HEY GUYS I AM SOO SORRY THIS CHAPTER TOOK 2 WEEKS. I HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY AND REVISED THIS CHAPTER AT LEAST 3 TIMES, BUT I JUST CANNOT SEEM TO GET IT RIGHT SO I APOLOGIZE IF THIS CHAPTER ISN'T UP TO PAR.
"Okay, Miracle. We're going to start your training today." Grandma said.
I nodded and concentrated. Ever since Grandma and my friends told me the secret that been plaguing us since I got here. That Grandma is a Shaman. A powerful being that protects this land and its people. Shaman's work with the nature around them and vice versa. Nature gives the Shaman their power. Along with the Shaman came her protectors. Wolves and Werewolves. My friends are werewolves that protect the Shaman from danger. I must say when I heard it from their own mouth, I didn't know what to say. I've done research on my own and shamefully stole to get that information. During my investigation for the truth, I have found clues on my own, but couldn't fit the puzzle pieces together. When they told the truth last week; it was like a weight been lifted off of everybody's shoulders. They seem more relaxed around me and not worrying about watching what they say around me. Even Grandmother seems to sleep better. The bags under her eyes getting lighter by the day as she started to teach me spells and the way of the Shaman a few days after the incident.
Today we're learning about a simple spell. Another levitating spell but this time I have to levitate a leaf. The hardest part was concentrating and purposely directing my power to a specific target. The few times that I did use my power it was like fireworks. Bursting out into the air. Grandmother says I just have to control. Only using my power in small burst and using it fully only when needed.
"You can do it, Miracle." Grandma sat across from me on the grass.
Sor far all of our lessons have been outside. As Grandma said. ' Our power is strongest outside.' So, training will commence outside. Truely, I have no qualms with it. I enjoyed the nature. The vibrant green leaves and grass. The deep chocolate colored bark that crackled when squirrels jumped and swung from branch to branch. The bring yellow sun in the sky was congregating with the few clouds and birds. The birds and bugs cawing and buzzing hello to each other. This is honestly my favorite time of the day. Doing spells and enjoying the labors of God's work.
I concentrated harder, but the leaf only lifted up a quarter of an inch," Why is this soo hard!" I sighed loudly.
Grandma chewed on her bottom lip, "You just need to channel it. Try imagining your power like a spear or a laser."
I sighed again. I looked at the leaf in my hand. It was rusty brown with crinkles and holes in it. A little bit of moss covered the bottom as well. I narrowed my eyes and stared at the leaf. I felt my power bubble up inside of me, like a pot on the stove with too much water in it. I imagined a colorful laser coming out of my forehead and hands. The laser I imagined was blue with hints of green in it. The flexible laser wrapped around the leaf and lifted it up out of my hand. That's what I imagined and to my disbelief that's exactly what happened. The leaf lifted up in the air gently swaying side to side.
"I did it! It's working!" I laughed.
"Good, good. Now I want you to slowly lower it on the ground in front of you." She smiled at me.
I nodded still concentrating on the leaf. I imagined the laser lowering the leaf to the ground. It was working too until I heard a squirrel scratching by a nearby tree. I turned to look it and my focus was broken. The laser I imagined turned to the tree. And so did the leaf. I heard a whooshing sound from the leaf and felt it pass by me as it soared at high speed and imbedded itself in the bark like a knife sticking out of its target. The squirrel near it screeched and ran up the tree. My eyes widened. I have no idea what type of power a LEAF has to have for it to slam into a tree with that much force.
I looked at grandma, " Well I think that's enough for the day." She spoke.
"What happened? I did it like you said." I started to get up.
"What happened is you got distracted. When distractions are around you your focus changes. You need to learn how to work past distraction when emitting your powers or it will burst out like you just saw. It needs to start becoming second nature for you. It will take some time though until you're doing it without even noticing, but you're still a beginner, Miracle. It's going to take more than a few lessons."
I nodded grimly and helped Grandma up before we started to walk back home. She was right though. I've only had a few lessons, but all of those lessons were a bust. These simple spells I expected too already be somewhat good at them. Considering I levitated a whole desk but can't do a simple leaf that doesn't weigh a pound. i kicked a rock as we made it closer to our home. The cute quaint house slowly rose to greet us.
"I know it seems difficult, but don't be too hard on yourself."
"I know it's just how I was able to do those complicated spells but not this one." I asked.
