The Last Witch

Spiral Thoughts

“Aspen, breakfast is ready!” Aunt Ara shouted from the kitchen just as the amazing smell of bacon hit my nostrils. Bacon is a rare treat since we have to buy it when we go to town. There are no special occasions right now, but I know Aunt Ara feels my frustration buzzing in the air and this is her way to help me relax a little bit. I can’t release my magic, no matter what I do. I feel it under my skin, but even after hours of meditation, it is like that part of me has a seal on it. We thought it could be a protection spell that my parents used on me, but we tried every single spell we could think to break it and none of them worked.

Why would I need to unlock my magic if I live in a world that hates magic beings? I have asked that question many times. Something about how having magic locked inside of you can be bad as you age and become more powerful. It could take you over and make you go mad if locked up for a long time like that. Also, the fact that we would be able to protect ourselves better if the two of us had our powers. And we could also try to avenge our people and free their souls.

“Earth to Aspen!” She snapped her fingers in front of my face. I did it again. Lately, it has been getting harder and harder to be present. My thoughts go everywhere. Something big is coming and I have been trying to figure out what.

“You can’t keep getting distracted like that, Aspen. You have to keep yourself centered. I know it is hard right now, eat some bacon and then go take a nap and rest up a little bit sweetheart.” Aunt Ara said softly.

“I know. I just have this weird feeling, I feel like a piece is missing that would explain why I can’t control my magic. I keep going over everything, from the day I got here to our practice this morning.” I sighed.

Aunt Ara put a piece of bacon in her mouth while raising her eyebrows at me.

“There is nothing missing Aspen, you just need to keep trying. Your mother took months before she could master a spell, and you are far more powerful than her.”

I looked at her puzzled, she didn’t even realize she said something about my mom. She never talked about her, they had a very… complicated relationship. All I know is that they were as close as sisters can be, their parents died young fighting the war against an evil wizard, and they only had each other. Until the day my mom met my father and just disappeared. She left Aunt Ara alone to fend for herself when she was only 16 years old. In one of the letters she sent her, she said Aunt Ara wouldn’t understand her new world.

She would then send a yearly package to Aunt Ara, with lots of money and small updates, like when I was born and the letter she sent with me on the day I arrived.

“Don’t spiral over it, Aspen, she was my sister after all. Of course, I know things about her” she ruffed.

“I wish we knew who my father was, that is all. Maybe that's the piece that is missing.” I said that and held my breath.

“I can’t help you with that. She never told me his name, or what he was.” She stood up and cleaned her hands on her apron, letting me know this conversation was over.

“Now, finish eating and go take a nap, it will make you feel better. We have many things to prepare before winter arrives in a few weeks.”

I finished eating the bacon and washed the dishes. Tails was walking against my legs, purring softly. I picked him up and headed to my small bedroom. My bedroom was narrow like my Aunt's. On one side there was a circular window that faced the backyard. My bed sat right under it, and a colorful quilt Aunt Ara gifted me for Christmas one year covered it at all times. At the other end of the bed, there was a small desk with a bookshelf with normal human books, just in case we ever had any visitors. I put Tails on the end of the bed and pulled the quilt over myself. The only thing this cat loves more than food is a good nap. I chuckled, and sleep claimed me before I could think about anything else.