Chapter 2: An Awful Day

The fateful day arrived! The sun was pleasant, the breeze was enjoyable and my Kaira was going to marry. It felt like someone was squeezing my heart.

Maybe I’m squeezing my own heart to not feel anything today. This seems like a good theory.

I bought a beautiful yellow dress from the seamstress the other day, but I wanted to burn its beauty. Burn it to ashes until there is nothing left and maybe burn my love together with it! I was having a really difficult time to get over my love for Kaira.

C’mon, heart, make me look at her just as friends, just like I used to see her when we were kids.

Dragging myself outside of my bedroom I heard many voices. All my grandmas were gathered there praising and teasing granny’s green dress. Everyone seemed to have a good time. When I presented myself, they all commended me, except grandma Astrid who placed a hand in my shoulder

“Are you okay?” She asked.

I nodded in response. I never thought the cold and stoic grandma Astrid would be this concerned about me. This situation must be getting her to remember something. She acknowledged me just wanting to get this over with, let go off me and disappeared through the walls.

It was time to go.

Arriving at the wedding location I could see the detailed work of Kaira in this place. She was always diligent and paid attention to all details. There were autumn flowers of different colors and size scattered around, hanging from trees. Rugs were placed where the guests would see the ceremony and the path leading to the God of Light’s altar had freshly gathered leaves.

This must have taken a lot of work… Kaira really wants this huh?

Melancholy enveloped me and I wilted while holding granny’s arm. Seeing me bothered, she kissed me in the head while we walked around taking in the beautiful scenery around us.

Before the celebration I was led to where the bride was. She looked gorgeous! When I saw that beautiful yellow and white dress, even though it had a simple design, I showered her with praises. This dress was not for me, but I could at least see it up close. Kaira and I chatted about random stuff, reminiscing about the past, until it was time for the ceremony.

During the rite of marriage, I only looked down. I couldn’t stand seeing my love holding the arms of another. I had nothing against Angus only for the fact that he was stealing my Kaira. When the priest bestowed the couple with a blessing and sprinkles of light fell unto the pair in front of him, my jealousy was on its peak.

Not fair, not fair, not fair, not fair!

My head and heart where pounding hard and I was getting dizzy. I asked granny if we could leave early because I was not feeling well, she agreed and said the sun was not making her feel that great either, so we just snuck out.

Arriving home granny went to her room and asked me to bring water. I got her water and went to my room. I probably had a scary face on me because no one in the house wanted to talk to me. I just laid in my bed staring at the ceiling, the happiness of seeing Kaira’s dress and smile clashed with the anger of the priest’s blessing.

I wish it was me there…

Feeling that the day was just a haze and my mind couldn’t keep up with it, I closed my eyes and simply allowed myself to drift into sleep.

“Soso, wake up.”

“Huh? Grandma Ilva? What happened?” Still groggy from sleep I asked curiously.

“Go downstair when you can, okay?” Her voice was calm, but seemed very serious, she was acting out of the ordinary. I got chills in my spine and just nodded.

I proceeded downstairs and saw the five ghost Witches around the big dinner’s table. When they saw me, some had awkward smiles and others a sad expression.

“What is going on?” I asked carefully.

Grandma Astrid took the lead approaching me and stated matter of factly.

“Willa is dead. Apparently, she died peacefully while sleeping.”

What?

I felt the floor beneath me opening and eating me whole. My whole body was shaking and I could hear a buzz in my ears. Grandma Erna brought me a chair to sit which I promptly did.

“I don-… I don’t understand…”

“It’s okay, take your time to process. We all are used to death already, but you are not. Cry if you have to, we are here for you, child!”

I looked at grandma Astrid trying to console me in her own way and glanced around, my eyes starting to water.

“Where is she? I… I want to see her.”

“Of course, dear! She is in her room, lying in bed.”

I slowly made my way to granny’s room. Entering I could see her. She looked more frail than normal, but I swear I could see a smile in her lips. She was really dead. Reality hit me and I bawled my eyes out while holding her hand. She was the one that saved me when I had nowhere to go, the one that taught me all I know, the one that was my safe rock in this world.

I felt hopeless.

What a shit day! Oh, God of Light and Goddess of Darkness why did you let this day happen?

After an hour of crying in granny’s chest I peeked to the side and saw grandma Ilva brushing her fingers in granny’s hair.

Right. She also met my grandma when she was alive. For more time than me actually. I guess we both are the most shaken by her death… Wait, can’t she become a spirit like everyone here? Granny always dodged the question when I asked about becoming a ghost.

“Grandma Ilva, will my granny become like you, a spirit?”

The green haired woman looked at me with a pained expression and answered.

“No, not her, she chose not to be with the Coven!”

“Why? I don’t understand!”

Grandma Ilva looked around asking for permission to speak about it, all the others gestured in affirmation and she called Miranda to explain properly.

“You already know that the objective of our Coven is seek to become a higher being. First, we need seven willing souls, focus on the willing, to be part of our Coven. Having your soul bounded to this world have consequences and if we fail in fusing and ascending, we will disappear completely. No reincarnation is going to happen to us.”

This was new to me. I opened my puffy red eyes the most I could muster, straightened my back and paid close attention to her words.

“Your grandmother was one Witch that did not think it was worth risking her soul, so consequently, like I said, she was not a willing soul and not truly part of the Coven.”

“This happens every once in a while.” Astrid chimed in to add. She probably saw many Witches refuse to be part of the Coven throughout the years.

“Yes. That is why your grandma refused the Anchor Ritual and her spirit will go on. She won’t be with us anymore.” Grandma Miranda said this last part looking sad and stopped talking.

“Willa refused the Coven, but accepted Witchood. Now that she is dead what you’ll do, Somara?” Grandma Astrid broke the silence after a few second, “Technically you are her apprentice and next in line to succeed her.”

Things were going too fast now. I’m still mourning and grandma Astrid already wanted me to think about the future, I can’t do that right now!

“Do I have to choose now?”

“No, but we need a Witch to maintain us. If you won’t accept it, we will have to find another person to be a Witch so we don’t wither and disappear. A soul takes around two days to leave a body. After her soul leaves give us an answer.”

“You are so mean, Astrid, filling her head with all that. The poor thing can’t handle it!” Grandma Erna intervened in the conversation. I was actually glad that she did.

“You know she need to have an answer for us sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah, but have some tact, you are a ghost but not made of ice!”

Both were glaring at each other. However, my mind was elsewhere, too many new informations, and I knew I needed to make a decision.

Truly, what a shit day!

“If I say I don’t want to be a Witch, will I be able to stay with you all?”

The five women looked at me, their faces in discomfort and I knew the answer right away.

“Then I’ll be a Witch! You are my family, the only ones I have in this world, I can’t lose any of you!” I said, tears forming in my eyes again.

They all breathed in relief, acknowledging my resolve. Grandma Miranda, Erna and Ilva proceeded to hug me, grandma Astrid stayed in place approving my decision and grandma Anna laid on the floor feeling relieved.

Yeah! I can’t abandon my family!

For the first time today a smile, even though shy, spread across my face. I was Somara, the Witch, now!