Keepers Of The Occult (NaNoWriMo 2024) Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Naughty, naughty

Read chapter 5 of Keepers Of The Occult (NaNoWriMo 2024) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

“That’s a neat trick,” Hazel commented with slight jealousy in her voice. “Doesn’t it ever concern you boys that someone might find out you’re magic?” The boys carefully made their way to their seats, taking care not to accidentally knock over any of their classmates. “Not at all. We have other spells to deal with that,” Chester sat himself down behind his desk. “Do you remember singing in the Solar Eclipse Party for Werewolves at school last month?” Hazel stared blankly at him. “No?” “Exactly.” Her mouth dropped in shock. Chester blinked a few times as the purple clocks faded from his eyes. The orange outline around Hazel’s body vanished as well. “We have one minute before my time-stop spell expires,” Chester commented. “So let’s make this quick.” “I’ll cut to the chase. You are right, Hazel. It is a Yokai we’re dealing with,” Liam said. “Or at least, I’m pretty sure of it. A broom spirit is one of the missing Yokai that escaped last night. Funny how it found its way to our school; maybe it was drawn here by something.” “Who cares why it’s here?” Chester shrugged. “All that matters is that we have to catch it. Hazel, you better muck in— you better help out too. It’s partially your fault that it got loose.” “Wouldn’t have it any other way!” Hazel beamed. “Brilliant,” Chester muttered. “We’ll meet at the rooftop after school to discuss further how to deal with that monster without getting anyone’s attention.” “Absolutely!” the girl piped. “Oh, I have so many ideas—” “Conversation’s over,” Liam reminded her, putting a finger to his lips. “Focus up, Missus Rogers is here.” Hazel turned back to the front, only then realising that the time-stop spell had expired and everyone was moving normally again. For a relief, her classmates had also hurriedly returned to their seats before their homeroom teacher started calling out names. Tomoko appeared by Hazel’s side without warning, sitting herself down with an oddly amused expression on her face. “Tomoko! Oh, thank the heavens you’re alright,” Hazel half-whispered, half-shouted in surprise. “Where’d you run off to last night? I was so worried you got hurt.” “I ran away on my own.” Tomoko smiled sweetly, as though she hadn’t just admitted to abandoning Hazel. Hazel’s gaze shot to a few red marks on her thigh, which looked suspiciously like some sort of wound. Tomoko seemed to have noticed her concerned look as well, because she quickly pulled down her skirt to hide it. Hazel turned her attention back to the whiteboard. ~ ~ ~ Hazel didn’t remember sitting through her classes, considering that all she could think about was how to catch the Hahakigami lurking somewhere in Starlight High. She could only suppose that she must have, because the school bell was ringing again, and she was fighting with a throng of people to get out of the classroom. Tomoko had somehow managed to slip away before the after-school crowd flattened her. Although she seemed in strangely higher spirits than usual, Tomoko still only shared a few words with Hazel throughout the classes. It seemed her mind was on something else as well. Not like Hazel was free enough to care now, though. Her phone had been buzzing with requests from her Journalism Club President to write all sorts of occult articles for the student population. And now she was headed off to meet Chester and Liam for an exciting adventure, too. For the first time in her two years of high school, she was needed by everyone. The cloudy afternoon sky greeted her as Hazel opened the doors to the school roof. It was still empty, although the two boys had left the classroom earlier than her. Thankfully, she did not have to wait long when the air began rumbling in front of her. “Oof… Make some space! This thing is heavy…” Hazel quickly stepped out of the way as Chester and Liam emerged from a shimmering oval portal that looked like the air was slashed by some kind of magic knife. The boys were carrying a full-length mirror that looked like it was manufactured in t