Merlin's Island across the Atlantic Ocean was quiet. Makenna's surfboard, still sitting on the beach, hadn't moved. Small waves crashed onto the shoreline, and the wind blew gently. Tracey had still not woken from the magic coma, and Merlin and Gina were worried. A magic coma was supposed to last 10-12 hours, and it had been 15 ½.
Merlin and Gina still sat in Tracey's room, studying the motionless body of Merlin's apprentice up and down.
Merlin chewed his nails and whimpered, "Oh, Gina, I killed him. I killed my own apprentice. He's the seventh fairy I've killed."
"Don't think that, Merlin," Gina said through tern squawks. "He's fine. He's just tired."
"He's going to fade any second now, Gina," spoke Merlin. "We might as well take him to the beach so he can fade into the sunlight."
Gina groaned. "How could you, Merlin? You killed a seventeen-year-old fairy! Not to mention, he was my best friend!" Just like Merlin, she was now confident that Tracey would fade in any second.
They approached him, and Merlin reached for him. "We have to ensure he dies a painless, peaceful death, Gina. Tracey always thought the beach was peaceful. Therefore, we shall take him to the beach."
His hand touched Tracey's shoulder. The second it did, his eyes fluttered open, and he shot up in bed! The towel fell from his forehead, and Tracey blinked. "Huh?" He turned his head toward Merlin and Gina.
"Ahh!" Merlin screamed. "He's a zombie!"
Gina screeched, and she and the wizard dove under Tracey's bed.
"What?" Tracey asked, dropping his wings. "Zombie? What zombie? Sensei?" He pulled the bed's covers off him and crawled to the edge of it. "Sensei?" His fingers gripped the edge.
Tracey plopped down on his front and pulled half his body off the bed, hanging upside-down before Merlin and Gina. His long, black hair hung down, and he told Merlin and the tern, "I'm not a zombie, Sensei and Gina. What happened to me? How did I get here? Where's Makenna?"
Merlin gasped, Gina, too. "Tracey?" Merlin inquired, lifting his head and reaching for his face. "Tracey, is that you?"
"Yes, sir," Tracey said, nodding. "I'm here, but I have many questions."
"Tracey!" Merlin shouted. He crawled out from under Tracey's bed and stood, brushing dirt and dust off him.
His young apprentice lifted his wings and sat on his heels. He rested his hands on his thighs.
"Tracey!" Merlin again shouted. "You're all right!"
"Yeah," bewildered Tracey spoke. He slid off the bed and approached him.
Merlin hugged him.
Gina soon fluttered out from under the bed and flew to Tracey's cheek, rubbing her beak against it.
Merlin soon let go of his apprentice. "Oh, my young apprentice. Gina and I were so worried. But you're all right! That magic overload did do a load on you."
"Magic overload?" Tracey asked, grasping his hip. "I don't understand, Sensei. What happened to me? How did I get here? Where's Makenna?" Dropping his hand, he reached his arm up to his shoulder and let Gina land on his wristband. "Hey, Gina," Tracey spoke, rubbing her.
"Tracey," Merlin explained, "you were suffering from a magic overload and maybe even a mild spell. When you gave her a tour of the island, Makenna said something happened in the ocean. I had to put you in a magic coma. You've been in a magic coma for 15 ½ hours, and Gina and I were afraid you weren't going to make it."
"A magic coma?" Tracey inquired. "Oh, whoa. That's deep. Ahem." He faked a cough into his arm and cleared his throat. "Master Merlin, sir, where are Makenna and Caleb?"
"I sent them home," Merlin explained, glancing at his hands. "Their task on this island was over. Besides, they had school today. I actually managed to teleport them, my young apprentice! It was amazing!"
Tracey's wings waved gently behind him, and he blinked. "Wait, they're gone?" A pinch of loneliness and sadness pierced his heart.
Merlin noticed it and sighed, nodding. "Yes, Tracey."
"Even Makenna?" questioned Tracey.
"Even Makenna," Merlin answered, grabbing his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Tracey. I asked her if she wanted to say goodbye when you were unconscious, but she turned on her prissy attitude and openly told me that she didn't care if you survived. She said she has some dude back home named Peter Nelson."
The explanation hurt Tracey, but he tried to show that he wasn't, although Merlin knew he was.
"Don't worry, my young apprentice, she'll be back. She's started her quest for Selene, and when she finds her, she'll come back and report to me what she told her."
"Huh?" asked Tracey. He turned his head in Merlin's direction. "Selene?"
Gina hopped off his wristband and hovered beside him.
