Witch Bewitched

Chapter 3

    “What is he doing here?” Misa spoke with too much venom on her tongue. She struggled against her mother’s embrace and escaped only when her father asked for some tea.

    “A pleasure to meet you again, Miss,” the captain said. His voice was pleasurable, but his eyes held no kindness. “You still have a report to give at the purgehouse.”

    “What?” Maran’s eyes bulged. His glare burned into Misa. She kept her face down, feeling her cheeks heat up. “A report? Exactly what have you been doing outside?” Her father’s face was so red, Misa was sure he would soon blow up.

    “It’s nothing, Father,” Misa muttered. “Just something I witnessed. That’s all.”

    Soiya returned with a tray. “Captain, why don’t you take a seat. You too, Maran. Perhaps we can talk it out over tea?”

    Maran struggled to keep his breathing steady. Misa could see his body shake with ragged breaths. She remained silent, knowing that agreeing with her mother would only push his temper further.

    “Very well,” Maran’s voice shook. “Captain, please take a seat. Misa, you will remain in your room until we have finished our discussion.”

    Misa’s head shot up. “But Father!”

    “Now!” His tone left no room for arguing. A flare of anger ignited in Misa’s chest. A splintered c***k resonated from her fist.

    “I don’t understand how I’m not supposed to act like a child when you continue to treat me like one!” she blurted out. “Perhaps the only way I can be mature is when I am treated like an adult, like when I go outside! I’m twenty, Papa, not five! Think about that!”

    Fuming, Misa turned on her heel and stormed to her room. She fully knew her outburst had been childish enough to prove her father right, but at that moment, she didn’t care. She was tired of staying stuck inside trying to paint a world she could never see for herself.

    Once inside her room, she sat on her stool and glared at the canvas. Her painting looked just like the paintings she had studied in books. Nothing about it felt real. The ocean had skilled strokes to mimic the texture of water, yet Misa could not feel the breeze against her face nor hear the waves lapping against the sand.

    It was an illusion, just like her freedom. In a fit of rage, Misa grabbed ahold of the canvas and ripped a strip through the middle. She scrunched the piece of leather and crushed it under her shoe. How could she ever hope to paint something she had never experienced? Her piece had just been a copy of another artist. Where was her own meaningful strokes on the picture?

    Hot tears ran down her cheeks. Misa forcefully wiped them away, scratching her face with the rough material of her sleeve. She hated her father. He had taken away her freedom. He had taken away her whole life.

    Blood dripped from her left hand. Misa released her grip and saw the cause. The swan’s neck had snapped, and the splintered edges of the wood had dug deep into her skin. Cursing, Misa picked the pieces with her right hand and dropped them on the table next to her canvas.

    A warmth spread from her gut and tingled down her arm. The sting on her palm began to disappear until no pain remained.

    Gasping, Misa stumbled from the stool, nearly falling over. She stared at her hand in wonder. Blood still smeared across her palm. She reached over for a rag sitting with her painting supplies and wiped it away. No wound. Only smooth skin lay underneath the layer of crimson.

    “Witch!” Ervan’s accusations echoed in her ears. “You’re a witch!”

    “No…” Misa could barely whisper. She couldn’t believe it. It had to be dream. Yes, it was all in her head. It wasn’t blood smeared on her hand. It was paint. Red paint.

    With shaky hands, Misa felt through her supplies. She found her red paint and squirted it on her hand. Using her paintbrush, she smeared it until her whole palm was covered.

    “It’s just paint,” she murmured. She took her rag and stained it red as she wiped her hand clean. “Just paint.”

    Dropping the rag, Misa rushed to her door. She could still hear the muffled conversation from the sitting room. Should she let her father know? No. Knowing him, he would cast her out and disown her. But would that be so bad? He would be giving her the freedom she so craved.

    “But it was just paint,” Misa said softly, leaning her forehead against the cool wood. “I’m no witch.”

