"Awesome." ReNew rubbed her stomach."I need to burn off some of this food."Issa heard Charlene's words. The next thing she knew, he was offering his hand to help her up from the lawn and escorting her to the deck to dance.Issa spun her around, holding her hands. Charlene looked up at the fireworks as she went round and round.Idris picked up ReNew off the lawn in one swoop. "Come on, stuff, turkey! I need a dance partner!"ReNew tried her best to keep up with Idris. He was dancing off-beat and wildly throwing up his arms like a cowboy on a horse. ReNew could barely hold back her laughter.Professor E and Tabitha danced at their own slow speed. The twins were in the middle of eating ice cream on a chair, swinging their feet and watching the fireworks.Seth and Tamera danced the night away. Charlene and ReNew lay on the grass, watching the fireworks. The two of them were so stuffed with all the food their grandma made.A bright, glowing ball shot rapidly into the dark night sky like
The Lost of Two SonsReNew shifted her weight and glanced at Tamera."Can I ask you a question, Tamera?"Tamera smiled warmly. "What is it, darling?"ReNew’s voice softened. "Can I call you Mom too?"Tamera’s eyes misted. "Of course. You’re a part of my daughter, so you’re my daughter as well. Yes, you can call me Mom!" She reached out and hugged her tightly."Mom, try changing your clothes like us. Imagine what you’d wear back in New Orleans. Picture it in your mind, close your eyes, and touch your mark."Tamera hesitated but followed her daughter’s instructions. Her mark glowed faintly."I can see it," Tamera whispered."Now speak it into existence.""I want to wear sandals—open-toed shoes to let my feet breathe—and a light jacket for chilly evenings. For Bourbon Street, casual comfort during the day and something stylish at night."Moments later, the clothes manifested on and around her. Tamera gasped. "Did I do that?""Yes, Mom, you did.""That was amazing.""I want to go show Set
Torrock heard footsteps coming from outside the office door."Hello? Who's out there?" He peeked out. Nobody was in the room next door.He pulled open the drawers in the desk, looking for something—anything—that would help him figure out where he was. Instead, he found a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and a cup. He didn’t bother with the cup.“This should calm my nerves until I figure out how in the realm I got here. One minute, I was asleep... the next, I was here?” he muttered to himself.With his back to the door, he stared out the window at the camp-goers. The place didn’t seem too bad. Kids were swimming, laughing, running around. He looked down at his shirt. A badge read: Camp Director, Torrock.He took several sips from the bottle, then a few more. He could feel the effects creeping in."So I am the camp director! What is a camp director? When did I apply for this job? Well, at least it's in a beautiful place!" he laughed, dazed.The lake sparkled. Fish broke the surface in shimmering
Odo and Beth saw the girls resting peacefully. They didn’t want to wake them, so they let the girls sleep in the recliners. Odo grabbed two blankets and tucked them in for the night. After finishing the horror movie, Beth and Odo left the theater and headed upstairs to bed, unaware of the storm they’d just set in motion.Little did they know—Charlene couldn’t handle horror movies. Not since she was little. They gave her horrible night terrors. Seth and Tamera used to find her curled up beneath her bed, trembling and drenched in a cold sweat, screaming until her throat went hoarse. It would take weeks to coax her back into her own bed. From that moment on, horror films were strictly off-limits.The movie that haunted her childhood? The same one they’d just watched that very night at Camp Placid.Her night terrors usually began subtly—an increased heart rate, the illusion of calm. In her dream, she was standing at the edge of the lake at Camp Placid. Everything appeared peaceful. The mo
It was dark outside. The three orbs glowed softly in the sky, casting pale hues across the Realm. Charlene and ReNew stood on the balcony of the Victorian-style house, pajama-clad and barefoot, their ears pressed to the glass pane of the upstairs door.Inside, the voices of Seth and Tamera echoed gently. The words weren’t clear, but the tone said everything.Tears welled in Charlene’s eyes and slid silently down her cheeks. She didn’t dare move or speak. This moment wasn’t hers to interrupt.“I wanna hug her so bad,” Charlene whispered, voice trembling. “But I know… they need this time.”“I know,” ReNew said, her own eyes glistening. “I’m just gonna pretend I’m accidentally eavesdropping.”Suddenly, a low whisper came from above. “What are you two doing up here?” Odo hovered down, his robe fluttering as he descended toward the balcony rail.“Shhh! We’re busy not being nosy,” Charlene said.“Can’t hear a thing if you’re yapping!” ReNew added, ear pressed tightly to the glass.Beth’s vo
"Go, man! Go see your wife!" Doc slapped Seth on the back, urging him toward the staircase.Seth heard the words but couldn't believe them. After months of emotional torment, dead ends, and shattered hope, his body locked in place. He just stood there, breath caught, staring at the steps as if they were a dream.Then Odo and Beth appeared at the top."Son, what are you waiting for?" Odo smiled, his voice warm with pride.Beth nodded through tear-filled eyes. “It’s her.”“We made sure,” Odo added. “We marked her with our sigil. She’s safe. Don’t worry, son. Go to her—she’s been waiting.”That was all Seth needed to hear.Without another word, he charged up the stairs, skipping two at a time. Odo and Beth stepped aside, hand in hand, watching him race past them before heading quietly down to the kitchen.Seth slowed outside the door. He took one deep breath and opened it.The Victorian-style room was drenched in golden light from a large bay window. Velvet curtains framed the breeze tha