The Gift of Her Power

She remembered sitting in the worn leather chair, the coffee stain on his button up, and the rasp in his voice as he tore down the walls of her reality. “You’ll receive a sizable portion of your inheritance in the amount of $680,000 from your mothers estate and payments in the amount $20,000 every month from your trust until you turn 25. Additionally, upon your mother’s passing she directed me to give you this”. The lawyer turned to the bookcase behind his desk and pushed aside 4 large books to reveal a small hidden safe. He pulled a large,thick envelope from inside and on the front she could see her mother’s handwriting “for Seren.”

Suddenly the sound in the room was drowned out by a piercing ring in her ears. She felt her face flush and the heat settle in her cheeks and burn the edges of her ears. She was suddenly so aware of her heartbeat. Thumping harder, and harder, faster, and louder. Like it was screaming at the confinement it felt inside her chest. She felt the lump in her throat and the tears start to swell.

She needed out, now.

She started to slip her arms into the sleeves of her trench coat, “Thank you for your time sir, I need time to process alone...I’ll contact you with any questions” he nodded and pointed at the business cards at the corner of his desk. She smiled politely and took one from the stack. She held the package close to her chest and walked as quickly as she could.The hallway felt like it was closing in on her, the old building had no windows and musty smell that was almost suffocating. She rushed down the dingy tiled stairs and threw the doors open, “finally” she said in relief as she gasped for air. She walked to the bus bench to sit and catch her breath, it wasn’t until she heard the screech of the bus breaks that she remembered the envelope. She broke the strange wax seal and looked Inside to find an old golden key, the locket necklace her mother always wore, and a little black book.

she couldn’t stop the wave of dread rushing over her body that gave way to this sinking feeling that her whole life up to that point had been a complete lie, and not a pretty one. It was a string of unexpected overnight moves to shitty New York apartments, and a new school every year. She was the product of that “single mom struggle”... living in a constant state of survivor mode. To receive the news she not only wouldnt have to pay for her mom’s burial…but that her mother’s estate would take care of it?? That she had an inheritance?? It was unbelievable. “Why lie Mom, why put us through all of that?”

She thumbed through the pages, to the last entry, “Seren, i’m sorry I have to leave you now. There’s so much I never told you. You have so much power in you, on your 20th birthday it will fill your body. Remember, love is your anchor. We have a family house in Los Angeles. Go there, ask for Thompson. He will tell you what you need to know. Dont be afraid baby girl.... yes....it’s all real. I will guide you, keep this notebook close. The address is 333 Calverton Way, remember, I love you.“

Seren laid there staring at the pattern of light beaming in from the full moon outside her window. It stretched across the ceiling of her bedroom, dancing with the shadows as the wind gently blew the blinds. She liked to think of light and shadow as star crossed lovers, so close to each other but cursed to never touch. Never able to exist together at once. Soon the shadow faded and the white moonlight was replaced by the orangey glow of the morning sun as it began to rise.

Sleep seemed impossible these days. She laid there staring as her alarm started to buzz. She sat up, listening to the abrasive sound hoping it might jolt her out of her sleepy haze and into the present, she hit the snooze and looked over her shoulder at her luggage, “time to go” she said.

She arrived at the airport early, the flight from New York to Los Angeles was going to eat the day but she was okay with it. Something about the airport always put her at ease and gave her a great sense of calm. Seren sat by her terminal, legs stretched over 3 chairs and her headphones pushed deep in her ears. As kings of Leon played she sat staring at her mother’s journal peaking from the top of her bag. It had been months now since she passed and left nothing but this huge mystery and pain behind her. Seren was left to put the pieces together...with this little black book. it has the answers she needs.

The flight attendant stepped up to the mic “Now boarding priority first class members Flight 2428 to Los Angeles”

She quickly Shoved the notebook back in her bag and got in line to board the plane. She shuffled into her seat and looked out the window, she wondered what she would find in L.A. Who was Thompson? As her mind wondered her body began to drift into a deep sleep.

When she woke, the plane had already landed. The last of the passengers took their exit, she grabbed her bag and headed to baggage claim. Suddenly out of nowhere a tall man grabbed her arm and started rushing her to the exit, “I’m Thompson, there’s no time to explain but you are in danger I need to get you to the Hollow. Don’t look behind you” without hesitation she glanced back and saw what looked like shadows with faces. Thompson lead her to the parking garage to a black SUV and opened the passenger side door, with gentle force he sat her in the seat. He slammed the door and ran to the other side. They sped out of the parking garage and got onto the freeway.

“What was that?! And how did you even know I was here?!” Seren’s voice cracked in fear and frustration, she was still reeling in disbelief. Thompson didn’t speak, he clenched his jaw and the steering wheel and drove with such purpose. They exited the highway and turned onto a street headed toward a strange tunnel. It looked displaced amongst the city, plants overgrowing its edges like it had been there longer than anything else. Suddenly, Thompson floored the gas pedal as they entered the tunnel and closed his eyes. “What are you doing?!” Seren cried, “please, please” and she closed her eyes as tightly as she could anticipating the crash with white van she saw coming”. She could hear the windows of the car vibrating and a loud ringing in her ears,

then suddenly she felt the temperature shift. The sun light warmed her hand and she could smell spring flowers. She opened her eyes to find they weren’t in the city anymore. All she could see were these beautiful Trees with tiny white and pink blooms lining the road. “Did we die?!” Thompson laughed, “no my dear this is the Hollow, this is your home.”

It was in that moment she realized nothing would ever be the same and she never wanted it to be. It was in that moment she realized all the magic in the world was real, and that she would be able to wield it. She looked at the land in such awe and was overwhelmed with such gratitude for that... little... black...book.