A Magical Time

Chapter 5

Raven Cruxho

I woke up in a hospital bed unaware of what had just happened to me. I looked around the room and then down at my arm. There was a huge bandage wrapped around it. Curious, I removed it a little to see that I had stitches. I did my best to put the wrap back on my arm. A nurse entered the room only seconds later. There was a cheerful smile on her face; it made me sick to my stomach. She worked in a hospital where dying people come all the time, why was she so happy?

“Is there anything I can do for you dear?” She asked in a cheerful voice.

“For a matter of fact there is,” She looked at me with cheer dancing in her eyes, “Stop being so freaking happy! I’m lying in a hospital bed, lucky to be alive! You’re surrounded by people dying!” I shouted at her.

She looked at me a little shocked, and I felt kind of bad. She tidied up a little before getting ready to leave the room. I stopped her.

“I’m sorry. I’m on edge because my life almost stolen from me. I know you’re happy because I pulled through, but you need to tone it down a lot. It’s okay to be happy, but there is a limit,” I said to her quietly.

“Thanks for the advice,” she said smiling, “Is there anything I can get you?” she asked again, some caution in her voice.

“Some water would be nice,” I smiled.

“I already snuck you some when you weren’t looking. I had a feeling.”

She pointed at the tray sitting next to my bed and the water was sitting on it. I smiled and nodded at her. She smiled in return and left the room. I reached up for the glass of water to take a drink and to my astonishment the water in the glass lifted with my hand. It scared me, but I recognized it as my own power. After a bit I felt a little less threatened and twirled the water to and fro. I heard someone grab at the door knob and I rushed the water back into the glass. When the door opened Jean and Luke came flooding through, tears in both their eyes. I hugged them both, telling them that I was just fine, in top condition.

            “It’s good to see there’s softness in those hearts,” I said with a smile.

            Everyone seemed to grow extremely quiet, as if I spoke some forbidden words that would get me shunned. I scanned all their faces one by one, and when I came to Jean, I saw sourness on his face. He seemed upset about my comment.

            “Look Jean, it’s okay to have a soft spot in your heart. It just shows you’re a fighter that knows how to love, and show compassion,” I smiled.

            Jean’s sourness slowly seemed to dissipate away as he realized all the multiple ways a soft heart could be meant.

            “You’re absolutely right Raven,” he said as he turned toward Ed and Luke. “I’m sorry I yelled at you Ed, and Luke I’m sorry I started causing your stuff to explode.”

            “It’s quite okay Jean,” Ed said.

            “Don’t worry about it Jean. We all have our moments,” Luke smiled.

            My heart felt a lot lighter for a change. Our little family seemed a lot more united for once and that was a great feeling. Something felt as if it was missing though, it was missing for all of us. It was hard to pinpoint though.

            “Raven, the doctor’s going to release you today. Their treatment has improved greatly, so they’re not as concerned anymore.” Ed told me.

            “That’s good…” I replied slowly.

            About an hour later I was back home. First thing I did was take a sword from my room, and head out into the forest. It was around six a.m. by now, and I was fully rested from my hospital visit. I found the tree that I got one of my swords stuck in a long time ago. The sword’s metal barely shown anymore and it was all rusted up. This was my favorite tree in the whole forest; I could climb it and see the sky clearly although I mainly went at night.

            “The beautiful smell of dew in the morning; so relaxing.” I smiled.

            It made me feel safe to know that this town of Castors knows that I am a witch and trusts me accordingly. This is one of the few human towns that could accept my kind at all. I quickly thought of going for a walk with Swift. People in this town had a way of finding out if one of us kids got hurt, and they usually all worry instantly.

            “Ed, I’m taking Swift on a walk!” I shouted as soon as I entered the house.

            “Alright!” I heard his voice call back. I barely heard him.

            I latched Swift onto a leash and ran outside. Swift and I walked down the street at a steady pace, and I waved at people as we went by. Everyone was so friendly to one another here, and it felt good. People everywhere were out that morning, and it felt like an eternity since I left the house with Swift when in all actuality it was probably only ten minutes. I returned home and let Swift off her leash to roam through the yard and house as she pleased. I decided to return back out to my tree where I could relax at the top of. Halfway out into the forest I heard cracking twigs and branches but I quickly dismissed it as an animal. I kept heading out toward my tree, but the crackling of undergrowth never faded. I quickly turned to see a blue shirt flash behind of a tree. It was the only thing I saw, and I didn’t know what to think of it. I turned away again and began to walk slowly. When I heard the crackling continue I quickly drew my sword and pinned the mystery person to the ground. A lot of dust got kicked up from the impact, and it took quite a bit of time to settle back down. Once it settled I saw it was Rochata, the warlock that lived in town.

            “Rochata! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” I said with shock in my voice.

            “I gave you a heart attack? Excuse me but whose pinned to the ground with a sword to his throat?” He pointed out. Of course he had a good point.

            I put my sword away, and offered a hand to Rochata to help him up. Now I felt bad about knocking him to the ground.