Memories

"Francis! Wake up; I've made breakfast!" My mother's voice woke me up, snapping me out of my dreamy sleep. I sighed and opened my eyes, squinting at the incoming daylight. I wasn't thrilled about getting up, but I knew there was no way around it. My brain needed time to kick into gear, so I just stared at the ceiling, daydreaming about a world where I didn't need food or water, and I could sleep indefinitely.

"Francis! If you're not in the kitchen in 5 minutes, I'm posting your baby pictures on Facebook," my mother jokingly threatened. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the kitchen without a second thought.

"Good morning, Ma,"

"Good morning, Małpko, how are you feeling?" she greeted me with a warm smile and a plate of breakfast. She sometimes called me "my little monkey," an endearing nickname. She said it was because as a child I loved to climb trees and not even once fell down.

"Feeling good. Can't wait to go for a walk in the forest with you again," I replied, my face lighting up with joy. Going for a stroll in our forest, basking in nature's beauty and lovely scents, was something I truly enjoyed.

"Sorry, baby, I can't join you today. Your dad's coming home, so I need to stay here and prepare dinner," she explained, looking a bit guilty. Her dark hair cascaded down to one side as she looked at me with her blue eyes, hoping I'd understand.

"Really?! I've missed him. Lately, he's been busy with the other coven members and hasn't had much time for me. It's okay. Can I go into the forest by myself?" I asked, giving her my best puppy-dog eyes.

"Of course, you can, but remember, you've got three hours," she reminded me.

"Okay," I agreed, sitting down at the table to devour my breakfast quickly. I wanted to finish as soon as possible so I could spend more time outside.

After enjoying a plate of pancakes topped with strawberries and honey, I went back to my room and got myself ready for the day. I slipped into a pair of blue jeans and threw on a loose black shirt. I gave myself one last look in the mirror and then darted through the kitchen to the back door.

"Bye, Ma! I'm off!" I kissed her on the cheek and darted out of the house, practically bouncing like a rabbit. I could hear her call after me, "Remember, three hours!"

I loved the forest with an unwavering passion, and I could never quite explain why. The moment I stepped beneath the canopy of trees, I felt as if I'd entered a piece of heaven on Earth. The forest was my sanctuary, my refuge from the chaos of the world.

The air, crisp and pure, filled my lungs with every breath. It carried with it the scents of pine, moss, and earth. It was as if the very essence of life was woven into the fabric of the forest, invigorating my senses.

But it was more than just the air; it was the entire natural environment. The forest was a living, breathing entity. It pulsed with energy and vibrancy. The melodies of birds filled the air, creating a symphony of nature's own composition. Each note, each trill, was a testament to the beauty of life.

And then there were the colours. Oh, the colours! The forest was an artist's palette, a canvas painted with the most vibrant hues. No matter the season, it was always majestic. In spring, the forest burst forth with the greens of new growth, delicate blossoms, and the promise of renewal. Summer painted the world with deep, lush shades of green, and the forest hummed with life.

Autumn brought a riot of reds, oranges, and yellows, a breath-taking display of nature's artistry. Even in winter, when the world seemed to slumber, the forest held its own enchantment. The purity of freshly fallen snow blanketed the landscape, transforming it into a winter wonderland.

No matter the temperature or the time of year, the forest remained a place of profound beauty and serenity. It was a reminder that nature, with all its complexities and simplicity, had an enduring grace that I couldn't help but be captivated by.

The forest was more than just a place; it was a source of solace, a reminder of the beauty and wonder that existed in the world. It was where I felt most alive, most connected to the rhythms of the Earth, and I cherished every moment I spent there.

According to my coven, I was meant to be the guardian of the nature spirits themselves because I connected more strongly to magic when I was near the fauna and flora, especially in the forest.

You see, witches could only use their magic by drawing from their own energy or the energy around them. It was far easier to use the power within yourself than to harness the energy around you. Some witches couldn't tap into external sources at all.

I couldn't help but think there was some truth to what my coven said. Each time I ventured into the forest, I felt recharged. It was like pure energy flowed through the air and the grass, slowly wrapping around me, like a gentle summer breeze against my skin.

