We talked after that. About our next move.
"What should we do about this?" Autumn questioned. "Our parents have been lying to us for years. I don't know if I could ever trust them again."
"No one's asking you to," I started. "But we do need to talk to them."
"How? When? Where?" Sakura asked.
"We need to just come right out and say it," Shawn answered.
"And we need to do it soon," Austin added.
"And somewhere private," Isabella jumped in.
"But who should we confront first?" I asked.
"Not to be "that guy"," Shawn started, "but we should ask Sakura's mom."
Sakura shook her head, pressing her lips together.
"She's the one who had the files. We have to ask her," Isabella stressed.
Rolling her eyes, Sakura nodded reluctantly, hands in her pockets.
"That brings us back to where," I said.
"How about her office? Isn't it normally empty?" Austin asked Sakura.
Sakura nodded, taking a deep breath.
"Tomorrow?" Isabella asked.
Sakura shook her head. "She has a meeting tomorrow all day, about approving some bill."
"The day after?" Autumn asked softly.
"We should be clear."
"Now we can finally get some answers," I announced. And I hoped and prayed that that was true.
By then it was nearly six o-clock, the sun already set behind the tall trees. We all parted ways, heading back to our houses. Most of us, anyway.
Shawn and Sakura went off to the right, their houses that way, and the rest of us, Isabella, Autumn, Austin, and I went off to the left, our houses all in the same general area.
We talked as we walked home. We compared powers, shared excitement and disappointment about it, and told each other what we were feeling. My house cam first, and we split up, the other three heading off to their neighborhood, and me to my house, just beyond this last stretch of trees.
I came home to another note from my father, saying he was out with a few friends, and wouldn't be back until late. Very late. I heaved internal relief. That meant I didn't have to dodge him. Good.
Right now, I knew that my father knows about me being Supernatural, but he didn't know that I know. About any of it. But I didn't know if he's Supernatural or not. Maybe he just comes from a Supernatural family, and that's how he knows about it all, or he actually is one.
I wanted answers, and I wanted to ask him. But I knew he wouldn't give me answers. What he'd probably do is lock me in my room, call another coven of witches over to erase my memories or something. Anything to avoid telling me the truth. And what about my mom? Did she know? Was she a Supernatural?
I thought the same questions over and over as I ate dinner in silence. I may be living with my family, but most of the time I felt alone. Even when my father was here, our house was never filled with any noise. No laughter, so fun, just still silence.
When I went over to Isabella's, or Sakura's, I'd always felt a warmth in their houses, that pulled and invited you in. It made me want to stay, and not go back to my cold and dark house.
I finished my meal and washed my dinner dishes, lost in my thoughts as I did so. Then I went upstairs and got ready for a shower. I felt dirty after rolling around in the dirt today, Shifting into an owl and blowing stuff up.
I ran the water and then undressed, stuffing my clothes in my laundry hamper. Shrugging my robe on, I picked out my pajamas and undergarments, and set them out for me to change into after my shower. After grabbing a fresh towel from the linen closet down the hall, I slipped my robe back off and leaped in the shower.
The warm water washed over me, cleaning away any dirt on my skin. I soaked my hair and lavished in the feeling. I let my body soak, and then washed my hair, scrubbing my scalp and trailing all the way down to the tips of my hair. It was longer when it was wet, reaching down over my substantial chest. Then I washed my body, scrubbing it clean.
I rinsed myself off, then shut off the water and stepped out of the shower at the same time. Grabbing my towel, I wrapped it around myself. I dried myself off then wrapped the towel around my head. I pulled my pajamas on, and then let my hair fall from the towel, hanging it up to dry.
Grabbing my hairbrush, I ran it through my hair and struggled to brush out all the knots. But I managed to brush it straight. Then I applied straightening gel and styling gel to it to help keep it under control. The straightening gel didn't do much, but it helped it not frizz out, and they styling gel kept my waves in shape until my next shower.
I rinsed the excess gel from my hands and then left my bathroom, my bedroom seeming cooler in comparison to the bathroom that had filled with steam.
I sat on my window seat and checked the time on my phone. It was only seven thirty, but it felt like it should be midnight, considering everything that happened that day.
