The teleportation process back to Seabrook Island was very fast. In just twelve seconds, Makenna and Caleb appeared over a tree in their backyard, and they crashed through the branches, yelling, and landed in a heap at the base of the tree.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GLvaaONdc
Makenna was on Caleb’s back, and she sat up on it and rubbed her head. “Man,” she said, “I never want to experience something like that again. Are you all right, Caleb?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwrwgCnBiA
Caleb peered up to her, irritated, and said, “I’m fine, Makenna, but would you please get off my back?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB68gIE3Hk
“Oh!” Makenna quickly said, “I’m so sorry, Caleb!” and she got off, sitting on her heels. She placed her hands on her chest. Caleb sat up and faced her, also sitting on his heels. He placed his own hands on his thighs and searched the area, smiling.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaJZauLOuB
He said, “We’re home, Makenna! We’re really home! We’re in our backyard!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKwOoGKgPf
Makenna also searched the area, and she sighed, saying, “Thank goodness. I thought we’d never leave that torture chamber.” Caleb peered into her face and smirked. Makenna didn’t know yet. She said, “Excuse me, Caleb,” and stood up, “I’m just going to fly to my room and lock my door.” Caleb chuckled. Makenna pointed up at the sky and said, “All right, wings, lift me into the sky!” Nothing happened. Again, Caleb chuckled, and he sat cross-legged, crossing his arms. Makenna, who was still pointing into the sky, tried again, “Wings, lift me into the sky!” Once again, nothing happened. “Huh?” Makenna asked. She lowered her hand, “What’s going on?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMyT5sroZb
“Makenna,” Caleb said, “are you aware that you no longer have wings on your back right now?”
“What?!” asked Makenna, traumatized, “What are you talking about, Caleb?!” She peered down to her attire and gasped. She was no longer wearing her fairy attire! She was back in her blue and white top and denim skirt. Her hair was back up in a high ponytail. Makenna peered back to her back, and she gasped again when she saw that she no longer had her wings! She was a wingless fairy again! But why?! Makenna yelled, and she shouted, “My wings! What happened to my wings?! No!” She closed her eyes and stomped her foot, starting to throw a tantrum, “This isn’t fair! I want my wings back!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BlBk0NBOc
“Well too bad,” said Caleb, and he stood up, “You should’ve thought about the consequences before you told Merlin that you didn’t care if Tracey survives the magic coma or not. Merlin’s punished you, Makenna, and you deserve it. Your wings are not coming back until sunset tomorrow. Merlin’s placed the Sunset Delay spell on you.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEgrhnlGwx
“My wings!” Makenna sobbed, and tears streamed down her cheeks, “Merlin’s gonna pay for this!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgJN5f8Buq
Caleb shrugged. “Well look on the bright side of it,” he said, “At least you don’t have to worry about your wings showing off in front of Jimmy Carter tomorrow.” Makenna’s skin prickled when he said that.
Suddenly, the back door of their house flung open, and on the doorstep appeared Mr. and Mrs. Delling!181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHZUCd1Izc
They gasped at the sight of their children sitting in the backyard, and together, they said, “Makenna and Caleb!” Makenna lifted her head from her knees, and her mouth dropped open.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnef4xSxUMk
Caleb beamed and said, “Mommy and Daddy!” He sprinted toward his mother, and she sprinted toward him.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPXeFbvIrl
When they reached each other, Mrs. Delling picked up Caleb and hugged him as tight as she could, saying, “Caleb! Oh, my baby boy, you’re all right! Where were you and Makenna?! You had us worried sick!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg2ywBI0Gm
She kissed him repeatedly, and blushing, Caleb said, “Mom, we’re all right. We’ve only been gone for a day and a half.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqNQwS3E5A
“But you had us worried, baby!” Mrs. Delling sobbed, “We thought something terrible happened to you!” Makenna stood up, and she and Mr. Delling approached one another.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy7z6YDUc9
They peered into each other’s eyes, and then, Makenna smiled and said, “Daddy.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVQVUabRsS
She and Mr. Delling hugged, and Mr. Delling, who was literally crying, said, “Makenna. Oh, my Makenna. You’re safe! Where were you and Caleb?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4MfcgV3Rc
As Makenna continued to hug him, she said, “Oh, Daddy, it was amazing! If only it wasn’t a dream.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafKBObMiCq
