Chapter Nine: Stella Saves a Man in the Ocean
Stella stood in Jack's office, surrounded by silence and darkness. The door was locked, and the windows were shut tight, letting in no light. She took out her phone and turned on the flashlight, which lit up the room just enough to see. As she looked around, her eyes landed on Jack's phone lying on the desk. She picked it up, a plan already forming in her mind. Closing her eyes, she thought about Jack's house, and in an instant, she was no longer in the office.
Stella blinked and found herself standing in Jack's living room. Jack, who had been looking for his phone, looked up, surprised to see her. Relief washed over his face when he saw the phone in her hand.
"Stella!" Jack said, walking over to her. "Thank you so much. Where did you find it?"
Stella smiled and handed it to him. "It was in your office. I thought I'd save you a trip."
Jack shook his head in amazement. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he said with a smile.
---
On the first day of January, Stella and Jack decided to spend the day at the beach. Laughter and excitement filled the air as families, friends, and couples enjoyed the day together. Stella and Jack chased each other across the sand, laughing and telling stories. Occasionally, they joined in on different games with others on the beach.
Soon, they noticed horses ready for riding. Stella playfully challenged Jack to a race. They got on their horses, excitement on their faces, and took off down the beach. Stella's horse won the first race. She also won the second and third races, but Jack finally won the fourth, raising his arms in victory as they both laughed.
After the races, they played a game of football on the sand. Jack was better at this game, blocking every shot Stella tried to make. They laughed and cheered as they played, unaware of the growing tension nearby.
As they played, Stella noticed a woman on the shore, looking out to sea with worry. Her husband, who had been swimming, had gone back into the water, but the waves had pulled him farther from shore. Realizing he was in trouble, Stella and a few others rushed to the water.
Stella's heart raced as she swam, trying to find the man. She remembered her magic ring and imagined herself next to him, hoping it would help her get there faster. But the ring didn't respond. She tried again, but nothing happened.
On her third try, she felt a familiar surge of energy, and suddenly, she was beside the man. But then she noticed a shark nearby, its fin cutting through the water.
Without wasting a second, Stella grabbed the man's hand and closed her eyes, imagining them both safely on the shore. But again, the ring's power didn't work. She could feel the shark getting closer. Determined, she thought of a new plan. She imagined herself turning invisible. This time, the ring responded, and she and the man became hidden.
Still holding his hand, Stella reached out toward the shark, closing her eyes and imagining it falling into a deep sleep. She opened her eyes, relieved to see the shark's eyes closing as it drifted down into the depths.
With the shark no longer a threat, Stella focused on escaping. She imagined herself and the man moving quickly through the water, and soon they were making their way toward the shore. But just as they neared the beach, another shark appeared.
Desperation gave Stella extra strength. She pictured the shore ahead, willing herself and the man to reach it instantly. With a final surge, they broke free from the water, collapsing onto the sand. People on the beach gathered around, cheering their escape.
Stella breathed a sigh of relief, grateful her magic had worked when they needed it most. Jack ran up to her, his eyes full of concern. She gave him a reassuring smile, and they joined the others on the sand, enjoying the thrill of an unexpected New Year's adventure.