“I’m going to transform in the bathroom. Megan, can you please put my clothes in there. It’s near that back wall,” she said, pointing to it with her right paw.
“Sure, let me grab it.” Swiftly she dashed to the other side of the room, opening the door for Starla. I watched her rush into change. Then turned to help Minder with the food.
Chapter 51
(Starla)
I rushed in ready to change. I’d most likely be repeating the process after food. Oh, Buffy, you had it easy, girl. I wish, my only job was to kill vamps. Instead, I shift forms, read dreams, and so much more. Megan shut the door behind me, but before I shifted I swear I saw an image of the black wolf in the mirror hanging over the sink.
I ignored it. Then rummaged through the bag my sister had packed for me pulling out a pair of jeans. She’d also selected a white T-shirt along with a multi-colored low slung sweatshirt. Ah! Classic 80’s. What was she doing? Digging through the back of my closet? At least Cal might get a kick out of it. I smirked, then put on the clothes. I attempted to fix my hair. What a mess. Hadn’t she considered packing me a brush? I turned to the sink. Water might help. I could use it to smooth out some of the frizz. I turned on the warm water. Then placed my hands under it. After that, I ran my fingers through my hair. There that would have to do. Satisfied, I shut it off. Then turned around little by little so I wouldn't knock into the sink or the toilet. I grabbed my backpack and pushed open the door. I almost fell sprinting towards where everyone sat. I looked up to see Eva, Cal, and Star had joined us.
“Sis, you need to be more careful,” Megan advised as I sat down next to her.
“You’re right,” I replied, grabbing a paper plate off of the table. I filled it up with fruit, bacon, and a piece of dry toast. Cal was already munching happily away next to her Mom. I wondered what Nayla had in mind for this morning’s lesson. Would we be doing something different? I put my fruit on my toast and took a big bite.
“Dad, what were you dreaming about when I woke you?” asked Megan.
My dad cleared his throat, and Mom moved closer to him. She put her arm in his drawing him near.
“I had a visit from the black wolf regarding the shadows. It’s not essential at the moment. We need to focus on today,” said Dan.
That was probably the growling I heard, I thought. Then put a piece of bacon into my mouth. I chewed then swallowed. I was about to address my dad, but Megan beat me to it.
“But!” added Megan.
Eva gave her a stern look. “There are no butts here! I agree with him. Now, Everyone finish eating. Nayla will be here soon.”
Minder nodded to Eva setting down her empty plate on the table. She stood up and motioned for Cal and me, to follow her. Cal stuffed the last bit of toast into her mouth. Then finished her orange juice. I drank mine too quickly causing me to cough a little. It seemed like an eternity before I finally stopped.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Come, we’ll meditate before Nayla arrives. You two are not to depart from your bodies, or to leave in this meditation. It’s to calm you.”
Cal and I hastily joined her on the floor.
“Now, close your eyes. Relieve your stress, find inner peace. When Nayla arrives, I will advise you on the next step. For now, concentrate,” said Minder.
Okay, did I need this to do some Buffy like move or would I be learning a new skill to defeat an enemy? One where Minder would connect with Cal and me? Nayla had to be preparing us for the attack on the scientists, or the shadows. This preparation was not a current affair. Did dad know what she was planning?
Rascal must be a bit upset not having been included in all this. Du-Vance was his son. Should I have gone to see him instead of letting my father run the show? I put my hands up to my temples and rubbed gently. I needed to let go of rambling thoughts.
“Starla, stop, you’ll get us in trouble,” Cal mind spoke to me.
I sighed, then released the questions clouding my brain.
“Starla Araina,” said Nayla nudging my arm. I opened my eyes. The room seemed awfully bright. She trotted into the center of our circle. Then sat on her hind legs facing us. “Where’s everyone else?” I asked.
“Dan went to see Cavin in the dining hall. I sure hope Jones shows up! Tri and Megan are with Mango,” Nayla answered.
Who was Mango? I tried to conjure up a picture in my head. Hadn’t I seen any photos of her? I’d have to ask mom later.