“Group hug!” Mrs. Delling said. She and Caleb approached Mr. Delling and Makenna, and all together, they hugged. Tony, their now seven-year-old beagle dog, sauntered out of the house, and he joined the reunion, starting to cry. His tail wagged so fast; you’d be worried it’d fall off. Makenna, who was still hugging her dad, peered gloomily over his shoulder. She was thinking about Tracey. Already she missed him.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRUMHRWXnI
Sighing, she whispered, “I didn’t even get to say goodbye to him,” and hugged her dad tighter.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM4y4kx876
Hearing her, Mr. Delling asked, “Say goodbye to who?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhheN9Oq0ci
“Nobody.” Makenna said with a shake of her head. She disconnected and slid out of her father’s arms.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2km5kDeaBl
He, Mrs. Delling, Tony, and Caleb watched as she headed toward the marsh and plopped down on a bench. “What’s with her?” Mrs. Delling asked Caleb.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM2RF6zadT
“It’s a long story,” said Caleb, “and I’m sure you won’t believe half of it.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQdJpH5bDp
“What are you talking about?” Mrs. Delling asked, and she took Caleb’s shoulders, “You can tell us anything, Caleb. Tell us what happened.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdEGJUr4Eg
Caleb peered into her face and sighed. “Very well,” he said, “but let’s go inside to talk about it.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYUdDCt7j2
He headed toward the back door, and behind, Mrs. Delling said, “Uh, okay,” and followed him. Tony did too.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwuQQSc2lA
Mr. Delling started to follow, but then he stopped and turned toward Makenna, asking, “Makenna, are you coming?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZViowSUF1
Makenna waved her hand. “In just a couple minutes I will,” she replied, “But I need to be left alone for right now.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCiWWI5FBh
“Very well.” Mr. Delling said, “Come in when you’re ready.” He turned and headed toward the back door, leaving her alone on the bench.
On the bench, Makenna wrapped her arms around her body, and she peered into the orange, sun-setting sky. She thought about Tracey, Merlin’s Island, and the Octopus Man. Had it all been merely a dream, or did it really happen? Did Makenna really travel to a weird island, meet a ninja-like fairy, and a wizard losing control of his powers? She was contemplating this. She wasn’t sure. Although, it was strange. Makenna felt really lonely on the bench. She felt like she was missing somebody. Makenna sighed. Then, standing up, she crept around the bench and headed toward the backdoor of her house. As she walked, she tried her best to murder the feeling of loneliness she felt in her right now. Currently, she felt like a terrible friend.
Makenna soon reached the backdoor, and gulping, she lifted her hand and turned the knob. Slowly, she swung open the door and peered inside. These were the first words she heard.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66hp3eDhWC
They were spoken by her mother. “What?!” she screeched from the living room, “Makenna is a fairy?!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0DR18Jygq
Makenna’s skin prickled, and clenching her fist, she whispered, “Shut up, Caleb!” and tiptoed toward the staircase, trying her best to stay out of sight.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgXw2tv25m
“It’s true!” she heard Caleb arguing from the living room, “Makenna is a Metamorphic Fairy, the rarest type of fairy in the entire world, and for the past day and a half, I was held captive on Merlin’s Island, a mysterious island sitting in the Atlantic that only a magical being can see, and Makenna came for me, as well as a ninja-like fairy named Tracey, who is also Merlin the Great’s apprentice!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz9KruKb02
“Makenna!” Michelle, Mrs. Delling, sternly called from the living room. Makenna was forced to stop at the base of the stairs, and again, her skin prickled.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRURgzBafvJ
Gulping, she asked, “Yes, Mom?” and turned her body toward the living room. Michelle, Andy, and Caleb were together hanging out in it; Michelle and Andy were sitting on the couch, and Caleb was standing in front of them. All eyes were on the young fairy, and she chuckled nervously. Michelle lifted her arm and stretched it across the top of the couch.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3kAkAjcEV
Then, with her index finger, she gestured Makenna over and said in a calm but stern voice, “Come here.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDxSeStIDe
Makenna gulped. “Of course, Mom,” she said, and she let go of the staircase’s railing.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcEz7pYBj9
Then, with knees knocking together, she headed into the living room, and Michelle next pointed over to a green armchair that was resting near the couch and fireplace. “Sit down,” she ordered. Makenna quickly sauntered over to the armchair and sat down, resting her arms on the armrests. Caleb turned and glanced at her, and Michelle and Andy glared at the young fairy.
