I hummed a low, familiar tone as I combed through my curly hair, smiling at my reflection. My blue eyes shone with happiness. I couldn’t tell why I was happy, but my younger self seemed to know, and I could feel it. The emotion was intense, deep, and gripping.
I grinned, reaching out to touch my image in the mirror. “Pretty,” I mouthed, giggling.
Seeing my younger self in the mirror gave me a nostalgic feeling. It reminded me of those nights when I cried myself to sleep because of the teasing I got from the others. I was the youngest, making it easier for them to bully me. Not only that, but I stood out with my curly blonde hair and blue eyes. Most of them had brown eyes and black eyes. I was the odd one in the bunch.
Sighing, I dropped the comb on the table. As I ran my little fingers through my hair, I couldn’t help the nagging feeling I got. Deep down, I felt like there was something I was forgetting, something that I shouldn’t have.
I couldn’t recall what I was doing before I slept off. Probably had dinner with my mates and went to sleep. I guess so.
“Soon, I would be the tallest in the entire kingdom,” I said, my voice filled with pride as I continued to check out my reflection.
Don’t dream on this, kiddo.
I was barely struggling to reach 5’6 at 23, and here was my younger self, talking about being the tallest. I would have laughed out had it been possible. Since I was stuck in my younger self-body, I had to endure her thoughts.
I got down from the small stool, and my dress pooled around me. The peach gown hugged my waist, not too tight, but enough for it to seem like a second skin.
I twirled around, giggling as the lace material circled the floor. I looked like a princess, and I felt like one. All I needed was a tiara for the look to be complete.
“I would -”
A blood-curdling scream caused me to pause. I whirled around, my gaze going to my door as more screams accompanied the first one. My heart skipped a beat as I continued to stare at the door. It took me a moment before I started towards the exit, my small feet making sounds on the tiles as I walked.
A strange gust of wind blew on the window, causing the bells on the curtains to rattle. And that sent my mind into overdrive. Gulping, I hastened for the exit as the screams became louder. I knew, just like my younger self, that the shouts weren’t for fun. It sounded like people in pain.
“Mama,” I whispered, placing my right palm over my heart as I rushed towards the door. The powerful gust of wind had managed to snuff out the candles my chambermaid lit for me. At the moment, I could only rely on the lights outside my window, to guide my steps.
A few paces from the door, someone threw it open, and my mum rushed in. She banged the door shut and dashed towards me.
“Mara,” she whispered, her tone filled with urgency.
The first thing I noticed the nearer she got was the blood on her forehead before I spotted how dark her eyes had gotten. It seemed like I was staring into a void. Her once-blue eyes were as dark as the night, and her blonde hair, which was so much like mine, had turned red.
Beast.
Was the first word that came to mind at her appearance. She wasn’t human. That I could tell.
“You are not my mother,” I muttered, taking a step away from her. “You are a monster!” I yelled, raising my hands towards her.
At first, I thought it was a protective instinct until I noticed something odd. Red sparks were coming from my palms. They looked like lightning but coated with blood.
“What???!” I screamed inwardly, almost fainting at the sight, but my younger self didn’t seem as scared as I was to have something like that come from her.
What the hell was going on???
How… I’m human, right??? Right??
My mum’s lips lifted at the sides as she watched me, her eyes filled with joy. “You finally conjured it, darling.” Though there was a hint of urgency in her tone, it wasn’t enough to conceal the pride in her voice. ” You are a true witch, princess.” She reached out to me once more, but I took a step back. While I tried to process what was happening, my younger self seemed to think of something else.
“You are not my mum!”
While my younger self argued, my mind kept on playing out her words. Witch? I’m no fucking princess!
“Of course I am!” Mum lifted her hands in surrender. “This is my true form, Mara, and yours as well. Weren’t you excited about the ritual night?” She squatted in front of me, smiling kindly. “I’m Mama. You know that, right?” She reached out to me, and I coiled in fear, but my younger self didn’t.
I stared at her as Mum placed her hand over my heart. “You can feel it deep within you, right? I’m still your mum.”
“Mama!” My younger self rushed towards her and hugged her, much to my perplexity. I figured she feared the woman standing in front of us, but it didn’t seem to be the same at all. The moment she enveloped our mum in a hug, the red streaks coming from our palms went out. “Mum, I’m scared,” I whispered, hugging her tight.
“Don’t be.” Her voice was soothing as she patted the back of my hair. “Mama needs you to assure her something.” She placed both hands on my shoulder, so I could stare into her bleak eyes.
“What?”
“Promise me you will live a happy life,” she whispered, sniffing back tears.
“Mum?” I reached towards her, to wipe the tears off. “Why are you crying?”
A loud bang caused my mum to look towards the door, and when she turned to face me, the expression of urgency had returned to her face.
“We have little time, Mara,” she said as she got to her feet and took my hand in hers, tugging me to my bed.
“Mum -”
“Shh.” She set me on the bed and started murmuring words as she made gestures in the air. I watched her, mesmerized by everything. As she kept on mumbling words, a red mist appeared in the air, forming until it looked like a hole.
“Mummy loves you.” She leaned down and planted a kiss on my forehead.
“Mum -”
“Don’t forget, mummy cares for you. That’s why I’m doing this.” She placed her right thumb on my forehead and murmured some words once more. I could tell what she was saying, but the more words she uttered, the lighter I felt, until it seemed like I was floating in the air.
“I love you,” she whispered before she pushed me into the fog, just as the door burst open and someone rushed in.
“No!” I yelled, reaching out to her before the pink mist swallowed me.
I screamed, jerking up from sleep, to see my mates staring down at me with mixed expressions on their faces. Awe. Fear. Confusion. Dread.