Rebirth:Tale of a Young Witch

Chapter Five

The sun had started to set, pulling down the temperature with it  as I was finishing my shopping spree. The back seat and trunk of my car was almost over filled with bags and boxes. Maybe I went a little overboard, I thought to myself. Even though I barely put a dent in my inheritance in the process. With an exhausted sigh I climbed into my old clunker slamming the door behind me before quickly cranking the engine and turning on the heat. I sat there for a moment rubbing my hands together allowing the car to warm up. I clicked the radio jumping slightly due to the loud volume of a new pop song blaring through my speakers. Whoa girl, I am not the same person I was a few hours ago.  I thought to myself as I reached out and turned the volume knob from 37 to 15.

The gravel driveway crunched loudly under my tires as I pulled into my driveway. Spotting the familiar red sudan parking in front I was instantly filled with dread. “Can I ever just go home for once?” I mumbled softly to myself as I shut off the car grabbing my purse before opening my car door as it screamed in protest against the cold. Pain shot up my leg as I stepped on to the frozen ground, my high heels rubbed my skin raw during my shopping trip.slamming the door closed as i made eye contact with her. Becca sat crumbled on my front steps, her normally smooth blonde hair was fizzy and out of place. Her eye makeup running down her face making her look even more pathetic. Sighing softly I closed my eyes for a moment trying to reach deep down for empathy towards my childhood friend. Shaking my head I slowly approached my “friend”.

Becca stood up and started babbling through her tears as she wrapped her arms around me in a forceful hug almost knocking me down in the process. “ S-serneity, i am- “ she sucked in a deep breath through her tears trying to get the words out “ S-soh sore-ary!” The tall blonde whaled in my ear as she spoke. “I d-didn't mean to! I was so dru-nk and, and-” Sighing with frustration I pulled her arms off my body and stepped back slightly. “I don't want to hear it, Becca, damnit.“ i spat the words at her “why are you here?” I questioned angrily. Becca fell to her knees in front of me holding her face in her hands

“P-please serenity! I've lost everything today!” She continued to sob loudly in front of me. “What are you talking about?” I spoke to her still fuming at the whole display. “ J-josh came over this morning and told daddy everything!” she looked at me through her tears as she spoke “ D-daddy cut me off, I have no money, he kicked me out! And as I was moving my stuff out Brad called me and started yelling at me!” She sucked in a deep breath again before continuing “ Josh called Brad and told him everything! And he.. He left me!” she cried out.

I stared blankly for a moment pressing my lips together attempting to hold in my laughter at the pathetic display and overall situation. Unable to hold it in, I busted out laughing holding my stomach as I folded over.

Tears seeped out of my eyes as I did so. “What the f**k becca.” I said between laughs, unable to stop as I stared at her gazing up at me with a surprised expression. “ Oh my gosh. '' I said softly as my laughter died down and I wiped the laughter tears from my eyes. I stared down at her for a moment as I felt a pang of guilt.

“ I wish I could tell you I'm sorry, but honestly you deserved every second of this,” I said to her softly as she stared at the ground for a moment before speaking so softly I could barely hear “ You're right.. I shouldn't have come here..” her voice trailed off as she slowly stood up and started walking to her car staring blankly at the ground. “I guess i'll just go sleep in some store parking lot with the rest of the homeless people..” Becca said softly mostly to herself as I watched her start to walk away just as the guilt started to fully set in. sighing softly “ Becca, wait..” You're too nice, I thought in my head internally kicking myself.

