The Lady in Need

I will never forget the day I got my magic. I was always a fan of magical stories - of witches and mermaids, of fairies and vampires and every other magical creature you can think of. I guess a very small part of me really did believe magic was real. I guess I've hoped to the point of believing it was true already.

Of course I never told anyone about this, not even to Yasir - my brother, who is my very best friend in the world, or my best friend at school, Harriet. Or even my Mom who I share almost everything to. I mean 15 years old and still hoping that magic was real? I didn't want to be laughed at or teased, especially by Yasir who is 5 years younger than me but yet does not believe in the slightest chance of magic being real.

It happened one ordinary Tuesday. Harriet and I were walking home from school. I was lucky enough to live just a 10-minute walk away from my school.

"That history exam had nothing in there that I studied for. Not one bit!" Harriet said in frustration.

"Good thing I didn't study at all. It wouldn't have helped." I said, knowing this would make Harriet even more irritated.

She rolled her eyes at me and said, "Yeah, lucky for you Marcciela. Your mom does not nag you to study for every single exam we have."

I laughed as we parted ways. I continued walking, thinking what grades I was going to get from that really hard exam when I almost jumped in surprise because someone touched my arm. It was an old lady. She was just as tall as I am, about 5 feet 2 inches in height, with white hair just past her ears, a kind smile, and eyes that looked as wise as her age. She reminded me of my grandmother who passed away 6 years ago.

"I wonder if I could ask for your help," she said.

I was caught off guard because she didn't look like she was a beggar or a homeless lady.

Still, I said "Sure. How can I help?"

"Well, I've been mugged. They got my bag and my wallet was there. I don't have money to ride the bus home and I haven't eaten anything since this morning because I was afraid to ask for help from just anybody.", she told me.

My heart went out to the lady. It must have been so horrible for her and she must be so hungry.

"All I have is 10 bucks. Would that be enough?", I asked.

"That would be enough, thank you so much, my child. You have a big heart.", the lady said, looking relieved.

"It's nothing. I'm glad to help." I said.

I looked again in my bag, and just as I hoped for, I found 7 bucks more.

"Come," I told her. "Let me buy you something to eat."

"You are an angel sent from heaven. Thank you!" she said.

As I was leaving, she took something from her finger and gave it to me. It was a black ring.

"I don't have anything to pay you so let me just give you this. This is the only thing I have right now." She said

I told her she didn't need to give me anything and that I was just glad to help but she insisted.

Before I left she said, "ad imperium tuum est".

I smiled at her and left. I didn't understand then and didn't think much about what she said. Little did I know my life would be completely different the moment I put on that black ring.