The Familiar

by Tatiana G. Roces

  “This looks like a computer and library database in one. Shall we do a search and see what happens?” he asks excitedly.

  “Yeah, why not?”

  He looks at me questioningly. “What do you want to search for?”

  “Try Maven Smith.” Samir types her name in the search box, and hits the circular arrow. Within seconds, several books pop up in the “found” list. He selects all and taps on a button that looks like a basket. The console comes to life, whirring for a few seconds. Almost immediately, a small stack of books magically materializes inside a cubby next to the console. The cubby lights up, alerting us that our selections are ready to pull out. I yank the books and walk over to the seating area, while Samir continues playing around with the console, turning his head every so often to check on us. Akiko and Louise are lying on their backs, looking up at the stars, and ignoring their studies, while I sit on a floor pillow and scrutinize the books in front of me. Two of them immediately stand out: “The Royals of the White Light,” and “Modern Criminal History and the White Light Crusaders.” I pick-up the first book, and notice that there is a shiny gold ribbon tucked about a third into it. I open it to the page and spot Mom’s name highlighted within the page. I begin reading the selection:

  “Maven Smith was born on October 31, 1976, the only child of Celestina Rey and Alistair Smith, both of the Order of the Light. Maven is most notably a direct descendant of the Calder Sisters, who were members of a powerful coven of witches that escaped from the Salem witch-hunt and subsequent trials. Their whereabouts were unknown, until decades later when their children enrolled at the Academy.” I pause and take a deep breath, overwhelmed by the onslaught of information.

  I pick-up the other book, and find the same gold ribbon, and highlighted portions. The title of the chapter reads: “Rufus White: Conspirator Against the Order of the Light.” I glance over, and see that Akiko and Louise have fallen asleep, their mouths slightly agape and their books cradled against their chests as Samir continues fooling around on the console. I resume with my reading:

  “While little is known about the history of Rufus White, it is almost certain that he was born in England, where he lived till he was in his teenage years. There is much speculation as to the origin of his powers, but it is believed that his mother may have been an impoverished gypsy woman, who was a descendant of an ancient bloodline of witches. Nothing is known about his father, but he was likely a wizard, as it would be impossible for someone as powerful as White to stem from a weak bloodline. There are records of him living in orphanages throughout England, so his mother either died an untimely death, or chose to give him up due to unknown circumstances. There are no adoption records on file, so it is theorized that White was likely taken in by a wealthy family, who paid handsomely to keep the files secret. A child fitting his description had been seen attending some of the most prestigious boys’ schools in England, though this has not been authenticated. White left England to study in North America, and it was probably there that he was recruited by the Shadows.”

  On one side of the book after the text, there is an illustration and a photo depicting Rufus White at different ages. The first illustration is a realistic rendering of what he supposedly looked like as a child. He’s about five or six years old, shabbily dressed and skinny. Though his hair is thick and curly, there has been some attempt to flatten it and make it appear neater. The most distinguishing features are his skin and his eyes. His complexion is coffee colored, but in many places, there are patches of porcelain white skin, most noticeable on his face, which is almost perfectly half white and half brown. Like his skin, his eyes, specifically the irises, are patchy, almost mottled, and his lashes are pure white. The caption reads:

  “White was said to suffer from the skin condition called vitiligo which caused him to lose pigment very early in life. He was reportedly tormented by other children, and thus, became a loner during his boyhood, never developing close relationships.”

  I study his face, and somehow feel bad for the child that he used to be. I can understand that being different made him feel alienated, and perhaps it could have changed for him, had he felt the love and support from his parents that I experienced from my mom.

  The photo of him on the other side of the page is the complete opposite. He must be in his late twenties, by then he’s grown taller, his posture confident. The clothes he is wearing are obviously expensive and tailored, giving him a distinguished almost pompous appearance. His hair is cropped short, and his once patchy skin, is now all brown, smooth, and shiny. All traces of his disorder seem to have disappeared. The caption reads:

  “Later in life, after he was recruited by the Shadows, his vitiligo miraculously disappeared. Many speculate that he was able to create a spell to rid himself of the disease.”