Soon, Mr. Delling started the conversation.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB1Cxtwijg
“Makenna,” he said, and putting down his newspaper, he brought his hands together and hooked his fingers together. “Tell us,” he added, “What’s all this talk about you being a fairy and you and Caleb going to a mysterious island?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNIK1X70x3
“Well,” Makenna huffed, quickly thinking of a lie, “ya see, Dad, during the storm, Caleb and I were knocked out on the beach, and I had a crazy dream that I must’ve told him all about when I woke up.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoi0BbYCdS
“She lies!” Caleb declared, and he pointed at Makenna, “That’s nowhere near what happened! I was kidnapped by the ninja-like fairy yesterday morning, and he took me to Merlin’s Island, hiding me behind a waterfall known as Merlindial Falls! It was not a dream!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK12zZ7NnFD
“Caleb!” Makenna angrily said through clenched teeth, “Shush!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCkI3uf7gs
“I’m not finished!” said Caleb, and he turned toward Michelle and Andy Delling, “Makenna popped her real wings yesterday, during the storm, and was washed up on the beaches of Merlin’s Island. There, she met the ninja-like fairy who took her to Merlin’s Cave, where she met Merlin the Great! Then, this morning, they came and found me! After finding me, Makenna had her first real flight, and we were forced to come back to Merlin’s Cave because the ninja-like fairy was suffering from a magic overload and had to be put into a magic coma!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZyZKAgi1o
“Caleb,” said Makenna. She groaned, closed her eyes, and did a face palm. Her parents mimicked, and all together, they rubbed their temples.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aGf2vd2ny
Caleb continued the story. “Then,” he said, “Merlin the Great told Makenna why she’s a fairy. She’s a fairy because there was one person in our family tree, only one, who was a fairy in the past, and also, Makenna has a strong heart. She is the one destined to become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy and help Merlin the Great regain control of his powers. After Merlin gave his lecture, he teleported Makenna and me back here, and here we are!” He opened his arms. Then, again pointing at Makenna, he finished with, “The only reason why Makenna isn’t a fairy right now is because Merlin has placed the Sunset Delay spell on her! The Sunset Delay spell allows a fairy to hide his/her fairy self until sunset! Then they will turn into a fairy again! The whole reason why Makenna is spelled right now is because she’s been punished! At Merlin’s Cave, she openly told the great wizard that she didn’t care if his apprentice, the ninja-like fairy, survives the magic coma or not!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr1GrMwjK9
“That’s enough, Caleb!” Makenna snapped, “Just shut up! Just shut up!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ98mVAWWHA
She stomped her foot, and her parents together said, “Woof!” at the end of Caleb’s story.
“And about this so-called ninja-like fairy.” Mr. Delling spoke next. He focused his attention on frustrated Makenna Delling, “Who is he?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeRq7Sg2jW
“Who is he?” asked Makenna, “Well, he…” She chuckled flirtingly and peered into outer space, grabbing hold of a loose strand of her hair. Starting to twirl it, she added, “His name is Tracey, and ooh la la, he is handsome. He has long, black hair, a wicked, ninja-like hairstyle, and golden-brown eyes! His wings are huge, he loves to fly, and he has an awesome tern friend named Gina! I mean!” She noticed that her parents were staring at her, but Caleb was smiling and nodding. Makenna quickly let go of her strand of hair and returned to reality. “Never mind!” she yelled, “There wasn’t a ninja-like fairy named Tracey! It was a dream! Caleb doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfAUKuDhdh
“I don’t think you do either.” Mrs. Delling said, “All right, that’s it.” She reached for a phone sitting on the coffee table, “I’m calling Dr. Worcestershire. Maybe he’ll be able to explain to us if you guys just swallowed too much seawater and are suffering from hallucinations.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOf7ZNg0Ox
“Hallucinations?!” Caleb grumpily asked, “No, Mom!” He clenched his fists, “It’s the truth! Makenna is a fairy, a Metamorphic Fairy, and our two worlds are being threatened by some beasty known as the Octopus Man!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Hma4vchH
“Caleb!” Makenna snapped. She jumped to her feet and glared, stomping toward him. Caleb retreated back. Makenna soon stopped in front of him, and she yelled, “Shut up! That was a dream! I am not a fairy!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ffqbXBMFC
“You are too, Makenna!” Caleb shouted back, “Just wait, tomorrow, you’re going to start missing Tracey, your wings, and Merlin’s Island like crazy!” They started to argue with one another. Mr. Delling stared at them but didn’t bother to break up the argument.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHybr1ZNh64
He glanced at his wife out of the corners of his eyes, and she had picked up the telephone. “Hello, Dr. Worcestershire?” she asked. She ran her fingertips through her messy hair, “Can you come over right away? I’m afraid my two children are suffering from hallucinations. Caleb’s saying that Makenna is a fairy, and Makenna is…” Suddenly, the other line on the telephone cut off. Dr. Worcestershire had hung up. “Hello?” Mrs. Delling asked into the telephone, “Hello? Dr. Worcestershire?” Makenna and Caleb continued to argue, Mrs. Delling continued to yell into the telephone, and Mr. Delling continued to sit. Finally, he shivered and picked up his newspaper, as well as his coffee mug. Sitting back on the couch, he sipped his coffee and read the Sunday comics. There was no way he was going to get involved in all this nonsense.
