by Martha Carr
"And so it is," read Taylor, quickly going back to his perch by the window. A coyote leaped at the window, yipping as it struck the glass but Taylor held his ground. "I don't know, partner, this is not looking good. What in the Sam Hill? Will you look at that."
Maggie pressed up next to him just as two more dogs leapt at the window, blocking her view and rattling the panes, sending a splintery crack through a piece of the glass. They fell back and Maggie finally got a view of the alley. Most of the coyotes were still focused on the garage, growling and snapping at Maggie. But a few were breaking off to face down a growing swirl of bubbles appearing just beyond the El Camino.
"Bernie..." Maggie gasped, pushing away from the window and slipping past Wilmark, throwing open the door. Wilmark instantly drew his bow, slipping an arrow easily into the notch, the muscles in his arm tightening as he sent the arrow sailing over Maggie's shoulder, piercing the chest of the nearest large coyote. He fell without even a whimper as the others drew back, baring their teeth and growling. The ground beneath them shook, as if even the Earth was participating. He grabbed Maggie by the arm and looked her in the eye, determined to tell her something. "If you ever need me, hold this ring to the light." He pressed a signet ring into her palm with the insignia of the Godwin Knights carved in the center of the gold.
"That's it? That's all it will take?"
Wilmark didn't answer, pulling out another arrow and taking aim.
Bernie appeared out of the bubbles, even as more mechanics were popping out of the ground behind him out of a continuous cloud of bubbles.
A large grey coyote with a streak of silver down its back leapt in the air at Bernie as Maggie took careful aim and fired off a shot, wounding the animal. It fell to the ground, just shy of its mark as the Earth split open and swallowed the coyote, pulling it underground.
Bernie sent out bubbles that exploded in sharp bangs and a spray of sharp, stinging points, raining down over the rest of the dogs' heads, sending them back as the mechanics pressed forward.
He finally reached Maggie and took her by the hand, pulling her toward the car. "You need to go. This cluster was caused by the ship. Something must have happened to remind the Earth that you're not supposed to be here and she sent reinforcements to take care of the mess. These animals don't know any better, they're just following orders. Get out of here now and we can get them to disperse and fade back into the woods.'
Maggie turned around to grab the puzzle box. "This is what did it, isn't it? It's like a transmitter." She shoved it toward Bernie.
Bernie cupped the wooden box and watched the sides collapse and come back together when he let go. "That explains what our gauges were picking up downstairs. We got a distress call from this area and I knew it had to be you. Apparently the ship could sense the signals as well. Maybe you should leave it behind."
Maggie tucked the box into her jacket before Bernie could stop her. "No, I finally found a way to contact you." Maggie balled up her hand into a fist. "And I need it to help me find an old friend. Simon has taken someone else and this time he left behind a body. This isn't a negotiation."
Bernie shook his head. "No time to talk sense into you. Just use it carefully and only when you have to. Remember, the ship isn't against you. It's doing what it has to, to balance out the books. We have to find the compass and use it to locate the other Elementals and put the machinery back together. Then, maybe we can talk to the Earth and make her understand."
Maggie stared at Bernie for a moment and he regretted his choice of words.
"Okay, not maybe, not maybe at all! Of course there's a way, kid. We'll find it. Now, go!"
The mechanics fired more exploding bubbles over the heads of the coyotes but a large male broke out of the pack and leapt at an older gnome, tackling him in the dirt. The gnome cried out in pain, shielding his face with his arms, even as the coyote bit down. The other Huldus opened their mouths wide, spinning out glowing blue bubbles that wrapped around the dog, pulling him backward.
Bernie opened the door to the El Camino and shoved Maggie inside just as a coyote reached out, slashing the rain pants down one leg and drawing a trickle of blood. Maggie winced in pain and fell back into the car.
