Silent Storm

Isabella paces up and down the seeker’s aisle of the Academy Library.

She flips page after page of a book then throws it on the floor in frustration just as she did with all the other books scattered around her.

“Izzy what have you been doing all these years? Why can’t you figure this out?” she says to herself as she continues to pace and hold her head.

“Ok calm down, you’ve been using the eye Rune to try locating her, that’s fair enough, but she’s using her dark magic to counter it.”

She continues pacing then stops in her tracks. “That’s it,” she says, then takes a seat on the library floor with her legs crossed, and the strands of Cordelia’s hair clutched tightly in her hand.

“Rune of the Rings, connect us as one, for if we resist, we’ll surely be done,” she begins to recite as she summons the Rings Rune.

“Show us the truth, lest we be deceived, Rune of the Eye, your insight received.”

“We stand at the Crossroads, our path is unclear, remove every obstacle, for victory is near,” she concludes, as the three runes converge at the center of the circle.

She begins to float a few inches above the library floor, her hair swaying from a gentle breeze blowing through the aisle.

Her eyes whiten and she suddenly finds herself in a room covered in darkness.

She stumbles around the room with outstretched arms and eventually lays eyes on a bright light in the distance.

She approaches the light and sees a large door protected by the Rune of Man, a symbol of an upward pointing arrow.

“Another obstacle,” she says to herself.

She stares at the door and takes several deep breaths.

“Rune of the Crossroads, clear my path!” she yells, and places a hand on the door.

The Rune of Man disappears and the door creeks open.

Isabella smiles proudly to herself and attempts to enter through the doorway.

Dark tentacles immediately emerge from the doorway, tightly wrapping around Isabella’s body, restricting her movements.

She tries to struggle free but to no avail, as the tentacles begin to enter her mouth, suffocating her.

Her eyes water and she screams out in agony.

Her head snaps back and she gasps for air as she returns to her natural conscious state.

She falls to the floor and punches it in frustration.

“Why can’t I do this? What am I missing?” she asks herself, as tears trickle down her cheek.

A bright sparkle coming from somewhere within the pile of books on the floor quickly catches her attention.

“What in Gaia’s name?”

She rummages through the pile until she finds the source of the light.

She picks up a glowing red book and examines it.

“The Book of Abdication?” she says, as she stares at the book’s cover.

“I’m pretty certain I’ve never seen you in here before.”

She flips through the pages and sees they are all blank, which frustrates her.

She flips back to the first page and stares at it.

Words slowly begin to appear, with each subsequent word only being revealed as the preceding is read.

--Ambivalence, self-loathing, trepidation, feelings that have become common place for the witches of the Storm. The root cause of this unfortunate situation? The Academy’s insistence on clinging to the old ways. ‘Beware of the perils of Dark Magic’, ‘darkness consumes eternally,’ all nothing but myopic drivel. This book undoubtedly finds you in a situation of unparalleled desperation, where traditional methods have proven to be ill-suited to dealing with unorthodox problems. Just as all men have a right to their own choices, witches are similarly entitled. Will we continue to accept oppression with smiles on our faces, and pain in our hearts, or will we fully embrace both sides of the craft, and realize our full potential? True enlightenment can only be attained through the complete abdication of the clouded ideologies of the Academy—

Isabella slams the book shut. “What in Gaia’s name?”

She hurries over to the Librarian’s counter and hands her the book.

“Ms. Rijkard, do you have any idea who wrote this?” she asks.

The librarian examines the cover then flips through the pages.

“Was it written in invisible ink Ms. Munroe?”

“What, no,” Isabella responds, taking back the book.

“The Book of Abdication,” she says, running her fingers across the title to aid the librarian.

“Ms. Munroe, I mean no disrespect, but the book is blank, are you ok? Do you want me to call nurse May?

“No it’s fine, I’m just a bit exhausted that’s all.”

“You sure?”

“Yes no need to worry,” Isabella responds, scurrying out of the library with the book clutched tightly under her arm, as she passes Riley on her way out.

***

Vanessa sits on the infirmary bed with her arms crossed, refusing to make eye contact with Marie, who is standing over her with a disappointed look.

“Is this the kind of example you want to set for the students at this Academy V?” asks Marie, while placing her hands on her hips like a mother scolding a wayward child. “24 hours V, that’s how long you were out. That’s 24 hours you spent not helping me figure a way out of this mess,” she continues.

Vanessa continues to avoid eye contact.

“What if you were seriously injured?” asks Marie.

“Are you done?” Vanessa responds, finally breaking her silence.

“V, now is not the time for this attitude.”

“Marie, I’m warning you, get out of my face,” says Vanessa, climbing out of the bed.

“Or what Vanessa?” asks a relentless Marie.

“Lady Terrell, you sure you’re feeling ok to be out of bed?” asks Nurse May as she enters the infirmary, easing the building tension.

“I’m fine,” Vanessa grunts.

“Nevertheless, I still want to run a few more tests before I let you go.”

Vanessa gives Nurse May a fierce look.

