18 - Fresh Squeezed p3

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"Does this mean you want back in?"

"Whatever it takes. Will you help me?"

"Naturally." Morgan responded, matter-of-factly. "This is actually a pleasant coincidence, I think this should work out for everyone...I can't wait to show you our latest project."

Evelyn hung up her phone. She hated that she'd been drawn back into the circle and she shuddered to think what Morgan meant about an upcoming project, but more than anything, she just wanted to make it out of this without being exposed as a witch. With the crowd gathering, it was well beyond her abilities to deal with a problem of these proportions, but the circle was likely to be able to help her.

By the time the rest of the sisters showed up, Sydney was taking on completely round proportions. Her clothes had long since burst off and she was attempting to take short waddling steps, her hands flapping as she waddled inches at a time, vainly trying to escape the crowd. She alternated between pleading for help, and cries of consternation and anger.

"Whoa," came a voice from behind Evelyn. It was Morgan and the rest of the group. "She must have really upset you, I've never seen you work this kind of magic."

Evelyn blushed.

"Talk about coincidence, we were just about to try that spell again," Amelia added. "We haven't been able to get it right." She shot an accusatory look at Tessa, who shrugged.

"What about the crowd?"

"What do you think, a time spell?" Amelia volunteered.

"Always the problem solver." chortled Morgan, giving the go-ahead with a nod.

Amelia began muttering under her breath, and suddenly the crowd went quiet. The entire mall seemed to freeze, except for the sisters, and a panicking blueberry girl, still trying to waddle away.

Tessa crept up beside Sydney, ran her hand across the swollen expanse of her midsection. "I think she's still growing."

"Good," sneered Morgan. "As much trouble as this is, she had better make it worth it." She gave Sydney a rough shove, who yelped as she rolled off her feet and began to roll away from the crowd. The rest of the sisters followed suit, with Sydney begging for them to stop as she was rolled to some unknown destination.

Ignoring Sydney's pleas, Morgan addressed Evelyn: "You remember Diane? Her winery business is really booming. I know what you're thinking, but I have bigger plans in mind. You were right about one thing, though, things are too complicated these days. Mainstreaming will really take the pressure off. Let us show you what we've been working on since you've been gone."