49 Hocus Pocus (2)

"Maam, with all due respect, but I don't want your services." I spoke adamantly. "Even if it is for free."

The woman just bobbed her head and then sat up straight in her chair. She seems to be really amused by something, as if she knew me.

Or perhaps what I am capable of.

"Who are you?" I asked a bit too aggressive this time. I really wanted to get out as soon as I can, but why is it that I am becoming curiouser with who the woman was?

Was she a spirit like that of Shalem's forest? A diety like Juno? Or was she a real-life witch?

Perhaps she was just some crazy lady too.

"If you aren't going to answer me then I will just have to leave. It was a mistake that I came here." I shook my head in impatience. "I'm tired of all the mystery. I'm leaving and have a blast at the festival."

It was the very first festival in which I did not have to work whereas the other children my age were having fun. I am determined to make the most out of this day and no shady lady was going to hold me back no matter how curious I was about her.

I went and stood up to exit the tent, but the enigmatic woman's hand suddenly shot and grabbed for my arm.

I jerked away as quickly as I could as her hands felt like a dead man's cold embrace. They made the hairs at the back of my neck stood up on its ends. "Don't go yet. I have something to say to you." She quickly mumbled.

"Then say what you have to and so we can be over with it." I hissed.

She pulled the cloth covering which revealed a face that reminded me of middle-eastern heritage.

She had a prominent nose bridge, thick brows, and olive skin. Her eyes were tantalizing and there was something about it that makes you feel drawn into them.

Like this time around, they were pulling me in to sit down again and listen to her.

I did my best to resist and remained standing in front of her stall and the smile on her lips reached her beautiful eyes – clearly entertained of how I reacted.

"You have clearly been drawn by magic, child. No ordinary human has ever come into my tent without having a drop of magic in their blood." She gave me a wry smile and then said, "Or someone who is a witch."

"Wait a minute, you aren't one of Juno's friends, are you?" I responded. "If Juno had any."

The woman just shook her head and giggled.

She didn't pay me heed as she reached out behind her where she unlocked a trunk filled with treasures.

When she was done, she closed the trunk and came back to the table and placed something wrapped in a red silk cloth. She waved her hand to let me sit down and said, "You could say Juno and I go way back, but we aren't exactly friends."

I didn't take her on her offer to sit down as I would rather stand in case I needed to run away in any moment.

"Sit down, my dear. I may not be Juno's friend, but I am neither an enemy." She said, totally removing her head covering and showing a platinum silver hair that draped down to her back.

"I came here unknowingly. That should be enough reason for me not to trust just about anyone inside here." I told her. "You could be some dark witch or something."

The woman chuckled and just went on to spread the cloth on her table, revealing a set of tarot cards. She cut the stack into two, shuffled them and picked out three cards and laid them in front.

She picked another one from the deck and then looked at me, her eyes somehow slightly disturbed. She looked like she was calculating her next move and the words she should say.

The woman returned all the cards to her deck. She then looked at me and said,

"Suit yourself, Elizabeth Ainsworth. But if you want help on your revenge then you are welcome to sit anytime."

"How do you know my name, and act like you know me too like a friend? Yet you do not introduce yourself to me."

"Sit down child. We will talk if you will see me eye to eye." She responded.

She waved her long bony hand over as if to invite me once more to sit down. "Please sit down, I can't stay here for much long now that I met you."

I don't know what came into me, but this time around, I was compelled by her words and the next thing I knew I was already sitting in front of her, the palms of my hand sweating as they sat on top of my lap.

"I am no one but a lady of truth. I set up my tent where people gather, to see if anyone would unknowingly stray in and seek my help."

"You speak of truth yet you still hold back your name or what you truly are." I retorted.

She gave me a warm smile and said, "I read your cards, child. Your heart has been broken by someone you trusted, and you seek gratification in the sense that the other will suffer."

My chest felt a sudden pang of hurt as she said those words. "You are a witch, am I right?"

She leaned her head sidewards and closed her eyes as she began to sway left and right, her head lolling like in a trance. The incense swirled around her like they were dancing to the rhythm of her hums.

"Mmm… I see you aren't ready yet for the things that is to come. You are still confused. Your heart battles with your brain, and the heart will always want what it wants."

She abruptly stopped swaying, and she opened her eyes, this time around I could see the panic in her face which wasn't there before.

What changed now?

She picked up her deck of cards from the side of the table and began to shuffle hastily and picked cards once more.

"Give me your hands."