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In either case, evaluating the impacts of residual magic becomes an insurmountable challenge when we lack the means to directly interact with it.
Magic has been gone for decades. Two and a half, to be precise.
There are times I wish I would have been old enough to witness it. To observe beings undergo incredible transformations, their bodies morphing into various animals and creatures. To see the effortless summoning and manipulation of elemental forces, as natural as drawing breath.
Then again, there are times I’m glad I wasn’t witness to these events.
How could one ever adjust to the loss of such freedoms, to have the fabric of their life abruptly torn apart?
I imagine it’s a lingering ache, or akin to that of a phantom limb, for those who had observed or conjured such marvels. To have known that once upon a time, such fantasy was tangible and alive, only to be painfully aware of its absence in the world we inhabit today.
That was the reality my parents grappled with. They often argued with those who thought we were better off without the supernatural with particular vehemence.
My earliest memories are intertwined with the teachings of my parents, who fervently believed magic belonged in everyday life.They filled my young mind with stories of extraordinary beings and immense powers that once existed within our world. They instilled in me their unwavering belief that the magic would one day be restored and that this ancient power would find its way back into our lives.
They never mentioned when or how it would return, merely that someday, they were certain it would. Their tales of its awe-inspiring beauty and limitless possibilities left a bittersweet longing and an ache deep in my heart.
It was as if someone painted an intricate image only to draw the curtains on it. I could vividly imagine the vibrant colors and enchanting scenes they described, but deep down, I knew it could never compare to experiencing the real thing.
Hitting the two-and-a-half mile mark with the sun rising behind me, I pause before heading back the way I came. Having been here for a week, I’ve yet to explore further down the path or go to the lake itself.
I had decided early on that I’ll wait until I’m ready to take samples before I sully the environment with my disruptive presence. If there’s anything humans are particularly good at, it’s destroying beautiful ecosystems, and I refuse to contribute to that consciously.
It’s not long before the house comes into view, and with a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction, I turn the key in the lock and step inside, closing the door behind me. The familiar click of the deadbolt brings a sense of security as I toss the keys onto the side table and glance at my phone.
A sigh escapes my lips as I stare at the missed message notification.
Claire:They won’t stop until you face what happened, Lara. Let’s have a session today, and we can talk more about it.
Lara:I can’t today. We can meet tomorrow, I have free time after work. 5 PM.
The familiar sound of the coffee maker greets my ears as I make my way past the kitchen, its gurgles signaling the start of another morning brew. I inhale deeply, savoring the rich aroma that fills the air as if the smell alone could invigorate me. Someday, it’s my hope there will be a way to infuse caffeine directly into my veins, bypassing the need for a cupaltogether.
Chapter 2
The drive into town is eerily quiet, the dense forest on either side offering little comfort. Memories of the cottage, where the tragic incident took place, persistently invade my thoughts, flashing within my mind.
I can’t help but wonder if it’s the presence of the forest itself that fuels these unsettling visions, instead of my own reluctance to confront my past.
I snort internally.
Way to shift the blame, Lara.
As the trees dissipate and the town comes into view, breathing becomes easier and the tension in my body eases. The building our team is using for our research is a small lab that’s been purchased by the government. It may not be grand, but it adequately accommodates our essential supplies and the machinery transferred from our last project.
The lake is not terribly far from town, and the population of the surrounding areas is minimal in comparison to some of the other communities we’ve worked in. Regardless of the fact that I’m a mere eleven miles away, it still feels like I’m in the middle of nowhere.
Parking my car in the designated spot, I can’t help but roll my eyes at the nameplate staring back at me.
‘Reserved for Lara Ray.’
How self-absorbed that I have a plate with my name on it in an almost completely empty lot.
With my purse in hand and coffee in tow, I make my way inside, the sound of my heels echo on the laminate flooring as I approach the reception area, offering a friendly smile to Candace.
“Good morning, any messages?”
Candace is a shorter, slightly heavier-set woman with a bubbly personality and is one hell of a spitfire. Her dark brunette hair is highlighted with blonde and curls down her shoulders. As I approach, I notice her furrowed eyebrows and her focused gaze fixed on the screen in front of her as she finishes reading something, not fully acknowledging my presence yet.
