Yoyanne Ash

Helina Ravasoo

Yoyanne Ash Helina Ravasoo

Prologue Yoyanne closed her black-sparkiling covered book an put her fountain pen back into ink pot. Then she stared at her book for short time. “ Freak , “ Kristen said as if they we’re in the middle of conversation . “ Like they have invented like pens and pencils with ink and she writes like soo old school! Total weirdo!”

Yoyanne had no itention to answer her. They never talked. Kristen only made comments about Yoyanne and Yoyanne sometimes said “ How do you do,” or “ Good evening!” just out of nice habbit. She never needed answers from Kristen because she knew everything about Kristen . While Kristen knew nothing.

Capture 1:

Truth Kristen didn’t even noticed stuff that most people did. People usally noticed how Yoyanne was very quiet, ,beautiful and mysterious. Yoyanne was truly beatiful, but she was so pretty it was unnatural. Before usally didn’t even dare to look at her. Her skin was smooth too white and clean, her eyes were too blue, too bright, hair too healthy and sparkly,body too skinny and perfect, teeth too white, clothes were old-fashioned and flashy. Her eyelashes were long as if they were fake, but they looked just too natural.

Her walk was too strong, too exact as if it was calculated. Yoyanne was unhuman. When people had noticed half of this stuff they usually turned their heads away quickly so they never noticed the other missfits and paranormal stuff. So almost anyone never noticed how raindrops vanished few centimeters before reaching Yoyanne’s jacket. They turned into mist. So Yoyanne was dry even when rain was pooring down. Never noticed how Yoyanne slightly glowed in the dark streets. All that mankind was afraid too see .

Now Yoyanne walked in Old Town. She felt most comfortable here. Sometimes she saw other like herself in here. Only that they blend in. They put loads of make- up on their faces in order to make it look like as if they had mistakes to hide in their faces. They sprayed themselves with fake-tan, controlled their mysterious glow and got soaking wet with rain, talked with people in unfluent ways using far too simple vocabulary . Overusing words “ Like & And” Sometimes Yoyanne was not sure if those people still remembered that they could be dry in pooring rain, jump off 20 stored building and still land on their feet. That last one needed practice though.

Yoyanne didn’t want to change. She did’t have to because she knew people will never be able to face the truth.

Capture 2

Josephine Yoyanne kept her pace and walked though rain. Suddenly she saw a girl sitting in a brench. Dressed in very light clothing. Yoyanne was stunned. This girl was one of her kind and without a fake-tan, loads of make up or anything! She was just like her! Without a glow though.....Yoyanne just now noticed that girl was sick. It was pretty rare, but still not impossible for her kind to be sick abnd once they were sick they needed to be cured and taked good care of. This poor one looked as she was about to faint. She knew that even if she would have died in the street humans would not have run to help. They would have still be afraid enough to just walk by fast. Maybe is someone more brave would have walked by, but it might have too late by then.So she went next to that girl and put her hand on her back in order to heal her, She started muttering words. “ No one asked your help!” Woman said in rough voice. Joy somehow filled Yoyanne as she realized she can answer someone. She dobted if she still has her vocabulary as diverse as it used to be.

“I’m terribly sorry. It was horribly innappropiate of me,” Yoyanne apologized deeply. “ Get lost,” girl said. “ Allright. It was nice talking to you,” Yoyanne answered. “ I forgot my keys, “ Girl muttered. “ I can’t jump. I’m far too sick.” She kept explaining. “ I’ll carry you, I’m strong!” Yoyanne wanted to help so bad. “ Why you want to help me?” Female asked. “ I can explain later. Let’s just say I don’t want to go home right now. It isn’t very pleasant there,” Miss Ash answered. “ Thanks...let’s go now “ Woman Goughed. She showed Yoyanne the way. She walked very bad...almost limped. “ Your name, miss?” Yoyanne asked. “ Cassie Josephine and you? “ Girl half fainted and fell in Yoyanne’s hand”Hey....you okay?” Yoyanne worried. “ Ehm...yeah sure,let’s go,” She mumbeled.

In about 30 minutes Josephine and Yoyanne sat side by side on big comfortable sofa in Josephine’s flat.

Josephine lit a sigaret. “ So why you have chosen to live like that. Ain’t it lonely?” Josephine asked smoking. “ It is.I haven’t spoke with anyone in 3 years and...,” Josphine started coughing. Yoyanne wasn’t sure wheather she was coughing because she smoked or because she was sick. “ Th-re-e Yea-rs?Not at all? Not a word? I mean I understand that people problably won’t talk to you much. When you glow and stuff, but three years? Not even.....well you know....those like us?”

“No...Well I have talked...like “Hello” and “ Have a nice day”, but nothing much more. Our kind speaks to me even less. They are are too afraid to blow theier cover. I don’t know why they want to blend in and forget all that makes us us,” Yoyanne explained after a pause she continued: “ That’s me....so why you have chosen this life?” “ Who says I have? Maybe I just forgot to turn my glow off today!” Josephine laughed, but soon started coughing so hard that she had to stop. Yoyanne had laughed too at first now she turned serious and asked:” Can I help you somehow? Make you feel better? Or you just cough so hard because you smoke?” “ Both problably. Does It bothers you...smoking I mean?” Josephine asked. “ Yes it does a little,” Yoyanne stared at old dusty bottles with diffrent color liquid in them on the cupboar” Isn’t there anything helpful?” She rose from sofa and started examinng bottles one by one. There were no labels on them though.

Josephine left her sigaret unfinished stared at it and smashed it “ Its just a silly habit of mine. Guess it fits my image. I could problably quit when I wanted to. Witches don’t become addicts Its just something....”

Josephine left her semntence unfinisheed, because the bottle with light blue liquit had felled from Yoyanne’s hands and smashed againsat the floor.

Josehine swore loud” You know how hard I worked on that potion. You Idiot!” “ Yes....I’m sorry,I really am, but what did you called us?” Yoyanne asked. “ Oh...You mean Witches? Well Is’t that was we are? I prefer it to...emm lets say physics and yeah I knw that in most cultures Witches are dark-powered and evil, but those are jusyt in fairy tales. I mean We’re not fairies!” “ Yes you are right.... I’m not ashameed about being a witch. Even if it does mean that I’m dark - powersed. It must scared me that you actually said the word so freely, “ Yoyanne explained while helping Josephine pick up pieces of broken glass. “ Yes, why should I be afraid to say what I am?” “ Well also humans call us Witches so Its not something I like to be called.”

Josephine Laughed and lit a new sigaret: Heh....The way you say Humans.... as if we weren’t...we are you know.” Josephine started coughing and couldn’t stop for a couple of minutes so Yoyanne waited before she asked:” So what... you are you a blender as well?”

Now Yoyanne had to wait for another good minute because Josephine was lauging again: “ You kill me , girl!” No I’m NOT a blender! Blender is in my kitchen! But I get what you mean.....no as you can see...”

She pointed out all potions on the shells” I’m not” Yoyanne smiled:” Good to know.....could you put that out,PLEASE?! Its really botherring me when you blow smoke it into my face like that!”

Josephine put her smoke out and mumbeled angry:” Can’t even smoke in your own house....” “ Oh my....look at the time! I’ve shouldn’t have been so late!” Yoyanne worried. “ I don’t mind....besides you don’t really seem to be in any hurry...” Josephine lighted a new sigaret without even paying any attention.

Yoyanne laughed: “ Most certainly not I haven’t had a friend for ages, “ “ Whoa! Don’t get too carried a way. I’m a loner-type I like to be alone. I don’t really need friends.....and you don’t seem to be my type....all too ,merry and happy,” Smile on Yoyanne’s face faded in a second.:” I’m sorry I’ll be off then,” “ As you wish. I did say I don’t mind, but sure. Bye-bye,” “ You.Wouldn’t. really. mind?” Yoyanne asked in doubt. “ As I said. I am a loner, but I haven’t a company in a while now.”

Yoyanne smiled: “ May I sleep on the couch?” “ Well Its either this ore floor. I’m not very hostile” Yoyanne made a fast high jump from her sudden happiness. “ I have never anyone quite aso happy about sleeping on couch. You’re place must be a living hell.” Josephine guessed. “ You have no idea!” “ All Right. I’ll take myself a nice cup of something healing and then....you watch TV?” Josephine asked making her way towards the kitchen. “ I do sometimes yes. Can I help you with something?”

In couple of minutes both Josephine & Yoyanne were sitting in front of Cassies’s small-screen TV watching something neither of them liked, but sense nothing else was on they watched it . After awhile Yoyanne made herself as comfortable as she could in Josephine’s small couch and drifted in dream land. Her host and new friend slept in her own bed.

-

Next Morning Yoyanne opened her eyes and looked around. She had’nt slept thar well in ages. For once she wasn’t awaken from the annoying music beat coming from Kristen’s MP3- player that was usually so loud she could hear the lyrics. For the first time she was able to look around Josephine’s place properly.

Place was nice. She liked it. Bedroom was clean compared to the front room. Walls were creamy. There were almost no lamps in bedroom. Only candles attached to walls. There was TV in front of sofa and Jopsephine’s bed across the room. She was still sleeping. There was black dresser next to Josephine’s bed and on it there was a small night lamp, fabric on the lampshade was the same color as the walls. There was also small red carpet in front of Josephine’s bed.

Yoyanne got herself up and went to front room. Everything looked diffrent here. Room was smalled or maybe it wasn’t Yoyanne couldn’t tell. It was just so filled with everything. There was another sofa - old one and two armchairs, I guess they had belonged together once. Fabric seen to be same, dusty shells filled with even dustier books and potions. “Its been ages sense I’ve done any potions, “ Yoyanne said to herself with a smile on her face. “ What are you smiling at?” Josephine asked from behind her. “ You scared me, you came so quietly,” Yoyanne turned to her conversation partner. She was dressed in diffrent clothes today. She wore black dress, high heals and biker cloves. Not something people usally wear at home on Sundsay mornings. Yoyanne also thouht her hair seemed bit diffrent. “ Going out?” “ Nope. Whe should I? I’m still not feeling too perfect, “ and as to add some weight on her word Josephine coughed really hard. “ Oh well. then why are you dressed like that?” “ Because its my house and I dress how I want. Cofee?” “ I would love to. Thanks. “ Josephine made two cups of cofee then she sat next to Josephine. “ You seem to have hard time getting your eyes of my potions,” Josephine noticed, “ Do you still do any yourself?” “ Sometimes. When I need something specific, but I don’t have such storage as you do. Besides I really can’t make potions in my home. I rent a room along with teenage human girl,” “ Human girl,” Josephine repeated. “ So that’s why I’m so thrilled about finding someone like you,” Yoyanne explsained. They sat in quiet for a moment. “ Josephine, do you think There are others like us? The ones who aren’t blenders yet?” Yoyanne asked. “ There might be, but not much. I don’t know. I haven’t looked, it intrest me now that you mention it, but I’m not very social. Besides, you remember what the world was like before everybody decided to be “normal”? Even then there were some of us who didn’t want to be witches. Actually, there was more regular people that witches even when I was young, “ Now it was Yoyanne’s turn to laugh: “ When you were young? What are you know, ancient? “ Sort of. Anyways, I ment that it would be very hard to find someone like us,” “ Yeah, and they don’t teaches young witches( Yoyanne spit the word) anymore. When I was eight they closed all enchantment-classes for good. My mom was the one who teached me after that, “ Yoyanne explained. “ Hmm.....Yeah, my mom was great enchanter as well,She was minister of enchated-arts “ “ Did you got magical education and well?” Yoyanne was curious. “ I mean in the end - years many lost there belief and put their kids in regular schools. I know some who though there is no use of teaching the’re kids something they won’t need soon enough,” “ Yes I did. I studied in one of the High schools, “ “ High schools, but you could not be that old. Wait, did you said your mother was minister of enchantedarts, but those jobs haven’t been around for so many years. You couldn’t be that old, could you?” “ That’s why I hate having friends or quests, They put their nose into your business,” Josephine mumbeled.

“ Hey what if we would start looking for other like us? Maybe we could bring back people’s belief in magic!” “ You’re so naive. We could never. Besides, people chose this life themselves, they thought its the easy way. They wanted to get rid of all the responsibility that comes with their powers. “ Yoyanne seemed sad: “ We could try. You said you got intrested when I mentioned others,” “ Still, its pointless,” Josephine was sure in herself so Yoyanne decisided not to bring it up anymore, “ I guess I should go home now. “ She said. “ Sure, if you want, but hey, could you do me another favor?” Cassie asked. “ Surely. Aything! What do you wish?” “ You could do some shopping for me if you don’t mind. I’m working on another potion.”

Now Yoyanne was seriously ecxited” What sort of potion? Can I help?” She started talking faster and faster. “ Certainly, if you want. I would need some help, but then you might even have to stay here hole day. “ Jo laughed.

Oh its okay, “ Yoyanne tried to hold herself back.

“Really, you won’t start to miss your “ Lovely” Human teen- girl?” Josephine asked sarcastically, Yoyanne laughed: “ Tell me what you need, “

Capture 3:

Secrets in the dark .

Dear diary, Its me Yoyanne.

I told you about the girl Josephine I met already . So...I went to get my stuff from my rental home, beause I’m staying one more night at Josephine’s and I need some clothes. After that I will fulfill my promise and do some shopping for her.

The list she gave me was simple and short so I’m thinking she gets most ingredients from somewhere else. Josephine - God she’s a mystery and I don’t really want to put my nose too deep into her stuff. But seriously. I’m dieing in curiosity. I mean minister of enchanted-arts? And High schools? what’s up with that?

Love, Yoyanne.

“ I’ll be off then I got your list.” Yoyanne said on her way out of door. “ You will just.....go? on foot? Why won’t you fly?” Josephine asked. “ isn’t it just a bit...too extreme? I mean. People. They will see, “ “ And you dear to call yourself a real Witch? One who doesn’t blend, “ Josephine mumbeled with discrease. “ Do You fly?” Yoyanne asked accusing. “ I do. When I’m healthy of course. Flying sick is dangerous. once broke my leg doing it,” “Really? How? That must have hurted a lot, “ Yoyanne got curious. “ Yeah, sure it did. Imagine falling 20 stores. Lucky to be alive here, “ “ Ouch. 20 stores? No, no way!” “ Okay. Okay. Store is getting closed,” Josephine rushed Yoyanne.

“So Shall I transform?” Yoyanne asked in doubt. “ Go ahead,” Josephine said waving her hand like giving Yoyanne premission.

Yoyanne hadn’t transformed in years. She hardly remembered the ritual. It used to be easy for her. Now it was hard. Yoyanne felt disgust with herself. How could she have let herself go so much?

Was she becoming a blender too.. Just like everybody else in this stupid planet. Shee felt her heart beating faster and faster....what if she had completly lost it? If she could never transform again? Shiver went though her spine. “ That does not look too good. You’re sweating too much Lost it?” Josephine asked. Not worried just like saying it as it was a fact.

Yoyanne sjhaked her head and tried as hard as she could. Still nothing. She felt tears rosing in her throat.

Josephine didn’t made it much easier. “ Hey maybe you’re no longer a witch after all. Just a kid who belives in fairies, “ She said making fun of Yoyanne. It wasn’t funny for her. She bursted intno tears and fell on Josephine’s armchair. She cried truly deeply & heartbrokingly. Josehine had no idea what to do. “ Hey Its not so bad. I mean you only might need an umbrella from now on, “ She tried to joke. Yoyanne stared her angryly. tHen put her head back on her knees and kept crying. “ You just need some practice again, It will be fine,” Josephine assured not sweetly but at least with enthusiam. This made Yoyanne feel better.

“I will help you later. Now - Wings or no wings- to the store, “ Josephine said smiling.

Yoyanne wiped her tears; “ Yes mam’” She tried to sound funny and formal but her voice was still filled with tears. anyways she marshed of for shopping.

The rest of the day was pretty meaningless. Josephine was tired after making potion.( Yoyanne could not find ouut what potion it was) She was sick after all and Yoyanne said it was okay if they don’t try transforming now. She suggested Josephine to rest, but she refused, so they hanged a bit. Then Josephine got bored of just sitting around. She rose up and said: “ Let’s go,”

“ Where?” Yoyanne asked. “ Outside of courrse. I’m tired of sitting around,” “ You’re grazy....” Yoyanne laughted, but she didn’t try to convince Josephine about how bad her idea was.

Jo put on her coat & they went outside. Josephine shivered when cold wind touch her. “ Jo....” Yoyanne started.

“I’m fine! “ she protested. They went on a small walk in the forest. Wheather was pretty sunny, but wind was stil cold like it usally was at the time of early spring. “ I love nature, “ Yoyanne said. “ Yeah, you seem the type, “ Josephine looked up to the threes. Then she jumped on one of the higher branch. It took her some effort. “ Come,” she said trying to hide her heavy breathing. Yoyanne fiollowed her much more effortlessly. So there they now sat. On a three branch olive green. Wind flowed though Yoyanne’s hair and made nice sound going though the silver leaves as well. On the leaves there were small plum- looking fruits. Yoyanne took one ans bite it. “ Ew.....these are disgusting, “ Josephine commented. “ I like them, “ Josephine shoke her head in confusion: “ They are soo terribly sweet. Eat one and you’ll be sick for a week, “ Yoyanne laughed: “ Not me....though I can’t eat more than one either.” She looked her reflection on a silver leaf and wondered when she had laughed so much. Then she looked at Josephine who had despite the fact that she had claimed that she hates those fruits taken one and now wondered wheather or not to eat it.

