Five

What?!  I thought.

Me? No! I don't belong here. I'm  a thief, a destitute. I shouldn't live in a house. I'm just alive for a damn quest. I came here to steal her cake.  What the hell?! 

Like my thoughts were having a serious argument within me. I felt numb. All I wanted at that moment was to give up and die. This is too overwhelming!

She, a stranger, just asked me to live with her. Does she know who I am? How will she feel if she discovers...?

What if...?

There's no way I can survive in a house by the way. My past, those unanswered questions will not let me be.

And she's a stranger, I can't  be very sure of safety. I don't know who she is.

I was lost in my own thought that I didn't notice that she was still waiting for my response until I felt her hands upon my shoulder, followed by her meek, caring and loving voice.

"Katrienair ?" She said. " Are you okay ?"

of course, I'm not. And stop speaking to me like Reba. I thought . As far as I'm concerned you are not my mother

I look up to her to speak.

"hmph, I'm okay. But..." 

I felt betrayed by my own voice so I had to stop before she starts to think I'm happy about her request.

But on a second thought, I needed a home so much as I needed answers too. I can't continue to steal. According to her, I'm a child and as a child I  need a parent ( Though I can live without one).

No,  am I really a child? 

Who's child am I? 

I've been rejected by everyone. I'm not a child, I'm a girl or rather I'm a wired teenager.

This is an opportunity for me to live a good life. But my gifts, she must not get to know about  it. I'll be killed like a mere dog. I need a home anyway.

"Why ?" I asked. "Why are you offering me this?"

Sylvia smiled.

Also a curious child. She thought. my best!

" You need a home, don't you?" She asked.

In someway her response got me annoyed. Do I look like I'm desperate to get a home? Or do I look like i would do anything to live a good life? She'd be deceiving herself if she thinks so.

"No, I don't " I countered.

She looked shocked. She definitely wasn't expecting that from a *child*. Maybe, she got it all wrong herself. I'm a potential thief not a child.

" You don't?" She asked like she was interpreting what I just said to herself. "Why?"

" I was here to steal your cake, not to live here forever. " I put it to her fearlessly.

Sylvia relaxed , her smile renewed. " I know that already katrienair " 

'will you just stop calling me katrienair '. I screamed in my head. I remember the ghost druid whenever I hear that name. 

" I prefer Katty " I said to her.

"You know what, Katty? " Sylvia said. "I like you as my child. I live alone in this house. Live with me okay? you're very safe here."

Now was the time to choose between the street and a beautiful and peaceful cottage home. To choose between the white empire ( which I might never get through alive) and a good life. To choose between the damn girl in my dreams and this woman willing to be my mother. I should not stay. I have a quest to complete but...

Well, like the druid has said, the decision I make defines my destiny, lets see how it goes. I'll live here. I have no choice.

"Thank you..."

I muttered.

***

Sylvia's heart lept for joy. She embraced the young girl. The new reality is that she, the barren witch, now has a daughter. A very beautiful and clever one. 

'she's specially made for me' she thought.

"I'm Sylvia Swaine, I'd prefer *mum*" She emphasized on the last word.

***

I was silent. Still trying to get a feel of whatever is going on in my world. I craved for life more than ever. I craved to know what will happen next. In her arms, i felt all the comfort in the world. I wish I could be in it forever but guilt also burned through me. My quest, it's definitely going to be abandoned. 

And I'm also scared, very scared. This woman-- Sylvia Swaine is the only human I haven't been able to read. Her thoughts are secured by some forces I don't  understand. No wonder she was able to catch me in her kitchen. My gifts never failed me. I can read all humans thoughts.

Who is she then?

Or do my gifts have exceptions?

***

"Let me show you around the house" Sylvia took my hands and we began the tour around the house. 

I was quite while she did all the talking. 

'Has she forgotten so soon that I'm a stranger'

The last place we visited was the garden. It was an intriguing sight. I felt like I was in paradise. It has almost all the species of flowers I know. 

She left me at a corner of the garden and walked over to pick some flowers. They were pure roses. I wish I could join her but I just stood there frozen, watching her.

Now I could see her face more clearly. She's beautiful. Like the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. She had blue eyes. Her long brown hair was plaited in a pony tail. She looked like a fairy princess. Her body structure was perfect, tall and not too lean. I love her.

"Katty? "  I didn't know she was back with me until she tapped my shoulders again. Of course, I was lost in thoughts. She had a bunch of red roses -- very beautiful.

"Are you okay ?"

I nodded my head trying not to stare into her face.

"You were lost. Tell me what's  wrong?"

*everything is wrong ma'am* I answered in my mind.

"Or you don't like the house? I..."

"No"

I had to talk to avoid sermons. I love the house anyway. My dream house wasn't better than this.

"It's just that I'm still very surprised" I said. "I'm not the kind of child you will want to have. I'll be a great disturbance, a liability in short."

"Why do you think that?"

"I'm not healthy." I said. "I have severe asthma"