Foster’s Porn Story: Memoirs of a Demon Named Frankie Chapter 4

Well, here it is, a new chapter, and a new title for the story… and just in time for Halloween, too! I wasnt sure I was going to finish it on time, but it looks like I got lucky!

Dark Wolf 021: Dont apologize, sometimes my lazy ass needs pushing.

Tori007otaku: Update soon? Is now okay?

Kelt: Im very anal about my spelling; any errors that somehow get through are usually legitimate typos that I didnt catch.

Barry: Yes, Halloween will prove very interesting for Frankie, and bring a big change to the life of someone very close to her.

Dracozombie: So do I… so do I.

Lonestar: Im glad you think Im not repeating myself. Though, this story will soon share one more thing in common with Rhondagenesis… no hints as to what.

Demon Guyver: All right already.

Memoirs of a Demon Named Frankie

Chapter IV: Halloween Horrors

Well, what do you think?

Frankie did a quick twirl in front of the assembled guests. She had on her magenta sweater and purple skirt, the one shed worn the night she met Dylan Lee (may he rot in hell, amen), modified, of course, for her transformed body. She had also donned a pair of earrings with stones that matched her pendant. Shed even accessorized her three tails with ribbons. After all… it was her first night clubbing in six months.

Ever since her transformation half a year ago, Frankied been laying low. Being a demon tends to stunt your social life, after all.

But tonight was Halloween. It was a night for the unusual.

Ahem, responded Mr. Herriman, I shall refrain from comment on your appalling attire… dreadful though it may be. I will, however, point out that you have neglected your assignment to redecorate the house for the holiday.

Not a problem, responded Frankie. I prepared the spell in advance. Watch and learn, Hasenpfeffer-Face.

She concentrated… orange and black crept of the walls. Matching balloons and streamers manifested in the right places. A plethora of pumpkin-, bat-, and skull-themed decorations sprouted from all areas. Outside, the lawn was transformed into a spooky graveyard, complete with cobwebs and mist. The crowning touch was an endless loop of Monster Mash playing over the PA system.

Hows that?

That is… adequate. You may enjoy the evenings… cudgeling.

Its called clubbing. She turned to the other imaginary friends. Grandmas out overseeing the party at the senior center, so Im counting on you guys to hold down the fort. And dont let Bloo eat all the candy.

Moi? the imaginary friend protested with chocolate-stained lips. You wound me.

Itll be okay, Wilt said. Coco, Eduardo and I can totally handle the trick-or-treaters.

You sure?

CoCO! answered the avian friend.

Si… I no scared. Is just nios in costumes. Is nothing to be scared o- The doorbell rang, sending the behemoth leaping into her arms. Los monstruos! They come for to eat my brains!

Frankie sighed. Eduardo was always a handful… literally, in this case. Hed only recently accepted Frankie herself as a non-monster, and that just meant she only scared the heck out of him 40 of the time.

Its okay, Ed, Frankie said soothingly, Its just Mac. She opened the door.

Mac, dressed as a pirate, looked up at the demon. Youre looking great, Frankie! he said, giving her a thumbs up.

Im FEELING great, Mac. Itll be great to get out of the house, even if its only for a night.

Hey, twerp! yelled a voice from outside. Hurry up! Were behind scheuh… time-thingy!

Oh, right… Mom made Terrence take me trick-or-treating, so Id better get going. He hurried off.

A moment later, a motorcycle ridden by a girl in a devil costume rode up. What do you think? she asked. I figured Id go with the demon theme.

Lookin good, Kathy. Yknow, I could make you look a little more authentic, but itd wear off in a couple of hours.

Yknow what? Lets do it!

All right… here goes… A sparkly mist enveloped Kathy, her brown skin changing to the red of her fake horns and tail. The former turned black and enlarged, and the latter lengthened and began to undulate in response to Kathys thoughts. Her boots melted away to reveal hooves much like Frankies own, and her fingernails became claws. Finally, a pair of batlike wings blossomed from her back to complete the costume.

Whoa, the newly-minted she-devil managed. I… can feel them!

