When I moved to Haenvale, they did not like that I was a predator shifter with this disease. They allowed me to move there, but I felt more comfortable just outside of the limits of the town. I requested to buy some land and to build a home in the woods the residents avoid. Close enough to get help when I needed it, far enough away from their judgment. Luckily, there was a house already in place, long empty, and mine thanks to the land sale.
All of it was very strange. I did not know why the town kept away from the place, still I was grateful for it when I was stuck in my dingo form for days at a time when the sickness was bad. Except one time, when I needed them to stay away most, someone did explore the woods.
Near the end of my time in Haenvale, I was stuck in my shifted form. I tried to attack someone, Imri. The poor little creature escaped without injury by some minor miracle. The sheriff came to me in the days after to tell me I was to leave if I could not control myself.
By that time, I’d met them. They were the reason I left when I did. None of us could afford attention. I felt terrible for the boy I’d scared, but I was not welcome in the town to apologize. They told him he made it up and I had to go along with it.
There is a family of witches in the woods. I love them, Imri. I couldn’t bring more trouble on their heads, not for anything.
The witches are the sole reason the town doesn’t use the place. They were ostracized generations ago because their magic is too strong for the inhibitors. A handfulof witches had more magic than all of Haenvale combined. The town at the time refused to let them be, fearing they would take over when all they wanted was help. The townspeople shunned them, forcing them to make a living in the woods. When I met them, there was the mother, the eldest son of about ten and two little ones. They grew and hunted their own food. I was in awe of how self-sufficient they could be. Sometimes they snuck into town and stole things like medicine or clothing. I don’t think anyone in the town knows they are there now. They wouldn’t let me tell anyone, threatening to hide if I did. I couldn’t break their trust. That’s why I went into the hospice. To protect them from the town.
When I met them, one of the littles was sick and the eldest boy came to me begging for my help. I gave them everything I had. Everything. All the food, medicine, my old clothes. Everything. Then I just ordered more.
Their mom wouldn’t take it. She was a proud woman. Her husband had died of a fever after an injury and she’d done her best alone with them. We struck a deal. She and the kids would help me around the house, cooking, cleaning, some gardening,then I would teach the kids how to read. She struggled with it herself. One day, she hoped they would leave for a different place, one where they would be accepted. Once they could control their magic better.
As the eldest, Rowan, grew, he helped me with the repairs the place needed after many heavy winter storms caused damage. He’s a good kid. Very smart.
Just before I moved into the hospice, their mom died. It was such a difficult time for us all. I tried to get them to move with me, but they refused. I begged them to come with me, but Rowan was fifteen, his magic was more unstable than ever, and they were grieving. The woods were all they knew.
I didn’t abandon them and I beg you not to either. They’ll need you. It’s been three years, Imri. I’m scared for them. Every month, I’ve had supplies sent to the shed for them. Food, clothes, medical supplies, books. We talked regularly on the phone. I checked on them as much as I could. There was no one I could trust to go there. My sister would have loved them hard, but they weren’t ready for her. They need a gentler hand. They need you. My gut tells me it had to be my little nephew.The boy who used to sit at my knee and ask a million questions.
The kids know all about you. They’ve seen photographs. I told them to expect you in the weeks and months after I’m gone. Please don’t delay in calling them. I’ve left Rowan’s number, but we’ve got a signal worked out too in case this letter lands in the wrong hands.
Sandy and Berry are ten now. They all need magical training, schooling that Rowan can’t do himself. Get him to help you fix up the house, I’m sure it’s in a bad state and I’m sorry about that.
See, I gave you this house because I knew you’d have the heart and courage to help these kids, because you know what it’s like to be forgotten as the youngest. Your moms did their best, they are good people, but I know you were alone a lot more than they’d liked. More than I liked.
I see a lot of myself in you, Imri. I know you’ll do what’s right by Rowan, Sandy and Berry. Don’t go looking for them, they’ll come find you. Remember what I used to do when you were little and upset? That’s our signal.
I’ve left my usual order in a folder in the house. It’s all paid for until six months afterI’m gone and comes from the next town over, so no one in Haenvale knows about it.
Don’t trust the town to do what’s right. Agnes, their mother, begged me not to ask them to help. I fear she had tried once, only to be denied. Trust your gut. I’m sorry for giving you this burden, but there was no one else I could entrust them to except for you.
I feel in my heart I’ve chosen the right person.
May you have a long and happy life with your fated mate by your side.
Love, Uncle Malik.
A family. Three children, well, one young adult and two kids were a lot to deal with. It explained a lot. Like why the house was in better condition than I thought it would be. How Malik had managed all those years there, apparently alone, because he wasn’t, he’d had friends, a pseudo family of his own.
How was I going to lure them out? My memories of my time with Uncle Malik were fuzzy.
The deliveries were gone. So I had to assume the kids were okay, though it wasn’t long until the order stopped. They were my responsibilitynow that in effect, I was their guardian, I had to do things right. I wondered if I could convince them to share the house with me. I had no clue what their home was like. Maybe it was better than what I had. The witches had lived in the woods for this long, there had to be a sort of community, or the remains of one. It sounded like the kids were the last, the rest long died out.
I finished my sandwich and looked through my supplies for something sweet to tempt them out with once I remembered that’s what he used to do for me.
When I was sulking about something, he would leave a candy bar on a tree trunk in our yard. Usually I hid in my shifted form and the smell always lured me out of my hiding spot.
Should I leave a note for them? Malik said he was sending books, they could read some. They had a phone. I’d text them too.
There was so much to do! I’d have to assess where they were with their learning, if they were healthy, if they had all they needed.
My thoughts brought me up short. A sense of rightness tightened my chest and tears pricked at my eyes. My uncle had really blessed me with this task. He’d given me a sense of purpose forthe first time in my life. This was something only trusted to me.
With shaking hands. I sent a text to the number. With it was a photo of a fallen tree, a couple of candy bars on top.
Imri
