Eliza's Shadow

by Catherine Wittmack

“I’m not mad at you. The last couple of days have been pretty rough. At least this helps me make sense of everything that’s happening to me.” I said with a sigh.

  As Ren’s dark eyes penetrated my defenses, I felt my cheeks grow hot. He smiled and gave my hand a squeeze before releasing it quickly.

  “Alright then.” He said.

  I shifted from foot to foot, part of me wanted to dash inside to Jane to escape the awkwardness of ending the conversation with Ren and part of me felt anxious about leaving his side.

  “So, what’s next?” I asked hesitantly.

  “May I walk you to school tomorrow?” He asked.

  Surprised and flattered by his wholesome proposition, I nodded.

  “Sure, here, I’ll give you my address.” I stammered, reaching into my bag for a piece of paper and pen.

  “Uh, that’s ok, I know where you live.” He admitted shyly.

  A giggle erupted from my throat. “You’re really taking this pharos business seriously aren’t you?” I joked.

  Ren’s face dropped to the ground, and a sheepish smile spread across his face. “I guess you could say that.” He mumbled.

  I quickly added, “Well see you tomorrow, then.” Turning on my heel to escape, I pushed through the front door of Viva. Safely distanced from the pulse of Ren’s existence, I waved through the glass.

  He waved back then turned to jog across the street. I watched him strut down the sidewalk before he turned off Main St. and disappeared into the darkness.

  * * *

  The restaurant was buzzing with activity. Most of the tables were occupied and the wait staff bustled around the room. I noted the staff on duty, waving to each person as I passed them on the way to the kitchen.

  “Hi Eliza! What’s cookin’?” Frank’s voice boomed as I pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen.

  “That’s what I was going to ask you.” I responded giggling.

  “I’ve got salmon or a fettuccini with mushroom ragout. What strikes your fancy tonight?” He asked.

  I pondered the choices before settling on the salmon. It had sounded good when Jane mentioned it earlier in the day.

  “I’ll have the salmon. Have you seen Jane?” I asked searching the room, surprised that she wasn’t helping Frank prep dishes.

  “She’s back in the office. I’ll put a plate together for you, just come by when you’re ready.” He said.

  I wandered back to the office, a small bright room tucked all the way at the back of the kitchen. Jane sat behind the computer at her desk decked in her chef’s outfit typing furiously on the keyboard.

  “Hey you.” I said taking a seat in the plush chair opposite her desk.

  Jane glanced up to look at me quickly before continuing the rapid pounding on the keyboard.

  “Hey babe. I was just about to start worrying about you. How was your day?” She asked glancing briefly again at me beyond the computer screen.

  “Pretty good.” I said slowly.

  Jane was about the most trustworthy, open-minded adult a girl could ever hope to have as a confidant. Yet, I hesitated confessing my bizarre news not only because it made me sound crazy and she might think I’d finally cracked but more importantly, I worried that telling her could inadvertently place her in harm’s way. If I was in danger, maybe the less she knew about my situation, the better. Besides, I had the feeling that Jane was no match for the kind of danger I might attract.

  “What are you typing?” I asked quickly, changing the subject.

  “A reporter from Boston wants to do a piece on Viva. She sent me a list of questions to answer and I have to submit them by tomorrow. Thought I better get them done before it gets too busy out there.” She said sounding leery.

  I considered sharing with her just how busy it was out in the dining room already but held my tongue.

  “While you finish up I’ll go eat, ok? We can chat when you’re done.” I suggested.

  She looked up again, over the computer screen. Her shoulders slumped and she smiled gratefully.

  “Thanks babe, I’m sorry I didn’t get this finished before you got here. I’ll be done in a minute.” She said apologetically.

  “No problem, take your time.” I said.

  On the contrary, I was relieved that she was distracted and barely noticed how late I had showed up at the restaurant. I could use the few moments alone to craft an explanation of my new relationship with Ren, one omitting the magic stuff. I slipped out of the office and headed back into the kitchen. Frank had prepared dinner for me. I carried my plate over to a little table against a wall of the kitchen where Jane and I ate.

