Chapter 32 VOL II: A Reveal.

Chapter 32 VOL II: A Reveal.
VOL II: A Reveal

“What… what did you just say?” I asked.

That name. That name again!

She swam closer to the shore, making me move farther back.

“You know, it kind of hurts that you're running away from your best friend, even though I know it's not your fault.”

She sat on the shore, her long blue hair swaying with the wind.

“Best friend?” I asked.

“Yes! It's me, Luana. Andressa.”

I inched forward just a little.

“Sorry, but I think you're mistaking me for someone else. My name is Marcella, not Luana,” I said, pulling some of the hair flying into my face back.

It was getting really windy.

She sighed.

“You really don't remember,” she said, her face full of pity mixed with worry.

“There was a time you came to visit me in Alana Lagoon, and I begged you to come see my mom,” she began, her eyes drifting far into the sky. “You were skeptical because you were unsure whether your spells would work underwater.”

She paused, then chuckled.

“It wasn't until I told you there was a special seaweed you could take to breathe underwater and still keep your magic working that you agreed to follow me.”

“My mom was so fond of you. Still is. She's worried about you, Luana.”

Wait.

What was she talking about?

“Did you just say magic? What do you mean by saying I came to see you when I was younger?” I asked, confused.

“I know it's too much for you to take in, but I'll explain everything to you,” she said, then took a deep breath.

“You're a witch, Luana.”

I moved back in terror, shaking my head.

Witches.

They were myths—evil creatures in books that flew on brooms and hexed people.

Though they weren't real, word had it that if they ever were, they would be burned alive.

“You don't know what you're saying! Don't say things like that. If someone hears you, I could be in serious trouble.”

Her crystal eyes softened.

“It's not going to be easy to convince you, but I'm still going to tell you the truth.”

“Let's meet tomorrow. Same time, same place.”

What was she saying? The truth?

When I said I wanted answers, I didn't mean this!

Me? A witch? Seriously?

I turned my back and walked away.

“Don't you want to know what happened to your mom?” she called out.

I stopped in my tracks, my head turning toward her.

“How do you know about my mother?”

“Because I'm your best friend, silly. Just try to come tomorrow. I'll tell you everything. I'm leaving now.”

She jumped into the water, her blue tail disappearing into the distance.

Confused was an understatement for how I felt right now.

“Thank goodness you're back! Where have you been? We've been worried about you,” Lily said as I entered the house.

It was almost dark.

“I just went to the stream to sit for a bit,” I said.

“Papa was worried sick,” Lily said, her voice low.

“Where is he?” I asked.

“He's in his room,” she said, pointing to a room inside.

I nodded.

“Knock, knock.”

“Papa?” I called softly.

“Marcella, dear, come in.”

I opened the door and stepped into the room.

I hadn't really entered his room before… or maybe I had and just couldn't remember.

“Sit down, child,” Papa said, getting up to the drawer to take something.

I took a seat on the bed.

“Your mother,” he began, showing me a picture of her.

Heavens, she was beautiful.

“She was a kind and fearless woman. She loved you and Lily very much,” he said, sadness filling his eyes.

“What happened to her, Papa?” I asked.

His expression suddenly twisted in anger, and his tone darkened.

“She was poisoned.”

A hand flew to my mouth.

“Poisoned?”

“What happened? Who poisoned her, Papa?”

“I don't know, darling. We were going home from visiting a friend when she suddenly clutched her stomach and coughed up blood.”

“It was shocking because this person was your mother's friend. So why would she harm her own friend?” Papa said, handing me the picture.

I traced my fingers over the wooden frame and then over Mama's face.

She had brown hair like me, but her eyes… they were green.

“I know you have a lot of questions, and I'm ready to answer them all, but the name you called and the dreams you're having—they aren't real.”

“You are Marcella, not Luana.”

That should have been enough to convince me.

In fact, I was convinced.

The pretty mermaid was obviously mistaken, and so was the princess.

I mean, some people looked alike, right?

“I believe you, Papa. Thanks for telling me.”

He smiled widely, placing my hands in his.

“We'll get through this. I promise.”

\~~~~~~~

I sat by my window, reading a book about animals.

My eyes unconsciously darted toward the window from time to time.

Then I saw a hooded figure walking toward a store in the market.

When he reached the store, he removed his hood, revealing his hair.

Silver and black short hair.

He looked around as if searching for someone.

At that moment, my head started throbbing, and an image of a man with long silver-and-black hair flashed through my mind.