The Protectors: New Generation Book 1

17 - Cabin In The Woods - Tallulah POV

The world starts closing in on me as soon as I wake up. This is it. I'm leaving my old life behind. I stuffed as much as Miriam will let me bring into a suitcase and duffle bag last night. After I wake up and get ready for the day, I pack my box of memories and mementos. Spencer helps me lug them downstairs. Miriam isn't sure I will have much access to the internet or cell service, but I bring my laptop and cell phone, just in case.

Since the day after the Fourth of July is a Sunday, I'm going to have a hard time finding someone to print my pictures. When I express my concern to Miriam, she assures me that we can get everything printed. It's important to me to have pictures from home, so I am glad to hear I will be able to print these soon. Not even making it to the car, I miss my family already.

We load up Miriam's rental car and set out for the cabin somewhere in the woods. We go towards and over the mountains on I-40 with plenty of curves in the roads, and I don't know when we will actually stop for something other than a bathroom break.

I break the silence. "How does magic exist?"

"The reason for its original existence is hotly debated, but people with magic in their blood can perform magic because they can draw energy out of themselves, others, the environment, and the DE."

"The DE?"

"Sorry, I'm used to calling it that. The DE is the Dexameni Energeias, which is Greek for 'pool of energy.' The most popular theory is that when the universe was created, the Divine Couple decided that this 'pool of energy' could be an energy source for magical creatures. Don't ask me why the Divine Couple created magical creatures."

"So, why don't witches just get rid of evil people?"

She grins.

I'm not so sure what is so amusing about my question.

She concentrates on the road for a while before she answers.

"If things were only that easy. The idea is similar to the Ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. Everything needs balance. For example, if you have light, then you need dark. If you have spring, then you need fall. If you have good, then you need evil. The Ancient Ones always strive to maintain a balance within life."

"The Ancient Ones?"

"A talk for another time. You'll hear more about them during lessons. To continue about the use of magic. There is also the real possibility, although a lot would have to happen, that the DE could get drained of all its energy. If this happens, the existence of magic ceases."

"That little bit of information on the DE would explain some questions that might come up."

"Actually, it explains a lot about why certain things do and don't happen. Why some things do and don't exist. How some people can do things when others can't."

I nod my understanding and then change to lighter topics to try and get to know Miriam even more. She is my grandma after all. Maybe I'll call her that soon.

Finally, we drive up a dirt road that leads back into the surrounding forest - an estimated two and a half hours later. What I see when we get to the end is beautiful. It looks like a two story cabin with large windows and what looks to be a view from the back side. Trees cover the area except for around the cabin. There is some sort of clearing not far off.

Stepping out of the car, I immediately notice the change in temperature from home. The trees provide a canopy, shielding most of the area from the sun beating down. The smell of earth mixes with a wet, musty smell - a smell that reminds me of what wet leaves piled on the ground - seemingly forgotten.