  I had polished off more than half the salmon by the time Jane emerged looking drained from her office. She strolled over to the coffee maker and poured herself a cup before joining me.

  “What a wear out. That reporter sent me about twenty questions. There’s no way she’ll fit all that into her article. Of course, she probably didn’t know what she’d get back from me. Oh well, it’ll be interesting to see what she prints.” Jane said with a shrug.

  “Enough about me. How are you? Everything go ok today?” She asked.

  This was difficult. My instincts were always to pour out my soul to Jane but today that was impossible. This would be the first time I practiced censorship with her.

  “Uh yeah. Everything was fine. I was a little late getting here because I went over to Bishop’s with Ren.” I tried to sound casual in hopes of avoiding a barrage of follow-up questions.

  Jane raised an eyebrow and a sly smile slid across her face as she took a sip of her coffee. “Really? Do tell.” She said impishly.

  I rolled my eyes as a warning to her that I wasn’t interested in having a detailed discussion on the topic.

  “Ren’s a cool guy and we’re becoming friends. That’s all.” I stated firmly.

  Jane leaned back in her seat, looking disappointed.

  “Don’t get all defensive Eliza. I was just asking. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I just thought you might want to talk about it.” She said sounding hurt by my reaction.

  My chest tightened with regret but I was also relieved to have sidestepped any further explanation of my relationship with Ren, at least for the time being.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be defensive. What I should have said is, thanks for asking.” I replied apologetically.

  Jane cocked her head and gave me a tired smile before sliding her chair back.

  “Well, I suppose I better get to work here, before the kitchen blows up.” She said peeking at Frank out of the corner of her eye who was frantically stirring, flipping and prepping an assortment of foods.

  “What’s your plan for the rest of the evening? Are you going straight home?” She asked casually despite the fact that the corners of her eyes creased with worry.

  Jane had a delicate way of influencing me. She allowed me to make my own decisions but managed to be subtly persuasive. Evidently tonight, she was hoping I would be safely tucked away at home all evening while she worked.

  “Yeah, I have a lot of homework to do, so I’m going straight home. See you later.” I said, taking the hint.

  A look of relief washed across Jane’s face. She stooped to plant a quick peck on my cheek before crossing the room to join Frank to get an update on how the evening operations were going.

  I pushed through the swinging door that separated the kitchen from the dining room and dodged the wait staff as I weaseled my way toward the front door. Once out on the street, I noticed how dark it had become while I was inside. I wrapped my arms tightly around my chest, warding off the chill that had already begun seeping through my light jacket, then set off briskly down the street. Alone for the first time since I’d met Ren on the beach, my mind reeled with the reality of the evening’s events.

  * * *

  The lock slid back freeing the door and I tumbled across the threshold. I whirled into the warm darkness of the living room quickly slamming the door behind
me and sliding the bolt back into place. During the walk home my imagination had taken a furious turn conjuring up a fleet of enemies at my heels. As I flitted about the room flicking on lights, I began to feel silly for frightening myself.

  Once the room was cheerfully aglow with every light present, I flopped onto the couch. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples absorbing the hushed sounds of the kitchen appliances humming and forced air rushing through the pipes.

  Cora’s face hovered in my mind’s eye. Why had the task of protecting me been left to her? What other secrets did she keep?

  Then a creeping feeling came over me as I thought of my mother. Could she have been like me too? What happened to her that night, back in Moco?

  Seeing as it was unlikely I would ever find answers to my questions, I decided to put aside the mysteries of my past for the time being to focus on my present situation, which judging from Ren’s level of concern, was not very good. It seemed that however well-intentioned Cora’s spell had been years ago it left me in a bit of a predicament. Yet, I knew so little about what the past six years of shrouding had cost me that it was difficult to determine how worried I should be.