And now, the finishing touch… With a final gesture, Kathys motorcycle began to morph into a true hellcycle, complete with skull-shaped front ornament and hellfire-belching exhausts.

Awesome, Kathy marveled, slipping her modified helmet over her horns, and hopped aboard. After conjuring her own helmet, Frankie jumped on the back of the transfigured vehicle.

Ready to ride, Kathy?

Youd better believe it, Frankie, replied Kathy as she gunned the engine.

Oh, theres one more surprise…

Kathys eyes widened as the motorcycle lifted off the ground.

Cool, she answered, as the two flew off into the night.

Ill give it my best shot, replied Mac sarcastically, ringing the bell.

Oh, how cute! the woman at the door replied. Well, lets see what kind of booty I have for my little pirate… arr! Candy bars off the port bow! She dropped a jumbo Chortles into his bag.

Hey, wheres mine? shouted Terrence.

Arent you a little old? the woman asked. Besides, you dont have a costume.

Uh… uh… Terrence reached into his own bag for some of the ammo hed planned on using later that night. Sticking the object on his head, he proclaimed Im Crazy Toilet Paper Head! I have toilet paper on my head! And Im crazy! Give me some candy!

Meanwhile, watching from across the street, two men in black robes watched with interest. Given the date, no one paid them much attention. However, their mode of dress had nothing to do with the holiday.

The boy, said one, is exactly what weve been looking for.

What, the kid with the mullet, the zits, and the toilet paper on his head? asked the other.

No. Definitely not him in any way, shape, or form. The other one, the pirate… hes quite strong in The Power. He will make an excellent gift to the Master.

Frankie? Kathy? It was Laura, one of their regular clubbing buddies. Those have to be the coolest costumes ever! I know that Kathys a devil, but… what are you supposed to be?

Oh, this? Its some obscure fairytale creature called a Valix. I looked it up in one of Grandmas old books. One of the Imaginary Friends used to belong to a Hollywood makeup artist, and he did us up. The lie had been rehearsed on the way over. Theyd come up with explanations for virtually every oddity in their costumes… the hooves had stiletto heels concealed in them to give the illusion of tallness and digitrade feet; the wings and tails were latex with animatronics inside, controlled by small triggers in the palms of their gloves; Frankies third eye was a special contact lens held in place by a fake putty eyelid, and her third breast was a gel-filled balloon taped under her faux-fur suit. They had to be careful, though… if anyone noticed Frankies third eye blink or Kathys prehensile forked tongue flick out, it would be hard to explain. And periodically, Frankie would have to recharge Kathys costume.

So far, however, it was going pretty well. Right now, Frankie found herself dancing with a guy in a cheesy werewolf costume.

You dance pretty good for a girl whos basically walking around on stilts, Wolfboy commented.

Oh, yeah… well, I was gonna wear clown shoes over these, but I figured, why tempt fate, right? Frankie came back, grinning.

Wolfboy chuckled. Youre a fun girl, Frankie. Wouldnt mind getting to see the face under the fur, though.

Neither would I, sighed Frankie under her breath.

Excuse me? asked the werewolf.

I mean… I wouldnt mind seeing your real face, either! But hey… its Halloween, right? Weve gotta stay in character.

Excuse me, a voice said, mind if I cut in?

Frankie turned. The speaker was a handsome man in his early twenties, clad in a tuxedo and expensive Italian loafers. His long black hair was pulled back in one of those ponytails that were popular ten years ago. On him, instead of hopelessly lame, it looked good. He had intense ice-blue eyes that seemed to stare right into hers. Wordlessly, Frankie turned away from Wolfman Jack in favor of the newcomer.

So, she said nervously, Are you from around here?

No, Im new in town, he said. My name is Sinclair. Ive got business here for a while, but Ill be moving on to bigger and better things soon enough.

Oh. Um, my names Frankie…

I know.

How?

I overheard you when you told the young gentleman in the werewolf costume.

Oh.

Why do you think Mom lets me go trick-or-treating? The town council passed an ordinance this year that all Halloween candy has to be sugar-free or healthy. The dentists community here has a LOT of power.

Thats stupid. Hey, this long one with the fuzz on the end looks pretty good.

