Blue Crescent

Light and Darkness

Maddison

I looked around and noticed that the windows were covered in thick linen.

"Does anyone of you have any intention of explaining what is going on here? Is my bedroom turning into an exorcism facility?" I asked.

Mom did not answer but sat on the bed with her mind at God knows where. I walked towards the window and opened the curtains, only to burn my skin from the sunlight.

“Ah!” I screamed.

“Maddie?” Mom rushed to close the curtain and grab me away from the window. I was screaming out loudly like a butchered horse.

“What just happened? Did I just burn myself in the sun?” I cried. My face turned red and swelled with blisters on it as smoke rose into the air.

"Shhh . . . it's okay. It's okay, sweetie," Mom said, hugging me and kissing my hair.

Hannah came in and handed me an ancient-looking golden bracelet. "Here, put it on! Quick!"

I hurriedly wore the bracelet. Instantly, my skin was healed like a newborn baby.

"So that's it? I'll just wear this whachumacallit bracelet and then my skin gets instant diamond peeling without going to a dermatologist?" I said.

"From now on, you need to stay away from the sun. Do not take that bracelet off no matter what. Do you understand?" Hannah said. "Now, it's time to go."

"Go? Where?" I asked.

"See you later, Mrs. Greene," Hannah said before closing her eyes and chanting in an unknown language.

In the blink of an eye, I suddenly found ourselves in the woods facing a wooden door covered with thick bushes and branches.

"Hannah, what are we doing here? This place is dangerous!" I said.

"Don't worry. This place is sealed," Hannah said. "Aperio," she chanted in an outstretched hand.

The bushes crawled aside as the door opened. "Follow me," Hannah said.

My feet were shaking as I got inside. I crossed my arms and tried to adjust my vision in the dark.

"Hannah, it's cold and dark in here. Where are we?"

Hannah snapped her fingers, and out came flaming candles around us.

"This is the most powerful place on earth, Maddie. We are standing at the most powerful place where all supernatural powers rise up to an unimaginable strength that every supernatural creature has ever dreamed of."

"I don't understand, Hannah. Could you please just tell me everything? Please!"

"500 years ago, all supernatural beings lived in one place. The vampires, werewolves, and witches lived together except humans. Humans are products of powerless supernatural creatures."

"But what about witches? Aren't they humans too?"

"Like I told you, I am human with powers. That makes me a witch. Without powers, I am nothing. People used to treat me like crap like everyone at school does to you. But ever since I got these powers, I have learned to fight."

"I still don't understand. You said that I am a vampire. What now? Does that mean I'll be killing everyone out there? I don't want to be a monster, Hannah. I almost killed my parents!"

"No, as long as you learn how to use it. Control your emotions, Maddie. That's all you need to do. You can use your powers to protect everyone including your mom and dad."

"You've gotta be kidding me. I almost killed Mom and Dad!"

"Exactly why you have to control it, and there's only one thing you should not do if you don't want to become the monster that you think you are."

"What is it?"

"Do not feed."

"Feed? What do you mean 'feed'?"

"To feed means to kill a human being and booze in its blood."

"Gross! I hate blood, Hannah. I even fainted on my first menstruation."

"Don't forget that, Maddie. As long as you don't feed and that magic bracelet is on your arm, you're safe. Do you understand?"

"No . . . I still don't understand, but okay, okay. I'll make sure of that."

"Great. Now let's go home. I'm hungry," Hannah said as I followed her out of the cave and closed the door with a spell.

The thorny bushes and branches crept back towards the door and covered it once again.

"Hannah?" I asked as we walked on our way home.

"Yeah?"

"You said it was 500 years ago. So Arthur was right about the little book then."

Hannah nodded. "Yeah. He was right, Maddie."

"Okay . . . but he said it was lost. What happens now?"

"The little book he found in the library . . . is . . . this book that we have," Hannah said before my widened eyes as she showed the little black book. "I took it from him back there in the woods. Of course, he didn't know. This booklet should not be in the possession of any human being. That is way too dangerous for anyone who cannot handle the power of magic spells. More than that, the owner's powers will be transferred to the new one. Finders, keepers."

"But . . . he had it. Does that mean your powers will be transferred to him?"

"No. Not until he chants the spell."

"But how can you be so sure that he hasn't read it? Arthur is a fast reader. You know that."

"Not unless he has witch blood, Maddie. But he doesn't have one in his veins. I made sure of that. And ooops! Don't bother asking me how. You already know the answer."

"Oh my god, Hannah. Is that the 'do you remember what happened in the woods' question you kept on asking us?"

"You nailed it, bestie. You're smart, you know that?"

The sun was setting when we reached the highway where Hannah's car was parked. As we drove our way home, my mind was elsewhere flooded with endless questions. I could sense that something more dangerous out there was waiting for me. Thinking about it scared the hell out of me the most.

"Thanks Hannah. I'll see you at school tomorrow,"I said, taking the seatbelt off abd getting out of the car.

"Sure. Be careful. Remember what I told you, okay? We'll have some practice tomorrow after school. Remember, do not take the bracelet off!"

"Thanks. See ya!" I said as I walked towards the frontdoor.

I twisted the doorknob to open the door, but it was locked.

"Mom? Dad?" I called. "Mom, open the door please."

No one answered. Suddenly, I heard my mom screaming that made my heart skip a beat.

"Mom!" I called, slamming the door with my fists.