She looked sick. Her golden eyes weren’t as bright as they should have been her glow wasn’t sparkly or beautiful like Yoyanne’s was...It was darken than usual and brown looking almost like a thin leyer of dirt...... Yoyanne thought she almost looked like a dying witch. She had seen a witch dieing once before. it was not very pretty sight. In fact it had been horrifying for her. When witches ( bad word even to think) died well first thing was this: dark muddy glow, not so shiny eyes. Then when they became sicker their eyes completly lost their color and they lost their sight, their hair turned into chostly colorless mass. Then their glow melted into their skin and turned in the same color as glow had been also making painful cracks into their skin. The rest was too horryfing for her to think of so she blocked it out.

This was the worst way too die though. There was many less painfull ways as well, but this was the one witches were most afraid of and it wasn’t too uncommon as well.

Now days witches could die in much more humane ways as well like cancer and heart attacks and stroke as they had forgetten the potions that kept such deaths from happening. These deaths werent pleasent either, but the fear of a witch- like death might have been one of the reasons why people wanted to be normal so bad. Back at the beginng they had no idea what kind of new horrible ways to die looking all potions would bring.

Most honorble way to die was though a fight of course.

Yoyanne shivered though her scary thoughts. “ What you’re thininking about? “ Josephine said noticing. “ Death, “ Yoyanne admitted. Josephine looked terrified for a moment. Guess when she though about death she only though of the witch- like death as well. she tooked one mirror - like leaf from three and looked her reflection: “ I don’t look that bad, do I?” Yoyanne shoke her head wordlessly. “ Don’t worry. I’m not gonna die, “ Josephine said. “ We all do,” “ Not me, “ Yoyanne looked into Josephine’s eyes with confusion.

“Have you heard saying: We could live a hundred years if we gave up everrything worth living so long, “ Yoyanne nodded. “ Well its not true. We could live forever if we gave up everything worth to live so long,” Then she jumped on the branch back to the ground. Not landing quite fluently enough. Yoyanne followed her in confusion.

Thinking about what Josephine had said. Why she had said that? Had she given up everything? Yoyanne picked another berry of ferilia and jumped down the three following her.

“ Another one?” Josephine asked in disgust. Yoyanne nodded,. They reached out to big road and many non-witches and blenders pasted them. “ Pathetic planet, isn’t it? Its so terribly boring......even its name is pathetic “Mirracley” Is there supposed to be anything Mirracolous in this? Because there isn’t!,” Josephine mumbled looking up in the sky which was now dark covered with purple mist and thin clouds. “ This town sickens me. Let’s go home, “ Yoyanne nodded. She actually agreed. This town sickened as well.

She just wasn’t sayng it containtly. There was no where better to live either. All towns were the same.

Another planet? Hardly.

The door cryed for oil as Yoyanne and Josephine walked in.

Josephnie thew her coat on the sofa. “ I hate going out!” She yelled. “ It was kinda your idea, “ Yoyanne freshed Josephine’s memory. “ I know who’s idea it was. My ideas aren’t perfect either,” She started taking her clothes off throwng her jacket and light scarf on the bed. then she started pulling her tights of nervously. Her long nails got stuck and broke fragile black fabric. Yoyanne caught herself wondering when had Yoyanne putten on her tights anyway. She surely remembered that Josephine’s legs were bare when they went out. Josephine mumbeled something that sounded like a curse. then she layed on her bed and put her hands under her hair. Remembering she still had her cloves on she took them off, put them on a small cupboard next to her bed and started staring at her creamy ceiling.

“Should I color it black?” She asked.

Yoyanne sat next to her and looked up “ Too dark.” She thought. “ I adore dark, “ Josephine disagreed. “ How about wine red, then?” Yoyanne suggested. “ Like my hair? And what if I color them? I’ll color the ceiling?” Yoyanne laughed: “ I didn’t relized I got the idea from there, but I possibly did, “ “ Let’s hit the bed before you come out with more silly ideas like this one,” Josephine said agressivly and unbuttoned her dress threw off her shoes. “ Okay, “ Yoyanne agreed and curled up to the sofa once again. She really wasn’t sleepy, but it seemed weird hanging around in Josephine’s place while she was sleeping.

She wasn’t sleeping very heavily so she could easly sense something weird after awhile. A present of another living creature who wasn’t Yoyanne opened her eyes and there was a young handsome man in front of him. He was lowing in all kind of shades of colors, dressed in old- fashion colors, there were beams of light in his eyes, his hair, which frightened Yoyanne most of all, looked like the ones of a dying witch or wizard, white almost colorless , but there was still something diffrent about this man than a dying wizard. He looked beautiful and in a strange way healthy. No not even healthy. Like he has already been sick and.....died. yes. He was dead. All these thoughts went though Yoyanne’s head in half of a second. and know when she had acknowledged her self what was going on: There was a ghost in this room. he wasn’t sure wheather she should scream, that seemed bit weird though bevause then she wouldn’t really act like a witch. Even when ghosts weren’t regular happenings that everybody had seen in the olden-days all true witches knew about them. Should she wake Josephine? Guess she should, because Yoyanne wasn’t sure if Josephine would be happy about ghost in her room. She didn’t seem very social so Yoyanne dounted if Jo would want a chost in her room. Even if he was truly very quiet. Still ghosts were considered annoying in the old culture, because they were always followed by strange voices from the afer- life world. Depening on how ghost had die voices around them were diffrent. Some were very quiet and not all could come to the upperword only the strong or royal ones so this guy must have been important. Ghost interrupted Yoyanne’s thoghs. “ I’m sorry I didn’t mean to wake you, miss!” he said in a pleseant voice that somehow took Yoyanne’s breath away. “ Its okay,” Yoyanne said quietly. “ This is suprising, “ man said” Josephine hasn’t had a guest in last decade. “ “ Really? So you know her?” Yoyanne asked. “ Yes, where are my manners tonight? My name is Daniel and you are?” “ I’m Yoyanne” Yoyanne said.

Chapter 4:

David and beam of light. “ It is very nice to meet you,” Daniel said in a soft pleseant voice. “ Oh I think we woke Josephine, “ Daniel said turning towards Josephine’s bed. He bowed to greet her. “ Oh, you, “ Josephine mumbeled with slight dicrease. Daniel didn’t seem one bit insulted. Yoyanne guessed he was used to with such behaviour. “ Who are you?” Yoyanne whispered with curiosity not too silently though. “ Do you have to chat at 2.00 a. m?” Josephine asked, “ I might be bit bizzare, but I like to sleep on that time of night. So could you please do the same as you are in my house and follow my rules?” “ I’m sorry, but I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to, “ Daniel excused himself. “ Ugh! If you can’t sleep, just get back to you’re grave , dead one! Rest in peace and let us do the same!”

Josephine said rasing her voice with each word. “ What you got against him? “ Yoyanne wondered” He seems nice, “ “ I’m not a night person you see and I hate ghosts, “ she explained. “ Can I just chat with him for awhile? I’ve never seen a real ghost before. Its a great honor!” Yoyanne pöeaded jumping up and down on her bed like a young child. “ Honor? Oh well fine, if you must!” Josephine waved her hand. “ Shall we step outside?” Daniel asked. Yoyanne rose up & put on her coat. They walked out of the house.

It was dark. Yoyanne looked up in the sky “ This is so exciting!” She smiled in though it seemed as if she was a thousand miles away, on one of these stars.

Daniel smiled back even though Yoyanne wasn’t looking at him : “ How old are you?” he asked. This had been a question Yoyanne had meaning to ask ever since she had saw ghost. “ I’m 23 and you are?” she answered, trying to sound as casual as possible. She realized that Daniel had problably asked about her age because he must have though Yoyanne was very childish. She felt embarrased at the idea. She had always considered herself very well- behaved and grown-up among others her age. She looked down into silver grass trying to hide how ashamed she was of herself. “ 120, “ Daniel answered silently while looking at Yoyanne trying to read out expression on her face. He saw immediately that Yoyanne was blushing only he had no idea why. “ What is it?” he asked” You’re blushing, “ Knowing that Daniel had noticed made Yoyanne blush harder. They had both stopped just few meters from the house. Neither of them was of cold of course. “ I just realized why you asked that, “ Miss Ash explaned.” you think I’m childish,” her voice was fillied with supressed anger not against Daniel, but agains herself. She didn’t mean to be childish. She as the matter of fact hated it.

Daniel smiled, this time reading absolutely everything from Yoyanne’s face. Guess its something you can do well being 120 years old: “ Well, I haven’t talked to anyone that young in decades, but I’m sure you’re quite mature for your age, “ “ Well, you do talk to Josephine, don’t you? Or is she just always telling you to shut up?” Yoyanne asked.

She was suprised when Daniel didn’t look at her as in previous answers. Instead he answered while glazing at the sky with a sad smile of his face. “ She has a personal grudge against all ghosts, can’t really blame her. She has lots of reasons. but She’s the same age as I am, bit older perhaps, “ Yoyanne was gasping for air: What?” She managed to press though her lips. Daniel looked down then his eyes flickered toward the house for a second: “ I should not have said that, “ He said quietly, “ She should have told you herself, “ He was fading feeling obviously very uncomfortable.

Suddenly Yoyanne was too wishing she could fade. She saw Josephine sitting on a window sill with an emotionless face. She had problably heard every word. Yoyanne quietly stepped back even when she thought it might have been a better idea to leave. Daniel had said something about Josephine he should not have and even if she wasn’t who had spilt the secret she still felt guilty for knowing.

She went inside and she could feel something. Some sort of an enegry or a wave of emotion coming from Josephine who was still motionless on a window sill. It was a mixture of anger, bitterness and something else Yoyanne could not put her finger on. She wanted to go and sit next to her, but the energy was so strong she was scared of getting physically hurt so Yoyanne sat on a sofa were she had slept before. Josephine rose up and walked into her living room, she stared at her potion bottles for couple of minutes then found one she was looking for an took it down. “ What are you doing?” She asked unable to hide fear in her silent voice. “ Its a potion that will erase some of your recent memories, “ Josephine answered while smelling it to see if it was still good. “ I’ll swear I will never ask another thing even if I’m dyinng to know, “ Yoyanne whispered. She knew what Jopsephine wanted: To make her for get everything about her. Forget that she even existed. Now this was exacly what Yoyanne didn’t want, Josephine was the only intresting thing that had happened in such a long time. She was not willing to give that up.

Meanwhile Josephine had put her potion on a kitchen counter and taken a can of Esprital lemonade, she sat on one of these really old airmchairs in her living room. “ You don’t want this. You only think you do, “ Josephine said casualy there was darkess or deepness or seriousness in her voice while she talked, she was just speaking witch a voice loud enough for Yoyanne to hear: “ For you this is a fairy tale, some sort of dream come true. I’m a piece of a world that was once lost and now you feel as if you could get a part of this world pack. You remember the last pieces of it that you saw when you were just a little girl. You remember the stories your mother or whoever told you of this wonderful world that was almost completly gone by the time you came alive. You have always tried to keep part of this world alive inside you and now you have finally found your dream - someone who lived in this world,who was a part of it,” she stoped for a moment “ You know what? I can’t make this world come back, can’t restore it or anything, “ “ You could tell me how it was, “ Yoyanne said, even when it was clear to her that Josephine wasn’t going to tell her anything. “ Believe me. Once you hear you wish you would never asked. Besides I don’t want to tell you,” “ So you think I should just go and forget the hole thing and...?” “ Ugh.....leave me alone! That’s what I think you should do. Yes. It would b be easier if you took the damn potion and forget the hole thing else it will always haunt you that you met a girl who’s 100 and something years old of course if you want it to haunt you, “ “ Wait, you don’t know how old you are?” Yoyanne laughed. “ I’m not 100% sure. I could calculate from my birth, “ Josephine had finished her drink. She put it on a counter. “ Can we sleep now?” she ashed. Yoyanne nodded.

Guess we should leave out describing all these hours while neither of them could not sleep and move on to the time when Yoyanne woke from her sleeplesss sleep and found Josephine her elbows on counter and looking at old-dusty counter surface. “ What’s the matter?” “ Headache,” Josepine answered looking towards questioner. “ Happens when I can’t sleep, “ silence. long embarrasing silence. Sound of breathing.

Josephine sighed: “Get me a poition, “ she ordered. “ I got some against headache in my black dresser,” Yoyanne went to look for it: “First drawer or the second, “ she advised.

Yoyanne opened first drawer: Notes, papers, sepia colored photo of someone’s wedding, more notes, a feather. Suddenly Yoyanne wanted to went back photo, she took it out and looked at it, a happy woman with bright healthy glow and long slightly curly hair and a smile that made her almost impossible to regonize.

Next to this woman there was a man as always in weddings:the bride and the groom. This man -the way he looked like - beautiful as....Yoyanne could not tell...perhaps like a dream. Yes you like a dream because nowdays you couldn’t find anyone looking like him it was not just the beauty,it was this strong and idcredible magic that glowed from him even though a photo”I really shouldn’t let you wonder around my drawers Josephine said. She was right behind Yoyanne and opened second drawer from there shefound what she was looking for. She mixed it with water and drank it.Yoyanne was still staring at the picture.

Later in life she ofenwondered if Josephine intentually had told her to look from both of the drawers so she would find this photo.” I’m going to fresh my head. Stop staring at it! It won’t tell you anything” Josephine closed the door behind her and Yoyanne, once again feeling guilty about her nosyness, put the picture back into the upper drawer of black dresser.

“Guess it’s time to go,” she advised herself. She was still curios about everything. It was her nature. She could not have been in any other way.

She walked outside and looked around. She couldn’t see Josephine anywhere. At least this nent she would not have to take the poition that would earase her recent memory. That almost made her smile. Meanwhile aomeone from above her asked: “ Looking for something?” No, it wasn’t god himself talking to Yoyanne though it was also someone who had seen many things in this life. Yoyanne looked above and then took a long jump to the roof landing few meters from her partner. She came to her, sat down next to her and said : “No,did you Came all this way just to say that?”They say in silence for a moment,” Who was he?” Yoyanne wanted to know.”A wizard. A powerful one. One that I had a luck to marry, but not to live with.” she light up a cigaret and spoke on cobstantly blowing smoke from her lips. “ I was happy with my life. For me everything was fine. It were others who blamed magic, poitions,witchcraft and responsibilities for their unhappy lives,so they thought some changes had to be made,but this you already know. You might even know that anyone who supposed any mature freat to this new way of live had to go leave this life behind and ofen their wives had to go too. I was one of the few lucky ones who escape,” memories of these far past days ran though Josepine’s eyes as she talked she threw what was left of her cigarette down on the ground and followed it with an effortless jump.

Lot came together in Yoyanne’s head, but all the more remained unsolves. Right now one question seemed more important that others. She jump off the roof and asked Josephine:” Do you know anyone else who escaped?” “ There is one, “ Josephine aswered.....

Capture 5

Amber Gold & Summer Leafspring Josephine didn’t know exactly it had happened, but suddenly she had spilt everything about a witch named Amber Gold and was now on a phone with her arranging a meeting. Yoyanne there was so thrilled about the hole thing. She was dancing around the wooden floor singing.She could not believe she was going to meet a Witch that was almost as old as time itself. One of the main witches. “ Yoyanne, sweetie, “ she pressed the word though her lips ironically. “ I’m on a phone. Could you do me a favor?!” She asked. “ yes, what is it ?” “ Shut up, “ Yoyanne blushed and went to the bathroom. She wanted to brush her hair for the big meeting.

She looked into mirror. Her hair was pretty- much fine, but Yoyanne still wanted it to look better. So she combed it once more. She took her brown comb a Almost all of her stuff was at Josephine’s place now.

There wasn’t much. Just some clothes and personal stuff. Her journal and stuff like that. She smiled at her reflection and giggled happily.

She went out and waited for Josephine in front of her house. She was still singing her little song while Josephine came down. Josephine sighed: “ If you don’t stop it we are not going!” “ You’re a pocket full of sunshine,” Yoyanne said ironically.

Josephine lighted a cigarette looked it the clouds: “ We would be faster if we flew,” “ Are you up for it?” Yoyanne asked.

Josephine nodded. Then she closed her eues and concentrated. Short beautiful golden wings with black edges rose from her back. Her top which had invisible bands was in colors of same wine red as her hair and silver. Metalic rings connected the upper part with lower also wine red long shirt. Her shoes wetre golden and elegant with seriously high heals. Well these were for flying not walking. “ You look beautiful,” Yoyanne sighed. It wasn’t just the glittery and beautiful outfit it was also the unseen beauty. Somehow Josephine looked even younger and fresher. The air around her smelled fresh as if it had just rained. Though it made no sense at all because Josephine was a chain- smoker and air around her usually smelled smoky. “ Thanks, “ Josephine muttered and gave Yoyanne a hand. “ I will transport, okay?” she glanced at Yoyanne. giving her the warmest smile she could. “ Yes, “ Yoyanne said trying unsucsessfully hide hoe misarble she felt about not being able to fly herself.

Still it felt great to fly with Josephine as well. “ Is she beautiful, “ Yoyanne asked while enjoyinng soft breezes lifting her hair. “ Amber? Yes, very.” “ Prettier than you?” “ I believe so. She is after all the witch of beauty peace and richness,” “ Smart?” “ Of course.Ancient witches are very wise, “ “ Wiser than you?”

Josepine laughed. Her laugh had almost lost the bitterness. “ Quit comparing us. No, I’m the smartesrt of all witches.” “ Really I though that was the witch of wisdom, “ Yoyanne said teasing and laughing.