  One thing was certain, I was exhausted and Ren would be meeting me in the morning. I glanced at my school bag, hastily tossed unopened by the door. The one truth I’d given Jane was that I did in fact have a lot of homework to do. But as the weight of the day pressed my shoulders deeper into the cushions, I decided to call it a day. Something told me I would need all my strength for the next.

  7

  The patter of artificial raindrops streaming from the speakers of my clock softly pulled me from the veil of sleepiness. Unlike the day before, I felt groggy and disoriented, unwilling to face the day ahead. Through the fog in my mind, my agreement to meet Ren came back to me along with the urgent reminder that today would be one unlike any I’d had before. Today, I would begin to learn what it meant to be a witch.

  My hand flew across the bed and slammed the alarm button. A jolt of excitement shot through my limbs. I rolled out of bed and sped energetically through my morning routine.

  “’Morning babe!” Jane shouted from the kitchen as I scampered between the bathroom and my bedroom.

  As I rumbled through a pile of unfolded clean clothes in a laundry basket on the floor, it occurred to me that I hadn’t given Ren any instructions as to what time to pick me up. Just as I was hoping that I would manage to make it out to the street before he arrived, avoiding an introduction to Jane, the bell rang.

  I scrambled wildly around my room throwing on clothes and retrieving necessary items for the day as I heard Jane make a surprised remark.

  “Hey Jane, that’s… it’s for me!” I shouted.

  As I slid out of my room, Jane removed the bolt and the door swung open.

  “Hi, I’m Ren. You must be Jane.” Ren said, his face decorated with a gleaming smile as he shook the hand of my startled aunt.

  “Well, good morning Ren. It’s very nice to meet you.” She said coolly, guarding her surprise.

  By that point, I stood looking pink and flustered behind Jane. “Hey Ren. We’re gonna walk to school together.” I hastily explained.

  “Uh huh.” Jane said with an entirely too amused smile.

  “It was nice to meet you, Jane. I hope to see you again soon.” Ren said politely before venturing down the stairs.

  Once Ren’s back was turned I scurried out the door behind him and gave Jane one last embarrassed glance.

  “Cute.” Jane whispered.

  I shot her a tight lipped smile and pulled the door behind me.

  I slowly hopped down the steps behind Ren, giving myself a few moments to gather my wits. As we rounded the landing, he shot me his own amused grin over his shoulder.

  “So I take it you haven’t figured out what to tell Jane about me yet?” He asked.

  I groaned but held my tongue until we broke free of the building and were safely outside and out of earshot.

  “Well, it’s not as if I’ve had a whole lot of time to think this all through. I can’t tell her the truth. Right now, I’m just trying to keep my story simple. We just met and I think we’re going to be… friends.” I said awkwardly.

  “I’d like to think so.” He said hopefully.

  “What are we doing this morning? You’re really early you know. We don’t need to be at school for an hour.” I muttered hastily tugging my jacket over my shoulders.

  Ren’s grin widened and his eyes sparked.

  “There’s a place I’d like to take you. It’s on the way.” He said gesturing across the street.

  “Where exactly is it?” I asked suspiciously trailing after Ren as he walked across Main Street.

  Ren maintained a swift pace leading me down Main. “We’re going down to the water.” He said.

  I quickened my pace to match his and followed him with more confidence once I discovered our direction. We made our way back to the stairwell. The creaking wooden steps were slippery with morning dew and Ren clasped my forearm. Once we reached the trail along the water, he began to lead me away from the path we had used the night before.

  “We’re going to the old marina, it’s calmer there.” He offered.

  To call it a marina was misleading, as the old marina was nothing of the sort. In fact, it was really just a protected cove nestled into the shoreline with a few ramshackle docks. These days it was primarily used for swimming. Of course, once the weather cooled it was usually vacant.

  When we reached the old marina, Ren headed for one of the rickety old docks. The planks spread wide, warped by time and weather. Barnacles coated the poles.

