Chapter 14 :D

Chapter fourteen- Whispers in the Wind

          Richard left late that evening and I doubt his father didn’t scold him for returning home so late. The next day was tiring, but Richard and I both would exchange glances during lunch in acknowledgement, giggling to ourselves and thinking about the romantic kiss at the campsite last night.

          At lunch, the girl named Abigail began to sit with us. Emily, Tara, and Grace had tried to sit with us for the “sake” of Richard, but apparently they couldn’t stand sitting next to Abigail and I. It was a funny sight, but a relief to sit with just Richard and Abigail.

          Winter came quickly, and it was strange to see that Ravenwood was still new to me. During the snowy days, the walls outside of Ravenwood were snowy and chilly. However, the inside walls of Ravenwood Academy was warm and toasty, as though the big tree of Bartebly kept the whole academy warm.

          On a Wednesday December afternoon, I was sitting with Abigail and Richard, eating lunch by the gates of Bartebly. The morning snowstorm was raging outside the walls, but not one flake of ice past through the tree leaves.

          “I’m thinking about talking to the Headmaster after school today.” I announced. Abigail and Richard looked up in surprise.

          “W-why?” Richard stuttered, looking rather aghast. Nobody visited the Headmaster unless it was urgent. “Did something happen?”

          I grimaced. “Well, there’s the thing with

Golem Court

, my school, my mother’s letters, and if the undead is really taking over.”

          Abigail and Richard had their thinking faces on. Obviously they were thinking back about when I told them about everything. I told Abigail shortly after she began sitting with us, after I learned I could trust her through her energetic personality.

          “Oh yeah, everybody wants to know about how Malistaire left you without, you know, murdering you and all.” Abby said in a matter-of-fact voice.    

          “Yeah, thanks for reminding me.”

          Richard’s eyes widened slightly. “I have an idea. How about we go to the library this weekend and study? Mary, you found some stuff on Malistaire, right? And that was just in Basic Wizardry! Think about what we could learn in the more… Let’s say, higher level books.”

          I laughed a little. “And how do you think the Librarian will allow us to read high leveled books?”

          “Truthfully, Mary.” Abigail took a sip of her juice box, her black pigtails bouncing in the balmy breeze. She had just got red streaks in her hair, and cut her bangs to cover half her face. In a way, she looked daring and someone who you should not ever cross. “Do you not know me? I’m the master of the sneak. I don’t give a crap about what the Librarian thinks- nor do I care if I get a detention. Most likely, he won’t notice me.”

          “Um.” I looked at her up and down. “I think he will. Who else in Ravenwood has red and black hair?”

          “Not if I wear a wig.” Abby winked and crushed her empty juice box. She glanced at Richard. “How about I sneak in the library and grab some books and Richard distracts the librarian?”

          “Okay.” I replied, thinking about it. “Then what do I do?”

          “You.” Abby answered, wagging her finger at me. “Will be with me, finding books. The more people helping finding the right books, the better.”

          “Okay, I got it.” I connected the pieces. “Yes, it will work! What time shall we meet?”

          “At noon, Saturday.” Richard replied.

          “Works for me.” I heard the bell ring. “It’s the end of school. I have to hurry to the Headmaster’s office.”

          Abby and Richard packed up their bags, and hurried to my pace beside me. Richard opened his mouth first when we were walking out the gates from Ravenwood. “Do you know about Earth?”

          Abby looked confused- evidently she knew nothing of the world we, the Enchanted people, came from.  I knew exactly what he was talking about. “Yeah. I read it in the Basic Wizardry text book.”

          “Well.” Richard continued. “You know the people who weren’t Enchanted? They were called Humans. Apparently, they learned Math, Science, Reading, and Language in Schools?”

          “Ha!” Abby laughed. “As if they could have a school for that stuff? Everybody knows that we learn that automatically!”

          “That’s not the weirdest part.” Richard chuckled. “I heard their whole school day is six hours.”

          Abby made a disgusted face. “You mean if I was some ‘Human’, I wouldn’t be able to eat my veggie burgers until four in the afternoon?”

          “No.” Richard replied. “They have lunch around our time, but they have school after lunch.”

          “Weird.” I added. “Do the Humans not learn Math, Science, and the Arts automatically?”

          “No, I guess not. Normally, the Enchanted would know this when they are first born- but Humans have to learn it over time. Just think- it’s kind of similar to us. The Enchanted learn Magic over time, and Humans learn Science, Math and the Arts overtime.”

          “Um, not really.” I explained. “You see, Humans don’t know magic. That changes a lot.”

          “Forget Humans and your logic, Mary. We’re at the Headmaster’s house anyway.” Abby nodded.

          We stopped in our tracks. I looked at Abby and Richard and nodded. They nodded back and turned their backs, walking away. Richard glanced back at me, but I was already walking into the Headmaster’s mansion.

          When I touched the silver circlet on the door to knock, a breeze sent a cold shiver up my arms. I hoped another snowstorm wasn’t coming this way. The wind brushed through my hair, moving it away from my ears. The wind whistled in my ear drums, but I swore I heard an echo… Something in the wind, and perhaps saying something… My name?

