The Lonely Thoughts of a Snail in Soil

Thoughtful Goodbyes

Chapter Eleven: Thoughtful Goodbyes

The Shifters are a race that value nature and strength. Some though value peace and subtlety. Neither are very good at understanding the other.

--Excerpt from 'The Guide to the Realm of the Hidden.'

Lilly

Lilly walked up to Hannah's apartment next to her mother, who was still not happy about last night's revelations. Even after she had returned home last night, she didn't even get to see her mom as she had stormed off to her room, like a child, angry that her will hadn't gone through with the rest of the party.

"Lilly dear, I'm happy that you're going to school, but I am not looking forward to this talk." Her mom revealed her wings for a moment, a sign of mixed emotions and uncertainty. Lilly resisted the urge to sprout hers too. "I suppose though this was as good a day as any to wear my 'distrust' outfit."

That outfit was a tight red leather dress that revealed a little too much, with tall red heels and dark red lipstick. Her long hair was tied up in a bun, making her seem even taller. The idea was to add height to make whoever she was shaking down feel small, while the red would make the person attracted only to the red, looking at nothing else in the room. Who wouldn't be intimidated by that?

Without knocking, they walked into Hannah's apartment. Lilly was doing her best to carry her three bags. Since they were all expanding bags, their insides were larger than their outsides. Hopefully she had packed enough. Most of it had been clothes. Yeah, a lot of clothes.

"Lilly! You look adorable," Hannah said as she ran up and grabbed her hands, nearly causing her to drop all of her bags. Hannah cursed, helping her lower them onto the ground. "Whoops, sorry about that."

"Haha, it's fine," she said with a grin. "Do you really like my outfit?"

"Yes of course." The magi ran a hand down Lilly's braided hair, gently going over the blue bows she had placed with her hair. "These match your jean jacket quite nicely, and I love the dark shirt. It makes you look so serious."

"Aww thank you."

"Do you want anything to drink?" She went over to the kitchen, where Bill was quietly eating a Pop tart. His folks were sitting in the living room, while her mom was just back on her phone leaning on a wall. "We've got some coffee if you want."

"Water is fine."

As she poured her a glass of water, Lilly checked her phone for the time. It was nearly eleven, which meant the necromancer would be here soon to take them to Denver. And then their lives would become radically different.

"I think I see his car," Bill said, pointing out the window and down to an SUV pulling up to the front. Lilly's nerves almost got the better of her as she had felt the urge to flee as far as possible. It was indeed their coach. He got out of the car, and walked up to the door, giving two knocks.

Lilly watched as their parents all tensed. Donny ran into the living room from a hallway. "Is he here?"

"Yes."

He nodded, then went to the door. The magi gave his daughter and friends one more look, before opening the door to their coach. "Uh, hello. Come in Mr. Night."

Coach stood there in a dark gray shirt, black leather jacket, and khaki cargo pants. Lilly had questions about his attire. "Thank you. You must be Hannah's father."

Coach went past him, standing in front of the door, eyeing the place and the people with a careful eye. "Cozy. Well, I suppose introductions are needed. I am Ditto Night, the Man Who Dies for Fun, and the Last Necromancer. As it so happens, I will also be your children's hero coach."