Fantasy Kingdom XXI
Page 19
Melissina flung her arms around Charles. “Thank you for everything, Charles. I’m going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
“It’s better if it’s quick.” Melissina smiled, but she looked like she was going to start crying.
Phichorian rested his hand on Charles shoulder. This was the worst. Charles looked up at Phichorian, trying to find words.
Phichorian saw it in Charles’s face. He caught him in a tight hug.
“I’ll never forget you,” Charles whispered.
“I know,” Phichorian murmured. “Take care of yourself.” He stepped back.
Charles looked at Phichorian and saw that Phichorian had understood that Charles had heard everything he wanted to say in those words.
Charles turned to Bobble. Bobble smiled. “Go on. I can slip through, so this may not be goodbye.”
“Ready?” Dean Shellwood asked.
“Yeah.” Charles went to her side, then turned for a final wave. Phichorian had his arm around Melissina. Amertious was standing near them now. They all waved.
“Just step here.” Dean Shellwood pointed to a circle drawn on the ground. Charles obeyed.
There was the feeling of falling, not really head-over-heels, more around and around. Just when Charles was starting to feel nauseous, his feet hit something springy. It took a second for him to recognize his bed.
“Charles!”
“Choose a slot.”
“Charles! Coffee will be done in six seconds!”
Charles put the box with the Order of Rooksguard on the nightstand and grabbed the controller. He selected the first empty slot. “Just a sec, Mom! I’m saving the game right now!” He hit a few buttons and came up with some nonsense for a name to save under and turned off the console and the TV. He took off his sword and left it on the bed. He’d have to hide it later, until he could come up with a good story for how he got it. He wished he’d asked Phichorian for ideas. It was just the sort of thing Phichorian was good at.
As Charles ran to the door, he looked out of the window. Bobble was there. Charles gave him a thumbs-up. Bobble waved and flitted away.
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