Chapter Seven Origins 2: Queen Martha saves the witches.

"Martha seemed to have it all - a life of privilege and ease, born into a wealthy family. But what truly set her apart was the abundance of love she received from those around her. Everyone adored the little girl, and she grew up surrounded by affection. Yet, despite being showered with attention, Martha couldn't help but feel a void. She had never known her mother, and the word 'mom' was just a distant concept. Unlike other orphans, Martha's experience was unique, but the pain of growing up without a mother was a challenge she shared with many others.

At the age of five, Martha's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked her dad the question that had been brewing in her mind: 'Where is my mom?' She had grown accustomed to hearing her dad and aunt affectionately refer to her grandmother as 'mom,' and she noticed that her friends at school had mothers too. But who was hers? The absence of a maternal figure in her life had always been a subtle ache, and now Martha's desire for answers had finally surfaced. She looked up at her dad with innocent eyes, seeking the truth about the mother she never knew.

"Dad, what happened to my mother? Why don't I have pictures of her, and why don't you ever talk about her?" Martha asked, her innocent eyes searching for answers. Irvine's heart ached as he struggled to find the right words.

"Your mother is in a better place," he replied, his voice tinged with sadness. He had always known this day would come, when his daughter would ask about the mother she never knew. The family had done everything in their power to shield Martha from the pain of growing up without a mother, but now the truth could no longer be avoided. Irvine's own grief still lingered, a constant reminder of the loss they had both endured.

Mrs. Edward, Martha's grandmother, had lovingly filled the role of mother figure, providing the nurturing presence the little girl so desperately needed. She often wished that Martha's mother could be there to witness her daughter's milestones and achievements. Meanwhile, Martha's aunt, Kim, also strove to ensure her niece's happiness, but deep down, she harbored a secret guilt. Kim knew she was partly responsible for Martha growing up without her mother, Atika. Though it wasn't entirely her fault, Kim couldn't shake the feeling that her actions had contributed to the tragic outcome. She had been pressured and manipulated by her father into falsely accusing Atika of witchcraft, a decision that had far-reaching and devastating consequences.

Despite feeling pity for his daughter's lack of a mother, Irvine's racist sentiments took precedence. He was relieved that his son would not be marrying a black woman, and he had callously planned to eliminate Atika and their unborn child. However, fate had other plans. Martha's inheritance of his lighter complexion and features likely saved her from his sinister intentions. Ironically, her mother's own lighter skin tone, a trait common among some black individuals, may have also played a role in sparing Martha's life. Irvine's twisted thinking had deemed Atika unworthy of their family due to her race, but his own daughter's existence was a constant reminder of his hypocrisy.

"When Martha turned nine, her father, Irvine, finally got married at the age of thirty. His father had been urging him to tie the knot for a long time, but the wounds of his past with Atika were still fresh. The memories of their tumultuous relationship and the loss of the woman he loved felt like they had happened just yesterday. Irvine's heart still ached for Atika, the slave he had loved and lost. But time had moved on, and he had found someone new to share his life with. Martha, however, was thrilled to finally have a mother figure in her life. She couldn't wait to go to school and share the news with her friends: 'Martha has a mom too!' She innocently believed that when two people loved each other, they got married, and she was eager to experience this new chapter in her life.

Martha's excitement was short-lived, as reality set in. The woman her father had married, Cassandra, was none other than his old friend, whom Martha had met before. The little girl struggled to understand how a family friend could suddenly become her mother. On the wedding night, Martha felt a deep sense of abandonment. Her father, usually attentive, didn't read her a bedtime story or tuck her in. Instead, everyone fawned over the new bride, leaving Martha feeling forgotten. She waited up for her father, but he never came. As the night wore on, Martha drifted off to sleep, feeling more alone than ever, despite being surrounded by people.

The following morning, she woke feeling very energetic, someone had slept tight! To her surprise, someone had come and tuck her in, read her a bedtime story, and kissed her good night. Martha had no clue if that had really happened or just a dream. She could not remember who it was, it was neither her dad, grandmother, aunt and not even grandfather. He had never done that, there were not that close. May it be her new mom, even funny, the bedtime story was different from the ones her family would tell her, above all she could not remember it.

Kim entered Martha's room, greeted by the sweet scent of her favorite perfume and the little girl's beaming smile. Martha's happiness was infectious, and Kim's face lit up in response.

"Time for breakfast, sweetie! Let's get you dressed!" Kim exclaimed, noticing the faint hint of disappointment in Martha's eyes.

"Where's my dad?" Martha asked, her voice tinged with a hint of complaint.

"He didn't come to read me my favorite story last night." Kim's expression softened as she apologized on Irvine's behalf, knowing full well that he had been preoccupied with his new bride. But Martha's face brightened, and she said, "Don't worry, someone else did!" - a hint of a secret that only she knew, a small consolation for the absence of her father's bedtime story.

"Who was that?" Kim asked, curiosity getting the better of her. Martha thought for a moment, trying to recall the details.

"I'm not sure... I mean, I don't know. But I remember her voice, and I think she had short, curly black hair. I couldn't see her face, though." Martha's eyes sparkled as she tried to describe the mysterious storyteller. "I enjoyed her story, but I don't remember what it was about. Maybe it was just a dream." She shrugged, and then her face lit up with a new idea. "Anyway, let's race to the breakfast table!" Martha exclaimed, jumping up and dashing out of the room, her aunt laughing and chasing after her

Kim remained seated on Martha's bed, frozen in thought. Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of her niece's enigmatic words. A nagging suspicion lingered - what if it was Atika, the woman she had wronged in the past? But that was impossible; Atika was gone, lost to the tragic circumstances of her past. Kim's thoughts swirled with questions. Was it a ghost? Did Atika's spirit seek revenge or closure? The possibilities swirled in Kim's mind, leaving her with a sense of unease and trepidation.

"The fragrance in Martha's room now made sense - it was Atika's scent, unmistakable and haunting. But ghosts didn't wear perfume, did they? And what about the witchcraft? Kim's mind raced with questions. She knew she hadn't been bewitched, but Atika's powers were not to be underestimated. If she was indeed a witch, Kim dared not cross her. Telling her father about the strange occurrences would only put Martha in danger, and Kim wasn't willing to risk that. She was torn between disbelief and the unsettling feeling that Atika was back, her presence as real as the fragrance that lingered in the air. Kim wondered if she was losing her grip on reality, but the puzzle pieces fit too perfectly - Atika had returned, and Kim was unsure what to expect next.