Thats a toothbrush.

Oh. So thats what they look like.

They were almost to the next house when the men in black robes surrounded them.

Give us the boy… hissed one of them, drawing a nasty-looking curved knife.

Uh, sure! cowered Terrence. Just, uh, let me go, okay?

Terrence, theyre probably just a bunch of bullies out messing with everyone. Youre SUPPOSED to be watching me, just get rid of them, okay?

Fine, why dont we throw the candy at em. Thats all its good for anyway, he said as he hurled the sack at one of them. The robed man simply lifted a finger, and the sack combusted into a whiff of smoke. Terrence screamed and ran off.

Youre… not faking this, are you, Mac stammered.

Wordlessly, they grabbed him.

So, youre, uh… youre not wearing a costume, Frankie stammered, trying to stifle the glow of embarrassment in her eyes.

Actually, I am. Im dressed as normality.

Oh. Thats pretty clever, Frankie chuckled weakly.

But, lets be honest, Sinclair said. One of us here is NOT wearing a costume.

This time, Frankie couldnt hold back the glow.

How…? How could he have known? The other guy came closer than he did… he didnt notice anything! But this guy… he knew. He knew right away.

Youre a rare find, you know. A Valix, in this day and age. With all the breathtaking, exotic beauty and grace they were known for, all wrapped up in a modern, new-millennium package. You could be the best thing to hit this world in centuries. And yet… I have a feeling youre not happy.

Yeah… Im not.

You were human once, and you wish to be again.

Thats right. Frankie found the words tumbling out of her mouth uncontrolled. It was as if, captive by the eyes, she couldnt hide anything. Ive been trying to fake it, trying to stay upbeat, trying to look on the bright side, but really, all I want is for my life to be normal again.

Let me get this straight, the man said. Youre virtually immortal… you can soar at speeds eagles only dream of… you have the power to change the world for the better… and you would throw it all away to embrace the life of mediocre normalcy you once held?

I didnt CHOOSE to be this way. It was forced on me. And besides… my life was anything BUT normal.

I see.

He smiled.

I believe I can give you what you want.

Her eyes widened.

Who ARE you? she asked.

Where DID that girl disappear to? she thought, feeling her wings starting to shrivel.

Kathy! a shout came from behind.

Well, its about time, Kathy said as she turned toward

What in…! she sputtered. Frankie had lost well over a foot in height, her hair was orange, her skin a pale, hairless pink, she had a distinct lack of extra body parts… in short, Frankie was human again.

How did–? she stuttered.

Well, I was dancing with this guy, and he said he had the power to make me normal, and he takes me out back to the alley… it, gets kinda hazy after that, its really hard to remember what he did to me… but WHO CARES? Im ME again! She hugged Kathy tightly.

Um… Im really happy for you, Frankie, but… dont you think it might have been a little stupid to just take that guys word?

Kathy… see this? This is my butt. Notice the lack of any unsightly tails. Face it… Im human again. Period. There is NO downside to this. Everythings worked out.

To his left, a boy and a girl were shackled to identical slabs. He recognized the girl as Louise, from down the block. The boy who looked about six and had spiky red-blond hair. To his right, there was another girl he didnt recognize.

Gathered around the room were about a dozen men in black robes. Mac couldnt pick out the ones whod grabbed him; they were all identical. This is the stupidest haunted house Ive ever been in, griped Louise.

Quiet, whelp, hissed one of the robed men.

Whelp? questioned the other girl. Like, who even talks that way?

Silence! shouted the man. He seemed to speak for all of them. The Master shall soon be here. He regarded the gathered children. Alvin Watterson, creator of Fobbes. Louise Parker, creator of Cheese. Yumiko Tanaka, creator of Becky Bravissima. And MacKenzie MacIntyre, creator of Blooregard Q. Kazoo. The Master will be pleased.

So this was the common element… everyone here had created an imaginary friend. What this had to do with anything, however, was beyond Macs guess. And it seemed thered be no finding out until the so-called Master got here.

And by then, Mac realized… it would probably be to late for the knowledge to make any difference.