          But then the wind stopped. I brushed it off as nothing. Just the wind whistling. I knocked on the door, and after a second, the door swung open. It was as though the house was expecting me.

          Headmaster Ambrose was sitting at his desk, writing. He did not look up, but waved his hand slightly to urge me forward. I walked slowly up to his desk.

          “I need to talk to you, Headmaster.”

          The Headmaster nodded, and put his pen down. “What is it you seek to talk about?”

           I sat in a large, plush chair by the fireplace. “Everything. Have you figured out why my school is Balance? About

Golem Court

?”

          The Headmaster finally lifted his gaze of what he was writing to look at me. “And more..?”

          How he knew that I needed to tell him more, I did not know. “About my mother.”

          He nodded, and began to tap his pen on his desk. He sighed. “I’ve had my suspicions, but I rather not plague your mind with ideas that may not be true. The source of your Balance school, I have yet to know. Golem Court… What do you wish to know?”

          “

Golem Court

.” The place sounded slippery in words. “I want to know why Malistaire left me unharmed. Why he said what he said. Why he had that shocked look on his face. Why I heard a weird sound when I closed the door when I entered the

Tower of Golem Court

.”

          “Weird sound?”

          “When I first entered the Tower.” I explained. “I heard a scuffling… When it was too long until the door of the Tower closed, I looked back but nothing was there. I thought of it as nothing… But what do I know?”

          “You know a lot, Mary.” Headmaster Ambrose said carefully. “And I understand how… How worried you are about Malistaire and his plans-“

          “Plans?” I interrupted. “You mean he has more things happening later on?”

          The Headmaster grimaced. “There are so many things happening these days.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “I would regret making you worry more.”

          “No- tell me!” I begged. I suddenly realized that I was being rather needy of the Headmaster. However, Headmaster Ambrose just chuckled.

          “I know you wish to know, but these are times that are only for Questures. Now, you said something about your mother?”

          “I-“I shook my head. What if he took it the wrong way? “Nothing.” I lied.

          Headmaster Ambrose raised an eyebrow. “I thought you wanted to know something about the letters..?”

          I shook my head again. Nobody would understand- not even him. Would he? I wasn’t going to take the risk. “Its nothing- I just found out the answer. Just now. It’s not a question anymore.”

          The Headmaster leaned back on his chair. “Well, since your ‘question’ has now just been answered, I could tell you my suspicions about

Golem Court

.”

          I nodded eagerly. “That would be a relief.”

          The Headmaster did not smile. Instead, he looked rather serious. He leaned over on his desk and stared into my eyes. “Do you think you could have a sort of relationship or similarity to Malistaire Drake?”

          “Rel- What?” I gasped. “Wha- what are you saying? I never met Malistaire Drake in my life.”

          “No, I believe you have never seen or met him in your life. However, where do you get this sudden boost of power, when you blew Mr. GreenBlade across the room? Where did you get the soul of a Balance child? A Fire and Life magic do not make a Balance magic. It makes either a Fire, or a Life child. Not your school, my dear.”

          “So what are you saying?” I asked. “That I’m connected to Malistaire somehow.”

          The Headmaster relaxed and chuckled. “The thought of it… It’s not possible. Not for a child whom has no reason to be connected to such a cruel, murderous man.”

          I stared out the window, watching the evening snow fall. I remembered my mother’s words, the day I was sick. That’s what everybody thinks of him at first. I sighed. “How? He only destroyed a monument in Ravenwood.”

          “Yes, but that Monument happened to be a school. A classroom, full of children. Do you want to know what happened to those children?” The Headmaster whispered.

          I winced. How dare a man murder a classroom of children? “For Gods sake, why did he do it? Did he murder a bunch of children and destroy the school for no reason?”

          The Headmaster just shook his head. “Nobody knows why. I wish I could somehow figure it out, but the only person related to him is his brother, Professor Cyrus Drake. He, however, knew nothing of the sort either.”

          “What about Sylvia Drake?”

          Headmaster Ambrose smiled numbly. “She was dead of a cold long before Malistaire lost control. She was the most kind, beautiful woman. She loved everything, and whatever she touched loved her back.”

          I stared at my hands. “Did she truly love Malistaire?”

           Headmaster Ambrose sighed. “Out of all men, she chose the Death teacher. Opposite of her own kind, and yet she did love him. A strange combination, but she had always said that she loved his mysterious aura, his handsome looks and solitary attitude.”

          “But she was a social butterfly, was she not?” I contrasted. “Sylvia was an apparent beautiful woman, but everyone says about her personality the absolute opposite of what Malistaire’s personality is. How could they love each other when they are so utterly different?”

          “Love works in many ways, Mary.”

          “So does friendship.”

          The Headmaster’s eyes twinkled at me. “I like your clever attitude. Use it well, for the future. You may need it.”

          “For what?” I asked.

          The Headmaster frowned. “Oh, who knows? Life comes with many things.”

          I turned my head away, resting it on the chair. “So, you think that Malistaire Drake only spared my life because he thought we were… Connected?”

          “Yes. Somehow.”

