Chapter 14

The stress was just piling up, at this point it felt like if I so much as dropped a pen I would break. My head fell into my hands, Cameron came over rubbing my back.

“I don’t know what I’ll do if you die.”

His hand stopped its movements, “Hey, look at me.”

Looking up I turned to face him, his eyes looking back at me without a spec of fear or self-worry. Taking my hand in his, he brought it to lay flat against his chest.

“Feel that?” He asked.

I nodded. His heart beat strong and steady underneath my fingertips. He was warm, blood flowing undisturbed through his veins. It was at this moment that I knew that I would give anything for him to stay just like this; alive.

“My heart isn’t gonna stop anytime soon,” he said, leaning his face closer to mine, looking me in the eyes. “Come tomorrow I’m gonna be here, and the day after that.”

Bringing me into a tight embrace, I placed my ear where my hand once was. The sound of his heart brought so much comfort that I never wanted to stop listening. If this was the last thing I heard in my life, I would have no complaints. I don’t know how long we stayed there, could have been minutes or hours, I didn’t care.

“Come on,” He said suddenly, pulling away slightly. “Tell me what we need for tomorrow?”

“Most rituals need the same supplies; candles, a bowl of some kind, and something to represent each of the elements,” I explained.

“Alright, let’s go get ‘em.” Taking my hand, he gave it a reassuring squeeze before stepping away.

Waving his hand, he motioned for me to lead the way, with a soft smile on his face. We kept most ritual tools in the downstairs closet. Easy access in case of emergencies.

Opening the closet, I started with the easy decisions first: moon water, raven feathers, and dragon’s blood incense. Water, air, and fire. Earth was a decision that needed a little more thought. We had a lot of crystals and most, any of them could work; but something told me that the one I chose would be more important than usual. Amethyst was good for protection. Moonstone wouldn’t be helpful during an eclipse. We had some Blood stone used for vitality, or cleansing. Others sat on the shelves.

I hovered my hand over each one, waiting for the best one to draw me in. The frequency that they each had was unique, the right one would make itself known. I waited for the energy to feel right, hand stopping over each one.

“These,” I said to myself, picking up an Amethyst and black Obsidian.

“Why do you have so many different candles?” Cameron asked, picking up a green pillar candle from one of the higher shelves.

“Each color has a different meaning, different uses.” I smiled. Green was my dad’s favorite. Said the color reminded him of my mom, since her birthstone was an Emerald.

“What does green mean?”

“Prosperity and abundance,” I explained. “Black, psychic protection and banishment.”

“And white?”

“Peace and serenity.” I started grabbing a mix of black and white candles. “Though they can be used in place of any color.”

With his help we got most of what we needed and put them all on the counter. We need to prepare everything. Grabbing the ritual oil from the cabinet and a bowl, I started to dress the candle in it.

“Will you get the Angelica root from that last cupboard?” I asked. “Everything is labeled.”

“Your family alphabetizes your herbs?” He laughed.

Nonetheless he found it after a few minutes of teasing. With the candles still wet from the oil, I sprinkled the Angelica root on top, covering the candle as much as I could before moving on to the next.

“Is there a reason you’re seasoning the candles?”

“Angelica root is good for breaking hexes and curses.” I sat the candles that were finished aside to dry. “By dressing the candle with it, it’ll burn with the candle.”

I’d finished half the candles when we heard mom’s car pull into the driveway. I asked Cameron to go help her since my hands were covered in oil and herb. He agreed with no resistance and not only helped mom get back inside but brought in all the grocery bags.

“I was right about him,” she commented. “He’s a good kid.”

Washing my hands, I began putting all the food away. Cameron took the opportunity to grab the grimoire from the study for my mom.

“I see the way he looks at you,” she said. I could hear the smile in her voice.

“What do you mean?” I asked, not turning around.

“He looks at you like your dad looked at me.” Her voice cracked. “Like you hung the moon.”

I was glad she couldn’t see my blush. I just shook my head hoping she would drop the subject before he got back. Now wasn’t the time to think about such things. After all, when all was said and done, the only thing we’ve called our relationship was friends. After tomorrow, I wouldn’t blame him if he said that was all he wanted to be. It would hurt, but as long as he was alive at the end of the day, I’d be happy.

