I stared at Noll and there was no doubt that there was “clueless blond” look on my shocked face. I looked back at great, great grandpa Luca the relative stranger with my face. Shocking but not a surprise that old painting was related to me but I was not expecting great, grand grandpa. As strange as it was I looked into the eyes which were mine but not. I said before me and my brother are like twins but we don’t look alike like this painting. We look similar but our soles are like this painting.
“There you two are!” said Aunt Rosemary worried as she came closer she then had the same smile as Noll had. “ I see that you’ve found grate grandpa Luca.”
About to say something sarcastic but the look I got from Noll made me think twice. “Why do look like the female version of grate, grate grandpa?”
“Because the Halifax blood runs though you, apparently me and your mother looked exactly like great, great, great Aunt Catharine.” She said as matter of fact.
I understood a bit what she was trying to say. Sometimes my Aunt is horrible at explaining things. I knew what she was getting at. That you look like your family but it’s almost like we came from the same mother’s womb. I took one last look at the handsome man with my face. I never thought of myself as beautiful. If I were I’d have a boyfriend or guys lining up to get a date with me. That’s how my great, great grandpa looked like, the type of guy women would die to be with.
My Aunt Rosemary took my hand gently pulling me away. “Come sweetie, it’s time to eat.” She didn’t let go until were at the large dining table that seated every guest. Every type of food was there from potatoes, stake, and to god knows what it was. I ate what I knew to be what it was.
It wasn’t until late that night the strange guests arrived for my parent’s memorial. It was the vampires and creatures who can only come out at night. You know the typical ones you see in movies and books.
My Aunt had out packets of warmed blood of every type. Also what looked like raw animal flesh or something it was disgusting and it smelled like rotted cheese left in a broken fridge for days. Watching someone slurping it up like a Slurpee at 7’11 one had the gunk on their lips slippery slimy goodness oh yum.
I made minimal conversation of my kind or any odd creature that was there. I’m not one for parties expressly ones who I have no clue whom they are. I was about tell my Aunt that I’m heading in early when I see the ghost boy far corner away from the crowed looking down at the floor. I approached slowly and quietly. I didn’t want to scare the ghost boy away.
“Hi” I say not able to think of anything better to say.
He looked up at me not sure that I was talking to him and he looked away.
“Hey!” I said again
He looked up again “You can see me?”
“Yeah I can” and I sat next to him.
“You’re the only one who can see me accept for that man earlier today.” He was looking down again.
“What man?” I asked my eyes closer together curious.
“You saw him too in the woods.” He replied looking at me his eyes round saucers.
Is he talking about the strange man with the long coat and one of those hats was worn in the 1940’s? “The one that was behind the tree?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see what he looked like?” I asked.
The boy nodded, “He looked like you. I thought I saw him long time ago when I was alive.”
He looked like me? It was great, great grandpa Luca?! “I –I couldn’t see his face. How could you see his?” I asked I wanted to grasp him.
“I don’t know, I guess he didn’t want you to see his him.”
My face went in a frustrated scowl. Why didn’t he want me to see him? Why was he far away from my parent’s memorial? Why?
“What’s your name” asked the ghost boy interrupting my frustration.
“Sonja,” I smiled pushing it away. “Yours?”
“James” he smiled back revealing once white teeth with gray. “How old are you?”
“Sixteen but I’ll be Seventeen next month.”
“Oh, I was ten when I died” James looks away from me looking sad once again like he did earlier today.
“How did you die?”
“I don’t remember.”
I frown, “what’s the last thing you remember?”
James looked at me once more “my father crying and I keep trying to tell him that I’m right here but he couldn’t see me or hear me.”
“What about before you died?”
James shook his head, “I can’t remember.”
We were quiet once again. I looked up watching My Aunt and Noll socialize with the guests.
“Emerson and Rosalie were your parents?”
“Yes.” My throat closed up. “Did you know them?”
James nodded, “Rosemary, Rosalie when they were ten they could see me and used to play with me. Then they grew and didn’t see me anymore. But I’ve been around for a while so I know and watch no one can see me accept you Sonja.”
“It must be lonely.” I sigh.
“What must be lonely?” asked Aunt Rosemary.
James and I look up at her “When no one can see you.” I answer.
“Who are you talking to little one?”
“James he’s..”
“Don’t say anything more.” Said Aunt Rosemary cutting me off and she put her hand up as if she were stopping traffic. “Do not mention that name.”
“Put…”
“Don’t.” she was sharp and cold with me. I looked over where James was sitting and frowned deeply. What the hell was that about and why can’t I mention James? That happened?
