MAGIC and All Other Deadly Affairs | COMPLETE!

FIVE | SLUMBER

FIVE | Slumber.

A man in black clad armor sat upon a pure white horse.

I stood in front of the massive beast and the black metal helmet tiled down to look at me – bright silver eyes staring at me. My voice caught in my throat and I couldn't move.

"Awaken."

I screamed out, jolting awake. Warm hands grabbed me, rubbing my back and holding me closely. Hot tears dripped down my face as I struggled to gasp in large mouthfuls of air.

"You're ok, you're ok Mae," Yuma cooed gently.

I blinked looking around. We were in my room, sunlight poured through the curtains and helped to ease my wild heart. Breathing slowly I wiped my face with one hand feeling overly stupid. I got so easily worked up by silly dreams.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked me softly.

I shook my head not yet trusting my voice. She nodded understanding and slipped out of the bed. Whenever she slept over we'd always share a bed. Ever since we were only a few years old. So she knew all about my nightmares and past issues with panic attacks.

"I'll go make us come coffee and waffles," she told me leaving the room.

I was left alone with my thoughts and my eyes drifted over to where Herold swam in circles, his bright green and blue scales glistening. It felt like there was a hole in my heart. The fact that we had been friends for so long and yet, Yuma didn't see any of the fear that had currently plagued me.

"Breakfast's ready!" She yelled through the house, jolting me out of my thoughts.

Changing into a pair of black, silk shorts and a white t-shirt, I glanced in the mirror. Once again the gorgeous woman looking back didn't look anything like me. The most recent changes were flecks of silver plaguing my blue eyes. With a sigh, I pulled back my now long dark brown and red hair into a pair of pig tails and quickly fed a few flecks of fish food to my companion.

Then, making my way into the kitchen the smell of waffles, coffee and syrup danced into my nose. With a smile I sat down at the table beside Yuma. With four waffles piled high onto my plate, I dug in then paused.

Just like what had happened the other day I could taste every particle of sugar, salt and flour in the waffle. I swallowed what was in my mouth, and did my best to eat the rest without getting sick. Yuma didn't comment if she noticed – which she didn't.

Breakfast went by quickly and soon Yuma was heading out the door with a cheerful smile. I stepped onto the porch to watch her leave, entering her car and driving away. Once her car disappeared down the road I could feel someone watching me.

My shoulders tensed and I looked around trying to find the prying eyes. Across the street leaning against my neighbours fence stood Norman Haze. Today he dressed in a pair of black jeans and a white cotton shirt. His copper eyes watching me.

The temptation to go back inside and lock my door was strong but something in my gut told me if he wanted in then the locked door would do little to stop him. He smiled at me, and I took a step back afraid. He chuckled, and began to walk across the street towards me. Panic bubbled inside me and I couldn't find myself moving.

"Good morning darling," he chirped moving up my porch.

I could feel my limbs shaking with fear and I bit my lip to keep from screaming. He sighed, taking a seat in the lazy boy on the porch and looked towards me.

"Where'd your glasses go?" he asked curiously.

My hand flew to my face and I realized now I didn't have them on. Yet... I could see well, maybe even better. I wondered if that had to do with the flecks of silver in my eyes. Was that the reason I could see now?

"Hey," he called to me, jolting me out of my thoughts.

I looked over at him, my eyes now noting that outfits matched. I giggled, not being as afraid of him. He looked lazy laying in the chair watching me with an even lazier smirk. His brow rose and curiosity filled his eyes.

"Do you believe me?" he asked.

That made my head tilt and I found myself in a situation similar to when Gramma first moved into that home. I wouldn't have gone as far as to say I believe him but I was willing to learn more, I was intrigued by it. And maybe I'd find answers to my own situation.

I sighed, rubbing my face vigorously, "I don't know."

"I'm sure it's a very confusing time for you. I won't beg you to listen but I strongly advise you to do so. If not," he paused to look at me growing serious, "it's only a matter of time before you're killed."

My eyes widen with fear and I can feel the panic building inside me. My body starts to shake and I try to take a step back but my legs fail me and I fall onto the hard, wooden porch. He watches my discomposure curiously but makes no moves to help me nor hurt me.

"W-what do you mean?" I whisper not able to raise my voice.

He waved me off, "Lucky for you I have decided not to kill you at this moment. Right now you interest me too much. However, soon others will come to finish the job I haven't done."

"What? Finish what job?" I asked, feeling tears begin to gather in my eyes.

"Don't worry about that right now. For now, I will teach you."

He stood up and held his hand down towards me. Hesitantly I took it, somehow despite the threats I did take comfort in his words. He wanted to teach me. I had no idea what but something deep inside me recognized his words as a good thing.

"Teach me what?" I demanded.

He took it upon himself to open the door to my home and stroll inside. My jaw dropped as I watched his bold actions. Seeing that he wasn't going to stop, I trailed after him, closing the door behind me.

He hummed to himself as he wandered around my kitchen and pulled open the fridge. I felt completely crazy trusting this man who had not only stalked me but also threatened me but I needed answers. I begged for some sort of logic to all this madness.

He pulled out a can of Cola and popped it open – draining its contents quickly. My eyes narrowed as he slammed down the empty can and wiped his mouth. His copper eyes fluttered over to me with a look of innocents.

"I've been watching you all night. It's thirsty business," he told me.

"Why are you stalking me?" I asked watching him with caution as he crossed the room and entered the living room.

He took a seat on the brown leather couch and propped his feet up onto the coffee table making me re-evaluate all my decisions. I crept over to the landline and kept my eyes on him while I picked it up. His back was to me and I slowly pressed 9-1-1.

"And you get even more interesting," he sighed, "stop."

The lights flickered overhead and I looked up confused. Then, it seemed all electronics begun to go crazy. The TV flickered fuzzy, the microwave beeped on and off loudly from the kitchen, the lights went crazy – all electronics. I dropped the phone just as all the power died and my eyes looked over at Norman.

Surely this was his fault, but how? He hadn't even moved. He then turned, to look at me and I nearly fainted from the sight of his eyes – their copper colour were glowing a bright sparkling copper.

"What are you?" I whispered.

He merely grinned, "the same thing as you my darling, I am a witch."

Complete horror filled me and of course, my body took that opportunity to fall forward, passing out into complete darkness. However, as my eyes closed I could feel warm hands catch me, a sigh escaped my lips.

"Why are you so feared?" a soft whisper was my lullaby into my slumber.