Blue Crescent

Guardian of the House

Maddison

“Yeah. My mom and dad took me into their care just a few months ago,” I answered.

Michael moved back to his seat in front of me. “I guess we have the same fate . . . orphans.”

I sighed. “Looks like it. Ah . . . wait, if you were at Little Oaks, how come I did not see you?”

“I didn't hang out with the other kids. I was . . . an introvert, if you would call it.”

"Sounds like me."

Michael looked at me and smiled.

“Do you remember Meredith?” I asked.

“Meredith? Rings a bell actually, but no, I never met her.”

“Maybe you weren’t assigned under her care then.”

“Probably.”

“Snack is ready,” Mom called.

We hurriedly walked towards the kitchen, smelling the delicious aroma of food.

“Thank you for this, Mrs. Greene. I actually love mashed potatoes,” Michael said, making Mom smile.

“Really? Well then, thank you for appreciating it, son,” Mom responded.

Michael nodded. “My mom used to make delicious mashed potatoes when she was alive . . . and lasagna too.”

“Oh, really? I am so sorry to hear that, son. You must be missing her."

“No worries at all, Mrs. Greene. I live in Bridgeton. Just three kilometers away from here.”

“Bridgeton? Oh, that’s a wealthy neighborhood. I appreciate you for visiting our humble home. If you don’t mind, what’s your last name, son?”

“Jones. My foster parents were Natalie and George Jones.”

“Oh, I see. Maybe we could meet your father one of these days.”

Michael lowered his eyes. "I . . . never met my father . . ." he said bitterly.

For a moment, silence took over. I cleared my throat to break the awkwardness.

“So . . . Are you guys forgetting that I’m still here?” I joked.

“Oh baby. I just find Michael interesting.” Mom said.

“I know, Mom. I was just kidding.” I laughed.

“Okay, let me leave you two to finish your food. I’ll be upstairs.”

"Thanks Mom,” I said.

“Thank you Mrs. Greene.” Michael nodded.

***

Ava

“I shall do everything in my power to kill you, Amara. You took everything from me.”

Strong winds began to sway the trees in the woods. I called on my strength to pour heavy rain from the skies out of anger. I couldn’t contain the urge to finally eradicate this traitor that I had been looking for.

“Once I get the chance, I shall let you pay! You shall pay for this, Amara! You shall pay for this!”

The wind and the rain became stronger. My soul struggled to accept Amara’s treachery for stealing my body and beauty. I had to find a body; a body that I could use perhaps to be visible.

“Oh . . . I am so, so mad! You can’t do this to me, Amara! You can’t do this to me! I shall take back everything that you took away from me. I shall take your powers and make them mine. I wanna see you suffer! Suffer! Suffer! I shall lead you to your death! Death! Death!”

“You have to control your anger, Ava.”

“Shut up, Orpheus! Don’t tell me what and not to do. You have no idea how furious I am! You have no idea how I feel. I was robbed by a pathetic daughter of a witch and a powerless wolf. Amara’s mother used his magic for her daughter to live the life that I was supposed to have. No!”

“You are wasting your powers for nothing, my dear. Why don’t you use them against Amara?”

"I can see she's powerful, Orpheus. She has the power of fire and lightning, which I believe are mine too. I couldn’t even get to her. She wouldn’t let me in.”

“Then use anyone close to her. You see? Your anger hinders you from thinking clearly. With anger, your mind gets clouded, and you won't see the perfect solutions to problems."

Orpheus gently sat on the couch and crossed his legs.

“Stop talking! I don’t want to listen to your nonsense opinion,” I said, walking away.

“Where are you going?”

“You know the answer to all your questions, Orpheus.”

Orpheus shook his head and smirked. “Poor child.”

***

Maddison

“Are you sure you wanna go home in this heavy rain, Michael?” I asked, munching on some chips. “I mean, I’m sure Mom will let you stay. It’s dangerous out there.”

“Hello! I’m home!” Dad knocked at the door.

“Hi Dad!” I said as Mom walked to the front door.

“It’s raining outside, I think there’s a storm coming,” Dad said as he entered.

“Hi sweetie,” Mom said as she hugged my dad. “You're soaking wet. Maddie, could you please get a towel for your dad?”

She locked the door and windows carefully before taking Dad's briefcase to the bedroom.

“I was caught in a heavy rain, and the tires got messed up, but don't worry . . ." he said as he sat on the couch and then took his shoes off.

"Here dad." I handed him the towel.

"Thank you Barbie," he answered, taking the material and putting it on his shoulders. "Everything’s fine now, I just left the car in the shop. I'm just hungry. ”

"Would you like some hot coffee, sweetie?" Mom's voice could be heard.

"Yeah, that sounds great," Dad answered, entering the bedroom to change his clothes.

The sound of thunder was deafening, but there was nothing more blaring than silence between me and Michael. Dad's eyes landed on the latter as he joined us in the dining area.

“Oh . . . ahm . . . Dad, it’s Michael,” I said as Michael quickly swallowed his food and stood up.

“Hello Mr. Greene. Nice to meet you,” Michael greeted.

“Oh no, you don’t have to stand up, Michael. Why don’t you join us for dinner? A storm is coming, and it isn’t safe to drive out there. Was that your car outside?” Dad said before sipping a cup of coffee.

‘Ah, thank you Mr.. Greene, but ahm . . . I think it’s fine driving in the rain.”

“You should stay, son,” Mom said. “You can leave tomorrow when the weather gets better.”

“Yeah, you should stay. Mom and Dad are asking you to stay, and parents are always right. That means we have to follow them,” I said, looking at my parents.

“Well, thank you so much for the . . . warm hospitality,” Michael said shyly.

***

The wind continued howling as the rain fell and thunder roared into the air unceasingly. Maddison and her parents were asleep in their bedrooms while Michael stayed awake, lying on the couch. He chose to stay in the living room since the house didn't have a guest room. Suddenly, a dark shadow showed up and stood in front of Maddison’s open window. The dark figure climbed up the walls to get inside; but before it could get through, a huge black wolf attacked it and made it fall onto the ground. The wolf had surprisingly touched the shadow and sank its fangs into its invisible flesh, causing blood to spill on the ground. The raging wind and rain subsided as the shadow disappeared into the night, leaving the wolf standing like the guardian of the house.