Witch of the Gate (Part I): Empyrean Crystal Soul

I am walking absent-minded with a racing heart and a shaking body. I can’t forget the sensation of that kiss. My lips are burning and my whole body reacts strangely. I can’t calm down. This sudden turmoil is occupying my whole soul.

And then, I am in front of my grandma’s house. I sigh as I get inside.

-“Where were you, young lady?” I hear her strict voice asking. Then, grandma looks at me with a serious look.

-“I stayed at a friend’s house.”

-“Which friend?”

-“A friend.” I say irritably.

-“You are in the wrong and you are talking back?” She shouts and I freeze.

This is a usual reaction of my body, from back then, when mother yelled and scolded me.

I lower my head looking at the floor.

-“I’m sorry.” I whisper. Then I cover my head with my hands.

Usually, mother didn’t like this whisper so she hit me so I can speak up louder. However, the hit never came. I look up at grandma and notice her surprised and flagger busted look. She sighs and lets me go to my room.

That beast woman is standing at the hallway with her body leaning on the wall. Her hands are crossed in front of her chest and she is looking at me. I don’t greet her. I just get inside my room.

Three days, passed calmly. I didn’t miss my routine. After waking up in the morning, I read some novels, then having lunch and meeting Derek in the forest. Millie and the rest of them are college students, so I don’t see them easily.

-“I can’t stand this slow life. This lowly creature is living peacefully while our world is collapsing!!!” I suddenly hear Gina’s yelling. I furrow my eyebrows.

This is not my responsibility. I am not to blame for their world’s suffering. Why do they persist to involve me?

With her fast reflex, Gina grabs me from the collar. Her eyes are really scary.

-“You will come with us!!!” She shouts and I remember mother’s yelling. I close my eyes expecting to be hit.

-“Hm. You lowly thing. You can’t save anybody!!!” She shouts again and throws me on the floor. My back is hurt but I didn’t say anything.

-“What are you doing?” I hear grandma’s voice.

She is really angry. I shrivel in a corner waiting to be hit however, I see her scolding Gina. I didn’t expect something like this. I thought that everyone was angry with me, including grandma Matilda.

-“If you don’t change your behavior, nobody can save you!” She shouts with a serious tone.

I notice Gina taking a step back. Even without powers, grandmother is an imposing and impressive person, is what I think at this moment. Then, Gina runs out of the house.

-“Are you okay my dear?” She asks. I nod and go to my room.

I take off my blouse. There is a big bruise on my left side of the back. It hurts. Well, it will go away if I leave it alone.

[...“I am sorry mom. Don’t hit me!!!” I scream as I am accepting mother’s hitting. She is really angry as the teacher called her at school to inform her about my dexterity.

-“I told you to not stand out. I told you to live an insignificant life. However, you want to oppose me. They say that you are a genius but I know exactly what you are. You are a freak!!!” She says angrily and she keeps hitting me.

-“No, mom. Please, don’t hit me. I won’t do it again. I am not smart. I am not a genius. I am stupid. I am a fool!!! I am sorry!!!” I beg...]

The next moment, I jump on the bed waking. I am breathless. I am wet from the sweat. My back hurts. My heart is beating fast.

-“Daphne, my sweetheart, are you okay?” I hear a voice in the dark and I startle. Grandma is next to me.

-“I am sorry if I scared you.” She says apologetically.

-“Sweetie, you sweated pretty hard.” She notices my wet pajamas and my wet forehead. I have to change clothes and she wants to help me. I resist her help but my sudden movement hurt me.

-“What is it?” She asks when she notices my painful look. Then, she takes off my pajama to see a big blue and black bruise.

-“Is it from earlier?” She asks surprised. I don’t answer.

Even if I am hurt or misunderstood, I don’t speak for myself and I don’t blame others. Where is the point if they don’t believe me?

-“Adrian!!!” She shouts and then the angel comes into my room.

-“Heal it!” She commands.

Then, Adrian approaches me. He puts his hand on top of my bruise and then a bright light appears on the spot. I felt a little warm and then when the light retreated, there was no bruise or pain anymore.

-“Healing is one of the abilities of the angels.” He informs me when he notices my surprised look.

-“Why didn’t you say that you were hurt?” Grandma scolds me.

At the same time, I notice her tears running down her face. I don’t say a word. Is she going to blame me for worrying her? This is why I didn’t want to say anything.

Opposite to my expectation, she hugs me tightly and whispering words of comfort in my ear. I’m scared. Exactly like Derek, I am scared to trust her. I can’t give her my heart. No, she just wants to make me accept my witch nature.

I won’t be fooled! I won’t be fooled! But if I won’t be fooled, then what are these hot tears running down to my face?

I was really surprised. It is the second time that I woke up because of my spiritual connection with Daphne. The first connection was through some strong feelings of despair. This time was because of some strong feelings of fear.

Oh my God, Eleanor! What did you do to your own child?

This time I didn’t only sense her feelings. I also saw her dream. This was so heartbreaking.

I run to her room. She is already awake. She is soaking wet and breathless. I want to help her change her clothes but she resists. However, I notice her painful look and I realize something.

My heart stops at the sight of this horrible bruise. She must be in a lot of pain, but she won’t say anything. I call Adrian to heal her but I can’t stand this situation. I ask her why she didn’t say anything but I notice agony in her look. She is still scared. She thinks that I will blame her. She doesn’t trust me.

I hug her tightly and I feel her hot tears on my shoulder.

Oh my goodness!

I don’t know what I can do to make her pain less. I don’t know what to do to save her.

In the past, I could save whole tribes and kingdoms but now I can’t save my own granddaughter from her hell.