Soon after, Cameron came back, grimoire in hand, and thankfully Mom turned her attention to what was written inside. The sun had set at some point, though none of us seemed to care. I finished with the groceries and joined them looking over the book.

“This is a complex ritual,” I noted. “Definitely meant to be done with at least two people.”

“Yes, but what I’m concerned about is the bloodletting.”

“Bloodletting?” Cameron questioned.

“The removal of blood; in this case to be used in a ritual.” Mom answered. “According to this, Wynter will have to have a continuous flow of blood.”

“Looks like I need an athame for this.” Pointing to the list of tools needed. “Do we have one?”

She nodded as she continued reading. “It looks like there’s two ways to break a curse like this. One is more of an effective solution than the other.”

“What’s the first one?” I asked.

“You would use your blood to clean out his. Like a magic blood transfusion.”

“What about the other one?” Cameron asked.

Mom hesitated in answering. “The witch casting the spell, takes the curse from the victim and burns it away.”

“Which is the better one?” I asked.

“Does it matter?” Cameron turned to me. “I’m not gonna let you do the second one.”

“Even if you’re more likely to survive?” I asked.

He turned to my mom and asked, “Which one is safer for Wynter?”

“The transfusion,” she answered immediately.

“Then that’s the one we’re doing,” he stated.

“What’s the risk we take in doing the transfusion?” I asked.

“Remnants of the curse could stay behind, and it would run its course.”

“We’re doing the transfusion,” he said, turning and walking away.

I followed him, confused why he felt so strongly about this. “Cameron,” I called out. “What’s your deal?”

“What?” He sighed, coming to a stop.

“We have an option to completely get rid of this thing, without question,” I stated. “Why won’t you take it?”

“I read that book. I know that the curse can’t be broken until it starts to work,” he said, turning to face me.

“What does that have to do with—”

“I’m not gonna let you take on a curse this dangerous!” he exclaimed, voice raising ever so slightly.

“Even if that means you’ll die!?” I slightly yelled.

“YES!” he shouted. “If I have to risk your life just to save mine”—he ran a hand through his hair in frustration—“I’m not doing it.”

“Why not?”

“Because I love you!”

In the moment, hearing him say those words was so shocking that as I processed, I could only stare at him wide eyed. Before I could formulate any kind of response, he was out the door. My heart was racing, my cheeks hot and probably red in blush. Wordlessly I walked back to my mom in the kitchen.

“You okay, honey?” Mom asked as I walked in.

“I don’t know,” I mumbled. “I’m gonna make you some food.”

She didn’t say anything, just watched as I went about the kitchen. I was on autopilot. I didn’t even know what I was cooking until I was done. I ended up making fried rice and giving a bowl to my mom before changing my train of thought. “Mom,” I called out. “There’s something else you should know.”

“Oh no.” She looked at me with worry.

“No, it’s nothing bad,” I promised.

She let out a sigh of relief, placing a hand on her chest over her heart.

I couldn’t stop being nervous about bringing this up. Everything was just starting to be okay and what if bringing up dad broke her all over again? But she still deserved to know. She had a right to know.

“The fire department decided to put up a memorial,” I explained. “To honor dad.”

I waited for her response though I didn’t have the courage to look her in the eyes. At first, I was worried by the lack of response and the silence that followed. It was interrupted by a small sniffle followed by quiet sobs. My head shot up at the sound and had to hold back tears of my own. The hand that was placed over her heart now was over her mouth to muffle her cries. Her eyes red as the sting of tears came unhindered.

“When can we see it?” She asked.

“I don’t know much about it to be honest.”

She gave a silent nod before taking a moment or two to collect herself again. I waited patiently, as her sobs turned into sniffles before falling away into nothing. She wiped away the wetness on her cheeks and rolled her shoulders back to sit up straighter and held her head up high. She tried to appear stronger than she was feeling, anyone could see that she was on the edge of falling apart all over again.

“Mom, I don’t know if you’re up for it,” I started, my voice trailing off. “But is there something we can do to honor dad? Something personal?”

She thought for a second before answering with a nod.

