Opposites: The Staff of Light [Book One]

9. I Take a Walk with the Head Mistress

Annabeth

A bell rang when it struck six. I didn’t realize I’ve been thinking in a trance by the tree for too long. I ran for the mess hall.

I guess I’d been first. No one was there but me. God, life was miserable for me. I looked around and caught a lady smiling at me. Before I approached, I glanced over my shoulders and it appeared to me that time suddenly stopped. The breeze wasn’t blowing and trees seemed to freeze in place. I gasped when I looked back at the lady.

A staff appeared in her hands. Her brown hair grew a streak of silver. She wore a green archer’s dress with a dark purple cloak covering it. Despite these medieval characteristics, she had a soft face and a warm smile. I had enough feeling warm inside. I was too hot, literally. “So,” she said, like we met before. A force pushed me from behind and I ended up tumbling in front of her. God, it was embarrassing. I stood up, dusting myself off. “Annabeth Candum, it’s a pleasure to meet at your presence.”

I looked at her awkwardly, studying her mid-twenties face. “It… is a pleasure to meet you at your presence, as well, madam,” I spoke. My heart started pounding. “H-have we ever met before? I seem to familiarize you in my mind but it doesn’t seem to sink in quite right. It almost feels like my memory has been blocked. Why is that?”

The lady only chuckled. “Now this is why I like a good maiden like you!” she smiled sweetly. “Take a seat, dear.” She raised her hand and spun it in a circular motion, like she was controlling something in midair. The next thing I knew, I felt this bump behind my legs and I stumbled backwards. I didn’t end up on the floor, but instead, I found myself slouching on a cushioned seat. I straightened and saw she also had a seat for herself.

“Now, dear,” she continued, a levitating cup of tea flew slowly into her hands. I gazed in amazement as it happened. “I’m very glad I had a girl like you. This is exactly why I always try to protect you, more or less. You’re different from the others. You’re unique, if I must say.”

“Otherwise, I’m a freak,” I added. “They have these delusionary talents and I have this messed up fire gift. It doesn’t feel right. I don’t belong here. I don’t belong anywhere. Yes, I’m unique, but what does it account for? I’m a worthless creature!”

“Annabeth, you are an amazing girl. Don’t put yourself too much in depression.” Her eyes darkened. “I’m sorry if I had to curse you. You deserved my blessing. The gods have placed a prophecy on you for years. We have you here now. All we have to do is train you right to defend yourself for freedom.”

A rush of adrenaline shot through me. “You’re the witch! You cursed me! Undo the curse! There’s nothing magic can’t be able to do now! Trust me, I’m a believer. I read the books, every page, every paragraph and every theory… dare tell me something I don’t know!”

“Calm down, dear. Please, there is no such space for anger in this cafeteria.” A cup levitated in the air in front of me. “What kinds of tea do you like, jasmine, earl grey, ground or lemon?”

I facepalmed, thinking like, what the heck just happened? “Seriously, ma’am? This isn’t a joke now, is it?” I sighed in exasperation. “I’ll take Starbucks please.”

“Ooh,” she smirked. “Good choice, Annabeth. Here you go, dear.” The cup turned into a Starbucks cup and the mocha from inside steamed up ahead. I took hold of it and drank. For some reason, I didn’t consider what would happen to me if I drank a liquid, but I didn’t feel anything. “You said you were a believer, and yet, you are right, like always, Annabeth. Magic works well on you.”

I put down the cup. “But, seriously, madam, I’m desperate for answers. I want to know the truth.”

“I know. And this is why I wanted you to study here.” She stood up and walked behind the counter of the cafeteria. “Follow me, dear. You have to see this.”

I stood and followed her into the staff room. I so wanted to find my answers. At first, I thought everything would be solved after a talk like that, but I ended up entering a staff room. I wanted a serious talk. It wasn’t just some joke to me. I never even met a lot of people. How would I possibly know what to do?

“And I thought staff rooms were for authorized personnel only,” I said as I looked around. It looked like I went inside another cabin. A fire lighted the hearth at the corner of the room. I found a red sofa with Norwegian fleur-de-lis designs and shelves of books. It was a library. “How is this possible?”

The woman chuckled again. “There are in fact so many things I love about you, Annabeth,” she clucked. “You are very special. I hope you never doubt that. This is the camp’s library. And you are honored to keep it safe.” She handed me a key. “Never lose that. It’s the key to paradise. You’re part of our personnel. I can see your love for books and art.”

I looked around. I found a table in the other side of the room and more and more books everywhere. “You are gifted, Annabeth,” the lady finally said.”But the blessing I have given you rings with death. Tell me.” She pulled out an autumn maple leaf from midair. It wouldn’t take long I’d be so amazed that I might be brought back to my childhood days. “You have a little love for autumn, yes?”

“I do,” I admitted, pulling off a book from the shelf. “Why? Is that a bad thing, ma’am?”

“No, there’s perfectly almost nothing wrong with you. I love you the way you are. And I’m proud to have you around. You find beauty in everything, even the smallest of details. I appreciate that.” She saw that I hugged a book in my arms as I looked at her. “Would you like that book, dear? You can have it.”

I gazed at the book in appreciation and back at her. “Thank you, ma’am,” I smiled. I noticed a nametag on her top. “Thank you, Mistress Demetria.”