We came through the door as she said," You're very powerful, honey don't doubt that, but there is a difference between controlled magic and uncontrolled magic. It's easier to do magic uncontrollably. Throwing it around until you, maybe, hit the target you're aiming for. Verses controlled magic when you know each and every time that you will hit the target every time without using up all of your energy. Mmmm, think of it like haky sack. If you throw the sacks blindly, you're statistically your bound to get on in the hole, but you look at all the energy it took you to do it. Verses when you concentrate and throw it with purpose, you'll succeed way quicker and use less energy."
"I.. didn't think of it like that." I mumbled as I headed to the kitchen to get some water.
On the way to the kitchen my eyes landed on the infamous cabinet. Grandma told me that there was no key to it. No material key that is. The key was a spell. A fingerprint spell. Kind of like how phones have fingerprint or iris verifications to get into your phone. It's pretty similar to that. The only difference is that you have to say an incantation while placing your finger on the lock. So even if I did find out the incantation, I wouldn't be able to get in without Grandma's fingerprint. Ingenious actually. I thought to myself as I opened the refrigerator door to grab a water bottle.
I went to my bedroom and plopped on my bed. I grabbed my phone that was lying on the end of the bed. I turned it on and saw that I had a notification. Michael. Since we exchanged phone numbers, we texted a bit every day. It was regular menial things like school, life, and people. Apparently, he has Mr. Polstrow as well, but for 4th period. He also has trouble with his highspeed teaching. I sent him a quick text and looked around. Thankfully, I had already finished all of my homework with the help of Mr. Uley. After what happened I remembered I had school and the piles of homework that still needed to be done. Mr. Uley stayed up till dawn helping with all my subjects. He was actually a nice person once you get past his hard exterior.
A knock on the door made me jump a bit. I scurried off of the bed saying, " I'll get it" and walked to the front door. I opened it. The sun almost blinded me. Some time has passed and now it was now slowly falling down. I turned slightly to the person at the door.
"Hey nay. How is it going." Jake smiled down at me.
I shrugged, " Another failed attempt at practicing magic."
I walked away from him as he followed me, "This is like your 6th time, right? I doubt you won't get it until at least the 10th time."
I went back to my bedroom and sat down on my bed. Jake ducked to get in my room and sat on the chair.
" Yeah, I guess soo. But it's hard to not think about being a bit of a disappointment."
He scoffed, " You a disappointment? No."
"I can barely lift up a leaf and keep it afloat."
"Cause your just starting, Miracle. Stop being hard on yourself. You're going to get a headache keep worrying about it."
"Yea." I paused before saying, " I did like cultivating the plants though."
My phone beeped again. I looked at it to see Michael texted me again. I gave him another quick text before looking over to Jake again.
"Is that Michael again?" He rolled his eyes.
"Stop being jealous, Jake. You know I already told him I didn't want to go on a date with him. We're just friends."
"I'm not jealous." He grumbled.
"Uhh I think you are." I laughed and playfully through a pillow at him.
He caught it with no effort," No, I just don't like him."
"You always say that when his name comes up."
"Cause it's true." He throws the pillow back at him. I didn't catch it in time, and it plopped on my face.
A giggle escaped from my lips when Grandma came through the doorway.
"Oh, hello there Jake. I need to ask something of you." She gathered her hands together in front of her.
He nodded," Shoot."
"I need you and the others to go on patrol today."
Jake and I sat up a little straighter, " Was there another breach?"
She shook her head, " No, but if the Cold Ones have turned someone there bound to turn someone else."
"But why are they turning people?" I asked.
She shrugged," There could be a lot of reasons, but they can say all the reasons they want to. My barrier has been breached more times now than in the past couple of years. It is making me anxious." Her eyes quickly swept to me and back to Jake.
She's worried about me. That's the only variable that has changed since then and since I'm a beginner in all of this I doubt I will be much help in another fight with the "Cold Ones." I wasn't much help in the first one. Remembering when they ripped his body to shreds made me shiver. I had gone back to that area a few days later to that spot. Not really knowing what I was going for. To mourn? To see a dismembered body? Or to pray for the creature? Whether that person wanted to become a vampire or not he certainly didn't want to be ripped apart by the hands of werewolves. Whatever his last thought was were gone with the wind and also gone with his body. The clearing was empty nothing but trees and bugs. Even blood stains were gone. It was like it didn't even happen. Even so I sent a quick prayer to anyone who listened that they had a new person coming through the other side. I don't know where Vampires go. Heaven or Hell. Ask most people and they would say Hell. They are the epitome of the devil. With no souls or even a heartbeat. The only thing I'm most certain of is that not every vampire wanted to be a vampire. Some were forced to change and maybe that might be the one difference God needs to send them to Heaven instead of Hell. Who knows.
Jake's words brought me back to the present, "We'll go patrol tonight. If you want, we can go a little further past the reservation border." He offered.
