Quinine…you're a Witch!
Quinine…you're a Witch!
Quinine…you're a Witch!
These words kept ringing through my head over and over. Me…a witch...how is that even possible. I mean, I always thought I was special but I didn't actually think it was true.
I can still remember everything that happened after my father told me that.
I stood there feeling lost and confused. Barely breathing, I couldn't even process what my dad was saying to me.
"Quinine...Quinine...QUININE?" He yelled while snapping in my face. I was so in shock that I couldn't even hear him. "Huh, yeah dad?"
His face looked angry and he seemed frustrated. It then softened a bit as he got up next to me. This is a lot to take in. He must understand that. "Listen, Quinine, you're special. You are the only male in generations born with these powers. There is no one else out there like you. That's why you need to stay safe." He said with a sullen look on his face.
I don't know why but I don't like that he said that. It gave me a bad feeling on the inside.
"Quinine, there is a place in New Orleans that my father told me about. Apparently, grandpa used to go on and on about it to him. It's a school, some sort of safe haven for witches. I'm sending you there for your safety and protection." He said without hesitation, I knew I didn't like the way he said that.
"You're sending me away, but why? I don't want to go…I don't want to leave you." As I said that I started inching away from him and accidentally bumped into the plant beside the T.V. When my glass hand touch one of the leaves, the whole plant started to freeze and ended up with large amounts of frost on it.
"Quinine stop! You need to learn control; I don't think you realize just how dangerous your powers are." He yelled stopping me from moving. He was really serious about sending me away. But knowing my father, he is only doing this because he doesn't know how to help me himself. So that means that this is the best option for me, at least for now.
"Ok, I'll go."
It's been four days since I had that talk with my father and since then I haven't been the same. Who am I, what am I, and how the hell can I do this? Stupid, I know, why am I asking rhetorical questions? I don't really have an answer for that. I'm still confused about all of this.
After the incident with the plant, it was reminded me to reverse the effects of my first two attempts to use my powers. It felt strange though like I was removing a part of me. I'm definitely going to need some time to get used to my new powers.
My powers, huh, it's kind of weird to think that I have powers. But the more I think about it the more it sounds cool. I have the ability to change reality anyway I want just by saying it aloud.
What can be better than that?
"Quinine?"
My name being called suddenly - startled me as I was lost in my thoughts. "Yeah, dad?" I replied back. "Can you come down here?"
I walked downstairs to meet my dad, he was in the living room as usual. I noticed there were several strange people that I've never seen before. They all were looking at me expectantly as if they were waiting for me to react or do something…extraordinary?
"Dad, what's going on? Who are these people?" Looking around, I started to get worried. I had a feeling what was going to happen but I wasn't ready for it.
I looked back at my dad, he sort of had this somber look on his face like he didn't want to do what he was doing but knew he had to, being that this was the only way to protect me. "Quinine, this is Quentin Fleming. He's one of the members of the Witches' Council. He's here to take you to the school." He said giving me an introduction to this mystery man.
"Hello Quinine, it's nice to meet you! I've heard a lot about you." He said with a cheery southern accent. "Goods things I hope?" "Very good things, you're special Quinine. More special than you know." He said still as cheery as before but more seriously.
"Quinine did you pack like I told you to?" My dad asked. "Yes, I did. My bags are right outside my door."
"Boys you heard him, go get the bags so we can be on our way," Quentin ordered, soon enough these strange men with pale skin and blonde hair walked in and rushed upstairs to get my bags. "So I guess this is goodbye," I said looking at my dad, I could tell by looking at his face that this was just as hard for him as it was for me.
"Yeah it is Quinine, so while you're gone I want you to promise me that you will stay safe. And don't abuse your powers. And remember that the reason you are there is to learn control." My dad said, he looked like he was in pain but I wasn't sure. The men who came with Quentin soon appeared from upstairs carrying all of my suitcases.
"It's time to go Quinine. Say your goodbyes and then come out to the car, I'll be waiting for you." Quentin said as he made his graceful exit.
