Homecoming (6 page)

Could I do that? Just … leave? There had to be something I could do. The vision showed me that Uncle John was completely overmatched—whatever it was would tear right through him. And as long as I stayed here, it would get closer and closer.

He'd do the same for you. Uncle John gave up everything for you.
That was all the motivation I needed.

I shut down the computer and snuck up the stairs. In my bedroom I scanned the bookshelf above my bed, pulling down my journal. “You shouldn't have made me write everything down,” I whispered aloud, flipping to the slumber spell he'd shown me a few months ago.

It was supposed to work like a sleeping pill—making it easier to fall asleep and stay that way. Every time I cast it, the spell always came out too strong—instead of a gentle lull of magic, it was like a sledgehammer taking effect almost instantly. We'd never figured out how long the spell would last, always reversing it before that happened. But now, it was a blessing in disguise.

I hesitated outside my uncle's room. Was I really going to do this? He was going to be so pissed when he woke up.

I cast the spell. Packed a bag. Tried not to look back.

[contents]

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