"Won't she need help?" Tracey guessed. "Shouldn't I fly to Seabrook Island and give her a hand?"
Merlin gulped. He knew Tracey had a soft spot for Makenna and knew he was lonely without her, but he didn't want him flying over the Atlantic Ocean. He was scared that the Octopus Man would find, hurt, and catch him if he did. Merlin did not want Tracey to get hurt. He was such a kindhearted soul who didn't deserve to feel pain. Merlin wanted Tracey to stay on the island for his safety until Makenna was strong enough to help him fight against the Octopus Man.
He shook his head and said, "No, Tracey." He patted his shoulder. "I don't want you flying over the Atlantic Ocean. Please."
"Why?" Tracey wondered.
"Because…" Merlin stammered. "An evil force from the Bermuda Triangle has invaded the ocean. A force filled with dark magic, and he will do anything to get his hands on strong, magical beings such as you. Promise me you won't fly to Seabrook Island, Tracey."
"But," protested Tracey, "Makenna. She can't find Selene on her own. Not with her attitude. I have to help her, Master. I have to."
"Tracey," Merlin sternly said, "promise me you will not do it."
Gina peered into the young apprentice's golden-brown eyes.
After a moment of silence, Tracey sighed and lowered his head. "I promise."
"Good," Merlin said, removing his hand from his shoulder. "Now, Tracey, let's test your wings. I want to ensure the magic overload didn't injure them. All right." He waved his hand. "Close."
Tracey closed his wings.
"Open," Merlin added.
Tracey obeyed and studied his wings.
"Hm," said Merlin, tapping his chin. "Give me a flutter."
Tracey fluttered his wings.
"And a flitter," said Merlin.
Tracey did as he was told.
"Now, try a little spin," was Merlin's final request.
Tracey flapped his wings and lifted into the sky. Purple and green fairy dust escaped them, and he acted out a midair spin.
"All right," Merlin admitted, "your wings appear fine. The magic overload didn't injure them. That's a relief. Now, Trace, wash up, and let's get you some breakfast. I was hoping you could help me with a few things this morning. You then will have the rest of the day to yourself. Deal?"
"Deal, Sensei," Tracey gloomily spoke. At the thought of him not being able to help Makenna and her openly admitting that she didn't care about him, he sighed sadly, dropped his head, and clutched his arm. He was all alone again. He thought he had made another fairy friend, another teenager, but she dumped him like trash. Well, he still had Gina.
She fluttered into his arms, and the young ninja hugged her.
"Thank you, Gina," he calmly said. "I need a hug. At least I still have you."
Merlin sighed.
***
12:30, Makenna's lunch period, came. She and the juniors ate at the same time. Makenna usually sat with Jessica during lunch, where they discussed ballet, but Makenna wasn't in a good enough mood that day.
She and Jessica ate silently, and Makenna stared at the face of the table, biting into a carrot.
Jessica noticed that and sighed. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and placed it in her lap. Jessica grasped Makenna's hand and said, "Makenna, what's wrong? Why are you so sad today?"
"I can't tell you, Jessica," Makenna admitted. "It's too complicated."
"Aw, come on," said her friend. "You can tell me anything, Makenna. We're best friends, remember? BFFs."
"Well..." started Makenna, attempting to think of something to say instead that she missed her fairy wings and a ninja-like fairy named Tracey. "Jessica, I wasn't at ballet lessons the other night because Mom took them away. She punished me for my report card, and I'm pretty upset about it."
"Your mom took away your ballet lessons?" inquired Jessica, releasing Makenna's hand.
"That she did." Makenna poked her food. "And then, Jessica, Jimmy Carter ruined my morning. I was so psyched about Spirit Week this morning. I thought it would be fun, but now it's time to flush that dream down the toilet. I can't enjoy Spirit Week if Jimmy is here to call me Fairy Girl, Jessica. I can't."
"Well," spoke Jessica, "then we won't let Jimmy Carter ruin it. Makenna, trust me, teachers are saying that this Spirit Week will be one of the best ones they've had. We will have the pep rally and Spirit Week dance on Friday! Flyers about the dance are hung up all over school."
"That's another thing, Jessica," Makenna told her. She rested her arms on the table. "The dance. What if Peter Nelson doesn't ask me to it?"
"Well," said Jessica, smiling, "you can't just sit here and worry, Makenna. This is what you do. I read this in Lover's First Crush." She turned her head and pointed at a junior table, where Peter sat with his friends. Makenna glanced in that direction, and Jessica added, "Go up to him. Ask him if you can talk to him. Take him to a flyer about the dance and start a conversation about it. Say you are pumped, and ask him if he is, too. Then, go from there. Trust me, I know about these things."