Arriving in the vicinity of the House, she was surprised to notice flashing lights out of the corner of her eyes. The place was surrounded by police cars.

Please… please dont let it be Grandma… She ran the last block or so, bursting through the door.

What she saw simultaneously relieved her and confused her. Madame Foster was fine… and was surrounded by some surprising people, not the least of which was Macs brother Terrence.

What was he doing here, anyway? Shouldnt he still be trick-or-treating with Mac?

There were the cops, of course… there was that odd-smelling brother of Bloos, Cheese… there were also two imaginary friends she didnt recognize. One was a winged pink unicorn with a rainbow mane, the other was a stuffed lion that seemed to become real out of the corner of her eye.

Her own situation forgotten, she approached the group. Whats going on? she asked.

There were these guys, like, they were cult guys or somethin, Terrence stammered. I was kickin their butts, right? But they used some kind of magic on me that made me run here like I was scared, or something. They wanted Mac.

What did they say?

Iunno, they just wanted Mac for some reason! Leave me alone! I didnt do nothin!

Maam, asked one of the officers, please let us ask the questions. We were about to take a statement from the, uh… unicorn.

Thank you, the unicorn answered. Well, my girl Yumiko and I were trick-or-treating when these guys in black robes knocked me out. I can only assume they took her. Well, I knew I would be able to get help at Fosters Home, so I came over here. Along the way I picked up Cheese and Fobbes. Looks like something similar happened to their creators, too.

Uh, howd you know? Weve been trying to get statements out of those two for the last twenty minutes, but the lion isnt moving and the smelly guy doesnt make any sense.

Oh, Fobbes only talks to his creator, Alvin, answered the unicorn.

Then howd you find out what happened to him? another officer asked.

Im psychic, she answered. The police groaned in response.

Well… well let you know if anything turns up, the officer said. But were done for now. With that, the police departed.

How long has been going on? Frankie asked.

Master Terrence arrived roughly one hour ago, followed by Master Cheese, Miss Becky, and Master Hobbes, the giant rabbit answered. Masters Wilt, and Eduardo and Miss Coco were sent to fetch you.

You could have just called my cellular phone, yknow, answered Frankie.

Yes, well… cellular signals are no match for honest footwork, answered Mr. Herriman, yet again refusing to admit any wrongdoing.

I hurried back here as soon as I got word, added Madame Foster. Of course, your magical abilities should make this rescue a snap.

Um, actually, Grandma… Ive kind of become human again.

Oh… I knew SOMETHING looked different about you!

Its not important. Look, how can I help?

There isnt anything we can do, Im afraid, the old woman sighed. Just let the police do their jobs. If only we had SOMETHING to go on…

Pea soup! announced Cheese.

I beg your pardon? asked Mr. Herriman confusedly.

They smell like pea sooouuuuup! sang the odd yellow creature.

This is hardly the time or place for such nons-

THEY SMELL LIKE PEA SOUP! announced the imaginary friend even more loudly.

I think he means the people who took Louise! realized Frankie.

Yeah, those guys, confirmed Cheese.

Now, what reason could they have had for smelling like th- Madame Foster snapped her fingers. They must have come from the abandoned soup factory on the edge of town!

Im on it! shouted Frankie, already bolting out the door.

That foolish girl! exclaimed Mr. Herriman. She has no idea what she is throwing herself into!

Minutes later, Frankie was back. Sorry, I just realized I have no idea how to get there or what Ill do when I do. She eyed the winged unicorn. Uh, miss… you wouldnt mind…

No problem… my kids mixed up in this too. Hop on. Frankie jumped on Beckys back.

Wait! a high-pitched voice called.

Bloo, responded Frankie irritably, I dont have time. Macs in trouble and-

I know! Look, sometimes I dont act like the best friend in the world. Im aware of my own obnoxiousness, and most of the time Im pretty okay with it. But right now, Mac needs me more than ever. I dont know exactly why he needs me, but Im sure theres a good reason. So… can I go with you?

I guess so, Frankie acquiesced. Bloo leapt on board.

Also, I like horsie rides, the azure blob added as they galloped off.

Well… okay. answered Wilt. Coco, can I please have your cell phone?

