Second Chances
By Alexander Kung
Former bully Ryan now finds himself in the body of “Creepy” Kelly Daniels, the school outcast, a lonely troubled girl with a miserable life. Compounding the problem is she now finds herself having feelings for the boy she used to bully so badly.

Second Chances — Part 2

It was their special place nestled in Old Man Frank's apple orchard, a crudely built tree house. The old farmer didn't mind. He even supplied the tools and lumber, happy to see a couple of kids willing to play outside and not have their brains rotted out by those newfangled video games.

“So you want to try it, Jay?” asked a cute little girl about ten or eleven

“Try what, Rani?” asked a cute little boy also about ten or eleven

“Come on, you know” Rani said nudging him while blushing a bit

“But I don't know how to do it” Jay said turning bright red “What if I suck at it”

Sighing in frustration the little girl grabbed the little boy’s hands and put them forcefully around her waist. She then wrapped her arms around his neck, puckered her lips and kissed him on the lips.

“See was that so bad?” Rani asked

“No, not really” Jay said shyly

“Good” smiled the little girl “Let's try it a different way. Open your mouth a little bit. Okay, tilt your head a bit. Now close your eyes”

Different was hardly the word to describe this kiss. As they made sloppy smacking sounds, It felt like a tingling jolt of electricity was being passed through their bodies. It felt weird but in a really good way. Breaking the kiss they both opened their eyes, stepping away from each other with a deep blush on their faces

“WOW!!” Jay said softly

“That was Awesome” Rani said turning even a deeper color of red

“So..um..” Jay stammered “Do you want to do it again?”

“Oh hell yeah!” Rani said with a smirk

~O~

Ryan/Kelly woke up with a big yawn. “What a weird dream” she thought as she stretched out over her bare mattress. It wasn't Kelly's first kiss because the little girl looked nothing like her but it still felt oddly familiar.

“Whatever” Kelly thought looking at her alarm clock “I don't have time to dwell on it. I better get dressed and out of here before HE gets up”

Quickly, she got up, got dressed and applied her makeup. In the week she had lived as Kelly, she noticed the makeup part got easier and easier to apply as was her lack of embarrassment of wearing it. She only hoped that she would get back to her old self soon before she started to like it too much.

The sky was still dark as she sneaked out of her house, leaving her a couple free hours before school. It was a small annoyance but it was worth it to avoid her stepfather. Plus it gave her time to think, which may or may not be a good thing.

As she walked down the empty streets lost in her thoughts, she found herself thinking about Jessie, the boy she bullied relentlessly as Ryan Thomas. Lots of confusing and conflicting thoughts raced through her head as she made her way to school. Feelings that should be so wrong but felt so right.

On one hand she still wanted to punch his face into hamburger for the suffering his grandmother was putting her through. But on the other hand, she wanted to him to fuck her until she couldn't think straight. She groaned in annoyance as her body reacted to that thought, her nipples hardening and slight wetness in her crotch.

“NO WAY” she thought to herself angrily “ THERE IS NO CHANCE IN HELL!”

Distracted and not paying attention to where she was going, she found herself knocked to the ground scattering her books and her money all over the sidewalk. In a flash, the person that knocked her over quickly scooped up her money and ran off down the street.

“Hey! That's mine!” she screamed in frustration but the guy was already gone

Trying hard not to cry, she gathered up her school books from the street. She wondered what she was going to do, that was all the food money she had for the entire week . Finishing up, she sadly trudged on toward school.

“Just fucking great” she thought “Now what am I going to do?”

~O~

The day just went progressively shittier and shittier. Jessica Sanders, her old girlfriend as Ryan turned out to be one snotty little bitch. Kelly truly dreaded first period gym class. Normally, Ryan would have given his right nut to be in the girl’s locker room, being surrounded by some of the most beautiful girls in school, walking around buck naked. But as Kelly she felt nothing sexual from seeing the girls, instead finding herself contrasting and comparing the more popular girl's bodies with her own.

“What are you looking at you little dyke bitch?” sneered Jessica Sanders puffing out her chest “Trying to see what a real woman looks like?”

Keeping silent and her eyes to the floor, Kelly hoped the more popular and prettier girl would leave her alone. She wondered what she ever saw in the girl as she was never like this with Ryan. Maybe she used her fake sweetness with the boys only.

