A Legacy

The night air chilled my bones as I walked through the night-stricken forest. With nothing but the moonlight to guide me through the crunchy leaves that litter the forest floor, in the shadows of the bare trees.

My grandmother used to tell me tales of a witch that inhabited the forgotten forest at the edge of our small town.

As she tells it, the witch was known to the towns folk for her magical remedies and gifts of healing powers. But it had been decades since anyone has sought her out. My grandmother often said the ways were dying away and so was the magic with it.

I always just thought that was her way of telling me that soon it would be time to grow up soon and that there would be no more time for fairytales. But that didn’t stop me from living up to my name and being a Rebellious teenager on my 16th birthday.

Thinking of the most mischievous thing I could do, I found myself wandering through the forest alone. Seeking a little adventure but mostly some entertainment for my Friday night.

To my surprise, I found what appeared to be an old abandoned house, in the middle of nowhere.

Reckless as it sounds, I approached the window and peered inside. To find no one inside and a thick layer of dust indicating that it had been uninhabited for some time.

Throwing caution to the wind, I approached the door. Turning the knob and stepping inside, something like I owned the place.

As I did, the distressed meow of a cat echoed through the air and a black cat ran through my feet. Nearly taking me out and causing me to jump out of my skin.

I braced myself on the door frame, breathing heavily as I tried to regain my composure.

After a few minutes, my breathing and heart rate had returned to normal, allowing my unbridled curiosity to take over again.

I peered inside, cautious of anything else that might jump out at me.

I was met by the sight of a shabby single-room home, liberally decorated with a multitude of cobwebs. As well as giving off a musty smell that told me it had been some time since the door or windows had been opened.

The room contained an unlit fireplace, a table, a cupboard, and an oddly stocked bookshelf. The content of the shelf are what drew my attention and pulled me inside.

Stepping over the threshold, I caught sight of various jarred items that littered the shelf. Along with some books that despite their thick layering of dust, looked almost brand new and well taken care of.

As I stepped closer, I saw a rather large book that bore no title. It was bound in black leather with gold embossed features.

There was something that spoke to me about it, against everything else on the shelf. Unconsciously my hand reached up towards it, as it sat just over head height.

“Don’t.” Shouted a voice from the shadows.

“What?” I asked in a dumb voice, turning to peer into the darkness.

But no one answered or acknowledged. The only movement was that stupid black cat that came scampering back through the door and into the shadows.

Shaking my head I turned back to the book and reached up once again.

“I said don’t touch it.” Spoke a voice from closer now, I quickly spun around to see the cat jumping up the table at my side. Giving me a look that was most un-catlike, almost human with an air of intelligence about it.

With curiosity, I cocked my head to the side and looked at the cat in analysis.

“Yes, I’m talking to you. Stupid girl.” The cat commented, looking back at me with a furrowed brow.

Caught speechless, I tried to force words out. “But- but- why- uh- how?” I sputtered, feeling foolish as I did so.

“I don’t have the time nor energy for your dumbstruck expression. Now step away from The Book of Enchantment!” The cat demanded in a harsh voice, piercing me with his gaze as he did so.

I remained in place, stealing a glance back up at the book. “Why?” I asked, looking at the cat with a look of challenge.

“That book belongs to my mistress as does this house, she was part of a long line of witches.” He began to explain, “I was foretold that on Friday, October the 13th of this year, a new generation witch would present herself. She would be chosen when she took hold of The Book of Enchantment and began to read its contents. Now clear off before my new mistress shows up.” He demanded, stamping his foot in a not-so-cat-like way.

“Today is Friday, October the 13th,” I muttered absentmindedly, glancing back at my hand as it hovered mere inches from the book. Still feeling drawn to wrap my fingers away from it.

“Get away, you stupid girl.” The cat bellowed in agitation, now standing up as he watched me through narrowed eyes. Holding out a paw as though ready to swat me away.

I peeled my eyes away from the book for a moment and looked back to the cat with an admittedly arrogant smile. “Make me,” I muttered before reaching up and placing my fingers around the binding of The Book of Enchantment.