  I turn the page and continue reading.

  “After White joined the Shadows, he quickly climbed up the ranks, forming alliances with key members of the Dark Council. Eventually, he became one of the top agents, and was responsible for orchestrating several successful plots against the Order of the Light, most notably, The Clone Conspiracy, The Eclipse Virus, and the suspected murder of Celestina Rey, Supreme High Witch of the Light.

  It was during The Clone Conspiracy, that White gained access to Federation Headquarters, kidnapping and killing several high-ranking officers, and implanting clones in their places. It’s uncertain exactly how long these clones were operational, but by the time they were discovered, White had managed to gain access to The Federation’s databases, not only stealing valuable information, but also depleting the funds from various agency accounts.

  White’s time finally ran out when he orchestrated the Eclipse Virus. This virus was a powerful, yet undetectable spell, which White used to infect the wands of unsuspecting witches and wizards of the Light. The ingenious spell poisoned the wands so that every time they were used, the life force was slowly sucked out of the witch or wizard, until it was too late to save them. It was Maven Smith, a young agent of the Crusaders, who discovered the plot, and finally managed to capture him.

  Though White had already been apprehended, it’s also believed that he had some part in planning and executing the murder of Celestina Rey, though no real evidence exists in the case. To this day, the crime remains officially unsolved.”

  I yawn, and realize it’s almost midnight. I’m anxious to continue my research, but I’m starting to get tired. “Samir, we better wake these sleeping beauties and get back to the dorm,” I say, trying to suppress another yawn.

  Samir flinches, looking momentarily startled, but relaxes when he takes one look at Akiko and Louise passed out on the sofa.

  “Maybe we should just leave them here,” he says, grinning darkly as he walks over and shakes them both gently. “Wakey wakey! It’s time to get back to the dorm ladies!” They both grumble and open their eyes, the bright white light forcing them to blink painfully.

  “Hmmm… Already? We didn’t even get any studying done!” Louise mumbles sleepily.

  Akiko rubs her eyes. “Oh well… At least we know where the library is now.”

  I tuck the books under my arm as we leave the library the same way we came in. When we get to the other side, I insert the rose quartz brain back into the golden skull and place it on the mantle. The doorway disappears and a fire immediately roars to life.

  17

  I sit up in bed and rub my eyes, peering out the window once my vision clears. It’s barely the crack of dawn and Louise is still passed out, wearing her pink satin eye mask, strands of hair tangled around her face and neck. I decide to go for a walk, since I’m feeling too antsy to stay in bed. Once I’m dressed, I skulk through the house and make my way outside as quietly as possible. The sunrise is just peeking through the horizon and the air has a refreshing, dewy feel. I stroll towards the small valley that I’d seen the day before, kicking pebbles with the tip of my shoe as I find my way. After a brisk fifteen minutes, I reach the perimeter of a sparsely wo
oded area overlooking the valley. It’s comprised of a meadow with bright uneven yellow-green grass and clusters of wildflowers in various shades of pink and purple. As I make my way across the forest, an enormous fallen tree covered in mosses and tiny little toadstools crosses my path, and I hop up, taking a moment to relish the morning tranquility as I gather my thoughts.

  I can’t help reflecting on everything that’s happened to me since that morning in the yellow kitchen. It wasn’t even that long ago that I was living in complete oblivion, unaware of the truth about my life and family.

  A voice calls my name, and it sounds so much like Mom, that I tell myself I must be imagining it, my anxiety making non-existent voices speak in my head. But then, I hear it again, and this time there’s no mistaking that it’s really her voice, echoing through the light morning breeze.

  “Hazel?”

  I spin around, realizing that it’s coming from behind me. In the shadows of the forest, Mom, or an image of her, is projected onto a broad ray of sunlight. I blink a few times to make sure that my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me.

