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You're my only hope

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

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[Clarence shrugged.] Maybe? If I did, I didn't care. He actually tried to help the old guy by doing chest compressions. I just ignored them.

[He took another sip of his own, the chocolate flavor calming. Anthony's words helped to soothe further.]

... I guess that's true.

Do you know Elliott Naeuri?

Sounds rough. What do you think you are going to tell her if she asks about the demon dreams?

Eeehhhh.... I haven't worked that out yet. I mean I could lie, but then she'd know and things would only get worse. Guess I will just have to find some way to tell her about all this mess. Maybe if I look pathetic enough while I am telling her she won't even get mad.

[ Like magic he would find himself with a fresh cup of tea and the promised freshly baked shortbread cookies. ]

Are you dear? Well, I think that's a wonderful idea. I find working in gardens to be some of the most satisfying work one can do. It just so nice turning up the soil and getting all those wonderful buds to flower. Oh, I'm sure my Anthony will help you get a job there! Do you have any idea what sort of job you would be happy with? I understand they can be rather specialized these days, you know, some one to look after the desert garden, another one to look after the orchids.

[ Suddenly she paled. ]

Unless the fire has gotten to the greenhouse.

That is harsh...

[ But I was plotting the murder of a child I helped to raise. There really had to be more to these memories!! Neither of them were monsters! Or so Anthony tried to tell himself as he puzzled over the name.

Elliott Naeuri. The name wasn't immediately recognized, mostly as he wasn't sure if he had ever heard the kids last name before.]

Long hair, thinks religious is actually a cool topic, into gardens?

[Honestly, the whole situation was all kinds of effed up. But Clarence was working through it in his own way. Mostly by ignoring the worst of it and breaking down at convenient intervals.]

Uhh, I haven't really talked about religion with him but it sounds like you got the right guy. He's super nice, like, probably the nicest person I've ever met in my life.

He straight up grabbed my hands while I was calling on my magic to prove I couldn't hurt just by my magic existing.

[ That does seem to be the way most people handle it. They give the details but leave the break downs until they are alone. It had been Anthony's move too... for the most part. ]

That is brave.

[ Foolish maybe since they all knew nothing about magic but Clarence seemed touched by it so all those fears were set aside. ]

Did it work? Do you feel better about having magic now?

What's wrong with admitting you dream about demons?

Reckless as heck is what it is. But you're right, I did feel better after. At least I know I won't hurt anyone unintentionally.

[But was that really better? It meant whenever someone did get hurt by his magic, he really would intend for it.]

I don't fully understand it, but I have a feeling it's only just starting. I just don't know if I should try to figure out how to use it, or if I should ignore it so I don't end up hurting anyone later on. You know, in case I guess I decide it's okay to just give people heart attacks when they're doing something I don't like.

It's always good to know you won't sneeze and accidentally take out a city block.

[ And he meant that. Anthony didn't have powers and even as exciting and 'do anything you want' as they might be, hurting people with them didn't sound like any fun at all. ]

I wouldn't ignore them. I think it's better to learn as much as you can about them before they get so powerful they control you. You know... if that would happen.

I don't dream about demons, in the dreams I am the demon. Mum is Catholic... I can't tell her I might be the serpent who tricked Eve into eating the apple. Either she would think I was nuts or she would believe me and want nothing else to do with me.

[ Right now he can only see the bad outcomes. ]

Huh...

So you think we become who we dream about?

Yes? No... How do I know?! I only know it feels real, some times more real than 'real life'.

Right? I'm glad Elliott was willing to try and all, but he needs to not be so self-sacrificing all the time.

[Biting his lip, he nods.]

I... think that's the best route, too. The only problem is, all I can do is glow right now. I don't know how to do anything else yet, so I might have to wait until I have more memories.

Well that's a philosophical question outside of my wheelhouse.

God, I hope not.

[Though he's 95% sure there's not really a fire]

But I want to work in forestry, so I'd like to work a lot with the trees if I can. Of course, I'd be happy doing almost any job there, really- even if it's just cleaning or something. I'm jealous there are people that are paid to work there.

[And really, the more he talks about it, the more he really wants to jump the gun and ask Anthony about it the second he can]

Just as well... I'm not feeling philosophy right now.

You could practice your glow, see how bright it can get?

[ Yea, that sounded stupid to him too. ]

You think they will get stronger? Maybe they won't. Since these are only 'memories' maybe any magic that returns because of them will be like a memory too, faded, a bit weak. I'm just saying, don't but surprised if glowing is all you can ever do.

Forestry is a delightful profession. I can see you are very passionate about it.

[ To Evelyn is seemed like the little guy was about to wiggle his way off the sofa, he got so excited talking about it. ]

I could speak to Anthony after you have brought it up to him, put in my two cents about how interested you are in the job? It might help.

[There might be actual sparkles in his eyes if she looked closely]

That's- that would be really great! I- uh, if- if you wouldn't mind, I mean.

[Elliott crams a cookie in his mouth to shut himself up, then blinks, swallowing] These are really good, by the way.

[ No one who had a look at those sparkles in the boy's eyes could have doubted for a minute that he was deeply in love with the idea of working with the trees and they had quite the impressive collection of them out there! He would love it, Evelyn had no doubt of that! ]

You're quite welcome! I don't mind helping out such a nice young man. And I'm so very glad you like the biscuits. They are an old family recipe passed down from my grandmother's side of the family. Oh! This is silly! I'm just sitting here chatting to you and worrying... Would it be too much to ask if you could go down to the gardens and see what is really going on? You can text me about it? Anthony won't think to. He will be too busy with whatever is going on. And it won't be dangerous. I'm sure if there is a fire they will have the whole place roped off by now.

Yeah, sure. I want to know what's going on too, so that works out.

[Elliott briefly wonders if Anthony has had enough time to do whatever it was. Had he said a few hours? But he couldn't exactly refuse, either. Anyway, the guy definitely wasn't at the gardens, so he'd just text him and catch a bus home.

He stands with a smile] Thanks for inviting me in- and for the cookies.

That's wonderful! I would go myself but I think it would be best if I stayed here in case either of my boys returned. They both need looking after, you know.

[ Evelyn clapped her hands, happier than she had been all morning, as she was up and bouncing around the room in quick time. Her phone number was written on a slip of paper and tucked neatly into a small bag of cookies which were handed to Elliott in a neatly wrapped little bundle. ]

A snack for later, since you enjoyed them so much and to thank you for looking into this for me. Anthony can be such a handful.

[Elliott nods, starting to feel a little bad for the mild deception now. She's such a sweet lady.]

Thank you, ma'am. I'm sure your son is okay, but I'll let you know what's going on as soon as I get there.

[He leaves with a wave, then closes the door behind him and sighs. Checks his phone for the next bus and texts Anthony once he reaches the stop]

She sent me to check on the gardens and let her know what's going on. I'm heading home now.

Give it like a half hour and tell her it was a false alarm. Sorry I wasn't there when you arrived, heat of the moment escape plans, I had to go when the opportunity came up. I do appreciate any trouble it put you to. If you need anything to make up for it, money, lunch, just let me know.

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You're my only hope

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