Suddenly Josephine’s eyes got cold: “ She’s dead now. Most of us are, “ Yoyanne expected them to fall to the ground now when all the laugher and happiness was gone beetweeen them. Just like in Peter Pan you fell down when you lose your happy though. Of course they didn’t fell, but suddenly all the magic was sucked out of the flying. **********************************************

Amber lived in a very small house with a stunning garden. “ Wow, “ Yoyanne said breathlessly. Josephine was also little breathless, but for a completly other reason. Flying had worn her out she sat on the green grass next to pretty blue flowers that looked happily to Josephine as if trying to make her happy and let her wings fade. “ I know. Scary right?” “ Scary?” Yoyanne laughed. “ This is beautiful. She danced though the garden while tens and hundreded pink blossoms fell down on her black jacket from the threes above her.

She looked to Josephine and saw a hint of smile on her face and smiled back. “ They fought over this garden with Witch of Nature,” Yoyanne raised her eyebrows. “ Don’t worry. She’s generally nice. At least she used to be, “ “ When was the last time you saw her?” Yoyanne asked. “ 40 years ago I think. It hasn’t been that long, “ They stepped into this small house. Yoyanne was breathless. Everything was covered with gold- dust.

The tables, floor, chairs. Everything. Place was small and quite dark. Yoyanne took a step toward and the floor made a scary squeaky noise. She heard steps and door opened on the other side of the room. “ Josephine!” Happy friendly and warm voice that could have only belonged to a very sweet person shouted. She saw a woman running toward Josephine and hugging her gently. “ Amber, “ Josephine groaned. “ I’m so happy you guys are here! I have someone I want you to meet, “ Before Yoyanne could really say anything woman led them to a much bigger lighter room with big windows where everything was stillcovered with golden dust. There was also a big white coffee table and a woman sitting beside it. Yoyanne smiled to the stranger and she smiled back. „ This is Summer,” Amber said waveing her hand towards the girl Yoyanne had just been smiling to. „ This is my friend Josephine,” she turned to Yoyanne and said: „ You must be Yoyanne Ash.” Amber’s voice was sweet and friendly making Yoyanne smile.” Its an honor to meet you,” Yoyanne bowed.

Amber smiled and made a gestute for Yoyanne to get up while Josephine looked rather embarrased by her mates overpoilite behaviour. „ I’m so happy that Josephine has a friend again after all this tine.” Amber smiled warmly. Again. „ She’s not a friend of mine!” Josephine almost hissed. She glanced and saw from the corner of her sight that Yoyanne had tilted her head and her black curly shoulder-leight hair now covered her face.

Josephine turned herself to Summer and looked at her. Summer seemed a bit shy- looking at first. She hadn’t said anything. She just sat there one leg over another. She wore a really ugly brown long pants and black shoes that also looked like something she had taken out of her grandmother’s closet. It went bit better with her white top and leaf green jacket. She had lovely platina blond hair with green stripes.

Beautiful fresh salad green and unlike her clothes her haircut was very well styled. Her eyes. When Josephine looked into her eyes she saw someting flash there and on the same moment she felt as if lighting had struck though her and it wasn’t a pleasent feeling. Never the less she tried to ignore it. Now when she looked more carefully that this girl really didn’t look so shy. She looked more like an observant.

Josephine narrowed her eyes as if trying to see though the girls soul. “ Who is she?” she asked trying to sound rather casual. With an effort she lifted her eyes from a girl to Amber’s warm loving eyes. “ You could say she is my student, “ Amber said at smiled. “ Your student?” Josephine asked while walking toward the kitchen. She took a glass from a white cupboard and poured some of the water in the mug to her glass. then she tured back to Amber waiting for an answer.

“ She is a young witch intrested in magic!” Amber said her eyes sparkiling with exitment. “ Well, then you soon have a class. Yoyanne here is a young witch too, “ “ Really! That’s splendid! Has anyone ever teached you?”

Yoyanne smiled. “ Yes, my mother and I also studied in schools of magic for a while, “ Summer rose up from her seat smiling and happy: “ That’s great! We could learn together. I’m Summer by the way. Summer Leafspring,” she shook hands with Yoyanne. immediately it seemed that these two were about to be great friends and Yoyanne didn’t feel anything weird about Summer, “ You still love Coffee? “ Amber asked Josephine. Josephine muttets something similar to yes and mber took out pack of Leaveld. “ Where did you found her?” Josephine whispered trying hard to sound quiet so either Yoyanne or Summer would hear her though their babbiling. “ She found me, “ Amber answetred calmly. “ Why?” her eyes flickered to Josephine to see her expresssion. “ I don’t know. She seems weird to me, “ Amber gave Josephine another warm smile. “ You have been alone for too long, “ “ Maybe. But I didn’t feel anything around Yoyanne, “ Amber seemed wanting to change the subject” How old is she?” she asked handing Josephine warm cup of coffee. “ Yoyanne? 23 I guess. “ “ She looks young,” “ Don’t I?” Josephine asked trying to hide slight worry. One thing she loved about herself was not looking as old as she was. “ Well, not quite. When you look deep enough you can see centuries passed in your eyes.”

Josephine frowned: “ Oh, please!” But she knew what Amber ment. Yoyanne looked young in a different way.

Yoyanne & Summer were having tea and waved to Josephine and Amber to join them. “ Be nice, “ Amber whispered as they joined table. Amber put on a very warm smile and Jsephine tried her best not to look too suspicious. “ So how did you guys me? “ Summer asked lifting her look from teacup. “ Me and Yoyanne?” “ No I actually ment you and Amber!”

Josephine and Amber gave each other a quick look: “ Not a good story, “ Amber said quietly. “ Why don’t you tell us how you met Yoyanne?” she suggested to Josephine.

Josephine looked at Yoyanne: “ I bet Yoyanne is a much better storyteller than I am,” she said, but Summer really didn´t looked very intreseted.

“She already told me part of it, “ Summer said “that you met only a few days ago.”

Yoyanne looked bit sad. She hadn´t done any good storytelling for some years and she would have loved to try it out now. Of course she would have loved to know the hole story about Amber and Josephine as well, but it didn´t seem like neither of them were going to tell that one. Yoyanne thought that maybe it was too private.

Of course she still hoped that Joephine would adventually tell her. She took a long tea or hot steaming tea and had her first good look on Amber. She was beautiful.

Of course all true witches were, but she was even more. Her glow was glittering gold and that same golden gliiter was everywhere on her skin making her sparkle.

When she touched something that very same glitter would cover the item like fairydust. It was kinda like this body glow that Yoyanne´s roommate Kristen had sometimes used only way more more beautiful, Amber´s eyes were.....Amber and so where her hair that she had put in a ponytail. She wore a pretty casual outfit whitch kinda sucked magic out of her. black long sleevet blouse and blue jeans.

Unlike Josephine Yoyanne found nothing weird about Summer. She actually liked Summer quite a lot. Girl seemed to have good knowlegde about magic spelles and potions and she seemed friendly as well.

A small bell rang in a kitchen and Amber got up: cookies are ready!” she smiled heading towards her kitchen.

Yoanne smelled the air around her and indeed there as a sweet scent of cookies in the air. “ I will help with those, “ Josephine said sounding more as she was giving orders rather that offering her help.. “ Ambr is really hostile, “ Yoyanne said when both of them had left to kitchen. “ Yes, but wha´t´s up with that other, girl? She seemed not to like me, “ Summer looked down to her teacup. “ Don´t you worry about that! Its just Josephine. She just is like that,. I´m sure she likes you, “ Yoyanne gave Summer a warm smile. “ I would really like to have heard that story about how they met. Perhaps Amber will tell me once,” Summer hoped.

Yoyanne nodded. She wished to know as well. “ How old is she?! Do you know?” Summer asked leaning across the table. “ Not really. Besides I think thats private, “ “ I mean is she really old? Like older than she looks, “ “Well depens how old does she looks, “ Yoyanne laughed, but Summer seemed to have lost her temper. “ Why do you care anyway?” Yoyanne asked, but before Summer could answer Josephine and Amber both returned wit a tray full of delicious yummy cookies. “ Here you go, “ Amber said warmly. “ What were you talking about?” Amber aked taking the very first cookie and made a gesture with her hand to encourage others to do the same. “ Yoyanne took one and answered her mouth filled with something that was definetly beyond good: “ About Josephine´s age, “ she smiled wickeldy as she could not laugh. “ These are seriously amazing,” she added.Amber thanked her with a warm look while Josephine gave her the meanest look she had seen in a while. “ My age?” she pressed sounding as if she could not believe what she just heard. “ Yes, I asked Yoyanne how old you are, but she would not tell me, “ Summer explanied. “ That is polite of her. It is never appropiate to discuss woman´s age, “ She had taken a cookie as well and it seemed that she enjoyed its taste as much as Yoyanne did. “ I know. I just wanted to know wheather you´re really old, “ Summer excused herself.

Josephine´s eyes got huge; “ Wheather I´m really old? God no. Do I look like I am?” her voice was loud and it was clear she was upset. “ No, I just wanted to know if you are ancient,” Josephine´s anger scared Yoyanne even though Josephine wasn´t even mad at her. Yoyanne knew that a powerful witch Josephine was. So it it was dangerous to upset her,wasn´t it? But Summer seemed conmpletly calm and subborn even. “ Ancient?” Josephine hissed. “ Do I look ancient?” she turned her head to Yoyanne and raised one eyebrow. “ No, you don´t. “ Yoyanne said without hesitation. “ Good, “ Josephine said sat down and bite cookie forcing most of her anger in there. Everyone sat in silence fora while. Amber sighed.. “ What?” Josephine asked still sounding upset. “ Nothing, “. “ We didn´t officially meet, “ Amber said leaning across the offering Josephine her hand. “ I´m Summer Leafsping,” “ Could there be name more green than that, “ Josephine muttered not taking Summer´s hand.

Amber touched Josephine´s soft silky short hair : “ My dear you have cut your long gorgeous hair, “ “ You had long hair?” Yoyanne asked. “ Yea, same kind of wine red with some darker stripes, but it was down to my waist, “ “ Beautiful, “ Yoyanne sighed.

“ Good, “ Josephine said sat down and bite cookie forcing most of her anger in there. Everyone sat in silence fora while. Amber sighed.. “ What?” Josephine asked still sounding upset. “ Nothing, “. “ We didn´t officially meet, “ Amber said leaning across the offering Josephine her hand. “ I´m Summer Leafsping,” “ Could there be name more green than that, “ Josephine muttered not taking Summer´s hand.

Amber touched Josephine´s soft silky short hair : “ My dear you have cut your long gorgeous hair, “ “ You had long hair?” Yoyanne asked. “ Yea, same kind of wine red with some darker stripes, but it was down to my waist, “ “ Beautiful, “ Yoyanne sighed. “ Yes, I quite loved your look back in the seventies,” Amber said with an absent kind of smile on her face suddenly remembering all the things she and Josephine had done in the time when Yoyanne wasn´t even born yet.

Yoyanne saw that same smile on Josephine´s face. “ Are we gonna keep talking about hair?” Summer asked with a nervous laugh. “ Oh, shut up! Its none of your business. I can talk about whatever I want to, “ Josepine said said sounding rather tired and annoyed than angry. “ Summer, please, I haven´t seen Josephine in decades could we please discuss her hair if we want to?”

Amber asked in a pleasent voice. “ Yes, of course, but we thought we were gonna have power practice today, “ Summer sounded just like a little kid who parents had been unfair to. “ We will I promise, “ Amber said tryiing to make up. “ Oh I see you have clearly better things to do. I better get going,” Josephine said rising up sounding obviously insulted. “ No, “ Yoyanne interrupted” You guys talk. Alone if you need to. Me & Summer can take a little walk, can´t we? Besides you have a beautiful garden, Amber” Amber smiled and Yoyanne and Summer headed outside. Garden actually was very beautiful. “ I´m sorry I upseted your friend, “ Summer whispered. “ That´s okay. I guess she can be that way, “ Yoyanne thought. “ You haven´t known her for that long, have you?” “ No, not really, “ “ But she wasn´t paranoid about you, was she?” “ Paranoid!?” Yoyanne laughed.” she isn´t paranoid, “ “ So you´re saying I am a bad person cause SHE obvously thinks I am, “ “ I don´t think she does.. You just pissed her off, “ “ With what?!”

Yoyanne sighed: “She doesn´t think you´re a bad person. You´re obviously not, “ “ So she just doesn´t like me?” “ Maybe,” Summer sighed: “ Do you like me?” “ You seem nice, “ “ You seem nice, “ “ Will you still like me if Josephine starts talking crap about me?” “ I don´t think she will, “ Yoyanne said.

After a long pause Summer smiled” We should get togerther sometime, “ “ Sure, I will give yiou my phone number,” Yoyanne found a piece f paper in her pocket and Summer gave her a black pen so that Yoyanne could write.she wrote her number down and gave it to Summer.

Amber and Josepine joined them in the garden: “ Seriously I can´t take any more of your babbiling, Amber,”

Amber laughed: “ Still the same old good Josepine, “ she hugged her gently and this time Josepine akwardly hugged her back. She was a bad hugger. “ I think we really are going, Yoyanne if Amber gets any more sentimentalo about these old- good- days I might be sick, “ Josephine gave her warmest mile to Amber. “ Will you call me? amber asked. “ Its your turn t call me, “ Josepnine said. “ It was pleasure to see you and of course it was pleasure too meet you, Yoyanne, “ “ It was really nice to meet you. Both. “ Josephine said lifting her look from Amber to Summer.

Once she had walked out of the garden with Josephine Cassie, Jopsephine turned herself to Yoyanne and asked : “ You really like that new girl, Summner, “ “ Yes, she seemed fine to me, “ Yoyanne said honestly” Why don´t you like her?” ‘” I had a bad feeling about her from the moment I saw her. She´s up to something.” Josephine seriously said. “ Up to something?!” Yoyanne giggled while Josephine transformed into her flyinng outfit. “ Yes. Something bad. “ Yoyanne took Josephine´s hand and they flew up in the sky. She giggled: “ She might be right about you. “ Josephine´s face was a question mark: “ She said you´ re paranoid, “ “ Yoyanne. I am....” She paused and then´sighed: “ 179 years old. I know when someone is up to something,” “ I still think you are wrong about this, “ “ I kinda wish I was.” the rest of the way they flew in silence.Yoyanne breathed in fresh sweet smell that surrounded Josephine.Wishing once again that she could fly as well They reached Josepine´s house quite fast landing in her much less showy garden. Josephine sighed:” Do I really look that old?”

Yoyanne smiled: “ No way! Don´t worry about it!” but her voice got bit too high (even though she had ment what she said) and Josephine frowned at her.She got a key from the pocket of her black leather jacket she was now wearing and opened the door letting herself and Yoyanne in. She took off her long luxourios stiletto boots and headed towards her small kitchen:” What do you want for dinner?” she asked turning her head to Yoyanne so that her thick wine red hair flipped to the back. “ Anything,” Yoyanne said. “ Fine. I think I have some cereal in the cupboard.”

Yoyanne laughed: “ You´re joking, right?” “ Yes, genius, How´s pasta for you?” “ Great,” Josephine took ouut a big black frying nealed deeper inside her cupboard and found a bif silver pot with cute sky blue handels.she poured some water in it and set it boling. “ are you just gonna sttand there?” she asked without really looking at Yoyanne . “ Oh....ehm....no.Do you need help?” “ No. But it borthers me that you just stand there. “ Josephine really needed no help. Everything looked so easy in her hands as if she was one of these cooks on TV. She cutted all fruits that she used for her sauce so fast that Yoyanne had to look really good to see what they were: “ You´re definetly faster that that Easy-Cutter they show on TV!” Yoyanne and Josephine both laughed, but then there was a quick flash of red light though the kitchen and yoyanne heard Josephine saying something that sounded like curse. Yoyanne opened her eyes to see what had happened and she saw a small trail of red glittring blood running down from Josepines finger. she washed it off and went to her shells of potions. She took one of the bottles that was almost empty and pu t the last of her healing medicine on her bloody finger: “I should really make some more of it!” she said heading back to her cooking,. Everything there smelled so delicioius and mouth-watering there. “ Can you set the table for me while you´re here anyway?” Josephine asked .

Yoyanne took out the plates from upper cupbpoard where she had sseen them before and said: “ You.... flash when you bleed.”

Josephine took out a big fancy looking bottle with blue liquid inside and green lable on it with Golden letters on it that said: “ Granitous” “ Yes, don´t you?” she opened a bottle with loud popping sound. “ No, my blood is glittery, but not flashy. Shķuld it be flashy too?” “ I don´t really know. I mean I´m no Grand Witch as Amber, but my blood still does that. Anway enough with the blood-talk we sound like vampires.”

They both sat down to eat.

“Wow, that´s really great,”Yoyanne spoke with her mouth filled with spaghetti. “ I know. Its Ambers recipe. She has some outstanding cooking skills.”

Josephine filled two crystal cups with blue bubbily liquid. “ I noticed. These cookies were undescribibly good,”. “ and that´s just the beggining,” they set in silence for awhile then Yoyanne said something she had meaning to tell for awhile:” I think I´m going to see Summer again, “ Yoyanne nervously waited for Josephine´s response, but instead of getting pissed at Yoyanne she sat there and kept eating:” Do as you like, “ she finally said. That blue drink was also very good. It tasted similar to shampane, but didn’t have the disgusting side- taste that alchol drinks had. It tasted pure and juicy.

Then they fell onto much mre akward silence untill they both finished eating and washed the dishes.

After that they both agreed on going to bed. Yoyanne led a while sheet over her sofa and placed a big white puffy pillow where her head was going to be. Then she took a thick black blanket Josephine had found for her and sat on her bed(sofa). “ Night,” she said glancing at Josephine.

Josephine glanced back at her:” Yoyannne?” “ Yes?” “ For how are you planning to stay here?” “ Um....oh right.I guess I will be leaving tommorow, “ Yoyanne said with a sense of sadness in her voice. “ Allright then.”