I stood up and looked out my bedroom window, bathed in moonlight, feeling the pull to the outside world. I plastered my hands against the window glass. I breathed out, fogging the glass. I shouldn't go. But I wanted to.
But this time I didn't listen to my inner voice. I unlocked the window and pushed open the panes. Then I stepped back, undressed, and shifted into my barn owl self. It was faster now, my arms branching out, white and tan feathers sprouting, feet curling in, skin now feathers. The pain was still pulsing through me the entire time, ripping into my insides. It hurt, a lot, but I managed not to cry out. I landed on the window sill, stretching my claws out.
Then, from the window sill, I flew out the open window, flapping my wings once and then soaring out on them, wide and beautiful. I angled my winds up and flew up over the treetops, scanning the moonlit world around me. The trees were a dark green, the sky a dark navy blue, the half moon bright and white above me. I soared high above the world, looking at through God's eyes. I saw the moonlight shine on everything in its path, as if glowing from the inside.
Testing the limitations, I flapped my wings harder and faster, attempting to pick up speed. I got faster, but I soon found out that I had reached my top speed.
After a while, my winds grew tired, so I spotted a tree ahead, so I lowered myself and landed on a high branch, stretching my talons out. The rough bark under my claws dug into my skin. The forest smelled fresh and alive, like pine and tree sap, sweet and tangy.
Then, breaking the beautiful world in half, I smelled a predator. Hawks. At least a dozen of them. Coming from the east. I took off to the west, winging away with the speed of an entire flock of owls. I turned my head slightly to the left and saw the narrow heads of a flock of hawks right on my tailfeathers. I flapped my wings in a million flaps a minute, fear racing through me, clutching at my heart.
Being caught and ripped to shreds by a flock of giant hawks was not how I wanted my life to end. I mentally kicked myself for not listening to my inner voice, knowing that I should've known.
But, being as fast as I was and as unique as nearly no one else, I swerved to the right and make a break for my house. It was about a half-mile away, so I had to maintain my speed for long enough to make it back and shift so they couldn't eat me.
Luckily, barn owls were great long distance flyers, and hawks weren't as fast. They fell behind slightly, but I didn't slow my speed. I didn't dare. I saw my rooftop in view, and I flapped my wings harder, huffed another whistling breath through my beak. I veered left and headed for my bedroom. I saw my window right in front of me. I slowed my approach a little, not wanted to crash through the other side of my room, breaking the walls.
I branched my wings in so I could fit through the window. I did, feeling the the glass whisk by me. I tucked into a summersault and crouched in my room, on the carpet, and started the mental process of shifting back. It started immediately, the pain already beginning. I felt my feathers retract through my skin in painful waves. I felt my legs and feet uncurl my arms spread wide, the planes of my face change and shift back to normal.
Then I passed out. Waking up again, naked and shivering, I stood up and closed my window, locking it with a satisfying click. I saw the hawks approaching and then I saw them crash into the window glass, then fall to the ground and fly away.
I breathed a sigh or relief and slumped against the window. I closed my eyes, and felt the waves of tiredness wash over me. I slipped back under my covers and fell into a deep sleep, free of any disturbing dreams.
My night was peaceful and undisturbed, with dreams I didn't remember the next morning. I didn't toss and turn; I slept well.
The morning was bright and sunny. I opened my eyes and looked out my window. A breeze rippled through the branches of nearby trees, rattling pine needles and shaking whatever leaves still remained on others. I smiled. I could tell it would be a nice day.
My phone buzzed on my bedside table, screen coming alive. I grabbed it and pushed my hair back with my other hand, it falling in my face as I bent down to grab my phone. The text was from Autumn in our group chat.
Autumn- Anyone up for another practice session?
Sure, I typed in my response. Where?
Autumn- It's warmer today, how about by the swimming hole?
Vera- Cool. Anyone else wanna come?
After a few moments of waiting, I decided to get ready while I waited for my phone to buzz. I sat up out of my bed and headed to my closet, pulling out clothing options. It was Sunday, so I didn't have to do anything today.