“You can stay here..” I watched as she slowly turned around to face me looking at me confused. “ I've known you my whole life, and while I haven't forgiven you yet I can't allow you to go homeless, hungry or cold..”  Becca stared at me for a moment “I can't expect you to do that, to allow me to move into your childhood home..”   I shook my head lightly “ Becca, it's fine I just landed an out of state job and I needed to rent the place out anyway..at least if it's you I don't need to do a background chec--” before i could even get my words out Becca about tackled me to the ground in a hug, her warm tears dripping down my neck as she did so. “You truly are my best friend!”  shaking my head, I gently patted her on the back. “ Can we go inside now? Its cold out here”

A few hours had passed since we both went inside my home. I had gotten Becca set up in the guest bedroom. I was still exhausted as I flopped on to my still unmade bed. Picking up my phone from my nightstand that was still plugged in to my green sparkly charger and started scrolling through social media, procrastinating on the much needed packing i had to do. With a sigh I set my phone back down, rolling over on to my side as I pulled my fleece blanket over my shoulders. “I'll just rest for a moment..'' I said to myself sleepily as my eyes slowly closed and I drifted off into a deep sleep..

I staggered backwards on top of the hard frozen ground. The moonlight washed over my pale skin making me a glowing target for the red eyed beast snarling as it slowly moved from the shadows into my direction.  I watched in fear as its face became more visible, its raven colored matted fur, overly large mouth with protruding fangs was enough for me. I quickly turned on to my knees facing the opposite direction jumping up to my wounded feet. I took off running alongside the glittering river.

I could hear its paws pounding the frozen ground behind me as I sucked in a breath of the frozen air stinging my throat and freezing my lungs that had previously felt as if they were on fire.  Without a thought I stopped in front of a large bare oak tree, its low branches seemingly begging for me to climb them. I clumsily climbed the tree with haste, the rough bark bit into my fingers and hands, as they became slick with blood.

Reaching out midway up the tree I glanced down to see the large beast walking around the tree, like a vulture circling. The moonlight illuminated something bronze that hung upon my neck, holding on to the tree with one hand I grasped onto the object and held it in front of me. Attached to a thick piece of black cord around my neck I stared down at a  familiar antique key. I ran my fingers across its bumpy surface. “ How did this get here..” no sooner than i could ask myself the question i was jared from my thoughts as the large wolf-like creature placed its oversized paws on to the side of the oak tree shaking it lightly. Dropping the key back to my neck I held on to the tree for dear life as tears erupted from my eyes “ What do you want from me!” I cried out. The beast below seemed to understand my question as it licked its lips before to my surprise, speaking in a deep burly voice. “Your Decision!” the beast boomed before shaking the tree once more.  I clung to the tree tightly. “ It's none of your business! Leave me alone!” I shouted loudly through my tears.

Becca stood over me, her hands on my shoulders shaking me “ Serenity, wake up! Wake up!” I shot up from my bed gasping for air, covered in sweat. “It was just a dream..are you okay?” Becca gently rubbed my back as I started to register that I in fact was in my own room in my bed, not being hunted by a strange wolf-like creature that somehow had the ability to speak. Taking in a deep breath I went to place my head in my hands when my forehead came in contact with something warm and metal. My breath hitched softly before speaking “ im okay now becca, thank you. I'd like to be alone now.. “  I said softly trying to sound genuine “ Well alright.. You know where to find me..” Becca said softly, glancing back at me before she closed my bedroom door.  