Capture 6

Abonded Josephine was still sleeping when Yoyanne woke up. She decided she wasn´t going to leave without goodbye, but she decided she might as well go and see Summer before she packs everything and leaves. While wrting a note for Josephine she wondered when she was ever going to come back. Amber was one of Josephine´s best friends and she only saw her over 40 years or somethiing. The bare thought of them seeing again when Yoyanne is sixty was scary so yoyanne stopped thinking about it and sticked little yellow post-it on Josephine´s fridge and gave one last look to what she had written.

Gone to see Summer.

Will be back later to pack.

Yoyanne She took her old black jacket at walked out of the door. When it slammed closed Josepine opened her eyes and wondered whats going on. She got herself up on her bedand glanced down to her black sleepwear. She shook her head trying to clear it and yawned. then she slowly got up walked to her black dresser and opened first drawer.,took out a small black mirror and looked at her messy wine red hair and sighed, closed hjer eyes and srarted muttering silent words so her hair organized themselves and when she opened her eyes again they were all silky and nice. Josephine smiled:” Still got it. “ she said to herself. Then she looked around in her appartment and yelled for Yoyanne. She glanced to her small sofa where Yoyanne usually slept and raised her eyebrows in suprise. Josephime headed to the kitchen part of the room and saw yellow post- it that Yoyanne had written. she led her eyes over it and threw it to a bin under the counter. “ Okay, then” she said and threw piece of toast inside toaster.

Meanwhile Yoyanne placed her bag an small black chair in cafeteria and sat on the chair next to it. “ Hi;” She smiled to Summer who sat across the table. “ Hello,” Summer smiled back.” I´m suprised you could come, “ Yoyanne raised one eyebrow: “ Could we order? Cause quite honestly I gotta say I´m starving. I didn´t have time to eat before I came.

Summer nodded and the both rose up to see what cafeteria had to offer, ehind a counter there stood a young woman with bright red long curly hair. . Yoyanne eagerly smiled to her and girl turned away. She

a

as all other people weren?t up to see Yoyanne´s beauty. Yoyanne ordered one fruity salad with ll her favourite fruits and bit of whipped cream and Summer ordered a cappuccino and some chocolate chipped cookies.

Woman took her time preapering the coffee while being as fast as possible handing girls there stuff never really looking at them, horrified by their beauty. “ You´re pretty. Then don´t usually do that with me, niot that much anyway,” Summer said taking a big bite of her cookie. “ Look way like your plauge?” Yoyanne asked annoyed about the fact that Summer thought of it as a good thing. “ Yes, “ Summer smiled. ” Why where you so suprised that I could come?” Yoyanne asked elegantly taking bite of her delicious salad. “ I thought Josephine woudn´t let you go, “ Summer admitted. “ She´s really not that paranoid as you think she is.” Yoyanne wasn´t very sure whether she was actually lying when she said that. “ That´s nice. So she wasn´t mad, was she?” Summer asked “ No. I don´t think so, “ Yoyanne said seriously. She thought she saw frustration on Summer´s face as if that answer wasn´t that she wanted to hear. Yoyanne heard alarm bells ringing in her head, but these alarm bells faded quickly when Summer told Yoyanne about this new hip hair- spell she had learned. They spent rest of the their time discussing spells and magic which made Yoyanne extremly happy.

Summer was so much more cheery and chatty than Josephine and much more willing to talk about potiions and spells. when Yoyanne told Summer about all the potions Josephine had young-witch got hyperexited and wondered if Josephine could borrow her some. “ Oh my! Look at the time! I have to get going. I kinda promised Josephine I´d move out today!” Youyanne said looking at ther silver watch.

Summer raised one eyebrow:” Moving out? You started a fight or something?” “ No!” Yoyanne felt anger in her voice. “ Its just that I don´t really live there. I´ve got a rental appartment. “ “ Oh. Sorry. Can I send you home....ehm Josephine´s place?” Summer asked.

“Yes, sure. can you fly?” “ No, “ Summer seemed sad” Can you?” she asked with more exitment.Yoyanne´s face got red. “ What?” “ I u-sed t-to,” Yoyanne blushed harder: “ but I seem to have lost it. Josephine promised to teach me though,” “ Do you think she will?” “ Yes. Maybe” “ Shall we take a taxi? I´ll pay for it and we will be much faster besides I´m really in hurry, “ Yoyanne suggested.

Summer noodded. They stepped outside, It was warm, but rainy and to the girls luck there was taxi right in front of the cafeteria. They sat inside when Yoyanne realized he had no idea what´s Josephine´s address.

She flipped open her phone no call Josephine realizing she didn´t know her phone number either. “ I have no idea what´s the address. Do you mind if I just guiide you a bit?” She asked leaning to the driver.

An older man nodded his eyes flickering to Yoyanne from the back-view mirror only for a second. “ Okay. So I think this house is on Fresh Street. Just turn left here, “ “ I know where Fresh Street is, “ man replied quickly band drove of with speed that quite clearly was over the speed limit. “ I hope I´m right about Fresh Street.” Yoyanne whispered to Summer. She looked outside. It was raining a lot harder now than it was before. Luckily Yoyanne had been right about the Fresh street apparently Josephine lived in 18th Fresh Street. She flipped her black walled open and took out 55 Kroons which was considered quite a lot. Summer stepped pout of the taxi as well. “ Thanks for coming with me, but wouldn´t you want to use that taxi to get home? “ Yoyanne asked. Raindrops turned to mist just a few centimeters before they reached her jacket. “ No. Its expensive and I don´t really have much chash at the moment, “ Summer complained. “ What is SHE doing here?” Josephine askd her voice thick with disgust.. “ She wanted to send me home, “ Yoyanne explained. “ Hi, “ Summer whispered from behind Yoyanne. “ What are you GIRLFRIENDS?” Josephine wrinkled her nose” Fine come on in,but don´t steal anything, “ Yoyanne was starting to feel rather annoyed about Josepine´s behaviour. It was clear Summer wasnn´t gonnna steal anything even if she was “ up to something” as Josephine had said. Summer stepped inside Josephine´s appartment and sat on a sofa where Yoyanne usually slept. “ I wanted to pack my stuff and I will be back to my rental appartment, “ Yoyanne said trying not to think about the meaning of her words,. Back to her rental appartment she rented with 17 year- old teenage girl named Kristen. It was her very own personal hell. “ Do you need any help with that?” Summer asked. “ I think I can get all the help I need from Josephine. Besides didn´t you tell me you have to swing by your aunt Sena later?” “ Oh yes! I completly forgot! Thank you for reminding me, “ Summer said getting up.

“Josephine, have you seen my black short dress?” Yoyanne asked. “ Oops, I think I put it in my dresser. I really loved that one,” “ And I´m the thief. “ Summer mumbeled,but Josephine didn´t turn her atterntion to her She opened her black dresser and took out Yoyanne´s black dress. Then they both returned to the living room. where Summmer stood in the hallway and ziipped her lime green bag. “ See you, Yoyanne! Calll me!” she said walking out of the door,

“You weren´t very nice with her, “ Yoyanne said when door slammed closed. “ Well excuse me, Miss Perfect!” Josephine frowned.

Yoyanne opened her stylish blue suitcase and started folding her clothes: “ Are we going to see each other again? I mean you said you could teach me how to fly again!” Yoyanne reminded Josephine. “ Oh yeah! Well it depends if you want to see me again or would you rather spend time with Kristen and Summer?”

Yoyanne decided there was absolutly no rreson to ruin Josephine´s mood by saying something like “ Summer really isn´t that bad” instead she said: “ Of course I´d like to see you again. “ “ Well I guess then we will see again after a decade. Or a week. “ “ Week sounds better.” “ I had a feeling you´d say that, “ Josephine went to the last drawer of her little dresser and found sone clothes there.” I realized I have nothing to eat for lunch. I gotta do a little shopping, “ “ Well, “ Yoyanne thought “ I´d say you have been more than a little hostilesy if you want to you could eat with me an ehm.... Kristen tonight,” Josephine grinned: “Eating with a normal human. Could be intresting. I wonder how badly I could freak her out,” she grinned even wider and that made Yoyanne grin as well: “ So you´re in?! Wonderful. Now that leaves only one little problem - I don´t think we have anyrthing to eat either. “ “ Well that is indeed one little problem that can be solved, let´s swing by “ Mirracle World SuperMarket” before we leave’’ Josephine suggested . “ Mirracle World- Liittle mirracle in every day!” both girls sang the theme that was played over and over again in TV and laughed. “ That is the most ridicilous song I have ever heard.” Josephine commented though laughter. “ And still in haunts you, have you heard the one they got for that soft cookie bear? “ “ Barni? If you´re asking if I ever turn my TV on then yes,” Josephine semed to be looking for something for quite a while mow, se looked behind sofa right now:” That´s odd, “ she said. “ I could swear I left my wine red boots over here and mnow there gone. Have you seen them? They have my inistials J.C pressed in.” Josephine explained. “ As the matter fact I think I did see them. Weren´t they here in the hallway when I steppd in?” “ That´s what I though. I actually stumbeled over them this morning, but I was too lazy to put them away......” Joseüphine´s thought trailed away: “ Oh crap! That Summer girl!”

What about her?” Yoyanne asked unwilling to believe what she thought she was gonna hear. “ She stiole them. “ “ Hey! You´re being childish?!” “ CHILDISH?! Yoyanne I knew the moment I saw her she was up to something!” “ Oh and she was up to stealing your shoes that not only won´t problably fit her, but also practically have your name on them! That´s serously unlikely.” “ Call me paranoid again?” Josephine pushed. “ Actually yeah!” Yoyanne got her nose up. “ Well why don´t you run to her and tell her all about how mean and paranoid and old I am!”

Yoyanne´s voice got softer: “ Calm down. I´m sure we will find your boots. “ “ I don´t need your help finding them! Now do me a favor and get out of my house!” Yoyanne felt the angry energy around Josephine and go to her suitcase and backed away from Josephine: “F-Fine!” Yoyanne mumbeled and ran out tears pooring from her cheeks. Suddenly she realized she was wet. What the heck?

But she was never wet in rain not even when it was pooring. She realized she was so scared she couldnt control her magic enough to have it protect her from rain. She run though the pooring rain that seenmed cold and nasty against her skin. Half way to home. No to her rental appartment she gathered herself enough to have her magic protect her from rain. Never the less she kept running She didn´t look anywhere around herself. Her eyes where still wet with tears while she tried desparetly to turn her door open. It doidn´t work was it because her hand were all shaky? No it seemed as the key really didn´t fit. She took a deep claming breath,dried her wet eyes and tried again. Still nothing. She checked the number on the door, maybe she was so panicked she ran into the wrong appartment.

Golden numbers 45 on the door told her that this was right place. It was the key that wasn´t right. Yoyanne knocked on a black wooden door. She heard footsteps conming closer along with loud music playing in the appartment. Yoyanne regonized the song, it was: “Day after rain” by Christin Sile. Christin was a young pop artist, her song were supposed to be deep and meaningful, but they sounded more like meaningless dance music and Yoyanne doubted if Kristen had ever really listened to lyrics. Door opened and Yoyanne looked at Kristen´s pale face that was coverede with her messy hair and had some feathers in it. Kristen grinned at Yoyanne: “ Like You came for the rest of your stuff?” she asked chewing her minty chewing gum. “ Actually I came back here, “ Yoyanne explained. “ Oh that´s nice and cool Miss Freaky, but I´ve got a new roomate,” “ Excuse ,me?”

Without saying anything Kristen left to the bedroom. “ Who is it?” Yoyanne heard someone asking. “ No one. Just my old freak-bitch roomate,” she heard Kristen´s answer.

Kristen returned with too bags over her shoulder she threw them to Yoyanne and said: “ Get lost!” then she slammed the door quick and hard leaving Yoyanne standing in the hallway all by herself. Poor girl had no idea what to do. Where do go. She started running downstairs with all her bags as fast as she could. Finally she found herself nback in the pooring rain comforting herself with a thought that this time she was calm enough to keep herself from getting any wetter than she already was.

Capture 7 Trapped Yoyanne flipped her silver cellphone open and searched up Summer´s name from the contact list. She answered on the first ring: “ Hello Yoyanne,” “ Good morning Summer!” Yoyanne greeted her politely “ Josephine and I sort of had a fight,” she explained.. “ Oh , That´s awful! Did she kicked you out?!” Summer sounded warm and worried. “ Yes. “ “ That´s a pity. Well you still got that rental apparment, don´t you, but you can always come to me as well if you want too “ For a moment Yoyanne thought she heard a sarcastic subtone in Summer´s voice. Ignoring that feeling she went on:” Does always includes now? I got kicked out of my rental appartment too.” “ Really? How come?” “ I´d really not talk about it,” “ Yes, of course and you can come to me now as well if you like that,” “ Oh, Thank you!” Yoyanne cheered happily. Summer gave Yoyanne her address and Yoyanne stopped another taxi that was able to drove her. She sat inside the yellow car. “ Where to Miss?” suddenly Yoyanne was suprsised when taxi driver looked at her. Really looked - deep uinside Yoyanne´s eyes and did not turn away. Yoyanne was quiet. “ Miss?” “ Uh? Yes. Sorry. What?”

Man seemed slightly amused by Yoyanne´s sudden confusion. “ I asked you where wpould you like to go Miss” Still weirdly confused Yoyanne mumbeled the address. Then she leaned to the backseat and wondered whuy the man had been lookinng at her. Finally when she decided there can be only one logical reason for that she said it out loud: “ You´re not human.”

Man laughed: “ Just becauise you reem to think of yourself as sonmething other than human due to your...... abilities doesn´t mean that I also....” he trailed of. “ In not so many words: I´m pretty sure I am a human.” “ Yes, but not ordinary.” Yoyanne disagreed. “ No one is ordanary,” Man said wisely.

Yoyanne smiled: “ Yes, but everybody tries to be,” “ That seems to be the case. But still I do not own any abilities such as you might,” Yoyanne felt slightly pissed: “ If you´re so normal, “ she pressed the word though her lips.” then why did you looked at me?” “ Jeesh. I realize now why most people won´t talk to your kind. You´re incredibly easy to irritate, “ Yoyanne bllushed: “ Its not that. Were not. I was just wondering,” “ Let´s just say I´m not afraid of people who are special, “ “ That´s a nice change. Who are you?” “ At the moment I´m a taxi driver, “ Yoyanne laughed: “ I ment your name, “ “ Richard,” “ Yoyanne,” Richard looked outside: “ Well, Yoyanne, you have arrived to your destination,” “ That´s a pity. It was really nice talking to you, “ “ Well, perhaps you would like to use services of our company again and then maybe we can talk some more. You can ask for me, “she handed Yoyanne a silver card with the phone number of their taxi company. “ I think I will be back around seven, “ Yoyanne said making a rush decision clearly not thinking about where would she go after seven. “ I´ll pick you up in seven if I´m available, “ Richard pronmised. “ I´ll wait if you´re not. “ Yoyanne promised. Then she quickly payed for the ride, got out of the car and waved goodbye to Richard. He rolled his car window down and asked:” dont you have an umbrella?”

Yoyanne smiled:” I don´t, but I won´t get wet anyway, “ she winked at Richard.

He smiled warmly at her and drove away.

Happily Yoyanne ran up from the stairs till she reached top floor where Summer lived. She knonked and didn´t have to wait long before Summer opened the door and gave Yoyanne warm hug.Yoyanne smiled back and assured Summer that she´s fine. Summer called Yoyanne in and they sat down on a cherry red sofa. Room was rather empty. It had some boxes in corners, but otherwise it was one biig empty living room with white wooden floor,cherry-red sofa and small TV. Yoyanne realixed it was out of place. It wasn´t really father more it was kind of scary. “ That horrible horrible woman.” Summer said sillently.

Even though Josephine had made Yoyanne crying her eyes out 10 minutes ago she now felt a sudden urge to protect her::” I bet she´ll calm down and apologize deeply,” “ I doubt that, “ Summer dissagreed her voice sounding silent but still somehow as if she was trying to press every word into Yoyanne: “ Remember what she was like when I was there and did she ever apologize to me?” “ No, “ Yoyanne sighed. She still believed that Josephine and Summer both were good people, but when she llistened to Summer´s weird tone that sounded like Summer was trying to make her belive something that wasn´t true,her faith in Summer Leafsping started to fade. She looked down to the not-so-empty hallway. There was a small wooden shelf there with all sorts of potions on it. Potions - that was what masde Yoyanne happy right away: “ My.you got so much potions!” she got up happily cheerfully and wanted to check everything out.Then she realized something:: “ You said you werent a very advanced witch. But these potions can´t be made by someone who is not advanced.” “ They were made by my mother, “ Sumner explained” I could never do such advanced potion,” she added more silenlty.

Yoyanne felt sligtly ashamed of herself so she looked down to the floor and what she saw there made her gasp JOSEPHINE´S BOOTS. Unmistakebly Josephine´s wine red favorite boots with her big capital J and C on. “ What?” Summer asked her voice nervous and hard. “ T-These are J-josephine´s boots, “ Yoyanne mumbled in disbelief. “ I know,” Summer replied.”They will look great on me while I make an end to the two last remaining

witches on Mirracley,” Yoyanne understood what was happening, but she could not put itn in words. She stared at Summer who was sitting there looking like she hadn´t just told Yoyanne how she was planning to kill our poor girl´s closest thing to a best friend. “ Then you just s-tole these boots to make us.....”

“Fight.Yes” Summer admitted. “So you wouldn´t protect her or anything. You were also quite helpful on finding out where she lives, “ Summer smiled happly. “ You. won´t. hurt. her,” Yoyanne pressed. “ I would like to see how you will stop ME!” Summer laughed. “ Cause you will never get out of here!”

