*
James slowly opened his eyes, to the surprise of finding himself inside his bedroom, in his own bed. He went out of bed to investigate and see whether they’d truly returned home or not.
“Samira?” he said, as he ran into her halfway through the hallway. It seemed as if she’d been awake for a while, but looked just as surprised as James was.
Had it all just been a dream? Impossible...
James carefully touched the spot where the Master had hit him. Exactly what he’d thought; the wound was still there. Not a dream.
“I believe I heard something,” a muffled voice said behind from downstairs; another voice responded, but was inaudible. Footsteps coming up the stairs followed shortly.
“I know, but I want to check anyway!”
A woman’s head appeared just above floor level as Cheyenne came up the stairs; as soon as she saw her two children, she started to cry.
“It’s them!” she shouted. “THEY’RE HOME!”
The sound of feet rushing up the stairs was heard, and soon enough, David and Lucy appeared, crying tears of joy as soon as they saw James and Samira were safe and sound.
“My boys!” Cheyenne cried, as James walked over to hug her. “Oh, I am so glad to see you two safe!”
“We should call the other parents to check if their kids are back as well,” David said, while hugging Samira.
“We should! I’ll call the other households, to see if they’re back,” Lucy said, while briefly saying hi to her cousins before running down the stairs, overflowing with joy. “We need to celebrate this Christmas together, as one, big family!”
“Isn’t that what we’ve always been?” James said with a smile.
“Actually, James, you’re right,” Samira said, while ruffling his hair. “Yes. Yes we have.”
And all of a sudden, it hit James. There was something he needed to do; something he’d promised himself he’d do as soon as he got back.
He apologised to his family and David for having to leave so quickly – of course they didn’t understand, but they would soon enough.
James quickly threw on some simple clothes, got his jacket from the coat rack and rushed down the street, while reaching for his phone. Anna was on his speed dial, so he could call her without having to stop running. The phone rang, and eventually, someone picked up.
“Hello?”
“Anna!” James shouted through the phone, happy to hear Anna’s voice. “Guess what?”
“...James?” Anna said, sounding slightly confused. “Are... are you back yet?”
“What do you think?” James said; he’d reached her front yard. “I’m standing in the middle of your yard, silly!”
Behind one of the windows of Anna’s house, the curtains moved, and a face appeared behind them. She was still holding her phone; she waved at the redheaded teenager as soon as she saw him. “Stay there. I’m coming downstairs.”
James heard Anna running down the stairs through her phone; she didn’t hang up until she was running out of the front door, straight into James’s arms.
“I don’t believe it,” Anna said, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “It really is you.”
“Of course it’s me,” James said. “Who else?”
He breathed in deeply. He had to say it now. He had to.
“Anna?” James said carefully, his voice trembling with nervousness.
“Yes, James?” the girl replied, highly anticipating the answer. She knew what he was going to say; she just needed the confirmation from his mouth she so desired.
“I love you,” James said; he said it quick, yet loud. Loud enough for Anna to hear, and just quick enough for her to be able to respond to the feeling of James’s lips kissing hers.
This was the moment they’d both been waiting for; and now, at long last, it’d finally arrived. And, after all, all they had to do is believe in each other, and believe in themselves. Belief is where Magic, whether light or dark, is based on. Without belief, there is no Magic.
A thought to keep in mind in the future...
***
~ TABLE OF CONTENTS ~
I: The Five
II: This Is Real
III: Into The Void
Guardian: Protectors of Light Page 56