Coco coco coco!

What do you mean, you used up all your minutes?

Coco coco coco, coco coco!

Well, Im sorry, I DID tell you to get the plan with free nights and weekends, but you didnt listen.

Coco coco!

Yes, I know your incoming calls are free, but no one ever calls you!

Cocos butt suddenly started to vibrate furiously as an electronic version of Who Let the Dogs Out played. Eduardo, scared, leaped into Wilts arm. Los Baja Hombres! They come for to eat my brains! he shouted.

A large plastic egg popped out of Cocos posterior, opening to reveal her phone. I am NOT answering that, Kathy said.

Wilt dropped Eduardo (Sorry.) and picked it up. Hello?

Wilt! Thank goodness! This is Frankie. We figured out Macs being held at the abandoned Algars Soup factory on the edge of town. Meet us there. Bring the police.

Okay, answered Wilt, hanging up. All right, Macs at the soup factory. Were meeting up with Frankie.

Coco?

No, Im sorry, but we cant stop for crackers.

I think I hear them coming back, Alvin said. Whatever theyre gonna do… theyre gonna do it soon.

Sure enough, the sliding doors opened. In walked the robed men, more than there had been before. At least two dozen. One of them had a fancier robe than the others and a golden mask; Mac assumed he was the master that the others had mentioned before.

Alvin was right… whatever was supposed to go down, was about to.

Ahem, interrupted Becky. Magical unicorn, remember?

Oh, right, remembered Frankie. What do you bring to the table?

Well, flying, obviously… I mentioned telepathy… oh, also, I can breathe fire.

Oooh… I can use that. Okay, heres what were going to do…

In spite of his fear, Mac listened. Hed always wondered about how imaginary friends could achieve existence.

You four possess a rare power… to create reality out of thought. Such power is called psychokinesis. This power fades as one gets older… this is why adults are incapable of creating imaginary friends. However, at this time, you are young and innocent… and full of mental energy ripe for the picking. Of course… Ill have to kill all of you to get it. As a bonus, your sacrifice will please my other-realm masters. You see, I have no soul, on account of having sold it to a cabal of demons for vast mystic power.

Wait, interrupted Mac, If you HAVE vast mystic powers, why do you need power from us?

Thats the thing about power, the Master responded. You can never have enough. He drew a knife. And now… I believe Ill be taking yours.

No! Please! Mac bawled. I dont wanna die! Im only eight! It isnt fair! I dont wanna die!

Please. At least show some dignity. The Master waved his hand, and Mac found his mouth zippered shut. Now, all he could do was silently sob as the end neared.

Ill wish someone was here, Mac realized. Bloo, or Frankie, or Madame Foster, or Wilt, Coco, or Eduardo… anyone. Even Terrence. Even him.

I dont wanna be alone.

He closed his eyes, trembling, dreading the sharp sensation that would mark his separation from the world of the living.

It never came.

Instead, there was a crash from above. Startled, Macs eyes jerked open and upward. He saw a cascade of broken glass raining down on the gathered cultists. Above, a winged unicorn was descending, her nostrils spitting flames. Astride her were Bloo and Frankie. The old, human Frankie.

Becky! shouted Yumiko. You came!

Well have you free soon, the unicorn said, lowering her horn to charge. She flew directly at the assembled cultists, all of whom dived out of the way.

The Master yawned.

As the trio cleared the distance, the Master languidly extended his palm. The effect was immediate… it was as if Becky had hit a wall. Frankie and Bloo were flung off by the sudden jolt, Bloo smacking into the wall right next to Mac.

Hey, Mac, the blob mumbled dazedly as he slid to the floor, sliiiight problem with the rescue.

Frankie found herself at the feet of the man in the embroidered robe and gold mask. The cultists advanced on her with knives drawn, but the man signaled they should halt. Leave her be, the Master commanded. She is no threat.

No threat, huh? muttered Frankie under her breath as she struggled to her feet. Ill no threat YOU… She hurled a punch directly at the mans stomach, only to hit a mystical barrier that surrounded him.

As I said… no threat. Even muffled as it was by the mask, there was something familiar about his voice. So… enjoying your newly-recovered humanity, Miss Foster?

