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A Vision of Darkness
A cold, crisp morning broke over the sleepy city of Maruchan, North Carolina, the local birds awakening to a slight breeze that ruffled the beautiful golden-brown leaves of the trees lining the main road. The last of the swelled morning clouds evaporated in the weak sunlight that was fighting gallantly to warm the city, dissolving into thinness and moisture. Neatly trimmed grass lawns carpeting the properties of the neighborhood sparkled serenely with dew, and the aroma of damp soil lifted into the soggy air and drifted like a ghost into open windows, a messenger of peace to the inhabitants sleeping contently inside.
A family of small, early-rising rabbits scampered across the wide pavement of Thespus Lane, scuffling back and forth, hopping over one another in a content game of leap-frog. Their dirty brown fur coats gleamed as they hurried into the low grass hedges that surrounded an old, but stunningly beautiful house that seemed to be soaking in the loving sunlight. The red-bricked wood glowed warmly as the sun crept reluctantly over the tips of neighboring houses, an early-morning alarm clock. A bed of bright, blooming roses pressed themselves against the side of the two story house, trying to warm themselves after a cold night. Towering over the sloping grass lawn in front was a huge, rough-barked oak tree which was swaying majestically in the wind, the king of the scattered plants and bushes surrounding the property.
Nearby, the River Moss could be heard softly rushing towards the open ocean, eager to join with the sea. The sparkling water splashed lightly against rocks and plants, gurgling as beds of moss tickled it slyly. A few determined fish struggled against the current's strength, fighting to gain the freedom of a still, plentiful lake. Frogs gulped wetly along the bank, occasionally slurping flies for their morning meal, but the only other sound that could be heard was the joyful twittering and singing of dozens of excitable birds mixed with the sorrowful tones of a mourning dove, hooting a sad tune into the otherwise still air.
Should a passerby had strolled past the ancient mansion that morning, wrapped in a scarf, their breath transforming into steam in the cold air, they might have assumed there was no one awake inside. There was not a sound issuing from the place. It's shades on their whitewashed frames were drawn and there was not a movement to be spied anywhere, save for the quick rabbits, who were now popping in and out of the hedges as if playing a game of hide-and-seek, gleefully enjoying the stillness around them while it lasted.
There was, however, movement inside the house. Samantha Miller was making her way around the large, homey kitchen of the Miller Mansion (or M&M as it was fondly called), silently preparing a breakfast of scrambled eggs, pan-fried potatoes and toast with butter and jam for her three sisters. Carefully and quietly, Samantha set a pan on the stove burner, moving slowly lest she awaken her sisters, who had had a long night and needed their sleep. Samantha, or Sam as she liked to be called, was usually the first awake among her sisters, and always liked preparing coffee and breakfast to help her siblings' mornings to be easier and more enjoyable.
Sam was an attractive 21-year-old with a head of flowing auburn hair that fell permanently curled past her shoulders. Her sparkling light blue eyes gazed from behind long black lashes with respect and kindness. She was a small 5 foot 3 inches tall, slim, but well-built, a highly intelligent young woman with a quick wit. Her smooth, tan face shone with beauty and kindness and was often smiling, showing off beautiful white teeth.
After slowly cooking hash browns to perfection, Sam pulled open a carved cupboard above her head and selected a jar from the dozens lining the shelf in neat rows. She smiled as she examined the capsules, each filled with a different herb, powder, or liquid, labeled neatly, and perfectly organized in alphabetical order. The jars glinted as Sam closed the cupboards, reminding herself to thank Kate for organizing it. Her older sister was very organized and loved to clean. Sam was quite pleased that the herbs were neat. Now she wouldn't have to waste time searching for ingredients when concocting potions.
Returning to her steaming potatoes at the stove, Sam opened the jar, pulled a stem of rosemary from it and began pulling springs apart and sprinkling it onto the potatoes to give them a tangy flavor. She held a piece of the rosemary to her nose and inhaled lightly, savoring the wonderful scent of her favorite herb.
"Smells good, Sammie," A quiet voice exclaimed behind her. Surprised, Sam turned around to see Kate sitting at the scrubbed wooden table, reading the morning newspaper quietly. The second-born Miller, at 23 years of age, was taller than Sam, but only just, at 5 feet 4 inches. Her light brown hair was cut at the shoulders and was often pulled back into a ponytail at the back of her head. Kate's large, brown eyes were filled with an intelligence beyond her years and were usually staring into a book or out into the distant horizon. She was a quiet young woman and seldom spoke around strangers or in crowds., and even though she could be hard talking with her sisters at home, she usually didn't talk unless replying to someone. Her pensiveness earned her the nickname of The Quiet One among the magical community, most commonly around the Elders, the "head hanchoes" of the magical world.
The Miller sisters were witches-good witches of course,- but not just any witches who uttered spells and stirred at potions. They were the most powerful witches in the world, only perhaps surpassed by the famed Charmed Ones, and had been born with powers and gifts with the destiny of protecting innocence and helping fellow witches and magical beings fight against Evil. It had taken years to control their separate powers and even longer to understand them, but they understood that the well-being, or even the entire existence of the world and, at times even the universe lay in their hands. Called the Magicked Ones, the sisters fought to conceal and protect the world of magic that they knew. The Elders helped to hide magic from mortals, though many times, their laws seemed more of a nuisance than a help to the sisters.
Kate had the power of telekinesis (the ability to move things with her mind) and premonition (the ability to see into the future.) Kate was powerful and strong and it was sometimes fortunate that she was quiet and kept a low profile because their demonic enemies often underestimated her powers and her ability to fight. They don't consider her as a major threat until they are laid out on the ground, the end of an attack silently placed by Kate.
