CHAPTER 2:
In a small diner a couple of blocks away, we sat down a table in the corner. Mom shifted uncomfortably in her seat. I guessed being locked up inside four walls with a mad man for a husband for so many years could turn a person with bubbling personality into some socially impaired old lady. I wanted so badly to help her, but up till now, I haven't found any possible option besides taking off for a long vacation. I could afford that, since I was saving money for an escaped ever since I could remember. Don't be surprised! Natharn had been an ass the whole time I got to know him. Right now, I thought, could be the perfect moment for the get away I always wanted.
Without a glance at the menu, I ordered a double cheese burger with fries and coke. All of those shouting and beating a stepfather and sure took a hell lot out of me. Mom just sat there.
"Just so you know, after this meal, we are taking off. I'll call a cab to the airport and we are flying to any place you want. Don't give me that look!", I pinched her. "You'll be surprised about how much one can make walking dogs and cleaning cat poop for old ladies in ten years. And I got a job at this restaurant last year, too, and people's tips are generous. Anyway, eat something. You will need as much energy as possible. Don't want you to be knocked out when we are just a step away from vacation. And I just want to make this clear: we are not taking off because I just broke Natharn's nose". "And his teeth and his arm, too" I silently added in my head. "If I want, I can go back there and break another arm or leg of his and blame it on some drunken fight. This is for you, mom. You really really need some time away from that hell hole".
To my surprise, she just shook her head, "You could go alone, Ali".
"No! Why?! You must go! You are so damned stuck! I mean, you are almost socially impaired now! You gotta do something for yourself! Besides, it's not like you are paying for anything".
"I have Natharn to take care of".
"Forget that ass!"
"You hate this house even more than your first primary school, I know, but I love it", she smiled sadly.
"Why?! What is there to love? Drunken asshole? Continuous beating and cursing? I don't understand!"
"You will understand when you love somebody, Ali. But now, if you decided to take off, there's something I have to tell you first. It's time for you to know. You are all grown up now, I saw it with my own eyes today. Actually, I should have told you long before, but since this news is not so good, I couldn't find the courage to do it. I'm sorry dear, it's all my fault that you have been kept in the dark for so long…". She seemed guilt-stricken and kept on rambling about how sorry she was, until my ears rang with "I'm sorry…" and "…my fault..."
"Mom! ", I snapped, "Could you stop and tell me what it is?"
"Oh!? Sorry...", she said, avoiding my eyes.
"You can always tell me lat..."
"NO!", she cut me up hastily. "I must tell you now, 'cause it's time!"
.
Suddenly, her eyes went wild, all the colour flecks faded away, leaving only chalky white eyeballs. I nearly fell off my seat. I grabbed her hand, shook it like my life depended on it and forced the word to come, "Mom…?". Hot tears rushed to my eyes. I had never considered myself weak, but as I sat there with mom, her eyes rolled to the back of her head, I felt helpless, terrified.
Her mouth fell open, "Rose Hathaway Mazur…"
"What? Who…?"
"My daughter, at last the spell has broken…"
I was even more terrified, "Mom…?"
"You must return to us now… you do not belong there… you belong with me, with your father… you belong to us who know your true name and true destiny…"
Now I was both horribly terrified and horribly confused. This voice didn't belong to mom! Her lips didn't even move, yet the words kept coming, loud and clear.
"Ask this human for the book that came with you that night… read it… then come back… I need you… we need you…"
Mom's face had turned dead pale, her lips quivered and at her wrist, I felt no pulse. Just as I was about to call for help, the voice rang like bells in my ears,
"THIS WHOLE WORLD NEEDS YOU…"
And with that, it faded away. Mom slumped down on the table like a rag doll and I couldn't do anything beside screaming for help at the top of my lung…
