Chosen Witch (Paranormal Romance)

Chapter 8

"If this is correct, if this is what we're up against, how do we battle it?" I ask, once Isaac is finished reading over the information. I've heard of it, of course, from school and my own studies.

The Black Plague wasn't the first pandemic, but it was one that killed over 100 million people over its course. It took over 200 years for the population of the world to recover the numbers. How are we supposed to combat something so deadly?

"I'm not sure, Meredith. But the plagues have happened numerous times and they have been survived."

"But only after millions of people have died. If you haven't noticed Hawthorne is a bit smaller than that."

I stand again, restless with the energy of helplessness. Weaving between the tables, I begin to pace, if only to have something to do. Jefferson hasn't returned and we don't know if he will. Whatever is going on out there, I have no way of knowing unless I go outside. Which puts me in a compromising position. It's a vicious circle.

I wish I could talk to my mother. Her quiet and calm guidance is what's kept this town from chaos in the past. Now I need it to keep the chaos from my mind. I'm useless, completely and totally. My magic is nothing without the sound mind behind it and right now, I don't feel like I can add two and two together.

"Hey," Isaac's voice breaks through my thoughts and I turn to see him still seated, but entirely focused on me. "We'll get through this."

"I know," I nod my head, "but I'm not sure what we'll look like on the other side."

It's so confusing, battling the emotions inside of me. One minute I feel so empowered, ready to take on anything. The next, all I want is my mother. Earlier today I was ready to be an adult, now, I'm not sure I'll ever stop being a kid.

"I just...I wish I could talk to my mother," I say, admitting the words out loud, making them that much truer. When I glance up at Isaac, I know I've done the right thing, even though opening up like that took effort.

"I want to talk to dad," he replies, shrugging. "We never stop being our parent's children, Meredith. There's nothing wrong with that."

"But we're supposed to be leaders!"

"We are. The fact that we want our parents help means we're better leaders than we give ourselves credit for."

I haven't thought of it that way. Slowly, I make my way back to Isaac, but I don't sit down.

"It's just weird how much I want the independence, but when I'm tried and true, all I want is the safety of my parents."

"And I'm sure when our parents were just starting out they felt the same. It's part of the growing up process. We were just thrust into it kind of suddenly."

He chuckles, and a warm feeling washes over my heart. I study him for a long, silent pause, amazed at how good he is at this.

"You are very gifted at the whole Watcher thing," I comment, smiling for the first time in hours. He returns the gesture, before reaching out and taking my hand in his. Tugging gently, he guides me to stand right in front of him.

"And you are gifted at the whole coven leader thing. I will keep reminding you of this until the end of time, Meredith Hawthorne. So get used to hearing it. And start believing it."

I allow my hands to run over his face, pushing the hair out of his eyes. I've never doubted myself as much as I've doubted myself in these last twenty four hours or so. But through all of that doubt, I found someone who believes in me completely. And that's a precious gift I'm never letting go.