Masked

viii. E***

viii. Emerald

For a brief moment, it was still in the darkness. 

I didn't feel anything. I didn't hear anything.

Just still. 

But then a feeling from deep within my body started to make a presence. It was small at first, almost went unnoticed. But it grew. It felt like it was taking twists and turns and overall felt weird within my body. It wasn't excruciatingly painful but it wasn't a good feeling either. 

It somewhat made me gasp as it took over my body and seemed to consume me. I couldn't stop it even if I tried. Just when the feeling seemed to become worse, there was a warming effect that instantly went throughout my body. It felt calming and relieving. 

And just like that, I was back in Malena's living room, looking at her. 

"You alright?" she questioned. I nodded my head. "Okay good. How well is your sense of smell?"

"Uh pretty good I'd say," I respond. "I'm able to smell the rotting egg salad in your fridge."

Her eyes grew wide. "I completely forgot about that. Well okay then, are you able to smell an aroma off you?"

I sniffed and looked down at myself. There was a slight scent on my clothes due to me wearing them for a while, but as for my skin. I didn't smell anything. Bringing my wrist to my nose, I sniffed harder and, again, didn't smell anything. 

"I can only smell my clothes."

"Understandable," she says. "We will need to burn them before you leave."

"So now what?" I question. 

Handing me a cloth to clean the blood from hand, she snaps her fingers once more. Now the lights came back on and the candles were blown out. "I have to get in contact with my trainer and let her know the situation. But for the time being, I can teach you the basics of witchcraft, that way you're not completely clueless."

I nodded my head and prepared myself for this lesson. 

~*~

It had been a day of being with Malena. In that short period of time she taught me the basics of witchcraft: meditating, the different types of magic, the distinction as to what was good and what was evil, etc.

After sleeping on her couch that night, she woke me up at the crack of dawn. I expected due to her calling her friend the night before. From what she told me, she would be here today. How? I wasn't sure. 

"Here," she said to me sitting up. It was a stack of clothes. "Take a shower, wash your hair, everything. I know you don't have a scent but you can't be sure. Put your clothes that you're wearing right now outside the bathroom door and I'll burn them while you finish up."

"Do you have a toothbrush?"

"Everything is in the bathroom."

Nodding my head, I took the pile from her and head to the bathroom. Inside, I see the toothbrush and toothpaste along with facial wash and lotion. Instantly brushing my teeth and washing my face, I sigh happily. Though I had healed completely and basically looked like a new person, nothing felt better than being able to brush your own teeth and wash your own face. Debra would always have to do it for me over the years because I'd be too weak to do it myself. I was grateful to do it myself again. 

After I finished doing that, I easily began to strip out of my clothes. Placing them outside the door like Malena instructed, I got into the shower and began something I missed for such a long time. Behind my parents, showers were something I missed a lot. Brushing my teeth and washing my face was a close third. 

The warm water hit my back and sighed again of relief. Instantly getting my hair wet, I began to run my hands through it, scratching my scalp softly. Once my whole body was wet along with my hair, I began to wash my hair with the shampoo and conditioner she provided. Twice. Afterwards I washed my body with the soap- twice. 

By the time I finished, my nose was met with the smell of vanilla and Dove soap. Malena would have to restock once I was gone because there was barely half a bottle. Stepping out of the shower, I notice how much steam was on the mirror. At this point, I didn't know how long I was in the shower for. But telling by the mirror- I was in there for a good time. 

Drying off and lathering myself with lotion, I dressed in the clothes Malena provided. It was a simple outfit. A loose cropped striped black and white long sleeve shirt paired with black jeans but much more stretchy than what I remembered jeans to be. Placing my legs through them, I realized just how much stretch was in them and how comfortable they were. 

Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness by lamenk99, Polyvore.com

After getting dressed, I looked at myself in the still foggy mirror. I looked at my reflection, having not done so for years. I'm sure that if it weren't for the healing of my body, I wouldn't look like this. 

I ran my hand through my wet hair, not knowing what to do with it. I knew I didn't want to wear it down because of it's wetness. So randomly playing with it, something began to form and I realized I had braided it into a side braid and placed it in a bun. 

I stared at it in the mirror shocked that I was able to do something like that. I wasn't sure on how I was able to do but I knew better than to question it. 

Walking out in the hallway, I see the clothes gone but soon after I smelt gasoline and a fire coming from the living room. Walking barefoot to the living room, I see Malena sitting on the couch while my clothes were burning in the fire. Sitting next to her, she looked over at me and smiled. 

"You look beautiful," she says. 

"Thank you," I say softly. "May I ask you a question before your friend gets here?"

"Of course."

"Why are you so willing to help me?" I question. "I'm a stranger to you but yet you're helping me escape my brothers and now helping get my training. Why?"

She smiled softly. "You have so much to learn-"

"I know but-"

"Not just your witchcraft and werewolf training. But about yourself. You are more special than you know and you will have to come to understand that on your own. But just know that it's an honor to help you."

This didn't lessen my confusion, but before I could question it any further, there was a knock on the door.