Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

Twenty Two

     It was Rhett's turn to pick Link up for work. Link was weary about something happening to Rhett's car, but there wasn't any choice in the matter when Link's car was still parked across the street from Terra's house.

     "Man, don't worry about my car. How'd you sleep last night?" 

     As Link buckled himself up, he jumped at the sudden sound of Rhett's voice. "I—  well, I don't remember any of the possible dreams I might have had. So maybe that might be a good thing?" Link shrugged his shoulders as he looked at his friend. He could tell by the look on Rhett's face that he didn't like the sound of that. 

     "Or a bad thing if they were trying to tell us something."

     Link didn't blink. "I've got the slides ready to talk about werewolves for today's taping." He said with a robotic, monotone voice. 

     Rhett beamed at his friend, and held out his fist. "Fist bump me, brotha!" He waited for Link to fist bump him, and when he didn't, he sighed. "Man, you worry too much! It's just for fun, and besides, we might learn a little bit more to keep Terra under control. Don't you want that?" Rhett's eyebrows were raised in question. 

     Link swallowed as he adjusted his glasses. "Of course I want that. I'm just nervous, that's all." Link turned a sad smile on Rhett, to which Rhett clasped Link by the shoulder. "It's nothing you did man, I promise. It's just that I'm so confused about what's going on with me, and now having to deal with Terra— it's just a little too much to handle at the moment."

     Rhett smiled a genuine smile at Link, which lit up his green eyes. "I understand. But remember, God never gives us more than we can handle. You wanna know what I think?" Rhett posed the question. Link lowered his eyes. "I think what you have is a gift. A real gift from God." 

     Link looked up, the ghost of a smile on his lips. 

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     On the show, they talked about werewolves while they sipped their hot coffee out of their Good Mythical Morning mugs. The entire time, every single member of the crew present in the room had pasty faces as they recollected what they'd discovered yesterday. They knew that this could be very real, but did their precious viewers the Mythical Beasts?

     Once they finished the show, Link spun the wheel of mythicality and it landed on Rhett discovers he's a werewolf. The wheel of mythicality meant that whatever it landed on, they had to act out, which were suggestions sent in by the viewers. Rhett turned to Link with a deadpan expression on his face as he slowly brought his hand up to his face.

     Link's mouth fell open and he began counting Rhett's fingers. "How long has it been since you've had your fingernails trimmed, man?"

     "It's been quite a while. I've seemed to grow even more facial hair as well," Rhett said as he ran his fingers through his beard. His eyes had widened as a gasp escaped his lips.

     "More than usual?" Link asked in a ghostly tone. 

     Rhett bent over the table and covered his face with his hands. He groaned like he'd had a stomachache from the bean burritos he had for breakfast. "They're coming. I can feel them coming." He slowly straightened himself as he bared his teeth, his face screwed up in a snarl. 

     Link flew up from his seat. "Fangs!" He pointed excitedly to Rhett, which drew giggles out of Stevie and Jen in the background. They ended the show, then taped a segment of Good Mythical More where they delved into the legend of the Klein-Klams werewolf. After all was said and done, Rhett and Link finished their last sips of coffee before they rushed toward the door.

     "Hey!" 

     They stopped and slowly turned around, met by Alex and Mike.

     "Where you guys going?" Mike asked as he folded his arms across his chest. Rhett and Link eyed one another.

     "We're going to Home Depot," Rhett said, and Link nodded his head instantly.

     "Yes. We're going to Home Depot. Christy wanted me to pick up some solar lights to decorate our front lawn a bit. She says it's looking a little bland." 

     Rhett pointed to Link with a thumb and nodded his head in agreement. "His yard is kinda bland." 

     Link cracked an awkward half smile, and a smirk tugged at the corner of Rhett's lips.

      Alex chuckled. "You guys have fun with that, I guess." He took Mike by the sleeve and they ran off toward the office. 

     Rhett turned to Link and leaned close so he could whisper. "That was a close one."

     "They might be on to us," Link spoke fast. He snatched Rhett by the sleeve of his shirt and pulled him outside. The bright warm sunshine welcomed him and melted the building apprehension he had in his belly. They climbed into Rhett's car and headed toward Home Depot.

     "So I'm guessing we're picking up the solar lights that are kinda portable, right?"

     "Like light sabers," Link verified. Link was a huge Star Wars geek. 

     Rhett raised his brows excitedly. "Man, this could get really exciting." 

     Link stared out the window and watched as the scenery whizzed by, a formidable lump threatening to seize his throat and choke him into unconsciousness. He didn't find this exciting in the least bit. "And dangerous. Very dangerous." He looked toward the sky where he knew the moon was going to be rising tonight.

     "What do we do after we charge the lights?" Rhett asked. He tapped the steering wheel as they waited at a red light. 

      Link fixed his glasses on his face. "I don't know. Should we go to Terra's and warn her what's about to happen?" 

     Rhett looked at Link incredulously. "After what happened when she was attacked by the wolf? She threatened to kick us in a very unpleasant place. Not to mention she vanished after we discovered the remains of her dinner. I don't think the girl takes surprises too well." A loud honk blared from behind them and Rhett looked forward, stepping on the gas with haste. Link jolted in his seat. Rhett suddenly stopped again. 

     Link had to brace himself with the dashboard and the door. "What's going on?" He asked, both he and Rhett scrutinizing the scene in front of them. Police cruisers barricaded the road ahead of them, crowds of people gathered in a circle to take a gander at what they were attempting to block off. Rhett had to pull to a stop and they waited for further instructions.