Anger surged through her vein as she took each step forward in pain. Her heartbeat raced a million times per second as she placed her right hand on her left hand to stop it from trembling, but no matter how hard she tried, her hands shook vigorously.
It was something normal in her family. Another trait she got from her great grandpa the…
”Mia, please wait.” A familiar voice called out from afar, ruining her train of thought, and that brought tons of anger toward her heart. She felt a tiny bit of tears glisten her eyes as she walked on, ignoring the voice.
”Mia…” the voice called again before turning her around. Mia almost wished she had the power to control the earth at that moment.
The touch on her irked her skin, and she felt disgusted by it.
Seething her teeth in disgust, she roared at the person, “What?!” Mia voiced rang out, which earned more eyes turning their way.
”Mia, please… I didn't do it. I told no soul. I can swear on…”
Leaving her left hand that was held, Mia placed her right hand forward in a stop sign with eyes raging with anger toward the perpetrator.
”Don't you dare deny it, Rufus. Don't you dare…” Mia warned in anger before turning around to walk on.
”Please, I know I am the only one you told, but I would never tattletale on you. I swear it!” Rufus defended. ”Please, don't do this to me.” Rufus added, pleading.
Scoffing out loud, Mia turned again. ”Of course it wasn't you. It was me. I went out telling people I am crazy so I have myself to blame, not you.” Mia responded.
”I know it feels like I let the cat out of the bag, but it wasn't me. I know it is hard to believe that you told me something last night, and everyone knows about it today. All fingers point at me, but I SWEAR IT, Mia. I would never ever do that. It wasn't me, I would never do that to my friend.” Rufus replied.
”Friend? I have no friends in this village. For generations, we have lived that way as the abnormal family. I must have been mad to trust you and see you as a true friend. I must…”
”...and I am true, Mia. Can't you see? I am here with you, not with them. Does that not mean something to you?” Rufus questioned.
”Yes, it means nothing to her.” Another voice responded from the crowd, which was just half a mile a way from where Mia and Rufus stood.
Mia and Rufus turned toward where the voice came from, and it was then that Mia realized they weren't far off from the crowd, and everyone had heard her whine.
Closing her eyes, she grinded her teeth passionately to calm her racing heart and let go of her anger No! I can't let them see me angry she murmured.
The crowd parted a way from where the voice stood just like David had done with the Israelites.
A familiar figure came forth, and Mia's anger rose again immediately she opened her eyes. It was Gladys, her close neighbor. Their family have always been known to know things. They are like information center and people love them. Not because they know things but because they don't easily give out people's information unless there was something huge that must be fixed.
”I didn't know you told Rufus anything. I guess I missed that hint. I was the one that spilled the beans on you, Mia. I have watched you for a long time now, and I know you have the gift, and that was why I told Shelly. You know their family is very known for not keeping things they heard. I knew she would tell people, and that's why I told her.” Gladys replied.
”Why? Why did you have to embarrass her this way?” Rufus spoke, stepping forward in anger.
”Leave her be, Rufus. She's just an attention seeker. Let's go.” Mia said, holding Rufus back.
”I don't care how you see me. But I care about the harm you are doing to your gift. You don't have to be scared to be who you are.” Gladys replied.
”Gift? Be who I am?” Laughing out loud, Mia held her chest in mockery. ”I didn't know I have a gift that makes people cast my family out of every six months gift festival because we have the ability to communicate with animals very well, not humans like everyone else.” Mia added.
”...and, that's what makes you special. It is your ancestral gift that can only be passed to only one person in each generation, and now, it is your turn, but you don't want anyone to know. Why?” Gladys enquired.
”Why? Have you seen the way people look at us when we pass by? The words they say to our face and behind our backs? Witches! That's what they call us. Yes! I didn't want anyone in my family to know I have developed the curse so that my sisters and brothers can say to people, ”We don't have the curse anymore” and they can make friends with people instead of having animals coming to our house. Is that too much to ask?” Mia questioned.
”No, it isn't too much. I know we are not friends or anything. But we are neighbours. The gift you are trying to kill in you is actually killing you. Yes! I saw you that night. I was coming back from a friend's place when I saw you dash out of your house quietly. I followed you into the forest and saw you throw up blood. The stars were out, and so was the moon. I could see you clearly. Your every move and you didn't stop coughing out blood until a squirrel came by and you spoke with it. It was then the coughing stopped.” Gladys explained.
Closing her eyes briefly, Mia sucked in a long breath. She did remember that night. It was a fortnight ago when the cough started again. She had been having the cough if she refused to speak to an animal for a fortnight. It was why she always sneaked out before a fortnight to talk to animals secretly, and she had decided to tell someone her secrets, and Rufus had always been there. So, she had told him.
Opening her eyes back to reality, Mia spoke, ”So? Is that why you had to make everyone know? What point are you trying to prove?” Mia questioned.
”The point that we are all witches, Mia.” Gladys replied, which earned her a few gasps from the crowd before murmurings followed.
Staring at the crowd, Gladys shook her head before she continued her statement.
”You use your gift to help animals who are part of humans. My grandfather once told me before he died that, ”We are half animals. We are just more knowledgeable than they are in every way.” Whenever I look at your family, I see people with a rare gift. A gift that should be celebrated. Everyone already knows this is your family's gift. Your lineage. What's there to hide? People who will accept you will do. Rufus didn't tell on you and even chased after you despite telling him about your gift. Does that not mean something? Embrace your inner self, Mia, because that's where your power lies.” Gladys added.
Staring at Rufus, the crowd, Gladys, and right back at Rufus, Mia let out a long sigh.
”Mia, as much as I don't like that your secret is out, I agree with Gladys. I don't see you as a witch. You are my best friend. It doesn't matter if your gift isn't in line with the gifts of others. What matters is that you have something that makes you special, something that brings out the uniqueness in you. Don't kill it. I don't mind coming to your house even if they are crowd of animals at your door waiting to talk to you. I'll always be there with you and so will your family.” Rufus spoke calmly before stretching his hands to hold Mia's.
”From now on, don't just come to six months festival to cheer others on, but to also participate and cheer yourself on.” Rufus added.
Swinging her hands on Rufus shoulder, Mia hugged him tightly, almost draining the air out of him.
Gently tapping her hands, Rufus whispered, ”I can't breathe,” which earned a giggle from Mia.
”Thank you, Rufus, and you too, Gladys and every other person that supports me.” Mia said with a deep smile and a light heart.