“Hey bitch, I'm talking to you!” Jessica said grabbing the smaller girl by the hair and slamming her into the lockers

Why are you doing this to me?” Kelly asked painfully “What did I do to you?”

“It's real simple” Jessica said cruelly “I just don't like freaky little, tiny titty, trailer trash like you”

“Just please leave me alone!” Kelly pleaded softly

“When I feel like it” Jessica said throwing Kelly to the floor

Miss Tyson, the gym teacher rounded the corner just as Kelly hit the floor. She willed herself not to cry as the stinging pain of her knee cracking on the hard locker room floor shot up her leg.

“What the hell is going on here?” asked the stocky woman

"I tripped and fell" Kelly said holding her knee as Jessica glared at her threateningly"

“I see" the gym teacher said unconvinced “Ms Sanders, get dressed and get to your next class”

The more popular girl strutted past Kelly, scoffing in disgust before walking off

“Are you okay?” Ms Tyson asked

“I’m Fine!” snapped Kelly as she got dressed quickly, a skill that she was becoming very proficient at.

Slamming her locker shut, she pushed past the teacher and raced to her next class. She just wanted this rotten day to just end already

~O~

“Yer gonna try it again?” Tex asked during lunch "Are you a glutton for punishment?

“I think I broke the ice with her yesterday.” Jessie said shyly

“If breaking the ice meant her telling you to fuck off” teased Ericka

“Yeah, well” Jessie said looking over in Kelly’s direction “Still I want to try again. If she shoots me down today, then I'll leave her alone”

A cute pair of knowing smiles appeared on the face of his two best friends.

“What?” Jessie asked “What are you two smirking at?”

“We're just so proud of ya” teased Tex

“Our little shy boy is growing up so fast” Ericka snickered

“Oh bite me, the both of you” Jessie laughed

Seriously though” said Tex “It's good to see you show a bit of confidence”

“So what are you waiting for? Go talk to her” Ericka said with a smile

“Wish me luck” Jessie said taking a deep breath and getting up from the table

Kelly sat in her usual place in the corner of the cafeteria. Unable to buy anything to eat, she tried to keep her mind off her stomach by working on some homework from Art class. She noticed she had a gift for pencil art. Within a few moments she transformed a blank sheet of paper into a beautiful landscape of the boardwalk of Norman's beach.

“Hey there” said a sweet sounding voice “Do you mind if I join you?”

She didn't even look up from her drawing to know who it was. Her face felt a little hot as a bit of red appeared on her face. She hadn't forgotten that little fantasy from the night before, and she found it hard to look at him in the eye.

“*sigh* Whatever” she said trying to appear nonchalant while her heart starting beating rapidly

Her stomach growled as he set down his tray of food from the school snack bar. She tried not to look like a pathetic beggar, but it looked so delicious and she was really hungry.

“You didn't bring anything to eat today?” asked Jessie noticing her body language “Here you can have some of mine.”

“I don't need any pity or charity from you” Kelly snapped

“Whoa calm down” laughed Jessie as her stomach growled louder “Let me guess you’re one of those types that gets snippy and grouchy if she doesn’t get anything to eat.”

“Har dee har har” Kelly said dryly “Now If your done trying to be funny, please leave me alone”

“Hey I get it, you’re prideful” Jessie said gently “How about a trade then?”

“Lemmie guess, I have to blow you for it, right?” Kelly said with an icy glare “No fucking thanks”

“Uh... WOW ” Jessie said surprisingly “Not that I wouldn't mind that but I'm not really into paying for sexual favors, least of all with cheap food”

“Then what is it you want then?” Kelly scoffed crossing her arms

“How about this drawing right here” Jessie said pointing at her boardwalk drawing “I'll give you this swiss and salami sandwich, this apple, a bottle of fruit punch and to sweeten the deal $20”

You’re full of shit!” said Kelly unconvinced “It just a crappy drawing for art class, why the hell would you want that?”

“Because It’s not crappy to me. It’s beautiful and I want it, plain and simple” said Jessie “So do we have a deal?”

She signed the boardwalk drawing and slid it to the boy who gingerly put it into a folder and put it in his backpack. He then handed her the food and a folded up 20 dollar bill. He smiled as she quickly ripped the cellophane off the sandwich and started to wolf it down, looking like a cute little chipmunk with its cheeks full of food.

