Entry #31: THE NEWCOMER

THE NEWCOMER
80,000 words
YA Paranormal

Fall, 1994
“Something has happened.” Anima barely choked out, leaning her back against the wall, closing her eyes as she tried to calm her heart rate. Aria instantly was in front of Anima, holding her face in-between her hands.

“What’s wrong?” Anima could feel Aria’s worrying eyes on her.

They both squinted when their bedroom light was flicked on, and a woman walked in, her silver hair slightly tangled.

“Celine- I’m fine” Anima was still squinting as her eyes adjusted, but the woman grabbed her arm and motioned for her to sit on the bed.

“I know I don’t have magic anymore,” Anima started to say, but something stopped her. She exhaled loudly before biting her lip. “I know I don’t have magic anymore,” she repeated. “But I felt the spirits tonight, like a lot. More than usual. It woke me up, and my heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest.” Anima looked deep into the woman’s eyes, searching for an answer.

“You’ve never experienced this before?” Celine asked calmly, her hands rested gently in her lap as she leaned in close to Anima.

“No,” Anima said shaking her head.

“Maybe we should get a Healer.” Aria interrupted, pacing back and forth in front of Anima’s bed.
“I’m fine, Aria. I was just startled that’s all.” Anima tried to smile at Aria, but she knew that she was worried.

“Maybe the spirits are trying to tell you something. Close your eyes. Try to listen.” Celine’s voice was compelling, Anima closed her eyes to listen.

Her lips were parted slightly, her eyes moving rapidly under her eyelids. “A witch was born,” Anima spoke in barely a whisper. Her eyes continued to move. “She is powerful- and strong. Born of Supremacy descendants,” Anima spoke quickly.

“What else,” Celine asked.

“Her destiny, she has so many decisions that she will have to make. Her magic is limitless. She is the key to saving us from the dark era.” Anima’s eyes opened slowly as the last words slipped out of her mouth.

Aria was standing still, wide-eyed, and Celine looked fairly similar.

“What is her name?” Celine seemed to be holding her breath, awaiting the answer.

“Evelyn Emmerich,” Anima said as if she actually knew who she was.

Celine gasped slightly, raising from the bed. She put her hand to her mouth, shaking her head as if she didn’t want to believe it.

“What’s wrong?” Anima reached for her sword that was hidden between her bed and bedside table.
“Nothing,” Celine’s eyes shifted to Anima’s sword, and back up to her face. “I just know her coven, that’s all.”

“Take me to her,” Anima stood up from the bed and began searching through her drawers, packing the essentials.

“You won’t need to pack anything,” Celine grabbed Anima’s wrist, and within a flash, they disappeared, leaving Aria to herself.

They appeared at the doors of an apartment building. Five stories high. Anima looked at Celine, who was smiling, wiping her hands on her dress. Something quite sophisticated for a simple night gown. Anima shook her head, trying to focus.

“This is where Evelyn’s coven lives.” Celine raised her arm out and pushed the front door open, motioning for Anima to enter.

She did, walking slowly into the lobby, which was quite small. Obviously it was not a place to hangout – all it really had was enough walking room to and from the front door to the elevator. Celine kept pushing her forward to the elevator doors, where she pushed the button several times.

It dinged, and they entered. Celine pushed number five, and stared at the closing doors for the fifteen seconds they were in there. The doors dinged again, and opened to a room that Anima assumed was their living room.

A woman was seated in a throne chair near a fireplace, holding an infant close to her body.
“Celine?” the woman questioned, raising from the chair to get a better look.

“Hello, Elizabeth.” Celine stepped out of the elevator and Anima followed, the two of them meeting Elizabeth in the middle of the room.

“What an unexpected surprise.” Elizabeth said slowly, her eyes shifting to Anima, looking her from head to toe.

“We are here to see your daughter.” Celine opened her arms to take the baby from Elizabeth, but she clutched her tighter.

“Why?” Elizabeth stepped backwards, sitting back down on the throne chair.

Anima walked around and sat down on the couch placed in front of the chair, her eyes not drifting from the baby.

“We just need to see her.” Celine tried to be brief, but knew that this was going to be more difficult than she thought.

“Celine!” came a voice from across the room.

She turned to see a man- Martin, Elizabeth’s husband, holding a dish rag in one hand, smiling politely at both Celine and Anima.

“Martin, hello,” Celine nodded, smiling, turning her attention back on Elizabeth.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Martin said, although he didn’t sound upset. He stood next to his wife, making faces at the baby, who then laughed.

“Neither did I.” Anima spoke up. “But I need to see your child.” Anima raised from the couch, looking from Martin to Elizabeth.

“I’m sorry, I don’t believe we have met?” Martin turned his head to the side, with a questioned look on his face.

“My name is Anima-” she started to say, but was cut off.

“The Anima?” Martin looked past her to Celine, who nodded.

“It is a pleasure to meet you!” Martin held out his hand, and she shook it slightly, before dropping her hands to her waist, looking back to Elizabeth.

“May I see her?” Anima spoke softly.

Her eyes felt like they would pierce Anima’s soul, but with a few seconds of hesitation, she offered the baby to her, and Anima retreated back to the couch where Celine was still sitting.

“Hello my sweet Evelyn.” Anima spoke quietly, the corner of her mouth smiling.

“How did you-” Elizabeth’s voice drifted off when Anima didn’t look up at her.

“I’m sorry that you were born with such responsibilities.” Anima felt a pang in her heart as she spoke, the baby’s eyes were wide with innocence. “I promise that I will take care of you though,” Anima smiled, pinching the baby’s cheeks, and she giggled.

“What on earth are you talking about?” Elizabeth’s voice was harsh, which finally caused Anima to look up at her.

“I was given a message from the spirits about your daughter. They told me that she is very powerful, and will grow up to a world full of tough decisions, all of which I know nothing about,” Anima said, her eyes fixed on Elizabeth.

“If you know nothing, then why are you here?” Elizabeth leaned back against the chair, crossing her arms over her chest.

“To bless her.” Anima looked down at the baby. “Evelyn Emmerich, as a former keeper of the element of spirit, I grant you a special gift. The gift of knowing,” she heard a faint gasp, but continued. “The gift of knowing is a powerful one, so it should suit you just fine,” she smiled at Evelyn. “Your gift will not develop until you need it to, although you will have small visions growing up. Do not fear the knowledge you obtain- use it, learn from it. Not all of what you see will be clear, meaning it can be fragmented, so be open to what you see. Oh- and I promise that when you need me, I’ll be here to guide you.” Anima exhaled loudly, looking up at Celine, who looked amazed.