The Register

Chapter 14

When I got home, I realized something was off. The house seemed fine and all but I could feel a different aura.
Aunty Lisa didn't welcome me this time. Not Aunty Rose either. It was Aunty Jasmine.
Not once has she welcomed me before!
"Errhm...Good afternoon aunty" I smiled. She responded with a smile that sent shivers down my spine. She opened the door and allowed me to enter. I felt heaviness as I walked past her. It was so heavy that I got so dizzy. Before I knew it, I had passed out.

"Do you think she's going to be okay?" that was Hannah's voice.
"Jasmine? What happened "Aunty Rose asked. I was awake but kept my eyes closed.
"I don't know. She was already looking weak when she came home. "Aunty Jasmine replied. I squinted my eyes to get their attention. I didn't feel weak anymore. I felt okay.
"Oh, she's awake" I opened my eyes to see Hannah's face, full of relief.
"We thank God. How are you Ella" Aunty Rose asked. Before I could answer, Aunty Lisa entered the room with a bowl of soup. My eyes were still blurry so I just answered her question without looking at her now that I couldn't make out their blurry figures.
"I'm good, just a headache"
"I want to wash my face please"I proceeded to get up but Hannah held me.
"I'm okay, I can do it"I smiled. I walked to the bathroom and washed my face. Now I could see clearly. When I went back to the room, Aunty Rose had gone.
Aunty Lisa sat on the bed with the tray. I gave her a look that said 'i could do it myself'. She nodded getting out of bed and quietly walking away.

"I was so scared I thought you would die" Hannah exclaimed. She had a tear-stained face which was what made me feel pity for her.
"I'm fine," I said simply. I wasn't really in the mood for talking.
"What's with your arm"I looked at where Hannah pointed and froze. I had a cut. A thin line ran from my arm's joint to my wrist. How did this happen?
For some reason, I looked in the direction of Aunty Jasmine who was fidgeting with her dress with her head bowed down. I knew immediately it had something to do with her.
"It's nothing. I just cut myself."I lied. Honestly, I didn't even know whether it was a lie or not.
"Hannah...could you. I mean"I bit my lip
"..give you some space. I get it"Hannah smiled. She always understands me.
"I need to give Ella something"Aunty Jasmine quickly explained before Hannah left the room.
As soon as I heard the door click. I raised my finger and pointed at Aunty Jasmine.
"It was you" she came closer.
"Don't dare"I warned.
"I wanted to see if you were a true successor "she explained pointing at my arm.
"What?"
"You have an ability, Ella. It can either destroy or save us. Your ancestors have been waiting for a very long time now." she spoke.
"You are a witch. Aren't you? " I exclaimed. I didn't understand what she was saying but I didn't have time to process things.
"Yes," she answered straight forward.
I gasped. I expected her to be a witch but I wasn't prepared for this revelation.
"Ella you've got to act fast. You are putting your siblings' lives in danger. We are different. The universe is haunting us. Macqueen is haunting us. We are in a different di-"
"Adwoa!" my brother's yell sounded in the room. Aunty Jasmine was interrupted. She just left the room silently.
'Don't tell anyone' a voice spoke in my head. It was then that I realized it was Aunty Jasmine's. I held my head, frustrated. How could she do that? To be shocked was an understatement. I was flabbergasted! I didn't even get to respond to John's call.
"How was it?" he asked as he barged into my room.
"What?" I raised my eyebrows
"The fainting" he smirked.
"Oh Goodness....just leave me alone," I said raising the tray, covering the food, and putting it on my side table. I didn't feel like eating.
"You are still in your school uniform you know"I looked down at my uniform and sighed.
"Is that part of your business?"I retaliated.
"No, not at all" and with that mocking smile of his, he walked away.
"Drink that soup if you don't wanna feel dizzy and have a headache again!" he yelled.
"Shut up!"
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The silence in the house gave me comfort. I've always loved quiet and peaceful places. Places void of any conflicts. Places where you can think whatever you want. I had slept right after John's interruption. I had taken my soup after waking up. It was cold but who cares?
Right after drinking the soup, I washed it and came back to sleep again. I woke up at midnight to study. Yep, It had always been my little secret. Hiding in the library and studying at midnight. It was the best place to be. Everyone was asleep or so I assumed.
Learning, reading, and writing in between stacks of books laid on shelves is soothing to the brain.

After a while of studying, I got out of the library to have some water to drink. The library and kitchen had some distance. I had to pass various rooms, and staircases to reach there. Aunty Jasmine was standing in the kitchen humming. I tried to hide so I came to walk past her but...
"Ella I know you are there," she spoke. It was so loud yet so quiet.
My heart rate increased. Ever since I knew she was a witch, there was this kind of fear that tugged at my heart.
"So?"I responded confidently.
"So?" She threw the question back as she turned to face me. Her brown eyes stared directly into my soul. I couldn't speak. Just stood there, fazed.
"How's your arm?" her eyes shifted to my arm. I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked at it.*gasps*
"What the hell!"I exclaimed silently. Where was the cut? I snapped my head in Aunty Jasmine's direction.
"What? I just needed to heal it" she shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.
I moved my widened eyes to hers. She smiled her usual creepy smile.
"Your smile creeps me out"I stated.
"Just go to your room" she turned to face the window, her long black hair reaching her waist.
"And what if I say I won't."I challenged.
"Emmanuella" my name came out of her mouth so effortlessly.
Just then, a thought came into my head.
"Wait, do my parents even know you are a witch?" I blurted.