Chapter 19
Reid was gone when Tori woke up the next morning. She knew he had stayed the night but once morning came he wasn't in the bed with her. Shrugging it off as weird boy behavior, Tori decided that a look around the Simms house and a lazy reading day was just what she needed. Heading out the door she barely heard any noise in the house, except for a dog off in the distance and the tinkering of china down the hall. She found Mrs. Simms sitting behind a dainty desk having what was obviously the best cup of coffee ever. The first cup was always the best in her opinion.
Shuffling from the doorway called Mrs. Simms attention toward Tori's presence. " You're up early. Come in and talk to me for a bit? I'm taking a break and could use the company".
Stepping inside the small office, Tori caught sight of her beautiful surroundings. There were books and paintings filling up every conceivable space. Mrs. Simms looked at her taking in her office and immediately saw her office through her eyes. "Don't mind the mess but contrary to popular belief I don't keep everything in order and this is what my messes are like."
"No! No, its wonderful. There's so much to see and read. How can you concentrate with so many amazing things around?" Tori remarked to the still vibrant woman. Chuckling softly behind the desk, "Well to me it's just my stuff but I guess it is nice".
"Definitely. And the books. Look! Leather bounds with gold lettering. Dozens upon dozens of hardcover books. You just don't see these anymore".
"You like books?" asked Mrs. Simms.
Nodding, Tori answered in a hesitant, shaky voice "Sure. I mean Mandy and I always kept a library card handy and sometimes we just visited and read for hours".
"Ah yes, your sister" said Mrs. Simms. "I am very sorry you are loosing contact with your family".
"Thanks but you didn't do anything wrong. Things like this happen".
Shaking her head, Mrs. Simms reached across the desk to hold Tori's hand in a sign of compassion. "They shouldn't happen to sweet girls like you. To anyone really. You see Tori, a real family supports and loves each other no matter the hardships. I'm sorry you didn't have that before but I assure you we wont abandon you".
Letting it all sink in Tori wandered around the room for a few minutes looking at the different titles. Fingering the edges of a blue book, Tori was brought back from her thoughts by Mrs. Simms. "Why don't you go ahead to the kitchen and get yourself a cup of coffee because I saw you practically salivating for it. You could come back afterwards and take a book out onto the patio? We also have a small library down the hall if these are not enough for you".
"See you later Mrs. S."
Tori headed toward the kitchen for a muffin and a jumbo cup of that amazing coffee. Once that mission was accomplished, she wandered the house looking for any sign of the boys. Finding none of them in the house, Tori headed back to the small office for a book and a clue where the boys were. Mrs. Simms was standing behind her desk hovering over some files but she pushed that to the side once she saw Tori coming in. "Ready for a book now?"
"Actually yes but I'm also looking for the boys. I can't find them and I didn't get the chance to speak to them after my walk last night".
"Oh well no worries. Caleb and Pogue just went up to get the girls from Sarah's grandparents house in Boston. Plus I sent Reid and Tyler to get me some supplies for dinner since all you kids will be here".
With a small smile Tori nodded realizing what say it was. Both Pogue and Caleb were driving to Boston to pick up their girlfriends Kate and Sarah. School started in just a few days so they needed a pick up and their dutiful boyfriends were all too happy to get them. "I totally forgot today's the day. I'll take a few books and stay out on the balcony for some sunshine".
Tori picked up her cell from on top of her bed and made her way to the balcony for a relaxing time out in the sun with a few good books. By the time she was through half of her first book she was wondering where Reid and Tyler were. Deciding to abandon her first book, which had turned drab, Tori moved on to some sort of old journal. Opening the cover she encountered hand written pages yellowing and tearing at the corners with old age. The first page had a slew of symbols, most of which Tori did not recognize. Moving on, she came upon the first journal entry. It seemed to be a brief introduction of the owner.
May 5, 1690
I am Anali Danku and I was born in the desert. I have two older sisters and a mother. My people are proud and powerful with mother's wisdom leading them. Mother has allowed me to keep record of my life since I am now a woman. I do not enjoy writing these things down but it is tradition and traditions are everything.
