When I Find You

Chapter 2: The Witch

    I woke up from the dream that was a distant memory. I pushed it to the side not wanting to think about the night I lost my family. I just wish I knew what happened to them, but I searched and searched and found nothing. What more could I possibly do? Especially with the resources I have due to my job. I stopped my mind from continuing that dark path for an event that happened 15 years ago. I checked the time and I still had one hour before my alarm actually went off. 

    I decided I wouldn’t fall back asleep. There was much to do today, and time was of the essence. The queen wanted me to make sure everything was set for tonight. I was told to scan the entire guest count through a high security system and ask Andrea, if she could cast a protection spell on everyone who belonged to the Investigative Intelligence (I.I. for short) and of course, the royal family. 

    I got out of bed and put some comfort clothes on as I began to work on the promise I made to the queen. No one was really up at these hours, so I didn’t feel a need to dress professionally while I worked. Andrea walked in the room with 2 cups of coffee in her hands, looking just as comfy as I was. 

    “Always working Ava, you know that?” She spoke sarcastically, with a smirk, as she handed a cup of coffee to me.

    “And you never sleep, do you?” I said smiling as I took the cup she was kindly offering. 

    Andrea Shepherd, the beautiful witch that every guy fantasizes about, but also my best friend. She was a year older than me when I first came here. She showed me that it was okay to miss your family as long as you tell people how you feel and not bury it deep inside you. She always dried my tears. She reminds me of my older sister, Renee. I’m actually really happy she came to find me. It’s like she could just sense something was wrong.

    “I have to talk to you”, I said looking down into the cup of coffee.

    “I know” she said, her green eyes piercing into my soul as they always did.

    “How did you know?” I asked, looking up at her to see the sadness in her eyes, but Andrea never liked a sad moment, there was never a dull moment with my best friend and she loves to make jokes.

    “I’m literally a witch, who can sense every emotion, and also I’ve known you for 15 years! So common, and spill it Ava” she giggled.

    “I had a dream about the past. The past that I try really hard not to talk about. The past that reminds me of all the pain I’ve been through. I’m not sure what it could be, but I feel like after all this time, it could be a sign.”

    Andrea’s demeanor changed from playful to concerned in a matter of seconds after hearing what I had to say. It was almost as though she wasn’t telling me something. Maybe she was afraid to tell me? I’m not sure, but her body had tensed and there was a giant elephant in the room.

    “Andrea, what is it? What’s going on?” I said, in hopes of breaking the tension in the air.

    “Ava, I can’t tell you. You know I would tell you anything, but not here, not now. This isn’t the time and place. I’ll need to find a safe place where no one can hear us and I’m sure of that. For now, let’s focus on what we have to do for the queen to make sure the masquerade party tonight goes smoothly. I want this party to happen too, I’ve spent hours hand crafting my dress and I’m so excited to wear it.”

    “You promise you’ll tell me though, right?” I asked, sounding a little more desperate than I wanted to.

    “Yes, I promise I will tell you after the party.” She assured me, with the comforting big sister vibe that I’ve come to grow fond of.

    “Okay, I trust you.” I said, and I meant every word. If there is anyone I could trust in this modern day castle, it’s Andrea. She wouldn’t lie to me. I just have to remain calm enough and be patient so I don’t drive myself crazy overthinking what could be so important that she has to discreetly tell me. Andrea and I have been through a lot together, especially working for I.I. She sat next to me, scrolling on her phone, giving me silent company while I began researching all the guests who were invited to the masquerade ball tonight. I didn’t want to go, truth be told, but Andrea convinced me to wear a mask and feel beautiful, whatever that meant, but she said it’ll be fun and the queen will probably get mad if I don’t attend. 

    After researching 90 of the 100 guests attending tonight, I came across a name I haven’t heard before, and instantly I felt a connection to the name. What was going on with me? I never felt this kind of attraction to someone just through a name. I wondered if maybe I had researched him before under the I.I., or if I overheard one of the investigators speaking about him, but that wouldn’t be possible because then he would have never had an invitation. Maybe the queen had spoken about him to me? This was going to drive me crazy, but I can’t deny the butterflies in my heart just by the thought of this man’s name. I was determined to figure out why.