When Spirits Beckon

When Spirits Beckon, Part 1, Chapter 2

14 to 7 years ago ... 

Chloe spent the next few days mulling over what Imp had said.

She still wasn't sure what the mystery all entailed, but further explanations had to wait because Imp was frequently absent again. Then, these thoughts had to be left on a backburner as she went back to school and was kept busy with the academic workload.

Within a week, Chloe was wishing she didn't have to attend school. On Thursday, she had so much homework to do that it seemed unlikely she would be able to watch her favorite shows streaming from that evening. And so, she decided to try her luck and turned to Imp for help.

Surprisingly, Imp responded promptly. "You must be kidding," it chided on hearing her request. "If you've been paying any attention, you'd seen that I don't have any hands."

"But, can't you do some magic and finish all my homework?"

"Oh, you mean like chanting Abracadabra and all that rubbish? Sure, in your dreams you moron! How are you going to be clever enough to understand the things I need to tell you if you're not smart enough to do something so mundane as homework?"

Chloe sighed. Having a spirit at beck and call was turning out to be of no advantage at all. Still, she tried again the next day when she was stumped by her science homework.

"What do they teach you children in school these days?" Imp scolded. "Don't you know I'm a creature of magic? What do I know about science?"

After Imp continued to turn down several more of her requests for help with homework, Chloe got quite annoyed. "What kind of a useless spirit are you? Can't you do even something simple like homework?"

"Why can't you? Are you really that much of a dumbbell? Or are you just plain lazy?"

"I'm not lazy!" protested Chloe. "And look who's talking. All you do is just stay in that elephant all day and all night long."

"Sure, like I have much of a choice. I could be sunning myself on a tropical beach somewhere, but no. I'm stuck with you and your petty complaining instead."

Chloe sighed. She seemed to be doing that a lot these days every time she spoke with Imp. There was no winning any arguments with Imp. "I just wish the time would pass more slowly so that I don't have to struggle or rush to finish my homework," she said wistfully.

"Now you're talking." Imp started chuckling. "I'd almost given up any hope that there were even two bits of intelligence to be found in that brain you were born with. There's hope for you yet."

Chloe's eyes grew as large as little moons at hearing this. "You wicked monster. Why didn't you tell me you could make time go slower?"

"You didn't ask," Imp replied smugly. "And who are you calling names now?"

"You started it first," Chloe pouted. "Don't you know how to be nice to anyone, you small fry?"

Imp laughed even louder. "Finally she starts to show a bit of the fiery spirit I thought she'd lost! Imagine that - two breakthroughs in one day. And just when I had almost written you off as being nothing more than a whiny piece of face-stuffing automaton."

"I don't stuff my face, you rude mongoose!" screeched Chloe in protest.

"Is that the best insult you can come up with?" laughed Imp in reply, and Chloe couldn't help but join in.

Slowing down time at will became a regular affair thereafter, and Chloe soon found herself taking on more challenges as her range of interests grew. Her parents were astounded at this sudden transformation in her; she now excelled in her academic work where she used to be just above average.