Pitch blackness soon engulfed the Atlantic Ocean as dusk gradually turned into night. Like a pirate ship wandering the seas, seeking out ships to attack, the shadow of the Octopus Man skimmed the dark water and headed back toward Merlin’s Island as if he was the pirate ship and Merlin’s Island was the ship he was going to attack. Very faintly, you could hear him give off a small, evil laugh. Merlin’s Island was quiet. All animals had gone to sleep, except the cicadas. They chirped into the tropical atmosphere and spoke to their mates and the night sky. Floating out in the Atlantic Ocean, surrounding Merlin’s Island, along with the Octopus Man, was Makenna’s blue surfboard with the flower designs on it! The storm the previous morning had whisked it away from the beaches of Seabrook Island and brought it here, to Merlin’s Island. After more than a twenty-four-hour journey, finally, the surfboard hit the soft ocean bed of Merlin’s Island, and a great wave crashed down on it and threw it onto the beach. The surfboard went sliding, and it continued to slide until finally, it hit a rock and stopped. More waves crashed onto the beach, but the surfboard was safe and sound where it was. Not even the Octopus Man would be able to find it with it here. The surfboard had been washed up onto this beach for a reason. It was destined to be picked up and returned to Makenna Delling by Tracey, Merlin the Great’s apprentice. Until it was found though, the surfboard would just have to wait patiently.
Merlin’s Cave was just as quiet as the island, but it didn’t mean that Merlin the Great wasn’t awake. In fact, he was. He and Gina were together in Tracey’s room, and they were watching over him. Gina was standing at the foot of the young fairy’s bed, and Merlin was sitting in a chair next to him, peering into his face. Tracey was sleeping on his side, with his wings on top of one another behind him and with a cold towel resting on his forehead, and he, believe it or not, looked dead. He was not moving a muscle, and he breathed so softly, that Merlin even had trouble hearing him. He was getting worried. Oh no, did he do the spell wrong? Was he killing his apprentice?!181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYSEh934I8
Merlin sat in complete silence, examining his apprentice, and finally, he shook his head and said, “Pull yourself together, Merlin. Tracey is going to wake up. You are not killing him.” He wasn’t sure though. Tracey was so still. Even when fairies were in magic comas, Merlin knew that there were times when they moved slightly, but Tracey wasn’t moving at all. Merlin gulped and reached for Tracey’s shoulder, putting his hand on it. He lightly shook it, but still, Tracey didn’t move. Merlin soon brought his hand to his care, and sweat trickled down his temples. Gina saw that he was worried, and opening her wings, she lifted off the bed and flew to Merlin, landing on his shoulder. She poked his cheek, and Merlin glanced at her, saying, “Sorry, Gina, I’m just getting a little worried.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56Innd5fTk
Gina rubbed up against his cheek, and through tern squawks, she said, “Don’t worry, Merlin sir. I’ve known Tracey for a long time now, and I know how strong he is. I know he’ll get better. We just need to be patient.”
Merlin could hear and understand what she was saying.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC4KhEBXY1
Twisting his head, he said to the tern, “Thank you, Gina, but the thing is, I’m not only worried that Tracey may never wake up, but I’m also worried that if and when he does, the Octopus Man is going to find him and hurt him for him to be an easy catch. I don’t want him to hurt my young apprentice.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnAFrFAQDL
“Don’t worry, Merlin.” Gina told him, and she patted his cheek with her right wing, “Until Makenna is strong enough to help Tracey against his fight with the Octopus Man, I’ll try all I can to protect him and make sure he doesn’t get him.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh2yzaC2IS
“Thank you, Gina,” said Merlin, and he hugged the tern close to his cheek, “You’re a true friend. Makenna, one of these days, will be strong enough, that’s as if she passes Selene’s test and is chosen to go through the other stages of evolution a Metamorphic Fairy can go through.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicHSEeYEIU
“Hopefully.” Gina said, “For now though, she needs to work on changing her conceited attitude. If it doesn’t change, she will never pass the test.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ818ud48XcC
Merlin nodded and said, “That is correct, Gina,” and he and the tern peered down on Tracey again. “Oh please, Makenna.” Merlin begged, “I know you can do it. I know you can become a Soon to Be a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy and a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy. You just have to believe that you can do it.” He closed his eyes and lowered his head.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkWhPu6Huo
Gina’s face dropped, and through her language, she said, “Merlin,” and again rubbed his cheek. If there was one thing Gina was good at, it was comforting stressed souls. With her there, Merlin felt like there was at least some hope. After a bit, he lifted his head and reached for the towel resting on Tracey’s forehead.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yshJcvKBz
Taking it off, he felt the teenage fairy’s forehead and said, “Hm. Well, it feels like his fever may be breaking a little bit, so perhaps there is hope.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4VXaDIxHl
“There is always hope, sir.” Gina told him, and Merlin peered into her face. Gina added, “Tracey’s going to be fine. I promise.” With that, she tucked her head under her left wing and fell asleep. Merlin patted her back and put the towel back over Tracey’s forehead. Then, crossing his arms, he closed his eyes, and he too, fell asleep.
