The letter that never came

Chapter 4

Saturday morning dawned with a series of unfortunate events that turned out to be quite fortunate.

Now don't get me wrong. It was not the falling-of-the-ceiling type something, nor was it blowing-up-my-aunt kinda something.  No. It was completely and utterly different than all of that.

Let me start at the beginning. The sun rose shining its streaks of light to the tensed atmosphere of the past night. It brought an atmosphere of calm, unlike the stormy one last night. I suppose things were going to be normal and not the apocalyptic kind of abnormality, that mom predicted, would descend on us.

We had breakfast, the usual sitting round the table and stuffing our mouths up. Yet, there was silence on the table. An uneasy quiet that hung in the air far too long. Each one of us was lost in their own thoughts, too busy thinking to break the silence.

I know it is extremely selfish of me, but I couldn't help thinking about the the letter that never came. I mean it was bound to come. It was one if those inevitable things. I had magic. I had shown signs of it. Everything was there. Yet, it felt as if.... as if.... I don't know. Mom says it has never happened. But I can't help thinking about it. Like maybe, maybe it got lost? Like lost in the way? I knew it was stupid but this thought, I just couldn't shake this off my mind.

Once breakfast was served and devoured, dad got up and announced that that was it. Enough of getting locked up inside. Enough of brooding around ( his exact words). We ought to get out. And he knew just the right place.

He was right. We hadn't had a family outing for quite a long time. Mom had been busy with her new job. And dad being dad, had his time wrapped up in that murder case.

So, after a lot of convincing mom, and assuring her that we'd all be extra vigilant, we set off. We set off to the Stormy Island like we did every summer.

Stormy Island is nothing like its name suggests. As the story goes, decades ago, dozens of storms hit this beautiful island set a few miles away from where we live. It seemed to be a storm magnet. What with crashing waves, lightning surges and thunder rumbling round the clock, not a soul visited that place. Once, a fisherman went. Yet he disappeared completely. And was never seen again.

Then suddenly the storms stopped altogether. It was like, one day you wake up, lo and behold, no storms! Everyone was perplexed and astounded beyond belief. Explorers went and searched the place thoroughly, hoping to find something peculiar, anything strange to solve the sudden break from storms. However all their efforts were in vain.

Now it had become a public spot, a tourist sight. I just loved the mystery surrounding it. Everytime we went there, I would keep my eyes open. You never know.

"Glinda, get up! We have to leave", dad said when he saw me sitting at the breakfast table deep in thought.

I shook my face, blinked my eyes twice and got up mumbling an affirmative reply.

I quickly got up to change out of my pyjamas, and collided face first with nine other but my little sister.

"Ooouch! My head!"

" Well, it was your fault. No need to scamper around like that, little sis. " I said in a mocking tone.

"No, you should look before leaping, big sis." She mocked bact at me.

"It's just a little collision, and don't call me that."

"Big sis, big sis", she chanted with her tongue hanging out.

I rolled my eyes. She is never going to listen.

An inspiration came to me. Instead of wasting time with her, I could practice my magic. If Hogwarts was not going to take me in, I better learn to control it myself.

I looked around me. What to do? Should I blow the chandelier on top? Nah. That's too cliche. What about breaking that pot on the table? No, that would make too much noise and attract unwanted attention. I pressed my lips together. I needed something small, something subtle....ummmm.....

"Glinda! Get ready, we are leaving in five!" My mom's shout disturbed my train of thoughts. I looked at her and scrambled to my room. Magic practice can wait. Stormy Island, here I come.