The witch's mountain

Just outside my window, the birds sang their morning songs as the sun rose across the sky. A brand-new day was beginning. However, my restless sleep from last night kept me in bed. I turned over the same way that I had done last night. The bright sunlight captivated my attention, but my thoughts soon shifted to the events of the same dream I had for eight years now. It begins with me standing on one side of a river, surrounded by the majestic but narrow Mara Valley hillside. Although it was cool and crisp, there was a thick, heavy mist covering the front of the other side of the valley. It wasn't new. But it wasn't the same as the first night. The fog was thicker and the air thin at the time. It was drenched in the rain and tempered by vengeful winds and treacherous hail. Without hesitation, I left my peaceful stance to trudge myself across the river to see what was causing the raging storm. Halfway there, I tried calling out to whoever or whatever could hear me. But the river pushed me back. And the only thing that I heard was the sound of roaring thunder. How can I get through? I thought as I tried again to reach the other side. I wasn't quite sure, but the presence I felt seemed to be in trouble. And I was determined to help them. No matter what the cost. Maybe that was it. I couldn't see the person that I was trying to reach because they were the storm! I focused on the thundering clouds. A moment later, the dark clouds began to morph into two distinct shapes. The first described a four-legged animal. The second showed a desperate man screaming in agony. I knew a simple cry wouldn't work to reach him. So I took a deep breath. "What's wrong?" My voice was soft and gentle. And thankfully, it was enough to shift the dream into a simple white space with only a door in front of me. I attempted to open the door, but I had a feeling it would open on its own. The person behind the door was silent for a while. I'm patient. Whatever he was going through, I'm sure it was painful. "I-I've lost someone." His voice, defeated and hopeless. And yet, familiar. "So did I." And from that moment on, we pretty much shared everything for eight years. But last night, he wanted to meet face to face. I argued that we're probably not ready for that but, he insisted. And that's when I woke up. The thought of my dream friend meeting me for the first time scared the hell out of me. We don't know what to expect. And we don't even know what to call each other! How are we supposed to meet and not know each other's names?! It was alarming, but now isn't the time to think about it. There is so much to do. I have already wasted so much time being so bed-ridden. So I pulled myself out of bed and headed to the shower. Just before I stepped into the tub, something darted across my leg. My mouth filled with a huge smile as I observed its little, green scales and little black claws. As its bright, round, golden eyes looked at me, I was in awe. I scooped them up in my arms and held them tightly to my chest. Greeting him with a kiss on the head, I said, "Good morning, Daisuke." He reciprocated by placing a dragon tongue kiss on my cheek. My towel was left in the dryer last night, so the sweetheart came to bring it to me. It totally slipped my mind that I did laundry. Well, since I've been busy, my days are beginning to meld together. Taking the towel, I told Daisuke to make sure that his brother and sister were up by the time I got out of the shower. As Daisuke nods, he flies out of the bathroom to do what he was told. Once the door was closed, I took off my clothes, hopped in and started scrubbing. 45 minutes later, I got out of the shower and cleaned out the dirt out of the tub. Afterward, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Glancing in the mirror, I gave myself my usual pep talk before leaving the bathroom. The way last night went at work, I'm going to need it. Once I'd completed my morning bathroom routine, I went downstairs for breakfast. Hmmm... It's really quiet. I thought as I made my way down the hallway. But once I made my way around that corner, total chaos! Thanks to my three babies, the kitchen was a complete mess! Makoto was chasing around her little brother, Seiryo, with a look of fury in her eyes around the broken table. Daisuke tried his best to extinguish the mini-fire on the stove by flapping his wings vigorously. And there was no sign of their father, Koji. So it was up to me to clean this mess up. I checked my watch. I'd better get moving if I am going to have my meeting. Snap! In one fatal swoop, the dishes were cleaned, the fire was gone and the broken table was put back together. The kitchen was as good as new. I refixed the breakfast that Makoto was trying to make, and made the little dragons sit down at the table. Before long, everything seemed to be in order except one thing. There was one more thing I had to do before I leave. "Koji." A scruffy-looking but limber man appeared at my beckoning call. In an expression of sourness, he said, "what?" I pointed to Makoto and Seiryo; they shook in fear. Koji scowled at them and gave