Pruitt
Mystic Hollow University’s large outdoor football complex, Mystic Stadium, boasted colorful streamers, posters, and balloons as fans crowded the field’s gated entrance. Cheerleaders rehearsed on the sidelines as the doors to the concession stand buildings flanking either section of bleachers finally opened.
Over the complex’s speaker system, a long-time local radio host with a smooth, deep voice greeted fans. “The Mystic Hollow Devils welcome back our supportive community, and extend the warm welcome to the Moonhaven University Wolf Pack and all those who traveled from Crescent Ridge for the biggest rivalry game in the conference, known far and wide as the Crescent Mystic Match-up!”
The sun sank slowly into the horizon, clouds covering the rising moon. Flipped switches brought life to the complex’s overhead spotlights, which crackled and buzzed as they illuminated the field. One spotlight was dedicated to a small stage at the very front of the bleachers labeled Mystic Hollow Devils Den , the seating intended for local community members.
Dressed in his football garb, stood in the stadium’s parking lot with his helmet in hand. The disc jockey’s voice nearly blended in with the sounds of the late afternoon crowd.
“This is Freddy Fredericks of Mystic Hollow’s own 99.7 WMAGK, the voice of Mystic Magic Radio, coming to you live from the big game. I’ll be emceeing the night’s events, which include a very special half-time announcement by Mystic Hollow University’s newest president, Dr. Luna Dark Moon, where she is expected to reveal this year’s Crescent Mystic Cup, the special award given to each year’s winning team, and dedicate the university’s updated, top-of-the-line outdoor arena to the late, great Dr. Edward Gore. Folks may remember that just last month much of Mystic Stadium was damaged in an inexplicable attack that is still under investigation…”
chuckled to himself. Sure hope these new updates don’t get destroyed tonight.
“You all good, Mondamin?”
It surprised the quarterback to see two of his teammates approaching. “Abel, buddy!” said as he bumped chests with his friend. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“That’s my man,” replied Abel, a tall and beefy football player that had known for years. “Coach says meet back in the locker rooms in twenty.”
“Sounds good, brother,” nodded, patting Abel on the back.
“Oh, man, come on. You know it’s good luck to hit me with the team handshake before we get out there,” added Abel, holding out his hand.
had way bigger things on his mind, but didn’t want to be blamed for any bad luck. “How could I forget?” he said with a smile, locking fingers with Abel. The two turned their hands upside down, sliding their fingers apart before knocking their fists up and down on one another. What a silly, stupid thing, thought to himself, but he knew that every single football player on the team lived and died for traditions like the sacred pre-game handshake.
Abel cuffed his hands over his mouth and howled into the sky before beating his chest with his fists. “See you guys inside.”
“Hey, ,” the second man raised a friendly hand. “Looks like I’m subbing in because we got a few guys out. Glad to see you’re not one of them.”
“Luke!” smiled, giving him a shoulder pat. “Good to have you with us. Give me some handshake loving, man.”
Luke seemed hesitant, holding out his hand at first before retracting it. “Believe it or not, I hate those good luck traditions.” He returned the friendly pat on the back. “Who needs luck when we got guys like you?”
“That’s what I like to hear,” said, a look of surprise evident on his face as Luke followed Abel into a back entrance of the complex. Did he forget the handshake? Or could it be that—no, no, he shook his head. Remember, more important things to worry about.
Griff’s familiar voice danced through ’s head. ?Don’t want to interrupt you bro-ing out with all your bros, but the coast seems to be clear.?
?Thanks,? replied , looking both ways before walking through the parking lot.
Uriah’s voice joined in on the telepathic conversation. ?You really think this is gonna help with anything??
As meandered through a sea of vehicles, he kept a straight face and his eyes forward. ? I’m hoping so.?
?Well,? began Griff, ? if you think about it, ’s power is technically empathic. It’s not out of the realm of possibility for his ability to evolve to include psychometric empathy. Kind of like how you finally mastered the whole vampire flying thing, Ri.?
Uriah was quick to reply. ?And what in the bloody hell does a psycho Metroid empath do??
finally found what he was looking for—a large coach bus at the end of the parking lot with a banner taped to its side that read Moonhaven Wolf Pack . Double checking his surroundings, he confirmed no one was nearby.
