#24 Time and Keys?

While Lindsey's lantern remained unlit, the wolf took two spaces at a time and she grumbled a little. She still wasn't giving up, there was still a slight smile on her face. She was determined to see this all the way through. It was just a slight set back, that was all.

If she could get one or two lanterns lite, she would be happy.

One had to admire her stubborn strike and certainly her determination. Her father had always told her to never allow anyone to call that a weakness. Scottish determination and stubbornness was quite a good trait to have.

She aimed her wand, her mind focused on the task of lighting the lanterns. She could see the light within them, she knew they wanted to come on. She just had to use whatever magic was in her to do it.

Nothing happened.

Lindsey took her want and looked at it, giving it a light tap on her palm. She was certain it worked. If it wasn't the wand, maybe it was her. Maybe she was just that exhausted? She closed her eyes to listen to her body.

No... It was still plenty buzzing. Her body was just ready to go. Her mind was playing loops of the day. Had she done this right? When she had been thinking about her current task, it was easy to feel the worries of the day fade away.

Opening her eyes, she focused her wand on the lantern again and tilted her head down a little to put all her attention at the set ahead of her.

Another lantern not only lit up for her, but also the wolf with her. It was ahead, it only had a few more. Well, she wasn't just going to give up because it looked hard. No... She might be behind, but her parent didn't raise someone to quit. She was going to finish this out.

Just like she had stuck with Quidditch until they couldn't play.

She hadn't wanted to stick around. Amara was brutal and she used fouls all the time. Lindsey hated that about the team, she didn't want to be involved in that type of play.

Lindsey pointed her want at the lantern yet again, she wanted to win, but she had no intention of quitting just because she was behind.

And then there were two! Lindsey smiled brightly and took a few steps forward to get closer to the next two. This was what she needed and wanted. The wolf was still one ahead of her, but they both had to get to the end. She had a chance and she had no plans to back down.

Taking in a deep breath, she pointed her wand at the next set of lanterns and again, focused on watching the two light up. She wanted to finish this, but she was always in no way going to try and rush this. That would only cause her issues in the end. Rushing, was never a good thing.

When they lite up, her face just got brighter and she looked over to see the wolf still sat in place. She was ahead of them? Lindsey couldn't believe it! She took her steps towards the final two. She only had maybe one or two more chances to make it to the finish. She had to try.

She wanted to tell her mom all about this. She wanted to tell Sinead and Reena too! How she came and beat the wolf not just once but two times! Would they celebrate with her? She didn't know but she was excited.

As she stood there, she pointed her wand once more, holding onto the idea that she might be able to beat this wolf once more.

Again, the lantern lite up and when she looked around, the wolf stood there like a statue. It was so proper and she was a giddy school-girl. She tried to calm herself, but her heart was pounding in her chest as she stood there before the last lantern. She could fail or succeed, it could all happen right now.

The wolf had two more chances at the most... But, she wanted to not give up. She also couldn't get ahead of herself. This could go so many ways.

After she calmed her pounding heart, she pointed her wand, feeling the energy that coursed through her. It made her shake and she had to lower her want to stop the excitement.

After a moment, she pointed up at the last lantern, focused on her breathing, calming herself as she watched the lantern with focused eyes.

Her lantern didn't light and she turned sharply as the wolf began to move forward, his lantern lite. It made his fur shimmer a little and she swallowed. She only had one more and he had two. Her mind was racing! She had to get it this time. He could easily win on the next round.

"Come on," she said as she pointed her wand, her pounding heart not helping her focus. She narrowed her eyes, looking at the lantern with a fiery-glare that was she hoped would relay as much of her magic as she could use.