Visions - The Cursed Angels Part 1

Chapter 12 - Clara

Grandma spent all day Sunday telling me about my ancestors. How powerful they were, how they’d been around forever. Honestly, most of it was boring and I yawned more than once. 

“Can’t we just move on to the good stuff?” I asked.

“Patience, Clara. Everything I tell you is important. Besides, you need to know about the ancestors. They can be of assistance, you know.”

“They can?” I hadn’t the faintest idea how dead people could help. Maybe I could call on them or something. Just the thought of it sent a shiver down my spine. As much as I loved the idea of being a witch, ghosts were not something I wanted to find out were real. 

“Are you listening to me, Clara?”

“Huh? Yeah.” I focused my attention back on her.

“As I was saying, your great-great-great-grandmother, Marie…”

I zoned out, my mind wandering. I found myself on a beach. Soft sand beneath my feet, the sun beaming down, the sound of waves lapping against the shore. I took in a deep breath and savored the salty air. Pure bliss. I loved the ocean. It held so much calm.

I dug my toes into the sand and I held my arms out, letting the gentle breeze brush across my bare skin. I could stay here forever. I smiled as I turned in a circle, taking in my surroundings. Dunes, covered in thick grass, stretched out behind me as far as I could see. The sea shimmered in front of me, and I saw miles and miles of sandy beach. There was nothing else. I had no idea where I was, either. I moved toward the ocean’s edge. The waves swallowing at my feet, tickling my toes. The water was warm, the sun hot, and I was tempted to go for a swim…until I realized I wore that white dress. 

My pulse raced as I spun in a circle once more, checking for signs of danger. I let go of the breath I held and started walking. I had to get out of here before things took a turn for the worse. 

“Clara? Clara?”

I heard Grandma calling, but she seemed so far away.

“Clara!”

My body jerked and I was back in her office. I shook my head. The salty air still filled my nostrils. Grandma was crouched down in front of me, her eyes wide with fear.

“Where did you go? What did you see?”

“To the beach. I was on a beach.”

“The beach? Were they there? Did you see them?”

“No. It was just me. It was actually really nice. So relaxing. I could go back.”

“Stop it, Clara. Focus. You just had another vision and you need to tell me what you saw.”

Her stern tone paused my daydream and I sat up. “I told you. I was on a beach and alone. There was no one else there.”

“Where was this beach?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t recognize it. Why?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”

“I am protected, right?”

“Yes. Yes, of course. As long as you wear your locket.” Grandma moved back to the table. “I think that’s enough for one day. You’ve got school tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I didn’t want to push it. Another few hours of family history wasn’t how I wanted to spend my Sunday evening anyway.

***

The week passed with nothing much to report. I had a few more visions similar in nature, but all with unrecognizable locations and no creepy shadows. I guess Grandma was right and her protection spell had worked. Nobody knew whether it would remain in place after tomorrow, though.

So many times, Mom had told me how I was born on a crisp spring morning. 7:50am on a Monday, to be exact. It was just a coincidence that my eighteenth birthday fell on a Monday, too. Then again, maybe not. Things would change tomorrow, but I still wasn’t sure how. Mom and Grandma hadn’t said much during the week. I could have sworn I heard Mom sigh a few times when she looked at me, though. I’d asked questions all week, but all Grandma would say was we had to wait and see. I even begged her to teach me some spells. She said there was no point and that I’d learn soon enough. What did that mean? So far, all I’d learned was family history. I could recite every minute detail about the Tyler line of witches. There were seers, potion masters, and conjurers. It all sounded weird to me, but I had listened intently as Grandma explained. Her eyes lit up every time we moved on to someone new. Her great-aunt, Millie, was her favorite and she glowed as she recalled tales of mystery and danger. 

“She was quite the survivor,” Grandma had said. I couldn’t help but smile. When my magic came, I hoped I wouldn’t disappoint. 

I’d tried to ask her about my dad and his dark magic, but every time I mentioned his name, she shut down. I guessed she either didn’t want to tell me or she didn’t know. Either way, it was something I would have to find out about. After all, I had half his genes, too. 

I hated that my thoughts rambled when all I wanted to do was sleep. 11:59pm the clock read. Would something happen at 12am? Would I suddenly possess powers?  

Get a grip, Clara. Count sheep, whatever. Just get some sleep.

I finally dozed off into a peaceful sleep. 

At exactly 7:50am, I woke, filled with energy. My body felt agile as I threw the covers off. No tiredness. No aches and pains. No grogginess from being up late. I swung my legs over the bed, placed my feet on the floor, and stood, stretching my arms over my head. The carpet felt different, soft and plush. I looked down. It was the same as always. I shrugged and made my way to the bathroom.

My reflection in the mirror caused me to stop and look closer. “What the…”