Kelly didn't care how she looked; she was far too busy enjoying her lunch. Who knew that a simple sandwich would taste so damn good? She also felt relived, thanks to the $20 dollars that replaced the lunch money that was stolen from her earlier that morning. All thanks to the boy she used to bully. Sneaking a quick look at him found it harder and harder to hate him. It wasn't bad enough that he was so cute looking to her but he was so.... nice.

“Hey...Um...” Kelly started “About yesterday...”

“Sorry about that” Jessie blushed “I got caught up in the moment and it looked like you needed a little kiss. . I guess I sort of invaded your personal space, huh?”

“No, not that” Kelly said not quite minding the gentle hug and sweet kiss on the forehead “I meant why did you stop me?”

“Because i didn't want you to kill yourself, isn't that enough?” said Jessie “Not to sound corny or anything but I kind of knew what you were going through”

“Yeah? How so?” Kelly asked

“It’s not easy to talk about” Jessie said sadly “But It wasn't that long ago I wanted to kill myself too”

“What?” Kelly asked slightly surprised

“Yeah” said Jessie simply

“Why?” Kelly asked genuinely interested “What was so bad?”

“Two words: Ryan Thomas” said Jessie “He made my life a living hell making sure to beat the hell out of me every day. Being the mayor's son he threw his weight around and got away with it. I don't know what I ever did to him to make him hate me so much, maybe he was just an asshole. Anyway I just couldn't take it anymore”

A small knot of guilt formed in Kelly's stomach. Even she forgot the reason why she brutally handed daily beatings on Jessie. Now herself on the receiving end she started to truly feel genuinely sorry for all the hell she put him through. The image of him dying on the floor of The Relic made her feel even worse.

“I bet your glad he died instead huh?” Kelly asked softly

“Not really, no” said Jessie “He was an angry hate filled asshole and I don’t miss that he’s gone but I'm never glad for anyone to die.

“So....what stopped you..from you know..going away?” Kelly asked actually shocked at his forgiving nature.

“I had friends” Jessie asked nodding toward Tex and Ericka “Without them, I'm sure I would have done it”

“Well,I don't have any friends” Kelly said sadly

“That's not true” said Jessie “You got at least one if you want it”

“Oh yeah who?” Kelly asked

“Me” Jessie said flashing his cute dimpled smile

“And why would you want to be my friend?” Kelly asked narrowing her green eyes

“I like cute, foul mouthed blondes that wear black lipstick” Jessie said with a blush

Despite herself Kelly felt her mouth form into a sweet shy little smile. He was so sweet and charming. Wait, did he say she was cute? No it had to be a mistake; nobody could like 'Creepy Kelly'. It just wasn't possible, why should she be happy about something like this?

“You should do that a lot more often” Jessie said as the bell rung signaling the end of lunch

“Do what more often?” Kelly asked raising an eyebrow

“Smile more” said Jessie softly and shyly “You really look pretty when you do. If you want, I’ll bug you after school, okay?”

Her face turned completely red. There was no mistaking it now, he thought she was pretty. She felt her heart thump as walked away.

“Okay” she said softly almost a whisper

~O~

It had been a trying few weeks since he bugged her at lunch. True to his word, Jessie made every effort to be a friend to Kelly. At first she considered him a bit of an annoyance but soon grew to look forward to him being around her.

Despite her life still being hard but it was becoming bearable due to him. Getting up early she would wander around a bit, meeting him at a 24 hour mini mart before walking together to school. Ignoring her objections to it, he would always buy her a blueberry muffin or danish for breakfast. It was funny how the little things like that made such a big difference.

As they walked to school, she found herself starting to enjoy their conversations; his playful chiding was a perfect foil to her sarcastic wit. She found it kind of nice to have someone to talk to, as Kelly she never really did.

They didn’t have any classes together but he always made time to eat with her during lunch. He tried to get her to eat with Tex and Ericka but she shyly refused, making the excuse that she was ready yet to make new friends. Truth be told, it wasn’t that she wasn’t ready to make new friends but she just liked their time together. There was just a slight familiar nostalgic feeling about it and she didn’t want to share it just yet. It was a bit selfish perhaps, but she just liked it just with him and her.

