SYNCHRONICITY (Dream Walker) 🖋

Secret Place - 3

James transfigured suitable attire just so he could move better, replacing his sneakers for a proper dance shoe was paramount. Sebastian opened the windows, then placed the speakers in them. James moved the table over so that it was out of the way and his parents adjourned to the deck.

James looked into his mother's eyes and inhaled deeply. She smiled and nodded.

"Be kind," she said.

James' gaze moved to his father and he nodded; Sebastian waved his wand and they heard the crackle of the record.

Alison could feel the tension oozing from her son and she smiled; she was nervous too. James took her hand and twirled her in place before him and found her movement to be smooth as silk. He slipped his arm below hers then pulled her close and they both looked away from the other in opposite directions. He moved forward and she synchronized her movement to his.

Sebastian's smile beamed as he watched his son dance with his mother, having realized that they had agreed to do this just for him. He watched his son move her so that her back was toward him and he lifted her effortlessly as her leg wrapped around his; he spun one revolution and slowly allowed her to slide down his long body, ending on the wooden deck. She lowered her head and looked away as she raised her hand. James lifted her back to him effortlessly. They finished the dance with only one error, but for the life of him, Sebastian swore, he didn't see it.

"Wow, you're a great dancer, James," she squealed and threw her arms around his neck and let her feet leave the boards of the deck. James wasn't prepared to hold her weight and almost toppled over, laughing.

"Well," he began as he blushed, "I reckon I come by it honestly."

Finally he stood and approached them. "I really wish that I'd videoed you two...you were beautiful," he said quietly. "Absolutely beautiful."

Alison smiled warmly and then curtsied and Sebastian watched her face lose all expression as her gaze moved just past him; once again, his hand moved instinctively for his wand. She approached him and placed her hand on his heart, the smile returning quickly to her pretty face. "We have company...probably want to look over your shoulder first," she said quietly.

His brow raised and for a split second, he fully expected to have to blast what was behind him until he saw the expression on James' face. He slowly turned his head and looked over his shoulder and breathed in deeply.

On the perch sat a large American Bald Eagle merely watching them. Sebastian moved slowly toward the door and once inside, flew like a madman to his duffel and withdrew a leather bracer. He strapped it over his left arm and hurried toward the door. He whistled and the large bird turned his head and looked toward Sebastian as he raised his arm...he was hoping it was Balen, the bird they had found as a youngling, half dead on the deck one spring morning.

The bird continued to stare at him. Finally, it uttered a shrill cry and swooped off the perch and flew toward him. Sebastian immediately realized as did James, that the bird's trajectory was wrong and he hit the deck. Literally. The large bird flew overhead and then inside the house where he landed on the sectional sofa inside. Sebastian walked inside to see the bird nestled in the pillows, appearing to be quite comfortable. He pointed his wand toward the bird. "You tosser," he growled. "Transform!"

Topher materialized on the sofa and held up his hands in defense. "Howdy pard!"

Dismayed, Sebastian removed the leather bracer from his arm. "You promised to never use your totem for evil!"

"Sorry mate, you know I wouldn't have even tried to find you if it weren't important...I bring sad news..."

Sebastian felt his legs grow weak. "Mum...Dad...?"

Topher shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "No, I reckon they're okay. The message is for Ali," he said sadly. "It's about one of her horses. Her neighbor has been trying to ring her since this morning. Her tablet has been pinging all day. The poor woman has been sending texts and messages...I was all set to crack the tablet when she finally left her number and I rang her up immediately. She said that Ali's sister's car is still there but hadn't done anything about the animal...so, she called the equine vet and fed the other one...said they were filthy and dehydrated." His gaze moved toward the young man and the woman peeking over his shoulder at him. "Ali! James!" He rose to his feet and tried to smile. "You two looked amazing out there! Wish you could have seen his face," he sighed as he looked toward his best friend. The man's eyes filled as his face began to crumble. "I just couldn't bring myself to interrupt that...I'm sorry." He lowered his head.

"Hey! What's wrong?" Alison slipped beneath James' arm and entered the house and moved toward her friend for a hug. "Topher, they said that you didn't know how to get here!"

He shook his head and embraced her and sniffled hard and chuckled. "I don't. That's why...the totem..." he sighed uncomfortably. "I broke every rule we have to find you..."

"Me? What for?"

"Maybe...you might want to sit down?"

Topher pulled her to the sectional and breathed in deeply. "It's one of your horses, Ali. He's been gravely injured. I spoke at great length with your neighbor. She said that both horses are in bad shape, don't look like they've been properly fed and they're dehydrated. The vet recommended euthanasia but refuses to do anything without your permission...you should know that your neighbor is standing by to take care of it. All you have to do is to say the word."

Alison's eyes glazed over as she shook her head. "It's a self watering system." She removed the shoes and turned her back toward Sebastian and pulled her hair back. "Maybe the breaker tripped.." She felt Sebastian's fingers fumble with the zipper as it was stuck. And she huffed and turned to face him.

"Hold on," he whispered as he removed his wand from the rear pocket of his jeans. A second later, she was standing in her jeans and blouse.

"Ok, I have to get to a phone. What the hell could have happened!"

"You haven't watched the Telly have you? Nearly the entire east coast had been pummeled with nor'easters and other storms," Topher offered. "She said that there was a mudslide and that he was on the wrong side of the electric fence."

James roared as he pointed toward her: "YOU HAVE AN ELECTRIC FENCE!"

She squared her shoulders and flattened her right palm toward him and forced him to step backwards with her mind. "DO NOT TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME!"

"Oh god," Sebastian whispered as he moved to stand between them.

"It's disconnected," she growled. "I've been living at that property for fifteen years and it's never been live. Not once..."

Topher shot up to move James toward the door. "Jamie, I'm not going to touch you, but I suggest you go outside and cool down. Now."

Sebastian took her hands in his and lowered his head to hers and spoke quietly to her. "Are you certain there's no live current in the fence, Love?"

"Yes," she said through gritted teeth.

"Okay. We have the base station. We can contact the house, and Judy can relay your instructions. Alright?"

"I want to go home..."

Sebastian nodded. "I know you do. And I'll get you there. But right now, we have to take care of your animal, yes?"

She nodded. "I want my mom. And my aunt," she said with venom in her voice.