Tjen her pretty blond-green striped hair turned black long( and Yoyanne had to admit - beautiful) flowy curly hair that reached down to her ankels.It seemed Yoyanne that women was turning bigger, and taller, but then she realized she was flying towards to her. Womans long black, torn and old looking dress floated in air. Yoyanne was ready to protect herself with som spell, but then she realized that she (whatever her name was problably wasn´t Summer) wasn´t going to cast a spell on Yoyanne, she was going to cast a spell on the house. She said some big and powerful words and the engery around Yoyannne was so thick and dark it was hard to move in it. it was everywhere. SHE was everywhere Yoyanne felt like she´s gonna fall into some hugeblaxck hole, but she didn´t. She did however fell in the sam white wooden floor that she had been standing on a minute ago. Woman( Jeesh could she tell Yoyanne her name already?) turned back to her Summer disguise and looked at Yoyanne who was lying on her floor and laughed. “ You´re even weaker than I thought!” even though her disguise was the same it had been before her voice sounded like a big dark echo.( Well the room was nearly empty) Yoyann tried unsuccsessfully to get herself up. Woman didn´t wait her to gather herself. She walked to one of the paper booxes and took out a beautiful silver sword, then she took one green liquid potion and poured it into a spray bottle. All that time all that Yoyanne had been able to do was to get herself up sitting and The Woman wasn´t exactl in hurry. Now that she had sprayed her sword( For what ever reason) and kissed it.

She simply took the keys and moved towards the door as if ashe was going to go out and buy some lunch.

But somerthing stopped her - ringing of Yoyanne´s cell. “ Yoyanne looked it up from her pocket and checked the number. She had no idea who it was. The only person she had in her contact list was Summer “ Who is it?” Summer......well if it was her real name asked. “ Its Kristen, “ Yoyanne lied. She felt it was right to lie about this. “ I wonder what she wants,” “ Pick it up, “ Summer orded. “ Its ot like she will.....” Yoyanne couldn´t finish because Summer was now yelling her order at her.

“Hello!” Yoyanne answered her phone a bit too enthusiasticly. “ Hi, Yoyanne. Its me....I don´ t really know why I called. “ Josephine´ s voice was more uncertain than ever. “ Hello Kristen. Why did you called?” Yoyanne replied trying to sound pleasant, but formal.. “ Kristen? Are you that mad at me? Look I...”as much as Yoyanne would have loved to hear these words she had to interrupt. “ I really don´t need that pink dress. You can keep it. I don´t really like that color. Thanks for calling” Yoyanne rushed to get off that phone “ What´s going on Yoyanne? “ Summer ripped the phone off Yoyanne´s hands and spoke in it: “ Kristen?!” she asked in suspicious voice.

Josephine regonized Summers voice and suddenly everything was clear and as much as she would have loved to yell ‘Don´t you dare to touch Yoyanne!’ sheut on her bnest blond chick voice and said: : “Yea,like who the hell r ya?” “ Yoyanne is sort of busy so don´t borther her with your dress talk.” “ Like whatever!” Josephine tried to to sound casual.

Summer flipped the silver slide phone down and ended call then she threw the phone hard againas the ground so it flew to pieces.She smashed some pieces broken with Josephine´s high healed shoes she had put on anmd walked out of the door leaving it open. Yoyanne ran to the door put suddenly she felt electric jolt

though her body and s flew harshly to the wooden floor. There was a magical barrier everywwhere around her. she took a piece of her phone and threw it though the door. It didn´t bounce back: “ So..... magical creatures only, huh?” That seemed like a good thong first, but then when she thought about it there really was no diffrence. she looked down to the floor were pieces of her phone were. She wondered if it was possible to fix it. Phone was a small thing so a little magic and maybe it would work again. But when Yoyanne tried to gather her power into her hands it hurted her and pressed her down to the ground. “ No magic either, huh?” she said to herself. She looked around and realized she might have been left withoout magic of her own, but she still had all of these potions. Only she had no idea what their for. Just like Josephine Summer didn´t seem to be a big fan of labels. So there she sat - trying to fix her phone in a hopeless situation. Once she had sat there for a good five minutes she felt really misarble And Suddenly she knew what to do. If only she would have figured that out earlier. Richard can get her out of here,but how would she get to tell Richard that she´s here? She looked down to the street from a window that was also covered with a magical barrier and sighed. “ Well I better try to fix my phone again,” she said to herself. She gathered mmagic into her hands and it once again pressed her against wooden wall. She got up and try to re-do the same spell a lot faster, once again barrier reactedhitting Yoyanne against the floor, but suprisingly Yoyanne was fast enough to cast the spell.” My phone!”she happily cheered. She picked it up and looked for the last incoming calls, then she saved Josephine´s phone number and called it. Hoping that her closest thing to friend was okay. “ Yoyanne!” Josephine said with obvious relief “ Josephine! Are you okay?” Yoyanne said with exact same relived tone. “ Yea, what´s up?” “ Summer is coming to get you. To kill you. “ these words made Yoyanne shiver. “ She obviously thinks too much of herself, “ Josephine said proudly. “ I´m not so sure about that one. She´s majorly powerful,” “ So am I.,” “ I would get out of there if I were you,” “ What about you? Where are you?” Josephine asked wihout a hint of worry in her voice. “ Trapped, “ Yoyanne admitted sadly. “ Well,” Josephine said slowly “ I COULD help you out, but I´m all so paranoid and sense Summer is so darn good maybe she´ll come and set you free, “ Yoyanne sighed: “ Why did you called me the first place if you wanted me to rotten somewhere?” she asked her voice turning bitter and weepy. “ But you wouldn´t help much annyway, because this barrier is totally magic proof, “ she added more calmly. “ So I was right about Summer,huh? Major Evil? GREAT! You just could´t have trusted me, could you?”

Josephine yelled sounding so angry that Yoyanne felt like she would burst into the tears.” Just get out of there please, for your own sake, she knows where you live, “Yoyanne whispered “ Oh and I wonder who´s fault that is?”

Yoyanne flipped her phone closed and with shaking hands she took out small silover taxi company card.. she dialed the number and let in rang. Of course the comany put her on hold ,o nervously listened to some music until someone was finally able to take her call:” Silver Taxi,Helen speaking how may I help you, “ “ I would like to order a taxi with Richard, Green street 56” “ Hang on I´ll see if he´s available,” After a short pause Helen answered: “ Richard is not available. I´ll get you a taxi with someone else.” “ I would really need Richard I don´t care how long he takes, “ actually Yoyanne did care, but it felt weird enough to ask for a certain taxi driver. “ Fiine I´ll ask him how long he´ll take, “ Another pause. “ Around half an hour,are you sure you want him?”

“Yes, if you don´t mind,” ´t but all our taxi drivers are as good as he is,” “ Yes, but,” and suddenly Yoyanne realized something “ I left my suitcase in that car of his,” and that was the truth she just hadn´t realized it before.

“ Oh I see. Then of course. We´re terribly sorry about that “ “ Oh it was all my mistake, “ Yoyanne calmed fthat women named Helen down “ Have a nice day, “ “ You too, “ Yoyanne ended the call not very certain about how nice that day will be.

Chapter 8:

Wounded.

It must have been then the longest half hour in Yoyanne´s life. She kept checking the time after each minute. Finally her phone rang: “ Your taxi has arrived, “ Richards already familiar voice said.

“Ehm...Richard This is gonna sound weird, but could you come upstairs? The door is wide open. “ “ This is a little unexpected request, but I guess I could. Is this gonna take long?” “ I surely hope not, but I will really need your help.” “ With what?” Richard asked. “ Its a witch thing, “ Yoyanne said slowly. “ Oh and I´M the right person to do a WITCH thing?” “ It has to be someone who isn´t a witch. or a wizard, “ .” Experiment on a innocent human?” Richard teased. “ No,” Yoyanne laughed.

The call ended and Yoyanne turned her head to the open door, waiting for her saver.

In just a minute Richard stood in the hallway: “ So what is that you needed help with, “ “ This barrier, “ Yoyanne replied and slowly moved closer to the magical barrier and touched it with just one finger. She was hoping reaction won´t be as hard as it had been before, but she was wrong. Barrier slammmed poor Yoyanne against the floor with its full streinght. “ Wow,” was all that Richard had to say about it. “ Only a regular human gets though, “ Yoyanne explained.

Richard gently touched the barrier and it didn´t hurt him. He breathed with relief. Then he gave his hand to Yoyanne and asked: “ If I pull you out really fast will it work?” “ Maybe. I hope.” “ On three” Richard said squuezing Yoyanne´s hand.

And so he counted to three annd pulled Yoyanne free out of the barrier and that amazingly easy it was all they could hear was a sillent popping sound that the barrier made once it had freen its prisoner. “ Thank you,” Yoyanne smiled. “ So, now that I´ve saved you from this Magical trap, oh I feel so very mighty, would you like to get your suitcase back as well?” He asked. “ Yes,and I would also like to get a ride, “ “ Well what do you know, I happen to be very good at giving peoople a ride, “ Yoyanne giggled: “ Oh, really?” “ So where are we going?” Richard asked once they were in the car. “ We need to go were you picked me up this morning, “ Yoyanne said with a serios voice that had no trace of laughter that was there before. “ Is something wrong?” “ Yes. We....I mean I must save a friend of mine from a demon.....or whatever she is. Major evil, “Yoyanne explained.

Richard was quiet for a while. “ It sounds way to crazy for you, doesn´t it?” Yoyanne asked her voicefilled with guilt. Why she had to be so out and open? “ Not at all, “ Richard lied “ In was just thinking how boring my life is, “ “ If you think that´s my typical day you´re dead wrong, “ Yoyanne assured him. “ Major evil. Wow, “ Richard whispered to himself.

They arrived in front of Josephine´s house and Yoyanne ran out of the taxi. Without either paying for the ride or takinng her suuitcase.

“Are you sure you´re gonna be allright?” Richard yelled after her. “ Yes, “ Yoyanne lied. It was one of these lies when you really don´t realize that your lying until later. I mean it was obvious she said yes it would have been weird if she would have said “ No, I´ll problably die,”

Anyway Yoyanne entered the house and saw something that made her mounth flew open. Josephine beautiful as she was with her thin golden black lined wings mad a long jump to the air ansd landed gracefully on The Evil Womans sword and then when she pulled it away jumped up and landed behind Evil.

Then quickly turned around and moved her hand back a little just to push it back towards her with a huge wave of invisible energy that was strong enough to push Evil against the wall and for Yoyanne to feel it brushing though her hair life a soft breeze.Angry Miss evil Groossed both of her fisted hands on her chest and then released another strong wave of energy towards Josephine. She only flinced and then kept stanging there with a hard facel All that this energy didto her was that it slide her a bit across the room.

Josephine looked so strong even when Evil really looked like pure evil. Then something suddenly made Josephine lose her cnsetration and her eyes flickered to Yoyanne in suprise: “ Yoyanne? “ was all she could say before Evil picked up her sword and ran towarrd Josephine pushing her silver sword though her petite body. Josephine gasped in pain along with with a long bright red flash ixed with Yoyanne´s terrified scream. “ You´re dead, “ Evil witch laughed with a voice that sounded like thunder storm nd on the moment sh said it everyonne believed it was the thruth, but then someone yelled “ Yoyanne!” an witch turned her face to the main door to get ready for more company. “ He´s a VERY powerful Grand Wizard! He´ll kill you for what you did to Josephine!” Yoyanne lied tears in her voice while gathhering energy to her right hand and pushing that witch against another wall. As unlikely as Yoyanne´s lie was when Richard touched the door handel Evil dissapeared into thin air.

Richard stood in the doorway. they were all in complete silence. Josephine had closed her eyes real tight trying to igniore the pain and look like a real duff girl. “ I can´ t believe she bought that, “ she finally said sounding almost her casual seft. “ I think we should call 411, “ “ They can´t heal witches!” Yoyanne sobbed in panic. “ Relax, Yoyannne. Its not that bad. “ Josephine said though grintted teeth. “ A littlle potion here and there and I´m fine, “ “ Yes,but didn´t you use the last of it on your finger?” “ No!” Josephine almost yelled out of pain” I got some more. Pink potion, bottle has black ribbon, “ Yoyanne ran to the potion shell and started looking, her hand were shaking and she was afraid to drop any of the potions. She knew how it would have upset Josephine. Meanwhile Josephine, as she was - sword stuck in her started chatting with Richard. “ So, I didn´t catch your name,” Richard who was seriously confused by sudden rush of things didn´t quite knew his own name: “ Ehm.... uh.....Excuse me?” he kneeled down to Josephine so she didn´t have to look so high up. “ That´s a weird name. WHAT were your parents thinking?”

Richard laughed:: “ I´m sorry. I´m a little blown away by how you .... handle your situation.

Josephine made a face and whispered: “ Well yeah. Its not very comftorble, but I´ve Felt worst pain I think.”

Richard smiled: “ I´m Richard. You´re a friend of Yoyanne´s or something” . “ Or something,. I´m not the nicest person alive so I think she just finds me intresting rather than a friend, “ and it wasn´t something Josephine would say because she was too pround to have friends or open up.

She ment that. She thought that person as nice as Yoyanne could never want to be friends with a bitter old witch like she was. “ And why excacly are you so intresting? “ was Richard curious. “ I´m one of the last ones alive,” Yoyanne wa standing there a bottle of potion in her hands. “ Thank you, now I also need a wet towel and someone who will hold my hand when I scream in agiony and possibly a first AID kit if something goes wrong, “ Josephine instructed.

Yoyanne got all of these things with tears in her eyes and hands shaking, then she kneeled down to Josephine and took her hand. “ You okay?” Josephine asked with a real worry in her voice. “ You´re asking me?” Yoyanne smiled though her tears. She really loved that old bit bitter witch

“ I think You look worst than I do., “ Josephine explanied while Yoyanne took her hand. “ I Might scream just a bit, “ Josephine warned. “ Support me a little okay?” Yoyanne smiled. Somehow Josephine was so calm like she did this every day. Yoyanne put her one arm behhind Josephines back and she calmly oulled the bloody sword out of herself: “ This went better thaan I thought. It barely hurt.

Weird., “ saying that she put that wet towel on her open wonded and after cleaning it a bit she started apploying the potion. “ This is beyond weird to me,” Richard sounded freaked out a bit. “ Witches have a lot higher tolerance of pain than humans, “ Yoyanne explaned. “ Still I would have thought it to hurt more, “ Josephine admitted After a whike she said: “ This is weird to ME. It´s not working, “ Yoyanne felt a cold shiver: “ What now?” “ I´ll use my first aid kit and.....” she paused as if calculating” This isn´t gonna heal itself, “ she said putting wide bandage around her waist. Yoyanne helped her out. “ I have to go, “ Richard admitted “ Though I feel kinda weird to I´ll problably get fired if I don´t, “ “ Yes, of course, “ Yoyanne had forgootten Rchard was a taxi driver. Quite honestly she had forgotten everything. “ What work do you do?” Josephine asked sounding distance staring somewhere far, not really listening. “ I´m a taxi driver, “ Richard replied. Getting up. “ Please call me, “ he said before leaving “ Tell me if everything worked out. “ Youu´re invited to my funeral, “ Josephine replied in a dead voice. That had ment to be a joke, but......it somehow wasn´t Yoyanne bursted into tears and hid her fave to her lap. She wasn´t ashamed that Richard was there. That she cried even though her friend was the one who was deadly wounded. she didn´t care about anything else than what she had just heard. Josephine was going to die.

Capture 9

Caroline “ Isn´t there anything I can do?” Richard asked in a despair. “ No, “ Josephine answered in a cold dead voice.” Go, don´t lose you job, “ When Richard hestaintly closed the door Josephine started talking to Yoyanne. She tried hard to make her voice sounding cheerful: “ Hey, no tears, you´re invited as well, “ then she put on her best smile.

Yoyanne looked at her and gave her the same weepy smile: “ You´re joking, “ she realized, “ I hope. I feel terrible, Yoyanne, “ Josephne also felt very freaked out about her sudden honesy, but it jst kept on coming, “ I mean. You might......Someone might have to take care of me a little an I hate being helpless, “ she addmitted. “ I will help you, “ Yoyanne promised. “ Great. You´ll waste your young life on a 179 year old bitter witch, “ Josephine said sarcasticly. “ I want to, “ Josephine sighed deeply” We should find my friend Caroline. She might have better potion that I do, “ Josephine got herself up and Yoyanne quickly supported her. “ Thanks, “ Josephine muttered. “ I really need a cigarette.,” She looked up for her zippo and pack of ciggarettes. “ Thats really bad for you, “ Yoyanne thought. “ Don´t teach me how to liive, “ Josephine was back to her old self. She dressed herself in some wine red dress that wad really easy to put on. Even she groimaced couple of times doing it.

Then she flipped her phone open and dialed a number. She talked while Yoyanne tried to clear her head.

The floor was still covered glittery blood.She looked at Josephine with amazment - she had overcome her shick incredibly easily. Yes - witches had incredible tolerance for pain, but hadn´t it borthered her to pull out a sword of her body. Her best friend looked a bit stiffed and scared to move too much but otherwise she looked just like Josephine. Just then Jo had ended her phone call and said: “ Okay, Caroline has agreed to come here as soon as it gets dark,” Yoyanne, who was still completly confused, stared at Josephine : “ What,” she asked. “ N- nothing. You just look so fine, “ “ You expect me to scream in pain. Don´t worry I will as soon as I move too much, “ Yoyanne was desprate to change the subject: “ Why she will come as soon as it gets dark? “ She looked outside” Its still daylight for hours and it might not be safe for us to stay here,” Josephine sighed and sat on sofa trying to, once again, ignore the cutting pain. Then she patted the empty spot next to her to have Yoyanne siotiing next to her. Yoyanne looked uncertain. she felt as this hole thing is her fault and the more she thought of it the nore she wanted to run away: “ I won´t bite. I just bar, You should know that already,” Josephine joked. Yoyanne set next to her, keepng some distance and smiled even though she wasn´t feeling very smiley. “ What the hell is wrong with you? You´re acting like I have some deadly disease! I´m wounded - yes. Its not containsous!” Josephine yelled seriously loosing her temper. Yoyanne bit her lower lip not to burst into tears and didn´t say anything for a while. “ Hey, if you don´t like me or if you´re so damned scared of me for some weird reason, Go . I don´t need you to take care of my even if this hole bloody thing is actually your fault,,” Josephine said seriously.