          I nodded. “I don’t believe it.”

          “Why not?” The Headmaster looked mildly surprised.

          I snorted. “It’s just like saying that evil is connected to me. I don’t want anything to do with evil.”

          “It actually may be true that you have evil inside you.”

          I stood up in my chair, shocked. “How could you assume that of me?”

          His face did not waver from any emotion. It was just blank. “Malistaire spared you for a reason. Perhaps because he saw something in you, unlike other thirteen-year olds.”

          “Wait- are you saying what I think your saying? That I’m evil?” My voice was tuning up.

          “Perhaps.”

          I made a sound of disgust, and folded my arms. I left his office without turning back. He did not want to help me, and I did not want to hear his words. If he did want to help me, why did he assume I was evil? On Malistaire’s side? I saved his life.

          The night breeze once again picked up on the way home, sending shivers down my back. I could feel my hair whipping back, clinging with wet snow.

          “Daughter…”

          I turned around. I swear I heard the words from somewhere, and yet nobody was around me. I remembered the experience of hearing something in the wind, before I walked into the Headmaster’s office. My panic began to rise slightly. I walked in a faster pace.

          However, the wind just kept picking up. I wondered if I was going to be suddenly blown away, but I still had resistance to the wind. Was a storm brewing, or was this wind supernatural?

          “The… Time… Is… Coming…”

          This time, I only whipped my head around, and began to run. Nothing was there. Was something following me? I looked around the area, Unicorn Way Park. No Questures. Nobody could help me, with the dark sky and the loud wind blinding my pleas for help. If somebody was following me- the time couldn’t be worse enough.

          I began to see my house. I ran through the wind, and I felt like it was pushing me back. Trees were slanted away from the wind, and it felt like a dream where you can’t run. I began to get frustrated, and the sudden change of mood gave me a boost of energy. I reached my house.

          I got through the wind enough to touch the doorknob. All of a sudden, the wind stopped. I looked around, gripping the doorknob, watching the trees slowly move back to their normal place. House’s windows no longer shuddering and no source of wind were moving through the air. What was going on?

          I turned the doorknob. At the last moment, a large gust of wind blew me back once again.

          “Be… Prepared…”

          I ran into the house and slammed the door behind me.

Quote :D

Imagination is more important than Knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover.

-Anonymous

Sneak Peek :D

          The sky was a large mass of swirling red wind, as demons flew in circles around a scepter as cursed as hell.

A chorus of darkness sprang around a room of onyx marble. Shadows ran like wolves around a man whose shed blood of love.

          “O’ bewitching of life, in Magic’s name I do call thee forth, cast thy blessing; I do ask, upon the magic that shall be worked here!” Spirits, demons, the man in black, sung the spell of dark certainty, like a never ending chorus.

          “O’ fine lies, in Magic’s name I do call thee forth, bringer of happy nightmares and power of flawless perfection, I ask its aid in the curse I do here work.” They sung this, raising higher and higher, making shadows of wolves, arrows, beasts, and wind.

          The man turned, and Malistaire’s black eyes glittered in joy. He had my smile, full and stubborn.

          “O’ torrents of evil, in Magic’s name I do call thee forth. Join me with your everlasting strength in performing this most powerful of lies!” Red, the color of blood, ran deep through the walls like cracks of lava. A black smoke began to form around his ankles. Power seared through Malistaire’s veins, glowing red and black under his skin.

          “O’ fairytale, deep and lovely, in evil’s name I do call the forth, that I may feel the power itself move in the roar of enchantment to disguise- which doth come to kill thy enemies-!” The shadows moved as fast as lightning towards the Malistaire, his grin bloody and horrid.

          Suddenly, the scene changed, to a dark oasis. In front of the Krokotopian Library. Stars sprung in the sky in beauty, and that little pond, so small and weak, suddenly became gorgeous in the moonlight.

Then there was a woman, whom looked 17 years of age. She was staring at the moon, illuminating the colors of her eyes- blues with a shimmer of mixed bright colors. She had hair the color of flames, pouring down her back and shoulders. She is pale as snow, with deep pink in her lips. She was absolutely beautiful.

Suddenly, a red mist began to surround her. Pooling around her knees, she looked around in shock. It seemed that she couldn’t move. I could see fear in her eyes, so similar to mine, until the red mist covered her whole. The red mist seemed to go inside of her, and she collapsed. Asleep, dead, I could not know.

Somehow, I knew deep inside that she was not the only one to fall…

Chapter 13! Worst chapter to write EVER. I hate writing about romance (Hint, hint).

 Chapter thirteen-The Kiss

         

          “It’s him!” I hissed. I looked out the window, and I could see Richard in the setting sun. “Richard’s here!”

          “Well, dumbo! Open the door.” Sabrina exclaimed.

          I rolled my eyes at Sabrina, and opened the front door. Richard’s eyes widened when he got a good look at me, and he didn’t look bad himself. He wore a leather jacket with light blue jeans. I didn’t see a bathing suit on him. “Did you bring a bathing suit?”

          “Yeah, I’m wearing it under these jeans. You look great.” Richard complimented charmingly.