    A knock at the door startled her. Misa shook her thoughts away and opened it. Her mother stood there, wringing her hands together. Maran’s shouts echoed down the hallway.

    “Misa,” she whispered. “There’s something you should know.”

    Misa’s stomach dropped. She had just hallucinated her skin repairing itself. She had thought she was a witch for at least a minute. Was it a coincidence that her mother wanted to tell her something? No. She was probably thinking too hard.

    “What is it, Mother?” Misa asked, ignoring the twist in her stomach.

    “I think it’s best if you come outside. Follow me.” Soiya led Misa towards the cacophony. Glass shattered.

    Misa could make out the words as she approached. “You will not take her away from me! She is safe here! Who do you think you are?”

    The scene in the living room was something Misa had never seen before. Her father stood, red-faced and fuming. His hands were clamped into such tight fists that his knuckles had turned white. Shattered porcelain lay scattered at his feet, and a brown stain spread through the carpet.

    In contrast to her father, Captain Royle Bentham sat poised and calm. He had taken off his cap, leaving his brown hair tousled and allowing several strands to drape down his forehead. He remained quiet during Maran’s argument. As Misa emerged from the hallway, his eyes briefly met hers before turning back to her father.

    “Maran,” Soiya said. Her voice was soft yet firm. She put a hand on his shoulder. “I think it’s time…it’s time we tell the truth.”

    “No!” Maran’s response was so loud Misa jumped.

    “The truth?” Misa’s stomach began to hurt. The knot had tangled so tightly that she felt like throwing up. “Papa, what does she mean?”

    “It’s nothing, Misa,” Maran replied. “Go back to your room. Now.”

    “She’s not a child anymore. Maran, we can’t keep this from her forever. It’s best if we tell her ourselves.” Soiya rubbed a hand on his back. “Please. Do it for her.”

    “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Soiya.” Maran shrugged off her touch. “Misa can’t know. She can’t know I…” He paused to take a breath. “Misa, leave. Please.”

    Misa had never seen her father so angry—so frightened. She took a tentative step forward. “Papa. What is it? What are you keeping from me?”

    “Are you going to lock her up forever?” Soiya finally raised her voice. “Think about it, Maran? What was the point of saving her life if she can’t even live it? We should have told her a long time ago. Tell her now while you still can.”

    Frustration overtook caution. Misa hardened her voice. “Mama’s right. You can’t keep me locked up here forever. One day, I really will run away, and I will never return. Until when do I have to live like a prisoner?”

    “Mister Carpenter,” the captain said. “I do think we’re all in agreement here. All except you.”

    Maran’s shoulders shook. It took a moment for Misa to register that he was crying. She opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. It was the first time she had ever seen her father sob.

    “It’s all my fault,” Maran said, struggling to keep his voice steady. He pressed his fingers against his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Misa.”

    “W-what are you talking about?” Misa said. Her head began to buzz.

    “Misa, when you were about half, you fell victim to the Jania sweep that plagued Giligha.” Maran fell to his seat as he recollected his story. “I…well, in a desperate attempt to save you, I sought out a witch.”

    Misa gulped. Witches had been banned by the royal council in fear that they would destroy the country. Knowingly bargaining with a witch could be seen as treason, and punishment as severe as execution could be served. Her eyes darted to the captain. Her father shouldn’t be talking about this in front of him.

    “Her name was Tika. I made a bargain with her that day. In exchange for saving your life…” Maran choked. “In exchange for your life, Misa, Tika…Tika…”

    Unable to continue, Maran allowed Soiya to finish. “Tika gave you her magic. Misa, you’re a…”

    “A witch,” the captain cut in.

    The room spun. Misa’s legs collapsed from under her.

    “Misa!” Soiya ran to her side.

    “No,” Misa uttered. She sat staring at the broken cup by her father’s feet. Broken like the pieces of her identity shattered by the truth. Her mind went numb. “But…how?”

    She blinked, trying to understand what was being said. She let out a laugh. “No. I’m sorry. I think I heard wrong. Yes, I must have! I thought you said I was a witch!”