She nodded, " That would be good, Jake. Thank you."
He fished out his phone, " I'll let the others know."
"Do you think I can go on patrol with you guys tonight? "I asked hopefully.
Grandma looked at me anxiously, her hands wringing together, " I'm not sure, sweetie."
"Come on, Grandma. You said no one breached the barrier. So, there's no danger. Come on. I need to learn as much as I can so I can be helpful as possible."
"You know you are already helpful." She reasoned.
"But not helpful enough. Please, Grandma."
She pondered as she chewed her bottom lip before finally caving in, "Okay. You can go with them. All your homework is finish?
I nodded eagerly, "Thank you, grandma!"
"You're welcome."
Midnight struck on my phone. I was sitting on the grass as the last werewolf, Quil, came running from behind us with mussed hair and a frumpy T-shirt. Mr. Uley gave and exasperated sigh and spoke.
"What took you so long?"
"Sorry guys. I fell asleep." Quil said sheepishly.
"Let's just hurry up and do this. This shouldn't take too long tonight." Seth commented.
I squinted in the dark, " So what do you do? Just walk around the border."
"You're going to walk around the border, if you want. You don't know the spell to make it stronger so you will be observing." Mr. Uley said.
I frowned. Even though I know that he is right, but I was hoping I would do something a little bit more than that.
"Maybe I can show you how we run the border." Jake offered.
"Yeah! But where exactly is the border. I can a bit, but I can't see it."
"It's there but we can only see it in our wolf state. You are able to see it. It might take a little time." Mr. Uley offered.
I nodded. I looked out through the woods. My eyes could only see trees, but I knew something was there. I could feel and kind of almost see some kind of shimmer in the air. It felt like a magnet that I was dawned to. The spell grandma had put on there must have been an extremely powerful one and to keep this barrier up for so long would have taken more power to sustain it. So much my grandma has done to protect this land, but that's the Shaman's sole purpose, isn't it? To heal and restore balance to their community?
"So, is that all you guys do? Just run the border? I asked.
" Mostly yeah, but, if there is an issue, we either take care of it ourselves or call Miss Athena."
I nodded and got up off the cold ground, " Then let's get started then. Now how do you guys change. Is it like all glittery and then poof you're wolves?"
"Something like that." From what I could tell in the dark Leah was giving me a wicked smile.
I shook my head and decided to turn my flashlight on my phone. I turned it on and saw Leah's smiling face as she quickly bent over. Her spine convulsing. I jumped up in fright and panic as her body exploded with fur and the clothes, she was wearing was in shreds around her. Her body expanded as her hands turned into paws and her face was replaced with a snout and sharp teeth, her ears grew longer. The only thing that stayed the same was her eyes. They look like they were laughing at me. My heart was still pounding inside of my chest as I turned and the other changing. Ripped clothes fell like leaves on the ground. Fur replaced skin as they're bones forcibly constructed them to land on four legs. I looked to Jake. He had to be one of the larger wolves.
"Does that hurt?" I asked.
Jake shook his head. His ears flapping from side to side. I looked around to see the other wolves finishing their kind of grotesque almost fascinating transformation. They were huge. They stared down at my 5'3 stature. Jake walked over to me and bumped me slightly. He got on his knees and waited for me to jump on his back. I bunched my hands in his thick fur and jumped on his back. I was like sitting on a pillow. He had so much fur I could barely feel his skin and hard bones.
They raised their heads up to the darkened sky and howled. Their howl filed the air and vibrated my bones. Jake moved under me and in an instant, he took off. The force jostled me, almost making me fall, but I tightened my grip on his fur and righted myself before he gained more speed. The surprisingly cold air felt refreshing on my skin Blurry images of trees flew through my peripherical vision. My hair whipped around me as I saw the other wolves running alongside us. The furry bodies making a diamond formation around me and Jake.
We ran for a while until we made it to the end when they stopped and sniffed around. I think Seth and Quil went into the forest to search for whatever seemed wrong. While Leah and Embry jerked their hands to where we came from and ran back the expanse of the border. Mr. Uley phased back to human. The transformation back to human was odder than transforming to wolf. Hair receding back into human skin and bones reconfiguring itself to their normal places. It's like broken bones rapidly healing.
"So, is this all you guys do?" I asked once he's finished transforming. His clothes were a bit torned.
"Yes. We have to ensure the border is protected and unharmed."
"Is there anything I can do?" I asked excitedly.
His head swerved around to look at something. I can't quit make out his eyes, but he said, " The border seems contained now. No rips or fissure so I believe we are good on your help, Ms. McCowell."