Yoyanne bit her lip harder. Unable to say anything without bursting into tears. “ So, whats it gonna be?” Josephine pushed. “ I´m sorry, “ Yoyanne whispered with a broken voice. “ Okay, don´ t be such a crybaby now and I´ll tell the thing about Caroline.” Yoyanne looked up and swallowed her tears.” The thing with Caroline is that she´s a witch of darkness. Don´t gimme that terrified face.

You´ll like her. You´ll like her better than me. She´s a lot nicer” Josephine smiled warmly. “ So because of that witch of darkness thing. She actually can´t see in daylight soehow abnd she only sees very well in complete darkness, “ Josephin laughed” You should see her house - no windows - she´s like a vampire!”

“ Wow,” Yoyanne shuddered at the thoought of meeting the witch of darkness. Darkness to related to words like evil, secrecy, meaness. “ I though I just told she´s a nice person and there´s nothing to worry about, “ Josephine started to sound just a bit irritated.” You hungry?” she then asked. “ I don´t know, “ Yoyanne mumbled sounding as she had been asked the hardest question to find an answer to.

“Josephine laughed: Girl, You have to chill, “ but it was one of these things that was easier said than done. There was just too much going on for Yoyanne right now - demons, bertays, bleeding friends,witches of darkness coming to voisit - all too much for one single day. Yes, she still deeply believed that she wanted to live in this world that was filled with magic and potions and even these moments she felt like running away she still felt like she would run away to calm down and then come back rather than running away for good. “ I´m not that hungry I guess, “ she finally said with a quiet shy voice, “ Well that sucks, cause personally I´m starving, but its not that polite to eat alone when you have quests, “ Yoyanne smiled: “ I thought you weren´t a good host, “ “ Yeah, but you know, still feels kinda weird t eat alone when you got someone on the other side of the room, so I´ll guess I just gotta starv with you “ Yoyanne was about to say that maybe she was just a little hungry after all when doorbell rang and both girls jumped up: “ Jeesh, who could that be?” Josephine looked outside just make sure it was still far too bright out there for Caroline to come out. “ Do you think It could be HER? “ Yoyanne whispered.

Josephine frowned at her: “ Have you EVER heard of a villan ringing a doorbell?” “ No, but I´ve heard vampires not being able to come inside without being invited.Maybe the same applies to demons, “ Yoyanne wondered rather seriously .

Josephined sighed and laughed silently: “ I really need to tell you the thruth obout vampires and demons and stuff, “ The doorbell rang again, this time the ring was longer. Josephine opened the door wide to gher quests and Yoyanne saw Amber and another woman with long black hair and sunshades. She had a beautiful silky dress on that had white soilvery pearls as a belt. Amber hugged Josephine gently as if she aldready knew about her injury never the less she vinced. “ Sorry, “ Amber whisprered gently. “ We came as soon as we heard, “ ahe added louder. “ Oh, please, Its not like I´m dying, Yet. “ Josephine rolled her gorgeous yellow amber eyes that were suprisingly similar to Amber´s. “ Hey, girlfriend! Its been ages!” Black haired girl was having trouble finding a place for all the platic bags she had with her. Then when she finally placed them all to the floor she ran over the wooden floor with small steps her hands wide hugging Josephine with enthusiam while carefully advoiding all the sore spots on her body.” So wounded,eh?” She said and Yoyanne thought she heard a foreign accent. “ Yea, “ Josephine muttered “ Nice to see you too, “ “ Aww, “ Black- haired woman leaned to Josephine´s shoulder and she shood her away “ Enough toouching already!” “ Sorry that were late, my dear, we could have come earlier, but Caroline insited we stopped buy everywhere and bought tons of food, “ Amber shoot an accusing look on Caroline “ And she says she can´t see we´re going, “ “ I can smell pizza from a mile, “ Caroline smiled with pride. “ She sure can, “ Amber agreed smiling. “ Well, Its actually great you bought food, Josephine just complained that she´s starving, “ Yoyanne said feeling suddenly weird to talk in a company she hadn´t been introdused propely in and when everyone suddenly looked at her she wished she could dissapear into thin air .

Caroline who couldn´t see very well in bright day light somehow still could see how Yoyanne felt and smiled “ Hi, I´m Caroline. The blind girl “ she laughed an easy laugh.

Yoyanne took a deep breath as if getting herself all ready for taking the handshake of pure darkness: “

“ I´m Yoyanne, “ she finally managed. “ Its nice to see you Yoyanne, “ Amber smiled “ Wish I could say the same. Black hair?” Caroline adked while touching Yoyanne´s silky shoulder-leight hair. Yoyanne nodded, then realiziing Carioline can´t see it she said yes. “ Show me that wound, sweetie. Lay down, “ Amber said with a motherly worry. “ Can´t we eat first?” Josephine vined “ And we sould go somewhere else, cause its not really safe here, “ “ If its not safe then we must go indeed, “ Amber agreed. “ What happened anyway?” “ I´ll esxplain on the way, “ Josephine pronmised taking her jacket. Happy she didn´t have to bow down tp put on her black boots she was aleady wearing.” We´ll take my car, “ she added heading outside. “ But where will we go? My place?” Caroline asked sounding enthusiastic about her own answer. “ No way. Too dark, “ then Josephine thought a bit and said “ On the other hand. Its not safe to go to Amber´s place, either” “ Why? Why not?” Amber sounded anxious “What happened?” “ I said, I´ll explain. I´ll drive. “ Josephine went outside and opened the door to her garage. There stood a beautiful cherry red car that was already looking extremely fast. “ Wow, “ Yoyanne whispered. “ Her husband gave it to her, “ Caroline whispered to Yoyanne´s ear while Josephine and Amber argued about whether or not Josephine is able to drive. “ You drive like a snail!” Josephine accused.

“But,... “ Amber seemed really desprate: “ I don´t want you do get hurt!” “ Okay, mommy, “ she spit the word sarcasticaly “ You drive, “ with a grumpy face . “ You, know, “ Caroline whispered to Yoyanne while Josephine was nervously piling up her stuff in a suitcase. “ She has a real thing for that car, “ Caroline giggled “ Its like her holy place or something. “ Josephine shoot a real mean look at both of the girls: “ Shouldn’t you guys be packing? We might have to stay there a little longer,” “ I got all my stuff at home, “ Caroline teased just like a little child.

Josephine smiled, but just for a moment then she turned her look back to her suitcase: “ How about you, Yoyanne?” “ I packed it this morning, remember?” she smiled.

Josephine smashed her suitcase closed “ Finally, “ she sighed and then marhed to her car with a grumpy face. Amber followed her with a friendly warm smile. It was actually rather funny to watch. Amber opened boot for Josephine and Jo threw her suitcare in. Then she sat on the passinger seat with the very same grumpy. “ Jo’s fast, “ Caroline told Yoyanne with and obvious admiration. “ Amber could be fast, but she thinks its safer not to be, “ “ I never got that, “ Josephine said with a disgust towards to Amber’s driving style. “ It’s not like she’ll crash, “ “ I just like to be calm “ Amber smiled which made Josephine gross her hands like a five year old. “ Besides, your driving skill would scare problably scare Yoyanne, “ “ Maybe, “ Josephine agreed “ But yours will make her sleep, “ Amber sighed and started driving and for Yoyanne this wasn’t slow at all - in fact it was quite fast. Josephine couldn’t stop whining: “ Amber. I’m wounded. I’m dying here. “ That preticular sentence made Amber freak, she hit the brake so hard that if Yoyanne would have forgotten to put her seat belt on she would have flew right though the front window. “ Okay,okay, I didn’t ment it literally!” Josephine yellled. “ I’m sorry, “ Amber mumbled and looked to the back seat to seeif everyone’s allright. “ Its just that you saying that....” her hands were suddenly shaking on the wheel. “ Its okay, It doesnt even hurt that much, “ Josephine assured in a much lower and calmer voice.

Yoyanne pressed her lips together. This woman cared so much for Josephine and now she was hurt. All because of her foolishness and nosyness. She felt so terribly guilty. They soon reached a very big beauti-

ful house - one with not a single window. For a moment Yoyanne forgot it all - all her guilt and just stared.

Carloline giggled: “ Did Josephine forgot to fill you in?” “ No, “ Yoyanne felt a slight blush on her face. “ Its just that, “ she could not find words. “ Its weird?” Caroline helped sounding wicked. Yoyanne looked at her for a moment to catch her expression and saw her smiling and winking at her. “ Excuse me, but....how can we see there?” Yoyanne asked trying to look not too freaked out.

Caroline laughed: “ Well, I do have lamps, “ As Amber has finished her neat parking four witches headed inside Caroline’s home Josephine leaned herself to Yoyanne’s ear and whispered loud enough for all of them to hear: “ Hey, great job making no big deal out of Caroline’s house being windowless, “ Yoyanne blushed from head to toe while caroline smiled sweetly turning toward boh of the girls: “ It’s fine, “ She laughed. The reached black metal door that looked like something that would lead to a secret facility rather than someone’s best friend’s house.

Caroline took out a silver card and flipped it into a small crack under the handle, then she gently pressed the handle down and voilà - the door was open. “ Wow, what happened to keys?” Yoyanne gasped. “ I’m thinking that if I’m going to have a weird house it better be weird all the wa, “ Caroline giggled it always amused her when people found her house freaky and weird. The truth was darkness was what she needed to see so house without any windows actually made perfect sense,the key card thing was her own private joke. As soon as the door closed Yoyanne, Josephine and Amber stood in complete darkness. “ Nice place, is that a new carpet?” Josephine joked with her usual irony. “ Fine, fine, I’ll turn the lights on, Missy, “ and within some moments dim light was lit inside the dark room never the less none of them could still see very well, “ You’ll get use to it, “ Caroline promised.

“Yeah, once you learn where all the furnituure is you stop tripping behind it, hitting yourself against it and if you’re lucky you won’t even brake your bones, “ Yoyanne could see Caroline smiling in a dim beam of light. “ I missed you, Sunshine, “ and sense it was dark and no one besides Caroline was able to see Josephine smiled back. “ So, I say we take a look at this wound of yours, “ Amber suggested. “ Take a look? How are you planning to “ look” at anything here? “ Josephine asked, all pissed about Caroline not lighting more lamps and candles. “ I’ll take a look at it. Why don’t you lay down on the couch ?” Caroline offered. “ And that would be....”

Caroline rolled her eyes. She spent lots of time being blind, so she found someone feeling so helpless without a vision rather funny. Of course she could see in light as well. A bit, just like most can see in dark, after a while her eyes adjusted in light. She helped Josephine to lay down on her couch and then gently removed all her bandages to take a proper look. “ Wow, that looks really bad, “ she admitted her voice sounding schocked by the sight. In the darkness Yoyanne swallowed hard and pressed her lips together not to cry. “ It feels bad too, “ Josephine said. “ Didn’t you heal it? “ “ I tried to, but my potion wouldn’t work, “ “ Well let’s try if mine wil do the trick, “ Caroline snapped her fingers and went to look for her potions.

Yoyanne would have loved to see this place even if she was feeling rather bad right now. Somehow even in complete darkness Ammber could feel that Yoyanne was feeling that way: “ Hey, dear,” she said gently placing her arm on Yoyanne’s shoulder “ May I talk you in private?” even if Amber’s voice was all but accusing somehow Yoyanne was scared, Amber might get mad at her when she finds out that the hole thing is her fault. Ajmber took Yoyanne’s hand aand guided her though the room right to the kitchen where there was a small lamp. Amber lit it and they sat down behind a small round table. “ What’s bothering you my, dear? Could you tell me what happened? I’m completly puzzled.”

Yoyanne sighed: “ Its my fault. All of it. “ she felt how close she was to break down and burst into tears.

Again.

Amber placed her hand on Yoyanne’s shoulder once again: “ Oh, I’m certain its not, “ “ It is, “ Yoyanne wiped off a tear: “ I should have listened to Josephine. She was right about Summer.

Summer’s evil. A monster, ashe wanted to kill her.”

Amber was quiet for moment: “ I had a feeling that I should have taken her more seriously The fault is mine as well. “ she said very seriously.

Yoyanne looked into Amber’s sweet, wise eyes and asked: “ Are you mad at me?”

Amber smiled: “ Ceratinly not! It is not your fault! I should have listened to her too,” Amber placed her arms around Yoyanne and hugged her and it didn’t feel weird. Not at all. It felt like they have been friends forever: “ Don’t worry about a thig. No one is mad at you,” Amber whispered. “ That’s not true, “ Yoyanne said quietly: “ I bet Josephine is, “ Amber’s voice was filled with laughter: “ Did she said something to you? She didn’t mean it like that. I am sure. That’s just what our Josephine is like, “ Caroline stood in the doorway and squinted her eyes in dim light: “ Of course she’s not mad. I mean- she is just acting all tough and bitchy- Hate you all kinda way,” she smiled. “ But....how did she got that wound? That’s some seriously nasty wound there and my potion does nothing to it,” Caroline said sounding more amazed than worried about her friend’s health: “ So, I’m out of ideas. How did it happened anyway?”

So Yoyanne explained Amber & Caroline everything that had happened, still blaming herself for what had happened when she finished Caroline laughed: “ Sounds to me that this was all Josephine’s fault. I men who freaks out about pair of boots like that.

Meanwhile Josephine had gotten all bored from just laying around on the couch and she had snook up behnd them in a kitchen: “ Hey, they we’re designer! The ones you gave me to my 120th birthday! “ Yoyanne jumped up on her chair totally freaked.

“Sorry, “ Josephine mumbled. “ Those? You let some bitchy evil witch steal those boots? How could you?” Caroline was shocked. “ I told you I was totally pissed when I saw they were gone, but guys I’m starving, can we eat now?”

Within a minute Caroline layed all the food on the table, cookies, pizza and other snacks. “ Finally, “ Josephine’s said when she sat behind that little round table that was now dfilled with all sorts of food, her one hand still on her stomach, tryng to ignore cutting pain. Yoyanne took some cookies and immadetly regonized there smell and taste: “ Amber, “ she sighed in pleasure. Amber smiled: “ You like it?” “ Mom, “ Josephine’s fingers we’re in jar of jem and her mouth was filled with something else “ That’s a very stupid question” “ She’s your mom?” Yoyanne asked eyes wide and as she had well forgetten her manners as well she also had her mouth full.

This time Josephine help her finger up so Yoyanne would let her swallow before an answer and then she said with a very clear voice: “ Yes, can’t you see the similarity?”

Caroline bursted into laugh. “ Yes, you guys are so alike. One is sweet, caring and loving and other is a complete.... meanie. “ “ Why you never told me?” Yoyanne wondered. “ You didn’t ask, “ “ Actually.... it does make sense. A little. so... you hadn’t seen your mom for 40 years?”

Josephine smiled when Amber gave her a very disapproving look: “ I was exaggerating a little, “ “ A little?” Amber frowned.

Yoyanne laughed. Then she looked at Josphine and realized that though she seemed to have good time she looked really....bad: “ I think we should think of some other way to heal you, Josephine you look terrible, “ Now Amber gave her daughter a better look as well and she had to agree. She rose up and went to her daughter placing her arm on Josephine’s forehead: “ Just because I told her you’re my mom doesn’t mean you have to act one!”

“ Honey, you’re burning up, “ Amber cried. “ Yeah, I can feel it, “ she admitted. “ I got a healing spell that might help, “ Yoyanne said quietly. Everyone else here had worked on thier potions for many years and we’re so much wiser. She didn’t really believe she could help, but she wanted to and she knew for a fact that spells work much better when you give them your emotion and if you want to help someone. “ Let’s try it out, “ Caroline thought. “ Yea, let’s just try everything out on me till something kills me, “ Josephine agreed in sarcasm.

Yoyanne shied away and tilted her head down feeling bad about even suggesting her help. Immediately Amber put her hand on Yoyanne’s shoulder again. “ Josephine,” she whispered. “ I was joking, “ Josephine blinked her eyes as she felt very uncomfortable trying to cheer someone up while being even slightest bit of warm and friendly the way her mother was. They all went back to the living room Josephine and layed back down and rolled the end of her black T-shirt up.Now Caroline lit another dim light it came from a small lamp, she held it so Yoyanne could see as well as possible. “ Oh my, “ Amber whispered while Yoyannewas completly orrified by the sight, she just stood there and stared for the longest moment ever. “ Yoyanne?” Josephine called out to her. Yoyanne nodded, then swallowed and started to gather energy into her palms, but instead of a light slowly forming from dim sparkle to a firey ball it simply bursted in her hands, but Yoyanne didn’t even flich. This was her energy she knew it had only bursted so light because she wanted to help Josphine with all her heart so instead of being frightened she simply smiled, proud of herself. Then she let the flame go and it floated there above her friend’s wound, the raised her right hand above it and pushed it down inro Josephine’s body. Its seemed like Josephine’s body was a lake, waterwhere a rock was trown, Josephine’s hole body rippled and then it was over, she smiled: “ Felt really good, “ “ But didn’t help never the less, “ Yoyanne realized as down from Josephine’s face. “ This isn’t normal, “ Caroline shook her head in despair. “ That should have worked. It would have if any of this was normal. In fact my potion should have done it too, “ “ Don’t be so sure, “ Yoyanne thought : “ I’m not a very good.... witch,” “ That was good. That was pure emotion. It should have worked!” Caroline was certain. “ Pure! That’s it!” Amber shouted. “ You might want to explain that more cleary, “ Josephine said rasing her head to hear her mother better. “ That sword she was cut with. Yoyanne, was it clean?”