"How so?" Makenna asked.
Jessica cleared her throat. "I don't mean to brag, Makenn, but when I was in middle school, I was very popular. There were three boys—one boy for each year. Thanks to my research, I had them ask me if they wanted to take me to the end-of-year dance every year. I went with a different boy yearly; it was the greatest thing ever! I had never had so much fun in my entire life."
"Lucky you, Jessica," admitted Makenna. "A boy's never asked me to a dance. Thank you. I'll give it a go."
Jessica smiled. "That's my girl!"
Makenna shakily stood from the table. She faced Jessica and messed with her hair. "How do I look?"
"Like a city girl!" Jessica spoke in a country accent. "You look fine. Now go! Good luck, partner! I'll be right here."
"Thanks," Makenna said. She faced Peter's table and inhaled. "All right, you've got this, Makenna. It's just a boy. It's just a boy. No, it's not just a boy! It's Peter Nelson!"
"You've got this," Jessica encouraged. She took a sip from her carton of chocolate milk and gestured in Peter's direction.
Makenna winked. She started toward Peter's table. Halfway there, she stopped momentarily and glanced back at Jessica. When she approached Peter's side, she held her arms behind her back and asked, "Peter?"
Peter's friends, a group of three more juniors, peered up at her.
One friend, a muscular, dark-haired boy with wrestling-like features, nudged Peter. "Hey, Pete, you have a chick hovering over you."
Peter, scrolling on his phone, asked, "Hm? Do what, Bruce?" He turned off his phone and set it on the table's face.
Bruce pointed at Makenna. "Look."
Peter finally turned his head, and his eyes landed on Makenna. "Oh," he said, smiling. "Hey, Miss Makenna Delling."
"Hey, Pete," she said softly. "I was wondering if you have a moment? I want to talk to you about something, and I'm ashamed to talk about it in front of all your friends."
"Very well," Peter said, nodding. "Sure, Miss Delling." He stood and, resting his hand on Makenna's back, led her toward the cafeteria's exit and a hallway. While they strolled away, Peter peered back at his friends and seemed to sneer.
Makenna and Peter soon exited the cafeteria. They now stood in an almost empty hallway. A few teenagers were at their lockers, but other than them, there wasn't anybody else.
Peter and Makenna stopped at a flyer on the wall about the Spirit Week dance. Together, they looked it over and read it a few times. Then, Makenna took Jessica's advice.
She told Peter, "Wow, Peter," and her index finger skimmed the flyer. "This is amazing. The Spirit Week dance is this Friday. It will be my first high school dance, so I'm pumped. What about you?"
"I am, too," Peter said. "Makenna, for the past two years, believe it or not, I haven't attended a school dance."
"Really?" Makenna asked. She and Peter met eyes.
"Yeah," he said. He turned and hid a smirk before turning back. "This will be new to me, too. You know, Makenna, I'm going to go ahead and openly say this."
"Yes, Peter?" questioned Makenna. "What is it?" She and Peter turned and faced each other. Makenna felt her cheeks burning and reached for her left one.
Peter picked up her hand, and Makenna squealed. "Makenna," he said, "you are amazing. I have never met another girl with your strength and skills. I am proud to call you my friend."
Makenna blushed. Releasing her hand, she covered her mouth. However, she was unaware that Jimmy Carter was behind her, peering from behind a wall.
Slowly and carefully, Jimmy stepped out from behind the wall and began approaching Makenna and Peter.
They had not noticed him.
Makenna continued to listen to Peter, who said, "A dance such as the one on Friday, Makenna, to me, is a dance that's hard to go to alone."
Makenna gasped and blushed harder. Sweat trickled down her temples, and she impatiently waited for Peter's following words.
They were: "You're so beautiful, Makenna. I guess what I'm trying to say is…" Peter chuckled nervously.
"What?" Makenna asked him.
"No," continued Peter, shaking his head.
"Try me," was Makenna's next word. She brought her hands to her heart. "Don't be shy, Peter. This is Makenna Delling you're speaking to."
"Makenna," Peter finally said.
"Yes?" flirtingly asked Makenna.
Peter studied her blue eyes and took a deep breath. "Will-Will you go to the dance with me?"
Makenna froze. No! No! No! He did not just ask that! She was lost for words. She had to confirm this!
In a squeaky voice, Makenna asked, "Can you repeat that, please, Pete?"
"Sure," said Peter, clearing his throat and standing straight. "Makenna Delling, will you go to the dance with me on Friday night?"