“There’s a ritual my mom taught me when my cat died as a child,” she said, clearing her throat. “Bring a purple candle, 2 envelopes, 2 pens, paper, and some sage leaves to the garden.”

Without explaining any further she got up and left the room, though she didn’t go to the garden. Despite my confusion I did as I was told, gathering the supplies needed. We had a few different types of sage, each with its own properties. Mom didn’t specify if there was a specific type needed so I just decided to grab the leaves of common sage. Next, I went to the study to grab the envelopes and writing stuff, and finally the closet to grab a single purple candle.

Once I had everything I went out to the garden, surprised to see my mom already out there. Her back was towards me, but it looked like she was holding something in front of her out of my line of sight. As I got closer, she noticed my presence.

“Did you get everything?” She asked, not turning around.

“Yeah, I think so.”

She nodded, taking a deep breath before finally turning to face me. In her hands were two things, 1- a garden spade, and 2- their wedding photo. Shock and confusion were the only way I could describe how I felt. With a bit of hesitation, she set the photo down on top of the bench and held out her hand for the rest of the stuff I was holding. Placing the candle in front of the picture, she knelt down and put everything else down in front of her.

After everything was where it needed to be, she patted the ground next to her silently telling me to sit down too.

“First things first, light the candle,” she said.

Following directions, I waved my hand over the candle wick igniting the flame and letting the wax melt as it burned.

“Now what?” I asked.

“Now we remember him,” She sniffled. “Happy memories and such.”

“Then what?”

“Then we write him a letter. Doesn’t matter how long or short.”

Looking at his face behind the glass, I thought of many things. Birthdays, holidays, even my first day of 7th grade. He was always there. My eyes began to water as more and more memories came and went. When mom, handed me a small stack of paper and a pen, I was at a loss for words. What did I write? I took a few deep breaths and tried not to think about it too much, letting whatever I felt pour out into the words I wish I could say to him.

Hey Dad, I started.

A lot has happened since you’ve been gone, but it feels like the world stopped spinning with you. I wish more than anything that you were still here with us. Nothing feels the same anymore, like the world lost its color. The house is too quiet now. Empty. I want to tell you that I’m alright, that I’m not angry with you, but I can’t. I can’t help but feel like you abandoned us. I know that it’s illogical and probably doesn’t make much sense, but I have to ask, why you? Why did it have to be you? Does the universe not realize that we need you?

Mom and I are alone now, and it’s taken its toll on her most of all. She’s finally out of bed and taking after weeks of being bedridden with grief. If it weren’t for Cameron, I don’t think I would have been any better. You remember Cameron, don’t you? The boy you saved that day? He’s been coming over every day to check on us. I think if you got a chance to get to know him, you’d really like him. He’s helped me a lot since you left. And not once had he complained, though he has every right to.

I really wish you were here dad. I have too much on my plate and I could you really use one of our talks. It seems like since you’re gone, I’m just Wynter Morgan the witch. And more than anything I want to be Wynter Morgan the human right now. It feels like any sense of normality I had died with you in that fire. I would do anything to change what happened, to have you back. I need you. I need my dad.

One day, far from now, we’ll see each other again. And I will tell you everything that has happened in my life without you. But until that day comes, the only thing I can say is I miss you. More and more every day.

Love, Wynter.

I didn’t realize I was crying until a single tear dropped from my cheek onto the paper. Breathing deeply, I wiped my eyes and folded the letter to fit into the envelope. Wordlessly, Mom handed me three sage leaves and I placed everything inside the envelope.

Mom did the same and with careful hands picked up the candle, using the melted wax to seal the envelope shut. Afterwards, she handed it to me while she began digging a small hole with the spade. It didn’t take long for me to seal my letter and blow out the candle.

“Now we bury them,” she said with a crack in her voice.

Gently, we placed our letters in the freshly dug hole and covered them up. Grabbing my hands in hers she placed them on top of the dirt.

“Project your energy,” was all she said.

Doing as I was told I began to envision my energy flowing through my arms, out of my hands, and into the earth. I took this moment to say a silent goodbye. I did this until my arms started hurting. Sliding my hands out from underneath my mom’s I sat back and allowed myself to feel everything. Everything I’ve been holding back since it happened, all the grief, all the sadness, all the anger. I felt it all. I could only imagine what mom was feeling but I could assume she was no better off that I was.

