The Puddle Portal

Part 16: Midnight!

       The group walked back to the lake. Sophia was tired, Olivia was scared, Charlie was bored, Zarina was worried and Liz was confused. Why would Alexis kill Skyler? Once they reached the lake, Liz stared into the dark blue water. She didn't belong here, so why was she? Charlie walked over to her and said, "What are we going to do? Alexis... I mean, my mom has all the gems. We really can't do anything." Liz looked at him. "Really encouraging words there buddy."

       Before anyone could say anything else, the ground started shaking and the water in the lake bubbled. Thorns shot out of the ground and wiggled like snakes towards the kids. Zarina grabbed Liz and dove out of the way. Sophia, Olivia, and Charlie were trapped in thorns. "Help! Get us out of here!" Sophia yelled. Then, from behind a tree, Kelsey walked out. Out from behind another tree, Dallas and Caleb walked out. Dallas was holding the Sapphire and a huge smile came to his face. Caleb stood behind Dallas, not wanting to get involved.

       Suddenly, a huge road of thorns appeared in front of the puddle. Lexie walked through the thorns with a bag in her hand. Her smile grew. When she finally reached the puddle, she opened the bag and took out all five gems. Liz didn't know what she was doing. The moon rose straight up in the sky. It was midnight! Lexie threw the gems up into the sky and over the puddle. She whistled and took off her necklace. Kelsey grabbed a necklace that looked identical to Lexie's from around her neck. Caleb and Dallas did the same. They threw their necklaces up with the gems.

       The gems circled around the necklaces and merged into one. The gems formed into one while the necklaces became a staff that connected itself to the gems. The staff slowly lowered and landed in the grass between Lexie and Liz. Lexie went to grab it but was pushed by something or someone. She looked up and saw Zarina holding the staff with a huge grin on her face. "What are you doing?" Liz and Lexie said in unison. Clouds circled around in the sky. Lightning struck the staff and purple orbs circled Zarina. Lexie looked at her and a realization came to her face. "Zarina?" Liz looked between Lexie and Zarina. "You know her?" Liz asked, almost getting hit by vines. "Liz, she's my sister!" Liz and Dallas gasped.

       Zarina laughed uncontrollably. A purple orb surrounded her. She closed her eyes and felt a sudden strike come through her body. Her blue shirt turned into a black bodice. A long dress skirt flowed from her waist and her hair flowed. A ring with a purple gem on it appeared on her finger. The orb disappeared, and she stayed floating in the air. She opened her eyes, and she stared at Liz. Liz was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

       Zarina held the staff, and thorns wrapped around Lexie and Caleb. Thorns went to Liz, but she dodged them. The vines lifted Lexie and Caleb up into the air until they were eye level with her. Zarina stared into Lexie's eyes and said, "It feels good to be back!"