“Ah, and Eva?” said Cal concerned.
“Also in the dining hall, ah ha jury room. Please, let’s not worry. Shall we begin?”
Cal and I nodded. Minder blinked a few times but stayed silent.
“This exercise will not only ensure safety but are tactics you can use as a team. After this trial, we’ll be facing our worst enemies. It’s not going to be as easy as Thunder Head Bay. In fact, after the hearing. We’ll be facing unusual demons.”
Cal looked over at me. I glanced away for an instant. Minder shivered, then regained her composure.
“I’m not sure what happened at Thunder Head Bay. I don’t know why I couldn’t escape from Sika. Before I’d always been able to outrun my enemies. I picked up large logs in the woods when traveling with Cal. I even made us a makeshift hut to stay in on our journey.”
Nayla shook her head. “Well, we’ll need to resolve this. I’d like you on the defense line during the next mission. Eventually, Jenson and Molly will be joining us. I wasn’t going to press this issue, but with the black wolfs appearances along with messages given. I’m troubled.”
“I agree. I’m willing to do what it takes. Is it possible that I could be cursed?” asked Minder.
Nayla laughed, “That's highly unlikely. It could have been nerves or fear. We need to work on that. Fear can freeze you up. It isn’t good. It's the reason I had you meditate first. This being said I want Minder to start by attempting to lift both Cal and Starla Araina. It also might sound silly, but I will have you dash from one end of the room to another. I need to see how you perform when you’re not under pressure.”
Cal’s jaw dropped open in shock. “What if she drops us?”
“I won’t. I promise,” Minder chuckled standing up. She approached me first.
“What? I’m the guinea pig?”
Minder winked at Cal. Then reached out to me with her right arm. She swung it around my waist rapidly lifting me over her shoulder effortlessly. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten so much. I felt a gurgle in my stomach. Then a shot up to my throat. Hold it in! Hold it in! These were my only clothes. I gulped it down before it came back up. Gross!
“Are you Okay? You look kind of sick,” said Cal.
I gave her a thumbs up forcing myself to grin. Then returned to my relaxed pout as soon as she turned to Minder.
“Are you prepared?”
“I am, you’ve managed to pick up Starla Araina. I should be fine,” Cal admitted.
Minder rambled in the direction of Cal as she held me tightly on the right side of her back over her shoulder. Slowly, she knelt down, scooping her up using her left arm. She’d used the same technique but had taken it slower. Why couldn’t she have done that with me? Perhaps I wouldn’t have almost vomited all over the floor.
“Now run with them in your arms,” instructed Nayla.
“What! You didn’t say anything about running,” I blurted.
“Oh, you’ll be just fine,” said Nayla. She swished her tail back and forth in an annoyed manner waiting. “Go to the other side of the room. I want you to move as swiftly as you’re able. Stop once you near the window. Stop fast. Do not hold back.”
“Alright, I don’t suppose you want me to break through the wall,” Minder added.
“No, but as fast as you’re able,” Nayla replied.
Geez. Minder's bony-shoulder dug into my stomach. She needed to eat more. Didn’t wolves eat a lot of meat? I shot Cal, a fleeting look. What was she pondering? She had her face all scrunched up, and her eyes were closed.<
br />
“Okay, I’m going to give this my best blast. Understand that I might leave marks on this carpet,” she warned her. Then carried Cal and me to the other side of the room as instructed. Minder turned on her heel back around to face Nayla.
“Take your stance, breath in, and out. Now visualize your goal, movements, and abilities. Go!” Nayla shouted.
My face felt as if it was being, flattened! Were her huge wolf feet even touching the floor? Would we go through the window pane?
“No!” shouted Nayla. She dove towards the window, reaching underneath it with her paws. She tried to open it. Minder ducked. Then dug her claws into the carpet to slow herself down. She skidded against the wall. Instinctively, I reached up placing my hands over my head in case of emergency. Plaster fell from the wall hitting me on the head. We crashed grinding the carpet further into our bodies.
“I warned you,” Minder snarled.
