"So that's what you're going to do? Talk to those shadows first... that's nice — now you have the first step," Micah said. She sounded like she thought it was good, but I could tell she was nervous.
I told her I wanted to talk to the shadows. I wanted to know if they were a harm to me. They could possibly help me or become a hassle for all of my plans to know everything.
"You don't have to worry, Mic. I'll do it alone. I just told you because I promised."
"I'm not nervous for me. I'm nervous for you. You'll do another magior to talk to shadows — what if they take you or... or worse?"
"I'll be fine. Trust me." She nodded.
Just earlier, I found a spell. It was somehow complicated because it needed the lashes of an old person, the sweat of a woman, and it was supposed to be done right at 2 a.m. Only a young and virgin lady could perform this magior.
I just needed the lashes of an old person and I knew exactly whom to approach.
"Allen!" I called the old lady who was selling newspapers. She knew me, and we were somehow close.
"Mary? Oh, it's you!" she smiled as she saw me.
"How's your day?" I asked and sat beside her.
"Tough as always... what about you? I heard the news about you becoming the star of attention at the last school fest. I'm happy for you — you did your best."
"Thanks. It was a tight battle but too much for a first timer." I smiled at her. "Actually, Allen, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"What? What could I possibly help you with?"
"I need your lashes..." Was that too direct? She looked shocked. "I-I need it for school. Mine is fake, so... I can't ask my friends either because this is a competition. At least one is good" I lied, but it looked like she calmed down.
"Oh, okay... sure." She smiled as she started to pull one of her lashes. "Here — is this enough?"
"Yes! Yes... more than enough." I took the container from my bag and stored it there. "Big thank you, Allen. Here's something for your food." I gave her some cash before I left.
Staring at the faraway sky, my brain hanging in mid-air, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I lied. I lied to Micah. I promised I'd tell her everything, but up until now, I've never told anyone about my nightmare that night. I kept it all to myself.
"Who's there?" I said to someone knocking on my door.
"Mary," that voice — it was Jad.
I immediately opened my door and as soon as I did, Jad came in and started looking for something.
"Jad, what are you doing?" I asked, confused.
"Tell me, Mary. What are you up to these days? Was that the book? I thought you already handed it back to RJ?"
"I—" I couldn't finish my sentence when he cut me off.
"And don't you dare lie to me. I just asked RJ if you gave him the book and he said you didn't. Is that why you were so powerful during the school fest?"
I tried to compose myself. Damn, why is this happening?
"Jad... let me explain—"
"As you should, Mary! You weren't very truthful to us!" Now he was furious. But I didn't understand why he was so mad; it didn't hurt him.
"So what, Jad? I didn't tell you the whole truth because I told you since this is my magior then I should be responsible for how to control it. And so that the time I show you, you guys will be proud because I finally managed to control my magior! Was it wrong?"
"Still—"
"Jad, this benefited me. It didn't hurt me, you, or anyone. I'm sorry if I lied, but my intention was not to deceive you but to protect you. I'm scared that because of my eagerness to learn about my magior, I would do something that might affect you and I can't risk it!" I shouted. I almost said the whole truth. "So Jad, trust me on this... I'm begging you, cous."
"Mary, I trust you. You know that. But it seems like it's you who doesn't trust me." I looked down as he said that. "We are each other's first friends. Your first armor—it should be me, and you—we should trust each other," he said in a low tone. That eased my guilt.
"Jad... please," I said, almost begging. "If I could tell you, I would, but this is for the best. I promise once I learn the truth behind this mysterious magior of mine, and what happened to my parents, I'll tell you."
"Your parents? What about them?"
"That's what I have to find out, Jad... so please, trust me."
"Fine. I will. I always do." I hugged him for that. Jad is like a brother to me — before I met Micah and Reina, it was him I always had.
1:11 — the clock struck. I woke up, got down, and scanned the whole house making sure everyone was asleep, even outside, double checking. I prepared everything I had to use: the book and the spell for this magior. After waiting for the clock to strike 1:56, I squatted down holding the book and my necklace. I messaged Micah first saying I'm starting, then turned off my phone.
The book flipped on its own and landed on the exact spell I needed.
"Shadow of Hallow" — Talk to shadows that are bothering you, but remember no one else would talk but you.
"Mathra asra devone! Shadows from the sports festival, talk to me and tell me what you need. Let me see you so I can tell you what I need!" I shouted. I thought something horrifying would happen, but nothing.
I thought I got it all wrong or maybe said it wrong, but suddenly a board game appeared, is it? There were letters and numbers. What is this? And like an answer, my hand moved on its own to each letter: "T" — it landed there first and then moved again. "H" "E" "A" "N" "S" "W" "E" "R" — the answer?
And when I tilted my head up, three shadows appeared who had no face but wore things: the one on the left had a nice necklace, the one on the right had a ring on its finger, and the one in the center, facing me, had a bracelet.
"I'm Mary..." I nervously spoke. "Who are you?"
And the glass moved again. It moved to different letters and landed on the name "Mutchesters." Sounds familiar. It didn't stop there.
"Emerald."