Let's Just Pretend This Is Normal (Peyton)

Have you ever dunked your head under ice cold water? And the longer your under the less you can feel, and the voice outside is like really far away echos. So you're just in the soundless, numb place. That's how I felt, I could hear talking - probably more like yelling- but it was far away. My whole life I thought very little of my birth parents, they didn't come up a lot. Sometimes when I couldn't sleep I would think about them, if they were alive or dead. Or when someone asked about my necklace. The only time we acknowledged it as a family was when we had to fill out family health forms at the hospital, which most of the time we left blank. I never worried about it too much since I had a family that wanted and loved me. I never once thought I might have siblings, I always that I was a fluke to my birth parents.

"Calm down, please. Breathe," Mayline instructed using her hands to demonstrate breathing in slower, I did as she said and it helped a bit.

The room went dead quiet and we all were looking at Jack and Mayline to keep going, at this point, it would take something huge to really rattle me. I mean it's not every day you learn that your a witch and your birth dad is some crazy high priest that killed a bunch of people and wants to drain the magic out of you.

"When your father first started his plan he knew that he would have to have a lot of power, he wanted each power from every element of magic. He learned that you can share magic with those who shared your blood, so he fathered a child from every element. Like I said we didn't realize it till it was too late. When the high priestess went onto labor and gave birth to a little girl at one-twenty- five in the morning the first house started to burn. Our ancestors were punishing us for breaking witch law," Mayline went on to explain.

"They punished you for what Edward did?" Ryker asked confused.

Jack shook his head.

"No, we were punished for the mistakes your mother's made. You see when witches bind themselves together it lasts forever," Jack answered.

"What do you mean by bind together?" I asked.

"It's the witch equivalent to marriage. Your father was bound to the high priestess yet he went and fathered other children with other women. It upset the ancestors."

"Who are these Ancestors you keep talking about? " Jade asked, I was glad to see her face was no longer red from crying, but her eyes were still a little puffy.

"Our ancestors are the first of our coven, they watch us from the other side or spirit realm. Only certain witches can actually speak to them," Jack went on.

"Your father's punishment was that he couldn't take your magic. When Peyton was born at one-twenty- five, your father was waiting but he couldn't take it. He thought he had to wait until you were all born. He tried again at one-thirty-seven when Jade was born, then again at two-ten with Hale. He was getting frustrated when Ryker was finally born at two fifty-eight. His next theory was because you hadn't awakened your magic yet. He was going to take you away and hide you, raise you to be his magic batteries. We took you away before he could. a few years ago we got in touch with a very powerful witch who could talk to the ancestors. Edward can't use your magic unless you allow him," Mayline made clear.

"So why doesn't he just start over with new kids?" Jade pondered aloud.

"The priestess took care of that when he found out he had been unfaithful," Mayline answered vaguely. We understood what she meant though.

"So if you had us then how did we get separated?" I asked my voice a bit gruff from not speaking in a while.

Mayline took a second to look down like she felt guilty for something.

"Because you're all connected through blood you can share your magic, something that's never happened before. Most witches bind with witches in their element, you are the first siblings who share all the elements. It makes you extremely powerful, so we had to separate you so your father wouldn't find you. I took Peyton and Jade and left them with people who needed kids," Mayline disclosed.

"I took Hale and Ryker to safe places where I knew they would be well cared for," Jack added.

I winced as a sharp light hit my eyes and I covered my eyes and peaked between my fingers. Hales's bracelet was glowing like a star.

"Someplace where I would be well cared for? I've have been alone my whole life! Ive definitely never been safe- what happened - Do you think fighting in street fights is safe? The people I work for are criminal-" she stopped mid-sentence a look of thought on her face. " I have to go," Hale announced casually, getting up and heading to the door.

Jack and Mayline both stood up to stop her.

"You can't go, it's not safe," Jack warned. "You don't have your magic to protect you,"

"And who's fault is that?" she retorted.

"Hale!" Jack called firmly.

"You don't understand what I've gotten myself into. Some really bad shit, with some really dangerous people. Things went south last night, if I don't go back, I'm dead"

"I think we all need to go," I stuttered, everyone looked at me. "Hale needs to go sort thing out with her mob buddies and if I don't get home soon my mom will call the feds,"

"I need to get home too, my Dad can't be alone for a long time. We will come back after we sorted everything out," Jade agreed.

"Okay, your phones are on the counter, be back at five. There is still stuff we need to talk about," Jack caved.

Once I knew what street I was on I knew how to get home. I turned on my phone to check my messages.

I had a few missed calls from Cooper and Lily, and about ten texts from my mom wanting to know where I was. her most recent one made my finger start typing.

If you don't answer your phone in the next hour I'm calling the cops.

I had the phone ringing in seconds.

"Peyton? Peyton!" Mom yelled frantically onto the phone.

"Mom, calm down,"

"Where are you?" She sounded more about panicked then mad.

"Oh erm at the movies, I had my phone off, sorry,"

"Why didn't you leave a note? I was so worried,"

"I know, I'm sorry I meant too,"

I heard her sigh and I could tell she was also rubbing her eyes, stressed.

"Okay, when are you going to be home?"

"I'm on my way now,"

"Okay, love you,"

"Love you to Mom,"

She hung up and check my other messages, Lily and Cooper were just as worried, especially since they couldn't find me after the fog. I texted that I was fine and see them later. I shut off my phone and picked up the pace.

-*-

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I got home and smelled whatever mom was making for lunch.

"Mom! I'm home!" I called as I rubbed the dirt off my feet.

"Do you want lunch?"

"Yes please!"

I snuck into my room to quickly change out the dress. I put on shorts and a tank top and tied my hair back. I shoved the dress into a plastic bag glad to be back in my normal clothes, I'd give the dress back Jack and Mayline it was theirs after all.

I slid my feet into some beaten up converse and went back to the kitchen.

"Peyton!" Auggie squealed when he saw me, It brought a smile to my face.

"Hey buddy," I laughed as I tickled under his chin, it brought a spurt of giggles from him.

I sat down next to him and mom plopped a plate in front of me.

The smell of the grilled ham and cheese made my mouth water.

"Thanks, Mom," I said gratefully and started to devour the sandwich, nervously waiting for five.