"Sorry, sorry."
Zatanna covered her mouth and hurriedly took two steps back, waving her hands repeatedly with an embarrassed, flustered look on her face. "Magic baby! I mean, magic baby!"
"I didn't expect to run into you again tonight, but then again, that hound wouldn't pick a target at random."
"A small town like Smallville actually has..."
Lowering her voice, her emerald eyes gleaming with curiosity, she stepped closer and asked in a mysterious whisper:
"Which school are you from? Merlin? Solomon? Do you know Zata—"
"I'm just an ordinary farmer."
Locke's voice was utterly flat as he cut off the girl's chatter. "Please send me back."
"Right now." He emphasized the last two words.
"All right, all right..."
Zatanna gave an awkward smile and obediently rose onto her toes, solemnly placing one hand on Locke's broad shoulder.
She took a deep breath, drew upon all the magic in her body, and clearly, quickly recited the reversed incantation:
"ellivllamS ot nruteR!"
Buzz—
An even brighter golden light erupted instantly, enveloping them both before rapidly dimming and dispersing.
The alley fell deathly silent.
Nothing...
happened.
Only the mournful howl of wind passing through the narrow passage remained.
Blinking blankly, Zatanna felt the magic in her body had nearly been drained dry, and a bad feeling crept into her heart.
It seemed...
there wasn't enough magical energy? Was it because the distance was too great? But why would it be too far?
From Metropolis to Smallville, it theoretically shouldn't have consumed such an enormous amount of magic.
Rustle—
A gust of night wind spiraled into the alley like a mischievous hand, bringing along a colorful flyer and slapping it against Locke's work pants.
Locke bent down and pinched the paper between two fingers—
San Francisco Food Festival!
Those six vivid words were