Chapter 3

Teddy Bears Almost Take Over The World

We arrived at Raven's house, which was a complete mess. The house itself was relatively small, but Raven's stuff laying everywhere made it feel even more cramped. Spindler was on Raven's computer, searching something online.

"I've found a lead on the location of the crystal," Spindler said.

Raven came over to the computer and laughed. "That's a Chinese restaurant, Spindler."

"The crystal could be in a Chinese restaurant. It makes perfect sense. Monsters hide in restaurants all the time in Blackwald." Spindler looked at the computer again. "Yang Yang Restaurant. I should write that down."

"Spindler, we've been searching online for hours," I reminded him.

"You have a point, Avery," he said. "It is necessary, however. We need to find the location of the crystal online, unless you have a better idea."

"No, I don't have any other ideas."

"You're a witch," Raven said. "You should have some ideas. Maybe cast a spell to help us find the crystal or something?"

"Hasn't Spindler made it clear that her powers are still dormant?" a booming voice said. I looked around. Where was that voice coming from?

"That's Theodore," Spindler said. "I doubt you have met him. Just warning you, he can be a little... opinionated at times."

Suddenly, a teddy bear that barely came up to my knee walked towards me.

"Hi Teddy," I said, smiling. The bear was kind of cute.

"Don't you dare call me Teddy! Theodore is the name," Theodore corrected me in his thunderous voice.

"Got it, Theodore," I said.

"Shouldn't you be thanking me? I did stick up for you," Theodore said.

"Arrogant much? Typical figure-of-authority behavior," Raven said. I chuckled at the thought of Theodore as a figure of authority.

"Don't make fun of me, Miss DelMarzo," Theodore said. "I've been Spindler's companion since his childhood, and as his friend, you have to put up with me. At least until us bears get the upper hand over humans in world domination."

I nodded. "So as long as teddy bears don't take over the world, I'm stuck with you."

"Don't use tautologies, Avery. They're repetitive," Spindler instructed from his computer.

"Yes, that's right," Theodore said. "But I'm sure the teddy bear apocalypse will happen soon, so no worries!"

"No worries... got it," I said apprehensively.

"Theodore!" Spindler barked. "Get me a writing utensil please!"

"Will do," Theodore mumbled.

Spindler turned towards me. "Sometimes you have to remind Theodore who's boss."

Theodore came back a few minutes later with a black pen. He gave it to Spindler. "Theodore!" I said, just to try it out. "Get me some lemonade!"

"Will do," Theodore said again. He returned a few minutes later with a tall glass of lemonade.

"Theodore!" I exclaimed again. "Get me some nachos!"

Again, Theodore obeyed my command. He returned with a plate of nachos. Since I was having a little too much fun with this, I said, "Theodore! Sing me a song!"

"Not happening," Theodore said. "I won't take silly requests like that."

"Theodore can be bleeping irritating sometimes," Raven said.

"I could tell," I said.

"I should probably leave before you three give me any more stupid requests," Theodore said. "Let me know if you need anything."

Theodore left the room. This could be an interesting afternoon, I thought. Theodore was just another twist in the crazy story of my life. Between the hot elf, the death-obsessed girl, the bossy teddy bear, and me, this could make for an odd team. Hopefully, these supposed "powers" would show up eventually.