The Dark Witch's Daughter

chapter 4

I waited for the sting of death to pierce me. Nothing seemed to be happening. I forced my eyes to open and take in the view in front of me.

Did I cross over? I wondered in confusion as I drank in the scenery. Nothing seemed extraordinary at all on the other side. I was standing in a small town that didn't seem any different than any other.

I noticed the Bennett sign hanging just above my head. The town was small and very modern. The town square was directly in front of me decorated with a large fountain. It spewed its water out into a large concrete pool that reminded me of a wishing well.

The shops were all painted each it's own bright peppy color. I could see small houses lining the one street in my view. Each house looked just as normal as any I'd seen back home.

No one seemed to be outside at the moment. The town was rather quiet. I scanned the bright colored shops for any signs of life, undead or not. A short, middle-aged woman emerged from the neon pink clothing store.

She was dressed in some sort of professors gown. It had a high collar hiding her neck and she wore a hat tightly over her head. A few stray buttercream curls peeked out of the hat. She gasped in shock when she saw me, almost dropping her shopping bags.

"Who are you? Where did you come from?" She demanded as she recollected herself.

"I....ummm....I came from the other...side." I stammered clutching my suitcases in front of me like they were shields of protection.

"Impossible...no human has ever passed through our border!" She exclaimed stepping closer to me as if to examine me. She circled me as as if I were her prey. I kept the amulet hid away in my tight fist. If it was the dark witch's amulet I highly doubt it would make this woman...or whatever she was trust me.

"I came from an orphanage," I blurted out hoping that would help her at least understand some of why I was here.

"There must be a breach in our borders! I'm looking at you, young lady, and you dont seem to be a supernatural of any kind! You must come with me at once." She snapped grabbing my arm gruffly. She pulled me in step beside her as if insuring I wouldn't escape.

"I don't understand this at all. That border spell is impossible to break!" she muttered to herself as we walked.

She lead me onto a few different streets before we reached our destination. I gaped in awe at the enormous castle-like building she had brought me to.The large black sign read Bennett Academy for the Young Supernatural. This had to be the place where I could find answers.

"Our headmaster will know what to do about you, young lady." She remarked as she shoved me through the front door. The halls of the beautiful building were decorated with breath taking art pieces. Some were ancient and others looked more modern.

Candles lit up the large hall. Their reflections danced off the large chandelier in that center of the room. She took me to a small office close to the entrance. A handsome man of probably around forty sat behind the desk looking rather bored. His hair was black as night with dusts of silver peeking through his side burns.

He glanced up at us as we entered. His big brown eyes fell on me with interest. He must be the head master she was referring to. He leaned back in his large chair and folded his hands. He seemed rather relaxed compared to the annoying woman still clutching my arm.

"Goodmorning, Evelyn. Is this a new student?" He asked squinting at me as if trying to figure out what I was. Judging by the dark lit room and blood bags sitting beside his desk, he must be a vampire. I almost shuddered at the thought but tried to maintain my composure.

"I wish I could say so, Silus. It seems we have a breach in the border. I caught this one sneaking in." She snarled shooting me an evil glare. She acted as if I was a convicted murderer and she was pleading for the death penalty. He just shook his head and chuckled at her.

"Professor, we've never had a breach. If she made it through then she has to have some sort of supernatural background."

"You can look at her and see shes clearly human!" the lady he referred to as Evelyn argued.

"She could be half human and something else. Go ahead and start your class, professor, I can take it over from here," He smiled at her ignoring her attitude. He must be used to the womans rude behavior by now. She started to say more but thought better of it. With a dramatic huff she stormed out of his office.

"Dont mind her, shes really not as bad as she let's on. Here have a seat so we can clear this issue up." He gestured towards the empty black chair in front of his desk. Everything in his dark office was black.

I sank into the chair nervously. I sat my suitcases at my feet along with the dusty old book. The amulet was still glued to my hand. I wasnt about to let it go.

"What's your name?" He asked leaning forward with interest. His chocolate eyes were still studying me with curiousity.

"Josie."

"I'm Silus Salvatore, the headmaster here at Bennett. Do you have a last name?" He had a warm way of speaking. His tone made me feel a sense of safety. I hoped it wasnt a vampires way of preparing to feed on you.

"No, sir. I was left at the orphanage as a baby with only a first name left with me. I didn't take a last name because I want to find my real one."

"Is that why you came here?"

"Yes,sir."

"I have to say I'm impressed. I've never seen anyone brave enough to cross over like you did. What made you decide to do that?"

I took a deep breath as I slowly opened my hand to reveal the amulet. He inhaled sharply and sat back in his chair in silence. I waited for him to say something but he just sat staring at the object in my hand. I could tell he recognized it.

"Do you know what you're holding?" He finally asked.