Page 14 of His Blazing Witch

I can't help but roll my eyes. I feel like I've been given the same damn excuse over and over again yet no one really explains anything except for "it's complicated!"

"Bonnie, what the heck is going on? I get no one is happy to see a witch in Silver City after what happened, okay? I really get it. However, I also get that there's a lot no one is telling me. I am basically hidden here. Even my own family…"

"Mara, I promise we will tell you things when we can," she says, as she starts walking again, "but your family is also a bit on edge with us, okay? And now that you mention it, your older sister is here. That's why I came to get you."

I stay stunned for a couple of seconds before running after her, almost in shock.

"Amy? Amy is here?"

"Yes, she is waiting for you. She just showed up out of the blue at reception when I was starting my shift, I ran to get you... Why did you have to hide on the freaking roof?!"

I apologize, but we are both almost running downstairs. Well, more like walking as fast as it's allowed in a hospital. My heart is going crazy again, making big jumps in my chest. I haven't seen Amy in at least two weeks, and she finally shows up out of the blue. I'm stressed. Our last conversation was not the best... Is that why she's here? She's mad? We have a seven-year age difference, but I feel like she's miles above me, an authoritarian figure of excellence...

I'm insanely nervous. I didn't have time to check how I look in a mirror or at least tie my hair up or something. I probably look like a damn mess. When we arrive at the entrance, I keep frantically looking around. Bonnie asks the receptionist, and apparently, my sister was already taken to my room. Oh, crap. I don't wait for Bonnie and hurry back upstairs.

I arrive so fast that I almost wreck my face on the floor. I somehow manage to just fall on my knees in front of her, though I don't feel any less stupid for that. I hear her sigh in front of me.

"What are you doing..."

She walks up to me, and one second after her pointy shoes appear under my eyes, she grabs my arm and helps me up. Amy is much taller than me. I think regardless of her being a woman, she's really tall. She has a nice long and toned build. I get back on my feet, a bit embarrassed to face her. Compared to my horrible hospital gown, she's wearing a perfect burgundy ensemble that looks like it just came out of the latest collection of an haute couture store.

Even her hair, unlike mine, is gorgeously shaped in a tight updo, her perfectly tamed curls falling on her shoulders. I probably just look like a big frizzy mess...

"S-sorry," I say.

I probably seemed much more confident over the phone. Amy is gauging me from head to toe with an unhappy expression.

"Why is your gown so dirty?"

Crap, I forgot I sat on the roof. I try to wipe a bit of the dust away, but it's way too late. Amy puts her hands on her hips.

"Clarissa, you can't just walk around like that. I flew all the way here to see you, why do you look like this?"

"You took a flight just to come see me?" I ask, flustered.

"Who else do you think I’m here to see?"

I swallow my saliva, a bit embarrassed. Damn, I didn't expect her to show up after our conversation. Moreover, her makeup and hair are perfect after the flight, while I'm here all day and I can't even manage to keep myself neat and tidy... I feel like a freaking toddler caught doing something bad! I nod and go grab some water to have an excuse to walk away from her.

She crosses her arms, though, her black eyes not leaving me for a second.

"So?" she says.

I nod. You wanted her here, so now, time to get your thoughts in order and ask, Mara...

"I... I want to get out of here. Of the hospital."

"I already said no. You don't need to. If you need anything, you can tell me, I'll have it delivered here. Proper clothes, for starters."

"It's not about some damn clothes!" I exclaim. "Amy, I need my life back. No one is willing to talk to me at all, to help me understand what happened or what's going on. Why won't you let me go outside? No one tells me a thing!"

"There is nothing you need to know about Silver City," she replies. "You’ve only lived here for a year, Clarissa. I already allowed your roommate to come here when you asked. What else do you need to know?"

"What about before, then?" I ask. "My life before Silver City. Where did I live, and with whom? Why did I come here at all if this isn't where my life was? Why is it that no one in my family cares but you?!"

Amy makes a sour face and massages her temples with her perfectly manicured nails.

"Because I already told you, our family isn't the type to care about each other, Clarissa. Father doesn't give a damn about what you do with your life, as long as you don't bother him. Even now, I don't know where he is or what he's doing. If I want to know, I read the financial newspaper. Otherwise, I'll just guess he is in one of his places with whichever new mistress he's got, alright? Honestly, I don't care either, and same for our brother, I don't care."