May 6, 1690
The Goddess is the universal mother. She is the source of fertility, endless wisdom, and loving caresses. She is the maiden, the mother and the crone, symbolized in the waxing, full, and waning moon. Though she is possessed of both natures, we revere her as the giver of fertility, love, and abundance, though they acknowledge her darker side as well. To honor her our tribe uses the mirror, necklace, silver and five-petaled flower. She is omnipresent, changeless and eternal.
To develop a rapport with the Goddess we must stand or sit facing the moon. I feel the soft lunar light streaming onto my skin. I can sense it touching and mixing with my own energies, commingling and forming new patterns. Call to her (Selena). Open your heart and mind to the aspect of Goddess-energy manifested in the moon's light.
Lady of the moon, of the restless sea and verdant earth,
Lord of the sun and of the wild creatures,
Accept this offering I place here in your honor.
Grant me the wisdom to see your presence in all nature,
O Great Ones!
May 10, 1690
Veyna and Siad wish they had enough time to write about their lives. I think it would be useless since all they know is their families away from the tribe, so who would read it. My wish for us all is sustained happiness.
The second and third entries were just menial things concerning any teen of the old world. Worries about family, crops and neighboring tribes. Each entry showed worsening threats between the neighboring tribes, to the extent of kidnappings and murders.
May 13, 1690
Magic is the projection of natural energies to produce needed effects.
Personal power is the life force that sustains our earthly existences. It powers our bodies. Earth power is that which resides within our planet and in its natural products. Divine power is the manifestation of personal power and earth power.
May 14, 1690
Today I learned about the part music can play within my magic. A flute, violin, guitar, harp, or other small instruments can easily be introduced into rituals. Music can be used prior to the rite to set the mood; during as an offering to the Goddess; and afterward in pure celebration.
May 21, 1690
Colors
Yellow - divination
Blue - healers
Red - protection
Green - herbs
Black - the night
White - purification
Purple - to deepen their spiritual awareness of the Goddess
July 2, 1690
Mother wishes for me to make a list of the days of power I know from memory. Afterwards we will discuss the days I have missed.
Yule happens at the winter solstice.
Ostara or Eostra's Day first day of true spring.
Beltane marks the emergence of the young God into manhood.
Midsummer is the time when the powers of nature reach their highest point.
July 1690
Mother has shared her foreboding feelings about our tribe. She has taught us all she knows but still fears it wont be safe for us here. There has been talk about traveling to the 'New World' so many travelers speak of. I will not leave mother, I could not survive without her in that new land. All I have ever known was the desert. How could I leave?
July 18, 1690
Mother died this morning. She rests now with The Goddess in Summerland.
September 11, 1690
The knowledge that this life is but one of many, that when the physical body dies we do not cease to exist, but are reborn in another body, answers many questions, but raises a few more. The Goddess teaches us that reincarnation is the instrument through which our souls are perfected. No one can say how many lives are required before this is accomplished. The soul is ageless, sexless, nonphysical, possessed of the divine spark of the Goddess and God. Each manifestation of the soul is different. The sex, race, place of birth, economic class, and every other individuality of the soul is determined by the actions in past lives and the lessons necessary to the present. What happens after our death? The body dies but the soul lives.
September 20, 1690
I have decided to travel to the New World. I cannot be a burden to my sisters any longer. They have their own families and I will be able to find a better life across the wide waters. Mother wanted this for me and if she believed it was my fate then I will not fight this. I leave in the morning. Goddess help me.
Tori found many more entries of the time Anali spent on the Belladonna. The lonely girl was traveling across the world, with barely any money, no family and no idea of what to do once she landed. Feeling lonely herself, Tori put the journal down and switched over to her cell phone as a distraction.
Tori - I'm bored. Bring me back some whiskey from whatever hunting ground Mrs. S. sent u to.
Reid - Oh Ha Ha! Go do something sweetness, we are no where near done yet. U could always go take a nice bath and call me during.
Tori - Good idea! But then there will be no one to wash my back. I need help u know ;)
Reid - ;) Stop it flirt!
Tori - U asked for it. Bring me whiskey, seriously
Reid - K
Tori - Kisses!
Reid - Mhm we'll see
Laughing Tori went on to her reading on the stories of Anali Danku and the recipes sprinkled within the pages of her journal.