out a sigh. "The two of you again, huh?" he asked, scratching his head. "Though I'm pretty sure Seiryo started it." He said, scowling at the red dragon. Seiryo whined at me. Giving me those sad puppy eyes. He was practically begging me to save him from his father's wrath. However, those little crimson eyes could not sway me. Luckily for him, I couldn't give him a proper punishment. But I couldn't leave this mess to Koji either. "It's bathroom duty for the week for you, Seiryo." I told him. He started to whine again. He hates cleaning the bathrooms in the house, but oh well. "In a worse case scenario, you could have been punished with having to clean the attic or the basement," Koji says. When he handed me my chocolate chip muffin, I gave him a side eye. Cleaning those two rooms was his job! And it's been three months already! As I stare, he skips my gaze and sits down with the children to eat breakfast. "Mhmm. That's what I thought. Keep your comments to yourself." I said. "I should be back no later than 2 today." "If Mr. Harris drops by, let him know I have his medicine ready in the attic." With that little bit, I blew kisses at them and headed out the door. Leaving the safety of my home, I take a shortcut behind a Chinese restaurant and emerge into the hustle and bustle of Golden Gate City. My second favorite city. While walking down Lake Street, I crossed the busy intersection and came upon a huge and very impressive building. My feet hit the stairs as I jogged up to the door. Before I could open it, a lovely brunette excitedly swung it open, greeting me with a warm smile. Happily, she says, "it's about time!" Taking hold of my hand, she quickly drags me into the building. Once we are inside, she guides me to the giant elevator doors and pushes me in. "Carla, slow down," I said urgently out of breath. "Oh, sorry," she apologized. She still held tightly to my hand as she pressed the button to the 8th floor and was eagerly awaiting the doors to shut. Squealing, she bounces up and down as soon as the elevator doors shut and then says, "I can't believe it! Just unbelievable!" Laughing a bit, I joined her in the excitement. "I couldn't believe it when I received the call either," I commented to her. Carla smiles again and replies, "I'll bet. Having won three awards in a row plus a meet and greet and the prospect of a movie deal!? Crazy!" It was crazy, I thought. I was a little old western girl that loved to write. Nothing truly special at all. At least I thought. Who would've guessed that I would be selling books? My dream was to achieve it, but I never thought I'd succeed. Nevertheless, I cannot get carried away. It doesn't take much for a happy moment to turn sour. However, I am always prepared. So I've never had to worry. But in the meantime, I just had to enjoy the moment while I could. Carla and I finally made it to the 8th floor. Immediately after the door opens, we're greeted by a small, smirk-wearing man holding a cigar. He puts his cigar to his mouth and says, "Well, well, well..." he takes out a lighter, "...the superstar has arrived." I smile and giggle at him. And he returned the sentiment by smiling back and chuckling a bit. "How's it going, Jerry?" I asked. Jerry James is a very close friend of mine who works at Midnight Maiden Publishing in San Francisco. The guy is stern and yet also cool, calm, and collective. Humanly speaking, he appears no older than 45. His elf form, however, places him at 820 years old. The man has chestnut hair and a beard to match, emerald green eyes, and a peach complexion. Unlike Santa's elves, he's one of the four fathers of the elf community. Which makes him extremely powerful in both the human and magical realms. He resides in the human world as one of the guardians to protect humans from evil. "It would make me happier if Miss Greene stopped being cranky," he replied in reference to Carla. Seeing him, Carla rolls her eyes and grabs me from him. "We'll talk later." I cried over my shoulder. Jerry nods his head and boards the elevator. My attention was drawn to Carla, who slowed down her pace as soon as she heard the elevator close. "Carla?" "Hmm?" "Are you ok?" "Yeah I'm fine." Liar, I thought. For months, she and Jerry had been avoiding their feelings. They started chopping it up and hanging out two years ago, but something happened the last time they went to a club together. And they suddenly stop speaking to each other. And even though people have tried their best to bring them together, neither of them has conceded due to their stubbornness. Enough is enough, I say. So I reached in my pocket and pulled out the love bugs Talon gave me to push me forward in finding my true love. They were never used to help me. Instead, they were used to help others. And helping these two would bring me great joy indeed. I ordered one of the bugs to land on Carla's shoulder after opening the vile. It quickly dissolves and disappears following a tiny bite. A second bug was then sent to Jerry to accomplish the same thing. Hopefully, that will give them the boost they need. Upon passing a couple more people, we've now reached