Trajectory

Zazie didn’t argue. Debra could be quite firm when she wanted to be. Chloe had a feeling her mom somehow knew they’d been through a lot more than just kidnapping that day, and she was grateful that she had such a great mother

The last thing she saw before she passed out from pain once again was Layla and a very injured Sarmia being led out in handcuffs.

One month later...

Chloe and Brent walked hand and hand through the woods behind his dad’s house. They’d avoided a walk through the woods behind her parents’ old house since the incident, but talked of going back for closure someday soon.

She was starting to be able to use her arm again despite the pain she still had and she was suffering from nightmares when she closed her eyes. Brent slept over at her place most nights, so she felt safe in his arms.

“Did you think finally taking our relationship from friends to lovers would change your life so much?” she joked.

“No, but I’m so glad it did.”

“Really?”

“I mean, I could have done without the dark wizard trying to kill us, that crazy bitch torturing you and Z, my father getting mad at me for getting Z out, getting almost shot, and watching your father become a mountain lion. But other than that, yes I’m glad.”

She hit him in the arm playfully, and he pulled her to him and looked at her seriously. “I love you and I’m glad that you’re a nuthatch and I’m a wizard.”

“That is the first time you’ve said the W word out loud,” she said. “How’s it feel?”

“Strange, honestly. I’m still so bad at magic. Like, watch this.” He stood still and thought really hard. “Wind and stuff blow around my feet, make the leaves dance like a creek.” Nothing happened for a minute and then some of the leaves lifted off the ground about an inch and fell back down.

“I honestly think it might be your rhyming. How’s Z?” she asked.

“She’s good, called last night and said she really thinks she has a lead on where Samuel might be. She talked to someone from the old Sarmia cult and they were really helpful.”

“You think she’ll find him?” Chloe bent down to tie up her boot.

“I kind of hope she doesn’t. From what you told me he sounds kind of evil.”

“Yeah, but he’s still her kid. She wouldn’t be Z if she weren’t out looking for him, trying to have an adventure.”

“You want to go up to the Observatory tonight?” he asked, knowing she always wanted to.

“Of course I do. I can map some stars for class.”

“Sounds like a blast.” He rolled his eyes.

“I mean, I guess we could make out a little too.” She laughed as his eyes lit up.

“That’s what I’m talking about.”

“You’ll get better at magic, you have Regina, and I believe in you,” she said, kissing the tip of his nose. He pulled her into him again and kissed her deeply, squeezing her against him and not breaking away until they were both breathless.

“There will be more of that for you to enjoy later,” he said. “At the Observatory.”

They walked back up to the house together and got into their separate cars.

She went to see her parents and have some of her dad’s new soup. He was better now too and talking to the neighbors about his heroic skills that saved the day so much that her mother wanted to move.

Brent was going to his grandmother’s for a little one on one magic lesson and they’d meet back up later.

As far as she was concerned, everything was perfect in Woodland Creek, and they were all stronger because of the evil they’d had to face and defeat.

The End