Jack of All Trades

As dinner finally came to an end and their guests were getting ready to leave, the most unexpected thing happened. Skylar received a call. From Mercury. Her phone rang and she answered quickly. “Hello?” “Hi,” Mercury said. “I don’t mean to alarm you, but your dinner guests aren’t who they seem.” Skylar didn’t say anything, but backed into the hallway. She grabbed Phoenix’s arm and dragged her sister out with her, then held the phone out so they could both hold their ears to it to listen. She didn’t dare put it on speaker, lest anyone – especially the ‘guests who weren’t who they seemed’ – overheard. "Mary – as she has so endearingly called herself – is Marisa Raven. You know, the one that Shadow warned you about.” Phoenix and Skylar looked up sharply. First at each other, then back into the living room where Marisa was standing. “How do you know this?” Phoenix asked, her voice barely a whisper. “I promise I’m not hiding in the bushes in front of your house,” Mercury said. There was a slight sound of rustling in the background. “Although I am here if you need me,” she then added. “Just be careful. Hopefully she’ll leave without any trouble. Nice outfit, by the way.” Then she hung up before either could reply. Skylar and Phoenix walked back into the living room to see Mary and her family getting up to leave. They stood as close to the wall as possible, both watching warily, Skylar hoping she would get out as fast as possible. “Thank you for the fantastic dinner,” she was saying, like she had nothing on her mind other than how wonderful it was to spend time with another family. Skylar couldn’t help but wonder how she could stand there and be so pleasant when she was bent on ruining a world that Skylar and Phoenix had only just learnt about. And were supposed to rule in. “No problem at all,” their father replied. Skylar decided the scenario was far too similar to something she had once seen on the internet; a picture of Hitler holding hands with a little girl and walking as if he hadn’t a care in the world. The image had irked her, and by the comments all over it, it had struck plenty of people the same way. “Well, we’d better get going now,” Dave said, slowly heading for the hallway. Goodbyes spread across the room with Skylar and Phoenix joining in so as not to stick out. As Mary made her way over to them they both froze in place, unconvincing smiles plastered on their faces. She bent down to bid them farewell and it struck Skylar just how tall she was; easily over six feet. “It was lovely to see you both,” she said. It seemed harmless at first, but then she lent in close. “Don’t worry, I know you were talking to Mercury just a minute ago. She’s not as subtle as she thinks. I know you know who I am, but I’m not here to kill you just yet. Aren’t I allowed to enjoy time with my family and friends every once in a while? Have a nice night, you two.” Then she stretched up to her surprising height and headed for the door, followed by her husband, daughters and son.