Night Touched

Changes

I got out of Tony's car stepping into the darkness of the night. A cloud was hiding the moons light from view, making everything see more ominous somehow. I shuddered, as much from the cool breeze on my flesh, as the heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I shuffled my feet forward kicking a few lose pebbles to and fro absentmindedly. I noticed that Ruby's glamour spell had finally worn off and I was back to my flour covered shirt.

I guess nothing lasts forever.

The clouds moved across the sky and when the moon emerged from behind their shroud, I gasped. The moon had turned a deep crimson color. I paused, gaping at it for a moment and saw a shooting star fall through the skies in the direction of my house. Not being one to dismiss signs, especially ones the Gods sent from the heavens. I began to run towards the house, dread claiming every inch of my body, hollowing out my gut.

The tree line parted and our small cottage came into view ahead of me. I noticed immediately, that the front door was ajar and the windowpane next to it was broken. My heartbeat quickened as I said a small protection spell under my breath, "Praesidium." Feeling the magic run over me like a shell.

I looked around the yard, for anything I could use as a weapon and grabbed a shovel from the garden. I picked it up as quietly as I could wrapping my fingers around the wooden handle. Walking towards the house carefully, listening for any signs of trouble. My ears strained to pick up any sound, but all was still.

I put my back to the wall beside the door and took a deep breath to steady myself before I peeked inside through the open crack.  The foyer had furniture strewn about all over the place. The drawers from the desk were overturned and their contents spilled onto the floor haphazardly. The lights were still on but there was an eerie silence that fill the space.  I abandoned all caution then, my fear taking over, going further into the house.

"Mom? Mom, where are you?" My voice shaking and full of panic.

I waited for a response, any response and got none.

I walked down the hallway slowly clutching the oven like a baseball bat. My nerves were on edge as I peered into the empty bathroom. I turned the corner towards the kitchen and gasped at what I saw.

The kitchen looked like a war zone. There were apples all over the floor from where the fruit bowl had fallen. My breath caught in my throat; making an odd choking noise; as I noticed that the container of knives was overturned onto the counter and smears of blood where on the counter and floor.  Reddish brown streaks of partially congealed blood across the tile floor; as if something, or someone, had been dragged out the back door.

I followed the trail of blood over towards the ajar back door. The door was dangling from its hinges; the wood splintered and scorched.  I stepped out carefully onto the back patio. The patio also showed signs of a struggle, but of a more magical kind. There were scorch marks littered across the furniture as well as upon the back of the house; and there was blood splatter was everywhere. I felt bile rush up into my throat, burning my esophagus, in my terror.

What had happened here? Where was my Mother?  Why was there so much blood?

I scanned the yard for any signs of life or movement  and had only the dark, stillness of the forest for an answer. I walked over to our greenhouse, in the back corner of the property, slowly. I was gripping the shovel so tightly that my knuckles we white and my palms were thick with cold sweat from my fear. My shirt clung to my goosebump covered flesh; as I pushed the greenhouse door open with the tip of my shovel.

I saw a sigil that I didn't recognize, painted on the floor in blood just inside the entryway to the potting room. I looked past an overturned bench and strangled sob escaped my lips. My knees buckled underneath me and I fell to the ground, and that's where I found her. Mama Claire's lifeless body was laid out in between the bench rows on the ground of the greenhouse.

"Noooooo," I sobbed. Hot tears fell from my eyes staining my cheeks.

I dropped the shovel to the ground with a clatter. My hands shook violently and I tried to shake her awake. It was no use; her skin was already cold to the touch.

"No Mama, you can't leave me yet." I demanded. "Please Selene, help her! Please , no I can't lose her." My words stuck in my throat as I choked on my despair.

I took a shaky breath and looked at my Mother. Her body had been carefully laid out; it seemed purposeful. Almost like I was meant to find her like this. Her throat had been slashed; and the same strange sigil was written in blood beside her. There was a large gash in her abdomen, where a large amount blood had soaked through her clothing. I hugged her body and sobbed for what seemed like an eternity.

I had lost my mother, the only person I had ever known as family. I was truly alone now.

I looked at my mother with tears in welling up in my eyes and noticed that there was something sticking out of her left hand. I hesitated, and slowly reached down trying to steady myself in my grief.

I should have come home earlier! I could have stopped this. I should have been here. I thought wracked with guilt.

I took her hand into mine, and gently pulled on her fingers to see what she was holding. It was a folded piece of paper. On the paper it simply said Norwood, Aurora in her Mom's handwriting.

What does that mean? Who did this to you? I have to get help.

My mine raced and my grief consumed me. I walked out of the greenhouse again into the night. I needed some fresh air. I took some deep breaths before falling to my knees again in my sorrow.

"Why did you have to take her from me?" I yelled angrily into the night. Why, Gods why? I didn't understand. Mama Claire had always kept to herself and didn't have any enemies I could think of. Everyone who knew her, loved her.

My walls of self control crumbed around me; and all I felt was raw pain. My mind broke open then; and I sensed something stir within it.

I can help us. A voice said in my mind. Let me out.

I surrendered to the unknown, just wanting to end the raw hurting in my chest.

Suddenly I felt my fingers snap back and I yelled out painfully. I looked down at my right hand and it contorted wildly. My eyes widened in fear. Crack. Snap. Oh Goddess, what's happening to me. A hot searing sensation rippled down my back and I heard the undeniable tear of clothing. I contorted violently, my body twisting. An unnatural sound escaped my lips, as the searing sensation burned through my flesh. Crack. Crack. Pop.

What the fuck is going on, help me please. I pleaded silently.

My turn. I heard within my head and saw a vision of a silver wolf. 

Lyra blacked out from the panic.