          I saw my mom do a weird face, and I had a feeling she knew what was going on with me and Richard. Well, that she knew that I liked him. Who knows what Richard feels?

          “Mom, when are we leaving?” I asked her.

          “Well, since Richard is here, I suppose we can start walking now.” She took the bag of marsh mellows from the coffee table. “I’m kind of hungry myself.”

          We walked out the door, and trekked to Unicorn Way Park. The sun was still high, but not high enough to not send sparks of sunset out into the sky. The sun lighted up the creek around the park when we arrived, beautifully glowing upon the emerald trees and pink sky. It was breathtaking.

          “We can set up the fire over there, between the openings of the trees. It’s right by the water, so it will be easier to swim.” My mother explained, and she led us over to the gap in the trees. It was a pretty spot, three or four trees surrounded the area, with a piece of the opening for the creek, along with the large sky area to show the sunset and stars.

          “Looks nice.” I commented quietly. I smiled at Sabrina, and put an arm around her. Then I put my other arm on Richard. Sabrina giggled and Richard smirked, while my mom placed an old blanket on the ground. I left their sides, and decided to help my mother set up the dinner. Richard started the fire with his wand, and I didn’t even see my mother flinch at the thought of Richard using Fire magic.

          “Sabrina, Richard! My mom bought hot dogs.” I called out. Sabrina was burying Richard’s feet in the sand, and he splashed her with a cupful of sand as Sabrina got up onto her feet, and she screamed and ran away from him in amusement. Both of them jogged over to where I was, and I gave them two plates.

          The four of us sat on the tiny blanket and laughed, ate, and talked. I told Richard about Abigail and my new lessons. My mother was interested to learn more about Richard, but he wouldn’t tell her more than he told me.

          “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” My mother asked.

          “No.” Richard’s answers were always curt and brief, but his cheerful attitude took away any annoyance in his voice.

          “Aunts? Uncles?”

          “No.”

          To take my mother away from Richard, I thought of an excuse. “Mom, can Richard and I go swimming?”

          “Sure, honey.” My mother’s voice was final- she had given up the attempt to mooch information out of Richard. She began to brush and braid Sabrina’s hair, and Sabrina lay in her lap. I felt a ping of jealousy- I wouldn’t mind laying in my mother’s lap, her gently caressing my hair and watching the stars. However, I was with Richard- and the jealousy was gone.

          I took Richard’s hand, and pulled him forward to the stream. I untied my dress, and took off my shoes and ponytail. Now, just in my bathing suit, I dived into the stream.

          The warm water was refreshing in many ways; I loved my hair, tight from the pony tail, unraveling naturally. The relief of everything that had happened in the past months was gone.

          But then I surfaced. I could see in the moonlight and the reflection in the water that Richard was preparing for a jump. He had amazingly impressive muscle- I could literally see them ripple as he jumped in. I covered my face from the splash. After a few seconds, Richard didn’t come up.

          A few seconds. He still wasn’t up. What was he doing? I began to worry, and look around in the water. Suddenly, I felt something grab my legs and push me up out of the water. I screamed when I realized I was in the air, and I splashed back down into the creek. I came up laughing when I saw Richard’s face smiling at his trick.

          I lost my footing on a slippery part of rock, and I fell into the water laughing. Swallowing water, I choked and came up coughing.

          Richard waded toward me. “Mary? Are you okay?” His faced looked rather amused. And about three inches away from my face. I knew I should back up, but something kept me rooted to that spot. I glanced at my mother and my sister- they were far away, and chatting. My mother was probably teaching Sabrina the constellations in the stars…

          I realized I failed to answer. “I- yeah, I’m fine. Just swallowed some water when I slipped on a rock.”

          Richard stared at me in a strange, longingly way. “You look very pretty tonight, Mary.”

          I smiled feebly. “Thanks.”

          I could feel Richard getting closer, and I wanted to kiss him. For the first time in my life, I wanted to kiss a boy. But did I love him?

          He lifted up my chin, and at the last possible moment, we heard somebody call my name. I moved my face away, and felt slight disappointment. I looked toward the voice, and I saw Sabrina walking toward us. I quickly moved away from Richard, and he stepped back as well.

          “Mary! Mom wants you guys to come over so we can roast marsh mellows!” Sabrina’s voice almost sounded like whining, as though we had refused to roast marsh mellows with her.

          “Okay, Sabrina. We’re coming!” Richard stepped out of the creek and got both our towels. He took my hand to help me out of the creek, and then he wrapped the towel around me. I leaned on him as we walked to the picnic area, appreciating the warm happiness I was feeling at the moment.

          Sabrina rushed to my mother’s side of the campfire and our mother embraced her in a hug. I could see the happiness glowing out of her face, now that her youngest daughter loved her again. Richard and I sat on the same log, his hand around my waist and my arm around his neck. We shared each other’s warmth, and embraced the brilliant, undying fire.

          “We’re going to need sticks to put the marsh mellows on.” Mom noticed. I noticed her look at Sabrina. “Want to help find some sticks, honey?”

