Spellcaster series #2: The Acolyte

Different

HEIDI

"That's the last of it," Wynona said as we emptied the last box and put it aside. The dorm was fit for one.

I crossed the room to the window where it overlooked the Gardens that centred around the old burnt tree stump. The portal to the Worldly realm stood beside it, glowing a soft blue hue. The vast night sky hovered over us like a metaphysical guardian.

"It's a beautiful view," Wynona said as she stood by my side.

I owed a lot to Wynona for saving my life when Vicky died. I inhaled and exhaled. A figure of a man materialised behind her.

"Hey Wynona, do you remember when I used to have visions during my Neophyte training?"

"Yes, why?"

Dean's silhouette stepped into the light, his golden eyes watching me. I maintained my gaze on Wynona and ignored his presence.

"Well you see, I think I'm seeing my visions in real life now. Like, I'm seeing things that aren't supposed to be there. No one else can see it but me."

Wynona's violet eyes searched me. "Like a visual manifestation of your visions?"

"Vision, just one," I corrected. My eyes darted to Dean's silhouette. "And he's standing in that corner."

She turned so fast I saw her finger slip into her purple coat for her wand. Her wild eyes searched the shadowed part of the room.

"You can't see him. Like I said, I think he's in my head," I said as she turned back to me, dumbfounded.

Wynona raised an eyebrow. "Just how vivid is this...hallucination?"

"I am not a hallucination," Dean corrected, slightly annoyed. I ignored that as well.

"I can speak to him and he responds accordingly. He doesn't show up all the time, though."

"Well," Wynona spoke slowly, "children are usually more susceptible to projecting their imagination and sometimes, the worst cases of trauma can also do that to adults."

"Trauma? I don't have trauma."

"A coping mechanism of some sort," then she tilted her head and narrowed her almond eyes at me. "Is there something you want to tell me, Heidi?"

Dean's yellow eyes did not leave me. He moved closer, almost to my ear, and whispered, "I am not a coping mechanism, Heidi. Wynona is just a fool. Have I ever lied to you? Did I lie to you about your family and Sergeant Bells?"

Ignoring, I continued to Wynona, "I see Dean Ryans everywhere I go. He follows me, in my head, and talks to me."

Wynona's face paled. The violet in her eyes shifted into different hues of purple. "Are you seeing him right now?"

I nodded. "Right beside me."

Her eyes flickered to where I told her he was. Of course to her, she only saw an empty space.

She said slowly, as if gathering her thoughts. "He might be a figment of your imagination. I think you need more healing sessions with Jessie—"

I grabbed her wrist, "He's real, Wynona. He warned me about Sergeant Bells before she betrayed me."

Dean nodded his head to Wynona. "She's also bad news."

That got my attention.

"Now you're making things up," I snapped. Wynona raised her brown eyebrows, confused.