Her younger sister, Samantha, had the power of levitation and the gift of herbal knowledge. She was the one who concocted the potions she and her sisters needed to vanquish demons with, using the herbs, powders, and other ingredients to their full purpose. Her knowledge of all plants also aided her making of potions to help mortals, not to mention aiding the makings of delicious meals for her family's enjoyment.
Samantha smiled graciously at her sister's compliment. "Thanks. I'm making your favorite: potatoes and eggs along with freshly toasted toast. Oh, thanks a lot for reorganizing the Herb Cabinet. It's beautiful."
Kate laid down the paper, cheeks reddening slightly from embarrassment. "Do you really like it? Is it organized ok? I was a little unsure of how you wanted it, but I thought alphabetical would work better for you."
"Of course it is! No one cleans or organizes better than you do. I love it. It will be so much easier to find things for spells and potions now. I kind of made a mess before you cleaned it. Anyway, it was really great of you."
Kate tried to hide a smile as she blushed more. "You're welcome. It was no big deal. Really."
Sam grinned at her sister's humbleness. "How about some breakfast?" She asked Kate kindly, holding a spatula aloft.
Kate nodded. "Yes, please," She answered, placidly, before burying her head in the newspaper again. Sam laughed to herself, heaping a hot plate with the perfectly cooked potatoes, a soft, impeccable egg, and a slice of crisp, crunchy toast, buttered and sprinkled lightly with cinnamon. After filling a mug full of the black coffee, Sam poured a small amount of cream in and added a sprinkle of sugar before stirring it carefully. She walked over to the table and placed the meal in front of her sister.
"Thanks," Kate muttered, then continued reading, turning the page of the newspaper. Sam went back to the coffee maker and poured some into one of her favorite mugs before crossing to the table again. Sitting down opposite Kate, Sam put her palms against the mug, warming them, and tried to strike up a conversation with her quiet sister.
"So, anything interesting in the news today, sis?"
Kate didn't answer. Assuming Kate was immersed in a story, Sam repeated, "Kate?" Again, Kate didn't answer. Eyebrows furrowing, Sam leaned forward across the table and pulled the top of the newspaper down to see her sister's eyes shut tightly and her hands grasping the edge of the papers, so tightly that the sheets were crinkling. "Kate, what-" Sam started to speak, but suddenly, Kate's eyes opened and she let out a harsh breath. And Sam understood. Kate had had a premonition. "Kate, sweetie, what did you see?" Sam asked, taking firm hold of her sister's trembling arm.
"A boy," Kate replied, shakily, her eyes wide and face lined with worry. Suddenly realizing what she had seen, she looked down at the page of the newspaper she was holding and said, "This boy." She pointed out a young boy in the black and white photograph to her sister. Beneath the picture of a dozen young boys and girls standing together smiling, the heading read, "Philip Lightman is among those selected for the Good Child Award at Maruchan Middle School."
"Lightman?" Sam repeated, standing up and crossing over to stand behind Kate and read over her shoulder. "Didn't Mom and Dad know them?"
Kate, her thoughts still on her premonition, shook her head, puzzled. "No, but it sounds familiar. Like they're...I don't know...maybe I'm just imagining it, but I think we know them from somewhere." Her voice trailed off as she focused on the picture again, her eyes squinting in concentration and her brilliant mind working furiously to figure it out.
After a few awkward seconds in which Sam quickly read the small article, she put a hand on Kate's shoulder before asking, "What attacked him?"
"A demon, but one like I've never seen before. It had...well, what looked like fire across its face. He was huge, not only in height but also in width and carrying a stick, or a scepter or whatever you call it. I think the attack happened down by the River Moss, in the place where Mom and Dad..." Her voice cracked, but she coughed in an attempt to cover it, then continued, clearing her throat. "In that open area with the huge boulder we used to slide down. The demon blasted Philip with an energy ball and killed him." She pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear in concentration, trying desperately to remember the details, since she knew that details could mean the difference between life and death.
Sam straightened abruptly. "Well, we have to go save him. He's our innocent now, so we have to protect him. Let's go wake up Heather and Lucy, then we can-" She was halfway to the stairs when she stopped and saw her older sister shaking her head.
"We don't have time, Sam. We have to go right now if we have any chance to save him. The attack happened before the morning was up. Now is all we have."
"Kate, you said it yourself: You've never seen the demon before. He could be extreamly powerful, more powerful than we could expect. If just the two of us went, it could be very dangerous. Kate, it's suicide. You're the only one with an active power between us, anyway. We need Heather and Lucy." Sam retorted, skeptically.
"I'm sure we'll be fine. Besides, you know that an innocent comes first, even before our own lives. We've faced demons on our own before this one and we've beaten them. Come on." Kate got up from the table and walked past Sam into the entrance hall of their home. She picked up her car keys from a table beside the door and got her coat before opening the door for her sister.
"Yeah, well, they weren't as powerful as you make this one out to be," Sam muttered under her breath so that Kate couldn't hear. She knew that her older sister had the last say in things because once her mind was made up, no one could change it. So, she swallowed the feeling of doubt building inside of her with difficulty and followed her sister. Something wasn't right, and a nagging feeling inside her told her to wake her other sisters, but she suppressed her urge to tell her Kate, pulled her jacket off the hook above her head, and walked through the doorway into the sunlight. "Ok. Let's go save an innocent."