A chill of fear ran through Frankies body as she realized what had happened, followed immediately by a surge of hot anger. Who are you? she asked through gritted teeth.

The Master responded by lower his hood and removing his mask. The hair was now loose and unkempt, and the ice-blue eyes now burned with the fires of madness, but the face unmistakably belonged to the man shed met at the club.

Once here, I searched for the four richest sources of power in the city. By sacrificing them thus, also fulfilling my bargain with the demons who gave me my power I would absorb their power and thus, gain enough strength to absorb ALL psycho-power from all minds everywhere. I would, in essence, become a god.

Upon observation, I was rather surprised to discover that one of the children had befriended a Valix demon, namely, you. I had to remove you from the picture, since you could have potentially posed an obstacle to my success. So, I mentally influenced your friend to convince you to go out on Halloween, and to bring you to the club, where I used my powers to reverse the spell that made you a demon.

And yet, he said, scowling, you STILL have the nerve to show up. Not that you will accomplish anything. I could extinguish your life with a thought, but, well… if Im to be a god, I must cultivate the quality of mercy, yes?

So… I offer you this choice. Turn around, walk away, right now, and your life will be spared. Persist in your sickeningly noble attempt to rescue these children and not only will you die… you will not die as yourself, but as the miserable freak you were.

The young woman sighed. All I wanted was to just be me. And… She locked eyes apologetically with Mac. Its still all I want.

Macs heart sank as she turned away. No… she… she couldnt be so selfish.

Could she?

Sinclairs lips twisted into a self-satisfied smirk.

It was wiped off his face seconds later as Frankie whirled, her fist slamming into his nose.

YOU IDIOD! screamed the dark mage, his hand reflexively holding his bloodied nose. YOU HAB SEALED YOUR VADE!

Youd be a lot scarier if you didnt sound like you had a bad cold, Frankie quipped.

Furiously, the mage cast out his hands, purple lightning snaking out and enveloping Frankies body. She convulsed with agony.

Mac could only watch in horror as the changes began. Frankies legs were the first to show the change, the feet lengthening as the ankles migrated up the calves, her shoes falling off as her toes fused together, the toenails thickening and hardening into hooves. Fur, blue and white, sprouted, running up her legs. The changes progressed upwards through her body. Her tailbone spiked through the upper hem of her skirt, splitting into three, each branch lengthening into an undulating cord of flesh and bone. Two spurs tore through the back of her sweater, enlarging, developing, sprouting pink feathers. Something swelled between her breasts as her bustline widened. Fur continued to spread, over her belly, chest, down her new tails, down her arms. Her third and fourth fingers on each hand melted into one, the nails becoming retractable claws and the palms developing thick pads, as the fur spread over them as well. Three bulges formed on her forehead… two blossomed into horns, while the third opened into a new green, feline eye. The other two changed to match it, as her ears lengthened and tapered, her canines became sharper, her tresses turned pink, and her face was finally claimed by the advancing fur. Three pink tassels, each tipping one of her tails, completed the transformation.

Finished, the warlock dropped the young demoness. So… how does it feel to lose your humanity a second time?

Frankie looked up, defiant. Im still more human than youll ever be, you ba she caught herselfnot-nice person.

I believe Ill extinguish your life now. By the way, when I reconstructed you, I changed one thing.

He struck her with a bolt of energy. Frankie felt something that she hadnt in six months… pain.

Your healing abilities are intact… which means Ill be able to torture you for MONTHS. Isnt that fun?

Ill show you fun, jerk. Frankie leapt into the air, through another volley of the energy, striking Sinclair in the solar plexus, hooves first. You think Im just gonna give up because you turned me back into a monster? Ill never be even a FRACTION of the monster you are, you diseased maniac! Her fists slammed into the mages face again and again, punctuating her every word.

STOP HER, you IDIOTS! demanded the villain. As one, his disciples charged Frankie, pulling her off and dogpiling her.

Good, hold her, while I finish my ascension. He once again began to advance on Mac, who, mouth still sealed, could only whimper.

Suddenly, the doors burst open with a crash.

