War from Under the Bed

A Choice

Sadie woke with her stomach grumbling for breakfast. She was hungry, but did not wish to go and join the others. She didn't want to talk to the others, afraid that they'll start discussing the war. Her stomach gave another groan and she sighed before slipping out of her blankets and heading out.

"Grandma...do you really think that courage...a myth...is in Sadie's locket?" She heard Henry ask as she approached the kitchen.

"Yes I do and courage is not a myth, it is as real as any other type of magic you can name." Grandma's voice answered, followed by sizzling from what she imagined to be something on the stove.

"But it's never been seen..." Henry continued to press.

"Even if that's the case, we can't risk the possibility that it gets so potent that it gets out of control. That much magic will bring monsters for miles and we won't stand a chance." Jenny interrupted, her voice soft, but getting stronger.

"Courage...the golden light...to think that it's here..." Sam added, the clink of beads telling Sadie that he's clutching his cross.

Henry snorted, "Don't you start worshiping it Sam."

Sam muttered something that Sadie couldn't make out before Pang came walking into view from outside. She spotted Sadie and instantly looked away, quickly walking off. Sadie's cheeks burned as she watched Pang walk off. She felt bad for being so mean last night, but Pang didn't need to ignore her. She sighed and entered the kitchen. The conversation abruptly came to a close when she entered. Sam's eyes went right to her locket and she clutched it like he was clutching his cross, feeling vulnerable in the silence.

"How did you sleep?" Jenny asked softly, her face a bit more colorful than it was yesterday.

"Fine..." Sadie said quietly, keeping her eyes on the floor. She didn't want to bring up the subject of their conversation, but Grandma clearly wanted to.

"You remember the courage in your locket right?" She asked, flipping the sausage in the pan. Sadie nodded, her grip on the locket even tighter. Grandma smiled, "I think you should learn to control it soon."

"Grandma-" Henry began, but the old woman gave him a fierce look.

"Henry, you are trying my patience!" She set the spatula on the counter forcefully and grabbed him arm. She pulled him toward Sadie, who backed up in alarm. Grandma held out her hand, "May I see your locket Sadie?" She asked gently and Sadie hesitated before letting go of the warm metal. She grabbed it and placed it in Henry's hand, "Now, tell me you don't feel some sort of magic in there."

Henry frowned as he held the locket in his hand. Sadie watched him as his expression turned to confusion. "I've never encountered this type of magic..." He muttered. As he held the locket, Sadie felt her chest growing tight. She frowned and breathed more deeply, hoping that it would help.

"Sam, help me analyse this." Henry gently pulled it off her neck and handed it to Sam. The tight feeling in Sadie's chest suddenly magnified and she clutched her shirt as it became a dull sense of pain. She couldn't understand what was happening, but the pain was slowly building. She began to shake as Sam held the locket, his face shining with astonishment.

"Henry...how can you not believe this is Courage? It's complex and unknown to me...I've never seen it before. It's very powerful..." Sam said, holding the locket like a fragile baby bird, "This must be Courage..."

Henry scowled, "I still can't believe it..." He snatched it back and Sadie held her hands out for the locket, but he marched out of the room. Sadie's pain then increased even more and she couldn't hold back a moan.

"Sadie, what's wrong?" Jenny asked, but Sadie couldn't answer as she sunk to her knees, her eyes watering with the pain. "Sadie...oh gosh, Henry!" Jenny called and Henry was back in second, the locket dangling from his hand. Sadie's pain lessened and she quickly snatched the locket back, putting it around her neck. The pressure and pain disappeared and she sighed.