Dark

Crowd: "Witch! Witch! Tear the witch into pieces! The men in black were really angry and there was no escape. They had tied my leg into a horse, my other leg into another horse. Both my arms were tied separately into two horses, making both my limbs to be tied into four different horses facing all directions. They were stretching me as they shifted a little, ready to gallop away, and it was so painful. Just as I thought I was about to pass out before actually being torn into pieces, the leader of the gang came near me and sprinkled me with a black liquid, using an animal's tail. "| æș¢ £gj^ ßľñðý īíïö0 šage (I am the leader of the Nocturnal cult) It is our time now. Very soon, only the wizards will rule the Earth! We are tired of the diplomatic witches killing their first born sons! Revenge is ours! Revenge is ours! And the underground world we will rule!" He shouted in my face. A cold chill ran down my spine, but I shouldn't let this man intimidate me. I shouldn't show my pain, I'm an upper rank witch, like them, a proud Devil worshipper. "I am Sela! Betrothed to the Devil himself! Tear me to pieces and face the wrath of our Father who art in the Abyss!" I let out a very loud mocking laugh. "Destroy the witch!" He was frustrated. I held in my pain as the crowd shouted and the first horse started moving, pulling my arm. It was so painful, my life was about to be over. .. A very bright light appeared from the sky and I quickly jumped up. I blinked and noticed that I was behind the tree. It was just a vision! Another of my meaningless visions, maybe my mom's gift is being transferred to me, but what was surprising was that, she was not a witch, and so am I not. She was just a mere traditional healer. My name is Sela, a very tall 13 years old girl, and I am from Western Kenya. The only child from my mother and father. My father is from a country called Botswana, down the African map, he originate from a little town named Maun but I have never been there. He told me that after my mother's burial, we would relocate there. I was so glad, I would be free from my wicked fat aunts. They tormented me, since mom was always busy healing people and she kinda treated me like a painful reminder. I don't know why I feel thaf way, maybe she was just harsh on me. I mean, her and Dad were so in love. So, today was my mother's burial but I was not allowed to come since I started my first period today, my Aunt said it was the stress and hormones. I guess that would delay our journey with Dad since after the funeral, I have to partake in a traditional girls initiation ceremony, a ceremony of welcoming a young woman into adulthood. Me being me, after being banned from coming to the burial site, I snuck out and followed them here. I was curious, I overheard that mom would be buried the traditional way, buried sitting in her coffin. That is the Bukusu tribe's way of parting with their loved ones, they bury them seated, in order for them to be ready for the afterlife. The rain had stopped and only the cool breeze around remained. The forest was so green and thick, moist air lingering around. I hid behind a tree quickly as one of my aunts turned as if sensing me. I held my breath and tightened my shawl around me. I waited until it was safe and peeped at the graves. Everyone was wearing a white robe, highlighted with red, they had the hood of the robe covering their heads and they looked almost identical, but I could spot Dad standing on the far right. A very cold hand clasped my mouth, scaring me. I turned around, ready to face my demise and came face to face with a handsome stranger. A man, about my father's height and age, and I swear he was the most handsome person I have ever seen in Kenya, let me just say the universe. My eyes bulged but somehow I was so relaxed for someone who was being held by a stranger. He put a warning finger on his lips and slowly let me go. Him: Hi Sela. You are so grown now. (He looked left and then right, he was uncomfortable) Let's go deep in the forest, someone might spot me. Me: Who are you? Him: I'm Archangel.... (his face grew pale and he smiled quickly to cover his panick) Let's not say names loud. We shouldn't, right? (He smiled again) Me: (I nod my head) You said you are an Archangel, are you my gurdian angel? Him: I have a message (he ignored me) It will be important in the future. Follow me. I blindly followed him and we hid behind some trees, totally invisible to the mourning crowd. I could hear them shouting "Wele Khakhaba..." and chanting the clan names. You would wonder why I am not grieving for mom, the fact is, I feel her presence around me. It is comforting to know that she hasn't completely left me, she will always be there for me, besides, I have my father by side. He is such a dear. The Archangel started talking, bringing me back to reality. He was really tall, glowing a little, but looked ordinary for an angel. He looked too human, except for the pure white clothes, I've never seen such whiteness before. But then, I'm used to seeing strange things nowadays. Him: Someday child, when you are a bit older, you will be tried. You will lose almost everything of yours, but I want you to remember that good always wins, good is the way and never ever choose evil, no matter what. Me: Yeah, my father said love is the way to goodness. Him: Love.... (he seemed to be starring into space for a moment) Look, I have to go. Just don't choose evil when the time comes. You will be given two options, good or evil, being a witch. Please child, never do that okay? Me: Okay. You never told me your name. Him: My name? I heard footsteps coming from the cementery side. I quickly looked and saw my father coming. I looked at my side and the Archangel was gone. He simply had vanished into thin air because I didn't hear him going. My father approached, he rounded the bush and spotted me. He was wearing the white and red robe like the rest of the mourners. He smiled down at me, since I was sitting down. Dad: My first lady. My Joy, Sela. Do you know that mommy is the one who chose that name for you? Me: Yes Dad. How did you find me by the way? Dad: I saw you following us when we were carrying the coffin. Me: Oh. Dad: Yeah. Plans changed, we are going to Maun tomorrow morning. Sela: But I was supposed to wait for the initiation ceremony first. Dad: (Laughing) Don't tell me you believe in those too. Ngwanaka, the way you love initiations, I swear, I won't be suprised if you get initiated into witchcraft. Me: Daddd!! Dad: (Still laughing) I'm sorry, I'm sorry okay? Me: Okay. Let's go. He held my hand and we walked towards the home. It was a very short distance, that is why the coffin was carried by the men. They didn't bother using cars. The mourners had left the cementry, so we walked freely, not scared to be scolded by my aunts for leaving the house. I couldn't stop smiling, my dream was finally coming true. I always wished to see and live at the mighty Maun, Dad's homeland. 14 YEARS LATER**†††**