When your mother began doing strange things, I had no idea what to think of it. Her mind got the best of her in the end and she couldn’t mentally take it anymore. I hope and pray every day that the same does not happen to you. I wish I could explain all this in better detail, but I can’t. I only know what your mother told me and honestly at that moment I thought she was out of her mind. Technically, she was out of her mind.
Your mother did amazing things. I only saw a few of the things she could accomplish with her hands and eyes, but I can only imagine what she did behind closed doors. I think she hid a lot of what she could do from me because I was always afraid for her. Afraid that something horrible would happen to her or that someone would find out about these things she could do and take her away from me. In the end, she was taken away from me, but not the way I always pictured it. She went away from herself, she could no longer control the things she could do and to be honest, she became dangerous to the people around her.
When you were born, your mother called me and begged me to take you. I went immediately and the first time I saw your sweet baby face I knew I had to take you and raise you. Your mother was always afraid for your life and before your grandmother and I took you away she put some kind of spell on me and you. She made me your blocker and she said that as long as you were with me no harm would ever come to you. Looking back, you never so much as had a scraped knee when you were a little girl.
Your mother told us that on your sixteenth birthday you would receive powers. I thought we had until then to make you understand what could possibly happen to you. I was never more wrong. You started doing things at a very young age and I knew there was no denying it—you would be just like your mother. I wish that we would have handled it better. I wish that we could have prepared you better for the things you’re about to experience.
You’re a strong girl, Mage, always have been. I know that you can steer yourself in the opposite direction of your mother. I know that when you finally receive the bulk of your powers you will accept and learn to control them. I’m sorry. I wish I understood more so I could tell you more. Just know that as long as I’m around you will always be safe. Sadly, I won’t live forever, and there will come a time when you will have to fend for yourself. When that time comes I know you will do the right things in life. You always have. Take care of yourself girl and be happy. You were always a happy child and I would never want to see you lose the light you have in your eyes.
Pop
I’m in shock as I stare at this letter. I read it three more times to make sure I’m reading it correctly.
All these years and they’ve known! All these years I’ve been completely lost! I’ve never fit in anywhere! I’ve always wondered what was wrong with me and why I’ve always been able to do these things, but I never asked questions. I never questioned why I saw people who weren’t there or why I was capable of doing things that others couldn’t.
I spent most of my life afraid of being put in a mental institution and all this time my grandparents knew and never said a thing. My grandmother didn’t even acknowledge the things I could do until after she died.
I’m so pissed off! How could they not have mentioned this to me until now? Why hadn’t my grandmother said something to me about all this?
Half of me wants to go to them and scream at them; demand they tell me everything—every detail. Then there’s the other half of me that’s a little relieved. Now I know exactly what it was that happened to me last night at midnight. I had received powers.
The letter said that on my sixteenth birthday I would receive these powers. I already had some powers before today, but the real question is…what am I capable of now?
I still have a ton of questions—questions that only one person could answer and that’s my mother. I have to take a trip to Jersey and pray that I can see her spirit. I need to know everything, especially if there’s something I need to protect myself against.
I knock lightly on my grandfather’s bedroom door.
“Yes?”
Cracking the door open a bit, I peek my head in.
He’s in the middle of his bedroom staring back at me. Even though he probably has no clue who I am, I need to spend time with him. I’ve lived with my grandfather my entire life and I see him every day, yet I still miss him. We never even talk anymore and I need him so much right now. Plus, I need answers about my mother—even if it means pretending to be her for a while.
Clutching his letter in my fist I walk to stand in front of him.
I’d give anything to hear him say everything’s going to be okay. I wish more than anything that he could explain everything to me. At the very least, it would be nice to find out more information on the institution my mother was in. It would be a lot easier to find her if I knew more.
There are certain things a person should know about their family. I don’t even know how my mother died. I’ve asked many times, but it obviously makes my grandparents sad so I never push it.
He stands there staring back at me like I’m a stranger. Then his eyes smile and I know immediately that he recognizes me.
“Happy Birthday, Mage.”
His smiling eyes become sad as he reaches out to brush the hair out of my eyes. It’s then that he notices the paper in my hand.
“I see ya’ got my letter. I sure hope it’s helpful for ya’.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before now?” I ask.
“I think a part of me still hoped that ya’ wouldn’t get it”
“Get what? What is it exactly?”
“I wish I knew, sweetie. I think, though, and this may sound crazy,” he laughs a little to himself. “What am I sayin’? Nothing’s crazy to you anymore, huh?”
I smile awkwardly at him. Nothing surprises me anymore. He could tell me that I’m an alien from another planet and I’d believe him at this point.
“Your momma was some kind of witch. She’d walk around sayin’ and doin’ strange things. At first, I just thought she was playin’ around, but soon things started to happen. It’s the only way I can explain it.”
“So, let me get this straight,” I stop and pinch the bridge of my nose. “You’re telling me I’m a witch?”
