Magical Affairs

Chapter 1-The Beginning

"Mom, where is my potion's book?" I asked, rummaging through my things.

"How should I know? You need to take better care of your stuff," she replied, barely looking up.

"I get that, but right now, I have you and dad here, so I am okay for the time being," I said, glancing at her hopefully.

"S̄ạỵỵā , is this the book that you are looking for?" she asked, holding up a worn leather-bound volume.

I ran toward her and found it lying on the floor. Snatching it up, I bolted to my room. "Thanks mom," I shouted over my shoulder.

I was studying for my potion exam. My mom, a stickler for accuracy in potion-making, took homeschooling seriously. Being the son of one of the magic council members has its perks but it's also annoying because everyone expects great things from you but all I wanted was to be normal.

While I was studying, I heard the front door creak open, followed by hushed whispers. I decided to get up, straining to make sense of the murmurs. Before I could take a step, my father appeared in the hallway, his face tense.

"Go to my room and get the emergency bag that I prepared for you," he said abruptly.

"Emergency bag? Why do I need an emergency bag right now? Is this another drill?" I asked.

"No, this is not a drill. They're coming, and you have to be prepared," he said, his voice tight with urgency.

"Coming? Who? Dad, what's happening? I am scared," I said.

"Just go to your mom. Everything will be explained later," he said before rushing to his office, beginning to destroy documents in a frenzy.

I ran to my mom, only to find her doing the same things. I was lost because they were destroying important documents that held a lot of information about magic.

"S̄ạỵỵā, listen carefully because I don't much time to say it twice," she said, her voice hurried but firm. "Go in the closet and get that bag. Never lose it.. It is magically enchanted so only you can open it. It contains clothes and everything you'll need." She went into her jewelry box, pulled out a delicate necklace and pressed it into my hands. "Take this necklace. It carries our family symbol and we left a message inside for you. Listen to it whenever you feel alone."

"Mom, please! Tell me what's going on? I don't understand!" My voice cracked.

She pulled me into a tight embrace. "Come here my baby boy, I love you. Everything your father and I have done was for you. I need you to know that. I need you to be strong. Keep your ring on- it will regulate your power. and keep all the stuff that we gave to you safe. We may not see each other for a while but always know that we love you,"

My father burst into the room, "They're here. Did you finish destroying everything and giving S̄ạỵỵā the stuff."

"Yeah, everything is destroyed, and I gave it to him.," my mom answered, her grip on my shoulders tightening.

"S̄ạỵỵā, listen to me, " my father said, kneeling before me. "You need to be strong. I've taught you everything you need to survive. We love and I need you to do whatever they say."

A voice echoed from outside, "We have the house surrounded, Leo. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

My father stood up, exhaling sharply. "Fine, as long as you my son go. He has nothing to do with this."

"Fine, open the door and let the boy come outside and I guarantee that he will be safe," the voice responded.

My father looked at me, his lips barely moving as he whispered, Be Strong and stay free-our family motto. Then, without warning, my parents pushed me toward the door. I struggled, but they were determined. The moment I stepped outside, rough hands grabbed me, pulling me toward a waiting vehicle that looked eerily like a police transport.

Through the tinted glass, I saw a familiar face. "New? What is going on here? What are you doing to my parents? You're his friend- how could you betray him like this? My parents are innocent!"

I kept on talking but he acted like he didn't hear one word I said. He didn't even look at me.Then another officer leaned in and whispered something into his ear. He gave a slight nod. Then, without hesitation, the officer turned to me and uttered a single word: "Somnus."

A spell. Sleep magic.

Darkness rushed in, and before I could resist, I collapsed into unconsciousness.

______________________________________________________________________________

I don't know how long I was asleep for. When I finally woke up, I woke up in a strange room and in an unfamiliar bed. Disoriented, I pushed myself up and followed the sound of voices coming from the kitchen.

As I walked around the corner, I saw him. New. And next to him, his wife Samantha.

"Where are my parent's New?" My voice was hoarse, my throat was dry. "Why am I here? I want to go home."

"S̄ạỵỵā, please sit down. I have some terrible news," New said as he looked at me with sorrowful eyes.

"I don't want to sit down. I just want to go home," I replied.

He exchanged a glance with his wife, who exhaled deeply before speaking.

"S̄ạỵỵā... your parents... they're gone."

I shook my head violently. "No. No, they can't be. I saw them—"

"They... they didn't want to be taken. They chose to end things on their own terms rather than be arrested," New said carefully, as if each word pained him.

I felt the air leave my lungs. "No... that's not true. They would never... they wouldn't..." Tears blurred my vision, spilling onto my cheeks. I wanted to scream, to fight, but my body betrayed me.

"As your godfather, I want you to stay here with us," New said. "That's what your parents would have wanted. You can stay in the room where you woke up. Your belongings are already there."

I could not stand to see his face right now. So, I turned and fled to the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I collapsed onto the bed, sobbing into the pillow. The pain in my chest was unbearable.

Then I remembered something that my parents said about the necklace they gave me. I sat up and stared at it. I put the necklace on, clutched the pendant and whisper, "Be Strong and Be Free."

The world around me shifted. Suddenly, I was no longer in New's home- I was in my parent's bedroom. I wanted to believe that I was in their room one more time, but I knew that this necklace was most likely a magic recorder. As I looked around, I small note on the counter of the cabinet: To activate the recording, ensure you are alone. No unauthorized listeners can be present.

I scrambled to my bag, retrieving a crystal my father had made. It was designed to block psychic interference. Placing the crystals around the room, I whispered the phrase again.

The world shimmered, and then... they were there.

A projection of my parents appeared before me. My father's voice was steady.

"S̄ạỵỵā, if you are watching this, it means we're gone. I know you must be hurting, but I need you to listen carefully. You must be strong. Remember everything we taught you, especially about the Magic Council. They are not to be trusted. The Magic Council controls everything. They silence those who learn the truth. That's why they came for us."

My mother wiped her tears. "My little star, we love you. Trust no one. Not even those we called friends. This necklace holds more than just memories, it will be your guide. Keep your ring on. Stay hidden. Be strong and be free."

"I know that we said that we will always be there to protect you, but I need you to protect yourself now on," my dad said.

She hummed softly, Sawadee, whanee phop ghan, a lullaby she used to sing when I was scared. My chest ached. I closed my eyes, clutching the pendant tightly. The tears came, silent and unrelenting. I don't even remember when they stopped. Maybe I cried until exhaustion took over—until sleep finally pulled me under."

I wasn't safe here. And I wasn't going to sit still.

I was going to find out the truth.