Chapter 4

Walking in I made sure to be quiet, so I wouldn’t interrupt mom’s meeting. I walked over to her office to see her door open and her typing away at her computer. She paused long enough to welcome me home before her eyes went to the dried blood on my bandanna.

“What in the world happened?” Swiftly she shut her computer and walked up to inspect me.

“Someone ran a red light when I was crossing the street. A guy from school was able to knock me out of the way, but I hit my head when I fell.”

She guided me to the kitchen and had me sit while she started mixing some herbs and ointments to aid in healing. As she ground the herbs together, she mumbled incantations. Watching her work was amazing, she knew what everything was and what it could be used for. Before long, my head was cleaned and wrapped properly.

“When your father gets home, we will discuss a different way for you to get home if one of us can’t get you, from now on.”

I gave her a light nod in response.

“Now just go up and do any homework, try not to sleep yet in case you have a concussion.”

“Okay, just let me know when to come down for dinner.”

I picked up my backpack and headed upstairs, the herbal mixture lulling the pounding of my head into a dull ache. I was able to make it up the stairs and to my room without incident. Letting out a sigh I tossed my backpack down and sat on my bed. I looked down at the bloodstained bandanna in my hands, I really should have made more than one. Deciding not to dwell on it, I picked up my backpack and pulled out my homework for the day. It seemed the teachers here were kind enough that homework assignments were few and far between. Although what assignments they do give out are a lot, more than what was really necessary.

I was able to get through most of my subjects: math, history, etc. But I came to a standstill when it came to this art project. It’s not like I’m bad at art, it was something I enjoyed actually, but it wasn’t something I did regularly. That just made this project harder. Not only did I have to figure out something historical, but I had to come up with something that wouldn’t bring unwanted attention or questions. I didn’t know much history about this place other than my family’s. I couldn’t exactly draw one of my ancestors, or even this house. That would just be asking for trouble, if today was anything to go by. Looking at the clock I realized I’d been up here for a few hours and mom would be calling me to dinner soon. Putting all my finished work away I decided to head downstairs for a break. As I made my way to the stairs, I could smell the wafting scent of what smelled like my mom’s family stew.

It’s my favorite, so I promptly quickened my pace out of pure excitement. My mom’s family stew was one of the few recipes that was passed down from our ancestors. Not many recipes survived the family fleeing, so this one was special.

“Wynter! Come down for dinner!”

“Coming mom!” I replied as I descended the last few steps.

As I walked into the kitchen, I heard the front door open, and my father called out to us that he was home. He came straight to the kitchen and mom served us our bowls. I ate in silence while mom and dad discussed different ways for me to get home so there isn’t a repeat of today’s almost accident. After he heard what happened after school, he wanted to track down Cameron and his family to thank them for ‘saving his daughter from certain death’ as he put it. However, thankfully Mom put a stop to his idea and instead they agreed that if they ever ran into him, they could thank him then.

After dinner I helped Mom with the dishes, and she checked my head wound. She deemed it unnecessary to take me to the hospital and did not diagnose me with a concussion, so I should be able to sleep safely tonight. My parents sent me back to my room to finish my homework before bed and mom promised she’d make me a new veil to wear while we clean the other one.

Back in my room I busted out the last bit of normal homework I had and continued to contemplate what I should do for the art project. Sighing in frustration I put everything away and went to take a shower before bed. Turning out the light and crawling into bed I tried to fall asleep, but what happened in art class kept replaying in my head over and over again. The fear and shock on their faces when they looked at me after everything fell. I couldn’t help but worry that tomorrow would be worse, much worse. When sleep eventually swept over me those fears followed me into a restless night.