Morning soon weaved its way into Seabrook Island, and strangely, this morning when Makenna woke up, she felt very lonely and sad.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xFucT0cqI
She woke up to find that she had been crying, and she pulled soggy hair out of her face. “What’s going on with me?” the young fairy chokingly asked. Muffling a cough into her hand, she rolled out of bed and slumped over to her window, rubbing tears from her cheeks. When she reached her window, Makenna peered outside at the newborn day and sighed. “I don’t understand.” she spoke. Why did she feel so lonely? Upsettingly, fourteen-year-old Makenna Delling glanced back to her wingless back and groaned. She was still having trouble believing that everything that had happened that weekend was true. Today was Monday. It was the start of a brand-new week. Maybe this week would be better? While Makenna woke up, she studied birds outside who were playfully twirling around and around one another. Flying. Nothing beat the gift of flight.
Again, Makenna sighed. Then she gasped. Hold on a second, she just remembered that this week was Spirit Week at her school! Spirit Week! Makenna recalled that that Friday was the huge, formal, Spirit Week dance! Peter Nelson!181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tYfpGc9uC
What if he asked her to it? “Holy smokes!” Makenna chirped, “It’s Spirit Week! I forgot all about it!” and she scurried over to her backpack that was resting on the foot of her bed. Soon hovering over it, she unzipped it and pulled out a binder. From the binder, she drew a piece of paper that had the Spirit Week schedule on it. Makenna sat on her bed and studied it carefully, saying, “Hmm. Let’s see, what do we have today?” Her eyes moved over to Monday on the schedule, and she saw that today was Country vs. Metropolis Day. Students were allowed to go to school dressed either as someone from the country or someone from the city. Oh, fun! Since Makenna was in Ninth Grade, this was her very first Spirit Week, so she was pretty pumped about it. “All right,” she said, and she put up the schedule, sticking her binder back into her backpack, re-zipping it. She knew what she wanted to go dressed as today. She wanted to go as a city girl. This was because, since Makenna was such a diva, she considered the country to be nothing but disgusting. For the time being, she forgot about all the so-called nonsense that had happened that weekend, forgot about her wings, forgot about Tracey, and got ready for what she hoped was a somewhat decent day at school. Hey, who knows? Maybe Jimmy Carter wouldn’t even be there today! Makenna hoped that Jessica and hunky Peter would be though.
For the next twenty minutes, she changed into her costume and got her backpack ready. It took her ten minutes to find the perfect outfit and ten more minutes to change, do her makeup, put on perfume, etc. Makenna’s outfit consisted of: short, khaki shorts in which the pant legs were rolled slightly up, a golden orange, fancy, city shirt in which one of the shoulder sleeves dropped below her right shoulder, a blue, belt-like feature that wrapped around the lower portion of her shirt, two, golden bracelets that she wore over her right wrist, a gold purse, a gold hat, and finally, golden orange shoes. She put on some blush and red lipstick, and finally, to complete the ensemble, she pulled her hair back up in a high ponytail. She definitely looked like a city girl.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kfDyeuTlv
When Makenna finished changing, she admired herself in the mirror, and her face lit up. “Oh, I look beautiful!” she announced, and she brought her hands to each of her cheeks, “Peter will fall head over heels with this outfit!” She chuckled and picked up her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder. Then, for a few moments, she danced in her room, since Makenna loved to dance. She was a really good dancer. Almost every school day, before she would head down to breakfast, she would dance in her room. Dancing helped get her blood flowing. It warmed her up. When Makenna was warmed up, she smiled and opened her door, stepping into the hallway. As she headed down it, toward the stairs, she said, “Commence operation Win Peter Nelson.”
Makenna’s parents, Michelle and Andy Delling, and Caleb, her insane, little brother, were all in the kitchen, sitting at a square table and eating breakfast. Picking up his cup of orange juice, Caleb took a sip from it, and Andy Delling, who had a cup of coffee resting next to him, stuck his fork that had some eggs on it in his mouth and started to chew. The kitchen smelled of sausages and eggs. Mm, it smelled so good. Tony was eating his own breakfast in the corner of the kitchen. For a few moments, the family members ate and said not a word. Then, suddenly, the silence was broken.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyuyfr6GQB
Makenna appeared at the kitchen’s entrance, with a grin stretched across her cheeks, and she asked, “Hey,” in a slightly loud voice, “how’s everybody doing this fine morning? I’m doing great! Sleep well? I slept wonderful!” Her family members all together lowered their silverware and focused their attention on her. Even Tony, their dog, peered up from his food bowl. Makenna, who was continuing to grin, headed toward the front door, but she stopped at the table and picked up a breakfast roll. She added, “Why don’t I go out and round up the alligators? As they say in the city, nothing beats fresh alligator for breakfast!” With that, she hurried to the front door and opened it, slipping outside to the newborn day.