Nayla backed up defensively. I guess she hadn’t expected that type of reaction. Minder kept us close to her torso. She cautiously moved her arms out from underneath us. “Are you two ok?”
“I’ll be fine. Except for the small bump on my head.” I rubbed it, then sat up. Cal repositioned herself on the floor. She pushed her hand into her pocket and pulled out an object inspecting it.
“Did you finally get a cell phone?”
“Yeah, making sure the darn thing didn’t break,” she said showing it to me.
“Cool, you’ll have to give me your digits.”
“Sure, so Minder. It seems like everything’s fine concerning your abilities. Do you think it was fear that held you back that night?” asked Cal. She handed her phone to me. I proceeded to put my number in it for her. Then, handed it back.
“I presume we’ll find out during the next mission. Unless Nayla has any idea’s on how to prepare me for unexpected fear,” she replied.
“I’ll set something up after the trial. Once it’s settled, we should be able to form a plan to infiltrate the scientists. Leave your things here. Cavin should have everyone prepared and waiting.”
“Okay, that was fast!”
“Yes, this was to help Minder not everything’s about you Starla Araina. Let’s go.”
Minder stood up, and we followed her to the exit. Had I been arrogant or was she just on edge? No one even spoke of the evidence found last night or what had occurred.
Today focus on today. Then you can voice your concerns I told myself silently following the leader.
Chapter 52
(Dan)
Before I’d left Starla in the middle of her meditation Nayla had promised, it would be brief. Tri and Megan had gone to see Mango. Tri was supposed to be reassuring her of our safety. I turned to the dining hall door, then swung back around. I thought I’d heard a noise. Nothing. Maybe I should contact Jones. He was supposed to be here by now. I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed. It rang several times before going to voicemail.
“Jones, I need to talk to you before the bandits are brought in. Get here as soon as you’re able. If not, we’ll discuss it later,” I stated. Then hung up.
Had Cavin gotten a chance to decipher the evidence? I’d handed it over to him as soon as I’d arrived. He’d taken it into his chambers. A little corner room I’d never been in before. I didn’t ask to enter. Instead, I’d stayed out here to mull things over. Cavin peeked his head out of the doorway.
“Please get everyone in the dining hall. Shellena and Lance are on their way. I contacted Nayla. She’s bringing Minder, Cal, and Starla Ariana,” he informed me. Then shuffled back into his chambers, leaving the door ajar.
Impending footsteps came from around the corner. I heard Molly’s voice. “This is going to be creepy. We haven’t seen these monsters since the mission.”
“We're safe here,” said Owl, his voice echoed throughout the hall. Jenson swiftly turned to the entrance nearly running into me.
“Ah, sorry. We made it here safely. Can I see Starla?” he asked.
I could tell Jenson was nervous. Before I could answer him, Cavin came outside to join us.
“They should be here shortly. Why don’t you go inside? Kaya will show you to your seats. Don’t be frightened,” he said, holding the door open for them. Then nodded, before shutting it.
“This is it,” said Jones.
“You have to stop appearing out of nowhere. Is there something you aren’t telling me!” I demanded.
“No, no. I slipped in behind the crew. I got your message. What is it?”
I glanced up and down the hallway. Then turned to Jones. “The shadows are close. We have to be careful!”
“And you know this how?”
“This morning I had a vision-dream. I figured it was Starla’s thing. The wolf contacted me once more. Weird, if you ask me.”
“Go on with it,” urged Jones.
“They’re located in Grandville, Illinois. It’s a strange park, a drive through. Residential living is on one side, and the other is vast parkland. The shadow army is in that location. The wolf didn’t confirm regarding the scientists.”
Jones shoulder’s stiffened as Shellena and Lance came upon us. They held the bandits firmly in their grasp. Gladiator and Gavin remained silent. Sika huffed all the way to the entryway glaring at us. Avoiding contact with them, I opened the door.
“Thanks,” Lance muttered.
“Come along, we’re going to have to deal with this, after the trial,” Jones stated.
“The girls,” I pronounced, pointing to Nayla, Cal, and Starla. Minder strutted behind them.
