Secret of the Keys

Confession

I open my eyes to see that I'm in a unfamiliar room. I felt weird, like something was missing, like I was empty inside. I try sitting up, but my body ached too much. I carefully sit up into a comfortable position. Then an elderly woman enters
the room.

"Who are you?" I ask as politely as I can.

"I am Coral's mother, but you can call me Grandma like Joshua and Elizabeth." Says the woman.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Three days."

"Why am I here?" I ask.

"After you used that spell Coral brought you here. I am the family healer. I specialize in healing wizards." She says kindly. Her smile faded slightly. "I'm afraid, since you used so much magic energy at once, that you have magic deficiency disease. It may be a while before your able to use magic again."

"Oh, thank you." I say a hint of sadness in my voice. Not being able to use magic will feel so wrong.

"I say take it easy for a week and your magic should return by then. Now I'll go tell the others that your awake. I'm sure Joshua would be very happy." She chuckled. I felt my face heat up as she left the room quietly laughing. I wait for about a minute before Coral and Joshua come in.

"I'm so happy that your okay." Coral says smiling.

"How do you feel?" Joshua asks also smiling.

"I'm pretty sore and it doesn't feel right without my magic, but otherwise I'm doing well," I say, "What happened after I blacked out?"

"Your spell successfully destroyed the Eclipse gate, but the force of the spell caused the building to crumble," Coral says, "We barely made it out in time. We all came here and then I went back and looked around for Spirit Tamer. He was crushed and killed."

"Wow." I say stunned.

"Your probably hungry so I'm going to get you something to eat." Coral said as she stood up.

"Thank you." I said. Joshua and I sat in a awkward silence. It looked as if Joshua wanted to say something. He would open his mouth but then close it quickly.

Finally he spoke up, "I-I need to tell you something."

"Yes?" I ask. His cheeks were bright red.

"I-I, um, I... really like you!" He nearly yelled. His face was very red and mine was probably rivaling his. I stayed silent in shock. "I-I understand if you don't feel the same." He said sadly as he looked down at his lap.

"No! I like you too!" I exclaim panicking. We both stare at each other, wide eyed and in shock. His face was even redder than before and my face was probably just as red. We sit there awkwardly until we hear someone outside the door.

Coral walks in carrying a tray with a sandwich and a glass of water. Joshua and I both turn to her as she walks over to the bed. She placed the tray on my lap.

"Thank you." I say as I start eating the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They leave as I munch on my food. Once I finish I realize how tired I still feel. My eye lids start getting heavy as I dose off.

———————

"I'm fine, mom." I try my best to reassure her.

"Are you sure?" She asks feeling my forehead. Her face was filled with worry.

"Yes I'm sure." I smile for effect. She smiles back and hugs me. I return the hug.

"Are you ready to come home?" Mom asks pulling back from the hug.

"Yeah."  Say as I slide out of the bed. I stumble from sitting so long. She helps me find my balance, then we head down to the front door where Coral, Joshua, Elizabeth, and Grandma were waiting.

"How can we thank you enough for destroying the Eclipse gate." Coral says.

"No need, I wasn't about to let that man use my magic to bring evil." I say.

"Make sure to take it easy this week." Grandma reminds me.

"I will." I reassure her. Joshua and I don't exchange any words, but we just smile at each other. His cheeks turn light red and mine do too. Mom and I get in the car, waving good by as we left the driveway.

"So, I saw you looking at Joshua." Mom smirks.

"W-What?" My face heats up.

"Do you like him?" Mom asks.

"Mom!? Sometimes your just like a teenage girl." I exclaim.

"Quit stalling. Spill the tea." Mom says.

"I may or may not have a crush on him." I say looking out the window.

"I knew it!" Mom exclaimed.

"My goodness! Can't you act a little more your age?" I exclaimed. She just laughed. Its quiet for a little while. Then we pull into the driveway. We go inside and I take off my shoes before flopping down on the couch.

"Lets watch a movie." I say as mom joins me.

"What are we going to watch?" Mom asks.

"How about... Harry Potter?" I suggest.

"Sounds great, but which one?"

"Sorceress Stone." I say. She starts the movie and I snuggle in closer to her, grateful to be alive and well.