On2XSecretProbation

Helena leaned against the counter at Dee and Kori’s shop. “So, it looks like this is good bye for now,” she told them. “I’m going back to my world today, at least for a little while.”“Oh? Is that so,” asked Dee. “Is Kivrin not going too?”“Nope, she wanted to stay here. I guess she’s getting used to this place. I like it too but…I would like to let my folks know I’m ok. I’ll tell her family that she’s still exploring. And I’m bringing the letters from the other folks from my world too.” Helena patted a messenger bag slung over her shoulder.“Like an interdimensional Pony Express,” Kori said with a laugh.“Something like that,” said Helena smi...

Tara bounded ahead of the others up some stone steps. “Come on guys! We’re almost there!”Suddenly, she stopped at a large pair of wooden doors. The others caught up.“We’re here,” she said and walked towards the doors.Helena gasped. “It’s like a literal winter wonderland…”“Yeah,” said Tara as she entered the door and snow began to fall on her. “It’s all the fun of snow without the cold! There’s a snow ball fight going on in there all the time with snow castles and everything!”“I never knew about this place…” said Gloria as she stepped inside and scooped up a handful of snow. “Tara’s right! The snow isn’t cold…it’s just kind of like a room t...

Helena scratched her head. “Well that’s weird. Not like him…er her to go running off like that.”Ally shrugged.“Oh well,” said Allison. “I guess it’s just the four of us.”“Don’t hang around on my account,” said Helena. “If you have other things to do then go ahead.”“I have nowhere else to be,” said Allison.“I’ll stick around too,” Tara added.“Sorry to disappoint but I’m going to have to leave you,” Ally said. She turned to walk away but then turned back and smiled. “I’m sure we’ll meet again soon, Helena!”“What would you like to see,” asked Allison once they all waved good bye to Ally.“Or do” added Tara.Helena thought for a moment. “Is ther...

The inside was a like any number of bathhouse as seen in movies and anime. Despite the nature of the waters that lay within the outside was almost boring. They took their clothes off and grabbed towels without incident. When they arrived at the hot spring proper it was appropriately covered in steam just as one would expect but in the middle was a large rock. The rock was connected to land by way of several stones and as the water deepened, stone pillars that almost divided the two halves of the large spring.“Hello,” said a figure sitting on the rock. “Going in to the water? It’s nice and warm today.”“Uh, yeah,” Kevin said. He squinted int...

They all turned and standing there was a short girl with very long magenta hair. Hans tilted his head curiously. Kevin backed away a step or two. Jamie rolled her eyes.“So, you have brought more men who must have heard of The Great Katsumi and have brought them to come beg and grovel for mercy,” said the girl. “Well you shall find none here!” She slashed her arm, index finger extended at them.Kevin looked to Jamie and Tara for a translation. She shrugged. Tara giggled. “You are a curious little thing aren’t you,” asked Hans. He towered over the slight girl. Yet somehow her presence dwarfed them all. The fire in her emerald green eyes someh...

The rocks had formed a sort of natural staircase. Kevin climbed it even though it was quite steep and treacherous. His friend Hans was right behind him all the way. What Hans lacked in raw intelligence, he more than made up for it in loyalty, physicality, and empathy. Not that Hans was unintelligent but he had more street smarts than book smarts. Kevin was the opposite, although no slouch in the strength department, and their unlikely friendship was solidified over the years in their adventures around the world. They stopped for a rest.“No signs of bodies yet,” said Hans cheerfully.“Yeah, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,...

Chapter 3As I waited for the cops I began to look at the room more carefully. I had to figure out how the body ended up in the vent. Could someone have gotten a ladder in and out of the building without anyone knowing? Considering how stoned people are around here that might actually be possible. But still it would be difficult. What if they stacked found items up? Then they could just bury them in the garbage that seems pervasive in this room. But could they find items that are strong enough to support the weight of two people. And on that subject…the murderer must have been at least somewhat strong to be able to life a body into the air ...

As we laid out a more detailed plan we began to all feel more confident. Cornering Jessica’s grandmother seemed like it was our best shot. If not we would die horribly and it wouldn’t matter anyways.“We need some kind of leverage,” said Tim. “Maybe we should set up some kind of timed e-mail or something that sends out information about magic to everyone on the internet if we don’t shut it off…you know like in the movies.”I shook my head, smiling. “As much as I love a good movie plan does anyone here actually have the ability to do something like that,” I asked.No one spoke up.“Well let’s just go with our initial plan to fake it,” said Nata...

Chapter 14Before I could formulate any kind of plan we were outside the gates of my childhood home. I stood at the call box outside the gate. Waiting to press the button knowing there were cameras on me and my friends. Someone was always watching. I was stalling. I stood there with my finger outstretched, hovering an inch from the button.“Tom Wolfe says you can’t go home again,” said Tim. “Shut up, Tim,” I responded. “Well just get this over with,” said Yolanda. “What’s the worst that can happen? They call the cops and we are easily found by our pursuers.” “That sounds pretty bad to me,” Natalie said. “Just hit the damn button,” said Jessi...

Chapter One I sat at my desk waiting for my client. Ok Sally Kruger, 38, says her husband has been missing four months now, I thought going over my notes from our talk on the phone. She doesn’t know where he went. Says he wouldn’t cheat. Ha! What a saint this guy must have been. If you aren’t careful you’ll get cynical in this town. If you aren’t cynical in this town you won’t make it very far. His car was found at an address half way across the city. It was only found because a dead woman had been found on the top floor of the next door apartment building. They ran the plates in the area and got a hit from his car. Just not for the m...