¿Freaked?

4. Deathspiral; Magic Paper From The Dead!?

Shelby PoV

'Cub?' Gem says. 'Cub! Please wake up! Scar is worried sick about you!'

'There's no point Gem. He can't hear you.'

'Well, someone has to keep him company. And the spells don't work!' She replied.

'Is there anything, anything you know that might help?' I ask.

'Well, there is this one time Cub responded to Scar...' She said.

'Wait what!?'

'Here.' Gem walks up to me, and shows me her amethyst-covered comm. A video. 

Scar and Cub were cuddling. But what surprised me, is that Scar wasn't the one sleep talking. It was Cub. He started shifting in his sleep, to snuggle closer to Scar, and was muttering. It was muffled, so I couldn't really hear it all, but from what I heard was a bunch of 'I love you's'. There was a small pause, but eventually Scar started snuggling closer to Cub. 'I love you Cubby'  Scar said. 'I love you too Scar' Cub responded. 

'What...' I mutter. Is this what true love looks like?

'Maybe...' I start to say as an idea forms in my head. 'What if Scar tries talking to Cub? If he did it once, surely he can do it again!'

'Yeah! Even if he can't, maybe a vex spell or two may!' Gem added excitedly.

Then, it clicks.

'Gem, did you take a class on Magical Biology and Minds?' I ask.

'No, but I know someone who did!' She responded.

'Who?'

'I know you're not to fond of him since he keeps trying to steal your girlfriend, but it's Joey.'

'Joey!? He's no witch!' I yell in anger.

'Like you, he ran away.' Gem shrugged. 

'Fine! Whatever!' I start yelling, but notice the change on Gem's face. 'Just, get Joey and get back as soon as you can...'

'On it!' And Gem was out my door. 

I sigh. In the mean time, I walk over to my bookshelf.

'Animals, Beasts, and How They're Alike' No. 'How To Deal With Skeletons to Withers' Not that one either... Here! 

'Magical Curses and Side Effects: Volume 1' I whisper under my breath. This book got banned a while ago, after the witching school got corrupted. I opened the first page.

'Chapter One: Zombie Bites' No. 'Chapter Two: Goblin's Greed.' Nuh uh. 'Chapter Three: Different Avians and Their Needs.' What? Why is that even in here!? Maybe that will- Nope, stay focused Shelby!

'Chapter Four: Eye's, Ear's, and How to Resist.' Weird name, but no...

~~~~~~~

After awhile, I hopefully found the chapter I needed.

'(hapt3r $3v3nt33n: Th3 Ward3n'$ Cur$3'

I wonder why it's all messed up? Maybe another language or... something.

'N0t mu(h |$ kn0wn, but th3 (ur$3 |$ a(tually an unkn0wn 3nt|ty,' I start to read. Huh. 'Y0u n33d t0 f|nd a way t0 3|th3r A. Lur3 th3 3nt|ty 0ut 0f th3 p3r$0n$ h3ad {Y0u w|ll n33d h3lp} or B. F|nd a way t0 (alm th3 ent|ty d0wn and tak3 |t 0ut y0urs3lf. Th343 ar3 th3 0nly way$ {bel|3v3 me, |'v3 tr|3d}. |f $u((3$$ful, th3 p3rs0n w|ll 0nly b3 m0r3 $u$(3pt|v3 t0 man|pulat|0n, and w|ll l|k3ly hallu(|nat3. A cl0$3 fr|3nd may b3 abl3 t0 h3lp |n th3s3 ca$3$'

Thats it? That all we have to save Cub? What the f*ck!? I try reading the small print at the bottom.

'Written by Tinzel F. Chef, 2022.' Huh? This book is years old, and it says written in 2022?