Before I knew it, the sun rose, and my alarm was blaring in my ear. Sitting up, my head was pounding, and my neck was stiff as a board. It took a moment for my eyes to clear enough to find my alarm and turn it off. When I did, I noticed something strange. That’s weird, why was I at my desk? I thought to myself. My eyes were still a bit blurry as I rubbed the last bit of sleep from my eyes. As my vision cleared, I was met with charcoal all over my hands and I could only assume it was on my face now too. Looking down at my desk I found it covered in broken charcoal sticks and paper with the word ‘SAVE’ written all over them like a person went crazy. I picked up the stack of papers and looked through them and all of them looked the same except for the last one.

The final page didn’t have any words written on it, instead it was a strangely realistic drawing of a woman being burned at the stake. Taking a closer look, I began to recognize the scene on the paper. It was exactly like the dream I had the first night we moved here. I saw Amelia’s face lit by the flames as she stared down Evan Mikhale. This was so weird. Did I draw this? In my sleep?

“Save—” the house whispered.

That’s it. This was too creepy, and I was not going to deal with this today. I was just going to look at the situation like this: I sleepwalked and did the art project out of stress and nothing more. This was a completely normal stress reaction, and I was moving on. It was going behind a locked door in my brain and it was staying there. I all but shoved the papers back in their folder and put it away in my backpack.

I cleaned myself up in the bathroom and got ready for school. Dad was waiting for me by the door and Mom said she was going to pick me up today unless her schedule changed, but she would text me to let me know. She handed me a red bandanna she spelled to veil me and waved us off to work and school.

The school day started off and it was just as bad as I thought it would be. People literally cleared a path as I walked through the halls in between classes. Instead of curious glances I was met with freaked out stares. Those who weren’t scared decided to make comments along the lines of “Make way for the witch.” or “Don’t look in her eyes or she’ll hex you.”

By the time art class had rolled around I was ready to jump out the window and make a run for it. I wanted nothing more than to go home, but mom would kill me if she found out I skipped. I was at my locker grabbing the art folder from my bag when I heard footsteps walking up to me.

“Hey, how’s your head?”

Shutting my locker, I turned around to see who it was. “Yeah, my mom was able to patch me right up,” I replied. “Cameron, right?”

“Yeah, and if I remember correctly, you’re Wynter.” He smiled.

I nodded, glancing around us. People were staring and whispering. “Oh, um, my parents wanted to say thank you for and I quote ‘saving me from certain death’”

Cameron laughed as a slight blush rose up his neck.

“So, what class do you have next?” he asked, clearing his throat.

“Uh, Miss Zeric for art.”

“Great. I just got transferred into that class. Mind if I walk with you?”

“Sure.”

“I see you got a new bandanna today. Is there a reason you wear them?” he asked, as we began walking.

“I just like them,” I lied.

We didn’t talk much after that. We made our way to class in semi- awkward silence. Eyes followed us until we walked through the door to Miss Zeric’s room. Cameron and I were the first one’s there, so when he went to talk to Miss Zeric, I made my way to my seat. I had placed my folder on my table when people started to fill the classroom. First were some quiet kids with their headphones blasting music who didn’t even give me a sideways glance, then filed in the loud and obnoxious group of boys from yesterday.

I tightened my bandanna and made sure it was secure on my head. Taking a deep breath, I grounded myself and tried to remain calm.

“Okay, you can go sit in the empty spot next to Wynter and she can tell you more about the assignment.”

Without looking up I heard the chair next to me screech against the tile of the floor as Cameron sat down at the table.

“Cameron beware, the witch might curse you if you get too close.” The boys from yesterday laughed.

“I’m not worried, Wynter’s cool.” Cameron responded.

Before they could respond the bell rang out signaling class had started. Miss Zeric went to the front of the classroom and started to explain that she’ll be walking around to see what ideas we had before she gave us the final paper for the project. Unfortunately for me, my table was where she started.

“Wynter, it looks like you have a pretty finished idea.” She commented, walking up to us.

“Uh, yeah. It came to me in a dream.”

“Can I take a look?”