Speechless, Makenna covered her mouth and finally squeaked, "Yes!" She forcibly nodded her head. "Yes, I will, Peter! I will!"
"Really?" Peter asked, grinning. "Well, that's perfect! Thank you!" He flipped his hair. "Yet I have another question, Makenna. Would you like to come to my house later and meet my parents?"
"Your parents?" asked Makenna.
Jimmy was getting closer to them but slipped behind a row of lockers and stayed as quiet as possible.
"I would love to," Makenna added, "but didn't you say your dad was crazy?"
Peter chuckled. "Well, Makenna," he laughed, "he doesn't start to really be affected by craziness unless he's had five cups of coffee. I've told my parents about you, Makenna, and they would love to meet you."
"Hm," said Makenna, still blushing. She tapped her chin. "Where do you live, Peter?"
"Seabrook Island," he answered.
Makenna gasped. "Seabrook Island? Really? Where?"
"On Jenkins Point," Peter said, "Why?"
"Jenkins Point?" Makenna yelped. "Seriously? I live on Seabrook Island, on Jenkins Point, too!"
"Whoa, really?" asked Peter. "How come I've never seen you? Where exactly on Jenkins Point do you live, Makenna?"
"Next to the alligator pond," she replied. "What about you?"
Peter nodded. "Ah. That's why. I live near the end, past the bridge surrounded by marshland. When we leave school and go home, do you want to meet me at the alligator pond?"
"What time?" Makenna wanted to know.
"Hm," voiced her crush. He rubbed his beardless chin, then dropped his hand and checked his wristwatch. "Will 4:30 work?"
"4:30?" Makenna asked. "Sure! Thank you, Pete!"
"No prob," he said, waving his hand. "My parents have been dying to meet you, Makenna. Besides, they'll be curious about the girl I will take to the Spirit Week dance. We're going to have so much fun, Makenna."
"Yes," she agreed. "We are. We'll enjoy our first high school dance together, Pete. I'll see you at the alligator pond at 4:30 this afternoon."
"Right," he said, taking her shoulders. "Thank you, Makenna. Thank you." He pulled Makenna into a hug, and she gasped. He was hugging her!
Peter soon let go and, to give a dramatic exit, kissed Makenna's cheek.
Makenna's eyes widened. Squealing, she pressed her hand against her cheek.
Peter soon left her. While he left, he waved. "4:30 this afternoon, Makenna. I can't wait. This is going to be fun."
Makenna nodded and watched as he slipped back into the cafeteria. She grinned and stepped closer to the cafeteria's entrance. Makenna had done it! She had gotten a date with Peter Nelson to the Spirit Week dance! Her very first date!
Makenna closed her eyes, lifted her hands, and yelled, "Yippee!" into the atmosphere.
Still spying on her, Jimmy Carter narrowed his eyes and said, "Hmm." He stepped out from behind the lockers while Makenna wasn't looking and marched down the hallway, disappearing around the corner.
Makenna, now the only one standing in it, again yelled, "Yippee!"
***
Gentle waves slapped the surface of Merlin's Island's beach. The sun was high in the sky, smiling down on the island.
Tracey was on the beach, sitting on a rock with his hands on his thighs. He stared at the Atlantic Ocean in a trance-like state while Gina slept on a log beside him. Behind the young fairy were the volcano and jungle.
Tracey sat in complete silence. His wings stood behind him, waving gently in the breeze and his hair. His eyes drooped a little. He could hear the sirens singing in his head. The mark of the Octopus Man's trident reappeared on his arm.
Tracey stood and dropped his arms. He crept toward the ocean, and his wings glittered with his fairy dust and the sun's rays.
Behind, Gina woke and unburied her head from her wing. She gasped at the sight of Tracey heading toward the ocean and squawked. Quickly, she flapped her wings and flew after him.
Tracey stopped at the shoreline, and water from waves sprayed onto his boots.
The sirens continued to sing.
From behind, Gina flew faster. Reaching Tracey, she grabbed a tuft of hair and started to pull. However, he shook her off.
The Octopus Man's whirlpool appeared on the horizon, swirling toward the beach.
Gina saw it and gasped again. No! If Tracey stepped into the ocean, he would be carried away. Gina had to do something before it was too late. After a bit, she thought of it. Gina hated to do this to Tracey because he was so innocent and loved his wings, but it was the only thing she could do to wake him. Hurrying to his right wing, Gina opened her beak and bit down on it as hard as she could.
