An Apple.

The flash of light faded and left the three friends momentarily blind.

Becky was the first to regain her composure and turned to where the portal had been, in its place was the most perfect golden apple she had ever seen. Not a bruise or blemish marred the pristine skin. It was hypnotic, drawing Becky closer with each moment.

Danny and Luke had rushed to the water's edge and were trying to wash their eyes. Becky felt like she was in a dream, the apple somehow goading her closer, whispering at the edge of her conscious mind. She took another step forward and reached out...

"You alright Bex? You've been staring at nothing for a little..." Danny asked, "Luke and I want to go get our money back, that bookstore fuckin' pranked us!"

"NO!!! I... I mean, I was gonna be a witch anyway for Halloween," Becky stuttered trying to remember why she'd been so focused on that stump. "Danny was right it'd be a perfect prop."

"Suit yourself, just don't come complaining to us when you've gone blind." Luke turned to Danny and shrugged, "Let's get out of here I don't want to show up on CaraLibro in some gotcha video."

Still in a haze Becky picked up the book and finally turned away from their ritual site and followed her best friends out of the park.

By the time they'd reached the gates Becky had fallen a good deal behind, lost in thought. Danny turned to Luke and not so subtly nudged him back in Becky's direction. Then in an over the top voice he called out, "Hey Becky, I've got something to pick up for my Mom, see you two on Monday?" Luke turned back and in a panicked whisper started to yell at his friend, "You fuck! Now is not the time for this!!!!"

Danny continued with his monologue, "Luke can give you a ride home in that piece of junk Volvo of his!" Luke's face dropped, his car was a mess! What would Becky think??

Becky looked up and put on a tired smile, "Thanks Luke, you're a gem."