Behind, in the kitchen, her parents, Caleb, and Tony were staring.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWcYv2Et4B
Finally, Mr. Delling moved his head and fixed his eyes upon Mrs. Delling, Caleb, and Tony, asking, “Who in Sam heck was that?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQmcqEF1oL
“Just continue eating,” said Mrs. Delling, and all together, the family members lowered their heads and continued to eat their breakfast.
Makenna arrived at school that day half excited and half nervous.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwvl0mtrNm
When Mrs. Delling let her out in the carpool line, she told her, “Now remember, Makenna, when you come home today, I expect for you to show me your planner. If you want your phone and ballet lessons back, you will bring up your grades.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU6ZCwdNyx
“Whatever.” Makenna said in a conceited voice, and she reached into her purse, pulling out a bottle of perfume. She sprayed herself down with the perfume, and her mother gagged.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gI4D945sB
Finally, she rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath, “Fourteen-year-olds. Goodbye, Makenna. Have a good day.” Caleb smiled at his sister from the backseat of the car. Mrs. Delling started to roll up her window, but suddenly, she stopped and gasped. Leaning toward the window, she called to Makenna who was wandering away, “Makenna!” Makenna huffed.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuUYQxrD4M
She rolled her eyes and turned back toward the car. “What is it, Mom?” she asked.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXQrlddtyW
“Do you have your lunch money?” questioned Mrs. Delling, and the fingertips of her left hand started to drum the car’s steering wheel.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaC58ckRz3
Makenna blushed. “Yes, Mom,” she said, “I do.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf0K7FwDsY
“Are you sure?” asked her mother, “I don’t want you to go without lunch, Makenna.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApXjtlpCoo
“Yes, Mom!” Makenna snapped, and she waved her mother away, “You don’t need to treat me like a child! I’m in Ninth Grade! Shoo!” Again, she waved, “I’ll see you this afternoon.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMRMRVVSdr
Caleb soon rolled down his own window, and he told his sister, “Makenna, make sure to not accidentally use any magic. You’ll get your wings back this evening at sunset. I can tell you miss them and Tracey.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVj9RmrKgQ
“Shut up, Caleb!” snapped Makenna, and she blushed, “I don’t want to hear anything more about fairy nonsense! Roll up your window!” Caleb quickly did, and Mrs. Delling finished rolling hers up too. Then, the car rolled forward, and as it drove away, Makenna could barely see Caleb smiling at her. Ugh, little brothers. What was it with them and their imaginations? Makenna waited until the car was well out of sight. Then, turning on her heel, she headed toward the front door of her school.
Makenna had stumbled into a world of cowgirls, cowboys, city boys and girls. Lots of kids had dressed out today. She was extremely nervous.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGOt00Sqd7
She carefully made her way through crowds of students, and she could hear a few of them muttering, “Is that Makenna Delling? She wasn’t expelled?” Makenna gulped and smiled nervously at her peers. They didn’t smile back. They just retreated away from her and refused to come any closer. They were afraid that she would blast them if they did. Makenna shivered at the sight of them staring at her. Clenching her fists, she tried her best to hide her blue fingernails and let her arms hang at her sides. However, suddenly, she heard something. A voice. A wise, female voice. It was coming from the sky.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPjoZQQpxg
Continuing to walk, Makenna peered into the fair, blue sky and asked, “Who’s speaking?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZijQ2gh1cf
“Makenna Delling,” spoke the voice from the sky, and Makenna asked,181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5bmrBHPdX
“Yes?” For some reason, she was drawn toward the voice. It hypnotized her.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqmZ0PfEWM
“You will go to North Beach,” was the voice’s next sentence.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZlqUvime7
“North Beach?” asked Makenna, and she stopped, searching the area for the source of the voice.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9TjoNJAot
She could hear a few other students muttering, “She’s freaking weird.” Makenna paid no attention to them. She was more focused on the voice.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsycVVGEtA
It next said, “On North Beach, you will find a shipwreck.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8hCCUMcjl
“Shipwreck?” was Makenna’s next question, and she stopped halfway to her school’s front door. The voice was really coming from inside her head. Somebody was communicating with her through telepathy. Who though?181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBKm2p6QZe
“At the shipwreck,” explained the same voice, “you will seek me out. No need for you to worry, Tracey will be working with you to find me. Then, you will return to Merlin’s Island. Understand?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkWuJDV9zt
“Who are you, ma’am?!” inquired Makenna, and she started to walk again.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei0yWWLyw7
“You will find out yourself,” spoke the voice, “If you are to find me, you must work together with Merlin’s apprentice. Only you and he can save our two worlds from the evil clutches of the Octopus Man. However, to do so, you must first become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy and help Merlin regain control of his powers. Get to work, Makenna. I will soon visit you in your dreams.” Here, the voice cut off, and Makenna returned to reality. “What was that?” she asked herself, “That was the strangest thing ever.” She groaned as thoughts about Merlin’s Island, her being a fairy, and Tracey reentered her brain. No, she couldn’t believe it! She was just shaken up by something. Carrying on with her walk toward her school’s front door, Makenna peered down at her blue, horse head necklace and gripped it, sighing. The necklace was glowing slightly, but the glow quickly died. “Sunset,” she whispered under her breath, “Sunset.” However, suddenly, she crashed into the back of somebody and stumbled backward, yelping.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgWrEmWuA5
Confused, the young fairy peered up to the character she had crashed into, and he turned, asking, “Huh?” He was dressed as a city boy. Makenna gasped. She couldn’t believe it! It was Peter Nelson! Yes, Peter Nelson! At the sight of him, Makenna immediately blushed.
