The Club

Seventeen

I open my eyes, but only to feel lightheaded and weak. I felt myself tremble, and I felt hot, like I was just in an oven. I felt something drip from my nose, and when I move my hand to wipe it, I noticed it was blood. I felt my legs wobble, and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I glanced over at Craig but didn't realize that he was already by my side. I noticed he was saying something to me, but I couldn't seem to hear what he's saying. I open my mouth, wanting to say something, but I ended up collapsing. Craig catches me before gently laying me on the mats.
"Lassie? Hey lassie, can you hear me?"
I blink as my hearing seems to have come back, but I still felt weak and lightheaded. I just gave him a small nod, which he sighed in relief and asked me if I'm okay. Truthfully, I'm not sure if I am. I'm not sure what the hell just happened or why this is happening to me. It's frightening me though. I tried to catch my breath as I slowly intake some air before letting it out. It seemed to work, but I'm still in some sort of daze. I stare up at the ceiling as I can still slightly feel the warmth and coldness from that blue flame. That must be my magic source, but why did it make me feel this way? It made me feel terrible and I don't like it one bit. I feel sick to my stomach, but not to the point of vomiting. I took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. I'm trying to get myself together again. After a few minutes, I finally felt back to my old self, which I'm very grateful for.
"Are ye feeling better, lassie?" Craig asks as he never left my side.
"I-I uh yes. I think so." I tell him as I slowly sit up, holding my head.
"What happened?" Craig asks, watching me closely.
"I-I found my inner magic. I-well, I think I did at least. It was so beautiful. I almost felt like I was in a trance." I explain to him.
"Magic is like that, lass, especially if ye never connected with it before." Craig tells me, nodding his head.
"I felt weak and overwhelmed inside of my mind. I felt worse when I opened my eyes. Is that normal?" I ask, looking over at him.
"Well, yes, and no. Normally, people will just have a migraine and become tired of connecting with their inner magic for the first time. But ye, lassie, had a totally different reaction." Craig explains to me.
"So, what does that mean for me?" I ask him, afraid of the answer.
"I'm not sure. I've never seen something like this before, lass. Do ye know where the church is in this town?" Craig asks me.
"Church? I remember seeing one when I was looking around town. Why?" I ask him, confused.
"Meet me there next Saturday. The guy who runs the church will be back by then. So maybe he will have any clues on why ye had this sort of reaction." Craig tells me seriously as he stands up.
I nod my head as I slowly stand up as well. I still felt dizzy, but better than what I did moments ago. Craig tells me that if I'm feeling better, then I can go home. I didn't tell him I didn't have a home but a dorm room at a dangerous school. I just told him bye and that I'll see him next Saturday. I slip my shoes back on before taking my time back upstairs. My head is pounding, and I kept feeling nauseous. I kept feeling like I'm gonna pass out from being lightheaded. I took a deep breath before walking out the front door, and just hoped that I'll make it back to my dorm room. I look around the woods and still confused about why this is forbidden, but I'll worry about that later. I just need to focus and try to get back before I pass out.
When I finally made it back to my dorm room, I immediately collapsed onto my bed. I didn't bother to eat or change into pajamas. I just wanted to sleep. I took my shoes off before climbing under my blankets. I still felt uncomfortable and lightheaded, but I'm hoping that a good night's sleep would help me feel better. It didn't take me long to fall fast asleep, but sadly, it wasn't a dreamless or soundless sleep like I've hoped.
Time felt like it was moving slower. I felt like I was floating in midair. Darkness was the only thing I could see. Numbness surrounded my body, making me feel afraid, but I couldn't move. I felt paralyzed. All I can do is float here and stare up at the emptiness above me. I can't feel anything but a warmth and coldness that surround me. I'm not sure how long I've been like this, but soon I've felt that warmth and coldness get stronger. I wanted to move, but something still paralyzed me in midair. I then heard drums beating in a rhythm. It was quiet at first, but kept getting louder and louder. It was to where it was almost deafening to my ears. When the drums stopped, that's when a bright blue flame appeared. It appeared in front of me and it was so beautiful. I wanted to touch it but still couldn't move. The blue flame came closer, and as it came closer to me I could faintly hear what sounded like people chanting.
I couldn't hear them well, but it didn't matter as the blue flame was inches away from me. I became afraid, as this power radiating from it was powerful. The blue flame was about to touch me, but before it did, I noticed a face behind the flame. It was just a shadow, and it was only a quick glance, but I swore I saw him. I open my mouth to scream his name, but I screamed in agony instead.