A Magic Wand

Alice took a step back. “Watch out, Nicole,” she said. “That’s a magic wand.”

Tara muttered some activation words, then lifted the wand in our direction. “Too late,” she said. “Enjoy.”

Then she and Bit turned and exited the bathroom. A moment later, the door reopened.

“By the way,” said Tara, “nice hair.”

Then the door closed again.

Alice and I looked at each other.

“That was strange,” I said. “Nothing happened.”

Alice shook her head. “No,” she said. “I’m sure something will happen. It’s just a delayed effect.”

“What are you worried about?” I asked, looking at Alice. It didn’t look like anything had happened, but she knew more about wands than I did.

“Wands are limited in the sense that they can only cast the spell used to charge them,” said Alice, “but that spell can be a powerful one.”

“Well, it doesn’t seem like it took,” I said. “Maybe we have natural resistance?”

“It’s possible,” said Alice. “But unlikely.”

I said, “Maybe they forgot—”

That was as far as I got, as Alice and I suddenly jumped simultaneously.