WITCHDOM

CHAPTER 2.

***NOMAQHIBELO***

I still shudder at the memory of my initiation into the witch coven in Netherlands. I was just nine years old and was completely traumatized by the experience. I remember being surrounded by a circle of over thirty witches and wizards, their eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity in the dim light.

My mambo, who was supposed to be my mother, guardian and protector, was there too, but she just stood by and watched as I was subjected to the gruesome ritual. They killed live animals right in front of me, and then bathed me in their blood. I was horrified and tried to run away, but some sort of unseen force had me pinned to the spot.

I was crying uncontrollably, my mouth open in a silent scream, and that's when I accidentally drank some of the blood. It was warm and metallic-tasting, and it made me feel like I was going to vomit. The smell was awful, like something had died and was rotting.

The witches and wizards were all chanting and singing, their voices rising and falling in a creepy cadence. I felt like I was in some sort of nightmare, and I couldn't wake up. I was so scared and disoriented, and I didn't know what was happening or why.

Looking back, I realize that I was traumatized by the experience, and it's taken me a long time to come to terms with what happened. But at the time, I just felt like I was in a living hell, and I didn't know how to escape.

When Nogawini, the coven leader, handed me my book of shadows, something strange and unexpected happened. Instead of the usual black light striking me, the coven was suddenly blinded by a bright white light. And it was met with shock and outrage by the coven.

'Haibo! Evil one'

' a rotten egg'

'So wrong'

'Has never happened '

They all began to curse and shout at me, calling me an evil one, and my mother, who had always been distant, looked at me with a mixture of fear and hatred in her eyes. She named me Nomaqhibelo, meaning 'the cursed one', and from that day on, she treated me like I was a plague.

I was ousted from the coven, and the people of Netherlands, who were all witches and wizards, shunned me. I became a loner, an outcast, and I had no one to turn to. I longed for friendship and connection, but everyone seemed to fear me, as if I was somehow tainted.

I wish I wasn't different, I wish I could be like everyone else, but it seems like fate has other plans for me. I am forced to walk alone, and the only comfort I have is my book of shadows, which seems to hold secrets and powers that I am still discovering.

I often wonder why the white light chose me, why I am the cursed one, and what lies ahead for me on this lonely path. But for now, I am left to ponder these questions, alone and afraid, in a world that seems determined to reject me.

After the initiation, my mother moved us to the far end of the village, to the top of the hills close to the evil river. It's a place where no one dares to go near. I can see the river from our new home, and it's breathtakingly beautiful. I don't understand why it's called the 'evil river' or 'Umfula Omubi' in Zulu.

I've tried to listen in on the older witches' stories about the river, but they always stop talking when I approach. It's as if they don't want me to know the secrets of the river. I've even tried asking my mambo, but she warned me sternly, telling me that if I want to die, I should go to the evil river quickly. I knew she meant it as a threat, and that I shouldn't go near the river or I'll face dire consequences.

I'm curious and scared at the same time. What makes this river so dangerous? Why are the older witches so secretive about it? I feel like there's something important I'm missing, and I'm determined to uncover the truth about the evil river. But for now, I'll have to keep my distance and observe from afar.

Growing up, I noticed that most witch families had a wizard father and a witch mother. But in my case, I've never known my wizard father. It's as if he vanished into thin air, and no one wants to talk about him.

I've tried asking my mambo, my witch mother, about my father on several occasions. But she always brushes me off, changing the subject or telling me it's not important. However, one day was different. It was a rare evening when mambo was in a good mood, and I decided to take a chance.

I approached her with caution, not wanting to ruin the moment.

''Mambo, can I ask you something?''

I said hesitantly. She looked at me with a hint of surprise but nodded for me to continue.

''Where is my Baba?'' I asked, trying to sound casual.

Mambo's expression changed in an instant. She looked away, her eyes clouding over.

Mambo:''Don't worry me, Nomaqhibelo,'' she said, her voice tight. '' You're not important. He is better off without you.''

I sensed a deep sadness in her voice, but also a hint of fear. It was as if she was hiding something from me. I wanted to press her further, but I knew better. When mambo doesn't want to talk, it's best to leave it alone. So I dropped the subject, but my curiosity only grew stronger. Who is my wizard Baba, and why is mambo so secretive about him?

***PRINCE LUCAS STHANDWA***

As I slowly regained consciousness, I realized that I was in a dark and eerie place. I couldn't see anything around me, but I could sense that I was in a small, enclosed space. I tried to move my arms and legs, but they were tightly bound by ropes. I was tied up so tightly that it hurt.

I also realized that I was blindfolded, and my mouth was covered with duct tape. I tried to speak, but all that came out were muffled grunts. I was in a state of panic, and my heart was racing.

As I struggled to free myself, I realized that my body was in pain. My muscles ached from being tied up for so long, and my joints felt stiff. I was also feeling dizzy and disoriented, probably from the drug that my stepbrothers had given me.

I tried to remember how I got there, but my memories were hazy. I vaguely remembered eating the food that my stepbrothers had given me, and then feeling dizzy. After that, everything was a blur.

Now, as I lay there in the darkness, I was filled with fear and uncertainty. Where was I? Why was I tied up? What did my stepbrothers plan to do with me? I was trapped and helpless, and I didn't know what the future held. COULD MY MOTHER BE RIGHT ABOUT MY STEP BROTHERS?