Too Late?

Talisa was a little stunned because she almost forgot that Michael was here now. The man looked at her with his witty lopsided smile.

"You are still here?" Talisa asked.

"Of course. I will always be by your side," Michael replied.

"Talisa, we don't have time to discuss about Michael Storm. What did you see earlier?" Darius insisted.

"I-I..." Talisa stuttered a little because she was distracted by the silver-haired man's full name. At a glance, memories flashed about a storm and a silver-haired man. Talisa didn't know where and when it was, but Michael Storm suddenly triggered a memory that seemed like it never happened.

"Talisa!" Darius shouted again, resuscitating Talisa.

"S-sorry. I saw the girl was dead with her chest gaping open, full of blood. Are we too late?" Talisa asked. Panic began to hit.

"Tell me more clearly," said Michael.

"I felt like I was in the fog and walking in a very dirty and messy house. Then I found three dead people in a room. The girl, a young woman, and an old man, Darius. Are we too late?" Talisa asked again.

"The mist…" Darius said.

"It could be a vision of the future," Michael chimed in.

"You mean?" Talisa asked Michael.

"A future teller's vision is not always about what has already happened or is happening, but also what will happen in the future. Tell me, before this was your vision clear or foggy?" Michael asked.

"Before this, everything was clear," Talisa replied.

"Michael was right," Darius said. A dislike tone can be captured in his voice.

"Finally you agree with me," Michael said sneering.

Darius didn't even look at Michael as if what Michael said didn't matter to him.

"Talisa, did you see any other clues? Besides that the house is dirty," Darius asked.

"I saw a schoolbook near the little girl's body. I'm sure it's Wilbury Elementary School, but…"

"But what, Talisa?" asked Darius.

"I'm sure the name listed in the book is not Sherina. Her name is Charlotte Walter. But in the previous vision, she clearly said her name was Sherina," Talisa said confused.

"Our investigation starts from there," said Darius.

"So what's the plan?" Michael asked.

"Who said you could come along?"

"I know the school. You're going to need my help," Michael said with a triumphant smile. He then winked at Talisa.

"I don't need your help to find the school," Darius replied.

"You will need my help, Darius. Believe me. It's not a school like you think," Michael said with a meaningful smile, making Darius and Talisa confused.

"Explain what you mean, Michael. We don't have time for riddles!" cried Darius.

"You'll see for yourself," Michael said.

***

"Going to a school at midnight like this is a very good idea," Darius quipped.

"You'll see that this is indeed a good idea," Michael answered confidently.

The sound of vehicles speeding in the opposite direction of their car was heard buzzing. Talisa could only stay in the back seat, watching the two men sitting in the front of the car. Darius sat in the passenger seat, while Michael was driving. It felt very strange for Talisa, to be with these two men who were previously strangers.

Even though he disagreed, Darius still went along with Michael's plan to visit the school at an unusual time. Darius had planned to come to the school during the day where the students were studying so that they could easily find the girl they were looking for, but Michael insisted that his idea was much better. Now there was no turning back because they were almost there.

"We're almost there," Michael said, breaking the silence.

"I live around here, but I've never heard of the Wilbury school," Talisa said, looking around. Her humble flat is only a few blocks from here. She looked around and couldn't find the school they were looking for. There is no school signboard which is usually clearly displayed.

"Look at this," Michael said.

"Michael, what are you doing?" asked Darius.

They were now on a deserted street, although there were a few vehicles still passing and Michael pulled his car to the side of the sidewalk. All around them was nothing but an empty red brick wall.

"There's nothing here. Don't mess around, Michael," Talisa said.

"Come on, we're here," Michael answered lightly as he got out of the car.

Darius and Talisa exchanged glances but then Darius took the initiative to get out of the car ahead of Talisa. Because of that, like it or not, Talisa followed.

Michael stood on the pavement staring at Darius and Talisa as if waiting for them to come.

"If this is some kind of joke, I won't spare you, Michael," Darius said.

Michael just snorted softly and continued with a low laugh as if mocking. Darius was easily provoked, he was about to shoot fire from his hand to start a fight with Michael, but Talisa immediately stopped him. Talisa looked around, around them there were still ordinary citizens passing by.

"Darius, come on. You are a Traum, or should I say a former Traum?"

"Damn it!" cried Darius.

Now Darius could no longer contain his emotions, but instead of releasing his fire, he simply clenched his fists and aimed them at Michael's jaw. So powerful and fast, that fist might easily break one's jaw. But Michael can dodge as fast as the wind.

"This is a magic portal, Darius. Stop being childish. The little girl is in danger. Isn't that what you always say?" said Michael.

Darius was silent.

"There are no magic portals left. All sorcerers are gone," he said coldly.

Michael shook his head with a crooked smile.

"What exactly are you guys talking about?" Talisa asked impatiently.

"You might want to hold on, Talisa. For the first time maybe this will make you dizzy, "said Michael.

Before Talisa could ask again, Michael had pulled her body closer and hugged her waist tightly. Michael took the force of the wind out of his hands and directed it downwards, where they stood. Talisa widened her eyes as the light began to glow from beneath them. At a glance, she could see Darius was also slightly surprised even though his face wasn't showing many expressions.

A second later, Talisa was falling somewhere. She screamed as she clung to Michael's body. The surroundings seemed indistinct as if there was a dark mist interspersed with bewildering-colored lights. Talisa closed her eyes because she was dizzy. The sound of her screams was even unheard, even though she had shouted with all her might. A moment after she felt her feet hit something hard and they stopped falling. Talisa felt her knees weak so she couldn't stand up, but Michael was still hugging her.

Opposite them, Darius landed perfectly, without looking unsteady at all. He looked at Talisa and Michael with a look that was difficult to interpret.

"Wilbury School is a wizarding school? Impossible…" Darius asked.

"Why do you think George is after the kid? Human powers can emerge if they learn magic. Their talent can be seen when magic overwhelms them. Sherina or whoever you are looking for must be a young sorcerer," Michael replied.

Darius clenched his jaw, and couldn't help but admit that this time Michael was right.

"Wait… You mean there are other magical creatures besides the Traums?" Talisa asked confused.

"Sorcerers live and mingle in the human world; they live as humans. Only, they have special places where they practice magic. One of them is the wizarding school. I found this place by accident. Now lower your voices, there could be someone on guard around here," Michael replied.

"I can't believe this..." Talisa whispered.

"Sorcerers are humans, Talisa. But since centuries ago some humans had been jealous of the magic of the Traum people. They were looking for a way to have magic by studying it," explained Michael. Talisa just realized that she was still in Michael's arms.