I was going through clothes options when my phone buzzed. Picking it up, I checked the message.
Isabella- I can come, but Austin can't.
Sakura- I can come too.
Vera- Great. What time?
Autumn- In an hour?
We all said, yes, then Shawn answered us.
Shawn- I can't either, sorry.
Autumn- That's okay.
Isabella- Looks like it'll just be us girls.
Sakura- See you all there.
Vera- Yeah, see you.
I clicked my phone off and returned to my clothes. After going through a couple more options, I settled on a fiery red tank top and pale blue denim shorts. I was about to put them on when my phone buzzed again.
I opened up the group chat and saw Isabella had texted something else.
Hey, maybe we should wear our swimsuits and try some power stuff in the water. At least I wanna try mine in the water.
Okay, I typed back.
The others had similar responses, and we all agreed.
I shrugged off my pajamas and put my red bikini on again at undergarments under my clothes. I pulled my red tank top on over my head, the same shade as my swimsuit, and pulled my high-waisted shorts up. I fished out a pair of flip-flops out of my shoe bin and headed out, skipping breakfast this morning. I left my hair down, and had my phone in my back pocket.
I came downstairs and out the front door, not bothering to tell my father I was leaving; He'd figure it out eventually. I headed down the sidewalk towards town. The breeze rippled the air, but it was still hot. I had a feeling this would be one our last hot days, but at least was had one. I continued on my way, excited to practice again.
***
Isabella charged forward, a hardened water sword and shield in hand. I ducked her sword strike and my back foot skidded into the water. I lifted her a few feet off the ground using my levitation powers and I held her there for a few moments before flinging her a few feet away from me.
She leaped back up to her feet as I summoned a crackling red energy ball. It formed in the palm of my non-shield hand, growing bigger and bigger, hissing and crackling and burning.
Isabella ran forward and I threw the fireball, making her stop short, the energy ball burning the ground in front of her. I was creating another one when Isabella held up her hands, weapons becoming liquid again.
I ceased the fireball, curling my hand into a fist, a wicked smile on my face.
"We get it," Isabella said. "You're a badass."
I smiled. "I'm not the only one around here." I gave her a pointed look.
Bella rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. All hail the Water Witch."
"I believe it said Water Spirit," I corrected with mock-seriousness.
Isabella smiled. "Yeah, but that's not me." She held her hands out and created another water sphere. "This is me," Then she threw the water sphere at me.
I ducked and rolled out of the way as it landed where I used to be standing, soaking into the ground.
"Do you need to be reminded who won our little sparring match?" I asked.
Isabella laughed. "Sorry, Vera."
I rolled my eyes. "Water Witch is right."
Autumn and Sakura laughed too, standing near us, but out of the way of our little match.
We were on the shore of the swimming hole, near the water, practicing. It was Sakura's idea to break up into little matches and test our abilities against each other. Autumn couldn't really do that, but she said she was alright with that. She was perfectly fine watching and doing her own Summoning spells. As long as they didn't get out of control again.
"You two done yet?" Sakura asked.
We both nodded.
"Good. Because now it's my turn."
I smiled. We also said the winner was to go against the next person, so it was me versus Sakura.
"Animal forms?" I asked.
Sakura nodded.
We stripped down to our swimsuits and shifted at the same time. Sakura was faster than me, but mine had slowly been getting faster and I'd been getting used to the pain. Last night was the fastest shift I'd had so far, and I'd even managed not to cry out from the pain and wake my father up.
I focused on that and did the same thing. My body started changing instantly, the pulse of pain coming faster, taking less time. Body shrinking, face changing, limbs bending. The feathers came in faster this time too. Still hurt like hell, but it didn't take as much time. I did scream out this time though. It released it from my chest, and actually made me feel better.
When I blinked my eyes open, Sakura was done shifting well before me. I figured it would always be that way, and I was okay with that. I was getting faster for myself, and that was the important part.
I chirped at her as if to say, Are you ready?
She bobbed her fox head up and down, as if answering me with yes.
I took flight above her circling Sakura, trying to dizzy her. Sakura jumped up, trying to bite me, but was unsuccessful.
