Charlie Sanders and the curse of the pixies

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Flybent Academy of Shadow Training

Charlie was running like fire. Dancing and dodging the overgrowth on the wed mud. The pine trees on either side of him were closing in on him, so was the big banyan running behind him. Suddenly, someone came in his way. He banged into them. He found himself staring at Mrs. Russell. But she had the face of a boy. “Where am I?” Charlie yelled. Her mouth opened, but instead of telling him, she shouted, “Get up lazy ass, WAKE UP! WAAAAAAKE UPPPP!!!” And then, it wasn’t Mrs. Russell, but Albert shouting at him and shaking him like tractor.

He groggily opened his eyes. What a ridiculous dream, he thought to himself. Albert muttered something like, “Oh God! It’s your mercy that this clown is awake. I’ve been shaking him for an hour!” He was pulled out of bed in a swish.  

“We need to leave in five minutes for Flybent, and just look at you!” he scolded while pointing Charlie to a mirror. Charlie turned. He looked like a ghost, alright. His hair was like a rat’s nest. His shirt was very dirty and was buttoned wrong. His face was pale and sullen. He definitely couldn’t go to his supposed new school like this.

Charlie hopefully began eyeing Albert. Albert sighed, “Alright, time for magic. But stand straight”. He took out his own sword, which had a purple, broad blade. Its golden hilt glittered in the inn room. There was a pointed hat made at the base of the blade in gold. Albert touched the odd- colored metal to Charlie’s shoulder. Charlie could feel goose bumps rising where the cool metal surface touched him. And then, it happened.

Charlie was transformed in a second. It felt like a sensation making his way around him. His shirt was swapped for a buttoned and colored plain white one. His pants were changed for black, cool fit jeans. His hair re-combed themselves into a hairstyle inspired by Albert himself, and his face started to glow. Even his teeth seemed to have brushed themselves.

Charlie felt amazing. After heartily expressing his gratitude, all Charlie could say that was, “Magic is actually there?! I thought it was Mr. Almenter’s unintentional boast. So we’re taught that at Flybent?”

Albert said that they were taught magic indeed and yes, it existed. They moved out of the small guest room and checked out of the inn. Albert had booked a flying taxi for them. Once they were seated, the driver smiled and then made the cab rise. Charlie’s stomach lurched. He started chatting to distract himself.

“Where do you live, Albert?” he asked his mentor.

“I live at Flybent of course, but naturally, not in the main building. I have a bungalow with my partner near the Academy grounds.”

Charlie nodded happily. Now he knew where to go if he had an issue. Then another thought struck him. “How many mentors are there at Flybent?”

“Just two,” Albert replied, “Me and my cousin Havard Jones, you see only one or two kids have a mentor. Those who don’t have a family or a Garethian as a guardian usually get one. You’re lucky you got me. A kid like you would have died with Havard, the grouch” he smiled mischievously.  

“You can trust me with your life. And mate, don’t go bragging about me. It’s forbidden.” Albert winked at Charlie.

Much too soon, they had to get out of the magical drive. Albert paid the cabbie and he zoomed away.

“O.K.,” said Albert “now we part ways. You’ll be going to Flybent by the symbolic underwater boats with all the new comers,” he handed him a small suitcase. “Here’s all the stuff you’ll need at the academy.  Look, here are the boats.”

The boats were pretty normal, for a change. They had emerged out of a small puddle on the roadside, those ten boats. As if on cue, a parade of taxi’s similar to the one Charlie had been in descended through the sky. Out of them came out various teenagers. They were all gossiping and chattering with their respective parents. Charlie felt a little sad seeing them all. Soon, they had all gathered around the boats. A young man came and greeted Albert. Judging by the resemblance, Charlie presumed him to be Havard.