Chapter 5 - Clara
1409 Words
The front door banged open.
“Mom, is that you?” I shouted as I raced out into the hall. Grandma stood there, face pale. “Grandma, where have you been? Mom’s out looking for you.”
“Clara, we don’t have time. Grab the salt from the kitchen and follow me.” She gasped for breath, trying to pull in as much air as possible.
“What—”
"Now, Clara.” She turned and pushed open the door to her small office. It wasn’t really an office, though. More like her magical supply store. “Clara!” Her voice echoed.
I turned toward the kitchen. Salt… Why on earth does she want salt?
I grabbed the two large containers and raced back down the hall. “Here you go.”
“Good girl,” Grandma said, taking one. “Follow me.” She pushed past me and opened the front door.
“Grandma, what are we doing?” She was starting to freak me out now as she mumbled to herself. I’d never seen her like this before.
“We need to shield the house. I don’t have time to explain. Just take the salt and spread it on the ground around the house. I’ll take the left, you take the right. We’ll meet at the back door. Don’t leave any gaps. Hurry now, Clara. There’s not much time.”
“Everything okay?” Megan asked, poking her head around the sitting room door.
“Yeah, it’s Grandma. She wants me to help her with something. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I followed Grandma outside and took the left, as she instructed. I placed a trail of salt around the house, surprised to see Grandma waiting for me by the back door. She moved pretty fast for an old lady.
“Inside,” she said as she looked around the back yard.
“What are you looking for?” I asked, following her gaze.
“No time, Clara. Get inside.” She grabbed me and shoved me through the door, then slammed it shut.
Once inside, she took in a deep breath, her hands shaking as she leaned over the kitchen counter.
“Grandma, you’re scaring me.”
She looked up, face still pale. “Sorry, Clara. I’ll explain everything, I promise, but I have to do something first.”
“I’ll make you some tea. That’ll help calm you.”
“Call your mother. Get her back home.”
Megan walked into the kitchen. “Everything okay?” she asked.
“I think so. I’m just going to make Grandma some tea, then call Mom.”
“Okay…,” Megan said, giving me her best what the heck look.
I shrugged. I had no idea what was going on.
“I’ll be up in your room. I want to look for something to wear on Friday night.”
“Sure,” I said, flicking the switch for the kettle and grabbing two cups from the overhead cabinet.
While the water boiled, I rang Mom and told her Grandma was home. I didn’t go into any detail.
Grandma muttered to herself as I poured the boiling water into the cups. She clasped her necklace in both hands, a cool breeze floating through the kitchen. I knew she was casting a spell. There was definitely something going on. Grandma only ever did spells in her office, and never with someone else in the house.
I watched her mouth move, but I had no idea what she was saying. A soft blue glow emanated from her hands as her eyes closed in concentration. I knew better than to interrupt, so I placed the cups of tea on the counter and took a seat. The expression on her face softened, color slowly creeping back into her cheeks. Her shoulders relaxed and she inhaled deeply.
“There. All done,” she said, opening her eyes. “You’re next, Clara.”
“Huh?”
“I need a ring or necklace or something. Go find one for me.”
“Grandma, slow down. What’s going on?”
She placed her hand over mine. “Clara, don’t question me. Just do as I ask. Please. I will explain everything once we’re safe.”
“Safe?! What’s…going…on?” My heart thumped in my chest, adrenaline soaring. I wanted to shake my grandma and make her tell me what was happening.
“Just get me a piece of jewelry, Clara.”
Tears sprang to my eyes, a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I nodded and stood.
A piece of jewelry… What do I pick? There’s the necklace Mom got me last Christmas, or the fake diamond ring I bought in town, or—
“Hurry, Clara.”
I took the stairs two at a time and burst into my bedroom. Poor Megan jumped and dropped the pile of clothes she’d been holding.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, grabbing the jewelry box off the dresser and emptying it onto the bed. My hands sank into the pile of junk, rifling through it. The small gold locket with the picture of Dad inside caught my eye and I scooped it up. I’d always loved this piece, but refused to wear it once he left.
“Everything all right?”’ Megan asked, eyes wide.
“Not sure. Tell you later,” I said as I raced out the door and back downstairs.
“Will this do?” I asked, placing the locket on the counter.
“Perfect,” Grandma said, picking it up. “You’ll need to put it on and do exactly as I tell you.”
After I secured it around my neck, Grandma took my hands and placed them around the locket, keeping her hands on mine. “You must never take this off, Clara. It’s for your protection.”
I nodded.
“I need you to repeat the words I say and imagine a blue light around you. Think of it like a cloak of invisibility.”
“Like Harry Potter?”
“No. More like those Shadowhunter people you watch on TV. You know, where they walk the streets and no one sees them, but they can see each other.”
“Like a glamour?”
“Yes, if that’s what you call it. Can you imagine that?”
“Yes,” I said, a big grin on my face. I’m going to be like a Shadowhunter. I was so excited, I didn’t ask who I was glamouring myself against.
Grandma recited the spell, slow enough so I could repeat the words. Warmth spread through my fingers and hands, making its way throughout my body. It reminded me of lying on the beach, the sun warming my body, but not too much.
“All done,” Grandma said.
I opened my eyes. I hadn’t even realized I had closed them. I didn’t feel any different. The necklace felt warm against my skin, but that was it.
“What did you just do?”
“I cloaked you, Clara.” Grandma swallowed hard and looked at the floor. “There’s a lot to explain, but we should be out of danger now. I’ll tell you everything when your mother gets here.”
As if on cue, Mom came barreling through the front door and into the kitchen. “Mom, where have you been? I was so worried,” she said and pulled Grandma into her arms.
“I’m fine, dear. A little shaken, but I’m okay. Show me your ring. I need to protect you, too.”
Mom stepped back, frowning. “What is going on? Protect me from what?” She looked at me. “Clara, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Mom. Honestly.”
“I’ll explain everything in a few minutes, Marie. Just hold out your hand,” Grandma said.
After a few minutes, with Mom cloaked, Grandma took a deep breath. “Clara, you need to send Megan home. There are things I must explain to you.”
I did as she asked and promised Megan I’d call her later.
Grandma’s voice trembled as she told us what had happened. Mom gasped at times. I simply sat, eyes wide and mouth open, trying to take it all in. The room felt like it was swallowing me whole.
Angels are real. The visions are real. My life is in danger.
- Writer
