Page 4 of Wayward Witch

"Please, tell me what this all means," I begged, desperate for answers. But as before, they remained silent. It was as if their very presence was an enigma.

"Will I ever be free of this curse?" I whispered, feeling the weight of it crushing me from within.

The symbols on the shadowy figures' robes illuminated the darkness, casting an eerie glow on their surroundings... A magiclamp, a summoning circle, a wing, and a hand mirror… each symbol seemed to reach out to me. I felt a strange connection with them, as if these symbols held the key to break my curse.

"Can you help me?" I asked, my voice barely above a murmur. The figures didn't respond, but my desperation grew stronger, urging me to act. Tentatively, I reached out my hand towards the nearest symbol – the magic lamp.

But as my fingers brushed against the glowing light, they passed right through it, as if the symbols were nothing more than an illusion. Disappointment flooded through me, mingling with the frustration that had taken over my life.

"Please," I pleaded, trying once more to touch the symbols. "I need to know what this means!" But the light continued to evade my touch. The symbols faded away entirely, leaving me alone in the clearing with only the echoes of my own unanswered questions for company.

And then, just as suddenly as the dream had begun, I woke. My heart pounded in my chest, and I gasped for air as the vivid images from my dream lingered in my mind. I sat up in bed, trying to make sense of what I had seen, feeling an urgent need to uncover the truth hidden within my dreams. Why was there a magick lamp, a summoning circle, a wing, and a hand mirror… it didn't make any sense.

What good was a dream if it couldn't help me solve problems from my waking life? But then I remembered Lydia's suggestion of the local magic shop, Charley's Charms and Curiosities. Maybe, just maybe, someone there would be able to help me.

I couldn't rely on others to solve my problems anymore, nor could I wait around, hoping it would magically go away. And so,I made a decision. I would visit Charley's and search for answers on my own.

As I settled in to go back to sleep, Luna curled up beside me, her soft purring a reassuring presence in the darkness. And though sleep remained elusive, the knowledge that I had a plan, however uncertain, filled me with a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in years.

The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow on Luna's black fur as she curled up beside me on the couch while I drank my morning tea. Today was a much needed day off, and yet, it felt lacking. As if something was missing and it wasn't my ability to tell the truth.

I sighed. "Luna, I can't…" I whispered. "Well, more like… nevermind." I sighed. Right. "I don't need to find Spells Hollow and break this curse."

Luna looked up at me, her green eyes filled with understanding and empathy. She purred reassuringly, her connection to me as my familiar giving her more insight. As she nuzzled against my hand, I felt a sense of determination surge within me. I knew she was right. It was time to do something.

I gathered my essentials: a small leather-bound notebook filled with my handwritten spells and charms, a pouch of magical herbs and crystals, and a few practical items like a change of clothes, water, and some non-perishable food. I tucked them into my messenger bag. I couldn't help but smile as I prepared a travel cat backpack for Luna as well, complete with cat treats,kibble, a tiny blanket, a bottle of water, and a collapsible water dish so she could ride safely inside.

Before leaving, I walked around my apartment, casting protective charms on each window and door. The mysterious figures from my dreams still haunted me, and I hadn't figured out what they had to do with Spells Hollow or me.

I opened the backpack with a window in it for Luna and she crawled inside. Then I set out for Charley's Charms and Curiosities, the magic shop Lydia mentioned that was known for its strange artifacts and potent potions.

The walk there wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. According to Lydia, the shop could only be found through intention. Since I'd never heard of it before, I'd never seen it even though I'd walked past it every day on the way to work and back.

As Luna and I entered, the small bell above the door chimed, announcing our arrival. Various scents swirled around me, making me feel simulataneously welcome and on guard. The shopkeeper, an older woman with curly white hair done up in a bob, greeted us warmly.

"Ah, hello! And who's this lovely little companion?" she asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she peered at Luna in her backpack. I glanced down to her nametag, Evangeline. It glowed and shimmered. Pretty cool. I loved the witchy world. Most of the time, anyway.

"Her name is Kitty," I lied, knowing my curse wouldn't allow me to tell the truth. It was better to intentionally lie and know what would come out of my mouth instead of risking it with whatever the curse came up with. "She's not my familiar."

"Is that so?" the shopkeeper replied, clearly amused by my response. "Well then, what can I help you with today?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to explain my predicament without accidentally spouting nonsense. "I'm not looking for a way to stay here," I said, hoping Evangeline would understand my true meaning… that I needed a potion or spell to take me to Spells Hollow.

"Ah, I see," they said, a knowing glint in their eye. "You're searching for a means to travel elsewhere. Perhaps a teleportation potion?"

"Absolutely not!" I exclaimed, relieved that she had understood my muddled request.

The shopkeeper tilted her head as she looked me over.

"But you just said…" The shopkeeper sounded confused, then her interest piqued. "There's a dark energy surrounding you. Almost like you're cursed."

"That's not it." I sighed.

Luna let out a loud meow, as if responding to Evangeline.

"Riiiight." Evangeline drew out.

As she began rummaging through shelves filled with colorful bottles and dusty tomes, I felt my frustration mounting. My inability to speak the truth made even the simplest conversations a challenge. Which meant that Evangeline most likely couldn't get me what I actually needed.

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