by M.C. Moore
Chapter 11…
Meckenzie was sitting in study hall, her last class of the day, working on her homework when she heard Kellan calling her name. She looked around the classroom but there was no Kellan in sight. Meckenzie thought she might have imagined it. Then the thought crossed her mind that Kellan might be calling her mentally. She knew that Kellan was in her athletics class. Kellan would be working out or practicing in the gym.
“Meckenzie I need you.”
That time there was no doubting that Kellan was talking to Meckenzie telepathically. She was surprised that it was working at such a distance. She was going to try to call back to her, when a girl that Meckenzie recognized but didn’t really know came into the room and began talking to the teacher and pointing at Meckenzie.
Mrs. Thompson, Meckenzie’s study hall teacher called to her, “Meckenzie, your needed in the gym.”
“Yes ma’am.” Meckenzie made her way to the front of the class to follow the girl to the gym. “Is something wrong with Kellan?”
“Yes. I don’t know what though. We were running basketball drills and Sarah set a screen on Kellan that knocked her down. It was kind of a cheap shot, but I heard that Jake, Sarah’s boyfriend has a crush on Kellan. So anyways, Kellan got mad and then she started shaking. Before we knew what was going on, she had locked herself in the equipment room. She just kept yelling to get you and Taggart.”
“Do we need to get Taggart? He is probably in the science lab.”
“No, Sarah felt bad so she went to get Taggart. Though I think she may have a crush on him. That brother of yours is super cute. Is he seeing anyone?”
Meckenzie could not remember this girl’s name, but she was sure that Taggart wasn’t interested. “Umm, I think he is seeing someone from another school. He is kind of private about his romantic life.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I was sure he had to be seeing someone. With all the girls that are interested, he could have his pick of almost any girl in the school. He is going to Harvard right?”
Meckenzie just wanted to get to the gym and find out what was wrong with Kellan. This girl was super chatty and Meckenzie wasn’t sure if she wanted her to date Taggart if he was available and willing
“Yes, he is going to Harvard. He is excited and we are all very proud of him.”
Finally they were at the gym. Meckenzie ran across the gym to the equipment closet where Taggart was standing with the coach. He seemed to be trying to explain that Kellan was not feeling well lately and may just need some time.
“I think if you just allow us to talk to her, we can probably get her out of the closet. She really has been feeling poorly. Maybe you could get us some water and a towel. Kellan stomach has been really queasy lately.” Taggart was saying to the coach.
“I’ll send one of the trainers over with some water and some towels.” The coach walked back to practice and left Meckenzie and Taggart alone.
“Do you know what’s wrong?” Meckenzie asked.
“I think she may have gotten mad and had one of her growing incidents. Let’s go find out.”
“Kellan, it’s me and Taggart, let us in.”
Kellan opened the door. Meckenzie slipped in and was astounded at how big Kellan was. She had to be eight feet tall and was at least three feet wide at the shoulders. Her clothes had been ripped apart, but she had managed to strategically place what was left so as not to be completely naked.
Taggart stood outside the door and waited for the water and towels. The door was mostly closed, so that no one would be able to see the exact nature of Kellan’s “illness”.
“Oh Kellan, are you okay?”
“Yeah, except I’m freaking huge. I almost didn’t make it into the closet before I exploded into she-hulk. I don’t know what we are going to do. Do you think we can do the spell?”
“I don’t know, I don’t remember all of it. Maybe we can try to do it without the funky words.” Meckenzie was sure that they could, she knew that they had a power to get this thing done, they had to. She knew that they couldn’t get Kellan home like this, she was too big.
Taggart entered the closet with some bottles of water and some towels. He immediately started laughing. Kellan was getting more irritated by Taggart’s laughter and you could see the anger affecting her physically.
“You think it is funny.” Kellan said with rage.
“No it’s not funny, it’s amusing. Amusing that your body reflects who you are on the inside.” Taggart said with a smile.
“What I’m a she-hulk? A huge monster?”
“No, you’re larger than life and your natural body can’t hold all of your personality. So it creates this body that can hold all that you are.” Lovingly Taggart added, “I think you are amazing. I just find it amusing. There will be a time in life where you will appreciate all that you are, I know I do.”
Kellan couldn’t help but feel a little better. Taggart had a charm that was so much part of his personality that it didn’t come off as fake, or condescending. He just really believed what he was saying.
“Well I think we should concentrate on getting her back to normal size so we can get her home.” Meckenzie decided to get the three back on track. “Do you remember the spell that we performed last time to get her back to normal?”
Taggart shook his head, “No, but I think we can do this without the spell. I’ve been reading the spell books and I think I’ve determined that is not so much the words, but the intention and the power. I think if say ‘Be calm, be still’ it should work.”
Kellan was not looking very trusting, “Should work? What do we do if doesn’t work? I mean how can we remedy this situation if it doesn’t work.”
“Let’s just try it.” Meckenzie added.
The three of them joined hands and began to chant quietly.
“Be calm. Be still. Be calm. Be Still.” Over and over again they chanted with no results. The chanting grew louder and more intense as they went on. Meckenzie began slowly to feel a buzzing start in her hands. She felt it flow through the connection she had with her siblings. Power flowing through her body and out of her mind into the ethereal. Still, there was no effect on Kellan.
Kellan interrupted the chanting, “I don’t think this is working.”
“Maybe we should try different words.” Meckenzie said.
“Kellan, are you really concentrating? You have to believe this is going to work. We can’t do it without you believing in your power. I know that it is hard right now. You are really frustrated, I would be too. We just need you to be totally with us on this.” Taggart implored Kellan to concentrate.
“I could feel the buzzing. I just don’t know why it didn’t work.” Meckenzie added.
“Hold on, I’m going to go get something. Give me five minutes.” Taggart slipped out the door and left Meckenzie and Kellan in the equipment room.
“Kellan, I know you aren’t happy right now. I wish I could make this all better for you. I know you just want everything to go back to normal, but we don’t have that option. I hope you can find happiness in what we are and what we have to do. I want that for all of us. I think Taggart will be fine; he seems to adjust very well to any situation. I just worry about you.”
Kellan let out of sigh, “You don’t have to worry about me Meckenzie, your not my mother. Remember she ran away from us, and didn’t tell us anything about what was going on till it was already here. Yes, I want everything to go back to normal and I don’t want any of this. I want to live my life, not some life that everyone thinks I’m predestined to live. I am not a hero, I am just me. Why can’t you understand that? Why can’t we just be normal?”
Kellan’s large shoulders began to heave as tears rolled down her checks. Meckenzie felt helpless, she knew she couldn’t comfort Kellan. Meckenzie had always tried to protect Kellan. It was such a funny thought now, with Kellan being so big, to think that she wo
uld need any protection.
“What do you think Taggart’s up to?” Meckenzie subtly tried to change the subject as much as the subject could be changed.
“I don’t know.” Kellan said through tears. “I hope he thinks of something soon. I’m getting cold.”
“We are going to have to get you some more clothes before you can come out of here, you’ve ruined your work out clothes. We will have to ask Isabel how this is going to work if you are to use this power. You can’t be destroying your clothes every time you get big.”
“I have no intention of using this.” Kellan said dismissively.
“Then you will need to figure out how to control it.” Meckenzie was trying not to become frustrated with Kellan’s petulance. It was hard to not grab Kellan by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. Though it would be quiet impossible for Meckenzie to reach Kellan’s shoulders right now. The idea made Meckenzie laugh out loud.
“What?” Kellan asked.
“I just had an image of me trying to shake some sense into you. I’m not sure that I could have ever done it, with you being almost eight feet tall it would be impossible. It is a funny thought though.”
Kellan began to laugh. “I can only imagine you climbing up on the equipment box over there and trying to reach my shoulders.” She began to laugh harder and the sadness went away from her eyes.
Just then, Taggart slipped back into the room. He had retrieved what looked like a sheet and his backpack.
“Okay, I think we should wrap Kellan in the sheet and we will wrap our arms around her as best we can and perform the spell that way. Maybe with my healing touch and your mental abilities we will be able to amplify the spell and make it work.”
“Why the sheet?” Kellan said.
“Well I figured with the clothing issue, you wouldn’t want us hugging you. So here’s a sheet to wrap you in. I also got my backpack, because my phone is in there and if this doesn’t work, we will call Isabel.”
Kellan took the sheet and wrapped it around her body like a sarong. She tried to look confident by smiling, but the smile didn’t quiet reassure anyone.
Meckenzie and Taggart stepped in and placed their arms around Kellan. They tried to place their bodies against Kellan’s so all the energy would flow from them into Kellan. It was a long shot, but it was really worth trying anything at this point. Meckenzie was sure that if this didn’t work, someone was going to have to go get Isabel.
“Let’s try saying ‘Be calm, be still’ again.” Taggart said from the other side of Kellan.
“Okay.” Meckenzie and Kellan responded together.
Once again the three siblings began chanting, “Be calm, be still.” This time Meckenzie closed her eyes and imagined Kellan in her natural state. She saw in her mind’s eye Kellan shrinking back down to normal size. Meckenzie felt the buzzing begin again in her hands and flow through her body. She focused her energy and tried to push it out of her mind into Kellan’s body. Without opening her eyes, Meckenzie could feel Kellan changing before her. Kellan’s body began to move away from Meckenzie’s as if she were stepping backwards. Taggart pulled Meckenzie closer, forcing her body to continue touching Kellan’s. Meckenzie focused again on visualizing Kellan’s body gradually returning to its natural form. Meckenzie felt the power flowing between the three of them, she felt it working.
Kellan was the first to break the chanting, “You guys can stop now.”
Meckenzie opened her eyes and standing before her was her sister, normal. They had done it! She didn’t know if the change in positions had accomplished this, or if it had been her visualization. Maybe Taggart’s touch had been the key, or maybe it had been a combination of many things that they had not had going for them the first time around.
Whatever the circumstances, the results were amazing. They had managed to return Kellan to her natural state without the spell from the book or Isabel’s supervision. Meckenzie felt amazing. She wanted to run home and tell Isabel right away. First though, she should get Kellan some clothes.
“I’ll get your clothes from the locker room.” Meckenzie made her way to the door and let herself out into the gym, immediately all the girls turned to look at her.
“She’s doing better. Just something she ate at lunch I think. I’m going to get her clothes and let her change.” She didn’t ask for permission, Meckenzie just headed to the locker room and went to where she knew Kellan’s locker was. She removed all of Kellan’s clothes and placed them in her bag. Meckenzie felt a power flowing through her still. She reached out her mind and searched for Kellan.
“I have your clothes and your backpack, is there anything else you need?”
“Meckenzie that freaks me out a little. How do you telepathically talk to me from so far away?” Kellan had an edge to her voice as if she was ready to scream.
“I think I’m still super charged from the bit of magic that we performed. I thought it would be easier to ask you what I needed to get out of your locker rather than forgetting something. Now your clothes and your backpack, is that all you need?”
“Yes. Thank you.” Kellan’s voice seemed to be returning to normal. Taggart had a calming effect and it was probably working on Kellan right now.
As Meckenzie grabbed Kellan’s stuff and headed back to the equipment closet, the bell rang to signal the end of the day. Meckenzie slipped in and handed Kellan her clothes. Then she pushed Taggart out the door so that Kellan could change.
“How do you feel?” Meckenzie was concerned that Kellan was going to try to go back out there and work out, so she added, “I told your coach that you had something that didn’t sit well for lunch.”
“Thanks, I don’t want Sarah thinking that the hit she put on me affected me in any way.” Kellan said, trying to keep up her tough woman persona.
“But it did affect you?” Meckenzie questioned.
“Yes, but Sarah doesn’t need to know that. She thinks that I’m interested in Jake. I could really care less about Jake and Sarah for that matter. We have enough stuff going on in our lives. Frankly,I don’t need some boy in my life that I’m just going to have to leave. I’m not sure I’d be interested in him if we weren’t going away, anyway.” Kellan chuckled at her last sentence.
“Well, let’s get you home. I’m sure Isabel will be interested in what happened today.”
Kellan looked at Meckenzie with disgust and said, “I really don’t care what Isabel thinks. She knew where mom was this whole time and never told us.” Kellan looked as if she were going to cry again. Meckenzie could feel her heart breaking for Kellan. She knew Kellan would never fully forgive their mother, or Isabel for that matter, for the deception.
“You know she couldn’t tell us. It would have put our lives in danger for us to know before now. I mean our lives are in danger now, so it doesn’t really matter. I wish that mom had been able to tell us where she was going before she left too, but that is not what happened, so we have to find a way to deal with it.” Meckenzie walked over to Kellan and put her arms around her. “I love you and promise to never go away without telling you where and why, that is all I can promise.”
Kellan smiled, “I love you too, even if you are a sappy sister. I appreciate all you are doing for me. I know I can be moody and not easy to deal with. I really hope you always have this patience, or that I grow out of these moods.”
Meckenzie laughed, “I wouldn’t hope for growing. You never know what that will get you.”
Kellan grabbed Meckenzie in a wrestling hold, “Don’t tell me you are trying to take Taggart’s place as the comedian. I don’t think you are strong enough, or fast enough, to make those jokes.” Kellan laughed as she lifted Meckenzie off the ground in a bear hug.
This was the Kellan that Meckenzie remembered from childhood. Always using her strength and agility to get the better of Meckenzie. Meckenzie had always just let her; it was easier to let her win t
han to fight. Plus, Kellan had a temper and if Meckenzie had ever won, there would be hell to pay.
“Let’s get you home.” Meckenzie said to wave the white flag of surrender. Kellan let go and picked up her stuff. They headed out of the equipment room together. Taggart was waiting patiently beside the door.
“I need to get my stuff. I’ll meet you by the front doors.” Taggart said as he led them out of the gym. He was trying to ignore the fact that all eyes were on them as they exited, all three of them were trying to ignore that fact.
“I have to get my stuff from study hall and swing by my locker, you want to come with me Kellan, or meet us at the front door?” Meckenzie knew that giving her a choice would make her feel like she had some free will back. Kellan was very much all about her free will.
“I’ll go with you. It will just be easier.” There was still a look of desperation in Kellan’s eyes from knowing that she had very little control over her body. It was going to be a long hard road to get Kellan to fell like she had control. Meckenzie knew that more than likely, Kellan would never have full control of her emotions. Kellan’s emotions fluctuated like the weather. She could be hot one minute and completely cold the next. There were few temperate days in Kellan’s life. Meckenzie hoped that Isabel had some idea of how to teach Kellan how to control either this power, or her emotions better.
They parted ways with Taggart and headed back to the room where Meckenzie had study hall. As they were walking down the hall towards the room, Meckenzie felt like she was being watched. Her senses were going off like a car alarm on the New York streets. She stopped short of her destination and did a slow 360 degree turn in the hall hoping to catch sight of whoever was causing this alarm to go off inside her head. Meckenzie didn’t see anyone, or anything, unusual. Kellan stared at Meckenzie, waiting for her to share whatever it was that was going on.
“It felt like someone was watching me. It was like an alarm was going off in my head, danger, danger.”
Kellan slowly turned in very much the same way that Meckenzie had just done. She stopped when she was facing a classroom on the left hand side of the hall.
“Did you see someone?” Meckenzie asked.
“No, but I have a feeling.” As Kellan said this, she started walking towards the classroom. She slowly pulled back the door. Meckenzie couldn’t see around Kellan into the classroom. She hoped there was no danger waiting for them in that room. Kellan stepped into the room with one hand out in front of her in a defensive stance. As she did this, Meckenzie slid in beside her. Kellan dropped her hand to her side and sighed. Standing there in the center of the room, like a deer caught in headlights, was Jake Cummings, the source of this afternoons illegal basketball screen. Kellan turned around abruptly and marched out of the room. Meckenzie followed, knowing that Kellan was not in the mood for chit chat.
Meckenzie retrieved her books from study hall and her locker. They met Taggart at the front door along with the handsome bodyguard that was waiting patiently for the three of them. Jones greeted them, Meckenzie giggled again, as he smiled at her. The trips started the walk home, and Jones followed at a polite pace behind them. He must have worked with high school kids before because he seemed to have the disappearing into the crowd down bit to a fine art. Jones was there and aware, but in no way was he in their way. Maybe their dad was right about having him around, he could definitely come in handy if anyone tried approach the triplets, and Meckenzie thought he was very easy on the eyes. Bodyguards were a common enough occurrence at their school. For a short time there had been a couple of children of foreign diplomats at the school. Some of them from countries that had been fighting wars for most of their lives. I guess that though no one knew it that was the triplet’s situation as well. The land that their mom was from, and now protecting, had been at war for hundreds maybe even thousands of years. Life was changing fast and Meckenzie knew that not evolving with it usually meant becoming obsolete. Needless to say, she hoped she could evolve.