I pulled my hand away from my head and stared at the item that was in my hand.. the key my grandfather left. “No way, this is actually happening ..” I went to stand up from my bed with the key still in hand as I heard a soft crinkle under my foot.. “ No..” I closed my eyes tightly as I lifted my foot and pointed my head down, opening one eye to take a peek. There laid the faded red envelope wax seal intact as if it had never been opened. “Uhuh no..” i jumped up almost slipping on the envelope as i ran to my door and flug it open. Becca peeked out of her new room rubbing her eyes sleepily “it's 2 am.. Do you mind..what's going on with you anyway?” the blonde questioned sleepily “ Oh. um nothing haha i just really need to pee “ i said sheepishly rubbing the back of my head. “Okay then.. goodnight ..” Becca remarked and she started to shut her door. “ goodnight..” I said softly, waiting to hear her door click shut before wandering down the hall to the small table.  There was no trace of the envelope ever being on the table. It appeared completely untouched. I looked at the key in my hand biting my lip lightly Alright you want me to look, ill go look. I said to myself with determination, as I made my way down the hallway past grandpa's old room and to the last door on the left. I unlached the basement door and opened it slowly to reveal a dark stairway. I supported myself with the wall, the wooden steps creaking ominously as I descended down the stairs.  Once I reached the bottom I felt around in the dark along the wall till I finally found the light switch flicking it on, filled with relife as the room was now dimly lit by the single hanging light bulb. “Now what room are you talking about..” I gazed around the empty walls and the piles of old christmas decorations, and old photo albums.  I slowly walked around the basement looking for anything that could resemble a door. Sighing out is fursation i sat down in a dusty old rocking chair resting my chin in my hand. I rocked myself slowly still gazing around the room “ Was this all just a joke then?” I asked myself before I caught sight of what looked to be a small square door slightly covered by some boxes. Standing up I walked over to the large dusty box and started to push it out of the way “Dang what's even in this thing..” peeking over the top of the box i opened it slightly before gasping for air staggering back as a distorted face was looking right at me. I placed my hand over my heart as I creeped back over the box and sighed. “ just old halloween props..” I laughed at myself softly before turning to what looked to be a crawl space entrance. “Nah.. that can't be it..” I turned around and headed back for the stairway but stopped dead in my tracks looking back over my shoulder realizing that the small dingy white door did in fact have a keyhole.

Biting my bottom lip I turned around and slowly approached the small door, sitting on my knees in front of it. I pulled on the small wooden handle first and it didn't budge. Nervously I took my key and placed it into the lock, it slid in perfectly to my surprise. “Oh gosh..” I said softly as I turned the key and I heard the distant click of the small door unlocking, I pulled open the door, leaving the key sitting within the lock. I leaned my head down slightly to look into the small opening. a cold breeze danced across my face as I gazed into what appeared to be a dark tunnel with a dim light at the end. I sat there for a moment debating on if I wanted to crawl through that small space and risk possibly getting stuck. “I must really be going crazy.” I stated to myself as I got on my hands and knees and crawled through the dusty dark tunnel. Despite how it looked from the outside looking in, the tunnel was actually quite spacious. The rough uneven cold floor dug into my knees and palms, small pebbles getting embedded as I crawled. Reaching the end of the tunnel it came to a small clearing with nothing but a large wooden door and a lit torch. I stood up slowly using the cold, damp wall for support. That seems like a fire hazard, I thought to myself, I quickly brushed off the embedded pebbles from my knees and hands hearing them fall to the ground as I did so.  “ Alright here goes nothing..” I said out loud to no one other than myself. I grasped the wrought iron door handle and began to pull the abnormally heavy door open, the rusty hinges groaning loudly as it opened. Hesitantly i walked into the darkened room, with one foot barely in the doorway torches on the walls surrounding  the large oval shaped room erupted into flames providing light for me to see the contents of the room. “ uh.. Am I awake right now?” reaching down to my arm I pinched the skin flinching lightly as I did so.  Walking further into the room I inhaled the soft scent of sage and rosemary.  the light of the flickering torches dancing across glass glass potion bottles filled with various liquids of different colors with cork styal lids . On a separate shelf below the potions held glass bottles filled with dried herbs. On the opposite wall held several wooden shelves full of different types of crystals.i ran my fingers along the dusty shelves glazing down at the watching on my wrist with slight confusion. I tapped the silver watch face as I noticed the clock hands were stuck at 2:37 am “Well, that sucks..” I shrugged my shoulders  before returning my attention to the crystal laden shelf.  picking up a large amethyst crystal and rubbing the dust off onto my shirt “ Wow..it's beautiful” i said softly as i ran my fingers over the cool smooth surface. I gently placed the crystal back upon the wooden shelf as my eyes traveled over the various things placed in every direction. My eyes stalled as I came upon a small wooden box wood burned with various runes. Gently I picked up the rough unfinished box in my hands, unclasping the small useless lock on the front. I slowly opened the lid to find a bronze old school stopwatch. The glass face shattered the clock hands still and unmoving. White wax was dried over the entirety of the watch. The bottom of the box was filled with dried rose petals and lavender sprigs. “Alright then…” I said with confusion as I closed the box and replaced it on the shelf. I cautiously approached the wooden altar in the center holding white and red pillar candles, the wax dripped down to the floor creating a small puddle. A  half burned  bundle of sage layed on the right side next to an incense cone holder depicting what looked to be a seamlessly beautiful goddess.  I bent down slightly, taking in a deep breath and blew off the piles of dust that had collected on top of what appeared to be a diary. I waved my hand in front of my face, coughing and blinking slightly as the cloud of dust danced throughout the room before settling. I reached down and touched the rough, natural paper filled with my grandfather's handwriting. I grasped the overly large book in my hands as I sat down on the dirty floor in front of the altar. Placing the book in my lap as I read.