My parents said that our coven hadn't had a Spirit Watcher for about 200 years. So, when my dad, the head witcher, confirmed my selection by the spirits when I turned 16, they were overjoyed. From then on, I trained diligently to gain the strength I needed for the ceremony that awaited me.

It always felt surreal that I was unique in this world. Still, I needed extensive training, perhaps even more than regular witches, to master my magic. There were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed by the energy I absorbed, even passing out once.

But after rigorous training, the time came to unseal a fraction of my hidden power.

The ceremony was meant to be performed by the entire coven. The energy that would be unleashed could be overwhelming, potentially lethal if released too quickly. My dad had studied our family's spell book to prepare for the ceremony, and I had studied alongside him as part of my training.

As I wandered through the forest, I felt like I could take on the world. All my worries about the upcoming ceremony simply faded away.

My favourite spot in the woods was a small, hidden clearing nestled among the ancient oak trees. There stood a huge, moss-covered rock, weathered by centuries of sun and rain. It made the perfect resting place, inviting me to immerse myself in nature. Close by, there was a peaceful pond, shimmering with the gentle movement of water and flashes of gold and orange from the resident fish.

I sat on the welcoming stone, cross-legged, eyes closed, ready to embark on a familiar journey. Meditation was my refuge inside the refuge. As I inhaled the earthly smells and listened to the gentle rustling of leaves, I experienced a deep feeling of belonging. The forest enveloped me, cradling me in its embrace, and I embraced it in return.

The sun shone its speckled warmth through the leaves, lighting up my inner world too. Time didn't matter in this special place. It moved to its own rhythm, and I stepped along. Minutes slipped away, and hours passed within an instant. My breath matched the natural flow of the world, and I felt connected to something bigger, deeper.

However, a feeling of duty pulled at my mind. I reluctantly let my meditation come to an end, and I returned to reality. I woke up and noticed that three hours had gone, seeming like mere seconds.

I sighed, got up from the comforting rock, and promised to return again soon. The forest had given me its peace, secrets, and wisdom, and I knew I couldn't stay away for long. Even though it was time to go, I carried the forest's peace and strength with me.

Three hours passed faster than I thought, and I needed to head back home. I raced through the forest, hoping my mother wouldn't notice I had strayed from the three-hour rule.

Leaving the forest, I felt a growing sense of dread. I widened my eyes as a terrifying thought occurred to me, and I rushed back to my house. "Mom! Dad! Where are you?" I called out upon entering, but there was no response.

I checked the kitchen and the entire downstairs, but they were nowhere to be found. As I climbed the stairs, I noticed traces of blood in the hallway and on my parents' bedroom door.

The thoughts running through my head were so horrifying that I couldn't believe I was even thinking such things.

With great apprehension, I approached the door. When I opened it, the sight that met my eyes was beyond gruesome.

My parents' lifeless bodies lay in a pool of blood, their faces pale from blood loss.

My father's chest had been torn open, exposing his heart, or what was left of it. His neck was covered in bite marks, with pieces of his flesh strewn about the room. Fingerprints marked his neck, likely from when he was strangled.

My mother, still holding my father's hand, lay half-naked, covered in bites. But the most horrific sight was that her eyes had been gouged out and placed on her right hand.

"No... this can't be..." I fell to the floor, burying my face in my hands as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"It can't be... why?" I gasped for breath, everything around me turning colourless. My mind went blank, and all I could see were my parents' lifeless bodies. The smell of blood was overpowering, staining the walls, the floor, and my parents.

After ten minutes of crying and wallowing in self-pity, I collected myself and fetched some blankets to cover their bodies. It was tough, but I wanted to give them a proper farewell; after all, they were my parents.

Don't ask me about the details, but it took me about two hours to accomplish the task. One hour to psych myself up, and another to move their bodies.

Then, another two hours to bury them in the garden surrounded by trees.

Then, I tried to convince myself that finding a new coven would take too long and expose me to the monsters who killed my parents. So, I decided to unseal some of my latent power, just enough to protect myself.

That was the moment I realized I had to get stronger to survive in this harsh world.