Yoyanne was very confused at the question: “ Pure, what do you mean?” “ Was, it spelled? Do have any idea was it spelled?” Amber asked her voice thick with exity as if she was solving an intresting puzzle. “ No, it wasn’t!” Yoyanne cried “ It ws moistured with some potion. She sprayed it on,” “ Should have said that sooner,” Josephine gave Yoyanne a very pissed look so once again our girl tilted her head and looked away from these eyes not to met their disapproval. “ We need to purify her from that spell and all others will work perfectly well, “ happy to find a way to cure her very much loved daughter she let a beautiful white flame burst beetween her hands. Youyanne knew that puryfing was someting only very powerful and most of all - very honest, pure and sweet witches could do. “ Let this flame, “ Amber carefully chose her words, “ Pure my daughters body, “ she stopped and swallowed concatrating on keeping the flame there: “ from the awful spell that has planted there,” then just like Yoyanne, only much faster she let the flame go and put her hand above it. There beneath the’re eyes something similar to smoke started rising from Josephine and the turned white flame into smoky gray and , the gray smoke kept on coming causing the flame to go bigger and bigger. Finally,when all the smoke was gone, Amber took the flame back beetween her hands and blew it away: “ This I haven’t done in ages, “ she smiled still happy to see she hadn’t lost it. “ Is she okay now?” Yoyanne asked. She looked at Josephine and the wound was gone, but her eyes were now closed and even though it was obvious she was still breathing it rather worried Yoyanne.

“ Do you know why the flame was gray and not black?” Amber asked.Yoyanne shook her head. “ Because along with the dark powers I had to take bit of her as well,” That scared Yoyanne. Bit of her? So part of her was gone? Permanently? “ She will be fine. She’s drained. She’ll wake up soon and then she will have one hell of a night, “ that didn’t sound like a joke, it sound like a serious sad answer. “ What do you mean?” Yoyanne wanted to know drawn to tears once again. “ You’ll see, “ Amber promised even this was one of those promises Yoyanne wouldn’t want her to keep. “ This is my fault, isn’t it?” Yoyanne cried in despair. Then realizing she was shouting she lowered her voice: “ I’m sorry I didn’t mentioned the potion thing before, “ Amber smiled:” Not your fault, “ it wasn’t before now that Yoyanne noticed Amber had lit another small flam. This was one was just to make room lighter: “ You want to eat something?” Yoyanne shook her head. “ Can I hang with her?” she fllickered her eyes towards Josephine. “ Sure,” Amber laughed. “ Sure you don’t wanna hang with us? We are bit more chatty, “ “ I’d like to be alone if you don’t mind, “ “ Its not your fault!” Amber reminded Yoyanne, still unable to make her believe that.

So there our friend Yoyanne sat, thinking about everything and she looked to Josephine’s body, barely moving and once again she could not help it, she felt so alone and guillty. she hid her face beetween on her lap and cried. Planning to cry it all out of herself, but before she could finish that plan a weak cracky voice whispered beside her: “ So, Why are you weeping this time?” Yoyanne looked at her friend, smiled and wipeed her eyes : “ I’m not crying, “ she lied.

Josephine rolled her eyes: “ Yeah, right, “ she paused: “ You weren’t crying for me, where you?” she said sounding bit freaked out.

Yoyanne smiled: “ Not just that,” She had sat one leg over another, now she changed legs before she continued: “ Its all, just bit overhelming, you know?” she looked at Josephine. She looked beat: “ and.... you were right, “ “ I am always, about what?” “ About, it being my fault, “ She lowered her voice. “ Oh, “ Josephine paused clearing her thoughts and voice “ That, I might have been wrong about,” “ But you said, that...” Josephine cut Yoyanne off. “ I don’t always mean what I say!”

Yoyanne smiled and looked at her friend: “ So, not mad at me?” “ Nope, “ Yoyanne felt such a rush of happiness that she wanted to jump up in the air and start singing.

Caroline rushed into room: “ I totally forgot! They have this new club opening tonight? You girls want to come, “ “ I’m not sure if you noticed, but I can barely speak. I think I’m not quite up to dancing. “ “ Ohh, that’s too bad. You used to be the soul of the party, “ “ Maybe, Yoyanne would like to come with you, “ Josephine suggested. “ No, I’m fine, “ “ Yeah, right. she just likes to hang here and cry, “ Night fell upon the girls quickly and Caroline agreed to take them to clubbing some other day when they both felt better. Girls ( minus Amber) we’re all sitting in Josephine’s .... Well one of Caroline’ s bedrooms and chatted to each other. “ Aren’t you sleepy? “ Yoyanne asked Caroline yawning her mouth wide open.

Caroline shook her head in the darkness: “ I’m a night person. You see I can’t see well in any kind of light so its much more useful for me to sleep at daytime, “ she got up. “ Oh, “ “ You can sleep if you like I don’t mind I’ll try to take a nap myself so I can hang with you guys tommorrow, “ she waved the girls. “ Wait, “ Yoyanne called after her: “ Where will I sleep?”

Caroline smiled in darkness: “ I don’t really have more than 1 quest room so i hope you don’t mind sleeping in that bed across the room,” “ Not at all, “ Yoyanne got up and seatrched for the bed with her hands, soon she hit her leg to one of beds

wooden legs and found it, “ Ouch, “ Caroline giggled: “ It always amuses me to see someone so helpless without theirs sight . No offense you guys, “ “ non taken I just love to sneek up on you when you’re blinded by the sun and though you into the nearest fountain, “ Josephine laughed bitterly. “ Are you guys always so mean to each other?” Yoyanne asked layedd don to the bed her clothes on. “ Mostly, yes” they both agreed same timethen they laughed an high- fived each other to air cause theywere too far to actually touch each pothers hands. When Caroline left everything got so dark and quiet it was almost scary. “ Eh, so, Goodnight,” iosephine said, suddenly so lous hat she scared herself. “ Goodnight, “ Yoyanne agreed” Hey... Josephine?” she asked aftera little pause filled with the same dark silence. “ Yes?” “ Yes?” “ Amber said that you were going to have a rough night. What did shement by that?”

Josephine was silence and sighed: “ Good night, Yoyanne, “ Yoyanne couldnt sleep for quite a while so she turned and turned in her sheets. “ Fine let’s talk, “ Josephine finally said.

Yoyanne yawned, she was sleepy, just also too exited somehow to fall asleep: “ Sure, “ she agreed, but neither said a word and soon they both fell asleep anyways.

Capture 10

Josephine’s rough night Josephine was standing thee - barefoot against the moisture rock. It felt so good as she touched it with her skin. Her hand touched the rock walls beside her and she felt happy - this as her happy place. She walked into the hot sweet water that glittered yellow and piink and looked around herself. She smiled and kneeled all the way down to the small pudlle beetween rocks to touch the warm water with her palms and play with it. She wore a long silky dress that was blue and had roses stiched on. The dress got wet, but it wasnt a big deal Suddenly Josephine could remember why she felt so happy. Why this was her happiest place and most of that happiness had faded away. “ Hello, my love, “ a soft silky voicecried for her a voice she knew so well she didnt have to look up to know whom it belong to “ I want to talk to you, “ Josephine froze in horror, she looked up and there he was. “ Go away, “ she whispered unable to make hervoice louder. “ Honey, “ the guy said tking one step closer to her. “ Go away! Please!” Josephine pleaded and turned around, realizing there was nowhere to ru, because the high rock wall was all around her: “ You’re not real. You’re just a consolation my mind has made up. just go, “ “ Honey “ he repeated sounding pleading as well. “ I have fallen to this trap beofre and and it hurts,” “ Josephine, “ he came close up behind her and gently took her arm:”Leave me alone!” she yelled facing his long gone husbands beauty. Sge could not speak - too bautiful was the sight that she hand lost - so much she wanted to stay, but could not - so surely she knew that what she saw there was a lie. A copy.

A fake. A dream. So in agony she yelled at that thought andkept on yelling hysterically when her mother worke her up and shook her. “ Honey, honey! Its okay. It was just a dream she patted her daughters shoulder and hugged her. “ I’m f-fine, Amber, “ she assured shooing her away,her voice still shivering. “ You sure about that?” “ Yes, go to sleep, “ Josephine threw her head back to the pillow and closed her eyes, when Amber closed the door behind her Josephine squuezed her eyes shut and let the tears poor down her cheeks she tried to smother her in her pillow.

“Is there anything I can do?” Yoyanne asked heartbroken by her friends crying. “ Yoyanne?” Josephine whispered unsucsessfully hiding the tears in her voice. “ I didn’t k-now y-you were awake,” she said. “ No offene, but its impossible to sleep with you screaming like hell,” Josephine smiled, slightly embarrased: “ I didn’t mean to wake you, “ “ Its okay “ Yoyanne said softly “ Do you mind telling me what the nightmare was about?” “ I don’t, “ Josephine said bravely. “ But you will laugh and say that it isn’t a proper nightmare. “ “ I promise I will not laugh, “ Yoyanne said putting her hand where her heart is.

Josephine smiled knowing that there is no way Yoyanne will see her facial expression in the dark. Yoyanne tried to get close to Josephine when she finally found her way to the bed Josephine sat on she sat on the firt place she found Josephine’s lap, girl jumped and yelled: “ Get off me!”

“Sorry, “ Yoyanne muttered and sat next to her friend. Then she closed her palms focused and released a small blue light. “ I like to see people’s expression when they talk, “ she explained. “ Okay, “ Josephine said not too happy cause she iddnt like when people see her expression. „ So I dreamt of a place..... A cave with a small. Let’s say it’s a small pond.This place is real and I shall take you there once if you wish,” she paused, gathered her energy and create a small magical light as well she kneeled down and pulled out her stuffed suitcase, opened it and looked up a bottle. All this time Yoyanne was silent. When Josephine started appling it to her hair she dared to ask:„ whatare you doing?” “ I’m thinking about growing my hair a bit longer,” she explained

„ So there I was. Kneeling in that warm water when suddenly he comes along. My “ she was quiet for a while and Yoyanne patiently waited for her. This was an excelent change for Yoyanne to know more about her friend and she wasn’t gonna do anything to ruin that, „ Dead husband,” calling for me. Wanting to talk.” she finished, “ That could be quiet creepy for a mortal , but why it freaks you out?

Dead can connect to their realitves or loved ones if I were you I’d be quite happy,” „ Thats the thing. To acsess someones mind like that you have to start learning it when you’re still alive. Vincent always said dreams and mind control wasn’t his thing. He thought it was rude to invade someones personal space like that, so he never developed these paticular skills, this is also why i hate ghosts it always drives me crazy to see someone who us dead but not yet gone or lost, “ Yoyanne understood she saw bitter tears running down from Josephine’ s cheeks and she hugged her Josephine and immedatly she was pushed away „ You think your silly cuddle wil make me feel better???” she accused, she realized she had made a terrible mistake by saying that, cause Yoyanne’s hug actually did make her feel just a tiny bit better.

Yoyanne had again tilted her head and sat silently. Josephine patted her on shoulder and said “ let’s go to bed, shall we?” yoyanne nodded. This time it was easier gor her to find her bed as well as to fall asleep, but soon enough something woke her again. A feeling and that feeling she knew quite well. It was the present of a dead one. And indeed one was standing very close to Josephine almost touching her hair. It was a male - gorgeous one may we add. His eyes white colorless yet so filled with emotion and love as he looked at her . “ who are you?” Yoyanne whispered and the man looked at Yoyanne and dissapeared into thin air. For a moment answer to Yoyanne’s own question seemed do obvious. Vincent, but no - why would he then keep Josephine in such sorrow and sadness when they could actually still see each other and hasn’t Josephine just told Yoyanne that Vincent had not possesed such skils to appear in people’ s dreams or as ghosts. Yoyanne once again fell asleep wondering about all that. in the next morning Yoyanne was waked by delicious smells coming from Caroline’s kitchen as her eyes flew open it was still dark. Of course, it was always dark here so she lit a small light of her own and found a lamp next to her bed. She lit the lamp as well and it was still awfully dark even when that was done. Never the less she managed to dress herself up and find her way to the kitchen were also some lamps were lit up. “ Morning and yes, it is indeed morning we are not having a midnight snack, “ Josephine welcomed her in her usual slightly sarcastic tone. Yoyanne smiled and sat down at small table where breakfast was awaiting her. “ This darkness is getting disturbing after a while, doesent, it?” Yoyanne nodded. “ This is how I feel all the time, “ Caroline pointed out. “ I’m sorry, “ Yoyanne said tilting her head as always when she felt embarrased of herself. “ I’m not, I simply said what’s on my mind, “ “ Talking about that, “ Yoyanne began “ Do you girls all own pet- ghosts or what?”

All of the girls looked at Yoyanne with a facial expression that practically screamed. “ What?!” “ You see I saw a ghost tonight and as I understood one lives under Josephine’s roof so I was wondering if the one I saw is a friend of Caroline or something, “ she explained. “ Actually I haven’t had the slightest idea that my house was haunted as far as I know no one has ever died

re, “ “ What was this ghost like?” Amber asked while Josephine put her elbows on the table and her head beetween her hands: “ Ghosts, my most loved subject of all, “ “ Oh, please. Get over yourself already We’re simply curious! Besides I want to know if my house is haunted!” “ Well, “ Yoyanne started, “ He was as nost gosts colorless and rather noisy followed by voices, loud screaming voices, I was suprised he didn’t wake up Josephine standing so close to her. “ “ Of course, “ Josephine grumbled “ Ghosts have to stand next to me!” “ He looked quite caring almost as if....... will you forgive me Josephine if I say this, “ Yoyanne continued. “ Say it, say it if you must, “ she allowed. “ Almost as if he was in-love with you, “ “ Oh fantastic!” Josephine cried so loud that Yoyanne closed her eyes from startle. “ I got soome wacho ghost in- love with me, “ “ Hey, maybe its a good thing, you should move on, “ Caroline joked. “ Shut up, Caroline, “ Josephine pressed though her teeth. “ Hey girl, get over it! Its been over a century, “ Josephine rose up and yelled: I don’t want to hear it Caroline!” then she left the room with her regular pace.

Amber sighed. She lit another light. Her own lightball beetween her hands. She glanced at Caroline and sighed. She looked diffrent tioday. her hair werent in a pony tail. Her long blond sparkly locks were let loose on both sides,Amber’s clothes were diffrent from usual as well, she wore a light yellow dress with a long golden rope on it. This hole look made her look more magical, like a godess. Like a Grand Witch that she truly was.

“ Anyone up for a shopping trip today?” Caroline asked. “ Sure, i’d like to come, “ it was such an usual conversation it almost felt weird for Yoyanne. It seemed like ages ago sense she had talked about something that wasn’t related to ghosts, death, wizards or witches,. She got up, thanked for a brreakfast she had barely eaten, not because it wasn’t good, but because she was still way too anxious to eat. “ Ask Josephine if she’d like to come too, “ Caroline yelled after her. Yoyanne opened door to the room where she and Josephine had spent the their night. “ Hi, “ she whispered. “ Hi, “ Josephine sighed. “ Ehm, Caroline wanted to know if you’d like to come shopping with us, “ “ Sure, why not, “ Josephine answered without much enthusiasm. “ I’d need new clothes. I mean - look and me, “ and she light a lightball beetween her hands in order for Yoyanne to actually see her. She was standing there in jeans and a black t- shirt. There was nothing special about that outfit, but nothing bad either so at first Yoyanne didn’t understand what Josephine ment. She came to understanding soon enough.

Josephine stood in front of Caroline’s hose enjoy the sunlight. It was so rare to see her enjoy something that they all stared at her while she had her eyes closed and her face turned to the sun: “ What?” she finally asked noticing. Then when nobody answered she waved the keys in her hand and said: “ I’ll drive!” and with that uncharacteristicly happy tone she sat on the driver seat. Amber sat next to her on the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. Josephine drove like a maniac and that was a serious understatent, because even maniacs would have been horrified by her driving style.

Yoyanne hold on to her chsir and didnt move a muscule for a while untill Caroline bursted into tears of laughter:„ She wont crash,” Josephine looked behind to the back seat and laughed:„ Am I driwing just a little too fast for you?” she was so amused by her mad driwing skills. „ Not at all,” Yoyanne lied forcing a smile on her face. “ Honey couldn’t you please take it bit slower,” Josephine shook her head and just togive hher words more weight she took a harsh turn and parked next to some small boutique. “ See, Caroline was right. I didn’t crashed!” she said almost as if it suprised herself. There where lots of shops here. A hole streetful. Yoyanne had never been in any of them though.They walked a little father and steppen into a bigger mall that also had lots of small half empty clothing stores and not really that much people checking them out. They stepped into one of them. It had a weird name 564. So they walked into it. “ I have to do some boring grocery shopping so I meet you guys later, “ Amber said waving and heading out. “ Sure,” Josephine mumbeled her eyes l ready gleaming over a glittery black evning dress. Yoyanne saw a cute blue top styled beautifully. She loved it right away so she checked the price tag she saw the number but she could not believe it so she blinked. “ Oh my god, “ Yoyanne whispered. Josephine was now standing next to her. She held a black leather jacket on her arm, ready to be bought. “ That will look good on you. will you buy it?” she asked. “ Have you seen the price of this thing?” Josephine looked at the price thag and shug her shoulders. “ Cheap, “ Yoyanne looked at her like she was insane. Then she looked a price tag on that jacket Josephine had bought and realized it had been cheap.