“Just listen to her V,” Marie begs, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Vanessa sighs. “Fine,” she says, as she climbs back onto the bed.

Marie stares at her and smiles, while Vanessa rolls her eyes in annoyance.

Nurse May turns her attention to Marie. “Lady Stanislaus, have you spoken to your father about his condition?” she asks.

“Yes I have,” says a now saddened Marie.

“I pray to Gaia that you were able to convince him to let me test his blood.”

Marie stares at Nurse May in confusion. “Test his blood? How were you able to diagnose him without already testing his blood?”

“Diagnose him?”

“He said you told him he was just feeling the effects of the transference.”

Vanessa looks on at the exchange in silence.

“You and I both know the transference doesn’t make a Quin sick lady Stanislaus.”

Marie stares into space as she tries to rationalize this new development.

She recomposes herself and begins to march out of the infirmary.

“Where are you going M?” asks Vanessa.

“To talk some sense into a stubborn old man,” she responds, exiting the infirmary.

Vanessa and Nurse May look on as Marie leaves then stare awkwardly at each other.

“Do your checks May, so I can get the hell out of here,” Vanessa commands.

“We can’t rush the process Lady---,” Nurse May begins to say before being startled by a nasty glare.

“Right away Lady Terrell,” she says.

***

Riley, Jason, and team are seated on the Academy steps in deep conversation, as the protests continue outside the gates.

“Things seem to be unravelling quickly, don’t they?” asks Brain.

“Tell me about it dude,” says Muscle, who then turns his attention to Jason. “Your mom attacked Gaia, that was badass,” he continues with a smirk.

“You guys should have seen Ms. Munroe coming out of the library earlier. She looked completely out of it, not to mention Grandpa’s been acting all weird,” adds Riley.

“Wait back up, you were in the library? Asks Gale. “When did you learn how to read?” she continues.

“You know Gale, I’m really glad my brother doesn’t have to put up with you anymore,” Riley responds.

“Come on Riley, seriously,” says an upset Jason as he smacks Riley on the arm.

An awkward silence ensues but is quickly broken by an approaching Ike.

“Dude, your grandpa looks terrible,” says Muscle, as the team stares at Ike struggling toward them, coughing at intervals.

“Riley, come here!” Ike commands, keeping his distance from the team.

“What is it grandpa? You’re free to join us.”

Ike stares at Jason with disgust. “I rather not, come here I said!”

“Your time in the library hasn’t helped you to learn to read between the lines huh Riley?” says a furious Gale.

“Its fine,” says Jason, “I have to go check on my mom anyway.”

“Despicable old man,” says Gale as they walk away leaving a confused Riley alone with Ike.

Ike approaches him. “Riley, you’re too old to be this naïve, you can’t continue to live in ignorance of your family history.”

“Grandpa I don’t understand.”

“The things those people did to our family, you can’t even begin to imagine. You need to keep your distance from that boy.”

“Grandpa the past doesn’t matter.”

“Only fools disregard the past boy, don’t be a disappointment like your mother.”

“Grandpa why are you acting like this?”

Ike grips Riley tightly by the back of the neck. “You’re all I have left,” he says. “Don’t turn your back on your legacy,” he continues.

Riley tries to struggle free but fails.

“Father, unhand him now!” Yells a furious Marie.

Ike releases Riley and steps away.

“Riley leave us,” Marie commands.

“I think something’s seriously wrong with him mom.”

“I know baby, I’ll handle it,” she says as Riley reluctantly walks away.

“What were you telling him?”

“Just making sure the boy doesn’t make the same mistakes as his mother.”

Marie looks up at the sky in frustration. “When will it end father?”

“You know when girl!”

“Father you’re not well, and you need to let Nurse May analyze your blood.”

“The only thing wrong with my blood is that it also flows through your veins.”

Ike’s harsh words pierce Marie’s heart like a dagger, leaving her speechless, as tears trickle down her cheek.

“I’ll never apologize for who I am, not to you, or anybody else,” she responds, sobbing.

“Save your tears for the Terrell bitch,” Ike says as he walks away.

Marie’s sobbing is quickly interrupted by an increasing commotion outside the Academy gates.

She slowly approaches the gate and sees Cape Central Police dispersing the large crowd.

The blond, chiseled faced Captain Dean approaches the gate from the other side and Marie lets him in.

“I thought you could use some help,” says Captain Dean.

“Thanks, I really thought the protests would stop after yesterday, but we really messed up this time, haven’t we?”

“You sure have M, you and V need to find those kids and bring Dorian and Cordelia to justice once and for all.”

“Dorian’s dead Dean.”

“Do you still believe that M?” asks Captain Dean, leaving Marie speechless.

“No need to answer. Anyway M, if you want the protests to stop, you and V need to address the people directly, don’t ignore this.” He says, walking away.

“So, it’s M again now, no more Lady Stanislaus?” asks a smiling Marie.

“No need for the formalities when we’re alone,” says Dean, turning around to return a smile.

Marie blushes.

“Think about what I said M,” says Dean.

“You might be right,” says Marie, as she ponders to herself.