay... you're growing up so fast. I still see you as my little baby," rubbing the top of his head affectionately.

"Mom," Danny said, embarrassed by her loving gesture.

"Before we leave, I have something for you," returning to the hall and reaching into the bag she had brought home from work.

He watched as she rummaged through the bag and pulled out a present wrapped in glittering blue paper.

"Here, open it."

Danny took the package and began stripping the paper away, revealing a yellow-colored box with a phone pictured on it.

"You got me a phone?" his eyes widening in surprise.

"So you can call me while you're gone."

Danny's excitement faded as he eyed his mother, "Mom, the pamphlet said no phones allowed."

"I know," admitted his mother with a smile. "But you can at least call me when you get there."

Danny shrugged away her reasoning, "Okay, but can we go now?"