She stood up straight and said,181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39p58dpkb2
“Peter.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaTRKAzOoO
“I was looking for you,” he spoke back.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3eYokw9L1
“You were?” asked Makenna in a squeaky voice.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhevtflTHMJ
“Yeah.” Peter voiced with a nod, and he rubbed the back of his head, starting to stutter, “Happy Monday, Ma-Makenna. Happy fi-first da-day of Spirit We-Week. Wow. You-you look be-beautiful.” Makenna squealed. Beautiful! He said “beautiful”! She didn’t know what to say.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnuEs0bMvq
This was the only thing that came to her mind. “And you too,” she squeaked.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iBzPtCouq
“I was afraid you were going to get expelled.” Peter admitted, and he dropped his hand from the back of his head, “But you didn’t! Dr. Medford let you off clean! I’m so relieved!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhGYXBCfmH
“You are?” Makenna inquired, and she rubbed her nose, “Thank you, Peter.” There was silence between the two teens. They smiled at one another.
However, after a bit though, the silence was ruined by a familiar voice,181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7aMHmNmCb
“Makenna!” It was Jessica! Both Makenna and Peter turned and saw her standing in front of them.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OVmyZvwZL
“Jessica,” said Makenna. Jessica was dressed as a cowgirl. Her hair was in braids, and she wore a hat over it. In her ears, she wore horseshoe-shaped earrings. She was dressed in blue jeans, knee-high cowgirl boots in which there were spurs on them, blue jeans, and a plaid shirt.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwtIv0B37F
She looked very pretty. “Howdy, partners!” she said, and taking off her hat, she twirled in front of Peter and Makenna, “What do you think?! Happy first day of Spirit Week!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLhotg70R4
Peter brushed by Makenna so he could get to Jessica, and he said, “Wow, Jessica. You look great. How was your weekend?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEn2rnYExE
“Great!” Jessica announced, and she acted out a few dance moves, “However,” Losing her smile, she glanced at Makenna, “Makenna and I need to chat. She wasn’t at ballet lessons Friday night. She disappeared after first period.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdj9rmXIOW
“Oh yeah.” Peter said with a nod. He remembered going to Makenna and Jessica’s Friday night ballet lesson. Turning to the young Metamorphic Fairy, he asked her, “Where were you, Makenna?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiwS9KV07b
“Um.” Makenna stammered, and she scratched her chin, trying to think, “I was sick.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd1TulBneu
“Really?” asked Peter, and he grabbed ahold of his shoulder, “Physically or mentally?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrRYWZLDPE
“Both,” said Makenna, “You see, guys, I kind of had a crazy weekend. In fact,” She faked a cough into her fist, “I think I still may be a bit under the weather.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a tissue, blowing her nose into it. Then, balling up the tissue, she tossed it into a trash can that was sitting next to her, Peter, and Jessica. She smiled nervously.