"You have to go. You're the reason they're still gathering and we can only hold them off for a while without having to kill them all. The Earth won't be thrilled by that either. Go, I'll find you at the Mean Eyed Cat after I make sure my brethren are okay. It'll be alright." He shut the door and Maggie looked up at the doorway as Taylor waved her off, signaling her to drive away. Wilmark readied another arrow and took aim, killing a coyote that was snapping at Bernie's heels.
Maggie reluctantly started the car and steered her way down the alley, glancing in the rear view mirror at the tangle of gnomes and coyotes and one tall elf with a bow pushing her partner back into the safety of the garage. "What have I done?" she gasped, hitting the gas and speeding away.
14
Maggie drove around the corner and down Pressler, speeding past her house where she could still hear the yipping from the pack as they pressed their way down the alley. Her leg throbbed with pain from the long claw marks.
She parked down the block and watched from a distance as old Mr. Hines came out of his house moving more easily than Maggie knew he could, tucking his wand under his arm as he ran for her back yard. The adrenaline rushed through her and she wanted to get out and run back there to help, but knew she would only make things worse.
A flash of light erupted from behind the house with a loud whomp that drew more people out of their houses, standing on their front porches and exchanging glances.
There was a sudden pounding on the passenger side door, startling her and she looked up to see Diana, her eyes wide with fear and concern, rattling the door handle and waving at Maggie. "Open up! What the hell's going on?"
Maggie unlocked the door and Diana pulled it open, sliding in to the seat. "Are you okay? I could hear the noise all the way down to my house. Mom is texting and calling me at the same time. For someone who can't figure out her Kindle she can really work a phone." Her words came out in a fast jumble even as she gave Maggie a quick glance. Her thick red hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, stray bits of hair falling around her face. She grabbed her sister, pulling her close for a hug, squeezing her arms and pressing her hands against her back, looking for injuries.
Maggie gently pushed her back, holding her steady by her shoulders. "That's an old trick, sister, I haven't forgotten it, either. I'm okay, just the one small wound. Don't touch it!" Maggie tried to pull her leg back but it was too late.
Diana ignored her, ripping a bigger hole in the rain pants. "I'm a doctor, remember?" She gently poked at it, ignoring Maggie's twitching. "That doesn't look too deep but it's pretty red. Was that the sound of coyotes?" She worked as she spoke, her voice growing steadier.
"Has this got something to do with magic? It sounds like the gates of hell opened up." She glanced back over her shoulder at the baying that was echoing off the houses. "Hold still." She held on to Maggie's knee with a tight grip. "I left a first aid kit in your car a long time ago.” She flipped open the glove compartment and fumbled around inside, flipping over loose papers. “Hopefully you didn't... here it is,” she said, scooping it out.
Maggie pulled at her sister's hand that was wrapped around her knee, clenching her teeth in pain. "You're still freakishly strong. Ease up, already."
"It's one of my better qualities. It shouldn't be this red already. Were those normal coyotes?"
"That's kind of a grey area. Hang on, hang on." Maggie brushed back her sister's hand before she could pour iodine over the thin cuts through the rain pants. "Let me try something. I can't help everyone else, but at least I can do this."
Diana looked at Maggie's determined face and sat back, the small plastic bottle poised in mid-air. "Okay, I trust you. What do you have in mind?"
"Bernie taught me a little something."
"We're venturing into
woo-woo, aren't we? Wait, you've done this before?" Diana leaned back against the seat, her shoulders dropping. "I feel like I missed out on something. Don't we usually tackle these big adventures together?"
Maggie hesitated, wincing from the pain, pressing her lips together, as she glared at her big sister. The sound of the howling grew quieter and she relaxed just enough to take in a deeper breath.
Diana looked over her shoulder toward the noise. "I take it our team is winning." She looked at Maggie and lowered the bottle. "Okay, got it," said Diana, "you need me to believe in something with you. I get it. Go ahead, you can do it." She gave Maggie a reassuring smile, nodding even as she gripped the iodine bottle in her lap a little tighter.
