Not So Sweet Candyland

XXXII: A Blessing or a Curse!

Chase caught Berry in his arms. There was a moment where everything was like magic, even the world seemed to sparkle for a second.

"You don't have to stare at me anymore. I get it, I'm good looking. You had your moment, don't drop me... please."

Chase let Berry down and Berry lost her balance, falling into Chase's chest.

She got red and then looked away.

"I guess you still smell like cologne. Smells horrible."

That's when they continued on with their adventure, Chase had something to ask Berry.

"Berry?"

"Yes?"

"What happened to you? At the diner? You changed into a completely different person. Was that on accident or on purpose?"

Berry looked at the ground.

"There are many things that I know, but what happened in that moment, even I don't know what happened. It was a freak incident that, the power of that magic was astronomical beyond my normal faults of magic. And, magic isn't even my strong suit or my primary weapon."

She ran for a little and looked back at Chase.

"I have no idea how something like that would have happened. And, to be honest, who even knows?"

"Did your mother have magical abilities just like you?"

"I don't think that she can learn them because she's a human. She must have tried or something, because there is one spell that I know that can only be processed by a memory."

"And what's that?"

"Pienso Hoiu Ratifica Gadriar! Summon the spirit of Marissa O'Leary!"

A massive poof arose and Berry was now transformed into Marissa, but the spell faded in an instant.

"I felt it for a second, and even for a minute. Did you see that too?"

"I did, that was not you at all."

Berry regained her composure and looked Chase straight in the eye, but only for a second, and then she went into a shock and looked away.

"Did she.... actually learn magic? And, as a human with no connection to the sages? Oh my goodness, so many questions that I wish I could ask my mother. She's not here, so what do I do?"

That's when Berry thought of an idea and started to prepare a spell.

"Oh Mirror of the Earth, show me the face of my mother, show me Marissa O'Leary!"

A mirror suddenly formed made up of twigs and leaves, and then, a ripple in the glass caused a vision of Marissa to show up in the glass.

"Vanessa? Is that you? What are you still doing here in Candyland?"

"Mother, it's me. I don't know if you can hear me in the real world or not, but it's me. You're daughter, I'm alive, mom! I'm alive!"

Marissa had a smile on your face.

"I knew that you would push through after years of trauma and abuse from your father. Look at you now, if I could see you again, I would, I wanted to save you, but then I realized that I couldn't go back, and I tried, Vanessa, I really did."

"Mom, please don't say that it's your fault when you couldn't help what was going on. I'll admit, I was at fault too, for not listening to you at times, and I couldn't see that you were suffering. You were so withdrawn that you only went to me to help you cope. Mother, I love you."

"I love you too, Vanessa. Always have and always will. Anyways, do you have a question for me?"

"I do, mom. Did you learn magic while you lived in Candyland?"

"Well.... I think that I was able to pick up on the basics of some tricks and spells, but no defensive or offensive magic. It was little spells, because I knew that violence is not the answer with magic, and I'm sure that you feel the same."

Berry nodded.

"The last spell that I used was "Urieli Randevous" which erased the thought of me from most candisons unless they see me in a picture again. It might seem like a decision from your father, but I did it for my personal good, and I wanted you to be the one person that remembers me because you know why?"

The mirror extended an arm out and touched Berry's cheek.

"You are the daughter that although at first, I never wanted, I grew a bond with you because you're just like me. My mini me as they say. You are smart, you're cunning, you're brave, but most importantly, you have a heart. The only thing that is different is that you are more tough and rugged than I ever was. You say that you don't want the fairytale ending, but I know my daughter like the back of my hand. You're just too shy to admit it to anybody."

Berry scoffed and looked down.

"I don't want the Candyland fairytale ending like everybody else wants here. I just want to live a normal life like you, mon. I knew that I never belonged in a place like this, but you'll be surprised because I'm not on this adventure alone."

Berry brought Chase over to the mirror.

"This is Chase, he's from Colorado."

"Colorado, eh? I'm from Vermont."

Berry giggled.

"What do you think about him, mom?"

"Well, he seems like a boy that puts you first, always and lets you do what you want. But you know, you don't need my approval for everything, you know?"

"I know. You told me that it's my thoughts and opinion that matters most. Other people are like a guide, and unless they are big trouble, nothing else matters."

"Good. Anyways, I have to go now and study some more. I'm on my way to get my masters in chemistry. I hope that the next time I see you is when you and Chase come back to the real world. Goodbye, I love you, Vanessa."

"I love you too, mom!" Berry had tears in her eyes and the mirror fluttered away to nothing.

Chase looked at her.

"Was that real?"

"We see her, but it's only a crazy scenario in her head, like she's sleeping or daydreaming about us."