I looked back at my dad trying to fight the hard urge to cry and mustered up enough restraint, to say bye. "I love you, dad." I choked out, as I went in to give him a hug.
"I love you too, be careful son."
"Bye dad," I said as we broke apart. With that, I walked to the door and out of the house giving my dad one last look before I closed it.
An hour later I was on a train heading towards New Orleans. Quentin was sitting in a group of seats to the right of me. His two albino bodyguards sat across from him.
I still can't believe I had to leave my dad. I still can't believe I'm a witch. All of this happened too fast for me to keep up. I wonder what the school I'm going to is like? Hopefully, I'm not the only student that goes there. Come to think of it I don't really know much about where it is I'm going.
Quentin would know a lot more about the school than I would. Maybe I should ask him about it? I looked over to where he was. He seemed to be in deep thought so I think it would be best to not bother him.
I went back to staring out the window and saw all the passing scenery. It reminded me of what was happening. Everything moving quickly and too fast for me to understand.
After a few minutes had gone by I started to think about all my unanswered questions again. Curiosity was starting to get the best of me and I soon found myself asking Quentin what he knew. "Sooo...can you tell me where we're going?"
Quentin then looked towards me with a soft smile on his face. "My dear boy you worry too much. All questions will be answered in due time." He said sounding all mystical and shit. But I wasn't buying it; there was no reason why he couldn't tell me something now.
"Well can you tell me something about the school then?"
Quentin smiled a bit and began to speak, "All you need to know is that it's a school for people like you, witches. The rest you'll learn while you're there."
I then scrunched my face in confusion and then in annoyance. What exactly does he mean by people like me? What is he not a witch too? Or am I just special? "What do you mean by people like me? I thought you were a witch too." I questioned a bit accusingly.
"No I am not, I'm a warlock, "He said. A warlock, what the hell is a warlock? I just found out that I was a witch four days ago, how the hell am I supposed to know what that is.
I looked back at Quentin with confusion written all over my face. He must have understood because he sighed and began to talk again. "Most males born today in the supernatural world are descendants of warlocks. Warlocks, like witches, were just another species of people who were able to use magic. They were typically known as evil and had powers more closely associated with demons."
A species of evil magic users, that doesn't sound that good to me. Wait-if Quentin is a Warlock wouldn't that make him evil too? "So are you evil too?" I asked cautiously, I don't really know what I could do if he is evil. What if he tries to hurt me.
"I was getting to that. Now, where was I-oh-because the lineage of Wiccan families don't possess males who inherit the gift, warlocks today have become synonymous with males witches? Some have adapted to that role and relinquished their evil ways; others stay hidden and use witches for their powers. This makes you, a living male witch, a rarity, and potentially a very powerful being." Quentin explained.
Me…a rarity? I find that hard to believe. I don't mean to sound pessimistic but how could I ever be a powerful being. "Ok so I get that you're not evil but what does that have to do with me being powerful?"
"Just because I'm not evil doesn't mean there aren't people out there who'll come after you and use you for what you can do." He warned, but his tone wasn't settling well with me. "So, what, that makes me a target now?" I asked frustrated at the fact that things kept happening to me that I couldn't control. I just would like a little heads up before the next thing happens.
Quentin's albinos then looked in my direction; they probably noticed my frustration and were checking to see if I would become hostile I guess. With a wave Quentin dismissed them and they went back to doing whatever it was that they were doing. "Yes and that's exactly why you're going to this school. Now don't worry so much dear, you'll give yourself wrinkles." Quentin said with that southern comfort clear in his voice.
It wasn't long before we made it to our stop in New Orleans. After I had talked to Quentin I went back to staring out the window. Honestly, I'm a little bit scared, I've never really been on my own. Now I have to fend for myself and worry about people trying to use me for something I don't even know how to control.
That's just my life, I guess.
After we all got off the train, I was quickly shuffled off to a black car. They put me in the back seat on the passenger side. Quentin sat in front of me while he let one of his guards drive. The other sat next to me.
