Page 78 of Fanning the Flames

Mark finished flirting and leaned back. “I’d Finster his Magentus,” he murmured.

After gulping down some water, Sadie said, “LARPers are the best. I love it when people are unapologetic for what they love. Like Nyah and Amit with gaming.”

Joan forced a smile, her heart giving a tight pinch.Like Greta with gaming.

Sadie picked up on that and rubbed her back. “Sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to bring that up.”

“It’s okay.”

“I think you two will work things out.”

“We usually do,” Joan said, though she honestly wasn’t sure this time.

Several people shouted outside. Man, they were really getting into it. “Must be time for another swordfight,” Joan mused.

“Sounds like someone’s been challenged,” Sadie said.

A few more people shouted. Then there was a scream. And then arealscream.

“What the hell?” Mark peered out the window.

Joan scraped the burnt bits into the trash. The truck rocked a bit. “What are they doing out there?”

“Uh, I don’t think this is part of the… Nope, that is not…Shit.”

She joined him to look out at the LARPers standing stock-still. They collectively watched someone leap onto a sturdy tree branch.Prowl.

She cackled menacingly. “Do you think you’re tough with your plastic swords? Who wants to fight me to prove it?”

Someone must’ve said something because she dove down, claws first, and landed on a guy dressed in royal finery. The people around them screamed, dropped their fake weapons, and ran like hell.

Sadie gripped Joan’s arm. Mark gripped the edge of the steel countertop. Joan searched the area for more activity.

Squawk’s piercing yowl reverberated across the park. Joan pulled Sadie and Mark down to the floor. The truck rocked again. Oh, no.

“Is the ground moving?” Mark said.

“If Quake is here…” Sadie stared at Joan, eyes wide with concern.

SuperWatch alerts went off on their phones. At least the Supers would be made aware and could do something about this.

Her fire roared to the surface. Mark made a fist, ice crystals shimmering in his eyes.

A door banged open near the truck. Wren and Beth-Ann yelled to each other about locking their doors.

Powered by Plants. And Cajun Soul was parked to the north. Their friends. Those glorious nerds out there playing hero. They were all in harm’s way. Shit.

“I can’t just sit here,” Joan said, taking her ballcap off.

Mark stood with her. “Me either.”

Sadie got up, but Joan halted her. “Stay here.”

“People need help,” she said. “I’m going with you.”

Joan started to tell her no, but Squawk screamed again. They pulled their aprons off while waiting for their ears to stop ringing.

She pushed through the back door into pure mayhem: the good gentlefolk running everywhere. A few truly brave knights trying to fight with Prowl. People lying around Squawk curled into balls, holding their heads in agony.

---