We fended each other off for a little while, doing a little back and forth dance, but it was clear we were evenly matched, and this would never end.
I hooted and circled down in a graceful landing. I nodded to Sakura, and she seemed to understand I was calling a truce, and wanted to shift back. I'd ask her about it when I could actually talk again.
I closed my eyes and concentrated. The pulse started up again, but fainter than it did when I changed into a barn owl. My body started growing bigger and bigger, my feathers disappearing back under my skin. My face planes were the last thing to change, but they did, the world coming back to life with colors. Not that it wasn't interesting seeing the world in shades or black and white and gray. But I would always prefer seeing in color.
I was back to normal, same with Sakura, and we both slipped our swimsuits back on.
"Maybe we should get in the water now," I called out.
Sakura stopped pulling her shirt back on.
"We could try out Isabella's powers in the water, and see about mine too."
Sakura, Autumn, and Isabella nodded. Then I ran for the water, saying, "Last one in is a murdering witch spirit."
Autumn shot me a look that said, "Not funny," as we all ran into the lake, the steep slope quickly swallowing us up.
"Oh, come on," I said, falling backwards underwater. I popped back up and finished saying, "It's a little funny."
Sakura nodded. "And considering she almost threw me from six feet in the sky across a clearing landing on sharp rocks, I'd say we can poke fun all we want."
"She did throw me," I pointed out.
Isabella laughed, dunking her head underwater. "Do you think she's still around?"
"Do you wanna risk summoning her again?" Autumn asked.
I shook my head. "Not while I'm here. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd like to keep the hair on my head right where it is."
Autumn laughed. "Yeah, let's not do that, and get started on the power part of this swim."
"And it better be worth it," Isabella started, "'Cause I'm freezing my ass off here."
We all laughed at that, even Isabella. Then we got started.
"So, I have this theory," Isabella speculated. "That my powers might be stronger when I'm in the water. Either it's my natural element, or there's already water here so I don't have to create it myself, I don't know, but that's what I think. So I want to try just creating water, she see the difference."
We all nodded, giving her approval she didn't need.
Isabella held her hands out, in her normal "water summoning" pose, with palms facing up, slightly curved in towards each other, enough room for the magic to happen in between her hands.
She called to her powers, and water came rushing from the center of her palms and also from the lake below. The water grew into a sphere twice as fast, so she spread her hands farther apart, and let it grow even more. Then she ceased the water flow from her hands, and it stopped coming from the lake. Isabella shaped it into a long length of rope looped up together. It wasn't just a regular line; it had the detail and the twine-look of real rope.
Then she hardened it. It dropped from the sky and Isabella caught it in both hands. Then she turned it back to regular water, and it sunk back into the lake.
An idea crossed Isabella's mind. I saw it flicker across her face as she pondered it. Then she murmured, "I wonder."
She dunked her hands into the lake with a splash and focused.
"Bella, what are you doing?" I asked.
Autumn and Sakura had confused and questioning expressions on their faces along with mine.
Then I couldn't move. My legs could no longer kick the water under me to keep me afloat. My arms couldn't move out of the water. But I wasn't sinking. I was stuck in place.The only parts of my body that I could still move... were the parts that weren't in the water.
I saw Autumn and Sakura were in the same predicament as I was. I peered down and saw the water had a glassy sheen covering the surface. It felt like what I imagined being encased in glass would feel like. Then I looked over at Isabella and shot her a glare. She was stuck too, but she could fix it.
Isabella rolled her eyes, then released us. We collapsed underwater, our legs still not moving, making me swallow a little bit of lake water.
I came back up, along with Autumn and Sakura.
"Sorry, guys," Isabella stammered. "I didn't even know if it would work. I just wanted to test it out."
"It's fine," Sakura said.
Autumn and I nodded along with her.
"It was just kind of scary," I added.
"But it's okay," Autumn jumped in. "It was actually pretty cool, if I'm being honest."
Isabella smiled. "What else can I do?"
She closed her eyes and focused again. After a few moments, I released the breath I'd been holding when the water didn't harden again. But something else happened. I blinked to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me, but they weren't. Isabella had turned into water.