I heard her quiet sobs, hands never moving from the small pile of dirt. I stood up, making as little noise as I could. Not that it would really matter, but I went inside to grab her a bottle of water. Along with giving her some time alone to properly say goodbye. I may have lost a dad, which sucked, but she lost her soulmate. And losing that is arguably worse. If I was being completely honest, I also needed a moment to myself. Letting go was harder than I thought it would be. Probably because I always thought I wouldn’t have to until I had a family of my own. Something I would have to be strong for, like mom was trying to do.

Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I brought it outside. She finally sat up, taking her hands from the ground and into her lap. Her sobs quieted into a silent cry as she looked at the wedding photo on the bench. This time I placed a hand gently on her shoulder letting her know I was here. She gave a small smile in gratitude as she took the water from me.

“Let’s get you inside.” I offered her a hand to help her stand after she drank some water.

She accepted it and after pulling her up from the ground, she gave one last look at her wedding photo. Guiding her back inside I went directly to her room. Helping her back into bed I put the bottle on the table and made sure she was covered. Leaving the room, I turned off the light and left her to rest. She wasn’t in the shape to properly do magic, and that ritual, even as little as it was, most likely took a lot out of her both magically and emotionally.

It was late and I was in need of a good night’s sleep.

Changing into pajamas I laid in bed and tried to sleep. I guess at some point it worked, because suddenly I was face to face with Amelia. Only I wasn’t in my house, I was in the clearing.

“What are we doing here?” I asked.

“This is where the curse was born.” She gestured around. “Don’t you think it’s only right that this is where it dies.”

“It’s almost over,” I told her. “Amelia, if you were in my position, what would you do?”

She smiled at me. “I would do whatever it took to save the one I loved.”

“Even if you had to risk your own life to do it?”

“Even then.”

I bit my lip thinking over her words.

“Our time is up,” she said. “I wish you luck Wynter; my strength will lie with you.”

And just like that, it was over. When I opened my eyes, it was still dark out. Strange. Nevertheless, I got out of bed, going downstairs. I got myself some water. Drinking it, I brought it back to my room. Laying back in bed I desperately tried to go back to sleep. I was wide awake though; I was so scared that I would fail. That I wouldn’t be able to stop the curse and Cameron would die as a result. Taking my phone, I dialed the one person I needed to talk to the most. Him. I had to know that he was okay.

“Hello?”

Hearing the sound of his voice calmed me a bit. “Hey, did I wake you?”

“No, I couldn’t sleep,” he responded.

“Why not?” I asked. “Are you scared?”

“I’m sure I am on some level,” he chuckled. “I don’t think I’d be human if I wasn’t.”

I nodded though I knew he couldn’t see me. “Amelia came to me,” I told him.

“What did she say?”

“That the place where the curse started should be where we end it.” I started picking at the clumps of fuzz on my blankets.

“The clearing?” he asked.

“Yeah, seems poetic, doesn’t it?” I chewed on my bottom lip.

“Very.” He snorted a laugh.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“How normal this has become.”

Turning on my side, I put my phone on speaker. His voice coming through the speaker was more relaxing than I realized.

“What about you?” he asked. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

“Nerves,” I said simply.

“Is that why you called?” I could picture the smile on his face just as clearly as I heard it.

I couldn’t stop the blush that rose to my cheeks. “Um…” My voice trailed off.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to answer.” He soothed. “Do you want to talk, till you fall asleep? I can read you a book.” He offered.

“Like a bedtime story?”

“Sure, why not?” He laughed.

“Okay, what’s the book about?”

“A boy who fell into the universe of his favorite book, and the only way out is to make it to the end.”

“Okay, I’m all tucked in and ready for the story,” I joked.

He laughed, yet still started to read. It’s embarrassing how quickly I managed to fall asleep. I’m not even sure, he noticed when I did, since when I woke up for the second time the call was still going, although the phone was silent. Deciding to let him sleep, I hung up the phone. Going to the bathroom I brushed my hair and teeth. How today would end was an unknown that terrified me. But if I stood any chance of getting the good ending, I needed all the help I could get. Starting with breakfast.