I handed her the page and carefully watched her face as she examined it. Her face went from a happy go lucky to borderline horrified. “Wynter, I think it would be best if you came up with a more school appropriate idea.” She handed me the page back. She gave me a polite smile before making her way to help the other students.

“Of course,” I replied. My voice soft as I tried to hide my face.

I grabbed another sheet of paper and tried to come up with something else. Class passed by uneventfully, and before I knew it the bell rang out once more signaling the end of school. As I put my stuff back in my bag, I checked my phone for a text from my mom. Surprisingly I did have a message, except it was from my dad. Seems like mom was running late so he was picking me up today instead.

“So, are you walking home again today?” A voice came up next to me causing me to jump a bit.

“Oh, not today.” I turned towards it and was met with brown eyes, watching me curiously. “My dad is driving me today.”

Cameron smiled at my response. “Well next time you have to walk home, let me know,” he said, walking away.

There was something about him that was familiar to me. Like I’d seen them somewhere before. I waited for everyone to leave the room before trying to leave, but once I was out, I was able to spot my dad easily. I practically ran to the car as I weaved my way through the crowd exiting the building.

“Hey honey, how was school?” He asked as I jumped inside.

“It was fine.” I buckled and soon we were on the road back home.

Dad had to go back to work as soon as I was dropped off, but he said he’d be home early today. Which was good since it was a new moon tonight, so we were doing a ritual in the garden tonight. A few hours after I got home, mom had me go out and start setting up the space for tonight. I took my time finding the best spot, I found myself near the middle of the garden when I heard the rustling of leaves nearby. I had my hands full so I couldn’t hide myself like last time.

“Hello? Someone there?” I called out.

Suddenly the rustling stopped but I could still sense a person’s presence.

“I know you’re there.”

I heard a sigh come from behind the bushes before a familiar looking face came out.

“Cameron? What are you doing here?”

“Uh, what are those?” He cleared his throat and gestured to my very full hands.

“It’s complicated. Is there a reason you’re sneaking around my family’s garden?”

“Well, I know this will sound weird, but I’ve always felt a connection to this garden. I know that technically I’m trespassing but…” He trailed off.

“No, I’m sure my parents wouldn’t mind letting you hang out in the garden sometimes. They might put you to work though, that way you don’t have to go around sneaking onto the property.”

“Honestly I wouldn’t mind that at all.” He smiled. “Do you need some help with that? Are you setting up for something?”

“Something like that—”

“Wynter! Did you find a spot to set up for the ritual?” My mom called out as she came up to us. “Oh, who is this?”

“Mom, this is Cameron,” I said.

“Ah, the boy who saved you from the car the other day.” She reached out to shake his hand. “May I ask what you’re doing here?”

“Nice to meet you Mrs. Morgan, I was just admiring your beautiful garden.” He answered, shaking her hand. “Did I hear you say you’re setting up for a ritual?”

“Yes, we are. Would you like to stay?” Mom asked. She had that knowing smile, the one she would only explain after you finally caught up to what she figured out.

“Mom—”

“You don’t have to participate, you’re more than welcome to just observe.” She interrupted.

“Sure, I’d be honored.

Cameron began to help me set up the altar on one of the benches nearby. We carefully placed down the altar cloth before he started handing me the rest of the tools, for me to place in their correct spot, while my mom was setting up the torches.

“So, what is this ritual for?” He asked suddenly.

“The new moon. Each month we do a ritual to bring down the energies of the new moon for new beginnings and cleansing.” My mom responded as she placed the elemental bowls in their corresponding directions.

Why was mom telling Cameron all of this? She and dad have always told me to tell as little as possible, that people wouldn’t understand. So, what did she see in Cameron that would deem him different?

“That sounds cool. Is this for your religion or something?”

“Something like that,” I answered.

“Now Wynter, don’t be cryptic.” mom said.

I looked at her confused, why was she doing this?

“So…” Cameron started. “Is it for religion?”

My mom giggled in response, “In a way. It’s witchcraft.”