I don't know, is it just me or are they really creepy? Anytime I look at either of them they just stare back at me with a blank expression; never saying a word, just watching me. I felt a chill run down my spine at the thought of it.
Soon enough the car slowed down as we pulled up to an old looking mansion. As I looked out the window I felt a strange connection to the place before me. When the car finally stopped, one of Quentin's guards got out and opened the car door for me.
I stepped out with a feeling of trepidation about what lies ahead of me. Slowly I started walking towards the entrance of the mansion. I stopped at the gate when I saw a sign that read "Miss Robichaux's Academy for exceptional young ladies."
Wait! This is an all-girls school! I didn't know that I would be the only boy going here. I mean, granted I don't normally get along with other boys but I at least expected a couple of guys to go here. Then again, I wouldn't be the only living male witch if they did.
While I was having an internal freakout, I barely noticed Quentin and one of his albinos walk over to me and place my bags down next to me. I briefly looked over to them when I calmed down. I only got a small nod from Quentin as he rang the doorbell for the gate.
I looked back over at the gate as it slowly crept open with a loud rusty screech. When I turned to look back at where Quentin was, he was gone. He was nowhere to be seen. Not even his guards where in sight almost like they had vanished from thin air.
I then took a moment to breathe as I turned forward and faced what was going to be my new home from now on.
Unfortunately, I can't stay outside forever so eventually, I grabbed my bags and started making my way to the front door. When I got there I was hesitant to open the door. I had this feeling that once I went in there my life was never going to be the same. Pushing that feeling aside, I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned it revealing that it was unlocked. I let myself inside seeing as it looked like no one was home.
I closed the door behind me after I had placed my many bags down on the floor. Right after I closed it, I got to take a good look at the inside of the mansion. I was inside a hallway that leads to a grand staircase upstairs. Before that were two archways that lead to what I'm guessing are a dining room and a living room.
The place seemed empty and I couldn't tell if anyone was here or not. "Hello…helloooo?" I called out, but I got nothing. I could almost faintly hear the sound of a T.V.
It sounded like the news. "The Louisiana campus is still in shock over the tragic bus crash last night," I heard the reporter say. A bus crash? That sounds awful. "Nine members of the fraternity Kappa Lambda Gamma were on board. Seven of the boys died on the scene; two were rushed to Truce Medical Center where they remain in critical condition." The reporter said, I then decided to follow in the direction of where I heard the T.V. "Officials will not confirm the identities of the deceased." I heard once more but then was left with only silence. Someone must have turned it off.
I stopped moving as I wasn't exactly sure which way to go. I stood there lost, standing in one place. But soon enough I began to hear the sounds of muffled voices. Taking that in stride, I went off in the direction I heard the voices.
After walking through the living room, I came upon a kitchen with people in it eating. Everyone seemed to be distracted as they were watching an altercation that was going on. It was between an older looking woman wearing a very expensive black outfit and a younger girl, probably one of the other students.
"Who are you?" She said to the older woman. The woman simply ignored her and went on with what she was saying. "You know I gotta hand it to you, a bus flip. That's not easy." The woman said in a very casual tone. Wait, a bus flip? Like the one that was on the news.
By now I had positioned myself behind the entrance to the kitchen, more in the corner so no one could really see me. I was a bit nervous and definitely not ready to introduce myself.
The women then continued to speak to the younger girl, "But you were a sloppy little witch bitch."
"Go to hell, you stupid hag." The younger girl replied as she began to walk away. The older women then shifted in her stance a bit as she raised her arm. The younger girl must have noticed as she then stopped and turned back to look at her. The women barely flicked her two fingers as she sent the girl flying across the room. I lightly gasped as the girl hit the wall hard and landed on the floor.
"Say that," one of the girls who was sitting at the breakfast table said in a mocking sense. That would have been funny to me if it wasn't for the fact that I just saw a girl get thrown across the room with minimal effort.
Not wanting to be involved with the situation further, I slowly backed away. As I was doing so I bumped into something making an audible sound emanate through the whole area. In an instant, everyone's eyes were on me.
The older looking women then yelled at me "Who the hell are you!?"