“I see, come along! Hurry now. There's no time to waste. Cavin will want to start right away!” said Jones.
I ushered Starla and Cal over to their seats. I wasn’t too concerned about Tri. Megan was probably bored out of her mind. Either that or asking Mango a ton of questions. When Mango started talking about the past, it was hard to shut her up.
Chapter 53
(Starla)
I'd taken my seat, but Cal decided she'd sit with Eva and Star. I stared at the notebook she grasped in her hands. I wondered what was in it? I hadn't thought about it since the meeting. It felt like ages ago. She hadn't mentioned any new information. I took a deep breath in and exhaled rubbing my sweaty palms on my jeans. Megan and Mom hadn't come back yet. Why was Mango keeping her? I fidgeted next to Jenson. He took my hand squeezing it to calm me. Molly and Owl sat on the other side of me. I leaned over her to whisper to him. “Where’s Rascal? He’s coming isn’t he?”
“Nuria’s bringing him. They’ll be here,” he assured me. I sat upright scanning the courtroom for faces I knew. Cavin sat in front at the judge’s table with my father to his right. Nayla was on his left. Where did that leave Kaya? I turned around to see her sitting behind us with Rascal and Nuria. They must have snuck in undetected. Shellena and Lance had the bandits in a corner box of seats to the right of my dad. Cavin stood to address us.
“First and foremost the Bandits are on trial for attempted manslaughter of Rascal’s son Martin Du-Vance. Today we’ll establish which one murdered him or if they hired someone else to do it!”
I heard chattering behind me. Jenson and I turned around to find out who it was. Kaya and Nuria were discussing some of Cal’s schoolwork. Rascal sat in silence. Jones was there with them. I moved away from Jenson and leaned to my left. Mom, Mango, and Megan straggled into the room. You couldn’t miss Mango. She was a brilliant orange. I noticed she had white paws, and the tip of her tail was black.
“Hey, Starla. I met Mango. At first, I was scared. She's pretty chill, though. Those bandits up there though are eerie.”
“Yeah, they are,” I admitted.
“Hey there, youngster. I knew you, before you knew yourself,” Mango joked.
“Um, Okay, fill me in later,” I replied.
Mango smiled, then winked at me. Odd, Mango didn’t seem fazed. Didn’t she know this was serious? I turned back to pay attention to Cavin. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw somet
hing move.
“Jenson, did you see that?” I whispered.
“No, nothing. Why? What did you see?” he demanded.
“Movement, I couldn’t see a figure or outline of anyone. Never mind. It must have been my imagination,” I answered.
“It’s most likely nerves. We’ve been anticipating this.”
“Order! Order in the court! Everyone needs to remain quiet during our interegation. That’s final! I’d like to call Sika to the stand,” said Cavin.
Shellena and Lance stood. Sika looked uncomfortable in cuffs. The expression on his face was similar to Gavin’s when he couldn’t break through our force field at Thunder Head Bay. What did he think, that he wasn’t supposed to be here? Shellena and Lance led him over for questioning. He twisted away from them roughly then sat down. Lance shot him a stern look as he strutted to his seat next to the other prisoners. Shellena nodded to Cavin and sat beside him.
“Go ahead Dan. Address the people in the court. Then question the defendant,” Jones instructed.
Dan got up, and pushed in his chair, gazing at Sika. “We’re here today to determine whether or not the bandits killed Martin Du-Vance. Cavin may I approach the defendant.”
“You may,” he replied.
“Sika, where were you on February 19th, the night Du-Vance was killed?”
Sika sat blinking his eyes. He turned up his paws rubbing them almost raw against the cuffs appearing agitated.
“Sika! Answer Dan!” howled Lance.
“Order, badgering the defendant! Let him answer,” urged Cavin.
“My boys and I were out hunting. We were about to call it a night. I hollered at Gavin and Gladiator to come back to me. I thought I’d heard a cry in the woods. It could have been an Owl. I went to look, but nothing was there. So then we all went back to camp. I had Minder guarding Cal.”
“Can Minder, or anyone in your group, verify this?” Dan asked.
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