I've been hiding in my room for a few days, too afraid that if I step out of this room everyone and everything else in the house would turn to ashes. Aunt Lei has already called the school to let them know that I am suffering from a still unknown sickness and might need to be on leave until the end of the term - - that at least is one thing I need to worry about. All the curtains in my room are shut down and not spec of sunlight would even dare to go in. In my floor, different copies of newspapers are scattered. I am too hungry for news of the outside and probably somewhere in there I'll read something that will help me figure out what I have been turning into. Instead, what I have seeing are pictures of the girl who has been haunting my dreams ever since that unfaithful day. Authorities have been helping her family search for her and that so far, they have no leads of her whereabouts… I'll then break into tears as the monster of guilt eats me raw inside. And I know all too well that tonight once I fall asleep, I'll see the girl again in my dreams with her eyes full of fears.
A loud banging woke me up.
"Zadian, open up or ill have the door knocked down" Aunt Lei shouted as she continues to noisily bang the door.
I dragged myself to the door and opened very slightly but Aunt Lei pushed it open, and I jerked backwards to avoid any physical contact with her, in case my not so me self do some crazy ash voodoo shit and harm her.
" This room is a mess, and you stink!! And what's with the eyeglasses when it's so dark in here? If you are not ready to talk to me about what you are going through at least go down eat, take a bath and clean this room." says Aunt Lei as she waved her hands repeatedly in front of her nose to probably ward of the room's unpleasant smell. I looked at her and saw the worry etched across her stern face.
" I will. "
Even I don't know what I am saying I will for will I go down eat, wash, and clean the room or is that my will for I will survive, and I will get through this.
When the house quieted down, I went downstairs to the kitchen to get something to it but was stopped in my track by a familiar voice.
"Is that all you are good at? Locking yourself in your room, pretending to be sick to skip classes, using your mom's death as an excuse for your pitiful life?" said my dad with disgust laced in his voice.
"And who are you to judge me when all I can see is a jobless drunkard who believes himself to be too perfect and too righteous that nothing, I would do would even please you!"
He continues to spew more nonsense, but I am no longer in the mood to listen. I can already feel my anger rising to my head and I am afraid that anymore of it this curse would already turn the room along with my dad to ashes. So, I hurriedly run to my room and close the door with a loud thud. I am cursed. Did my mom know that she gave birth to a monster? Would things have been easier if she were alive? I draw the curtains and let the light shines through. As the light floods the room, something shiny caught my eye and realized it's the same box my gave me before she died. I took the box and stared at it for like a million years before I finally decided to open it. With a trembling hand, I opened the box and saw a golden necklace. The craftsmanship of the necklace was exquisite which was greatly amplified by the detailing done on the pendant. The pendant is a half-circle, engraved on it is half of a burning tree with colors brought to life by rubies and diamonds. This is just half of the whole, but this is itself is already worth a fortune. I look again inside the box and saw a small book. I tried opening the book, but it would not open. There's probably a secret keyhole to this somewhere but my attention was already caught by the golden box glittering at the bottom of my mom's box. I opened it and saw a silk cloth with its lining embroidered by silver threads, as I tried to look closer on the embroidering a roll of paper fell from it. I opened it and saw the all too familiar handwriting of my mother.
My dearest Zaid,
If you are reading this then I have already moved on to a better place. I wish that before I left, I was able to help you out with your transition. But if I left too early, please go to the place where your father will send you to and find the answers to your questions there yourself. I should have already told you these things, but runes of elders tied me to secrecy as payment for a magical item that will be able to help you later. If ever you find yourself out of control, please use the silk handkerchief that I used to wrap this letter and never lose it. Its secrets will be revealed in time and only you will be able to figure out how to use it.
I love you and whatever happens don't blame yourself. Trust no one. Be strong.
Elise
I was expecting to get answers, but I was drowning with more questions. And first on my list is the place where I am supposed to go and secondly is how to use the silk cloth but more importantly what am I. Am I even human? I need to think or at least I need air. Since everyone is probably already asleep, I went outside the house and sat the down on the grass. I looked up and stared at stars and did not realize that I am so lost in my own thoughts and failed to notice my aunt as she sat down beside me. I was so startled and tried to run away but she held me down and covered her eyes with a cloth.
" Your mother has always been afraid of the power that you will eventually have and that it might be too dangerous for you and those around. And by the looks of your eyes, it's probably true and it might be too late to suppress it and look at how our town is slowly turning to ash" Aunt Lei deeply sighed.
"I don't understand. How did you find out that it was me and why haven't I turned you to ashes yet?"
"I have taken care of you since you were in diapers and you foolishly think that you can really hide a secret from me you dumb boy! I have powers to and mine is called repel this I am mostly unaffected by destructions and damages done caused by supernatural powers. "
" That day I was waiting for you to come home and I was watching put for you from the window. I saw you from afar and laughed at the new color of your hair. But my laughter died as soon as I saw that the world turns into ashes as you pass them by. Then I remember your mother's fear and said nothing. And waited for you to go to me for help" Aunt Lei said as she squeezed my hand. But before I could even respond I heard my father's angry voice coming from the house and stomach started to knot together and I could feel that anytime now I will turn the world again to ashes.
My aunt calmly said, "Elise knows this would happen, go through the things she left you and look for things that can help you, and hurry."
I ran back to my room and look through he things in my mother's box. My eyes are starting to hurt badly. I got hold of the small book and tried to force it open but couldn't. I was about to throw it against the wall when I remember the handkerchief I tied to my hands and my mother's words about it eventually helping. I tried tying it to every part of my body and remembered Aunt Lei's words about my eyes reflecting my powers. I tied it around my head to cover my eyes. Immediately I felt my body calming down. It's finally over at least that is what I thought so I gently removed the handkerchief. All of the sudden I can again feel the heat piercing to my eyes and returned the handkerchief back. I closed my eyes and with the wall as my guide I went to the bathroom and sat on the floor. I slowly open my eyes inside the blindfold and to my surprise I can see the room in all its colors and as clearly as if I don't have any blindfolds on me. I run to the mirror and saw a man with white hair and a blindfold. I touched the blindfolds again and again. This brought me a shimmer of hope and I am ready to look for more.
To be continued...