Lean could not stay for the celebration, so it was just me and the Monster Protectors who were now alive. We celebrated by gathering around a campfire and toasting marshmallows. Well, we would have toasted and eaten marshmallows if any of us had some.

I watched as the Monster Protectors gathered wood for the fire and logs for us to sit on. Half of them positioned the logs in a circle, and the other half created a fire in no time. An excellent fire, if I may add.

McKinley was among those who were assisting with the logs. When he and the others were finished, McKinley strolled up to me with his hands hiding behind his back. I uttered another squeal, one that was louder than the last, and managed to ask him if there was anything that I could do.

Both McKinley's hair and beard were brown, the same color as my hair, and his clothes were dark. He had on a blue coat with brown pants and brown boots. By the look of him, you would assume that he was intimidating. In fictional reality, he was nice. Nice towards me.

"I cannot believe that you would ask that, Margie. What you should be really asking is if there is anything that we can do for you."

"Mr. McCall," a Monster Protector jumped in on our conversation. It was a female. "I know what she can do for us and what we can do to repay her."

He beckoned to her with a hand. "Come here, Skylar. You have not been formally introduced."

Skylar set the wood on the grass and skipped over to us. McKinley wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Margie Morgan, I would like you to meet Skylar McCall."

I uttered a gasp. "She and you share the same last name," I pointed out. "That means..."

He nodded. "Yes, Margie. Skylar and I are related. She is my granddaughter."

"Wow. You just blew my mind." I shook hands with her. "Nice to finally meet you, Skylar. Guess that the Monster Protector gig runs in the McCall family, huh?"

Skylar was young and stunning. Made me wonder if she had a boyfriend or husband. She had long, black hair and wore a gray, long-sleeved shirt, dark gray sweatpants, and low heels. She took my hand into both of hers and smiled.

"I do not know if my grandfather told you this or not, Margie, but we Monster Protectors were able to get a glimpse at what happened to you while we were trapped in the spirit realm."

I accidentally snorted. "I have been through a ton of crub," I replied.

"No Monster Protector, especially one who was grateful to listen to my grandfather and freed us, should not have to deal with the bull of people who do not understand."

I came to the realization that she was referring to my parents and sister, and my face saddened. "You guys saw and heard the argument between me and my family, did you not?"

"We could not help it," McKinley confirmed. "All of us were curious to know whether you were on good terms with your own blood."

"I thought that we were." I sighed. "Boy, was I wrong."

"While we were in the spirit realm and listening in, I so wanted to slap your family," Skylar confessed. "Especially your mother. My heart broke for you when she destroyed your crossbow and arrow."

"That was what I used to fight with, seeing that I possess no powers."

Skylar giggled as if I had told a joke. "We all are powerless and instead either carry weapons or put our fighting skills to the test. Speaking of weapons, I have a present for you, Margie. Consider it as a thank you from me."

She dashed off and returned a few minutes later with a weapon that was new. Not only that, it was real gold and had real jewels embedded in it. She gave it to me, and I held it close to me and was in amazement.

"I could not possibly—" I started, but McKinley interrupted.

"It is yours. My granddaughter made it just for you because she felt horrible that your mother ruined your old one."

"Besides, this crossbow and arrow are better," Skylar added.

I was so happy that I thought that I would cry tears of joy. "Thank you." I set down my new weapon and hugged her. "Thank you!"

She hugged me back. "You are more than welcome. Do you know what you can do for us now?"

I tilted my head up to her. "Anything. Just name it."

"Do you have any marshmallows at the mansion? We are in the mood to roast some." She rubbed her belly.

"I am sure that we do." I pulled away from her. "I will be right back."

I took off like the speed of light and soon made it to the mansion. As I slowed down, I felt a funny feeling. My heart. It was beating. I know, I know. Hearts are supposed to beat, but it was how my heart was beating.

I stood on the porch and placed a hand over where my heart was as I was catching my breath. It was not beating like usual. They were irregular heartbeats.

I shrugged, dismissing the beats. I was probably getting them because I got my body excited. I opened the front door and made my way to the kitchen. There was a bag of marshmallows sitting by the microwave, and I grabbed it and sprinted out of the mansion. Unfortunately for me, I did not get far.

"Margie!" I heard my sister, Scarlett. "Sis, please. Can we talk for a minute or two?"

I know what you readers are thinking. But Scarlett is not who stopped me. It was my heart attack.

I did not say a word. I just dropped the bag of marshmallows and collapsed on my stomach.

Not my day.