?Well, Riah, first off, Metroid is a video game franchise. A psychometric empath, however, can sense emotions and energy—maybe even thoughts, or something like evil master plans—through objects.? said as he stepped forward and pressed his hands against the bus. ? And so far, nothing.?
The Mystic Hollow jock scanned the lot once again to make sure he wasn’t being watched, then pushed in the bus door and stepped on.
?Anything?? Griff asked.
Uriah’s telepathic voice was rife with sarcasm. ?Maybe he has to—I don’t know—make out with the bus first to trigger his powers. Or do what he had to do with little witch and stick his ? —?
cleared his throat before interrupting the vampire. ?This whole bus smells like one big sweaty gym sock.? He quickly moved up and down the aisles, finding nothing of substance. He made for the front door and closed it behind him.
?Well, whatcha think the big wigs drove here?? Uriah asked.
?Maybe the tinted Escalade parked right in front of their bus,? replied Griff. ?I can see it with my binoculars.?
flared his nostrils as he went around the front of the bus, examining the SUV in question for signs of life. He tried the passenger door handle and was surprised to find it was unlocked. ?It’s open. Think this is a good idea?? he asked, looking back to where he knew Griff was serving as his lookout. No response. ? All right then. Please hold.?
Pulling the door open, was grateful that no one was waiting for him inside. He took a seat in the front and gently closed the door behind him.
?You in?? Uriah asked.
?I am,? replied , locking himself in just to be safe.
A black portfolio book was tucked into the center console, the golden seal of Mystic Hollow University imprinted on its cover. took the binder and flipped through it. ? Found something. Looks like it’s the doctor’s notebook.?
?Sorry. I was messaging Quinn. He says Fen is gonna stay at Ri’s house and watch Darcy during his first transition. Find anything good?? Griff asked.
scanned a series of notes. ?Let’s see. Blah, blah, blah, Mystic Hollow is a center of great magical energy. Yadda, yadda, history of witchcraft, entombment of the First Witch, the magical Hollow.?
?I’m sure they give those notes to every new university prez,? teased Uriah. ? All old news to us, though.?
?Well, does this Hollow thing have something to do with a werewolf resurrection ritual?? pressed Griff.
?I don’t see a thing about werewolves in here, G,? replied, flipping through until he reached the end of the book. ? I’ll take it with me, though.? He let out a sigh as he closed the folio. Looking into the rearview mirror, he checked to make sure no one was around.
?Don’t get expelled before the game starts,? said Griff. ?If she finds out you took it…?
?She won’t.? looked down at the book once more, brushing his finger over the embossed seal on the front. The very act of doing so triggered a white flash in his head.
The imagery moved fast, but saw a raging battle on the football field. The bleachers were ablaze with fire, the sounds of screaming and agony coming from every direction. As his vision transformed into a 3D diagram of the stadium, he visualized two bodies unmoving in the center of the field. Red flowed from the corpses down to the ground below, igniting a deep golden hue that quickly expanded into a ten-mile circle around the city. It resembled the seal of the university.
saw—and felt—the power of a fist exploding from the ground, but his vision came to an abrupt end as a pair of hands banged on the passenger door of the vehicle.
“Dr. Dark Moon?” came the unfamiliar voice of a man with a thick Boston accent. “Are you in there? I have a message from the mayor.”
remained still, hopeful that the tint concealed his identity, but wary that whoever was outside could likely see that someone was sitting in the vehicle. He could just barely make out a professionally dressed young man standing outside.
“Fine, just sit there then,” the man continued. “The mayor would be here himself, but he’s at home dealing with some kind of fever rash. Honestly, it’s got him saying some pretty crazy things, b-but he’s in full-blown agreement with your plan. Whatever it takes to fulfill the prophecy of the Hollow, even if you have to do your whole werewolf side quest thing, are his exact words. On your signal, our contact in the A/V booth will cut the livestream from the air. I told him to be ready just after half-time. Just don’t fuck this up like the last president did.”
The shadow of the figure outside of the car remained for a few seconds longer before the man walked away. breathed deeply.