          I knew my mother was trying to spend as much time with Sabrina as possible, especially for the lack of attention Sabrina had refused the last times my mother tried affection towards her. My sister perked up her head in delight, and took our mother’s hand.

          Once again, Richard and I were alone.

          “Why did they make us get out of the creek if they were going to leave us anyway?” I wondered, snuggling closer to Richard.

          “Who knows?” Richard smirked. Then his voice changed into a much softer, quieter tone. “You know, I wasn’t kidding about you looking beautiful tonight.” He touched my face gently, and I could feel his blue eyes staring into mine.

          I turned my face toward his. “I know.”

          I saw his mouth twitch with a smile. “Your skin glows in the moonlight, and it shines in the sunlight. Your eyes sparkle brilliantly bright when you’re happy. Your hair is an amazing golden, with the most perfect ringlets I’ve ever seen. You are an angel, Mary.”

          I was extremely taken back when he told me this. I didn’t expect him to say all those things, and I was flattered. “Wow, Richard… That’s deep. Did you mean it?”

          He did a real smile this time, his pearly white teeth shining more bright than the moon. He cupped my face, and I closed my eyes. I knew this was to be sweet bliss.

          Then his lips touched mine. It was gentle, sweet and loving. I put my arms around him and he put his arms around my waist. I felt my foot lift slightly, as though I was in some fairy tale.

          I felt him stop, and I opened my eyes to gaze into his face. He had a crooked smile. “I meant it.” And he kissed me again.

          That night we kissed in the moonlight, the burning fire crackling in warmth as I was drowned out in the pure happiness that I had missed for so long…

Just thinking something weird about the last chapter :P

Is it me, or does anybody else think that its weird reading about people getting ready for stuff? Well, i think it is, and it felt weird writing it too -_- perhaps i should have edited it out... However, i wrote these chapters a long time ago. Chapter 17 and up are my latest, most proffessional chapters. I think. 0_o
Well, i suppose it gave a good side about Mary being a typical teenager. Makeup. Getting dressed. Giggling with her little sister about her crush. I dont know.
Thank goodness she changes!! I would hate writing like a teenager the whole book ;D The preppy ones, anyways.
I'm going to post chapter 13 so that people wont have to wait until tomorrow, if they read chapter 12 already.
Love you guys (My friends) and ttyl.

Chapppttterrr 12 :D Quite a long one...

Chapter twelve- the Picnic and the Library

The weekends were always nice, spending time with Richard and going to the Haunted Cave. Today, Saturday, I wished to go to the library.  After waking up with a wonderful sensation of sunshine in my face, I hurried upstairs and made myself some eggs, since my mother was still asleep. I poured myself a glass of orange juice, and I ate my eggs fiercely. I put the dishes in the sink, and hurried to my mother’s room. I knocked on her door quietly.

I heard some grunting in my mother’s room, and I knew my mother had just awoken. I opened the door slowly, and saw my mother strangled within her bed sheets, with her pillows in awkward places and the sheets twisted tightly around her.

“Geez, mom. Did you have a party in your sleep?”

She smiled with her glamorous white teeth, and it almost seemed normal. “Had a restless night’s sleep, that’s all. What do you want, sweetie?”

“I’m wondering if I could go to the library- the one in the Commons.” I answered.

“Sure honey, go ahead. Just don’t buy anything…”

Buy anything? Has she even been to a library before? I chuckled, and closed the door quietly so she could do whatever she wanted. I rushed downstairs, and opened my bedroom door. Sabrina was still sleeping, and I grabbed my bag off my little desk. I closed my door quietly and rushed out of the house.

I never really had been to the library before, so it was interesting when I first stepped in. The walk there was short, since it was the same path to Ravenwood, except you turn left instead of walking forward.

The library was surprisingly small, and nobody seemed to be in the area except the librarian and his apprentice, whom was running around putting books in their proper places. The librarian’s large desk was right in front of the door, right of a large staircase and left to a large machine, which I guessed to be a measuring machine of some sort. I don’t really know why somebody would want to know how much their books weighed.

There were two arched doorways on either side of the machine that was blocked off. You could see that it was a large hall, going so far back that you couldn’t see, despite the blue lamps that were connected to the bookshelves.

The librarian nodded at my in greeting, and I smiled back charmingly. I looked up at the staircase, and where it led to, to see a balcony over the downstairs. I could see more bookshelves of books up there. There could be a million books in here!

Something suddenly hit my head. I immediately turned around and saw a book- in eye level! There was no source of thing holding the book, it was just floating there. It moved over to a book shelve and placed itself into the shelf. When it was placed, I saw another book float out of the bookshelf and move towards another. I gaped at the magical books that seemed to float by themselves. I heard the librarian laugh, and I could tell he was used to the books floating around like some haunted library.

I forced myself to ignore the books, and look more into the non- floating ones. It was amazing how many interested me: The magic of Balance, Traps and Transformations, The study of Life, History of the Spiral.