“Hey cutie” purred a sexy sounding voice “Jessica said you were the guy to go to help us pass the philosophy final”

“If you can help us get a passing grade” purred her twin sister “We'll definitely make it worth your while”

Kelly heard the commotion from her locker. Looking down the hallway she saw the McQueen's. Formally his two Knuckle-dragging goon friends, they were a now a pair of sexy well stacked and curvaceous brunettes. They were never a bright bunch to begin with, but now they were a couple of slutty airheads that occasionally joined Jessica in her bullying of Kelly.

Apparently the rumors were false about them being sent to a convent much to her chagrin. When they weren’t helping Jessica making her life hell, they could usually be seen trying to fuck anything in a pair of pants.

“Not my problem” she thought as she grabbed her books for the next class

“Look I’m a tutor” said a familiar shy voice “I’m just happy to help”

As she saw the boy they were shamelessly flirting with, Kelly gritted her teeth. Slamming her locker loudly, she stomped toward the two girls pushing her way toward the boy they had cornered. Without a word, she snatched the boy by the shirt and dragged him away, much to the displeasure of other girls.

“Hey!” Billie shouted “We weren't done with him!”

“Fucking flat chested bitch!” sneered Bobbie

Kelly ignored the two girls as she dragged the boy by his arm down the hall.

“Uh Kelly, what are you doing?” Jessie asked in confusion

“Saving you from 120 unidentified STDs” Kelly flatly “You’ll thank me later, I guarantee it"

“What?!? I’m a tutor” Jessie said “I just help people pass their tests,that's it!”

“Sure, that how it starts” Kelly said with a glare “Then next thing you know, they’re giving you a scorching case of Bering Sea King Crabs”

“Wait a minute!” Jessie said raising an eyebrow “You’re jealous!?! You are aren't you?"

Stopping dead in her tracks, she saw how she was holding him by the hand and immediately dropped it like it was a red hot piece of lava. A confused look came over her face as she realized how she was acting. It was idiotic, she wasn't Kelly she was Ryan damnit! Wasn't she? Needing to sort her confusing emotions, she again ran off

“What the fuck?” thought an equally confused Jessie “Why does she keep running from me?”

~O~

“Ciao! Buona sera! Felicia” said a well dressed Italian female “How are you today?”

It was Ms Forelli, a regular customer and connoisseur of fine art. She was an elegant dark haired older woman in her 60’s who owned the Northern Star galley on the north side of Tyson’s cove.

Though she rubbed elbows with the so called elite of society, she kept her values and ego quite grounded. She had been coming to the Relic for many years and not only were the prices right but she adored Felicia and Jessie.

“I'm doing fine” Felicia smiled “It looks like have a little tag along today”

“Oh yes” Ms Forelli said warmly “This my little granddaughter Maria, she always wanted to come here”

“Hello” smiled the little girl “I saved up all my money to buy something special today “

She was a cute little girl no more than about 7 with jet black hair pulled back into a ponytail and ice blue eyes that just were filled with an innocent mischief.

“Well, I'm sure you'll find something special here” Felicia said patting the little girl on the head “Jessie? Could you help Ms Forelli load her purchases into her car?”

“Yeah no problem" Jessie said as he led the older woman into the backroom.

“Felicia, would it be alright if I asked you to look after my little Maria while I gather my things?”

“Of course” Felicia said “So what I can I help you with Maria?”

“I want a ring” the little girl said “A real pretty one”

“Well we have lots of rings” said Felicia “Anything in particular in mind?”

“Actually I do” the little girl said walking over to a nearby glass case, with a familiarity of someone who had been in the store many times. “I want that one”

The older woman's eyes grew wide as she saw the ring the little girl was pointing at, a beautiful silver ring with a gem cut blood stone. The same ring she gave to Kelly as a gift right before ….

“I always knew this place was magic” the little girl said with a knowing smile

“You have no idea kid” Kelly said as she entered the store “When you have a moment, I need to talk to you. Please?”

“Why Kelly, you're so polite today” said Felicia

“Hey! I've always been polite”the little girl blurted out; quickly clasping her mouth after her outburst

“Kelly?” asked the older woman incredulously “Is that you?”

The little girl nodded much to the shocked older girl and older woman.

“My name is Maria now” the little girl said trying hard not to cry “I love my new life now, I have a wonderful family that loves me. I don’t know how you did it but please I beg you, don't send me back to my old one”

“So I get to live out your crummy life instead?” Kelly said snottily “I don't fucking think so!”

