Scattered Souls

Chapter 14 - Deja Vu

The next morning I woke up a little earlier than I usually did. I was eager to get my plan out of the way as soon as possible.

As I was leaving for campus, I took the teapot with me.

I stopped at an antique store a few blocks away from home. I went in and offered to generously donate the teapot.

Let this be someone else's headache now. This felt like my best option. Instead of trying to decipher the riddle and trying to unravel all the mysterious occurrences, it was best to get rid of it. However, I didn't have the heart to throw it away. And I'm sure this place would appreciate such a piece.

For the first time in a good few days, I actually felt relief as I entered campus that morning.

"Someone's chirpy today." Alexa beamed. "We were worried about you yesterday."

"I woke up on the right side of the bed." I joked.

"Perfect. Just in time for Jordan's party tomorrow." she beamed.

"Party? Isn't Jordan in hospital?"

"Yeah, turns out it wasn't too bad. He's ready to celebrate his near death experience."

I thought back to my conversation with Xypher yesterday. Did I overreact? Is this why Xypher wasn't remorseful? Because he knew it wasn't as bad as it seemed.

I decided to shrug off those thoughts and get excited about the party like a normal freshman. Xypher was old news now.

The day went by quickly( I guess it helps when you're not constantly stressed out and over thinking) and I was really starting to look forward to the party. It's been a while since I let my hair down.

My vibe was instantly destroyed as soon as I got home.

The familiar teapot was back on the front porch, waiting for me.

Was this some kind of sick joke? How did it get back here? Did someone leave it here? I hadn't given anyone at the antique store my details, so it would be impossible for them to trace it back to me. Then how did this teapot land here again?

I had no other choice but to take it inside with me. Placing it on my dresser felt like Deja Vu.

Without thinking, I tapped on it three times.

"Didn't think you could get rid of me that easily now, did you?" Xypher's voice was now cold and distant, compared to his usual jovial tone.

"Are you upset?" I wondered.

"Not at all. Why would I be upset?" he tried to sound nonchalant, but his annoyance was evident.

"I think I may have overreacted yesterday." I admitted. "I freaked out as soon as I heard the word hospital."

"I believe you owe me an apology." he said arrogantly. "Since your precious Jordan is alright."

"That still doesn't make what you did okay." I countered.

"Fine, then let me make it up to you." his voice softened.

"How exactly?" I wondered.

"By doing what I do best." he winked. "I'll grant you a wish."

"At what cost?" I had to ask.

"There's no cost. Just ask for something and I'll grant it."

"Are you sure you're not a genie?" I teased.

"Your offer expires in exactly five minutes."

"Five minutes? How can I possibly think of something in five minutes?"

"Tick tock."

I tried to think of what I wanted. Something clever. Maybe something impossible, to test the magnitude of his powers.

"And your offer expires in five... Four... "

"A puppy. " I blurted out. "I want a puppy. "

"You want a puppy?" his shock was evident. "You can have anything in this world and you ask for a puppy?"

"Yes, a golden retriever to be precise."

In my defense, this request was close to impossible. Mom had sworn off getting another dog after our Swiss Shepherd, Angel, passed away a year back.

After months of trying to beg mom to get another dog, I had finally given up. So I was really eager to see how this would unfold.

"Well then, your wish is my command." he smiled at me.

"Now would you be so kind as to tell me how you ended up back here?" I half teased, a part of me really wanted to know.

"A magician never shares his secrets." he winked. "I believe you have a party to get ready for."

"How do you know about that?" I was certain I hadn't mentioned anything about the party to him.

"Haven't we already established that there's a lot I know? It's best if you don't question why or how."

I suspected that he was deliberately trying to be mysterious. However, I decided to go with it for now. Surprisingly I was kind of glad to have him back, I felt awful, especially after I discovered that Jordan's condition wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

"You wanna help me choose an outfit for the party?" I found myself asking. "Before you return to the dark side." I teased.

"Do you even have to ask?" he replied.

I figured his response hinted more towards how awful the darkness was for him. Since I was troubled after experiencing it for a short while, I decided offering to keep him out of it would make things a little easier for him. And although I wasn't ready to openly admit it, I was starting to enjoy his company. But for how long could I be enjoying a hologram's company? Until I found the locket that released his soul? What happens after I find it?

"I'm waiting for my fashion show." he snapped me out of my wandering thoughts.

After receiving responses like "that's too short" and "that's too revealing", for some of my hottest outfits, I realized that Xypher was the wrong person to ask for advice. I'm sure even my dad would be more helpful and less prudish.

"Okay, that's enough. I'll find something tomorrow." I was exasperated, this guy was obviously trying to turn me into a nun, ensuring I expose no skin at all.