N – Not What Was Expected.

If you are just starting to read this, you might first want to go back to the beginning of this story – M – Mother’s Fault. https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=5059

At the beginning of this story, Clara wanted to visit the city, but had been forbidden to do so. She claimed her father believed that she was the cause of her mother’s death and was overprotective. Her father relents, warning her to make good decisions. Clara leaves for the city, not aware of what is going to happen.

(Part 2 0f 4 – Clara’s Tale)

N – Not What Was Expected

Clara made it to the city without any problem. She had read enough articles and seen enough videos to know what to expect. When she got there, she was not disappointed. 

There were lots of people milling around. Some were just taking walks, like she was. Others were sitting at outdoor cafes, eating and chatting away. Then there were those who were riding on bicycles and scooters on the streets and sidewalks. Most of them were young kids, but occasionally you would see an older child and even some adults riding through the center of town, heads down, as if they were part of a marathon race. 

Most didn’t seem to notice her, and those who did didn’t pay any attention to what she was doing there. 

The stores, in general, were typical of what a city venue would display. There were clothing stores, food emporiums, drugstores, and some specialty stores. It was these stores that piqued Clara’s interest. One in particular, called “The Magic Castle”. She decided to take a look inside.

As she went through the door, the whole atmosphere changed. The only lighting was created by candles. There were the perfunctory outfits that a stereotypical witch or wizard would wear. There were magic potions and magic fortune telling kits. In one corner, there was a bar or drink counter. Clara could have sworn that all the drinks that were being offered were bubbling and smoking, though the scents that pervaded the air were quite sweet. There was one or two customers looking at things, and there was the storekeeper himself speaking with a few patrons. 

When the storekeeper noticed her, he walked over and introduced himself.

“Why, hello, Miss?” he questioned. 

“Clara,” she replied.

“Well, welcome, Miss Clara. It’s so good of you to join us today. I am called Mr. Cigam. I’m the storekeeper. Now what kind of magic are you looking for? We have all kinds, potions for love, magic wands for defense and trickery, Clothing that can hide almost anything or make you invisible, if you wish. Magic items that can give you your heart’s desire.” 

This was getting kind of weird. The man looked quite strange. He was wearing a star and constellation-studded cape and a turban on his head. He spoke with a distinct Eastern European accent. His eyes were of two different colors – one was green, and the other yellow.

Clara didn’t know what her heart’s desire was, but she did recognize her head’s desire, and that was to vacate the premises.

She thanked the man for his offer, and made some excuse of just looking for a friend, and seeing that her friend wasn’t there, she had to go. 

She left and continued meandering through the streets. She felt that she should be looking for something, but wasn’t sure what that was. It was like there was a piece of something connected to her. She went from store to store, looking in every window. Other than her reflection in the store windows, there was not much that interested her. 

She didn’t notice that she was being followed until about the seventh store, when behind her reflection was the same figure that had been behind her reflection in every other store window since leaving the Magic Castle. 

It was a tall woman. The woman was wearing a mask over her face similar to the ones Clara had to wear during COVID. Clara was unsure what to do. Her father told her to make good decisions. But what was the right decision: run away, or turn around and confront her follower?

Just to make sure Clara was being followed by this woman, she decided to take an erratic path through streets and alleys. She moved slowly sometimes, and quickly at others. Occasionally, when Clara rounded a corner building, she would quickly peek behind her to see if the woman was still there. And she was.

Clara decided that she needed to find a place to sit where there were a lot of people. She chose one of the cafes. She found a seat and waited to see what would happen. It didn’t take long.

The woman came into the cafe, walked up to the table that Clara was sitting at, and sat down opposite her.

The woman sat up straight and didn’t say anything at first. Clara stared at her. She had long black hair, deep blue eyes, and, from what Clara could see, even with the mask on, a very pleasant disposition. Something about her looked familiar.

The woman spoke first. “Clara, I was hoping that you would come to the city someday, and I would get to talk to you. There is so much to tell.”

Clara was tongue-tied. Was this a trick? How could this person know her name? And what could she possibly have to tell her?

Clara placed her hand into her backpack and grabbed her pocket knife, in case she had to defend herself, and finally spoke up. “Who are you? And how do you know who I am?”

The woman reached her hand up slowly and took off her mask.

It was like staring into a mirror. The only thing that Clara could say was, “MOM?”

To be Continued in O – Origins