The Boy and The Empath

Training and Trauma

The next couple days were normal. Cemetery meditation, guard practice, and seeing my aunt Serena at her witchy shop. I was helping her stock glass bottles when my phone went off. It was a text from Zeke.

"Hey, can you meet us at Miles's place tonight at six?" it said.

I guess this was really happening. I sent back a quick "Sure." reply and put my phone away.

"Everything okay?" my aunt asked.

"Yeah, it's great."

I finished up helping her stock the shelves and headed home. I needed to change my clothes and wash the incense out of my hair. I'm not a witch but there are some in the family. It never felt like the right place for me.

I pulled up to my little studio apartment, parked by the oak tree like I do everyday. I opened the door and was greeted by the smell of crisp apples and woods. I tended to move around a lot but this was the first time I felt like I could lay down roots, so I made it feel like a home instead of a hotel. Plants in every corner that got sun, a dark green couch, and a bookshelf filled to the brim. My bed was simple in all dark bedding and a small night stand on one side hosting a gold lamp and phone charger. I made my way to the bathroom to strip off the t-shirt and yoga pants I always wore when working with my aunt. I let my hair down out of the top knot and it cascaded around me like a dark waterfall hitting my waist. My green eyes were especially bright today. I turned on the shower to warm and hit play on my Getting Ready playlist. Dream by Fleetwood Mac playing through the speaker I had in the corner. The music filled the small bathroom and I began to sway and hum. Stepping into the shower singing "But listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness like a heartbeat drives you mad".

Finishing up with just enough time to drive there I grabbed my black boots and slipped them on as I got to the door. Pulling into the drive right on time I made my way to the door and rang the bell. I could hear loud barking. I don't remember there being a dog here last time.

Zeke opened the door and it took everything in me to keep my cool. Our eyes met and he smiled.

"I'm glad you were able to make it."

He stepped aside letting me in.

"Yeah, me too." I said walking through the door.

I was greeted by a large black dog barreling toward me. I knelt down.

"Fae, you shouldn't do that." Zeke said. "Hades, behave"

I simply put a hand up to stop him from continuing. The dog got to me and sniffed my outstretched hand as well as all the way around me. Once satisfied it gave me a kiss on the hand and then I gave him some ear scratches.

"Remember how I told you I can read people? Dog's are included. I knew Hades here wouldn't hurt me." I explained as I got off the floor.

"For a second there I thought you were just reckless." he said rubbing the back of his neck.

I replied with a little laugh and a smile.

"It smells amazing in here." I said eagerly.

Like before the whole house smelled of herbs and spices, as well as warmth that reminded me of fresh baked bread.

"Yeah, Asher is making dinner."

"It's still gonna be a while." someone I'm assuming Asher called from the other room.

"Oh yeah, I should warn you. He has incredible hearing. So you never really have privacy." Zeke explained.

"Lovely." I said sarcastically.