“Sonja, it’s time for you to get to bed you have to get up early there some things we need to discuss and I have to register you into school and you are to come with me. “
With a harsh tone I replied “Yes mam”
Lilith and Rin
Lilith growled with anger as she lost sight of the boy. She stomped her feet like a five year old child! “Not again!”
“I guess he’s slicker than we think. We should go with another tactic.” Said Rin which was a roundabout way of saying I told you so.
It was then the cellular phone rang the Darth Vater theme. “Shit, it’s Cloven” Rin shook her head, she never got why Lilith got away with some much with the ring tone and calling Cloven “Dark Lord” all things that would get others killed and she seems to manage to stay alive.
“Yes Dark Lord” Lilith said
“Stop calling me that!!”
“Yes Lord”
“Lilith!”
“Sorry Lord”
“Any luck on catching the boy.”
“Unfortunately no but he’s injured so he can’t go that far.” Rin rolled her eyes at the lie. It was Lilith whom was injured with a cut on the arm. The boy knows his magic.
“I want that boy alive and brought back in one piece. I need both children.”
“Yes Lord.”
“STOP CALLING ME THAT!”
"ALRIGHT! LORD!” There was a growl at the end of the line then dead ear singling Cloven hung up.
“I’m hungry let’s get something to eat I saw a nice Diner few blocks away.” Lilith said as she flipped her blond hair.
Her companion Rin groaned “We just ate two hours ago.”
“We’ll I’m hungry you can have tea or something” She started walking away from were Sade had ran.
Rin took one last look back and followed Lilith whom she’s stuck babysitting. The one thing she’ll give credit for Lilith is her evil mind and ideas that sometimes are useful… sometimes. She is a good fighter and that’s why he keeps her maybe.
It was sick watching Lilith consume all the food. Turkey club, cheese burger, omelet, French fries, home fries, Chicken cheese stake, and finished Rin’s garden salad. Then she ended it with bread putting. Rin wondered where she put it all because she was never a size bigger than a five.
“We have to check in the Hotel before three-thirty and it’s three ‘clock.” Said Rin as she stood up laving Lilith to bay for all the food there was no way she was going pay. She smiled as Lilith came out pouting.
“I’ve spent most of my money”
“I told you not to spend it on Food!”
When they got to Hotel, Rin made her pay half making her broke which she was prepared for known that she’ll spend all her money on food or useless things. Once in their room and after Lilith took a “need shower” Rin took a long drag of her cigarette and mashed out the rest. “Tomorrow, were going with my plan got it Lilith?” Lilith didn’t answer. “Did you hear me?!”
“Yes, Rin I heard you.”
I was waken at six in the morning and made to eat an egg and cheese bagel sandwich. I didn’t want to get up so early. But apparently there were something my Aunt wanted to discuss with me. Noll left at seven leaving me alone with my moody Aunt. I don’t know what’s got her so moody but it might be because she lost her twin. I tried not to think about my parents. I feel most heaviness in my chest so much that I cannot breathe.
Something you should know about my Aunt Rosemary is that she one that waits the last minute with things. The whole register me into school is probably going to be when classes had started already so most likely I’ll start school tomorrow… not that I’m complaining. Unlike my Uncle who is on business in the UK. Who would have me in rolled at school first thing. I don’t know what business my Uncle dose but its top secret. Yeah I know secrets, and secrets I’m sick of it.
“What is it that you have to discuss with me Aunt Rosemary?”
“About your powers and unbinding them” She replied like we were talking about getting cat food.
“Powers?” I asked
“Yes you have powers!” she shook her head. “Sonja I know Noll told you about your great, great grandpa Luca and that he was a male witch whom had powers.”
“Oh”
“Oh...” Aunt Rosemary said with a half smile. “We have to unbind your powers before you turn 17 next month. I’m disappointed in your mother for keeping this form you for so long.”
“I am too” I said in anger and frustration which seems to be a common theme with me lately. “So how do you unbind my powers?? Do you like, have this big séance or something?”
Aunt Rosemary laughed, “Gods no!” with a chuckle, “It’s actually quite simple you take a potion in which, we have to go the store and get some ingredients for me to make because I ran out some of the things we need.” She smiled “Go on, get ready I already pulled the cloths for today.”
“You do know I can dress myself.”
“Yes I know just trust me.” I sighed and rolled my eyes the last time I trusted her with clothing I was stuck dressed in old fashioned clothing.