I nodded, somewhat disappointed but already knowing what he was going to say. I jumped off of Jake and looked around. I haven't been to this part of the woods before. This part of the wolves was denser. The trees more compacted together to create almost complete darkness, the only light was from the nearly covered moon, but with how dense the trees are here the light didn't really reach us. I fished out my phone and turned the flashlight on. The beam of light escaped from my phone and shone on the neighboring trees and animals. Squirrels scurrying up and down trees and birds sleeping in baskets woven with twigs. Mr. Uley looked across the land again. He walked a little way away.
I turned away from Mr. Uley and shined my light on Jake. I don't know if this made him more or less scary. His canines were long, wet and sharp, but he had a lopsided smile with his tongue hanging out, but he was Jake. He wouldn't hurt me, and I honestly don't think he physically can considering they have sworn to protect my lineage.
"So how long do we stay out here? All night?" I didn't think to bring a sleeping bag.
"With a night like this most likely an hour or two."
"Well, what happens when there is a tear in the barrier?" I questioned.
"Then your grandma says a spell to fixes up. It looks like you're sewing up a pair of jeans." He explained.
I nodded contemplatively. Sucking in every word he says because there will be one day when I will be one day when I will take the lead.
By the time they were done it was around 3 o'clock. They retraced their steps at least 5 times over. To make sure nothing got in and nothing disrupted the barrier. I couldn't do much, but I did also walk side by side on the barrier. To me more time because I decided to walk. Jake needed to scour the land as well and I'm sure it would take less time with me on his back. I didn't mind the walking though. The longer I stayed close to the barrier the more I power I felt it emit and at one point I felt like I could see it. To me it reminded me of a wedding veil. It was translucent and flowy like silk. When the wind blew the barrier gently moved with it but still held strong in its place. It acted like a living thing, a part of the forest.
I walked home now with Mr. Uley and Jake down the path to my house.
"You know you guys don't have to walk me home. I know the way." I spoke.
"Merely a precautionary measure." Mr. Uley explained.
"It's not a precautionary measure because the barrier hasn't been breached."
After all this time they still don't think I'm capable of taking care of myself. They don't think I'm capable of even walking to my house. If this is what it's like to be a princess and have guards all around, you than I wonder how they feel about it. The constant reminder from your peers that you just aren't strong enough or smart enough to handle certain situations is sad. It makes me feel weak inside, but I always have to remind myself that this comes from a good heart and good intentions.
I walked a little faster. Eager to get home and into my warm bed and to get a few shut eyes before school starts, but it seems like I'll only get about 4 or 5 hours of sleep. I didn't mind though, luckily, I took a nap before I came out. I glanced at Jake in his new white shirt and shorts. Another thing I didn't realize that when they change, they're completely, COMPLETELY naked, but somehow that rule didn't apply to Mr. Uley. His clothes were torn but not to the point where it's falling off. I thought that was going to happen to the others but no that did not happen because when Seth changed back I more or less screamed when I saw nothing but skin. I shielded my eyes as he laughed at me and Mr. Uley saying.
"I... have forgotten about that tidbit. I'm sorry, Ms. McCowell."
"That's fine. That's fine. I go away while you guys change." And ran deeper into the forest still hearing Seth's laughing at me.
Looking at Jake now I can feel my face growing hot. Thinking what if Jake was the first to change back. Would I have reacted the same way with Seth? I looked away from him just in time to see my house up ahead.
"Ohh, there's my house! I'll see you tomorrow at school." I took off running to my house. Jake said something, but I didn't catch it. My heart was beating too hard in my ears as I opened the already unlocked door to my house and closed it shut with a definite bang. Cutting me off from the outside world. I took a deep breath and placed my hands on my cheeks, willing them to cool down. A few seconds later I heard hurried footsteps coming from behind. I turned around and saw my grandma coming from the hallway in the rob.
"You're finish, honey? You were out for longer than I expected. Is everything okay?"
I nodded, " Yeah. They just wanted to double check everything, that's all." I assured.
She nodded and said, " How was it?"
"It wasn't nothing I couldn't handle, but what you didn't tell me is that they would be butt- naked when they changed back." I glared accusingly.
"Ohh that." She rung her hands together like she was wring out a towel," My bad sweetie. I wasn't necessarily worried about that."
"I was scarred for life." I said dully.
"I'm sorry, Miracle. I had honestly forgotten. They usually go back home before they change." She explained to me.
I locked the door and went into the kitchen to grab some water. Grandma followed me and sat down on the chair.
"Well other than that how was it?"
"Mmm a bit boring. The only scary thing that happened was a squirrel scratching Leah." I laughed.