  “Mom? Is that really you?” It feels peculiar talking to an apparition, but with all the strangeness in my life lately, stuff like this hardly fazes me anymore.

  She smiles, though I can only see a fraction of her curling lip since her face is only partially visible, cut off by the ray’s edges. “Yes, Hazel, it’s me… I’m speaking to you through a portal. It’s a weak one, but it’ll do.”

  “I’m really glad to see you, but what are you doing here?” I ask, concerned by the slight frown on her forehead.

  She pauses for an instant, her motherly gaze giving me the once over. “I wanted to see you… I guess I’m just a bit worried.”

  “I’m doing okay, Mom. I mean, it’s not easy per se, but I think I’m managing alright,” I reply, relieved that it’s nothing more serious.

  “I’m so proud of you, sweetie… I just can’t help being a bit overprotective, I suppose.”

  “I understand,” I say smiling back at her. “But now that you’re here, maybe you can tell me more about our family background? I need to make sense of things Mom, and not knowing about the past makes it harder for me to accept my future…”

  A look of dread sweeps across her face, as she takes a deep breath. “Okay, I figured this time would eventually come...”

  I feel guilty bringing up an obviously sore subject. “Is it that bad? Is that why you’ve been hiding out in Safe Harbor all these years?”

  Even though she’s only an apparition, I can still see how upset she is, her jaw tenses and she lifts a hand to rub out the stress.

  “Well… That’s partly the reason... You see Hazel, we’re descendants of a coven that escaped the Salem witch trials. When they arrived in Safe Harbor, they cast a spell on the town so that any witch or wizard could live there in anonymity… It’s what we call a safe zone,” she explains.

  “So, it’s a secret hide out? Nobody knows about it?”

  “I’m not sure who knows about it. I only found out by accident… When I was about your age, I stumbled upon some old journals in an attic filled with family relics. The journals were practically crumbling apart, but from what I could ascertain, they belonged to our ancestors, the witches who enchanted Safe Harbor. I tucked away their secrets for a rainy day, and when I needed a place to escape, to seek refuge, it was as if those secrets had been patiently waiting… And that’s how I ended up in Safe Harbor,” she says, her eyes staring into the distance as she reminisces.

  Now that I know this, everything seems to make sense. All those years that she refused to travel, go out of town for shopping excursions, even forbidding me to join school trips that would take me beyond the borders of Safe Harbor.

  “Mom… What made you so afraid? Does it have anything to do with Rufus White?”

  She flinches and shifts her gaze nervously at the mention of his name. “I’m sorry, Hazel. I should have been the one to tell you about him. It was my responsibility to warn you.”

  “Warn me about what?”

  For the first time in my life, I see pure fear on her face. The kind I’ve only seen in horror movies I’ve watched with Andy.

  “Rufus White is still alive,” she says in a hushed voice.

  I stare at her in disbelief. “Alive? But Mom, everyone says he’s dead. Even the books in the library say he’s dead.”

  “After I captured him, I had this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach… And as the trials went on, I started to suspect that the person in the courtroom was not Rufus White, but some sort of impostor or clone.”

  I tilt my head, perplexed by her explanation. “Why would you think that?”

  “My wand… It should have reacted when it was in the same room as him, but it was just cold, lifeless in my hand.”

  “Your wand? You’re basing your entire theory on a piece of metal?” I ask frustratingly.

  Mom blinked her eyes rapidly, as if the flutter of her lashes could somehow magically sort out her thoughts.

  “Wands are supposed to remember their enemies. This is hard to explain, but it’s as if they’re intrinsically connected for life. My wand should have glowed with energy but it didn’t,” she explains adamantly.

  I looked up at her apparition, and want to say something reassuring, but no words come to me. Mom’s hands reach out just a bit, as if she wants to touch me, and she stammers for a moment before speaking again.

