The Daughter of the Woods

Chapter 13

"You seem happier than usual," Emma smiles as I step through the door.

"You could say that. I'm less confused and frustrated than I've ever been really. It's refreshing. Though I did use a lot of energy yesterday, so I'm exhausted, and all my muscles are sore. Other than that I'm great." I take my usual seat, and get out the money for the tea she already knows to make.

It doesn't take long for her to sit down next to me and sip her drink like she does every time she sits, waiting for me to spill the latest details about my exasperating life. To her surprise, I don't say anything, but give her a calm smile instead.

"You don't need to rant? About anything?"

I shake my head.

"I would have thought you'd tons to talk about; you always do."

"I'm good," I smile.

She raises her plastic cup. "Cheers to that," we cheers our cups and take a sip.

Just then, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I click the power button and see it's a text from Mom. "Come home, family meeting." Confused, but sensing she's serious, I tip back the rest of my tea and stand up. I notice she's doing the same.

"Sorry, my Mom just texted, I have to go."

"Yeah, my boss texted me too. I'll see you tomorrow?" she says as she pulls her hair into a ponytail.

The begging on the walk home is slow and calm, though I'm running through my head what she means by family meeting; there are only two of us. As I turn onto my street, it hits me. I'm meeting the rest of her family. The ones I just found out about yesterday.

I slow my pace, reluctant to meet anyone else who is going to hate me in this city. Also, I'm too tired and my legs are too sore to keep up my speed walk.

I bite my lip as I tread up the steps and push open the door into the living room. Running my fingers through my hair as I push the door open, my fingers get caught on a tangle near the back of my head.

I raise my gaze up from the ground and am met with Mom standing at the front of the room, facing away from the door, and three other people. One of which I recognize instantly.

"Emma?" I ask to both Mom and her, confused as to why she is here.

She doesn't say anything, but looks to Mom, as if she's waiting for her to explain.

Mom turns to me. "Abby, you know Emma. This is Andrew, and Adrian." She motions to the other two guys standing there, and only then do I notice they're identical twins. They both have dirty blonde hair and light brown eyes, slim figures, average height. The only thing that distinguishes the two is that Andrew has a birthmark above his left eyebrow.

"Okay, I thought you said this was a family meeting. We're both only children... what are they doing here?"

"Why don't you sit down? We have a lot of explaining to do."

I don't doubt her, so I sit on the couch that was finally delivered yesterday. Emma sits next to me on my left, Mom on my right. Andrew and Adrian pull over stools from the counter and sit facing us.

"So, to answer your first question, we're not real family. We're of the same species."

I turn to Emma, shocked. "You're a Haphior too? Why aren't you at Magwood?"

"God, no. I'm not a Haphior." She sounds disgusted. "No, we're warlocks."

"So not only do people with magical element powers exist, warlocks with black robes and spell books are real too?" I sound more snarky than I mean to.

Andrew speaks up. "Minus the black robes," he laughs.

I look to Mom. "So, you're one too? And you never told me? Even though you knew I was a Haphior."

"I don't use my powers anymore, I train these three."

"Train them for what?" It's a loaded question, but that doesn't stop me from asking.

"I shouldn't really get into it yet. That doesn't mean I won't tell you, just not yet."

Book might be on hold for a while, for the first time like ever I am actually busy now. This is all I had written on this chapter but thought I'd post it anyway. When I continue writing again it will get interesting I promise.