Secret Obsessions

Chapter One: The Beginning

****sixteen years later****

The old, weathered man stood staring out towards the Frozen Forest. A million tiny memories danced through his head, some sweet, some sour. One memory chased around his memory like a toy train. This was a story he would never forget. The story of his little girl, Andie.

** One day, the old man whose name is Gasekan heard a commotion coming from the direction of the Frozen Forest. Rounding up the other men, they had hurried to the Frozen Forest to see what they could do to help. They saw flashes of light coming from the Forest, some an evil green, and some a brilliant purple that could be magic only from one family...the Ravenswood's. Gasekan had snapped his fingers, and a giant ball of orange flame appeared above his hands, Spinning faster then a man of his age should muster, he had thrown the fire ball at the Frozen Forest, but it flew back. He was worried. He had known exactly who was in that Forest, and he had known exactly what was going to happen. As he had gone to throw another fire ball, an eerie silence filled the clearing. Gasekan realized there was no point trying to get into the Forest anymore. As an evil maniacal laugh filled the Forest and resounded in the men's ears, Gasekan heard a noise. It sounded like.....He whipped around. Running to the river, he knelt down by the edge, and watched a little box float down the river. Wading into the frozen stream, he gently picked up the box, and looked inside. He had seen a blanket, folded around something with a note on top. Grabbing the piece of paper, he read what it said.

"Whoever finds this box, we beg you, please take care of our daughter. We are the Ravenswoods, and this is Andie. The fact that you found this box means that we are dead. Protect our baby with your life. And whatever you do, Keep her secret.¨

Gasekan unfolded the blanket, and saw a baby, no more then six months old, nestled into the box. She had the purest black hair, and the most ivory skin he'd ever seen. Suddenly she woke, and as she opened her eyes he gasped. They were the most violet things he had ever seen is all his years. She was beautiful.**

That had been seventeen years before. Gasekan looked from the forest to the girl reading in the reeds, and he smiled. Andie was the daughter he thought he would never have, and he hated the idea of lying to her. But he had to. To protect all of Zestrillion, he must protect her secret, even from herself. So, he hid her away, in the enchanted forest, where no one but himself knew who she was or that she existed. Perhaps one day she would discover the secret. But he was willing to take his chances.

"Gasekan?" Her sweet voice reached his ears. 

"Yes, Raven?" he said using her nickname since childhood.

She giggled. "You've been staring at me for three whole minutes," She tucked her hair behind her ear. "do I have dirt on my face again?"

Gasekan laughed. "No Andie. I was just thinking. Memories run around on the tracks of my mind when I look out into the world. I'm as old as the trees you know. When your as old as I am, everything reminds you of things you've done in your long lifetime." He chuckled. 

Andie laughed quietly, the soft musical sound dancing around in his head. "You sure SEEM old to young people like me!" She jumped up and ran down the sandy path as Gasekan chased after her.

Laughing, they reached the front porch of their little cottage and thumped down onto the steps, breathing heavily.  Gasekan snapped his fingers and a blue towel appeared over his shoulder. He snapped again, and a purple one appeared. He handed it to Andie.

"Oh your so lucky! I wish I was magical. It would be amazing to not have to carry my books down to the woods, or a towel and food down to the river. Just SNAP!" she snapped her fingers. "and everything I want just appears out of thin air!" She sighed and laid down on her back, looking up at the bright noon sky.  "Being magical would be amazing. I could be the most powerful witch in all of Zestrillion!!" She sat up quickly, and looked wistfully at Gasekan. "Wouldn't that be awesome, Gasekan?"

Gasekan was shocked for a minute. What should he say? He couldn't tell her that she was indeed the most powerful witch in the realm....could he?

He had planned what he would say, but before he could open his mouth....he heard a noise. It sounded like.... visitors? He hurried up, and flew to the end of the lane. He saw a young man, riding a horse down the road. Gasekan was worried. He couldn't have company! He hadn't had company in twenty years! He couldn't have company now! They'd see Andie! They would know exactly who she was! He flew back to the cottage as fast as he could. 

"Andie, you have to do as I say. Go to your room and do not come out until I say so. Don't even make a fraction of a noise!" He said quickly, grabbing her arm.

Andie gasped. "Gasekan what is going on?" 

"No time to explain. Just hurry and go..." Gasekan panicked. The rider had seen her. 

"Hello! Good day to you my good sir! And to you my fair maiden!"

Andie gasped. "who is THAT?"