Unmarked

Chapter 8

"Mrs. Cripple met with Unora many times over the two years that she had kept her a secret. Nearly every day since the start of her junior year she spent with her. Unora began with teaching her everything. Not only did Mrs. Cripple learn magic but Unora made sure that she was trained in other areas. For example, Unora taught her to fight and to paint. She even learned how to play the violin and piano. But you see this was all important as she was preparing Mrs. Cripple for the impending war that Unora had been planning for some time. She was grooming her for her own personal goals and achievements. As I stated before Mrs. Cripple reminded Unora of her deceased daughter, Lorelei. Princess Lorelei had blonde hair, much like Mrs. Cripple. Unora never had a chance to get to know her daughter, so she took this opportunity to mold Mrs. Cripple into the ideal specimen. Mrs. Cripple once theorized that if she hadn't defeated Unora, but rather let her take control of the Marked Underground that Unora would have erased her memory or turned her back into a child and 'raised' her as her own, even rename it her Lorelei. But I'm getting off topic. Mrs. Cripple stopped her when she pierced her sword through the witch's chest. This is the end of our unit here, before we move on to the post war era that Mrs. Cripple had set up. Then we will take a look into how Mrs. Cripple left us. As for now, I would like you all to prepare presentations. I have you all assigned in groups. Let me read off the list here before the bell rings. We have Tehygm and Ocr. Cgdkm and Seyn. Orften and Znddnz. Fntedn and Anghi. Ocrk and Ansko. Ksefr and Seywek. Last but not least, Ndyzgdr and Agozln. You have two weeks to prepare your presentation. Class days will be used for that work. I expect good presentations and yes you can use the library during class, that is why I expect to see pictures. You can use the computers to print them out. But be careful the printer is very old and the computers don't connect well to it. So start early." The bell rang and everyone left the classroom. After the school day ended Anghi and Lavina met up outside school.

"How lucky!" He said walking with her. "You and I got paired up."

"Yeah. And I have a much easier way of getting our presentation done."

"You do?"

"Yeah, Oglm has a printer and you can print pictures from your phone or laptop, even my tablet. Plus his internet is faster and not as finicky."

"What are we going to tell the teacher when she doesn't see us go to the library?"

"We can work on ideas and our talking points while we're in the schoolroom. As for now, I think we can take these first few days to research and take notes. Which means I'm going to be busy this weekend."

"This weekend? But isn't it Friday?"

"Yes, that means my research starts today."

"Where are you going to go?"

"I'm going to go talk to an old friend."

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"I guess I'll go to the main library over in the middle of the Market then."

"Alright!" They shook hands and then went on their way. Lavina marched her way over to the wall and then over to the house.

"Well hello there little missy." Oglm said, rubbing the top of her head.

"Can we go to California this weekend?"

"Ca- California?"

"Yeah I have a report to do on my mom and I thought-"

"Ah, say no more. Let me finish dinner and give her a call." He went back into the kitchen and Lavina went up the stairs. She grabbed a bag and put together a night bag that would last her the weekend. After she was done she sat down on her bed. Just then she took out her phone and texted her grandparents. She wanted to make sure they knew she was going to be gone this weekend. Lavina let out a sigh and then went on her knees on the floor. She crouched down and grabbed a box out from underneath her bed. She took the top off and then took something from it. She sat back down and looked at it. She rubbed her thumb on the smooth surface of the CD jewel case. She turned it over and then ran her thumb over the tap.

"Lavina Huff." She whispered to herself. Lavina looked over to her CD player and then back to the CD itself. She got up off her bed and walked over to her dresser. She opened up the jewel case, took the CD out and put it into the player. She turned on the CD player, hearing it hum as the CD turned. Lavina hovered her finger over the play button and then took her hand away. She turned away from the player and sighed again. She sat back down on her bed and rubbed her face. Then she sighed and got up once more. Lavina hesitated but finally pressed the play button. She sat back down on her bed, this time facing her CD player. She looked up at it as she heard it start to crackle. Then she heard a bunch of shushing.

"Jasvinder be quiet, it's recording!" She heard.

"Sorry, sorry." It was silent again, for a few seconds.

"Hello, Lavina!" She heard. "Hi there darling, how are you today? I hope you're doing good!" She heard her mother pause. "I-" Amilia stuttered. "Well I don't know what to say. I guess, well, hello, it's me," the recording laughed. "I'm sorry sweetheart, you're probably confused. It's Amilia, well, no, um, it's your mother." She laughed again. "Oh my gosh Lavina, I'm so sorry. Well, anyhow, moving on! Uh-"

"Tell her about your job." She heard someone say in the distance.

"Oh I doubt she wants to hear about that."

"Oh come on."

"Alright, alright, Jasvinder!" Once again she chuckled. "As you heard your father inquire, well, I am an Astronomer. I work for Crescent. Lately I've been tracking and charting stars. They're looking for some that are towards the end of their life, so we can more densely study the supernova. And your father is a fancy pants businessman."

"I am not!" There was more chuckling.

"Ok, fine."

"Oh my God Amilia." She laughed again. "Amilia!"

"Get, get out of here Jasvinder!"

Lavina laughed. She could just hear her mother pointing.

"Get out of here!"

"Ok, ok, I'm going."

Amilia laughed, "We have fun together Lavina, we really do. And I can't wait for you to join us. When you become big and strong and take those few steps and say your first words. I can feel you kicking around in there. I can picture you right now, blonder hair and beautiful purple eyes. Having a purple streak in your hair and learning to deal with a mark somewhere on your body. I can't wait to share this life with you and to teach you everything I know. To give you all the love and affection you deserve."

"Amilia! We got to go!"

"Oh, geez. I have to go now Lavina. I love you sweetie, ok?"

"Amilia!"

"I'm coming!" With that the CD stopped and all she heard was it trying to spin, and then nothing, it was silent. She got up and hit the stop button, watching her CD player once more.

"Knock, knock, sweetheart." She heard with a tap on the door. "Everything's all set for tonight." Oglm stopped and looked at her. "Are you alright?" Lavina opened the CD player and grabbed the CD. She walked towards her bed.

"Yeah, I'm alright, so she said it was ok?" She put the CD back into the jewel sleeve and then back in the box, which she slid back under the bed.

"Yes, she was more than delighted. But this time, you're going to go by yourself."

"Myself?"

"Yes, I don't want to get in your way, plus she has a guest room, so you'll be fine, plus you have my number and I trust you."

"Oh, ok."

"Come mere you." Lavina walked over to him and he grabbed her up in a hug. "Come on, let me give you a hand. I'll get you all set up, read you a story and then I'll lug off so you two can be girls."

Lavina laughed and Oglm grabbed her bag.

"Let's go ahead and get you over there, we should be punctual." He motioned to the door and Lavina smiled and then walked out it. Oglm followed behind her, shutting her door as he walked out.