Chapter 17 : Rescue

Author note : I've started up playing modded Minecraft up again after watching my brother doing it. I know : I'm a sheep… 😓 But it also made me think about a story I had and dropped a few years ago. Don't know if it'll lead to anything so I won't say more…

In other (not) news, you can always visit my Patréon page to read more chapters, other stories, chat m or just show your support ! Also, don't forget to comment, review and give me your stones ! Search for Cathbel on Patréon or use this link : https://www.patre*n.com/user?

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The frown I had instantly turns into realization as I watch the scene from afar. My dad's wearing his Master of the Mystic Arts robe and throwing the criminals around as if it was natural. For a second, I envy how dexterous he is with telekinetic spells. But, obviously I know that it's not just dexterity that makes him able of such feat.

And then, there's the stereotypical witch with the broom handle laying against her left shoulder. She's deliberately posing as she's looking our way like some kind of gravure idol or magical girl from mangas. My mom… Pointy witch hat, robe and broom. So cliche I feel like smacking myself on the face.

So she used the broom to knock the guy out earlier, huh ? I remark inwardly. How strong is she ?

Sure, wood is as hard as, if not harder than someone's skull but it requires adequate upper body strength to knock someone out like that. The fact that she posed right afterward also meant that she was confident in her strike…

« Mrs… » Cory begins as she runs towards mom but she's shushed quickly with mom's movements.

She looks a little panicky as she gestures frantically for Cory to shut up.

« I'm the Witch of the East ! »

I feel my face cramping and hear myself asking :

« And what about him ? He's the Wizard of Oz ? »

« Just Oz ! » Mom corrects and I imagine myself sweat dropping and falling on my ass backward at the ridiculous monikers. I mean, sure I knew they loved the story of Wizard of Oz but, really ?

Suddenly, I realize how the tension has suddenly gone. A handful of seconds before, I was still feeling uneasy and frightened over our situation, imagining the worst scenario and now, I simply want to hit my head against a wall at the idea that these are my parents. Then again, I kind of like how goofy they are being at the moment… But I can't show it : I'm a moody teenager, after all.

Soon, my dad's done with playing around and comes to join us. I hear a groan from the guy on the ground at mom's feet and glance at the others. None of them are dead… At least, that means my parents aren't secretly magical hitmen, supervillain or something like that. Though I do wonder where mom's costume came from. I've already seen dad's in the Doctor Strange movie, but not mom's. That's when I spot a suspicious tag hanging off near her neck…

Guess that answers it… I think to myself.

« You know, M-… Witch of the East ? When you buy clothes, it's better if you take off the price tag. »

« Huh ? » Mom glances to the side where I'm pointing. « Oops ! » She blurts out and acts like a klutz. I guess people find it cute in anime, but right now, it's kind of disturbing.

« So… » I start, trying to change the subject to something more serious. « Who are those guys ? »

Dad shrugs and tells us :

« Although they aren't talkative, I think they're mercenaries of some kind. Or they could belong to a spy agency. Either way, they're professionals and well-trained. If it wasn't for our special powers… »

« Yeah, it would have been a little difficult to come and save you both… » Mom finishes his sentence.

I rub my head as I think.

Just like I thought… These guys are probably S.H.I.E.L.D., right ? And now, they know about mom and dad… Although they're disguised. Wait a minute !

« Are you using glamor spells ? »

« Of course ! Who do you take your pa-… us for ? » Mom retorts a little incensed and catches herself just before making a mistake.

Cory interjects, her head tilted to the side :

« Glamor ? Isn't this the thing you use to not get recognized. But I can see them clearly ? »

Dad nods :

« That's normal since we targeted you two specifically so that you can see through the glamor. Otherwise, seeing our awesomeness you might have panicked and fled from us ! »

I'm puzzled by their goofiness. I mean, my mom and dad like to joke and sometimes act silly but their whole act right now… That's it ! That's an act ! Either they're trying to fool the guys on the ground who might still be conscious, or they want to reassure us that everything's gonna be okay.

Well, I don't really care. I'm simply glad they're here !

« Let's… leave this place. » Cory says with a brief pause. I bet she wanted to say 'let's go home !' Or something like this. We've all almost made the mistake. The only one left is dad.

Hands on his hips and his chest stuck out, dad exclaims in a bombastic voice :

« Alright ! Let's go home ! » And he did… I look at him with dead eyes as he realizes it and tries to save the situation. « We'll escort you there ! Follow us ! »

And fails, miserably. It's just confusing now… I sigh while following along. Dad opens a portal and we cross through the threshold, landing next to the house. We don't have anymore trouble that day.

* * * * *

A few hours later, I find myself sitting on the couch looking at my parents intently. They're wearing their every day clothes again, so their sheepish appearance, their averting gazes were more in the lines of what I'm used to. They are awesome parents, but they're also pretty young and since I'm their only child, they're probably afraid of messing up. When I look at them like this, it's like their own parents are about to scold them… Kinda weird, I know !

« So… Why the hell was I unable to cast any magic ? »

Dad looks in my eyes and offers an apology :

« Sorry about that ! It's something I asked your mother to add to your concealing charm. Magic isn't supposed to be common knowledge, despite how the Ancient One shows it off in Kamar Taj. The reason I was allowed to leave is because I promised to help out every now and then, and keep magic a secret. Couldn't very well have my teenage son blow the whistle on me, now, could I ? »

I raise an eyebrow. It's a good excuse, but…

« And throwing those criminals around like they were in a pinball machine isn't blowing the whistle ? »

Dad shrugs and mom chuckles before saying :

« We've limited ourselves to one spell only and used variations of it. That way, they'll believe we were just Alter-humans. After all, telekinesis and pyrokinesis are pretty common powers among your population. »

« Pyrokinesis ? » I ask, confused. « Wasn't it super-strength ? » Before she answers I ask another question : « What about the clothes ? The broom ? If it doesn't scream magic… »

« What it says is that we're a couple of geeks and nothing more. Your mother used an explosive spell to launch herself forward while riding her broom… Only, as expected, without anything to stabilize her flight, she lost balance and almost crashed. I'm pretty sure they won't believe we're magic users with something like this… » Dad says, a teasing smile stretching his lips.

Mom doesn't seem bothered, though. Her face is neutral and she avoids neither my dad's or my gaze. I can't tell if she's trying to make us believe that it was all planned or not ? She answers my first question without commenting on what dad said :

« As for super-strength… I doubt they'd think about it. And even then, enhanced physical abilities are a pretty standard package among Alter-humans, isn't it ? Even the ones with another, more flashy ability. I don't think it'll raise many eyebrows… »

I nod at this. I'm not sure about the logic behind this or if it's even true, but what is true is that people do think it's pretty standard for 'mutants' and other 'mutates' to possess greater physical parameters than others.

I look to the side at Cory who's stayed silent for the entire conversation. I wonder what she's thinking… Might as well ask !

« Cory ? You okay ? You seem lost in thought… »

« Huh ? » She utters as her gaze focuses on me. « Sorry… I was just wondering what those guys wanted. Weren't they too professional and organized ? Why did they kidnap us ? For ransom ? Do you guys have a lot of money ? »

Mom and dad exchange a glance and a shrug :

« We have a bit of savings on the side. But yes. It is suspicious. » Mom admits. « It's not something anyone knows. Even Nate doesn't know how much we make… »

Again, I nod :

« I'm not even sure what dad does ? Do you do readings for old ladies ? » I ask half-joking. The fact that he avoids my gaze is telling. « You do ? » I exclaim loudly.

This day's been full of surprises and dismay. About my parents, especially…