Mirror Lake 2 The Journey to Save the Magic

I have never been so embarrassed in my life! My poor sweet butterfly sent her love straight to me and it, along with Ethan’s magic, were the only things that could calm me down enough and revive me!

What was she thinking? Not that I wasn’t grateful! I was! But what if she hurt herself or the baby? I would never forgive myself for that!

Luckily, I was able to get enough rest last night and I made a quick phone call to Mel this morning before we took off. That helped so much.

Ethan wouldn’t even think of letting me drive today! He was sure I was going to pass out at any moment. Not to mention he promised his sister he would make sure I took a break today and try to “de-stress” to gather my strength for the next dome.

I really appreciated that.

I guess I hadn't noticed how off I’ve been since leaving Mel and Becky all alone. I don’t know if it's guilt or stress, or what, but something had me falling apart last night and I don’t think I can handle it if it happened again.

I’d been napping off and on trying to build up my strength. Every time I close my eyes I see her beautiful seafoam green eyes smiling back at me. I’d see her snarky mouth smirking at me. I could almost feel her arms wrapping around me as she pulled me into her body. I could smell her faint lavender scent.

It made me yearn for her more.

But I’m don’t not even sure if this is helping or not. Not when my magic isn’t being replenished, just like Mel’s. We need each other. I’ve never felt this weak before.

Blinking my eyes open I take a look around.

If there is anything I could describe the Grand Canyon, it’s rocky and reddish brown.

We finally made it to the South Rim, which seemed fairly busy. It’s the first week of September, and the temps are not as bad as I had imagined.

We decided to pull over at one of the campsites and take a look around. We walked up to the edge of the canyon and looked across the crevice in the earth. I didn’t notice anything in the canyon, which is a weight off my mind.

I didn’t feel like climbing down and freezing tonight.

“See anything?” I asked Ethan.

“Nope! I suggest we walk around for a bit. What do you think?” he asked.

I just nodded, seeing as that was our only option.

We hiked around for about an hour before we saw a glimmer.

“Finally,” whined Ethan.

I laughed, but I couldn’t agree more! When we came closer, we actually noticed the dome was surrounded by what seemed to be a ghost town. I don’t believe I’ve ever come across one before.

It was only a few dilapidated old wooden buildings, and more dust than road, but it fascinated me.

One of the buildings in particular caught my attention.

It was much newer and actually had glass windows and doors that weren’t falling off it’s hinges.

I pointed it out to Ethan.

He just nodded.

Carefully, we made our way to the only building that looked like it was built within the last century.

I could almost picture me as a sheriff in the old wild west, carrying a gun on my hip, dusty boots on my feet, and a weathered hat on my head. Ethan by my side as my deputy, coming for a shoot out, with some unknown bandit.

I almost laughed at that!

Maybe the sun is getting to me.

Dark eyes peek behind a curtain, and suddenly I knew who was here.

“Shelly,” I called out. “We really don’t want to hurt you.”

The dark island beauty steps out from behind her door with a sassy smirk.

“You made it to da fourth dome, Nate! Ahh, and Ethan too,” she cooed at us.

“Just hand over the key and we will be on our way,” insisted Ethan.

I know I’m not the only one who really doesn’t want to fight.

“But you know I can’t do dat, even if I wanted to,” her voice lilting as she smirked, holding up her hand with a dark mass of magic. It was a miniature lightning storm, I realized.

Suddenly she threw it up into the air and out of nowhere a flash flood, complete with lighting and wind.

Great! I’m already running on low as it is and now I’ve gotta use up what little magic I had stored up. But at least after this one there are only three more domes to go! I’m gonna hold on to that thought as I conjured up my lightning sword.

I charged as I watched Ethan put up a protection barrier around us. I was impressed! It kept the rain and wind from washing us away.

I really didn’t want to kill Shelly. She was nowhere near as bad as Jen was. She just followed what she was told, just like Brittany.

However, if we can incapacitate her, like we did before, then we won’t have any more blood on our hands!

I bring my sword down, but she blocks it with a shield made completely of air.

Neat trick!

I swing down by her legs and she jumps.

Ethan then takes his fire and pulls the oxygen from her shield and she is left powerless.

“Don’ hurt me!” she shivered.

I bend down and take the key from around her neck.

“Like we said, we really don’t want to hurt you, Shelly. We just want to end all this so we can go home!” I stated.

Tears fell down her face.

“Dey have my family,” she whispers.

“We will take care of them! We promise,” said Ethan.

Her shaky finger points to an old saloon.

“Dere is what you be lookin’ fo’” she told us, as the storm suddenly cleared.

“Thank you, Shelly,” I said.

Right on the outside of the building were purple mushrooms.

I have a feeling I should not eat them!

I slide the key into place and unlock the mechanism.

I let out a relieved sigh as I heard a crack that would be convincing as thunder rolled across the canyon walls.

Rain in rainbow colors explodes in a downpour. It was beautiful!

Suddenly fire dragons take to the sky, along with dessert fairies and thunderbirds. The roars ripped through the sky.

They sing their song of freedom!

Desert shadows flashed in and out of existence, spreading across the sand.

Ethan came over to me and slung his arm over my shoulder.

“Four down, three to go, man! Then we can go home!” He promised.

I smiled at that! We are over half way through.

“So… About that private jet…” I said.

Ethan smirks and pulls out his phone.

“You don’t have to ask me twice!” he answered.