  “It wasn’t just the wand… My gut… I could sense it. I mean he looked exactly like Rufus White, but when I stared into his eyes, there was nothing there… It’s as if he was vacant, like his cold soul had somehow escaped the confines of his body, replaced with some sort of shell… Everyone just assumed he’d lost his mind, gone into a catatonic state. But I never bought it. I warned them, even pleaded with them to believe me, but they never took me seriously. They all assumed I’d become paranoid,” she explains, her jaw clenched in frustration.

  I think about everything I had read in the library, wondering if what she’s saying is even plausible. “So… what you’re saying is that he somehow managed to fool everyone but you?”

  She looks visibly upset, stuttering for an explanation. “I can assure you Hazel, he’s alive. Something happened that day I captured him. When I disarmed him, took his wand into my hand, I felt connected to him, like I could penetrate his mind with mine. And when I stared at him across that courtroom, I just knew it wasn’t him.”

  I want to believe her, but at the same time, I find it hard to accept that Rufus White was able to dupe everyone, even the most powerful witches and wizards of the Council.

  I feel like she’s on the verge of crying, and I wish I could reach out and give her a hug. “I want to believe you, Mom. I really do…” I say softly.

  She looks tired and defeated. “I know, Hazel.”

  I waver and turn away, realizing that the sun has fully risen and that it must be getting close to breakfast time. When I look back, she’s gone. The sun’s rays are back to normal, and I’m alone once again.

  18

  When I get back to camp, I have just enough time to run into the dining hall and grab a bagel with cream cheese, a banana, and an orange juice to go. I take quick bites as I fast-walk, hoping I’m not too late. At the field, class is just starting, and I find Louise, Akiko, and Samir among the crowd, plopping down on the grass next to them as I catch my breath. Louise raises her eyebrow at me, and mouths the words, “Where were you?”

  I shake my head, pulling a piece of inky flyaway hair behind my ear, while mouthing, “Later.”

  As Ivana walks up front, her muscles tense and flex involuntarily as she holds up what looks like a little purple pill.

  “This is what we refer to as a Training Accelerator. It allows the untrained shape-shifter the ability to transform with more ease. When taken, it will help relax you, as well as heighten your sense of smell, touch, sight, sound, and taste. We use it sparingly, but in the right dosage and given
at the right time, it will speed up the learning process. The effects can last up to a full day, so today’s activities will be limited to classes and meal times. Free time will have to be spent in the dorm, with no exceptions… Any questions?”

  Akiko raises her hand. “Yes, Akiko?”

  “How exactly does this work, and is it 100% safe?” Akiko asks nervously, clearly hesitant about the boost.

  Ivana gives her a reassuring smile. “The Training Accelerator is a combination of herbs and potions that allows the person taking it to lose their inhibitions and become more sensitive to the shifting process. The only potentially dangerous side effect is that sometimes, those who take it may become overly confident with their skills. Since we started using it several years ago though, we haven’t had any serious incidents,” she explains, looking around the class to make sure everyone understands.

  “Okay, so I want everyone to line-up. After you swallow the pill, you’ll feel a bit tingly and lightheaded for the first few seconds. You may sit back down after you receive your dose.”

  As we stand in line, I look at my friends and notice that they look nervous. Akiko leans over towards us. “Guys, is it me, or does this seem unethical? I wonder if our parents even know…”

  Louise pats her on the back. “Don’t worry, if they’ve been doing this for a long time now, I’m sure it’s safe.”

  Akiko still looks apprehensive, her insecure gaze darting around as her brow furrows, but still, she lines up with the rest of us. As Louise steps up, Ivana pulls out a pill from the golden pouch in her hand. The pill is translucent purple with a swirling center, almost as if there’s a wisp of smoke trapped inside. She holds it up, the sun making it sparkle in the light, before placing it in Louise’s mouth. When she swallows, Louise’s face and neck become flushed and her pupils dilate abnormally.