the editor and chief's office. Before Carla could open the door, someone from the inside must've heard us coming and happily swung the door open for us. Carla and I are welcomed into the office by Setsuna Barkley, the assistant to the chief. She displays her poise and serene demeanor as she smiles with her bright, radiant smile. Taking me into her embrace, Setsuna says, "good morning, superstar." Her hazelnut eyes scrutinize me as she smiles widely at my appearance. "You look gorgeous!" An off-the-shoulder lavender crisscross jumpsuit with white wraparound block heels comprised my outfit. As for my makeup, I wore a purple smokey eye with glossy lavender lips. The final touch was a pair of silver butterfly drop earrings and a silver necklace with a purple emerald. Oh, silly me, I almost forgot to mention my hair. It's in the style of a curly braided ponytail with swooped edges. In response, I looked at Setsuna and filled her with compliments. "You look stunning yourself," I said. "But you have always looked that way." Setsuna wore a royal blue jacket with a white shirt and wide-leg pants, all paired with her favorite shoes. Besides having a light mocha skin tone that had a little glitter, her face also possessed a blue smokey eye, but her lips were covered in a light pink lip gloss. She wore her midnight colored hair in a ponytail that was high and wavy, with bangs at the front. An absolute goddess. Thanking me, she turned to the man sitting at his desk. His attention was caught by the three of us as we stood near the door as he talked on the phone. We were motioned to come closer and with his last few words to whomever he was talking to, he quickly hangs up and gave us a big smile. "My three favorite girls!" he exclaims happily. Editor and publisher Theodore Norman is the owner and head of Twilight Dreams publishing. He has a heart of gold and a friendly nature. However, do not let his cheerful disposition fool you. The moment you cross this man one time, your career will be over. Like Carla, he had a peach complexion. Unlike Carla, who had ice blue eyes, Mr. Norman had ocean blue eyes with a deeper set. And although he lacks hair on his head, he makes it for it with his clean, fresh cut, silver beard. As far as physique was concerned, Mr. Norman was of the beefier kind. His age is 52, but he looks like a 30-year-old. And the main thing he and Carla have in common is that they are both persistent. It has taken him years to convince me to publish with him. The reason for that was due to his daughter, Carla, who has read some of my work online. Finally, five years ago, I caved and published Twilight Dreams. And truth be told, I'm glad I did. It became a big hit but that wasn't the reason why I was glad that I published with them. My interaction with the people here has made this larger. They made it possible for me to be the writer I am today. Both they and the company itself have been amazing to me. They are priceless. And I wouldn't change that for the world. Upon getting up from his desk, Mr. Norman greets each of us with a big hug and a small kiss on the cheek. Then he turned his attention back to me. A bright smile emerged from his lips as he scanned my outfit. Admiring every piece like a proud father. "What a beautiful girl you are!" he exclaimed. "You most certainly look like a winner to me!" I did my best not to blush. However, my face betrays me, and I could feel the temperature rising within my cheeks. Chuckling, Mr. Norman smiles. He poked my nose and said, "No need to feel embarrassed." "Yeah!" Carla agreed. "Pfft. My bubble butt and my nice set of large melons would be on display every day if I had them like you." "Carla!" I scolded. "Don't forget her perfectly moisturized chestnut skin and her gorgeous amethyst eyes." Setsuna added. My only response was to shake my head and roll my eyes. Mr. Norman chuckles again and then says, "now that we've established that she most certainly looks like a winner," he picks up a book, "let's talk about what made her a winner." It was my latest book, The Witch That Could, that he picked up. Upon first glance, the hardcopy had a glossy forest green cover with black crystals encircling the large picture of the black witch's neck. Despite the moon behind her, her emerald eyes are firmly fixed on the castle in front of her. My pen name, Luna Storm, and the title of the book were written in large golden letters. The hardcover edition sold over one million copies in stores. Online, it's been read over 4 million times. All this occurred in the span of a few weeks. And I still can't believe it. "This is a marvelous book." Mr. Norman commented. In silence, he waits for Setsuna and Carla to speak up. Setsuna says, "I really couldn't put the book down once I started it." I felt Carla's hand squeeze. She smiles and agrees. "I like the characters in particular." My response was, "Oh, honestly, they weren't that good." Their faces wrinkled. Mr. Norman laughed, saying, "Nonsense." "What makes you think that?" Carla asked. Their curiosity was piqued. After taking a deep breath, I started explaining. "Consider the characters