Suddenly, a strong wind blew past. We stood still awaiting whatever it brings. We're stuck and that's it.
“Katty! Katty!” a very familiar voice called out.
That's Sylvia's voice, how did she get here?
“my mum, she's here”I could see her from a distance now.
He arched a brow. “your mum? ”
Sylvia moved closer to us. Her face was lit. She embraced me though I was too surprised to speak.
“mum! ”I gasped.
She looked indifferent , still had that smiling face.
“you have a wolf now, she's beautiful ”she carried the pup and kissed it. It wiggled and licked her face. “what's her name? ”
“Luna ”I answered. “and he's Joel ”I had to introduce him, she didn't seem to notice him.
“oh Joel ”she hugged him too. “how are you? ”
“very well, thanks”
“let's go out now” Sylva led us out. The world felt like magic. How did she know I was here in the first place?
We were silent, everyone was thinking. And Joel, things are getting worse, I wish I could read his thoughts that easily. I've lost my esteem. I feel numb and deflated. When we were out of the forest, Joel asked to leave but I stopped him.
“Joel, wait”
He turned around and smiled. The first smile I've ever seen on his face.
“you know my name already wow”
“ And you too. Right? ”
“yes, Katrienair ”
I shook my head. “I prefer Katty”
“fine, nice to meet you ”
“why did you follow me? ” I asked.
He fixed a stare at me. It was so intense that I had to look the other way.
“I just wanted to help. I guess you're not only new in the school but also in this environment. I won't let the new girl die out of ignorance. ” he said nonchalantly.
“you were ready to die with the new girl or what? ” I asked and I hated the way it sounded.
“look, little brat, I never thought we'll get stuck. I would not have to die to save you ”
Harsh? Yes, I felt crushed. It's my fault though.I should have kept quiet. Maybe I'm not in the right state of mind to talk. Now I'm brought more pain upon myself. I just have to face it.
“I'm not a brat! ”I snapped.
“sure you are”he said derisively.
I was getting annoyed. Is this who Joel is? Or maybe I caused this.
“Damn you! ”I snapped out of annoyance and I somehow regretted but I just couldn't help myself. “I will not have died if you didn't help. Thanks anyway ”
“you're not welcome ” he turned and left.
What does that mean? Oh my God! He's annoying...
***
When we got home, I walked straight to my room. Depressed, I sprawled flat on the bed. Tears streamed down my cheek. Who am I? What's going on in my world? I felt Luna lick my face and rubbed her nose on mine. I felt consoled.
“Luna”I said and it whined. I was happy it heard me.
“who am I Luna? Tell me if you know. Why did I fight that hard? Why did I act that fast? Where was that energy from? I've always been a weakling ”I paused to catch my breath “now, I've tainted my image in school. I can't go back there. ”
I shrieked.
***
Sylvia walked in with a tray. She sat by my side and helped me up.
“I guess school wasn't good, so sorry. I thought the school was the best for, I guess I was wrong. ”
She wiped my tears. “tell me everything —all that happened ”
I was ready to speak anyway. “there was a fight. Five of them, four held me down and one of them was with a knife. She was aiming for my face but I fought the five of them without raising a finger. Everyone around called me names. They were scared of me. I felt like an animal. I just had to run. Who am I mum? Where did those power come from? ”
She just sighed while I was losing it.
“and mum you appeared from nowhere. Everything is just —I don't know... ”I cried.
“calm down Katty, everything will be fine ”
She wiped my tears again. Luna laid on my chest and held on to my dress.
“have it ”she handed me a cup of chocolate cuppicino. It's my best but right now I don't need anything but answers. I shook my head and she dropped it.
“Fine, I'll explain to you ”she said. “well, I sensed you were in danger. That necklace connects you to me. So I teleported. ”she paused. “I guess it's high time you knew that I'm a witch, yes I'm a witch”
A witch? Today has really been cursed.
“katty, calm down. Your health ”
I didn't notice I was breathing hard. Maybe I should calm down.
“I mean no harm to you katty ”I could sense in her voice that she was near to tears. “please do not hate me ”
“no”I said “I will always love you mum”
I saw her relax. “I love you too ”
“look katty, you are gifted beyond measures. You have plenty of gift. You just discovered one of them ”
“Am I also a witch? ”
“I can't say but I know you are not an ordinary child. You have powers, even more than I do. All you need to do is discover them. ”
I tried to think but nothing made sense to me.
Why can't I just be normal?
I'm tired of being different but it's the reality I have to accept. It's frustrating.
Who the hell am I?
I looked down at Luna. She was asleep on my chest, like a baby on her mother.
I could feel her thoughts in mine. There's this connection I have with her, that makes me feel like I'm an animal also. I wish I knew what all these things are.
“Luna, why did she find me? ”
“we have a strong connection to nature. We can communicate with nature. She's yours Katty ” Sylvia replied. “you have a purpose Katty, everyone has. Discover it. It might be very demanding but I promise to be ever present in your times of need ”
We were quiet and I was crying in her arms. It's my first day at school and with the way it's ending, I'm never returning to that school again.