Grandma chuckled a little, " Well then it was a good scouting then. That's good."
"Yeah." I sat down next to her," Can I ask you a question?"
She nodded, looking at me with her beautiful chocolate eyes.
"How much power does it take to keep that barrier up?"
She pondered a bit," It takes a lot of power, but over time you just don't realize it anymore. You get so use to it that it gets easier to use that immense power."
"Do you think I'll be able to do that." My Grandmother is an amazing all-around powerful Shaman. I doubt I will ever come close to her in my lifetime.
She put my hands in her smooth ones. Squeezing them tightly.
"Why would you even say that? Of course, you will. Why, it took me until I was 25 to make a barrier and even then, it was flimsy at best. Always gone with the wind. My Great Grandmother taught me, and she wasn't as patience with everything, but she was almost 110."
"She was?" I asked shockingly. I never really hear about past relatives.
She nodded eagerly, " Yes, she was, but you wouldn't have noticed it. She walked around this place like she was 60. I had 2 lessons every day. One before school and one after school. She was somewhat of a strict person. I couldn't even go on to the next spell unless I 100% aced the last one."
"When did she die?" I have never heard of her before. Mom doesn't even talk about her.
"She was very recluse. She only saw your mother a few times before she died." She sighed, " You should go to bed now. You need to go to school tomorrow, or I guess today."
I nodded wearily just now feeling the effects of the long night. I kissed grandma on her cheek and uttered a goodnight. I took my water bottle and walked to my room. I slowly took off my clothes and laid in bed. I completely melted in my warm cozy bed. I feel tired, but I couldn't fall asleep. I twisted and turned, squeezed my eyes shut, but just couldn't fall into the void. I took my phone and look at the time. It's almost 4. It was like I was on autopilot. My finger pressed and shifted apps until I found the one I wanted and pressed call. I moved my phone to my ear and listened to my phone ring and ring and ring. Until...
"Hello."
My mouth suddenly went dry. I licked my lips and said, " Hi mom."
"Okay. I love you."
" I Love you too Miracle." She spoke.
I clicked off of the call and looked out of my window. I didn't sleep at all. Earlier this morning I decided to call my mom and dad. Mom was surprised I called but she said she was grateful, nonetheless. They were stationed in the middle east, and it was afternoon for them. They asked how school was doing and how Grandma is. I told them both were fine. They asked if I made friends. A few, I told them. How's the middle east, I ask them. Hot, they replied. We didn't bring up the argument. I don't think it was needed and for that I was grateful that all's was forgiven.
We talked until it was time for me to get up and get ready for school. I got up and started my daily routine. I felt good. Felt like a boulder been lifted off of my shoulders. I love my parents and I hate fighting with them, but the fight when I left have to be the worse one we had. My mom almost forcing me to reconsider coming here and me vehemently refusing. That same argument went on for a few days. My dad had to take me to the airport alone. I remember crying in my dad's arms. He calmed me down promising that she'll calm down in a few days, and that'll he'll talk to her. I agreed and left without saying goodbye to her.
That was over a month ago and we both stubbornly avoided it which wasn't difficult cause we're both on other sides of the world, but it still hurt. The first step was calling, and that step was finished. The next steps now would be rebuilding the cracked relationship. I don't think our relationship is broken; just strained.
I quickly showered and put on my clothes for school. Even though I didn't sleep last night, I didn't feel tired at all. It'll probably catch up with me later on today, but I'm just going to enjoy the energy I have and enjoy school as well. I have less time for school now, but that only just forces me to do my homework and actual listen in class more, so I don't have to be struggling and wasting more time later on. I just finished lacing up my shoes when my phoned chimed.
I checked it and saw my mom gave me a message saying to enjoy school. I smiled a little and texted back that I will and grabbed my backpack and went out my room. I went in the kitchen and grabbed an apple. Grandma wasn't in there, so I went into her bedroom eager to tell her about my talk with my parents. I knocked on her door and waited for her to say, "Come in'' before entering. She was sitting on her bed reading what I now called the "Golden Book."
"Hey. I was going to head to Jake's house so we can go to school together, but I wanted to tell you that I called Mom and Dad last night." I gripped the doorknob in my hand.
"You did!?" She smiled brightly.
I nodded," Yea, she asked about you and school."
"Other than that, how was it." She asked almost cautiously.
"Good." I breathed, " It was good. I missed them." I said honestly.
"Hopefully, you mother will call more." She laughed.
I laughed with her," Yea. Well, I don't want to be late for school. Love you."
"Love you too." I closed her door and left the house seconds later, heading to Jake's.
HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER