Evanesce

(Chapter 2) History

When I awoke, it was nearly midday. The white light flooded the room, illuminating all the floating particles and warming the air around me. I sat up and stretched my cramped limbs, waiting for the fatigue to subside. I slowly clambered out of bed and stood in the window, squinting through the aurora, I threw the window open and took a deep breath. I soaked in as much Vitamin D as I could before dressing myself and skipping out the bedroom.

My mother and sister were already awake, sat at the dining table.

"Goodmorning Min, Darling" My mother smiled at me while my sister pulled up a chair, I held my finger out at her. Rushing through the kitchen, I grabbed my favorite pale pink coffee mug and filled it with the black fluid, grabbed the sugar bowl and steadily sat with my family.

"We all have our vices" my mother commented as Sunji gave her a judgmental glance. I rolled my eyes at the pair and kicked up my feet in the empty chair left.

"So what are we learning first?" I asked my mother, full of both skepticism and hope. She pulled a large leather bound book from her lap and dropped it onto the table with a thud. The leather was cracked and weathered and the pages were torn and frayed. I sat up and leaned forward, suddenly fixated on the ancient literature. Sliding her round glasses up her nose, She opened to a chapter early in the book and began skimming the pages.

"Ah. Here," She finally said with satisfaction, "beginner potions and spells, almost anyone can do these, but they're complex so you have to pay attention. Misdirection in a spell or potion can be detrimental in whatever you're making. You might be trying for a love potion but you accidentally made poison instead. It's very tedious." I nodded eagerly, excited to learn anything, but especially poison now that I was aware it was a possibility.

"First Lesson, potion of Vitality" Sunji and I exchanged confused glances that didn't go unnoticed. "Don't worry, not as complicated as a Healing potion" she patted Sunji's hand. "This is more so for battle, it gives you pseudo strength, and speeds recovery time by 20%." She explained, now in her teacher persona.

"Now to gather the ingredients." She smiled as she jotted something down on two scraps of paper. When she finished scribbling, she shoved them toward Sunji and me.

"Ginseng, Maca, Holy Basil, Rhodiola Rosea, Sage"

We stared back at our mother in uncertainty, then slowly rose from our chairs and headed toward the study, where mother keeps all her herbs.

"Actually, you're doing these all by yourselves." She interrupted, before we could even touch the door. We turned to give her a questioning glare. " What happens if I'm not here to supply you with all the ingredients? You have to be able to obtain the ingredients AND know what they do" She held out her hands in emphasis, then shoo'd us out the door.

Sunji and I had been wandering the forest for hours, locating the ingredients separately. I already had Ginseng, Sage and the Holy Basil.

I continued my path through the thick shrubbery, following nothing but my own intuition, but I began to slow and became clumsy from exhaustion. It was then that I realized I had made it to the adjacent mountain and was gaining altitude. I approached a clearing I was unfamiliar with, studying my surroundings in case of danger. When I decided it was safe enough I collapsed onto the ground, sore and overwhelmed from the task given to me. I was an expert at exploring. I always found the right herbs for my mom and always found the coolest hiding places for myself and Sunji. But I'd never heard of Rhodiola before, never even seen it. The only identification I have is my mother's description.

I sighed heavily and flopped onto the thin grass. I calmed my mind and focused on my surroundings. Meditation was always so excruciating with Sunji around, pestering little sister that she was, so I detested it whenever Mom tried to encourage us to meditate. Away from distractions, I've used meditation as a tool for my hunt. Not because it tells me where the herbs are, but it helps keep my patience and dignity, so I don't overlook any herbs. Perfecting my own technique is why I'm the preferred herbal hunter of the family.

A twig snapping pulled me out of my focus, my head snapped in the direction but found no one. I stood, feeling brave, and approached the area to investigate. I glanced around but still witnessed no signs of anyone ever being around. What I did finally notice was the small yellow flower sticking directly out of the ground in a group of weeds. I gasped and dropped to the ground to dig up the succulent carefully. I released a big sigh after securing the plant in my basket. I stood, now confident in my endeavors, and turned back to the clearing to leave. The sun was setting quickly and the only thing left on my list was Maca, a root that sometimes grows near the river by my house. I was almost out of the clearing when I heard it again, a rustle in the leaves, a twig snap, but this time it was louder, closer. A cold breeze blew through me, chilling my bones, but that's not what kept me frozen in place.

"Long time, no see. Little one." The venomous voice said gently. I immediately knew who it was, the aura, the cadence, the stature. It was my father.

I was still cautious. I knew my father was of mythical species but my mother refused to tell me what kind of Mutt I was. I didn't know much about the man at all, specifically his intentions. I slowly turned to the dark figure, careful not to make any sudden moves.

"Father.." I said warily, staring in the general direction but not his face. He chuckled at this.

"I figured I was skipping the whole 'teen angst' thing when I stepped away last time but I guess I came back too soon, huh?" He said arrogantly, I bit my cheek. I can't afford to speak my mind, If I lose my patience, I could lose my life. He waited for me to reply, when I didn't he sighed heavily. "Look, I know I've been gone for a while, but I miss you, I-"

" What do you want? Why are you even here? I'm 18 now, you have no other obligation to me. And I refuse to give you anything, so I assume it has to be revenge?" I suddenly gained the bravado to speak my mind. Not completely, but enough to stun him. He sat for a moment, thinking.

"I want nothing. Nothing but your time and understanding." He said sweetly before showing a smile that would scare a shark. I didn't know how to feel about this, was he threatening me or being sincere? I decided I didn't care.

"You can't have either, I don't know anything about you, nor do I want to. You've abandoned me and my mother to delve into your own selfish ambitions. You don't get to reappear and explain yourself 'just cause'." I couldn't contain my anger anymore and it was mixing with the unbridled fear, creating hysteria. The tears of pent up emotion and trauma began to flood. "I'm not just some toy you can leave and pick up whenever you want it. I have my own life and emotions and thoughts, none of which concern you. You are nothing to me but a dead beat-" He suddenly appeared a foot in front of me, scowling hard. I couldn't finish my sentence, I couldn't even breath. I sat, wide eyed, staring at the man shrouded in black, waiting for the inevitable end.

"You don't get to talk to me like that. I've saved your mother from so much misfortune, You and her should be thanking me. You'd both be dead if it weren't for me." He spat between clenched teeth. He seethed for a moment before shaking his head and stepping away. "Maybe someday you'll be willing to understand. Until then Minnie."

Then I was alone.