I sat down at one of the couches and began to read. The first book was the History of the Spiral, since everything seems to be connected with that. Perhaps if I knew more about the Spiral, or supposedly I can call it the ‘universe’, everything would be easier to understand. I opened the book and began to read:

The history of the spiral

The history of the Spiral connects with everything everywhere. It all starts on the planet of Earth, in the town of Salem. The Enchanted people everywhere were discriminated from Mortals, therefore burnings and hangings of Wizards and Witches began taking place in Salem, seriously damaging magic’s population. In order to stay alive, we traveled many places, however the killings didn’t stop. Memory spells were not working on millions of Mortals, and the Wizards had no choice but to leave Earth.

Somehow, nobody knows how, but the Enchanted people found a world behind the burning sun that Mortals could not pass, referring to the capacity of heat that could kill a Mortal if too close. Because of this, Mortals are unable to interact with this world. Out of Wizard’s magical ability to resist the pain of the heat, Wizard’s were able to access this world and make it their own. In honor of their race, they named the world Wizard City, and the Universe as the Spiral. After making their home on Wizard City, the Enchanted began to study the Art of the Spiral, and discovered two other worlds beyond Mortal’s access; Krokotopia and Marleybone. Krokotopia, the world of the ancients, and Marleybone, the world of science. Others are still studying the Spiral, knowing there are more worlds out there somewhere.

I flipped through a couple pages, and saw the headline: History of Ravenwood. I began to read:

Ravenwood, the first school of the Magical Arts, was instituted in 1763. In order to keep magic running, the Great Merlin of Power made the school of Ravenwood after the great Bartebly’s sister, Grandmother Raven. Merlin soon became Headmaster, and elected seven teachers for Ravenwood. Generations of teacher’s were replaced of old age, eventually landing on today’s teachers: Professor Wethersfield, Professor Balestrom, Professor Greyrose, Professor Falmea, Professor Malistaire Drake, Professor Cyrus Drake, and Professor Sylvia Drake. The headmaster happens to be the descendant of the Great Merlin of Power; Merle Ambrose.

Unfortunately, two teachers retired early. Sylvia Drake, the Life professor, died of a sickness on the day of December 24^th.

I gasped, and almost dropped the book in shock. December 23rd was the day of my birth, while December 24th was only the day after I was born, on the same year. It’s only a coincidence.

The date was nothing. I wasn’t going to stop learning just because of a scary coincidence. I began to read some more:

Malistaire Drake, the second retired teacher, destroyed his own school building in Ravenwood out of a strange reason. He was soon “retired.” Moolinda Woo, a cow from another world, replaced Sylvia Drake, while Malistaire’s top student, Malorn Ashthorn, had replaced his spot.

Wow, I never knew Malorn was in the history books. I wondered if I would be, after the incident with Malistaire and me. It landed in the newspaper, why not the history books? Nothing would ever be the same.

I closed the book, and began to read some other ones.  Magic of Balance was all the stuff I had heard already from Professor Wethersfield, so it wasn’t much. I put Traps and Transformations, The study of Life, and The study of the Spiral in my bag for later reading. I wanted to go home, and perhaps practice the Scarab spell some more.

I walked out of the library with a smile, and began my trip home. Today was slow, peaceful and beautiful. I closed my eyes halfway home, and savored the warm taste of the sun against my pale skin. I thought of myself flying, wind blowing my hair, shining like the sun. I opened my eyes and laughed a little. What a silly vision…

I noticed some people staring, and I could feel my cheeks turn scarlet. Did I look like a freak, or just pretty? I will never know, and the sooner I get home, the better.

My mother was outside the house, gardening. She was potting new flowers into our little garden in our miniature front yard. She had streaks of dirt on her face, her worn gardening gloves looked like rags.

“Hi mom.” I greeted. I sat by her side, and I could see a slight sweat on her brow.

“Hi sweetie. Did you get any books?”

“Yeah, three. They are so interesting! I wonder if the legend of Malistaire and Sylvia Drake is in every story I read…” I replied.

I saw my mother’s face frown, and her hands harden against her tiny shovel. “Yes, I wonder as well. Did you learn anything new about them?”

I ignored my mother’s sudden attitude against the legend in the books. “Yeah, and it’s creepy, too! Apparently Sylvia Drake died of some sickness the day after I was born!”

My mother coughed, a strange cough, as though she had almost choked. “What else?”

I laughed a little, worried. “Mom, why do you freak out whenever I mention Sylvia Drake?”

My mother’s eyebrows creased, concentrating. “She was a good friend, that’s all.”

“She must have been amazingly beautiful, if you ask me. Everybody thinks she was kind, helpful, and totally selfless. I wish I would have met her…” I told her. This wasn’t a lie- I really did wish I knew Sylvia. The way she had influenced everybody and the books, the strange supposed love of her and Malistaire, the everything.

                    “Yes, nobody wanted her to die.” My mother replied, quietly.

                    “It is so stupid she died of a sickness.”

          “Nobody could heal the injuries this sickness gave her, because it wasn’t the kind that another person could fix. She was eternally broken.” My mother sighed.

          “Eternally broken? Like what?” I asked.

          “Oh, you will understand when you’re older.” Before I could contradict her, she wiped away the mud off her face and spoke. “I was wondering if you, your sister and I would want to have a picnic in the park today, for dinner. You can invite Richard, if you want.”