“Ryan” Felicia said sternly “Don’t start!”

“Ryan? Ryan Thomas? You’re in there?” the little giggled “HAHAHAHA! I got to admit it weird see my old body from the outside. I guess fate truly is a bitch isn’t it?”

“It is not funny!” growled Kelly

“Oh but it really is” Maria said laughing even harder “The big bully knows now what it’s like to be on the other end. If anyone deserves my old crappy life it’s you!”

“It's not fair” Kelly said as she started to cry “This life sucks”

“No it’s not fair” Felicia replied sharply “But was what you did to others any better?”

“No...” Kelly said truthfully

“Well, at least you weren't driven to kill yourself” the little girl said softly

“ I was…I mean..i wanted to get away so bad…” said Kelly softly “until he stopped me..”

“He?” asked Felicia

“Your grandson” Kelly said with a slight smile “He's been so sweet to me ever since then”

“I have noticed you two spending a lot of time together” Felicia said

“Yeah” Kelly said blushing a bit “He’s been a good friend”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think that you're starting to fall in love with him. You are aren't you?” asked Maria "Because it sounds like it"

“I...I don't know. I don’t know what to think or feel anymore. He’s a boy and I’m a boy” Kelly said turning bright red “I just want my old life back where shit makes sense. Please just change me back!”

“I told you, I can’t do anything for a while” said Felicia “This situation with Maria complicates things further. You’re going to have to deal with it”

“Hey” said the little girl “Did it ever occur to you that maybe you were meant for this life? You seem to be doing better than I was”

“Maybe you’re just saying that because you got such a better one now?” said Kelly bitterly “I have no desire to be a girl! None!”

“Maybe" the little girl asked “But were you really happy with your old life? Honestly?”

“I don't know what you’re talking about” Kelly said uncomfortably “Of course I was! I had everything I wanted!”

“You'll make it even worse if you keep being dishonest with yourself” said Felicia “You didn’t have everything you wanted, there was always one thing out of your grasp. Remember I saw into your soul.”

Before she could reply, both Jessie and Ms Forelli appeared from the back room

“Do you think you bought enough?” huffed Jessie obviously exhausted from packing her minivan with various pieces of art

“You can never have enough, caro mio” said Ms Forelli “But enough about my shopping habits. Here you are a strapping young man and you don't even have a girlfriend yet, it's not right“

“That not true, there's this one girl” said Jessie with a smile “She’s beautiful, has this wonderful sarcastic sense of humor, and the way she smiles though she doesn’t do it enough. But I don’t think she likes me the same way.”

“Does she have blonde hair, wear black lipstick and dress in a leather jacket?” Ms Forelli asked narrowing her eyes

“Yeah she does” said Jessie “Do you know her?”

“Look behind you, idoita” said Ms Forelli

He spun around to see his grandmother with a weird smirk on her face, Ms Forelli's little granddaughter with a huge wide grin on her face and Kelly Daniels her face completely flushed red. Jessie couldn’t even look at her in the eye, turning bright red himself

“Aw, Nonna” said Maria “Look, you embarrassed both of them”

“Never you mind that” Ms Forelli said with a smile “Did you find what you wanted?”

“Un huh” the little girl said opening her coin purse “But I don't have enough”

“You know what we agreed upon” said Ms Forelli “If you don't have enough you can’t get it”

“But” whined the little girl “I worked really hard”

“Gram ,can I?” Jessie asked patting the girl on her head and taking her money

“It'll come out your you next paycheck” Felicia said approvingly

“Now you know I can’t refuse a cute little girl such pretty eyes” smiled Jessie looping the ring on the counter with a silver chain. He then slipped it over the little girls head “I gave you good deal so you have to promise to take care of it okay?”

“You are going to spoil my little Maria, Jessie” Ms Forelli said as she looked around the store

“No he won't!” Maria said holding two little fists “Hey? Pick one, Jessie”

Humoring the little girl he picked the right fist and a large smile appeared over her face. Grabbing a chair she climbed up on it and gave the boy a quick little peck on the cheek

“That's where the kiss was hidden” whispered the little girl “Take care of blondie okay? She likes you a lot"

“And how do you know that?” Jessie said cocking an eyebrow

“I'm a girl and girls know everything” Maria said matter of factly

“You've taught her well, Ms Forelli” Jessie said patting the little girl on the head

“But of course” smiled the older woman looking at a framed piece of art “How much is this pencil drawing?”

