"You mentioned I was researching about witches?"
She stops, looking at me, a bit surprised. She glances at my bandages once again.
"Are you sure you are alright, Miss Jones? You seem... different."
I exchange a glance with Kelsi. What should I say? I'm not supposed to announce I'm a witch to outsiders! I decide to go with a half-truth, or else I feel like she won't tell me anything...
"It's true I had an accident, Professor, so I'm a bit confused."
"Oh, gosh, I hope everything is alright now? I mean, I don't want to sound impolite, but you do seem different, and with the scars..."
"No, I'm okay. However, I'm a bit... amnesiac, so I was hoping you could help me remember... why I came to your class. According to the university registrar, I'm not registered for your class."
"Oh, of course! Well, no, but I think you did attend my class as soon as the year started, I clearly remember you said you had missed the registration deadline. You didn't seem to mind coming as a free auditor so I didn't think twice about it. It happens a lot, but you certainly were the one free auditor who came the most, you never missed a single class, before your accident, of course."
Kelsi and I exchange glances. It definitely looks like I wanted to hide that I was coming here... that Clarissa Garnett was coming here.
"You said I was studying witches?"
"Oh, you were quite passionate about the subject! Actually, you borrowed some of my personal books when you couldn't find what you wanted in the university library. I think you may still have one, by the way, I would appreciate it if you return it soon!"
"Was it a herbology book?" asks Kelsi.
"Herbology? No, it was on demonology."
Demonology? What the heck?! Kelsi looks shocked too but hides it quickly. So the herbology book doesn't belong to Professor Vutha... What was I studying demonology for?! Moreover, I haven't seen any book like that at the apartment, so where the heck is it? I decide to shift the subject before she asks about her book again, a bit embarrassed.
"Do you know why I was so interested in witches, Professor?"
She pauses a second, looking like she is thinking deeply.
"...I am not too sure, you said it was a personal interest. You had a lot of questions, though. About the three elements, necromancy, the witch hunts, the Moon Goddess, the magic circles..."
"Necromancy?" repeats Kelsi.
"The practice of conjuring spirits! It is very interesting, witches have a different view of the underworld from humans. You were very interested in that, actually. The reincarnation circle too, though I think you had read a few too many fantasy books!"
This is getting more and more intriguing, but not necessarily in a good way... I'm getting nervous now. What was Clarissa Garnett doing with all those questions? And conjuring spirits? Reincarnation? Kelsi looks a bit white too since the professor mentioned necromancy, in particular. Professor Vutha grabs her suitcase and sighs.
"I am very sorry, Miss Jones, but I have another class scheduled on the other side of campus, and honestly, I don't think I can tell you more than that. You only asked questions about the basics of witchcraft, and usually left with the answers or my book recommendations, that is all I can say."
"Thanks..."
Kelsi and I watch her leave, both a bit confused. Kelsi crosses her arms, fidgeting with the ends of her long braids.
"The more we ask, the creepier it gets. Why were you researching witches?"
"I know... I mean, I know it's getting creepy. Still, it actually feels nice we finally found a lead. That woman was the first to actually know me before I... you know."
Kelsi nods with a little smile.
"Other than me, you mean! Plus, she knew about Miss Jones," she rectifies. "It sounds like a made-up name? Though maybe we will get more answers if we look for Mara Jones than Clarissa Garnett."
"Maybe... It looks like I hid the fact that I was researching about witches from everyone, including you."
Kelsi bites her lip, but she eventually puts her hands in her sweater's large pocket and agrees.
"Probably from your sister too. I mean, you lied and apparently never went to the classes you had registered for, and came to this one instead. It's a rather specific course, even for Silver City. There aren't many universities with paranormal-related classes, I'd bet..."