In my room I saw what she had red skinny jeans and a black shirt with my favorite band on it etched in red. It was new and there was a note it read:
Little one, Here is an early birthday gift
~ Aunt Rose Mary.
I smiled getting dressed quickly putting 30 Second to Mars t-shirt on and putting little make up on and I headed down and my Aunt was already ready in one of her what she calls fall dress. Halfway cuffed slaves and it went dress down to her knees. It was a beautiful red and her hair curled down at her sides. She always looked stunning. She handed me matching white jacket. Then we headed out to her SUV heading to I guess the magic store.
We pulled up to an old building with a hand painted sign that said: Old Remedies. The door was a heavy oak and bell chimed once you pulled hard inside it smelled like an old house library and natural herbs.
“Hey Norma! Are you in the back?” Called Aunt Rosemary.
“I’ll be right with you in a seconded dear!” said an older women’s voice. It was a voice that have seen and been though a lot.
It was only a few minutes and short women with salt pepper hair came out from the back with a tray full of jars all different sizes. Her blue eyes had a glow to them and you just know they were a wonderful person because their soul shins though their eyes. Her presents made me feel calm inside and I think I actually gave her a real smile.
“Good Morning Rosemary and Sonja” she greeted. “I knew you since you were just a little thing and now look you a grown women.” I smiled politely not really remembering her. “You were only three when I saw you.” I just nodded to mean “ohh”
“Do you have everything I need Norma. I’m sorry to rush but we have a lot of things to do today.”
“Oh the ever patient Rosemary, yes, yes my dear I do that would be twenty-fifty total”
“Twenty-fifty!?!” exclaimed Aunt Rosemary.
“You are getting the book aren’t you? You know she needs it.”
“Oh yes I forgot” and she took out her wallet.
A book? She didn’t mention a book. I looked around the shop towards the back were rows and rows of books. Towards the front were bunch of jars that said potions sign above it. Then there were herbal soaps and medicines. Everything displayed on old oak tables and shelves.
“Have a good day.” Chimed Norma with a smile
“You too say Hi to Charles for me.” I assume Aunt Rosemary is talking about her husband.
“I will bye, bye”
“Bye” I say as we walked out.
10:00 Read out on the SUV’s clock when we arrived back at what is now home. I was ready to take a nap but I knew I couldn’t. We went into the kitchen as I watched Aunt Rosemary make a potion to unbind my powers. She cut, stirred and stood back when there was a poof or a bang. I almost was afraid to drink the stuff until it started to smell like chocolate. When she was done she put it in a old looking cup and handed it to me steaming hot and still boiling.
“Now you have to take it while it’s still boiling.” I have her a are you kidding me look “Hurry”
I sucked in some breath took the cup in my hands and downed it like my life depended on it. It felt like my mouth throat and the rest of the journey to my stomach burned me. I almost screamed I did squeeze my eyes shut and slammed the empty cup down on the table. It wasn’t long before I felt a cooling sensation easting the burn. Then I waited for something big to happen but nothing happened. I didn’t feel anything different.
“Are you sure I just take a potion? I don’t feel any different.”
“You’re not supposed to feel any different. And it’s simple nothing big like you see on TV, movies or books.” Aunt Rosemary said as she was cleaning up her mess and butting the extra in two big and one small jar.
“So, I have powers now?” I asked skeptically
“You sure do why you won’t try something like moving that cup to the sink.”
“How am I to move that cup to the sink?” I asked as I pointed at the cup and to the sink. The cup wobbled and then toppled over then flew and slammed into the sink breaking in half. My moth dropped open. Oh my god I do have powers! I sat there dumbfounded. I quickly recovered. Something inside me told me I knew this to be true.
“Gently little one.” She said as she came put the jars in locked cupboard. “Like this.” She gently swirled her finger fixing the cup and put it back gently on the table “try again and concentrate with your mind and don’t be so sharp with your hands and fingers.”
I did as she said and I moved the cup a little bit then just up and fall back down breaking. Aunt Rosemary fixing for the hundredth time and I started to grow frustrated. I took a deep breath and I knew getting frustrated won’t help me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I stared at the cup and asked it with my mind if it would go into the sink gently and I didn’t even have to lift a finger or my hand it went to the sink. I jumped up.
“I did it!” And we jumped around excitedly until…
“Oh shoot! We have to be at the school so that we can get you enrolled! We were supposed to be here in ten minutes.” We hurried to the SUV and she drove like a Mad Women to the school.
Noll waited for us outside of the brick building that looked faded from the weather and time. When I saw him I wanted to tell him about the little magic I can do but he rushed us to the school’s office.