for a moment," I said. "I don't think they were memorable. People didn't seem to discuss them on social media." Setsuna disagreed. "There have been many comments on your i********:, Twitter, and YouTube accounts stating how much people love your characters." Setsuna then smiles and says, "my favorite character is Melody." "I prefer that devilish Jack Daniels," Mr. Norman adds. As he should, I thought. My novel contains numerous characters inspired by people I know. After all, it all ended up being personal with "The Witch That Could." Therefore, I used these three as part of my story. "I loved Laura," Carla says. "But the main character, Ava, also won my heart." "Why?" I frowned. "The woman has a fun, cute, funny personality. She is also a very smart and calculative person. She is someone I would love to talk to forever." The thought of that scoffs me. "But she was bratty, complaining all the time, wanted her lover to go everywhere with her!" "So, I still like her." "But why? I mean, what kind of person would you like, someone who was ugly, poor, lazy, and was unable to make her lover happy?" I said in surprise. Carla started to clear her throat. But she wasn't going to give me an answer. Carla was suddenly interrupted as the door was burst open by a furious blonde with pale skin and dark green eyes. "Norman!" she shouted. A pink slip was thrown in his face by the woman as she stormed over to him. The woman's name was Minerva Castro. A member of the editorial staff. As a privileged princess, she did not want the job, but her father cut her off after she had gone to jail for trying to cover for her boyfriend. She is a great editor but a shitty person. "What the hell is going on?" she demanded. As Setsuna and Carla were about to step forward, Norman held his hand out to stop them. "Firstly, I would advise you to check your tone when you enter my office," Mr. Norman said sternly. "Secondly, it is already obvious. So I don't know why you're asking." Minerva clenched her fists. "But this is unjustified!" Like a child, she stomps her heel. I couldn't help but laugh a little. Her temper tantrums are the most entertaining. A glance towards me causes her to wrinkle her nose. She then returns her attention to Mr. Norman. "You know I am one of your best editors in this department!" She cried. "You would be lost without me!" It's now Mr. Norman who chuckles. "What is funny is that you think you are God's gift to this company when you've gone behind its back to sabotage it." Silence! Norman put his ear close to Minerva's mouth. Then he leans back into his desk. "That's what I thought." Mr. Norman picks up the pink slip and hands it back to Minerva. "Your father asked me to take care of you because he believed in your skills. But you let your stepfather get in your head to switch the winners for the best fiction award." I glanced at Carla. She had her jaw completely dropped to the floor! In contrast, when I glanced at Setsuna, she did not appear surprised. Seeing as she was Mr. Norman's assistant, it makes sense. Setsuna would need to be contacted first if there are any matters that need to be reported to Mr. Norman. But I didn't think that Minerva would do anything like that. That would ruin the whole company. Trigger warning: Racism Minerva took the pink slip and crumbled it in her hand. She sucks her teeth and looks at Mr. Norman in his eyes. "I just feel like a colored woman shouldn't be winning no awards just because people are for the minorities now." And with that statement, Carla came running from behind and knocked Minerva in her head. Minerva couldn't find any way to counterattack. Carla just continued to hit Minerva over and over again on the ground. Setsuna tried to stop her, but it was no use. So, once again, it was up to me to stop this mess. In my pocket, I had a little hourglass with glowing golden sand. I poured a little sand in my hand and blew it on around the room. From there, everyone was frozen in their tracks. I got down next to where Minerva was on the floor and whispered in her ear. "You will take responsibility for your actions and go home." Carla was next. "You will refrain from hitting her and let her walk out the door." I headed back to my position and flipped the hourglass. Carla and Setsuna were behind me. Minerva was off the ground, healed. Once everything was back to normal, I hit the hourglass; everyone started moving again. Minerva crumbles up her pink slip with the thought I put into her head. She turns around and stomps right out the door. And Carla refrained from hitting her. I wish I could change Minerva's mind about people of color and minorities in general, but I can't. As long as she's around someone that can bring her back to that mindset, there's only so much that I can do. Ignorance, as my grandma puts it, lasts forever no matter what happens in the world. All that matters is what I can do about it. And that's keeping my friends out of trouble. Because I am a witch that can do many things, but that doesn't mean I should. But I couldn't wait to tell my dream friend tonight. He's gonna lose it once he hears about this!