Secrets Within

The First Sight

**Ruby**

Sometimes when I meditate, I slip back into the moment the police were telling me that my family was gone. When I slip back into those memories I can actually feel the heat from the flames and the wind in my hair and smell the smoke as if I’m standing in that moment again. I quit meditating for a long time because of that reason. Something just felt right about meditating today. I wish I hadn’t though. Will I ever get over that night? I am tired. I am so tired. I just want to be able to sleep and not be tormented by memories or the nightmares of what could’ve happened or what I could have done. My therapist keeps telling me there was nothing I could’ve done. Survivors guilt is what she calls it but I know if I had been in the house I would be gone too. Sometimes I wish I was gone and they had made it out. Maybe it was survivors guilt, maybe I just know I should be the one that’s gone. I have felt useless for a long time the immense sorrow of wishing you could do something different and change your past. The guilt of losing your family, wishing you were the one gone instead of them. That pain consumes me every day. I don’t think I will ever be able to be happy. What did I ever do to deserve this kind of torture? Was I an evil person in a past life? I wish something would change in my life for the better.

**Dez**

I need to get out of here. I grab my keys and leave. I don’t know where I’m going, but I have been driving for hours. It feels as if I’m being pulled somewhere. By morning I have reached a town called Cedar Hollow. Cedar Hollow was a smaller town, there was a peaceful energy in the air. I can sense magic here. Witches must live here. I can only hope they don’t know how to detect me. It’s believed that some witches can tell what you are just by the energy they can feel from you. I have only heard stories about witches. I noticed a small coffee shop across the road. That’s where I need to be. That was my destination, I was being drawn here. I can smell lilac and citrus. It’s coming from the coffee shop. As I open the door the scent intensifies. I can’t get enough of this smell, it’s refreshing. I need to find the source. “Excuse me.” A girl interrupts me. I open my eyes. I have been blocking the door. The energy in here is different. I can still feel the peaceful energy in here but there is a disturbance. “Forgive me, something in here smells wonderful.” The girl smiles brightly and says “That’s probably our bakery. We make fresh treats every morning! Would you like a table?”

“That would be lovely. Thank you.” She escorts me to a tall table in the corner of the shop. It’s perfect for me to watch the entrance while trying to find the source of this tantalizing aroma.

“What can I get for you?” I haven’t really indulged in human food for quite some time. I wouldn’t even know what any of these things are called. “Hmm, how about you surprise me? What’s the best thing you’ve got here?” She lights up. “Ooo I know just the thing!”

**Ruby**

I love to bake and I love coffee, so working in a coffee shop is ideal. I get a sudden chill as I take wild berry muffins out of the oven. The chill subside as a new sensation arises. It’s almost as if my skin is vibrating. My whole being is humming with awareness but of what? “Ruby! I need one of your muffins, a fresh one.” Ashley is all flustered. “What’s wrong with you?” Ashley puts her hands to her chest. “The most beautiful man has just asked me to bring him the best thing on the menu.” She’s flushed and is looking out into the dining area. “Oh come on, he can’t be that good looking.” As I follow her gaze, I see a dark haired man sitting in the corner by himself. The humming in my body grows stronger, I gasp. He looks up and our eyes meet. I think Oh my God he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. He smiles slightly. I start walking towards him, I need to be closer.