It makes sense, but do witches really exist?
Obviously I have the ability to do things, I have the power to make things happen. Apparently, I’m a witch! These powers are a curse from my mother, but where did she get her powers? My grandparents don’t do and see the things that I can do and see. So where did it come from?
I sense my grandmother standing behind me. I turn to look at her—she looks apologetic. It’s always strange being in a room with the two of them. It so rarely happens anymore. Not to mention, the fact that my grandfather doesn’t even know she’s there.
I’m about to excuse myself and leave the room, when I notice that my grandfather seems to be staring straight at my grandmother. She’s looking back and smiling at him as if he can see her.
“Hi, honey,” he says.
He looks back down at me and smiles again.
“I can’t see her, but I know she’s there sometimes. I can feel her when she’s near. It’s because we’re soul mates. She’s here now ain’t she?”
“Yes,” my voice sounds strained.
“I knew she was. Our love is so strong not even death can keep us apart. Ain’t I right, Mary?” he says to the air around him.
“He’s right,” my grandmother whispers.
I turn back towards her and she’s gone.
It’s amazing how some things work out. One minute your life is somewhat normal and the next minute things get turned all around.
I turn back to my grandfather and I take his hand. It won’t be long before he’s gone away again and I still have questions.
“I need you to tell me more about my mother. Can you tell me the name of the institution she was in? Can you tell me anything?” I blurt it all out.
“Rose, you’ve got to stop writin’ in those books o
f yours. Every time you do somethin’ bad happens.”
It’s too late—it’s always too late.
The only thing I managed to find out is that my mother was a witch who wrote in books. At least I know where my journal addiction came from.
Hugging my grandfather, I feel a little happy. He knew who I was for about ten minutes and that’s such a rare occurrence. I leave his room, shutting the door behind me.
I find myself in the library slamming things around. I’m angry! All this time and no one said a thing! Everyone’s out of their minds and I can’t understand a thing anyone’s saying.
“Maybe I’m the one going crazy!” I say out loud to no one.
I hear his pocket watch chain before I hear him speak.
“Trust me darlin’ you ain’t goin’ crazy,” Thaddeus hums in my ear.
“I’m not so sure about that. Things are really getting insane Thaddeus. I wish someone could tell me what is going on!”
I sit down at the desk and slam my face into my hands. This is too much! It’s entirely too much! I’m a witch! What am I supposed to do with that information? Should I let everyone at school who thinks I’m strange know they’re right about me?
I can’t sit still, so I jump up and start roaming the room. I reach out, touching random books unconsciously as I try to make sense of all the thoughts running through my mind.
It’s too dark in here—all the sunlight is blocked out by the heavy golden drapes that hang from the windows. I quickly point to them; the drapes slam open on their own allowing all the light from outside into the room.
“Very nice, Mage…figure out what else you can do?” Thaddeus asks. “And by-the-way, happy birthday, sweetheart. I hope it wasn’t too painful for ya’.”
His words ring through my head. I swing around and glare at him.
“What do you mean you hope it wasn’t too painful? Thaddeus I haven’t said anything to you about what happened last night! Tell me! How do you know anything about the pain?”
Although I’m practically screaming at him he never so much as flinches. His calm cool never shakes as he leans against the desk with his usual charming smile.
“I believe it was eighteen sixty-four when I finally received mine. Dreadfully painful it was. Well worth it I’ll say.”
“What?” I squeak.
No way is this happening! Not Thaddeus, too!
I’ve always assumed that the reason he takes everything I do so lightly is because I can see him and talk to him even though he’s dead. Now I find out that the reason he’s so understanding is because he’s like me. He’s already been through everything I’m going through and could possibly do everything that I can.
“I wasn’t like you though. I never had any powers until my birthday. You’ve always been able to do some things. That’s kind of strange now that I think about it,” he shakes his head in confusion.
“Who are you, Thaddeus? Really! Who are you and why are you in this house? And why don’t you ever leave this room?” I scream my questions.
“All the answers you seek are within these walls, love,” he slowly disappears without answering my questions.
I need to get out of this room before I lose it!
The fresh air from the hallway gushes into the library as I swing the door open.
Out of this house, that’s where I need to be right now. I have to take a minute to gather my thoughts before I start rummaging through the library. Thaddeus says the answers I want are within the library walls. I’m assuming he’s talking about the books—the same books that I’ve never touched.
If I had just picked up one of those stupid books and started reading it, I could’ve saved myself a whole lot of time and confusion.
I have a lot of work to do if I’m going to find all the answers I seek. First things first, I have to find a nice quiet spot somewhere deep in the woods and see exactly what it is I’m capable of.
Throwing on my hoodie, I pull open the front door and I run straight into Adam.
“I was about to knock,” he steadies me before I fall over. “Happy birthday! I would’ve gotten here sooner, but I had to work a little this morning. Where are you going?”