          “Really?” I gaped. Why would she let me invite Richard? Is she starting to trust Fire students as am I? It’s an amazing discovery that my mother could actually forgive- not my father, but Fire itself.

          “I- uh. Well, I don’t know where he lives, but I am happy to have a picnic. Can we go swimming, too?”

          She smiled. “Yes, that would be nice. Since today’s temperature was hot, I believe the evening tonight will be warm enough to swim in the creek.”

          I was suddenly excited for tonight’s picnic. We could have a bonfire, roast marsh mellows and swim in the creek. Under the stars, it could be the perfect night.

          This will show you, dad. We don’t need you!

          I rushed inside our bedroom to tell Sabrina about the picnic, and her face brightened at the thought of it. “Oh my gosh, what are we going to wear?”

          That indeed was a problem for me. I had no contact for Richard, no idea what to wear, and I knew I must look good. If I look good, I impress Richard.

          “I don’t know, but I have to tell Richard.”

          “Richard?”

          I suddenly realized that Sabrina knew nothing about Richard. In fact, I don’t tell her much about anything related to my social life- not about Abigail, Tara, Emily, Grace, about the desperate girls Victoria and Jasmine, about the teachers and about the legend of Malistaire and Sylvia Drake.

          “Well, Richard is this really cute guy, super nice and all. He’s amazing, and he happens to be my first friend. He’s fire-“

          “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Sabrina repeated. “Back it up a bit. He’s fire? How the heck did you get mom to let you befriend a fire guy?”

          “Well, it took a while. I don’t really know what made her change her mind.” I explained.

          “I’m surprised she warmed up at all.” Sabrina laughed heartily. “Well, at least I know that we have to dress you up hot tonight.”

          “Oh please.” I rolled my eyes. “Like we have anything pretty for me to wear. All we have is second hand clothes and my robes for the first day of school. Richard already saw my life robes.”

          “We’ll find something-not all our stuff is crap.”

          “Most of it is.” I mumbled. We heard a knock on our door, and our mother peeked through the doorway, still in her gardening clothes.

          “Hi, girls. I’m going out for a bit to buy some marsh mellows and our dinner since, well, you know I can’t cook well. Anyways, I will be back in around a half hour.”

“Okay, mom. We will be here.” I replied. Sabrina just looked down at her lap, a scowl on her face. It was as though our mother’s sweet scent disgusted her nose.

          “Bye girls.” She left the room.

          “You should give mom a chance.” I told Sabrina quietly. I didn’t know if she heard me, but she didn’t speak.

          Since we had nothing to do, I decided to fill Sabrina in with everything. Right now, she wasn’t just my sister- she was my best friend. My secret-teller. I told her about Golem Court, my fear of Malistaire coming after me, my dreams, our mother’s strange letters, about the legend in my history books, about Sylvia’s death and my birth date resemblance, about Emily, Tara, Grace and the desperate girls. I even told her about the Haunted Cave, along with the teachers of Ravenwood and that my professor was an actual dog.

          “Geez, Mary. If I knew all about this- no, I’m saying this wrong. If I were you, my head would explode! How can you stand all this? I mean, the Wizard City newspaper told everybody about the

Golem Court

thing, but I never realized it would be that scary being face-to-face. It’s so weird, what Malistaire said, you know? ‘You’re Alive?’” Sabrina exclaimed.

          “I know, and it is driving me crazy. I want to know about the letters, more about Sylvia, and why mom gets all nervous when I mention this stuff! I wonder if I was Sylvia in my past life…” I pondered this. She died right after I was born- but that wouldn’t make sense. She was still alive when I entered this world.

          “Nah, too superstitious. Plus, she was still alive when you were born.” Sabrina explained.

          “Ugh! If only this stuff was easier to figure out.” I moaned. I ran my hands through my hair in irritation.

          “Well, you’re totally protected under the magic of Questures and Headmaster Ambrose. Nobody gets past them.” Sabrina explained, brushing her hair.

          “I know.” I figure that Headmaster Ambrose was doing something to keep Malistaire away. Now that he knows my name and what I look like, I doubt he won’t come after me. Headmaster Ambrose most likely cast some kind of charm- creepy to know there is magic everywhere, along with fascinating. Everything is fascinating to me.

          Tomorrow, after school, I will go to the Headmaster’s office and confront him. Perhaps if I told him this entire thing, he would believe me. However, for now, I will enjoy this family picnic.

          “I will go confront Headmaster Ambrose.” I decided. Sabrina watched my face closely as I spoke, but I dared not show emotion. “He is the smartest guy around; he will know what to do.”

          “I agree.” Sabrina added.

          I sighed. “At least you don’t have some weird school like me. You figured out your school early, and it actually makes sense.”

          “Yeah. But we can’t know for sure? We might have a balance family member!” Sabrina tried to convince me.

          “Ugh, Sabrina. Remember Grandma?”

          “The one you’re named after? Mom’s mom?” Sabrina asked.

          “No, our dad’s mom.”