                                                  Earth , Water, Wind, and  fire

                                                    Elements of Astral Birth

                                                I call you now, Attend to me!

                                                  In  the circle , rightly cast

                                                Safe from physic curse or blast

                                              I Call you now,Attend to me!

                                            From cave to dessert, Sea and hill

                                        By blade and wand , cup and pentacle

                                            I call you now, Attend to me !

                                            This is my will, So mote it be !

I stared with confusion at the rough natural pages. The blackened wicks of the pillar candles upon the altar spraked into flame as I finished the last sentence. The skin on my arms felt very warm and weighted as if someone was leaning into my back giving me a hug. My scalp also began to feel warm and tingly. A drop of moisture landed on the natural pages, I looked up to the celinging completely dumbfounded as to what was happening. The liquid ran down my face as I reached my left hand over to my eye and realized the drop came from me..  I'm crying..? Why am I crying? I questioned myself gently as the tears kept flowing and I was overwhelmed with joy.  I closed the oversized leather book running my fingers along the stitched spine, my tears leaving small trails as I did so. “Blessed be..” I said softly reading the spine of the book. I hugged the book to my chest as the tears continued to flow. I looked up at the altar as I noticed a silver goblet that had gone unnoticed glinting in the light. Holding the book under my arm I slowly moved on to my knees supporting myself with the altar as I stood up.  I sat the book gently down on the altar as I picked up the goblet tilting it towards me to reveal a dark red liquid. . “Drink it..” a womanly voice seemed to whisper in my ear as a cool breeze rushed upon the back of my shoulders. I set the cup down abruptly as I jumped ever so slightly the liquid sloshing around the silver interior but never spilling. I looked around the room quickly, the warm tingling upon my skin increased as did my pulse “ W-who said that?” I asked loudly, my own voice echoing off the stone walls.  “Serenity..” the wind pushed on to my shoulders almost pushing me back towards  the altar as the voice whispered into my ear again. “Who are you?” I asked accusingly as my eyes darted around the room before falling upon the goddess incense holder. The red look liquid dripped from her closed eyes. “ No..it can't be..” I stammered softly. I shivered lightly as the gust of wind returned again as she spoke to me.  “ Drink..and all of your questions will be answered”

“This has to be a dream.. “ I started to myself as I picked up the  silver goblet in my hands.  “ I really must be crazy..” I shook my head lightly before racing the cold silver goblet to my mouth tilting my head back allowing the thick red liquid to pour into my mouth. The taste of iron was slick on my tongue as I began to feel slightly nauseous. A small drip of the red liquid slipped from the corner of my mouth dripping down my neck as it did so.  I took the last big gulp before gasping for air lightly gently setting the goblet down on to the altar. I wiped the spilled liquid from my mouth with my sleeve as I coughed lightly.  Immediately I grasped onto the altar as I began to feel woozy. The room was spinning around me, small black spots appeared in my vision slowly growing until my vision went black. I could hear the womanly voice laughing softly as my hearing faded, I closed my eyes and fell to the cold hard ground.