The Bewitched

Episode 2: Something New

        ...and saw the girl who had been following her all this time.  Alexa was frozen in place.  Although she had somewhat expected to see her, she still felt surprised.  Who lets themselves into someone's house like this, especially when they are acting like they are supposed to be following someone in secret?  But she felt drawn to the girl and was too curious to run.  For the first time, she let herself really see her.  Her face was gentle and kind despite the intrusion, a hint of a smile playing on her pale pink lips.  She was wearing a purple dress with gold beading near the neckline that glittered in the stagnant florescent light.  The girl looked out of place in her empty and clean modern kitchen.  Almost in the same way Alexa herself had always felt.

    After a moment of incredibly awkward silence, Alexa managed to stutter out the words, "Wh-who are you?" before taking a step back and leaning on the counter for support.

    "I've been following you," the girl responded in a cool even tone, "and I noticed something... different about you.  Just as I expected."

    Not very helpful, Alexa thought.  The girl seemed to be patiently taking Alexa in as well.  She started at her feet, stopping to stare from time to time, before resting on her face.  It made Alexa shiver.  She had never felt so naked and unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself in protection.

    Gathering up her courage, Alexa slowly pulled away from the counter and let her resolve harden.  This person had intruded in her home, not the other way around.  "Well, if you're going to be a guest in my home AND ignore my questions, you might as well take a seat."

    To Alexa's surprise, the girl turned toward the living room.  In an attempt to bring some normalcy to all this, Alexa went to grab some water for the both of them.  Peeking at the girl from behind the door of the fridge, she saw her running her hands over the knick knacks on the coffee table and paying special attention to all the details in the room.  The girl gently brushed a plant that stood in the corner.  Alexa had nursed that plant back to life after she had found it sticking out of a trash can in the neighborhood a few days ago, barely clinging to life.  It had gained back a little green already and seemed to lean towards her whenever Alexa went near it.  But at this girl's gentle touch, she watched in amazement as it grew a whole knew leaf.

    Almost a little jealous, Alexa shut the door to the fridge loudly and walked over to the girl.  Handing her the glass of water, she looked at her offering an impatient stare as she waited for an explanation.  The girl took a seat, and the lights in the room dimmed.

    "My name is Elonwyn," she offered, her eyes playfully narrowing in response to mine, "and I think that you're a witch."

    Alexa's first reaction was defense and it must have shown on her face because immediately Elonwyn put a gentle hand on her arm.  Alexa jumped at the touch as though she'd been hit by a spark but didn't pull away.  In such an uncomfortable situation, she found herself drawn the comfort that came from the warmth of her hands.

    "It's not an insult.  It's a gift."  Elonwyn smiled, and closed her eyes.  The lights went out completely this time, and with her other hand she drew a small bright ball of light from the air.  Everything seemed to crackle with energy and Alexa was in awe.  When Elonwyn opened her eyes, Alexa saw the gold flecks in them sparkle from the reflection of the light and couldn't help but stare.  Just as suddenly the scene was over, but the two were still staring into each other's eyes.

    "Okay," Alexa's voice a little shaky, "I see your point.  But what makes you think I can do that?"  She looked down at her hands.  She had never felt like she was very good at anything and couldn't imagine that this would be something new.  This girl was already beautiful and now she was also magically talented.  What kind of candle could she hold in this new reality?

    Elonwyn grasped her chin in her hands forcing her to look up.

    "You have the gift.  What form that takes for you?  Only time will tell.  But I know you feel it.  I know you have noticed the little things that mark you as one of the Bewitched.  We all do."

    "I have, but what does that mean?"

    Ignoring her questions, Elonwyn stood up.  "I'll be back tomorrow.  And I'll show you."  

    "Wait, where...," but before Alexa could say much else, Elonwyn was out the door and seemed to fade into the night.  Alexa felt starstruck.  After wondering for days what all this could mean, she had an overwhelming number of emotions she hadn't prepared for.  It was all so beautiful, so grand, so satisfying.  If what Elonwyn was saying was true, so much of her life made sense now.  

    It didn't really answer for her, the question of who she was or why she was this way.  As Alexa lay in bed that night, she concocted a million ways tomorrow might go.  Elonwyn might not come back.  She could have been a dream or a fantasy.  She might come back, but Alexa might still not be enough.  Not enough to produce anything real or significant.  

    Or maybe, she thought in a soft voice at the back of her mind, maybe I could be something great.  Maybe I could find something great.  Maybe I could find someone great.

    And with those last few thoughts, she drifted into a deep dreamless sleep.