No morir Senor Mac! yelled a purple furry freight train at least, he may as well have been one since he had the same effect on anything in his way. Sinclair had no chance to react as Eduardo collided with him, collapsing on top of him and effectively pinning him.

Behind him, a swat team deployed itself, sweeping through the factory. Get those kids unchained, the leader said. And cuff the nutcases. And you… he pointed his gun at Frankie, I dont know what the he- the heck YOU are but you wont be hurting anyone tonight.

Hey! yelled Louise. Shes the good guy!

Yeah! agreed Alvin. Leave her alone or Astronaut Alph shall conquer you, stormtrooper vermin!

Its true, Officer. Thats the guy over there. Under Eduardo.

Si. I sit on him, the purple behemoth stated proudly.

You sound familiar, the officer said. Wait… are you Frankie Foster? Its me, Officer Scarpelli! You used to babysit my little Carla about ten years back!

Yeah… her eyes glowed slightly in embarrassment. That was me.

Howd… THAT happen?

Long, LONG story. Which Ill be glad to tell once this is all sorted out. Frankie slowly got to her hooves. I should be able to get those chains off. She conjured a pair of bolt cutters. I dont know how to get that zipper off, Mac… hopefully theyll be able to remove it at the hospital.

He disappear.

THE POWER IS MINE! screamed the triumphant warlock as he appeared above Mac, holding a stone slab aloft.

With a scream of NO! Frankie launched herself at Sinclair.

Too late.

Frankie watched as the slab hit Mac with a sickening crunch.

And everything went white.

Grief and anger had combined to form a veil over her senses so thick that Frankie didnt feel her claws ripping into the warlock, tearing him almost in half. She didnt feel his body burst into flame as the dark gods he served claimed their own.

Somewhere in that haze, the word alive managed to slip through. Frankie grabbed hold of the word, greedily, rode it out of the miasma of pain and rage that had claimed her, breaking back through to reality.

The scene had changed. Police, and paramedics were swarming. They had clotted around Mac… the slab had been removed, and the chains cut. The words fading fast and not much longer filtered through the buzz of noise surrounding.

Frankie wasnt sure how she knew what to do next. She just knew. Forcing her way into the crowd, she pulled her pendant off her own neck and leaned toward Mac.

Miss, what do you think yo- a medic protested. I KNOW what Im doing! interrupted Frankie as she slipped the pendant around Macs neck.

The effect was immediate. A brilliant glow surrounded the boy, as red-and white fur coated his body, dark blue wings matching a blue mane of hair grew from his back, and a tail from his spine. Hooves, claws, fangs… etcetera, etcetera.

Three yellow, feline eyes slowly fluttered open. Mac glanced around his face reflecting the mass confusion that the entire crowd was showing.

Uh… did I miss something? he asked. (The zipper on his mouth, obviously, was dissolved by his transformation.)

You missed the ending, sweetie, Frankie said, embracing him. And, well… I saved your life, but I also kinda ruined it.

What do you me- He trailed off, feeling his wings twitch for the first time. He looked at his fur, at his hooves, at his paws… felt his tail, his pointed ears, his new eye… Im… just like you, he said, amazed.

It was the only way, Frankie said apologetically.

Frankie, responded Mac, please… dont apologize. He hugged her back, tightly. Im GLAD Im like you now. Im more worried about how you feel.

Actually… pretty good overall. Sure, I may be stuck as a demon now… but if one guy knew how to reverse the spell, who knows… maybe someday, I will be human again.

And even if you wont, Mac added, Youre not alone anymore.

Frankie smiled back. You are the sweetest kid that ever existed, do you know that? She gave him a squeeze. I dont know HOW Im ever gonna explain this to your mom, though…

Shell probably find out from all the TV news crews thatre here. He pointed to where dozens of reporters and camera crews had broken through the police barricades and were swarming onto the scene.

Wanna escape out the skylight? asked Frankie.

Yes. Yes I would, her new companion answered, taking wing for the first time. And, hand in hand, the two sailed out into the night.

Next: Frankie gets a very interesting job offer… and if Macs mom doesnt kill her first, she just might take it!