  I stood on the rocky shore eyeing Ren dubiously as he boldly strutted down the worn dock. I didn’t even consider setting foot on the structure until he turned and motioned for me to join him.

  “Come on, Eliza, the view is much better out here.” He urged.

  “Yeah but do you think it’s safe? I’m not in the mood for a swim.” I shouted after him.

  “Safe enough.” He shrugged.

  Silently scolding myself for taking the risk, I gingerly stepped onto the dock and plodded after Ren toward the end. By the time I reached him, he was comfortably sitting on the edge swinging his legs, the tips of his toes missing the water by a few inches. I lowered myself onto the edge of the dock and joined him. Having never spent much time at the old marina, I was surprised by how calm the water was inside the cove. Yet, from our vantage point on the dock, we could clearly see the white tips of the waves lapping the shore beyond it.

  Ren inhaled the sea air deeply. “Peaceful, isn’t it?” He asked.

  I scanned the open water and began to relax. The ocean had that effect on me. I watched a pair of seagulls swoop and dive riding the breeze and nodded smiling in response.

  “It really is.” I replied.

  “They’re saying that we’ve scared away the school of fish they were hunting. They’re not very happy with us.” Ren said with a chuckle.

  I quickly scanned the beach around us puzzled. “They?” I asked confused.

  “The gulls.” He said pointing to the sky above us.

  I smirked at him doubtfully. “Are you joking?”

  “All things in nature have a voice, it’s just a matter of learning how to hear them. Understanding animals is a skill I’ve spent a lot of time developing.” He said earnestly.

  I shook my head in bewilderment. “Talking to animals, really? What’s next?” I asked.

  Ren burst into laughter. “Quite a bit actually.” He said before the grin faded. He looked at me pensively for a minute as if considering his next move.

  “Can I show you something?” He asked his brow furrowed.

  “Sure.” I tried to remain calm, though excitement danced in my stomach.

  Ren jumped to his feet and rubbed his hands together theatrically at first then winked at me. Like a chef with a spoon, his hand swirled above the water beneath my feet.

  Instantly the fish that had
been lazily circling the dock legs scattered. The waves that had lapped the dock grew still, leaving the water unnaturally placid. Then subtly the water began to swirl counterclockwise against the direction of the natural current. Directly beneath my feet a whirlpool developed and began to pick up speed. The water spread around the eye of the pool, white froth edged the whirling ring.

  I managed to pull my eyes from the phenomenon to view Ren. His hand was still above my head, his face a calm mask of concentration. He smiled easily in response to my amazed expression.

  The whirlpool grew stronger and emitted a wet breeze, dampening my pants, face, and hair. The eye sucked deeper into the depths of the water. The mesmerizing motion of the water seemed to gain power at a dangerous pace. I became acutely and uncomfortably aware of my precarious position on the edge of the dock.

  Just as my anxiety gave way to fear, the swirling water subsided. Within seconds the vortex that seemed to have a life of its own dissipated and the natural roll of the waves resumed pace below the dock.

  Stunned, I blinked dumbly at the gentle waves.

  “Why don’t you try, Eliza?” Ren’s voice rang in my ears.

  I stared at him in shock. “Try what? How do you expect me to do that? That was amazing!” I said breathlessly.

  “We have to get started somewhere don’t we?” He suggested, his face set with determination.

  Ren’s eyes flashed mischievously as he reached for my hand. Heat surged through me as our fingers touched. I struggled to stand.

  Like a bird about to take its first flight, I stared at the water doubtfully.

  “Alright, for this to work the first thing you need to do is banish any doubt about your ability to command the water. I know that’s easier said than done but you have to believe in yourself. Then have confidence in your instincts. There isn’t an instruction manual for this type of thing. You have to feel it out. There is a part of you that knows what to do, you just have to set it free.” Ren instructed encouragingly.

  “Concentrate on the water, the flow of it, the sound, the feel. Think about the molecules moving together. Then send your force out and tell them what to do.” He whispered in my ear, his breath tickled my neck distracting me.