          “Yeah, we used to go over there when we knew him…” Sabrina grimaced. “I was told that, anyways. I was only one years old, I think.”

          “Duh. Remember how we would go to her house to visit during the summer?” I asked.

          “Yeah.”

          “Well, I vaguely remember that she had the family tree on the dining room wall. Everybody on the family tree had their school stated under their picture, and none of them were Balance. I know this because, despite my age back then, mom told me about the family tree and she said it was unique that we hadn’t had a Balance ancestor yet.” I explained.

          “Shoot. Well, who can really know if dad was fire or not? Maybe he was really Death.” Sabrina suggested.

          “Mom was with him for three years, Sabrina. Plus, she wouldn’t have two kids without knowing the guy- he’s fire, according to our mother. She wouldn’t lie about his school.” I explained, although she was on to something. Except it was the other way around. “However, if he really was Death, then I think it was him who lied, not our mother. Although I think mom would have figured out after three years, you know? She’s not stupid.”

          “Maybe.” Sabrina looked as though she was in deep thought. “Let’s lay off this subject for today, okay? We are just kids… Well, I am, anyways. We don’t know anything- let’s just wait until Headmaster Ambrose deals with it.”

          I nodded in agreement. I pulled out a book from my bag, and read until I heard our mom walk through the front door. I heard her call my name, and I put my book down to see what she had to say.

          I walked out of my room, and my mother’s face was glowing. “Mary, can you guess who I met at the store just now?”

          “Um, a person?”

          She rolled her eyes in slight annoyance. “Well, yeah it’s a person! Except this person happens to be Richard’s father.”

          I felt my eyes widen. “You met Richard’s dad? How?”

          “He was the one selling me the food, and we struck up a conversation. Funny, isn’t it? He was a very nice man, he was.” Mom explained.

          “Did you ask him if Richard could come over tonight?” I asked eagerly.

          “Well, with a coincidence like that, how could I not? He agreed out of meeting me, and he has heard much about you, obviously everybody has. Richard is coming over at six, so it’s a quarter after five right now. I want you to get ready, okay?”

          I wanted to scream in excitement. I rushed into my room, and Sabrina looked up at me in annoyance. “Who died?”

          “I’m going to die if I don’t get ready! Richards going to be here in four-tea five minutes!” I screeched, opening my closet with great force.

          “Oh my freaking god! Why so early?” Sabrina exclaimed.

          “Mom met his dad at the market, and he told her that Richard will be here at six!” I was now throwing clothes to the floor, trying to find the right outfit.

          “Get in the shower, and I will pick out your clothes.” Sabrina demanded. I did what she was told- despite her being younger than me, she had a very good fashion sense.

          I hurried upstairs, and into the bathroom. I showered, and used the best smelling soaps. While in the shower, I heard Sabrina come into the bathroom.

          “These clothes will look awesome on you, so don’t get them dirty!” Sabrina yelled through the loud water running.

          “Thanks, Sabrina!” I said loudly, and I heard the door close.

          After cleansed, I dried myself and put sweet smelling lotions on me. Only a little, I didn’t want to be too smelly. I put on the clothes, which happened to be a purple bikini, with a beautiful blue, flowery dress to put on over the bathing suit. It was loose at the bottom, so it swirled freely. I wondered where Sabrina found this in my closet…

          I dried my hair, and brushed it until it was soft as silk. I put it in a loose bun, with a strand of golden hair that hung like a crescent moon over my face. I put my mother’s makeup on, so it made my complexion look healthy and beautiful. No, mascara, I thought. I didn’t want any makeup running off my face when I get into the water.

          Before I walked out of the bathroom, I put a slight bit of perfume on me. I smelled myself just in case to see if I put too much on, and I caught the perfect scent of raspberry and a fresh, watery scent. I checked my teeth to see if they were white enough, and put an extra bit of Chap Stick and lip gloss on.

          I looked into the mirror. I was perfect.

          I walked out of the bathroom in glamorous beauty. Sabrina, whom was wearing an orange dress with a red bathing suit under, gaped at me. “Well, you did an awesome job at looking pretty.”

          I swirled in the flowery dress. “You sure it’s not too much?”

          “Like heck its not- you look totally natural, as in naturally beautiful.” Sabrina gazed at me as though I was the weirdest thing in the world.

          “Why are you staring at me like that?” I was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

          Sabrina laughed. “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just weird seeing my sister going on a date.”

          I twitched. “It’s not a date, Sabrina. We aren’t even together.”

          “But you want to be.” Sabrina smirked.

          “Ugh, shut up. Where is mom?” I asked.

          “Downstairs. She doesn’t look half bad herself.” Sabrina answered with a twinkle in her eye.

          We walked downstairs, and mom was sitting at the couch. Despite how casual it looked, mom looked absolutely stunning. She wore a green, vintage dress with a flowered hat and a blue bathing suit underneath. Her golden hair curled in the perfect way, cradling her shoulder. We could have all passed as rich people.

          She eyed me in the same way I eyed her. Sabrina broke the silence. “Oh my gosh, we all look hot!”

          We burst into fits of laughter, and I heard Richard knock on the door