Nine

She didn't wait for more questions though I had more of them she gave me a peck and left.

After breakfast that morning, I went to the library. There's a compartment in the library that interests me. That same compartment, Sylvia has warned me never to go there but of course I was curious, so I unlocked the door and walked in.

It has mostly ancient books, most of which has spells. I read them just like any other book. Besides, reading them gives me a sense of strength. I believe they're not fables. They can come handy in real life situations, so I memorized some. It's strange but interesting. By the way, reading is a new art I've learnt while living here. Katty's never been the reading type.

During the past few days, I've spent most of my time here, and sometimes I wonder why Sylvia has instructed me not to go in. 

Well, today I'm not going there to read. I'm on a mission to find something.  Something I don't know about. Something she's hiding or maybe another compartment in the library. I walked through the aisle quietly examining every shelf. It felt like a waste of time but to me it's a job (I've always been jobless in this house, so this is a better job).

By the way, why would she ask me not to come in when she had nothing to hide?

I got to the end of the room feeling broken. I just wasted my effort searching for nothing. I was about to leave when I saw another shelf hung on the wall beyond my reach. I arranged chairs on each other and climbed on them. On the shelf, I found locked vaults, three of them. They looked ancient and were covered in dust like it hasn't been used for years. I bit my lower lip, and whispered underneath my breath. “This isn't going to be easy” I'm going to crack the code.

Instinctively, I tried Sylvia's name first for the three vaults. None of the opened. Then, I tried mine.

None of the vaults opened.

'Foolish idea, I don't exist here' I said to myself.

Tired? Yes but more confused. I just have to give up.

***

I was about to jump down from the chairs when I heard a click, and instead I fell hard on the ground out of shock. The noise from the collapsing chairs got me more terrified.

What if Sylvia hears the noise? I'll be toast…

I felt blood trickle down my cheek possibly from a cut on my forehead.

Wait…

Where was the click sound from?

First thing that came to my mind was the vaults. Reba used vaults too and a 'click' sound is peculiar.

I just hope…

I arranged back the chairs quickly and climbed up. To my ultimate surprise, the third vault stood open.

I cracked the code!

My name is the code?

That's weird. I  was awestruck by what I saw. A jewel, a pearl necklace

***

"Katty!” I heard her voice from behind, and before I could think I was in her arms.

“You're hurt, oh my God!” She exclaimed as she walked out of the library. I didn't notice my blouse was already stained with my blood. It's not a deep cut though.

I'm scared to see her annoyed because I just disobeyed her.

She treated the cut and laid my bed. She wants me to sleep, but I know I have an explanation to make.

“You need to rest” she said softly.

“No mum, I'm fine” I said “I'm sorry ”

She just smiled.

I placed the necklace in her hands.

“ I opened a vault ”

Her face turned pale red. At first I thought she was angry, but her voice proved me wrong.

“What?!” She gasped. “The vaults?!”

“I'm sorry mum”  I pleaded.

“No!” She said “They are locked with codes, how did you get it open?”

“I cracked the code” I replied” I used my name-- Katrienair.

 “Oh my God, Katty!” She screamed, embraced me and wore it around my neck. 

“It's yours!”

“Why?”

“You found it, the vault was named after you, it's yours”

“Welcome to our family Katty. Never put off the necklace. It shows you're one of us”

The world was practically spinning all around me. I'm more confused now than ever.

“Us?”

“Yes, us”

I felt the need to say other things rather than ask questions. At this point in my life, there are some things I'll have to find out myself.

“Mum, I have something to show you”  I opened the cupboard by my bed and brought out the stone.

“This, I was given by a druid, a ghost” I said.

“A druid or a ghost?” She was examining carefully.

“I don't know. He disappeared”

"He's not a druid then. Druids don't believe in stones. He's not a ghost either.” She paused “The stone, it's familiar”.

“Really” I burned with questions.

"I have mine, given to me by my mother. It's quite different though"

“Why? What is it for?”

She sighed. “ Look Katty, there are some things you have to find out yourself. Just like finding out who you are”

There was a moment of silence.

We were both thinking.

“You know who I am?” 

“I can't say”

Now things are getting harder. I have barely gotten an answer to all my questions. Maybe I should just ask all my questions.

“What are spells used for?”

“Spells?” She arched a brow.

She was surprise. I expected that.

“ I learned some spells”

“You, Katty…” She paused to catch her breath. “ I guess I can't stop you from using them also. I'll teach you how to use them, I promise”

We were quiet again.

Well, I was trying to arrange my thoughts. I was thinking deep. My life, everything about me is a mess.

“Mum, who are you?”

She winced. “ I'm your mum, that's who I am” She was ready to go

“Get some rest” She said as she walked out.

Rest, yeah rest. I need more than rest right now.