After Childhood

All the Alerts

"I'm so tired."
"I know, honey. But you have to go to school. Keep your wand on you. But try to refrain from using magic."
"Okay, mom. Hey, where's dad?"
"He'll be walking your brother to school until all of this blows over."
"Okay."
"I'm sorry that your friend, Zoey almost died."
"Me too."
"But it's a good thing she's got friends like you and Gonigan."
"I guess."
"Trust me, honey. It's a good thing."
"Alright. How do I look?"
"Tired."
"Can I have some money to stop by Hooper's store?"
"Of course you can. Here, ten bucks. Should be enough to- an alert."
"Ah, it's Louie."
"We'll go do this together."
"Grab onto my wand, mom."
My wand teleported us both to the location and we saw Louie being held down by two people while a third guy held a knife up against Louie's face.
"Get away from him!"
I ripped the knife from his hands and then slammed into the guy, sending him reeling.
"Get the girl."
"You won't hurt my daughter."
Thus the fight was on. The guys holding down Louie let go of him and they charged forward, leaving Louie to get up. He immediately joined the fray and fist faught the guy who was holding the knife.
It wasnt an easy fight. Even with magic. We weren't looking to kill, just demobilize.
"Down. Louie, call the cops. Abby, you're going to be late for school."
"I figured that much."
How'd y'all know I was in trouble?"
"Remember when I told you to hold onto my wand and then I did a thing?"
"I do."
"It was an alert spell. If you are in any real danger I'll be alerted."
"Much obliged, Abby and Belinda."
"Ah, another alert... it's Zoey. Momma, you stay here."
"Are you sure, love bug?"
"Yes. Watch him."
Here we go.
I teleported away and landed right in front of Zoey. What I saw was a guy with a gun.
"What's up?"
"I can kill two with one bullet. The boss will be so happy."
"I don't think so. Hey, Gonigan."
Gonigan suddenly appeared behind the guy and then... grabbed his head and immediately snapped his neck.
"Is everyone alright?"
"I'm fine. Zoey?"
"I'm fine. Just scared."
"Get her to school, G?"
"Yeah. Call me if you need me."
"You got it."
"Come on, Zoey.
And back to mom. Whoa, the police are already here.
"There she is. Abby... dead person. Abby what happened?"
"Mom he held a gun at Zoey and me."
"A gun?"
"Yeah. And Gonigan was trying help us."
"Ma'am, we're gonna need a report from both you and your daughter."
"Of course, Officer Brown."
"We'll have our detective down here momentarily."
Hmm? A detective? Wait, all the guys have been taken... got it. Alright. Hold on.
"Mom, where's Louie?"
"I poofed him to work dear. And I told the officers about that non-government approved camera that you found. They found twenty more around the neighborhood. They are sending people out to take them down."
"Oh boy."
"I and my partner, officer Mortimer will stay being while the other four take these three downtown. An ambulance is on it's way to take this dead guy away."
"Abby, your eyes are rolling back. Sit down and rest before you pass out."
"Right."
"We'll get you that coffee after this. I'll even get you a espresso shot."
"Thanks, mom."
At this rate, I won't be able to go to school until after lunch. And I'm going to be so tired.
Unless I get a shot of magic in that coffee. But mom wouldn't do that. It's especially dangerous for people so intact with sea of of magic.
"Ugh."
"Gonigan going to a school, dear?"
"Yeah. Ar least, he took Zoey there. Wait, mom, did you call Mae?"
"No. I'll do that right now."
"Thanks."
"Of course."
And I hope that she's okay. I hope Elmo's okay. These guys are bold. It's morning. It's not even early in the morning. The sun is up and shining bright. Not a sing cloud in the sky. And they decide to try and hurt Louie. Louie leaves work super late. Just get him then. You stupid people.
"Alright, Mae. Be safe... we are fine. My daughter's getting a little tired, but she's fine."
"Hi, Mae."
"She said hello."
I'm so tired.
"Abby, Belinda."
"Dad?"
Hello, love. We are both fine. Just a little worn. Hey can you do us a favor?"
"What?"
"Go and get Abby a coffee from the cafè a la Magic."
"Are you sure, Belle?"
"Yes. She needs it?"
"Alright. Want anything?"
"No, I'm quite alright. Thank you."
And dad disappeared. Must have gone to the fairy world for this.
"Wh... What's Cafè a la Magic?"
"Oh, hon, Cafè a la Magic is a magic place, anyone can go there if you can get there. It's used by those who work long shifts and need a pick me up. Similar to espresso, but a little stronger and it's instant."
"Oh like the shots of magic that dad put in my coffee while we were with family."
"That's it exactly."
"Got it. I did want to see Chris, though."
You still can. Why don't you take that ten after this and get something to eat there."
"Thanks, momma."
"Of course, love. Oh, looks like the detective is here."
It does. Oh it's a Snuffy. It looks a lot like my friend Snuffy. Darker fir, though.
"Detective Snuffle. I've been giving a brief synopsis of your situation. I would like more detail."
"Of course, sir. Uh, I'll tell you. And Abby, you can interject. First thing you need to understand is that-"
My wand is vibrating. And it's... Rosita? Huh, that is an old cast. I don't even remember doing that.
"Another problem. I'll be back."
"Hon, what is it."
"An alert, I'll be right back."
And poof. It's Elmo with a big rock.
"Really, Elmo. You aren't even suppose to be on school premises. Get lost."
"Señorita Abby? When did you... Elmo Monster. You-"
"Shh... honey, do me a favor. Calm down. Go inside and talk with Gonigan."
"But amiga, he-"
"I got it. Go on."
"Si, you're right."
"And you, red jerk. Bibbety bobbity, bye-bye."
And he's home.
"I am getting drained."