Cathelaya's POV:
My mind can barely hold on. The overwhelming pain invading my body is simply too much. My gaze, once focused on him, is lost in distant memories.
............….
I still remember that day. It had been a few years since I became part of the witches. Mama Ria's pampering and conversations with other witches had finally made me feel like family. The other witches and I were practically sisters under the motherly care of Ria. Although not all the witches were part of our family, the time I spent with them was simply blissful…
- Cate! How many times do I have to tell you not to leave your things everywhere?
- Leave me alone, little girl! Grow up a little more before you tell me what to do."
- Wh- wwwwwhhaaat????
An angry Mama Ria and I were facing each other. We were in my room while Mama Ria watched in horror as I left all my clothes and money strewn everywhere. Although I always enjoyed her company, there were times when she became overly controlling about the order of my room. While at first I simply did what she asked, in recent months I couldn't stand her unexpected incursions. The way she complained about everything and picked every last detail to complain about only made confronting her feel more natural. Now our fights were practically a daily occurrence. Some of my sisters just watched from a distance while whispering things like "She's at that age now."
- Order is very important for a comfortable life, young lady. I won't allow one of my daughters to live in a pigsty.
- Who do you think cares about that kind of thing? I'm comfortable with things like this right now.
- ...Can you seriously say that while looking at that?
With a small, seemingly cute gesture, she pointed to a pile of clothes that was swaying from time to time. A mix of clean and still-wearable clothes could be seen in that pile.
- ...Of course.
- At least look at my face when you say that!
With a quick movement, a small thread shoots out from Mama Ria and into the pile of clothes, stabilizing it somewhat.
- Your power is very convenient, Mama Ria! You can handle that whole pile of clothes with a single thread.
- It's not like I can handle it with a single thread. I manage all the threads of the clothes through that single thread.
As if the clothes were folding themselves, the entire pile disappears in a matter of seconds as they compact themselves and tuck themselves into a small basket at her side.
- Hey, wait! There are clean clothes in there too!
- Clean clothes? All these clothes got dirty when you mixed them together. Don't blame me for dirtying your clothes.
- But that's all I have to wear!
- You should have thought of that when you mixed everything up. It's not my problem.
With a pout that made her look like a little squirrel, she takes the basket in her arms and proceeds to leave the room. With nothing else to wear, I send a gust of wind to close the door.
- At least listen to what I'm saying!
In a swift movement, I glide through the wind to arrive in front of Mama Ria. With a swift movement, I grab the basket to prevent her from taking it away. We begin a struggle for the basket, which is quickly decided by me lifting it, Mama Ria and all.
- Whoaaaa!
Surprised by the sudden change in height, she panics as she uses her strings to hold onto the basket. I make my move, digging through the clothes in search of something to wear. Still reeling from the height, she lets out a small squeal as she extends her strings, catching them on my clothes. Before I can find everything I need, my body tenses unnaturally. The clothes I was wearing clung to my body, restricting my movement.
- H-hey, that's unfair!
- I don't care. I don't listen to mean kids like you.
Immobilized, I had no choice but to drop the basket with everything. She fell awkwardly to the floor as she bounced on the carpet. With a pained expression, she rubbed her little bottom with tears in the corners of her eyes. A small ache in my heart filled me as I looked at Mama Ria. She stood up in annoyance while looking at me defiantly.
- I don't remember raising a child as rude as you!
The rage was palpable in her words. Anger swirled in my heart as I clenched my fists tightly. A strange impulse inside me replaced all the pity I felt for her. Her small but defiant figure irritated me. There were a few moments of silence before everything inside me exploded.
- Of course not! You're not even my mother!
The scream echoed in the quiet room. I squeezed my eyes shut after shouting it. I waited for her response for a few seconds, but… nothing came. The silence was complete until the sound of something falling was heard. I opened my eyes quickly only to see Mama Ria standing there in the same place. The basket she was holding was now on the floor. Her expression was clearly… different. There wasn't the usual energy, only… disappointment in her eyes.
- Mama Ria… I…
Before I could finish my sentence, the door to the room burst open. The bang was so loud, it practically ripped the door off. I looked towards it only to be surprised in the next moment.
- What the-?
Instead of finding any person or animal, all I could see was a sort of white wall. A small, startled sound came in front of me before the white wall began to shake. Before I could do anything, a powerful suction force sucked us in.