Josephine was a great shoppaholic so Yoyanne just sat back whie she choose all the stuff. Even the cheapest stuff here was worth as much as she monthly got from working at office. She had aboring job and right now she was on a small vacation, but thats besides the point, soon Caroline noticed how bored Yoyanne was and nudged Josephine so she would take her eyes off these black jeans she was staring at: “ I think there’s something wrong with Yoyanne, “ Caroline whispered. “ Uh-oh,” Josephine mumbeled focused on looking for the price tag.

“ Josephine!” Caroline slapped her friend gently. “ What?” Josephine stared at Caroline blankly. Caroline sighed. “ Is everything okay Yoyanne. You look depressed, “ Josephine kneeled down to her friend. “ No no, I’m fine. It is just that all of these things cost more than my years sallory “ “ Oh, well Why didnt you say so?” Caroline smiled “ We can surely go inside a cheaper place, “ Josephine gave Caroline one of these Are- you-out of your- mind look?: “ Honey, there is no way. I’m shopping High street,” Yoyanne smiled shly suddenly realizing how she was in all the wrong place. She rose up and said: “ That’s okay, I can shop alone for a while and then I meet you guys later, “ but she felt as if it hadn’t been right to meet them later, she wasn’t part of this world and sudenly with that small innsignifigant clothing promblem she realized that more clearly than ever, she was so out of place here, she wanted not to be, she wanted to be rich and beautiful and yes - she even wanted to be 179 years old, but it didn’t matter that she wanted all that, she just could not be and with that stamement she walked out of the store, rasing her hand to wave the girls, but not waving, just raising it in a way you raise for a careless - sad hi or goodbye. “ Fine, “ Josephine said quite carelessy therefore she had not seen alll that struggle inside our young Yoyanne. “ I can’t believe you!” Caroline said her voice thick with disqussion. “ I don’t do high street!” she copied Josephine. “ Hello , not everyone lives on a pile of money, like we do. Besides there is plenty of fine clothes in the high street!” “ Like I’m ever gonna buy something that I might spot on some regular teenage human!” Josephine protested folding her arms. “ That’s besides the point!” Caroline yelled. “ Then What is for crying out out!?” meanwhile Josephine had pulled on long black stylish leather boots. “ Yoyanne is,” Caroline said her voice marking the obviousness of that point. “ Oh, I see. You mean that she came shopping with us not without us?” “ Yes something like that, “ Caroline agreed. Josephine got up and run after Yoyanne who hadn’t gotten very far, she was still walking though that store. Not quite fiding any place ith normal price “ Yoyanne, I beg of you to stop! These things are impossible two run with!” Josephine yelled. Yoyannne turned around and was suprised to see her friend running with 10 centimeter heals and even more suprised to see two middle-aged overweight sercurity men running after her yelling: “ You have to pay for those!” “ Yoyanne, “ Josephine said finally reaching her frind, placing her hand on her shoulder and trying to take off those expensive, yet pathetic excuse for boots. “ I’m so not gonna but those she mumbled, “ about that time security men had reached Josephine as well and both of them placed their hands on her shoulders. “ Miss, you are in big trouble, “ one of them said. Josephine mumbled some words in her mouth and then asked with the most innocent voice: “ Yes, gentelmen how may I help you?” “ You. stole. these boots. “ The other said still trying to catch his breath, pointing down at Josephine’s feet. “ What boots?!” Josephine asked raising her eyebrows. “ These?” she pointed the ones she was wearing, but not to the ones she had left the store with. “ I’m pretty sure these our mine!” Men took a closer look and being more than puzzled they quickly left apologzing.

Now Josephine turned to Yoyanne who was smiling at her friendslittle trick: “ Listen, Yoyanne. I can.....”

Josephine trailed off “ I can totally do..” she once again begun.” Oh who am I kidding there is no way I an do High Street fashion!” Yoyanne laughed.

Josephine sighed: “ So, the point I’m trying to make here is that I’d like you to shop with us rather than wander here alone, “ “ Well, I think you can see the problem here, “ “ You don’t have money, “ Josephine kindly pointed out. “ Well, I do I’m simply not loaded, “ “ I see, would it bother you if I paid?” “ Yes, it would, “ “ Why?”

Yoyanne sighed. “ What? It wouldn’t be such a big deal for me.” “ But it would be for me, “ Now it was Josephine’s turn to sigh: “ What if it was a present?” “ Not my birthday now,” Yoyanne argued. “ Listen, I can totally buy some cheaper clothes on my own,” Yoyanne smiled. “ Don’t you wanna look styish for once?” as soon as that was said she realized how terribly wrong it had came out. “ Not that you arent stylish now..... you know” Yoyanne looked down to herself and what she saw was all pretty simple black shoes, pencil shirt- also black, her faveorite kind of blue top under her back jacket and then she looked at Josephine, who had already dressed herself in freshly-bought high fashion. Her new chic black jacket that looked perfect on her slim gorgeous body, her perfectly manicured nails, shiny bracelets and rings - all together she looked like a deinition of fashionble.

“ I am a fashion disaster compare to you, “ Yoyanne sighed tilting her head. “ Not that bad, “ Caroline had left the store and held about five bags of clothes:”Guys, can we go?” “ Jeesh, you’re scary. Are you sure you’re blind?” “ I can hear you guys talking all over the mall!” she laughed “ And no I’m not completly blind, you should know,” So the three best friends set off to continue their clothing - hunt down the shopping centre until they reached a store with a big black sign and “ Gernarnd, “ written on it with golden letters. Josephine stared the sign her eyes wide and then walked into the door. “ Josephine,” Caroline started walking up behind her and whispered: “ I’m not sure you have noticed, but they sell men suits here and only men suits actually, “ “ Uh. uh “ shemumbled. “ You got issuses, “ Caroline said rolling here eues: “ Now let’s get out of here, “But Josephine did not hear that comment as she staring at one suit her hands nerviously looking for the price tag. “ Have you lost it?” Caroline whispered. “ Lost what? “ Josephine asked in haze of her own thoughts. “ Your mind!” Caroline whispered loudly. “ No, No I’m sure its here somewhere. Don’t worry we’ll find it, “ Now Caroline bursted to laughter: “ Okay then when did you last saw it?” “ It was more than hundred years ago. “ Josephine said her eyes sad, staring at the suit. Caroline laughed, then slapped her friend gently and asked: “ What’s with that suit, honey. You’ve been staring at it speaking non-sense, “ Yoyanne had joined them and was trying to figure out why on hell where they on men’s clothing store. “ Oh, there’s nothing with the suit. Its the 47th year collection re- do , “ “ So, that mean?” “ He had one, “ “ And.... you didn’t keep it?” “ No,” her answers were stiff and certain. “ I’m gonna buy it, “ “ Oh, is it his size?” Caroline asked joking, “ Of course “ Josephine replied without a sense of humor in her voice.

Yoyanne stared at Caroline her eyes screaming : “ I’m worried about her mental well-fare !”

When Josephine had payed a fortune for the suit she was never going wear and was walking out of the store Yoyanne was still staring at here and Josephine finally started to notice. “ Is it me,Yoyanne or are you staring at me!?”

Yoyanne turned away her head shyly and didn’t answer. Josephine sighed: “ What is it?” and when no one answered her all three friends continued shopping. Josephine was a mad shopper. she bough loads of clothes all expensive, all dead stylish and all wine red or black. Exept for one lovely blue dress with thin silver flower patterns. Yoyanne looked at it and was obviously jealous when Josephine payed for it. She knew it would not be big deal for Josephine to buy her one, but she still didn’t dare to ask. So after that particular purcase they left the mall and sat into Josephine’s car right after she finished her cigarette. So she sat into the car and looked on the back seat: “ Are you bored to death now?”

Yoyanne busted to laughter: “ No, not yet”

Capture 11:

A great revelation Yoyanne was standing in a doorway while Josephine unpacked all the stuff she had bought. She watched her taking out the suit, looking at it, shaking her head as if she herself had lost all hope of herself ever becoming normal again, of ever letting go. “ Hi, “ Yoyanne whispered.

Josephine flinched and took the box where the suit was, hid it under her bed and then sat on it:” Hi, “ she then said sounding weird. “ You know I saw you buying that, “ Yoyanne pointed out. “ Yeah and you totally didn’t make a big deal out of it, “ she rolled her eyes. “ Sorry, “ she mumbled. “ It just seemed. I know you loved him, but..” she could not finish her sentence. “ So. What are we gonna do about that evil?” she asked instead. “ I don’t know. Better to stay off her. I’m tired of having swords though me. “ Yoyanne bit her lip: “ All my fault, “ “ Hardly.” Josephine was quiet for awhile. “ So, You want to know all about Me and Vincent and stuff of the olden days. What about you? Your family.” “ My parents, “ Yoyanne said and thn could suddenly not speak anymore, she swallowed to find a voice to continue.” I lived with them till I was 19. Then it was my own choice to leave. I think I loved them very much and they kinda talked me into this, they wanted me to come a blender I think. Or at least part of them wanted, so I could have more of social life. Shortly after that they left the city. They wrote to me saying they were on to something. They could not say what it was. I begged them to tell me in my letters. Even begged them to come back. I felt so lonely. There letters were very warm and loving and they promised to returrn within a year. Then the letters stopped. I never knew whst happened or whst they were on to. I tried to find them but my magic wasn’t enough and I had no- one to help me either,” She bursted into tears and hid her face into Josephine’s lap. “ Yeah and you totally didn’t make a big deal out of it, “ she rolled her eyes. “ Sorry, “ she mumbled. “ It just seemed. I know you loved him, but..” she could not finish her sentence. “ So. What are we gonna do about that evil?” she asked instead. “ I don’t know. Better to stay off her. I’m tired of having swords though me. “ Yoyanne bit her lip: “ All my fault, “ “ Hardly.” Josephine was quiet for awhile. “ So, You want to know all about Me and Vincent and stuff of the olden days. What about you? Your family.” “ My parents, “ Yoyanne said and thn could suddenly not speak anymore, she swallowed to find a voice to continue.” I lived with them till I was 19. Then it was my own choice to leave. I think I loved them very much and they kinda talked me into this, they wanted me to come a blender I think. Or at least part of them wanted, so I could have more of social life. Shortly after that they left the city. They wrote to me saying they were on to something. They could not say what it was. I begged them to tell me in my letters. Even begged them to come back. I felt so lonely. There letters were very warm and loving and they promised to returrn within a year. Then the letters stopped. I never knew whst happened or whst they were on to. I tried to find them but my magic wasn’t enough and I had no- one to help me either,” She bursted into tears and hid her face into Josephine’s lap. “ Don’t cry, “ she said. Terryfied by Yoyanne’s burst of emotion. “ I’ll help you. I’ll help you to find them , just god don’t cry, “ Yoyanne realized she had scared Josephine and made a small space beetween them. “ How?” she asked drying her eyes. Josephine got up and lit a light beetween her hands started looking for something. She came back pretty soon holding a glassy ball that that was on a silver chain. She smiled wickedly and whispered: “Don’t tell Amber I borrowed it,” then threw the glass ball on soft bed and sat down in front of it. “ Now, we need a map. I’m gonna ask one from Caroline, “once agauin she got up and left the room, leaving Yoyanne waiting full of enthusiasm and excitment. When she she returned, she had a huge map with her, she placed it

on the bed next to the glass ball and rolled it open. “ Now, do you have any idea where they could be?” she asked Yayanne. “ Well, I got my last letter from them from here, “ and she pointed out an area on the map making rings with his fingers. “ Okay so this will tell us where they they are, “ and she rolled the glass ball beetween her fingers: “ Now, you sure you want to do it?”

“Yes, why wouldn’tI?” she asked all glittered with excitment and happiness from the possibibility of seeing her parents after such a long time. “ Well, what if there like....” she couldn’t finish. She was not able to confront her freind with the possibility of her parents not being alive anymore. “ Oh, “ Yoyanne finally realized , smile faded from her face, she swallowed hard and said: “ Its better to know harsh truth than to live without knowing at all, “ and she tried very hard to believe her own words.

Josephine pressed her lips together: “ Okay, you’re probably right, “ she held a glass ball beetween her palms and concentrated a very bright light lit and the hole room lit up along with a soft breeze brushing both girls hair. “ Wow, “ Yoyanne sighed. “ Hold it, “ Josephine ordered and gave the ball to Yoyanne. It was burning hot andd filled with fresh pure energy. Yoyanne so enjoyed holding it beetween her palms, she couldn’t do it for very long though therefor Josephine took it back and lift it to the height of her eyes. Then she let go of the ball and left it hanging in the air before her. “ Tell me, “ she asked staring right at the ball as if she tried to see though it.

Concentrading hard on it and nothing else. “Where is the blood of this girl? “ and the ball fell down on a map just around where Yoyanne had pointed out getting the last letter from. Its light getting a bit dimmer.

Josephine took a deep breath before asking her next question. She felt there no fun in weird phrasing and asking around-the-corner mysterious questions today: “ Alive or dead?” she held her breath wghile waiting an answer. The glaass ball floated up again, shineing brightly. Both girls sighed with huge relief. “ Where?” she asked full of seriousness and concetration once again. Ball killed off its light and fell down, then it rolled undered the bed. “ Underground?” Josephine asked raising an eyebrow.

Ball blinked its bright lit as if saying “ Yes!” Josephine smiled: “ We understand each other well, “ “ How shall we get there?” she asked the ball flew up again lighting up the room, but not in its full light.

Landed on Josephine’s palm and put its light out. Yoyanne looked at Josephine in confusion. “ I don’t have enough enegry to keep her running, “ trying again she concentrated and managed to lit the ball up again, but not as brightly” How can we find them? “ she asked again pressing the question though her lips, but the ball would not answer, instead Josephine’s hands began to tremble. “ Give me a clue, “ she pleaded her voice turning weak. “ Josephine stop it. You’ve done enough, “ Yoyanne said with a soft gentle voice hugging her friend to thank. The light of the ball got out completly and Yoyanne felt as the weight Josephine’s body was on her: “Josephine?” She whispered panicing. “ Josephine!” she yelled loder her panic turning into hysteria, tears rosing in her voice. “ Help!” She yelled. Amber and Caroline ran to her, Amber holding a golden light beetween her hands: “ Oh my! What has happened?” “ Its okay, Amber, “ Josephine said getting herself up just to fall back on her knees again” Yoyanne, I thought I told you to keep this secret!” she said sounding as if she hasd been deeply betrayed. “ I’m sorry, “ Yoyyanne said quietly. “ What on Mirracley were you guys doing?” “ L-Looking for h-h-her pa- rents, “ Josephine managed to say, “ With My glass ball? Honey, You know you’renot supposed to used somebody’s elses to use this spell.

For crying out loud. Its a spell for only Grand Witches! Even I am drained when I use this. How much did you asked?”

Josephine didn’t answer. “ Well I don’t have my own glass ball, do I?” she mumbeled furiously. “ Honey! You can’t have one! You’re not oblicated to have one. You don’t have a right to!” “ Yeah, yeah I know! I am so useless and I’m not powerful of special enough, “ Amber hugged her daughter: “ Oh, baby, you are very powerful and very very special!”

Joseghine sighed. “ Now tell me. How much did you ask?” “ Four, “ she said quietly: “ Five maybe!” “ Oh, you’re never ever supposed to ask more than three at at time. Did you want to kill yourself?” Amber said, sounding angry, when in heart she was just so worried about her little girl. “ It’s all my fault!” Yoyanne said bravely. “ I wanted to know if my parents were still alive, “ “ h its not your fault “ Amber said soundoing her usual soft- self again. “ Yeah, sure! Its mine! Itsalways mine, isn’t it! Even when I risk my own pathetic life for this girl’s happiness I still get to be blamed, “ Amber smiled: “ I’m sorry. Asking about her parents was very nobel of you, “ she said helping her daughter up she had her sitting on a bed annd covered her with blanket. “ What did you think I was asking? Tomorrows forecast?” Amber laughed. “ Let’s make her some tea, shall we? Caroline suggested. “ So she’d get her strength back. Amber agreed and they both left to kitchen. “ I’m sorry, “ Yoyanne whspered after a long silence “ And thank you. Thank you so much. Words aren’t ebough to say how gratefull I am, so I feel terrible for you, “ “ Y-You’d think I did-n’-t-tknow the risk-s-s?” Josephine asked trying to ignore horrible cold shivers though her. “ I think you did, but I could also guess. I shouldn’t have let you take them. It was terribly selfish of me, “ Amber had retured with a hot cup of tea. Sadly Josephine shivered so badly that most of it ended up on her designer pants. “ C-could you hold it please?” she pleaded and Yoyanne took her cup while watching as her friend tried to control her shivering body. “My pants, “ she groaned trying to dry herself up. “ Some faboulous special designer collection?” Yoyanne guessed.

Josephine smiled as well as she could: “ You bet!” “ I don’t wanna sound rude, but why exactly are you trembeling?”

She laughed: “ I don’t-t k-know. It is j-just some side effect of this spell, but oit sorta feels-l-like you know how you carry sonmething dreadfull h-heavy on your arm and later it just starts to tremble when nothing is on your arm?”

Yoyanne nodded. “ Well, this is like that,” Yoyanne was quiet, tilting her head as she always did when she felt ashamed or sorry or guilt. “ It will pass. “ she assured. “ Besides it was all worth it, wasn’t it?” she smiled wickedly. Yoyanne smiled back: “ Do you think we can actually find my parents?” she asked full of excitement. “ Yeah, sure as soon as I stop shivering and get a good night sleep!”