Hide the cat

I turn to place my bag on the counter but freeze at what I find staring at me from the kitchen.

There stands Samantha half asleep with her cup of water.

"Oh. Hazel. Not bad guy. I'm tired. Good night." She silently walks back to her room.

"Good night." I say quietly. She looked right past the disguise I had on.

I put my bag on the counter and get my own cup of water. I'm not drinking after that creep. He left nothing for me in the canteen anyways.

Time to get ready for bed.

..........................................................

Morning came pretty fast. Well I should say 11am came pretty fast. I sit up and try to stretch my arms while I yawn.

"Yeeeoooow!" I almost shout from the pain. My muscles aren't used to taking a physical beating like they did last night.

I get dressed and go head to the kitchen. On the table is a note from Samantha saying she was summoned for a training exercise with others her age. 

That's good. She might make a friend. 

I grab some random left over from the fridge, heat it on the stove then eat. My muscles trying to loosen as I go. Matilda should be in today. I should go see her to get these fixed up.

........................................................................

Walking though town looking at all the cute decorations and all the smells from the vendors I remember James' comment about what's wrong if I did enjoy Halloween more than others. I know I shouldn't hide my true self but I never have wanted to be too open book.

Matilda's shop had some floating candles and pumpkins outside for decoration. The sight of them lifts my spirit. I step in to the almost normal chaos of potions, herbs, staffs, scrolls, spell books, and the few random things she tries selling on the side.

"Hey Hazel gearing up for a job?" Matilda says stepping out from the curtain that separates the back of the shop that's behind the counter.

Matilda had her maroon cloak on as always with her dark curly hair tumbling out of the hood. Does she looks scary. Probably to most but she is the gentlest person you can find.

"Not today. I did some training last night so I'm pretty sore today. I'm going back tonight and want to be in a little better shape than i am now." I explain to her.

"Ahhh I see. I see. Come here." She holds her hands out and I walk to her.

She places her hands on my shoulders and I could feel the stiffness melt away. She spoke in a language of old then let me go.

"Thank you. How much do I owe you?" I ask. Rolling my now loose shoulders and bending my back.

"Nothing today dear." She brings her hand up to her cloak. Her chin and crimson lips are visible and showing a wicked smile.

"What are you up to?" I ask shifting my weight to one hip and folding my arms.

"Oh nothing just your stiffness was in the shape of hands.... Some large strong hands." She giggles.

"I was training! Yes my instructor is a male but there isn't anything between us!" I could feel my cheeks start to burn.

"Uh huh. If you insist. Still no charge now have fun with your training tonight. I have a finicky potion a brewing." She ducks into the back.

"Thank you Matilda." I say loudly putting some coin behind the counter for her before leaving out the front door.

Now what? I have some time to kill before dark. I could walk around and look at the decorated houses.

I take my time walking the streets in town. I'm in no rush due to nothing to do at home. I could read but I need books for when it's cold. I'm not a huge fan of the cold.

I walk past a house with a fake skeleton hanging upside down from a tree with a clown wig "scaring" a fake black cat. That's kinda funny. 

Some houses down a witch or wizard must live there because they have their fake skeletons doing a little dance in the front yard with top hats and canes.

There is a house not far from here that they do this whole holographic show with illusionary magic the night of Halloween. I wonder if they will do that this year. I know it's a big hit so they have to do the show a few times throughout the night.

A black cat walks in front of me so I stop to pet the cat. It's purrs while I scratch down it's back.

"Good kitty." I tell it before it takes off into a yard.

"Well hello Feisty kitty." Says a deep smooth honey voice.