Chapter 8: Keeping Secrets

Darkness, the young girl banged repeatedly against the wooden door where her only source of light peeked from beneath. "Please, please let me out, Daddy! I'll be good!" Tears burned as they trailed down her dirty cheeks. Scared. Fear bled from her every pore as she wailed at the top of her lungs. Alone. She was all alone in the house. Her father and mother had been gone for what felt like all day. No matter how loud she cried, no one came for her. The child took her place in a corner and hugged her knees to her chest.

It was hours before a sound echoed through the home. A door slams shut. "We did not agree to raise this fucking monster, Eva! We wanted a child! And your father- Never mind. Just put IT to bed and keep it out of my sight."

Light filtered in, pushing away the dark as the wooden door creaked open. Her mother entered with an apologetic smile, pulled the girl into her arms and brushed her sticky strands of hair from her face. "It's okay. I'm here now." How many times would she hear that? When would her mother protect her instead of watch as she was hit by her drunken father? When would her mother not let her be thrown into that dark, cold room? "Shhh, it's okay. I'm here now."

"Oi! Carri! We're here now." Sam waved his arms in front of the violet haired girl then paused. "You okay? You're crying." His hand gently reached up and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Carri jumped at the touch, but didn't pull away. Sam… I'm sorry. Way to end a good night. "What's wrong? I know I was making some pretty lame conversation on the way over, but I didn't mean to upset you."

"No. It wasn't you, Sammy. I just- I lost myself for a minute there." She rubbed her arm absentmindedly before realizing just how close Sam was still standing to her. She hoped the darkness hid her blush. "Are you ever scared about the future?" The question seemed to catch him off guard, just as she was surprised by it coming from her mouth. "Abby wanted us to get our futures told. I thought it was all hocus pocus, ya know?" A laugh. "Coming from me that probably sounds stupid. I just- I'm afraid of what's beyond my control. A few minutes in that room, a crystal ball, and some old lady telling me exactly what I didn't want to hear really shook me up."

"Carri-." Sam put a hand on her shoulder. "We don't know what's gonna happen, and despite what she said, I like to think we are the masters of our own futures. Or well, I hope anyway. Otherwise I'm gonna be living with my mom forever, confused on what music to play." Carrissa couldn't help but laugh. "Though now, I have a little more inspiration to write music."

His bright smile beamed under the porchlight to her farmhouse, and before she knew it, his hands had moved to her waist and his lips found hers. It was gentle and more drawn out than the kiss in his room, leaving her wanting more when he pulled away. All good things will end, Carrissa. No one wants to be with a monster like you. Her thoughts gnawed at her as he stepped back. "Well, I better head back before mom wonders what's up. See you around, Carri."

"See ya." She said under her breath as he departed towards town.

Carrissa held her breath as she searched the wizard's library for anything remotely close to what she was wanting. Scanning through spell books, she sighed as she came to the conclusion that there was not a spell for what she wanted. She tossed a book across the floor in defeat as she slumped to her knees. She didn't want to ask the wizard, but if it came down to it, that's what she would do.

The purple haired man, sat across the room, an eyebrow raised as he watched her. "Perhaps if you asked, I could be of assistance?"

"If you already can read minds, why should I ask you questions?" Carri countered bitterly.

"I told you. I do respect your privacy, Miss Moongrove. I will not read your mind all the time." He shook his head before closing the distance across the room. "Now again, what is it that you are looking for?"

A sigh of defeat fell from her lips. "Do you have like...some sort of tracking spell? Not necessarily to track, but to check on someone?"

The man offered a sad smile. "I'm afraid I have no such thing. Or else I would have used it as well. May I trust you not to tell anyone if I share a concern with you?"

Carri was puzzled. What could he possibly have that is a secret? No one knows much about him to begin with. "Sure. I won't tell."

"I believe one of the townsfolk is my daughter. If I had a spell to see how people were doing… I would have checked on her. Or my ex wife, but that is a story for another day."

Carri's jaw dropped, "Excuse me? Your daughter?" Immediately her thoughts drifted to Abby. Her love of the occult. Her constantly saying she is nothing like her father. "Oh my, Yoba." Oh, Yoba...that time Caroline mentioned she used to take strolls down to this tower. Pierre and his concerns that Abby wasn't his biological daughter. OH, YOBA. "Why have you not said anything to her?!" Then again, what good would come from it? She would probably be more hurt that she had been lied to her entire life, and what would it do to Pierre if his concern was made fact?

"So you understand my predicament." He stated solemnly. "I cannot tear apart a family just to see my daughter, who I have had nothing to do with all her life." All Carrissa could do was nod. The story was sad, but the outcome of Abby finding out would be way worse.

"I'll keep your secret. Don't worry."