Peter asked her,181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY37Re1uovy
“Why don’t I sit you down, Makenn?” and he offered his hand to her. She smiled and held out her own hand.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrXaJvd6zb
However, before she could take Peter’s, suddenly, a familiar, mean voice ruined the happy hour. “Well, well, well.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1RSRWpwyj
“Huh?” Makenna asked, and she pulled her hand away from her crush. Altogether, she, Peter, and Jessica turned, and Makenna gagged. The others did too. “Seriously?!” asked the young fairy, and she crossed her arms. Standing in front of her, Peter, and Jessica, with his gang hanging out behind him, dressed as another city boy, was none other than…Jimmy Carter! Why? Why Jimmy Carter? Ugh, Makenna hated her life. Jessica glared at Jimmy, and quickly, Makenna stepped in front of her to protect her. Uncrossing her arms, Makenna clenched her right fist, and with her left hand, she waved Jimmy away. “Shoo, Jimmy!” she snapped, “Why don’t you just go hang in a cave somewhere, you useless bat?” Jimmy chuckled menacingly. He wasn’t scared of her, not even after what had happened Friday morning. Makenna took a step back, and she pulled Jessica behind her arm.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwujXPZeew
Jimmy sneered, and approaching her slowly, he stopped in front of her and took her chin. “What are you going to do, Fairy Girl? Are you going to throw a little fairy tantrum?” He pulled Makenna’s face closer to his, “I dig girls who play hard to get.” Peter gasped, and his eyes widened. Becoming jealous, he clenched his teeth and started to approach Makenna, but one of Jimmy’s gang members stopped him.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycn3cIh9zt
Makenna glared, and smacking away Jimmy’s hand, she snapped, “How dare you touch me, you harasser! Don’t come any closer! Do you want me to hurt you? I can, and I will!”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLy8NFqpzf
“Ooh,” laughed Jimmy, and he winked at his gang members, “Check it out, gang, Fairy Girl’s threatening me now. Where do you think her real wings are so she can swat me?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBJhSAU8kr
Makenna clenched her fists, and flames burned in her eyes. “Shut up, you useless bat!” she yelled, and Jimmy turned back to her.
Peter Nelson broke free from his gang member, and approaching Makenna, he took her shoulder.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOX2HtNgzw
“Calm down, Makenna,” he said. Makenna took his hand off her shoulder and pulled him behind her arm too. Now, both Peter and Jessica were protected behind her arms.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLHNg4TnsH
Glaring, Makenna fixed her eyes upon sneering Jimmy Carter and told him, “Watch that big mouth of yours, Jimmy! I can do a lot of damage to you, yes, but my friend can do a lot worse! Don’t make me call him!” She was talking about Tracey. “He’s a ninja!” Makenna finished with.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOesFnI87Ri
“Ooh.” Jimmy sarcastically said, and he reached for his cheeks, “A ninja you say? Who’s the ninja? Don’t tell me he’s your crybaby friend, Peter Nelson, you’re protecting. You’re making me laugh, Fairy Girl.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfPfWxaGhP
Makenna opened her mouth to shout at him, but before she could, suddenly, the Spanish teacher, Mr. Fernando Gheesling, who was a tall, middle-aged man who wore spectacles, appeared from out of nowhere and asked, “What is going on here?” He had just arrived at school, and he was heading toward the front entrance when he saw Makenna, Jessica, Peter, Jimmy and his gang crowded together, seeming to get ready for a fight. “Go to class, kids,” he ordered to the teens with clenched teeth, “Fighting is not an option at the beginning of the day.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesB4358t2p
Jimmy scoffed. “Whatever, Mr. Gheesling,” he said to his teacher, and he gestured at his gang with his head, “Let’s go, gang.” Makenna glared and watched as he and his gang together marched toward the front entrance of the school. However, for a second, Jimmy turned back, and he mouthed Fairy Girl at Makenna. Then, he turned on his heel, and he and his gang members vanished inside the school building.
Peter and Jessica stepped out from behind Makenna’s arms, and glancing at them, Makenna, under her breath, told them, “He’s a jerk.” In agreement, Peter and Jessica nodded.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI30hMCTxwz
Then, together, they glanced at Mr. Gheesling. “To class,” he told them, “School’s going to be starting soon. Don’t try to get caught up in that gang, kids, all right? They have a really bad reputation.”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsC3CM6wFg
“Yes, sir,” spoke the teenagers, and Peter and Jessica, as well as Mr. Gheesling started walking forward.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2lhifupFK
As they left, Peter whispered to Jessica, “Ninja? What ninja was Makenna talking about?”181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJgIIDYUck
“I’m not sure, Pete.” Jessica admitted. She shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
Makenna didn’t follow them and Mr. Gheesling.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4BTG0Myxg
She stayed behind, and glaring, she again whispered, “Jerk.” Why did Jimmy Carter have to ruin every second of her life? Makenna soon peered into the fair sky, and a zephyr blew her ponytail. In desperation, the fourteen-year-old fairy asked, “Oh, Tracey, where are you? Are you all right? I need you.” After saying that, she lowered her head and wrapped her arms around her body. Then, she scurried after Jessica, Peter, and Mr. Fernando Gheesling, and while she scurried, she thought about the mysterious voice’s instructions to go to North Beach, thought about Tracey, thought about Merlin, thought about Merlin’s Island, and finally, thought about the Octopus Man. Though she was still contemplating, Makenna was starting to believe a little bit that what happened that weekend really did happen.
