Guardian: Protectors of Light by Melanie Houtman

  *

  James had left Thomas’ house, heading for another friend’s house.

  She didn’t live too far away, yet it would probably still be a ten minute-walk or so. But it’d be worth it.

  He crossed the street, to end up at her front door. He slowly made his way into the garden and up the porch, and rang the doorbell.

  While James expected one of her parents to open the door, to his surprise, she opened the door herself.

  “James,” Anna smiled when she saw her best friend standing in front of her. “What brings you here?”

  “Hey Anna,” James said, smiling back. “I... just came by to say hi and see if you want to hang out, I guess?”

  Anna grinned at him. “But of course I do,” she said. “Wait a minute. Let me put on some shoes and get a coat, okay? I’ll be right there!”

  The door shut for a short moment, but hardly thirty seconds went by until it opened again, this time with Anna heading out, locking the door and stuffing the keys in one of her leather jacket’s pockets.

  “Let’s go, shall we?” she said, as she shook her brown curls over her shoulders, leaving them hanging loosely behind her back.

  “Uh- yeah,” James said. “Does the park sound like an idea?”

  “A stroll through the park sounds good,” Anna smiled, and the two headed off together.

  “So?” Anna suddenly said, as they were walking. “You look like something’s bothering you.”

  James looked at her and opened his mouth to tell her that nothing was wrong in the first place, but the look in Anna’s eyes told him that there was no point in denying. He let out a loud sigh.

  “It’s... just...” he mumbled. “There’s this book I picked up from the library yesterday, and it’s been acting, well... strangely.”

  “A book acting strangely?” Anna said uncomprehendingly. “How come?”

  “The pictures are changing,” James said. “There’s a whole legend going on about it... here.” Without saying any more, James handed Anna the book, who carefully opened it, flipping through it, until she reached a drawing.

  “Oh,” she said. “That’s unfortunate.”

  “What do you mean?” James said. “What’s unfortunate about this?”

  “Don’t you get it?” Anna said, proceeding to inspect the book. “You’ve been cursed, James. You and your sister, and all of your friends. The first five people to read this book.”

  “How do you know?” James asked, as they entered the park. Anna had really caught his attention this time.

  “Well, isn’t it obvious?” Anna said, stopping beside a bench to put down the book and focus all her attention on James. “This book somehow happens to be magical, and you guys were the unlucky ones to re-enact the curse.”

  James snorted. “Magic? Curse? You really believe in all that?” he said jokingly.

  “Yes, I do,” Anna said, pure honesty reflecting in her chocolate eyes. “Don’t you?”

  James stared back at her, his eyes filled with confusion instead. “Well...” he said. “I can’t say that I don’t.”

  “Then don’t say you don’t,” Anna said. “Believe in what you want to believe, James.”

  Suddenly, James’s eyes grew wide in surprise. Believe. Believe in what you want to believe. That was what the cryptic message was behind that single word on the last page!

  James sighed relieved as his lips curled up into a smile. “Anna, you’re brilliant,” he said. “And... in case anything happens, I just want you to know that...”

  “Yes?” Anna said expectantly.

  “I just want you to know that...” James stammered, feeling all the blood pump through his head. “...I... don’t want you to worry,” he blurted.

  ...And I also love you, but I’m too much of a coward to say it. Smooth.

  “Oh James,” Anna chuckled. “Why would I ever be worried something bad would happen to you?” she said. “Everyone knows you’ll always save the day, no matter what happens.”

  James chuckled too; although it was rather due to his nerves than because Anna had made a joke. “Don’t worry,” he chuckled. “I will.”

  “Promise?” Anna said. “Pinkie promise?”

  She stuck up her pinkie, as her other hand found its way into James’s. Slightly surprised but not wanting to get “caught”, James went along with it, and smiled back at her before locking pinkies with her.

  “Pinkie promise.”