Call the Witch

Chapter 5 The Supposed Witch meets the cursed Family

My brother was conscious but weak. After spent the first night at home, I brought Fáinne when our class finishes, such as we had agreed. Nervously, she smoothed out her shirt tucking it into her uniform's skirt.

"I brought a gueeeeeest!" I yelled coming in the front door, as I had forgotten to advise my family that I had invited Fáinne to our home. "And is female! So if somebody hasn't been wearing pants, now is the time!"

She raised an eyebrow.

My father, from the kitchen, which it was after the dining room, turned and looked at me, puzzled.

"Damn, Evan, she's gorgeous!" he exclaimed. Was notable that he was content about Woody's awakening. "And I thinking you were silly."

"Dad!"

I felt more embarrassed than when a "friend" took my pants and underwear down in front of the whole world when I was twelve. I looked at Fáinne from the corner of my eye. I didn't know that someone so white could turn so red.

My father placed a hand on my shoulder, a sign of he wanted to tell me something.

"I give you permission to run away" I said. "Come on, go up. I'm coming"

Without a second thought, she started to going up the staircase close to the kitchen's arch. She was not even able to say hello.

"Is she? The one you like?" He whispered.

I blushed a little and nodded.

"She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. After your mother, of course"

"Of course, of course." I affirmed wryly. "Move away dirty old man. I saw her first." I warned jokingly, without raising my voice too much, now that Fáinne was waiting at the top of the stairway"

I was surprised and happy about we still were able to joke, or at least fake a good mood.

We entered my brother's room and she placed a little bottle of whisky and a packed of tobacco on the window sill.

"I'll explain you later. He looks a lot like your mother," She observed in a low voice, looking at Woody.

"How do you know?" I asked in alarm.

"You have a photograph in the dining room"

"Ah."

"How old is he?"

"Six."

I looked like my father since I was of strong complexion. On the contrary, my brother was more delicate, just like my mother. His hair was butternut and his eyes were water-green, same as my mother's.

We approached the bed where Woody was sleeping. Slowly, he open his eyes.

"Hi, champ." I greeted without raise my voice and kissed his forehead.

"I'm too mature to be called champ." He complained in a so low voice that I barely heard him.

"Oh, excuse me sir."

Then he looked to Fáinne. He stretchet out his little arm towards her, extending his hand and she, overwhelmed, after a few moments of hesitation, took it while looking in his eyes. Almost immediately, Fáinne seemed withdrawn.

"You... will save me?" He asked innocently, getting her out of her self-absorption.

She looked at him perplexed and made my hair stand on end, even though he was my brother.

I knew that Fáinne didn't know what to answer. She didn't want to lie to him or give him false hope. It was clear that she had no idea of the result.