That's So Wizard

Chapter 85 - Come Together

"Tension continues to rise after the sudden terrorist attack that occurred not long ago in Spokane, Washington. Multiple explosions were set off south of the Holy Cross Cemetery. Fortunately, emergency officials were quick on the scene, but not everybody could be saved. Two reported deaths and over a dozen injured."

A small girl, though only in height, was sitting alone at a table within a fast-food joint, swiping her finger down across the screen of her phone. In front of her was an empty plate and a half-empty glass of pop. She browsed through various news articles, some with video as was the report on Spokane. Her usual sites were bookmarked and she tapped through them.

Conspiracy nuts online were already mumbling about the attack. She knew that, as much as the government wishes they could, it's impossible to hide everything. People spoke of weird memories of monsters. People flying. All sorts of things that anyone would dismiss, but Poppet wasn't buying the cover story.

Her temper grew to a boil as she stared intensely at her plate. Finally, she yelled, "You call this a meal? That was an insult to my refined taste!"

A few people glanced in her direction, but was ultimately ignored, and dismissed—rightfully so—as crazy. She was red in the face, perhaps by rage or embarrassment. Poppet surrendered and drooped back in her stall as her eyes began to grow warm. Tears started forming and her breath shook. She then slapped her forehead down on the tabletop which rattled the dishes.

"Alchia," she muttered. "What happened to our dreams? This isn't a dream.. It's a nightmare."

Her watery gaze turned up. She wiped dry her face as she squinted to the front counter, spotting a familiar body. Dressed casually, and with a burger in-hand, was Eldrian walking towards the exit. He must have spotted her as well, because he stopped, and did the same inspecting look she did towards him.

He couldn't help himself, and he made his way over to her table.

"What are you doing here?" she mumbled under her breath.

Eldrian looked to the food in his hand and then back to her. "I just got back from something that really worked up my appetite, so I decided to stop here."

"You're—Bruises and blood. It's all hidden."

He looked back and forth and then sat himself down opposite of her. "Your magic eyes are sharp," he whispered. Then he spotted the phone laying flat on the table. "Reading about Spokane?"

She nodded.

"You're right to."

Looking a bit more interested, she sat up straight and lifted up her phone. "What do you mean?"

"The monsters were huge."

"Are you just bullying me?"

"No bully. I don't bully. I swear that I'm telling the truth. In fact, I was just about to head out to find my friends. Kevin. I have no idea where he was taken."

"Have you uhm... seen Alchia at all?"

"Afraid not." He stuffed the rest of the burger into his mouth.

"Well, why are you even talking to me? Go find your friend, or whatever."

By coincidence, Eldrian's phone rang just then. Immediately he picked it up, as the number was one he knew well. "Kevin?" he asked the moment he answered.

His friend was far away, on a different world entirely in fact. Behind him were the three devils that saved his life, in a room with a table covered in paperwork. "Did you escape?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah."

"What do you mean, yeah? You can't say that so casually!"

"Well, it just happened, and not without a lot pain and action. Wait a minute. Did you escape?"