It was an old game they played with each other since they were little and lost their father. Their mother started to retreat into her own grief and too much wine and they knew they'd need to figure things out for themselves. The entire world interested them and they soon fell into a pattern. One of them would come up with a crazy idea and other other would have to give in and take a leap of faith that they'd come out the other side. Most of the time it was Diana who saw the potential downside but she was right there next to her little sister, hoping for the best.
"Hang on." Maggie shook out her hands, blowing out a deep breath. She tilted her head back and shut her eyes, focusing on healing purple bubbles.
Nothing happened. She opened her eyes and looked around, moving her leg, letting out an involuntary hiss at the surge of pain.
Diana started to say something but Maggie waved at her, determined to get something right and do it herself.
The big sister let it go and waited, doing her best to look hopeful.
Maggie tried again, breathing in through her nose and out her mouth. Focus on an intention and then let it go. She pressed her eyes closed even harder and held out her hands. Still nothing. "It's not working," she spit out, angrily, her eyes glistening.
Diana arched an eyebrow at her and cautiously took one of her hands, refusing to let go of it. "I can help. Nope, not letting go. You don't have to keep proving you can do everything on your own. I can help."
"How? This is wrapped up in magic, which you're not." The words echoed somewhere from an old hurt but Maggie instantly regretted what she said. She made herself put her hands on either side of Diana's face. "It's not what I meant."
Diana put her hands on top of her sister's. "Yes it is, and it's okay. It's me, and I know better. It must be scaring the crap out of you not to be in control, not to be able to help and make some order out of this." Diana licked her lip and lowered Maggie's hands, holding on to them. "I'm not magical, not like you and it's okay. That's not a measure of my worth, or of yours. But, let me help you. Don't shake your head at me. Let me help you just by holding your hand." Diana squeezed her hand. "Now talk me through it and try again. You can do this, but you don't have to do it alone. Even superheroes need people, piglet."
"You know I don't like that nickname."
"Then, don't make me use it. Go on, work your woo-woo and lean on me a little. Let's see if a regular old Peabrain can do something for the Elemental. Go on..." Diana bit the inside of her cheek, determined not to let Maggie see her worry.
Maggie paused, chewing on her bottom lip. "I should tell you, the last time I really tried to do some magic, I turned a mouse into a corgi."
Diana's eyes grew wider, but she didn't let go of Maggie's hand. "Interesting bit of news. Not sure what to do with that. I kind of like the way my parts fit together so keep that in mind. Plus, you'll really drive Mom to drink in a much more spectacular fashion. That cucumber will be a permanent pickle."
"That's not funny either."
"It will be later as long as I don't go through the cosmic scrambler. Come on, no time like the present and that wound looks weird. Either you do something or I'm dumping this iodine on it."
"I can do this." Maggie shut her eyes and focused as a cool thread of energy swept through her head.
Diana nodded her head. "You can do this... hopefully not to me. If you do, give me a smaller butt."
Maggie's eyes popped open as the energy swirled inside of her. She took in long even breaths, doing her best to clear her mind.
Diana's eyebrows shot up, wrinkling her forehead. "Your eyes are glowing like they're backlit. So this is really a thing. Forget what I said about the whole butt thing. Can you put my Barbie Malibu Beach House back together instead?"
"I told you I didn't mean to break it. Come on, I'm supposed to be focusing, or kind of not focusing."
"That's the instructions you got? I can see how you got a corgi." She tried to smile at her little sister. "It'll be okay. Please don't make me into anything else. You can do it."
"This is the same kind of encouragement you gave me before we took out those paddleboards on Lady Bird Lake when I was twelve." After Dad was gone, she wanted to say, but she knew Diana was thinking it too. It was the way both of them measured time from their childhood. Before when there was a dad, and after when there was just a grieving mother. They did it without self-pity and more of a recognition to the quiet bomb blast that had come through their lives.
"You made it back to shore." Diana tilted her head to the side. "I love you and you're putting it off. I'll be okay, no more jokes, and you're in pain. Go ahead, look at me while you think of something and nothing at all." She kept her breathing even and smiled. "You can do this," she whispered.