Immediately, Tracey woke and gasped, flinching. He reached for his wing and grabbed it. "Gina, what is wrong with you?" He pulled Gina off and massaged his wing. "Ow!" Gina screeched at him, and Tracey asked, "What?" The mark on his arm vanished, and the Octopus Man's whirlpool disappeared underwater.
Gina continued to screech at the young apprentice.
"Do what?" he asked. "I was in a trance? What are you talking about, Gina? What's wrong? Why do you look so frightened?"
Gina flew into his arms and cuddled up to him. She was worried. Tracey had never acted this way before. He didn't start to change until after that adventure on the beach the day before.
Understanding that she was worried, Tracey hugged her. "I'm all right, Gina. Come on, let's go for a flight down the beach. I know how much you love beach flights. Who knows, maybe we'll see a few dolphins."
Gina held her breath. She then lowered her head and seemed to sigh. After a bit, Gina met Tracey's eyes again and nodded. She turned and flapped her wings, fluttering forward.
Tracey mimicked and chased his friend. They soon flew side-by-side down the beach.
While he flew, Tracey watched the ocean and thought about Makenna. "Makenna," he upsettingly spoke. He stopped and hovered. A flash of worry washed across his face. "Makenna," he repeated. Tracey groaned and reached for his head. He couldn't help but feel like Makenna was in danger.
Gina soon stopped and turned to him, asking in tern squawks, "What's the matter, Tracey?"
"Makenna," he said, releasing his head. "Makenna, Gina. I can't help but feel like she's in trouble. Argh!" Growling, he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around him.
"Makenna in trouble?" Gina asked him. She fluttered to his face. "Of course, she's in trouble, Trace. Selene is unhappy with her. If Makenna doesn't change her attitude and stop lying, she will be a dead fairy."
"It's not just that, Gina," worriedly spoke Tracey. Opening his eyes, he dropped his arms and fixed his eyes on his friend. "It's something else. Something I feel that is going on at her school. I-I have to go to her, Gina."
"But Merlin gave you strict orders to stay here, Trace!" Gina snapped at him. "You can't go! I won't let you!"
"I don't understand the big deal!" admitted Tracey. "What evil force from the Bermuda Triangle was Sensei talking about? This is the Atlantic Ocean. It's very safe. Besides, the Bermuda Triangle is far away. I'll be perfectly fine flying to Seabrook Island."
"I'm not going to let you, though," Gina said. "If you disobey Merlin, Tracey, then help myself, I will fly to him myself and tell him what you did!"
"Go ahead," calmly spoke Tracey, and Gina's eyes widened, "but my friend is in danger. I can't just leave her, Gina. I have to help her. I must help her find Selene, earn her Crystal Wings, and save Merlin. It is my duty as his apprentice. I promised Sensei I would do everything possible to assist Makenna on her journey. Go ahead, Gina, tell on me, but I can assure you I will already be at Seabrook Island when you finally get to him. I'll be careful. I promise."
"Oh, Tracey," Gina spoke, fluttering into his arms. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't," Tracey promised her. "Makenna and I will succeed. I promise, Gina, we will return here together when Selene visits Makenna in her dreams."
"Very well," said Gina, and the two disconnected. "Do you remember the spell that will help you hide your wings?"
Tracey nodded. "I do, Gina."
"That may come in handy," spoke Gina. "Especially if you find yourself in a crowd of humans. Remember, Tracey, if you find yourself in a human crowd, if one tries to pressure you into a fight, say 'No' and use one of your ninja tricks to escape the scene."
Tracey feebly smiled. "You know I'm good at that, Gina," he chuckled.
"Yeah, you are," admitted Gina, blushing. "Merlin's taught you well. Well, good luck, my friend. Take good care of yourself and your wings."
"I will, Gina," Tracey said. "I will." Stroking Gina's cheek, he said goodbye one last time. Then, removing his hand from the tern, he turned and flew toward the ocean toward Seabrook Island. When he reached the shoreline, he landed, and his eyes focused on the horizon.
Gina didn't follow him. She stayed behind. She had to stay behind. Somebody needed to care for Merlin while he was weak. Gina would miss her friend, but he'd be back. She knew he'd be back. He was Tracey.
Wind gushed through Tracey's hair. Slowly turning his head, he peered over his shoulder, and his eyes landed on Gina. The last thing he told her before he took off in flight was: "I can assure you, Gina, that when Makenna and I return, Makenna will be a Level 2 Metamorphic Fairy. Take good care of Sensei for me." He waved, and Gina waved back.
After waving, Tracey turned and faced the ocean again. He inhaled and opened his wings. Tracey held his arms out to his sides and took off in flight. Gina and Makenna's surfboard were left behind.