“Um that's not for sale I'm afraid” said Jessie

Kelly was still getting over her embarrassment of Jessie out right calling her beautiful. Nobody ever said that about her out loud before .As she turned her attention to the piece of art they were talking about, she was surprised to see her pencil drawing that she sold him a few weeks ago. It was in a nice antique brass frame which honestly made it look all the better.

“Oh come now” said the older woman “I must have it. How does $500 sound?”

“That very tempting” said Jessie “But...

“Just sell it you idiot!” Kelly said a frustrated tone “You can always get another”

“And you are, miss?” the said old woman

She is the talented artist that drew it “said Jessie making quick introductions “Kelly Daniels. This is Monica Forelli owner of the Northern Star gallery.

“Pleased to meet you Kelly, this is very impressive work. What an amazing and wonderful use of light and shade. He’s right, you are very talented. We should to talk sometime about any future pieces.” said the woman to Kelly as she handed Jessie the money “Maria! It’s time to go!”

“Okay, Nonna” said Maria giving Kelly a quick hug and whispering something in her ear before taking off

“What was that all about?" asked Jessie

“Girl Talk” said Kelly with a slight smirk

~O~

It was dark when Kelly started her trek home but she wasn't alone. Felicia insisted that he walk her home. It was a quiet walk as both were still too embarrassed to say anything to each other. About a block before her house, she stopped in her tracks.

“Okay I can make it home from here” she said almost sadly

“Are you sure you don't need me you walk you to your door?” Jessie asked

“I kind of have a bad home life" said Kelly “I don't want to get into trouble by having a boy walk me home”

“I understand.” Jessie said dejectedly

“It’s not you” Kelly said gently “It just …

“It’s cool, I don’t want to get you into any trouble. Oh before I forget, here. ” Jessie said handing her an envelope “This is yours”

“What’s this?” Kelly said opening the envelope “$400?!?”

“Payment for your drawing” said Jessie “Not counting the price of the frame”

“But...” said Kelly “I thought I you already paid me for it”

It was worth more than some food and $20” Jessie said “It’s yours, you earned it”

“Thanks” Kelly said folding the envelope and putting it in her pocket

“Anyway, I should be heading home” Jessie said turning to walk away “Goodnight, Kelly

“Hey” she said grabbing his arm “Wait”

“Yes?” asked Jessie gently

“Why are you so nice to me?” she asked

“The truth?” Jessie asked looking away

“No, fucking lie to me!” Kelly said with a playful sneer

"Okay, I just plan on trying to get you in bed and never calling you again. I hope you are not upset or anything”

“The real reason smartass!” she said slugging him in the shoulder

“Ow, I bruise easily” Jessie said in a mock hurt voice

“Jessie!” she said “Come on, tell the real reason! It’s not pity or anything is it?”

“Well maybe at first it was but…” started Jesse uncomfortably

“But?” asked Kelly “But what?”

“I like you” said Jesse shyly “I like you a lot. That’s the honest truth I swear”

A small smile appeared on her face as she grabbed both his arms, wrapping them around her waist, and slowly encircled her arms around his neck. She wasn't sure why she did but it just felt like, she needed to do it. She found it amusing as he started to turn a bit red as she looked into his wonderful inviting warm brown eyes.

“So you think I’m beautiful huh?” she asked slowly closing her eyes

“The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen” he whispered slowly closing his eyes

“You…are..so.. full.. of… shit” she whispered moving closer

“No…I’m… not..” He whispered back, moving closer

A familiar feeling tingling shot through her body as felt his hands on her hips, but that was nothing compared to feeling she felt when their lips touched. It was if a bolt of lightning passed between them, each jolt feeling a thousand times stronger as they made soft smacking noises.

If being held by him made her feel safe, this tender kiss made her feel loved and she never wanted it to end, it just felt too damn good

~O~

Back at The Relic a huge wave of pain hit Felicia knocking her to floor causing her to curl up in a ball. As the pain subsided she put her hand to her mouth and pulled away blood.....
It was what she feared, the magical backlash was starting. It was one of the oldest rules in Roma magic; whatever you cast in anger will come back 3 fold.......