Discovering Riley

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Riley’s POV

“I have to go, Josh.” I argued and sent a pleading look to Derek. “Tell him, Derek. That’s the reason I came here to Massachutes. To see Mr. Morris and Mrs. Pollard. He can’t just say I can’t go.”

“For once, I think Josh is right.” Derek shot his hands up as soon as he saw my mouth shoot open. “You just got attacked yesterday, Riley. I think it’s safer if you stay within the ward than out of it. Especially since you don’t have a hang on your powers—“

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the next words out of my mouth. “Then I’ll learn. You guys can teach me.”

Josh frowned. “You don’t have to. We know how you don’t like magic…”

“If it’ll let me go and see Mr. Morris and Mrs. Pollard then I’ll do it.” I insisted. “I’ll train all day for the next couple of days. Then on the last day before we leave, I want to see them. They’re the only family I had before all of this.”

Derek nodded in empathy. “We understand. We’ll teach you then. We’ll start later this afternoon.” He told me and walked out of my bedroom.

I turned to Josh. “You’ll be helping me train too?”

“Sure, but what I teach you will be later. Derek teaches the little things like protection spells. But I’ll teach you the real magic.” He said, waggling his brows.

“What does that mean?” I wondered.

He shrugged. “Anything and everything. From conjuring up fire to making something disappear. You’ll see.”

“That sounds dangerous.” I frowned.

He chuckled. “It is. You can go ahead and get ready. Be in the living room by noon.”

I tried to control my breathing as I took those last couple of steps into the living room. I honestly didn’t want to learn magic because that would mean I’m accepting that I’m actually some kind of witch. But I have to do it for Mr. Morris and Mrs. Pollard. They’re both human and if I’m really being tracked and stalked by Shadow witches, I want to be able to protect them and myself.

Once I entered the living room, I noticed Josh, Derek, and Casey there. I remembered Casey’s snippy mood yesterday before I was attacked and tried not to look at her.

“Ready?” Derek beamed, rubbing his hands together.

I gulped and nodded. “Sure.”

“Are you sure you want to do this Riley?” He asked me worriedly.

“I’m sure. I need to protect the ones I care about. And if this is the only way to do, then so be it.” I said confidently. “So, what’s first?”

“The first thing we’ll go over is protection spells.”

“The boring stuff.” Josh added.

Derek rolled his eyes. “It might be boring, but it’ll help you survive.” He said and walked outside. It wasn’t so chilly out today, but it did look like it was about to pour rain. The three of us followed his out until he stopped right in the center of the open field. Looking at the ground, I noticed some kind of shape carved into the ground. There were five points and at each point there was a white candle. I watched as Derek and the others took a seat on one of the tips of the odd shape.

As if reading my face, Casey said, “It’s called a pentagram. It’s the source of all magic. You didn’t know that?” She asked as if I was dumb.

I flushed and shook my head. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t explain that to you, Riley.” Derek said. “In order to do most spells, we need to create this shape and lay candles around each of the five tips and light them up. It helps to focus a spell more, make it stronger. It’s not that hard to draw either.”

“Just take a seat at one of the points of the star.” Josh directed me.

I did as he said and waited for Derek to continue.

“Josh.” Derek said.

Josh lifted his hands, causing the five candles to light up. I tried not to jump too much from it as I remembered when Josh had burned me with those same flames.

“All protection spells are like the wards me and my family put up. You’re basically putting a ward around yourself or whoever the protection is guided to.” Derek told me. “All you have to do is shut your eyes and picture a thick veil going around whoever you want to protect. That way, nothing can get through it.”

“First, let’s try putting it on yourself.” He continued. “Just shut your eyes and picture the veil like I told you. Go on.”

I pursed my lips and shut my eyes like he told me to. I took slow breaths in and out, trying to picture the veil over me and protecting me. And just like that, I felt like it was. It wasn’t too hard either.

“Whoa.” I opened my eyes when Josh let out a breathy laugh, looking at Casey and Derek. “You saw that?”

“Yeah.” Derek grinned. “That’s a pretty big veil.”

Casey got to her feet with a smirk. A smirk full of mischief. “Only one way to try it out.” She said and I didn’t have time to react before two bolts of lightning struck out of her hands and towards me. I put my hands up as a reflex, knowing full well that wouldn’t protect me. I waited for the blow, but it never came. I looked up in time to see the bolts suddenly turn back to Casey and electrocute her. She fell to the ground with a thud, motionless.

“Casey!” Derek shouted and rushed towards her body. He crouched down beside her, lifting his hands quickly above her. Light blue orbs formed around his hands. “Josh, get mom and dad!”

Josh did as he said and stormed into the house.

I stood where I was, staring at Casey’s still body. I’d killed her. Everything was my fault. I used the back of my hands to wipe away the tears falling down my cheeks, but they just kept coming. The Shadow witches aren’t anything compared to me. I’m the one that’s hurting people. If the Shadow witches take me, they would be doing me a favor. I’d be able to protect the ones I care about. They’d be safe if I was gone.

Making up my mind, I turned for the woods and ran. I kept running until the mansion was out of view. I kept running until I was sure everyone was safe and I no longer was.

By the time I even saw a town, it was drizzling. I was wet and a sweating mess. But the town looked familiar. It was where the orphanage is. I used what strength I had left and ran as fast as I could. I was here. I can’t believe I was here. I could finally see them.

I slowed down, realizing that I’d have to leave them soon too. Otherwise, they’d be in danger as well. Maybe I shouldn’t see them. It would make leaving even harder if I do.

I was about to turn around until I heard a scream from the town. Wondering what was going on, I made my way over to the town and noticed a crowd of people gathered around and an ambulance and flashing cop car. As I grew nearer, I saw them carrying a covered body into the ambulance truck. I looked up to see the building where they took them from and saw the familiar name above. Morris Counseling Center.

Suddenly, I felt very dizzy. My legs gave in underneath me and I would’ve fallen to the ground if not for the arms that wrapped around me. I didn’t care who it was at the moment. I didn’t even care if it was a Shadow witch ready to kill me. Only that Mr. Morris was dead and I’d do anything to die too.

“Riley? Riley! What’s wrong?” I barely heard behind me. The arms around me shifted so that I was facing my captor. Cold fingers touched my cheeks, shaking them lightly. “Riley! Talk to me!” The person shouted. His voice was distant now as I felt myself slipping away, hopefully to where Mr. Morris now lays at rest.