Before you could make a decision, your cellphone rang. Seeing it was Joe on the caller ID, you quickly answered. "Joe, where are you?!" Irritated, you snapped. "You had us worried sick!"
"Gina, I need you to meet my by the lone tree in the forest on the hill." Quickly, Joe replied. "Thomas has gotten himself into a real mess." There was a pause before he added, "I'm scared for him."
You gasped, worried about both your brother and your friend. "I'll be there as quick as I can, Joe." Firmly, you said. "I'll bring mom."
"Come alone, sis!" Startling you, Joe snapped. "Mom will freak if she finds out what Thomas has been meddling with!"
You sighed. "Okay." Wearily, you replied. "I have to at least tell her I found you."
"Fine." Quickly, Joe said. "Just get here as quick as you can!"
With that, Joe ended the call and you ran down to mom who saw the urgency on your face. "Did you find Joe?" Hopeful, she demanded.
"Joe called me." Worried, you said. "Apparently, Thomas got himself into serious trouble through meddling with something he shouldn't. Joe asked me to come alone."
Mom nodded. "Joe and Thomas were always like brothers." Softly, she said. "If you need me, just touch your necklace."
You nodded back, knowing that the necklace mom referred to was a magical emergency call signal which would tell mom exactly where you were so she could teleport to your position. "Don't worry, mom; I'll let you know if it's serious."
With that, you cast the proper spell and appeared behind Joe and Thomas. "I'm here, bro." Forcing yourself to pant, you said. "What kind of trouble is Thomas in?"
"See for yourself." Frowning, Joe replied.
Curious, you walked up then sighed as you found that Thomas was...