The Strange Apprentice- Book One

Chapter 7

Today in practice, Doc was showing me how to enter in the mirror dimension. The mirror dimension is like a parallel dimension that you can create, where you can practice spells and bend the fabric of reality in plane sight. I had seen that spell in action before. It was the spell he casted when he was fighting Tul'Uth, that's why no one at the baseball game could tell what was happening:
- Once inside the mirror dimension it's hard to get out, so never forget your Sling Ring while you are in there. Trust me i know what i'm talking about.
I practiced for ours and ours, but after a while i managed to do get in and get out of the mirror dimension:
- You are getting slower- he said without expression.
- I'm sorry, i'm just a bit distracted that's all.
- It's a weekend day, I expect your full attention, i thought we had a deal- he was starting to piss me off.
- Well, not everyone is a robot like you Doc! Some of us have other things to worry about!- my explosive reaction made him think twice about his next words:
- Is something bothering you Casey? if you say no, I know you're lying.
I took a deep breath, i knew i had exaggerated in my reaction.
- It's non of your business. I didn't mean to offend you by saying this, but it's really not that important, i'm sorry.
-As long as it's nothing serious, it's fine by me. You are forgiven.
- Thank you. I'm sorry if hadn't't been putting that much effort on magic. I know you care about me and all, and i haven't been bringing my A game.- When i said this words, he smiled ( like REALLY smiled) and said " it's fine". He excused me from practice earlier and i went home.
I couldn't stop thinking about my stalker and what he wanted from me. I spent the rest of the afternoon writing possible reasons why this was happening. But i always came back to the same problem. Constantine. I couldn't understand his role in all of this. That's when i remembered, i had a debt to call in. I reached for my phone and texted Peter " Hey Peter what's up?". He quickly answered " Hey Casey i'm good, you?". I was happy he answered so soon, this was kind of an emergency. I texted back " Fine I guess, can we talk like face to face?". He answered " Sure meet me at my place"." Sounds good i'l meet you there". This is what i liked about Peter, he was always available to help. " But you don't know where it is" he texted back." Don't worry i'l be there, i'm on my way, see you soon". I took my black hoodie out of the closet, grabbed my phone and Sling Ring, and opened a portal to Peter's house, actually more like the roof of the building where he lives. I went down the fire escape and knocked on Peter's window. He jumped a little, he wasn't expecting me so soon:
- How did you got here so fast?- He asked
- I have my resources- i answered with a dramatic touch ( it felt kind of good saying it like that, until i realized i was slowing turning into the Doc. Damn it)
-Oh. Right. I forgot. Magic and stuff- he left through the window carefully, in order not to wake his aunt, and we sat on the border of the rooftop. It was a lovely evening. We made a little small talk, as usual, and then he went straight to the point:
-So why did you wanted to see me?
- I need a favor.
- What kind of favor?
- I need information on someone. Does the name John Constantine ring any bell to you?-he rolled his eyes up trying to remember.
- No,never heard that name before, why?
-It's this guy in my school, i'm pretty sure he is not good news.
- Really, why is that?
- I don't know, everytime he get's close to me i feel this chills going through my spine.I have never felt this with anyone before.He is not who he says he is.I'm thinking he is some kind of fixer or something like that. He's too mysterious. I know he's dangerous, i just know it!
- Looks like someone has a little crush!- He said while making that same smirk Doc does all the time. I punched him in the arm:
- Don't be stupid this is serious. He is bad news!
- Casey, i'm sorry to tell you this but i think you are in love with a bad boy- I punched him again:
- No way! He is the last person i would fall for. He is an arrogant, self-centered jerk who thinks he's better than everyone else. For that i already have Doc- we laughed- But seriously, could you at least ask Tony if he has heard of him, or if he can find something about him? That would be really helpful.
-Well, I guess I owe you one. Ok, I 'l ask him and I will tell you as soon as possible.
- Thanks Peter, i appreciate it.
- Don't mention it.
- Listen,I got a go I have school tomorrow, see you around?
- Yeah sure, I just have one more question tho.
-What is it?
- How did you know where I lived? I never told you that. You are not one of those creepy stalkers aren't you?- he said with a giggle but a little concerned.
-Relax i'm not. And answering your question, I didn't. In fact i still don't so don't worry you're safe.
-Then how did you got here to begin with? And so quickly?

-I'l show you- I opened the portal with the Sling Ring. Peter dropped his jaw while screaming " That is so cool!". We said goodbye again and left to our homes. I was relieved i had someone helping me now.

***
Next day in school i was walking around campus while I heard some one call " hello love!" It could only be one person. I answered right back:
- Man whore!- I yelled while he John walked straight to me. He was tall, had blonde hair, dark brown eyes, was dressed with blue jeans a white shirt, converse (which really didn't add up with the rest of his look) and a light brown trench coat which he always wore rained or shined, which made a contrast with his pale skin and thin stature. I could see why girls would drool over him. He wasn't ugly at all. I hated him, but I had eyes on my face, don't judge me.
- So have you reconsider my offer?- he asked.
- No, and i'm pretty sure i'm not going to- he started to laugh. It looked like the more i talked more he felt compelled to talk to me. Could he be into me? Not that i care, i was just, you know, wandering.
- You're a hard one to crack you know? You and I are a lot a like, I got to say, I find that extremely... stimulating- I blushed a little bit and tried not to make eye contact with him.
- I'm pretty sure I haven't slept with half of the school, so goodbye Constantine- i tried to walk away but he followed me.
- Good point, but you at least have to admit you need me, I'm not your enemy love.
- I pretty sure I don't.
Suddenly he hold my wrist, and pulled me against him until our faces were dangerously close . I was so surprised with what he had done i didn't move and just tried to look the other way.
- You know Casey, I don't believe you . You are, attracted to me. The thing is you can't understand why, you can feel it can't you? Going up and down you spine everytime i get closer, I know you do - there were the chills again, he talked lower to me ( i hated when he did that ) and got his lips closer to my ear where he knew I could feel his warm breath on my neck, while he gently hold my hand running his fingers through mine-I know something is bothering you, i know you are scared, something is haunting you and it's killing you not knowing what it is, you may be tough, but you are a lot more transparent that you might think.- i was really embarrassed by now, but i built up the courage to look at him directly in the eye:
- Let. Me. Go.- I replied with a rough voice.
- i'l leave, but I know we are going to meet again. I will see you then love- and he kissed my cheek and walked away. When he kissed me my cheek turned ice cold.- Oh and you better check up your temperature, you look a little red- he said laughing.
I was burning red, that idiot had made me blush. Lyla walked in on me:
- Hey, was that John Constantine giving you a kiss?- she asked surprised.
- Yes, unfortunately.
- Unfortunately? You seem really into him, and he really looks into you. He never talked to a girl as much as he talks to you.
-It's not by choice, believe me. I hate that guy.
- Thank god, i wouldn't mind having a piece of that, more for me.
- Stay away from him Lyla! He is bad news.
- Uh a bad boy, I like it!
- No, I mean it Lyla, he is dangerous.
- Jesus,what do you have against the guy anyway?!
- I just don't like him, that's all- I answered in a dry tone.
I lied. You know why i didn't like him. But most of all i hated him because he was right. About everything. And i really mean everything. I felt my phone buzzing in my jacket pocket. It was a text from Peter. He said he had found something on John. I texted him thanks for his help, I said goodbye from Lyla ,and went home. I had to put an end to this situation. This had to stop once and for all.