Magic In Me

PROLOGUE

The warm bronze sunlight was swallowed by the horizon, causing the bright sunny day to be engulfed in beautiful, encroaching darkness. Even the shadows of the familiar trees and rocks of the daytime took on new and ominous forms. Although without their color everything seemed less friendly, yet she didn't mind the darkness clinging to her like a second skin, the only source of illumination being the iridescently shining moon and the stars twinkling in the sky.

The night brought a welcome coolness to the land after the scorching heat of the day. The moon's soothing rays and its calming presence made her close her eyes slowly as her body quietly switched off; but it let her soul run free. She could do the things she would never be allowed to do when the sun was out, her worries and thoughts silently turned to smoke as they wandered to the endless night once more.

Unlike many others, she liked the night because it hid her flaws, imperfections and her scars. But being there, she only felt immense relief because that was her safe haven: just the billions of stars, the shining moon, the endless night sky and her, lying all by herself on that lovely beach without any restrictions, problems, and worries. The water dribbled carelessly onto the shore, and created soothing, splashing sounds. Just like a sweet melody, a soft lullaby.

A sudden gust of wind made her shiver involuntarily in her night clothes. Suddenly, the night sky stood in an inky canopy of darkness freckled only by the fewest of stars, where just moments ago it had been a beautiful starry night. The occasional hoot of a hidden owl was the only sound to permeate the silence until a chorus of slapping footsteps and crunching gravel echoed angrily into the emptiness of the night. As some human voices quickly followed, the owl omitted a screech of protest and took flight. She couldn't understand their talk, just feel that there were more than two of them.

When the owners of the voices came into view, she just wished she hadn't come here by herself. They were wearing quite magnificent shiny robes that seemed black in the darkness but she couldn't be so sure. All the five unfamiliar faces were covered by their hoods. Before she could do anything, they surrounded her from all sides.

One of them said, 'I don't think this is her. '

The other one said, 'I agree with you. She's wearing rags. I mean, come on guys! She's not her. Let her be.'

Two others chorused their 'yes'.

Although she didn't think her sweatpants and t-shirt could be considered rags, but she dare not say anything to tick them off. Moreover, compared to them, she did look under-dressed. There was just this air about them that screamed 'DANGER' and that too in CAPITALS, so she bit the inside of her mouth to keep her mouth shut.

The fifth one, however, was not convinced. He didn't say anything but started circling and examining her every move carefully like a predator circling his prey to gauge her reaction. His gaze made her shiver involuntarily.

Panicking, she started crying and said in a whisper, 'Please don't. D.. Don't hurt me. Please, let me go home.'

The fifth one whispered in her ear, 'I think you're right. You can't be her. You can go..' Bringing his mouth near her ear, he added 'for the time being' and let her go.

Terrified she ran away from them all, especially from him. All the while feeling eyes on the back of her head, but she didn't dare turn around to have a look. She sprinted through the trees as fast as her legs would carry her.

On hearing the approaching footsteps, she hid behind a boulder for dear life all the while trying to control her frantic heartbeat. She wanted to cry loudly but placed her hands on her mouth to stop any escaping sound.