"What do you mean you need help," Jacob asked, a vein beginning to bulge in his forehead.
Gloria shifted in place nervously, Mr. Moreland looked both furious and worried. "Lynne's magic is still running a bit wild," Gloria stated nervously. "Shes still too young to really control it."
"And that's why I'm worried Gloria," Jacob exclaimed. "I've dealt with enough magic to know their are repercussions to spells like this. My family is at risk!"
"What do you mean Dad," Caleb asked, the teenage hunter now looking worried.
"Your mom! My wife is now only 6 years old boy," Jacob said quickly. "Tell me? If your mom is only 6 years old then whats going to happen to you?"
Caleb now looked anxiously between Gloria and his father. "No way," he scoffed. "I mean nothing bad can happen right Gloria?"
Gloria shrugged, it was possible but could something happen? "I'm not sure but I think you should be safe."
"You think, " Jacob sighed. "Gloria listen I've seen something like this before. Friend of mines mother was winked out of existence. The ripple effect eventually made their way to him. I watched my partners unbirth. I'm not going to watch that happen to Caleb."
"UNBIRTH," Caleb exclaimed. "Holy shit dad we have to check on Connor now!"
"He's safe in the house boy," Jacob said quickly. "There's enough runes protecting the house to keep him safe. It would just mean he can never go outside again. Now Gloria, fix this! Caleb doesn't have alot of time."
Gloria nodded glancing nervously at her boyfriend. Caleb looked nervous but at least he still looked like him. Quickly she now took out her cellphone. "Who you calling," Caleb asked.
"My aunt," Gloria stated. "She and her dad are probably the best at dealing with this kind of thing." As soon as Gloria hung up her phone, Caleb and Jacob were surprised as Merlin appeared before them with a teenage girl who looked a little older than Gloria. "Merlin, Kellie good to see you."
"Gloria whats going on," Kellie asked. "This place looks like a daycare."
"Lynne cast a spell," Gloria said quickly. "She turned everyone into kids." Kellie and Merlin nodded, closing their eyes as they both reached out with their magic.
"Definitely cast by a novice," Kellie stated.
"And its still active," Merlin added. "Thankfully you called Gloria. If you hadn't I'm afraid everyone present, save Lynne, would have winked out of existence." Merlin now began to mutter a spell, closing his eyes before taking a deep breath. "I've paused everyone's regression," he said. "Thankfully the spell should also prevent any nasty reality alterations." Both Caleb and Jacob now breathed a sigh of relief.
"Appreciate that Merlin," Jacob replied wearily. "Now any chance of growing this lot up again?"
"It will take sometime but yes," Merlin replied as he now rubbed his chin. "I'm aware of your concern for your family. However this child's magic is extraordinary. I fear that she may try to stop any actions we take."
"So what then," Caleb asked. "How do we convince a toddler to listen."
"Well," Kellie sighed as she glanced out at the party. "Normally I would talk with her mom. Kids that age will listen to their moms but that doesn't look possible right now."
"Well who would a toddler listen too," Caleb asked. Merlins eyes went wide, a small smile spreading across his face. "I have an idea," he smirked. "Its a longshot though. Just give me a moment." The others nodded as Merlin now stepped outside.
"Any idea what Merlins up to," Jacob asked.
"No clue," Kellie shrugged. "Knowing my old man its probably outside the box."
"I appreciate everything Miss but I got one question for ya," Caleb asked. "How is Merlin your dad?"
"I'll explain it to you later," Kellie chuckled. "During the talk we have about you dating my niece." The sound of Merlin coming in now drew everyone's attention. The ancient wizard sporting an impish grin.
"I believe I have an idea on how to convince Lynne to reverse the spell," he smirked. Merlin now beckoned his companion forward, the group gawking at the figure that stood before them.
"Santa!"
"Ho, ho ho," Santa chuckled. "Sorry have to get that out of the way. You know, for copyright reasons."
Everyone was speechless, gazing at Santa Claus himself. The legendary figure standing in his signature red suit, his cheeks flushing red underneath a thick white beard. Gloria now turned to Merlin, noticing the small smile on the wizards face. "Okay how and why!"
"I was inspired by the season," Merlin grinned. "And it hit me like a sack of hammers. Who would a magical child listen to in order to behave?"
"So is that actually Santa," Jacob asked, shaking himself out of his stupor.
"Well actually just the latest incarnation," Santa replied. "After the previous office holder retired I assumed his post."
"Wait hold up," Caleb exclaimed. "Retired?"
Santa nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "Well how to you explain how Santa has existed for this long? When the office holder grows too old he seeks someone to take there place."
"So what happened to the previous holder," Kellie asked.
"He was writer. He actually ended up selling his story to Hollywood. They turned it into a movie."
"Oh yeah I love that movie," Caleb stated. "I just never realized it was based on a true story."
"No one ever does," Santa laughed. "I know I didn't. Imagine my surprise when the old Santa came into my bar to offer me the job."
"You were a bartender," Kellie asked in awe.
"I can still make a mean hot tottie," Santa smirked. "But enough about me. Wheres this little girl thats caused all the problems. Santa wants to have a word with her." Santa now paused as he gazed at the rambunctious group of children happily playing. "Probably means the kids here will probably want to talk with Santa before they change back. Ah well, part of the job."
As Santa now made an appearance inside, Gloria and the others could here a thunderous scream as 80 young children now began cheering for Santa Claus. Gloria simply blinked, too stunned to even comprehend what exactly she was seeing.