The Witchness (English version)

Chapter 7

2 a.m.: Ewan is standing in the kitchen, only the candles that glow from the next room give him light in an otherwise pitch-dark room. Leaning his elbows on the kitchen counter and looking empty, he stares out of the kitchen window into the dark night. His eyes follow the blinking dots in the sky. Even as a child he had loved to look up into the star-studded sky and to want to recognize the zodiac signs. His gaze is empty but only the thoughts rage and rage in his head. All of a sudden he is torn from his thoughts into reality. He turned around in shock when he heard the creaking door. Sarah stands in front of him with slightly narrowed eyes. Your eyes are blinded by the candlelight. "Good morning," says Ewan with a playful smile. "Very funny," replies Sarah, rubbing her eyes. "I just wanted a drink," she adds. Ewan moves to the side to let her over to the glasses and the sink. "Why are you still awake?" She asks him, takes a glass and fills herself with some water. '' I couldn't sleep and I thought I'd tidy up something here, '' replies the blond boy. Sarah takes the glass from her lips and looks at him with a raised eyebrow. '' That doesn't look like tidying up. More like a dreamy look into the night. '' '' Hm ... '' says the boy. "May I keep you company or do you want to stare at the night sky alone?" Sarah just stares at him questioningly as she waits for his answer. While the young man is still thinking, she takes another sip of water. "No, you can keep me company," he says in a low, calm voice. He takes the empty glass from the girl's hand and puts it in the sink, then, as before, he leans against the kitchen counter and looks out the window. Sarah comes a step closer and finally stands next to him like the boy and looks out the window up to the stars. '' My mother and I used to always look for constellations. She always told me stories about the development of the starry sky, '' says Sarah. The reflection of the shining dots in the sky can be seen again in her doll-sized emerald green eyes. ''Really? When I was little, I always did that too. I just didn't have anyone to tell me stories, '' says Ewan in a calm, soft voice.

Sarah looks at him. Her eyes show a glimmer of sadness. She tries to visualize the moment when Ewan looks alone at the stars then she thinks about her mother and these moments. Your eyes fill with tears. but after blinking a few times they were gone again. She didn't want to cry in front of him. '' I'll tell you one if you want, '' she says. Ewan turns his head to her and looks straight into her eyes. He can see the glitter and sparkle in them from afar. '' Yes ​​... very much, '' he says afterwards. Sarah looks back at the night sky. '' My mother always told me that stars are souls. Each star belongs to an already redeemed soul. When you look up into the sky at sunset and see a star, the first you see is always that soul that is most dear to you. They are always with you and protect you, even if it is during the day and you actually cannot see them, they are still always with you and the soul that belongs to you shines brightest. She has also always said 'when life gets too overwhelming, just look at the night sky and lose yourself for a while'. Just before she died, she took my hand tightly in hers, looked into my eyes and said, 'If you miss me, just look up in the night sky and remember. I am like a star: sometimes you cannot see me, but I will always be with you ''. And you know what? I remember.'' Sarah turns her head to the boy. He looks into a face with a broad but sad smile. Tears roll down her cheeks and her eyes show memories. Ewan gets up from his pose, wipes the tears from her face with his sleeve and says with a slight smile: '' I will remember ''.

The two of them sit on the sofa in the living room in front of the fireplace and talk for hours. They talk about their admission to the Academy, part of their past, sorcery, the stars, and so much more. 5:15 am. Ewan is sitting on the couch with his head propped in his hand and his elbows on the back of the sofa. Sarah is sitting right next to him. Your arms crossed on the armrest, your head on top, your legs bent. She fell asleep at some point. Ewan looks at her dreamily and with a delicate smile on his face. He tries to memorize all their contours, facial features and colors. It reminded him of a very important person who was in his life. After a while he gets up carefully, takes her in his arms and carries her back to her room. It's not that difficult at all. Even easier than he thought. With a skillful movement of his hand and foot, he opens her door and gently places her in bed, puts the blanket over her shoulders and quietly walks outside. After he closed the door, Ewan stands in front of it for a moment with bowed head and a thoughtful look. He remembers a certain time. It's been almost half a century, but it feels like it happened a few days ago. Ewan shakes his head as if he wanted to fend off something, then he goes into his room two doors further. He can't help but move to the window and watch the stars disappear. The sun is already rising and some of the bright spots are getting paler. He leans against the windowsill, looks up at a large shining star. As if trying to persuade someone who is sleeping, he whispers: "I will remember".