    “Misa…” Soiya’s eyes filled with tears.

    “That can’t be true!” Misa exclaimed. “Witches are evil, aren’t they? That’s what all the books say. I grew up learning to hate witches, and all this time I was one of them? That doesn’t make any sense!”

    “You don’t have to be one of them,” Maran said. He had calmed down enough to think straight. “Stay here, Misa. If you just stay with us, you won’t ever have to worry about anyone finding out.”

    His words hit her like a bucket of water. Those were his reasons for her imprisonment. He was afraid of what he created, what he had committed, and Misa was a stark reminder everyday like a thorn stuck in his side.

    “How could you?” Misa couldn’t keep the betrayal out of her voice. “All this time, you kept me trapped in here because you were afraid someone would find out I was a witch? That someone would find out what you did?”

    “Misa—” But Misa didn’t let him finish. She stood up, fury replacing disbelief.

    “I never asked for this! You made me a witch, and yet you punished me for being one!”

    “We were protecting you!” Maran exclaimed.

    “Protecting me? From what? I never even knew I was a witch, so how could anyone else? I don’t even know how to cast spells! I’ve snuck out dozens of times and not once has anyone ever thought I was a witch!”

    The captain’s mouth twitched. Misa ignored him, not wanting to give her father another foothold. Ervan had been delusional. It was only a coincidence that his belief that Misa was a witch turned out to be true.

    “All I wanted was freedom,” Misa said. “But you took that away from me. You made me into a despicable being.”

    “I had no choice! We had no choice.” Maran sighed. “It was the only way to save you from Jania.”

    “You could have told me from the beginning. Why did you keep it from me until now? We could have worked it out together, but you were always worried about yourself. You never even wanted to see me, and the only time you ever did was to drill into me that I can never leave the house.”

    “Miss,” the captain said, grabbing his cap from the table and putting it on. “If I may make a proposal,” Maran glared at him, “I am currently in need of a witch. I assure you that your secret will be completely safe while you work for me. If you get lucky, you may even be able to remove the magic in your system.”

    Immediately, suspicion took hold. Misa studied the man, probing for any sign of dishonesty. She had just learned of the terrible truth her parents kept from her. Why would she ever trust a stranger to help her? “You’re the captain of a purgehouse. How could I trust you? For all I know, I could be following you to my death.”

    “If I wanted to turn you in for being a witch, I would have already done so. It’s a serious allegation, one that is not treated lightly. Not even bribes can get witches out of the purgehouse. It’s quite unfortunate, but it’s not uncommon for even ordinary women to be executed under the suspicion of practicing witchcraft.”

    “So, if I get caught, that’s a death sentence.”

    “No,” Maran joined in. “Misa will not be accepting your proposal. If you want to search for a witch, go look for Tika. She resides in the forest not too far from this city.”

    “I cannot consult Tika for reasons I can’t disclose. Your daughter is the only witch that I have come across in the recent weeks. As for being discreet, Miss Carpenter, the last place the law will look for a witch is right under its nose. I’m risking my own life bargaining with you. So long as I am alive, I can guarantee your safety. If you agree, I can even waive the tedious report you have to submit.”

    Misa considered his words. “And what’s the job you need a witch for?”

    “Misa, no!”

    The corner of the captain’s mouth quirked up. “That will be given in more detail, after you accept the proposal.”

    Misa met his eyes and asked the question that would make her decision final. “And if I accept, will you take me out of here?”

    “Misa, please don’t do this! We did it for you! You can't leave us like this. Not like this.” This time, Soiya had pleaded. Still, Misa ignored her parents’ protests even as a knife made of guilt and sorrow stabbed deep into her heart.

    “Of course. I would need you to be discreet, so I will take you to a safehouse. For extra safety, only my first lieutenant and I will know your location.”

    That was it. Misa couldn’t face her parents, so she kept her eye on the captain as she answered. “Very well. I accept.”