Maggie focused on Diana's face and steadied her breathing, picturing the healing purple energy Bernie had showed her. She felt something growing inside of her mouth and she parted her lips as a series of bubbles slipped out, taking shape as they hit the air. They were each a deep lavender and floated gently down to her leg, popping just overhead as the light spilled out from the inside and spread out over the wound.
Diana's eyes widened in amazement and she held on tighter to her sister's hands. "This has to be the most badass thing you've ever done. This is even better than a corgi out of a mouse. Look at that! It's a new kind of medicine that you carry around with you! Can these things fix bones?"
Maggie opened her mouth to say something as another bubble escaped, settling down on her leg. The warmth from the light was easing the pain and the red swelling around the slash marks was creeping back. The smell of magnolias were everywhere. She could feel the energy slipping away and she gently let go of Diana's hands.
"I did it," she whispered, excited.
"You did it," smiled Diana. "First victory?"
"First full one and no unexpected consequences... so far. I had one other triumphant moment and almost got the compass back. You should have seen it, but I couldn't hold onto the magic long enough."
The smile slipped momentarily from Diana's face. "I've missed a lot. She looked down, gingerly moving the torn pants to get a better look at the wound. "Well, there's no sudden hair growth if that's what you mean. Can you imagine if you turned yourself into something?"
Maggie rolled her eyes and turned around till she was in front of the steering wheel. "We're going down the alley. I have to know that everyone is okay." She glanced up at the rear view mirror in time to see Mr. Hines come strolling around the far end of the block, doing his best to look like he was just returning from a walk. Mrs. Fettig was still on her front steps looking back toward Maggie's yard and shouting something to Mr. Hines but he answered her with a shrug. "We owe Mr. Hines some of Mom's brownies." Maggie started up the car and slowly rolled to the end of the block away from the neighbors and closer to her mother's house.
"At his age, he might find them medicinal." Diana sat up on the edge of the seat, pressed against the door window, trying to catch glimpses down the alley as Maggie got closer to the narrow gravel road.
Maggie stopped at the top, surprised. "Everyone is gone," she said, her forehead wrinkling. She went down the alley, looking from side to side but there wasn't even a sign that there had ever been a skirmish. No blood, no dead animals, no wounded gnome. No
thing.
"These guys are like CIA good. What was all of that anyway? That many coyotes in one place. Did the bad guys send them? Are the animals taking sides?"
"Slow down with the questions. That was Mother Nature doing her thing." Maggie gripped the wheel tighter and kept driving right past her house, glancing over in time to see Dexter rolling on his back in the grass. "Don't freak out..."
"Worst way to start a sentence."
"I almost got shot in the head in a robbery but Bernie pulled me out."
Diana's mouth dropped open but she didn't say anything, staring at Maggie's face.
"I was going to tell you but I pictured this happening over alcohol and after you had a few." She pulled out onto the street and turned back toward Pressler. "Drop you at home?"
"Not funny, Piglet. Tell me the rest." It was one of the few times Maggie could remember that Diana sounded angry when talking to her, instead of at worst, annoyed.
Maggie swallowed hard and drove back down the street, waving to confused neighbors as she pulled up the El Camino up in front of Diana's house. "Look, it all happened so fast and I'm okay and there was so much happening..." She stopped and smacked her lips, ducking her chin. "I'm making it worse, aren't I? Okay, I was a dick and I'm sorry. It all got away from me. Geez, another lame excuse. I don't really have a good one."
"Skip that part. Get to the part about Mother Nature." Diana turned to glare at her sister before going back to looking out the window.
"Apparently, Mother Nature doesn't like it when someone hangs around past their expiration date and she's trying to rectify the situation." Maggie threw up her hands as Diana whipped around, tears in her eyes. "But... but good news, I'm the Elemental so it's not as easy as that. Hopefully."
"You're not making this better. You almost died at work"