Uriah’s concerned voice entered his head. ?Everything okay, Pru??
?I have a lot of new intel,? replied, discreetly opening the door and making his way back to his car, Luna’s notes tucked under his arm. ?Plus, I think I know the exact timing of Luna’s plan.?
As the sun disappeared behind the visiting team’s bleachers, the half-vampire, half-witch professor stepped out from behind the concessions booth and pulled off his hat and sunglasses.
“Hey, man. You all good?” Quinn whipped around quickly—an action that sent popcorn flying from the large bag in his hand—as appeared behind him, helmet in hand.
“Damn! I gotta stop being so jumpy.”
“It’s not like you eat that stuff anymore, anyway,” said with a smile. “But check the group chat. There’s some new intel. I’m about to get ready for the game. You stay safe, got it?”
As the werewolf turned to walk away, Quinn grabbed him by his shoulder. “Hey, , you sure you’re gonna be okay?”
looked back to the professor. “What do you mean?”
“Well, first off, your bite. Has it healed?”
The football player shrugged, indifference in his voice. “Mostly.”
“On top of that, Griff is as great a witch as any, but we both know that his little potion to keep Luna out of your head is only temporary. And with the full moon and a wolf like you? Well, you’ll be— she’ll be unstoppable.”
Huh, thought to himself. Guess I didn’t think about that. “Do we know how long it’s supposed to last?” he asked.
Quinn shrugged. “Maybe less than twenty-four hours. My guess is it depends on a combination of your own personal willpower and Luna’s magical strength.”
furrowed his brows as he patted Quinn on the back. “Don’t let anyone else on that field other than who we discussed,” he cautioned.
Quinn nodded and waved at him as he walked off, but it surprised when he once again felt the professor tug at his shoulder.
“Hey,” whispered Quinn. “Speaking of intel, my boss has just arrived.”
“Huh?” turned to the entrance and swallowed hard before giving a quick nod. He casually placed his helmet over his head and stepped into a small concession line forming behind Quinn.
“Why, Professor Apollo Quinn, isn’t it?”
Distracted by ’s quick maneuver, Quinn was once again caught off guard. He dropped the rest of his popcorn on the ground as he made eye contact with Luna Dark Moon.
looked back, careful to not draw attention. ?Just letting everyone know Dr. Dark Moon is at the stadium.? Taking a note from Griff’s handbook, noticed the doctor’s manicure was pristine. Her nails matched the blood red cardigan she had pulled over the formal black dress she was wearing. ?Also potentially of interest,? continued telepathically, ?she’s dressed like she’s going to a funeral.?
“Dr. Dark Moon!” replied Quinn, an uneasy tone in his voice. “Wh-what a?—”
“ Pleasant surprise , I’m sure,” Luna finished his sentence, holding out her hand like she was expecting him to kiss it. “Looks like you had a bit of a spill.”
“Ah, that’s okay. I shouldn’t be eating that stuff, anyway,” replied Quinn, shaking her hand instead. “Doctor, I’ve been meaning to speak to you about my?—”
“Sabbatical?” Luna interrupted. “Ah, yes. I hope you have enjoyed it so, Apollo. Your director tells me that your teaching assistants have been running things smoothly in your absence, but he hopes that you’ll be back in time for auditions for the next university production of?—”
“ Romeo & Juliet, yes. I’ll be back in beginning tomorrow and resuming my duties full time with a few adjustments to my schedule—mostly just switching some of my schedule to night classes. That is, of course, so long as you—and the board—approve,” replied the professor, a nervous laugh accompanying his words.
“Why yes. That sounds wonderful, Apollo,” Luna said with a nod. “I’m a huge fan of Shakespearean tragedies. Well, tragedies in general, honestly.”
Quinn raised an eyebrow. “Th-thank you, Dr. Dark Moon. With the big rival game on a Sunday and all these rabid fans, let’s just hope I make it to Monday morning unscathed.”
“Yes, indeed,” replied Luna, looking him up and down suspiciously. “The full moon really brings it out in people. We’ll see you on campus soon.”
watched with relief as Luna turned toward the visitors’ section and strode away. The quarterback shared a look of concern with Quinn before making his way to the home team locker room.