OCEANIA

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It's been a week since Heather disappeared. I couldn’t get my mind of all she told me. What if magic exists? And there are supernatural beings in the world? What if I’m one of them? There were so many unanswered questions. I really need to find this cast especially if it had the powers I needed to protect myself. “Earth to Will!” Helen shouted wiggling her fingers in front of my face. “What up?” I was totally unaware that she had been talking. “I was telling you and Bill the story of my very first hangover and you weren’t listening”. She whined. “Sorry. It's just that my mind is wrapped up”, I sighed, “remember when I told you to cover for me?” “Yeah, you said it was more important than being in a gang”. Helen laughed.

I wanted to tell them the truth but a thought stopped me. What if I put their lives in danger too? The risk was too high. “My parents and I do a hunt every summer. I was so confident that I was going to win that we made a bet”. I lied. “How much are we talking about?” Bill asked raising his eyebrows. “10 grand” I added a sigh to make it seem believable, “and they’re way ahead of me”. “You really are stupid. You don’t bet what you don’t have!” Helen almost yelled. “Thanks for cheering me up” I rolled my eyes before concentrating on my latte. “I can help. What’s the next clue?” Bill urged. “The paper just says ‘the cast’”.

“Now that’s a tough one”. Bill stroked his chin.

“What if it means casket? Let's go to the cemetery!” Helen piped happily.

“You have a casket for a brain”. Bill snapped as Helen stuck out her tongue to him.

“Are you two going to help me or act like a couple?” They both scrunched their noses. “C’mon” I continued, “you guys are not that disgusted by each other”. “Whatever” Bill ended it, “does cast mean anything to you?” “Not at all!” I crossed my arms, “this makes no sense”. “You need to think smartly. Like a detective”, Bill started, “cast could have something to do with a cast and crew like in a movie. Then you gotta decide if it's the cinema they’re talking about or a theater since you watch movies there. But if it’s about production, you're looking for a studio”. Helen had fake surprise in her eyes while I was really shocked. “Don’t go staring at me”, Bill said, “I watch lots of crime movies”.

I smiled widely. I can’t believe I never thought of it in this way. My phone vibrated just as I was about to laugh at Bill and Helen playing cat and mouse. I carelessly carried my phone only to have the biggest scare. My palm felt really sweaty and so did my forehead. You need to get the cast. They’re attacking today. Was brightly on my screen. “You look like you've seen a ghost”. Helen chuckled. “It's pretty big”, I snapped out of my thoughts, “my Mom just texted and she says they found the clue leading to their last hunt”. “Let's go!” Helen grabbed her jacket, “I am not seating in class alone just ‘cause you’re too busy paying off your debts”. I didn’t have time to argue not that I wanted to. I was the one who started this whole lie.

I zoomed out of the lot after waving goodbye to Bill. “About what boy genius said”, Helen stared at the rearview mirror, “you know this is the worst city to look for that kinda clue”. “Oh, I know”. I nodded before shrugging, “but we gotta think smaller than the whole place. We’re not looking for somewhere like the Universal studios that’s for sure”. “A community theater would be the only guess”. Helen blurted. “See, you’re just as smart”. I teased before smiling.

Heather on the other hand didn’t leave without dropping her card on the counter top. I dialed the number. “Hey Heather”, the phone was on speaker, “I wanted to ask about my Mom. And Helen's here”. She pretty much knew everything about me without me saying a word so she should know Helen. “Hi” Helen greeted shyly. “Hi Helen”, Heather replied, “back to you Will”. “Did my Mom ever work or volunteer at a community theater?” “We did it together five years ago”. Was the short answer as the call dropped. “She didn’t even give an answer!” Helen gasped.

She did though. Heather would never mention the timeline if it wasn’t important. Five years ago would be when I was thirteen. Like 13th street. I asked Helen to look up the street for anything. “There is one called Repertory theater at 50 West”. She answered. “That’s where we're headed then”. I pumped the accelerator, “sit tight”

To be honest, the place looked kinda lonely. I guess people don’t come here like they used to. I parked the car on the safe side of the road. “Stay in the car!” I ordered. “Why?” She pulled this irritated tone with me. “If Mom finds out that I was getting help, she'd disqualify the whole thing and I’ll still pay”. I fast think the lie. She muttered an ‘oh' before I walked away. I wasn’t sure what I was going to find but I’d feel better knowing that Helen is far away from the danger.

The empty seats seemed dusty. I walked to the back of the stage where the dressing rooms would be. I stumbled across a door that had a big ‘18’ on it. In a blink of an eye, the numbers had vanished. “Of course! It had to be a spooky sign”. I mumbled rolling my eyes. I started my search from the racks of clothes which was unproductive. I ransacked the entire makeup boxes but no hope.

Through out my waste of a search, my eyes kept falling to a mirror on the left corner. I walked closer to it. I placed my ears on the glass. I didn’t hear anything. I knocked on it and it sounded thin. I used one of the makeup boxes to smash the glass. I covered my eyes with my elbow as the pieces flew around. A small green bottle stood there. It had a c**k and a paper inside. Classic message in the bottle scene. I unscrewed the c**k and got the paper. The paper was wrapped around a necklace. The necklace had a diamond cylinder that had a bright sea blue color. I unfolded the paper. It had only two words. It's time! I just found the cast. I wanted to busy my brain with questions but the thunderous crash from outside took over.