“I’m going for a walk.”
“A walk, huh? Well, can I come with you on this walk?” he flashes a flirty smile.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“What? Why would I get hurt going for a walk?”
I tell him about my morning and about my human combustion of the night before. I let him read the letter from my grandfather and I explain about the books in the library.
When I’m done with my explanations, I see that we’ve already walked far away from the house and we’re standing in the middle of one of the gardens. It’s the oldest of the six gardens on Azalea Plantation, which means it’s in the worst condition.
“So, you got powers? But I thought you’ve always had powers?”
“Well, I guess I got more last night,” I shrug. “I don’t really know what’s going on. You probably really think I’m a freak now.”’
“I don’t think you’re a freak—I promise. Trust me, I know a freaky girl when I see one,” he winks. “Let’s see what you got?”
“No. Absolutely not. What if I lose control of it or something and you get hurt? No. I’m not doing it.”
“Oh come on I trust you, Mage,” he says as he backs away from me.
He sits on an old bench across the garden from me.
“Look! I’ll stay right here out of your way. I won’t move a muscle I swear! Come on please!” he sticks out his bottom lip like a little boy.
It has the opposite affect and he looks totally kissable and hot.
He makes it so hard for me to say no to him. It can’t hurt to do a few small things; I was going to start small anyway. I can wait until later when I’m alone to try the big stuff.
“Fine. Don’t move from that spot!” I warn playfully.
Chapter 12
The Butterflies Emerge
I walk further into the garden trying to think of something to do. Sire stands beside Adam waiting for the show to begin. An old crumbling fountain of a goddess holding a water pitcher catches my eye—it’s not flowing. It probably hasn’t seen water, other than rain, in many years.
“Okay, the fountain!” I call out to Adam.
I focus on the water fountain, pointing my index finger at it as I picture water flowing from it. In my mind, I can hear the water already. I close my eyes and angle my face towards the sun. Soon, the sound of water becomes real. I open my eyes and see the water flowing freely from the old cracked fountain.
Proudly, I brush my hands together as if they’re dirty from a hard day’s work. I smile, put my hands on my hips, and look over at Adam.
“Oh come on, Mage. I’ve seen you do better than that!”
“Fine,” I sigh. “I’ll try something else”
I look the garden over again, but there’s nothing. The whole garden is a mess. Weeds are growing from every crack in the brick and concrete patio under the fountain. All the flowers are dead from winter and dead branches hang from every bush or small tree in the garden.
A dogwood tree across the patio from me catches my attention. It’s hanging there like a rotten stick. I focus my eyes on it and point my finger. I picture the tree in its most beautiful state. I imagine it in the middle of spring with fresh white blooms on the ends of each branch. I close my eyes and picture a breeze coming. It blows little white flowers all around my face.
When I open my eyes the tree looks healthy and vibrant. Little white petals blow all around me as a light breeze captures them and tosses them around. I laugh loudly turning in circles with my arms out capturing little white flowers in my hands.
“How was that?” I turn and say to Adam.
Instead of sitting on the bench across the garden, he’s standing right in front of me. His face is serious as he reaches up and picks white flowers from m
y hair.
“You look like a dark angel dancing in the snow, my dark angel,” he whispers.
He caresses my cheeks while staring into my eyes. My legs feel weak and I pray they continue to hold me up. He leans down and softly presses his lips to mine. His hands leave my face and he wraps his arms around my waist to pull me closer.
The light breeze that’s blowing picks up as my heart beat quickens. I react instantly this time, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him back. He moves his hands down my back, pulling my body closer to his.
When the kiss ends, I continue to hug him while relaxing my head on his shoulder. I don’t want to open my eyes and it feels good to be in his arms. All this time I’ve always felt so lonely, but in reality I was never alone. In reality, Adam’s always been there. He’s always been a part of me; a part of my heart. I lean back and he captures my face in his hands once more. He looks around a bit.
“Now, that’s impressive,” he says.
I look around the garden. It’s been completely transformed. Everything that was dead before looks reborn. Flamboyantly colored flowers have grown from every perfectly trimmed bush or tree. I feel like I’m swimming in a sea of vivid flowers.
Any cracks that were once a part of the crumbling patio are gone and it looks brand new. The bricks look freshly laid and the old rusty fence surrounding the garden doesn’t have a speck of rust. The gorgeous goddess fountain is flawless, the garden is perfect.
Sire’s rolling and frolicking in the fresh green grass that surrounds the patio and the marble benches throughout the garden. The smell of magnolias surrounds me as the breeze blows through the large tree in the back of the garden. Everything’s so beautiful, but something’s off.
There’s no movement. Other than Sire and the two of us, there’s no other life in the garden. No other animals or insects, no birds singing. All I hear is the sound of the water flowing through the transformed fountain.
“It’s beautiful, but it’s missing something,” I say.
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