I stand on the front porch as the sun rises. Seb and Kai are waiting in their minivan, giving me time to say goodbye. I’m dressed in my massive gray sweatsuit, one of the only outfits I can wear in public to mostly be incognito. I’m shit at glamouring myself or shifting, but that’s what moving to Virginia is all about: gaining more powers. But I’m losing my adoptive parents.
“Well, I guess this is it.” I clap my hands. “Seventeen years later, this turtle is, uh…spreading his wings, or something.” I force a laugh, but my folks simply smile at me.
“You’ll always have a room here,” Papa says, pulling me in for a hug. “You be good to those two.”
“I will.” I hug him and fight back the tears. As annoying as they can be, they’re my folks, the ones who raised me after my parents died when I was barely more than a turtle hatchling. “I love you, Pop.”
“Love you too, Gordy.”
I turn to Mama and take in her glistening eyes. Despite their gray hair, they haven’t aged in the past twenty years, not to me. When I crouch down, she hugs me tightly. “Since the day you came into our lives, we knew you’d have a great destiny. And here you are.”
“Mama,” I reply. “I’m not sure about big destinies.”
“I am. The magic in my old bones tells me so.”
Looking away, I fight back moisture in my eyes. “You’re not old, Mama.”
“But you’re in your twenties now, Gordy. Go make as many connections as you can and go on adventures. It’ll help you grow.”
I highly doubt nonmagical folk will want to be friends with me, but I say nothing and nod at her. “Take care, honey. Kai and Seb will be good for you.”
“How do you know?”
“My divination.”
I let out a snicker. “Of course.” Leaning in, I hug her again. “You two need anything at all, you text me.”
She squeezes me and replies, “We have other friends in the coven. Plus, we have magic during the full moon.” With a tight-knit witch community, my folks should be able to summon group magic to do whatever yardwork or housework might be needed.
“Guess I’m not needed here then,” I say with a facetious chuckle.
When I pull back, Mama wipes a tear from her eye. “But you’re our boy, never forget it.”
“Thanks. I love you, Mama. I’ll call you.”
“You better. And be good, Gordy. You’ll meet something wonderful very soon.”
“Sure,” I say, trying to tamp down the sarcasm.
“No, you will. I’ve seen your future.” She chuckles and blows me a kiss. With that, I turn around and leave the swamp I grew up in. When I get into the car and buckle up, I take a deep breath. I have to believe in Mama’s divination powers; I need to believe something good is coming when I move to Cosmo, Virginia.
CHAPTER 2- LOXLEY
THE DREAM ISthe same as it’s been for the past two years: I walk down an avenue, and strangers amble about. Their faces are blank, but I can hear their whispers. It’s nonsense, and I know I’m dreaming, but I don’t want to wake myself up. In this dream state, I can…understand everyone, all at once.
And then one stranger grows a mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth. Fear courses through me and I try to run away, but they’re too fast. The stranger tackles me onto the ground, baring their teeth at me. No eyes, no facial features, just a jaw of fangs.
I should be frightened, but I don’t fear for my life. This being doesn’t seem to want to hurt me. I can hear their thoughts: “Help me. You can help me.”
And I believe them. I wave my hand, and the teeth dissolve into dust. With that, the stranger gets up and walks away, and I follow suit. The stranger fades into the crowd, and my chest feels lighter. Is this my destiny, to help people with magic?
But I’m so bad at it in real life.
Before I can wake up, I turn to see a taller figure shrouded in a ruby red glow. This person makes the magic sizzle inside me. “Familiar…” it whispers.
Then I wake up. The dreams keep growing more and more vivid every night. After swinging my feet around, I shake my head and rub my temple. Then, I put my glasses on.
I might as well get up. After all, today is my big move-out, move-in day, and my aunt is waiting for me. I just need to pack up my toiletries and bed sheets into my car, say goodbye to myparents, then drive off. Cosmo, Virginia awaits me, a future filled with witches who can help me hone my skills. And maybe they can interpret my dreams and let me know what the future holds for me.
