A large circle is drawn on my floor using something dark and brownish, I don't want to know what. However, that thing under my carpet is clearly one of those circles Kelsi showed me before. Why the hell is that here?! What the heck is going on... Spark rubs his head against my knee with a new meow, and I grab my cat, stand up and put that carpet back down. I can't believe we missed this, but most of this carpet is under the feet of my bed; we didn't think about moving it while searching my room for clues... Should I tell Kelsi? I hesitate, biting my thumb. This is bad. An actual magic circle thingy is right in my bedroom, it's a whole other thing than just some creepy books!
"Mara, come pick your pizza!"
I go back into the kitchen, and Ben is showing me the flyer.
"Just order the usual for me, I'll... I'll go take a shower," I say.
"...With the cat?"
I ignore him and go to my bathroom, keeping Spark with me. I feel like I'm going crazy... I take a deep breath and open the shower tap, making sure the water runs loudly before turning to the cat. He's sitting there and looking at me with his big golden eyes.
"Spark, if you have other stuff to show me, I'd really appreciate you showing it to me now," I whisper.
He's still looking at me, and I do feel crazy for a second. I sigh.
"You're really not helping me, are you?"
He's agitating his tail lazily, and I sigh again.
"Mara, who are you talking to?" asks Kelsi from the other side of the door. "You okay?"
"I'm talking to Spark," I bluntly answer, exhausted. "I’m taking my shower now!"
I turn back to the cat.
"Fine, I guess you're not talking, but next time, you could show me stuff like that earlier!" I whisper.
He yawns, and I guess that's all I'll get. I sigh and finally get in the shower to actually get cleaned. I'm going insane, talking to a cat, magic or not. That and hearing the voices too. How much crazier can things get now? Suddenly, I hear a ruckus as I'm still under the water. I try to see through the steamed glass, but I need to open the shower door. What the heck is going on now?
I open the door, and to my surprise, I find Spark there with his back arched, furiously hissing at something. I realize something white is curled up in the opposite corner of the bathroom. I approach, feeling anxious. What is that thing…? Holy crap, that's a freaking snake! That reptile is already showing its little fangs, threatening my cat and hissing. Damn it! Without thinking, I ignite my fire and send some its way. Spark suddenly decides to jump on the snake at the same moment. Shit, I'm about to roast my cat!
I wait, in shock and scared, but suddenly, I see him. Spark is perfectly fine, and comes out of the smoke, waddling his butt and holding the snake in its fangs... What the hell now…? I let out a long sigh, retreating until my back is against the bathroom door, and let myself sink to the ground. I can't believe it. What the hell just happened, where did that snake come from? Spark sits up and starts biting the snake like it's some treat. I frown and grab the snake before he gets himself sick. Holding it at arm's length, I burn it between my hands. I don't know what that shit was, but from now on, I hate snakes, that's for sure! I keep burning it until it's reduced to ashes and I can throw it in the tub.
After that, I let out a long sigh, exhausted.
What the heck now...? Magic circles, fireproof cats, and now a snake? What the hell is going on...
"Mara?"
"I'll be out in a minute!" I retort, a bit annoyed.
"Sorry, it's just... Selena just called. The Black Luna wants to meet you!"
"Add that to the list..." I whisper to myself.
Spark turns to me and meows again, coming to rub his head against my leg. Yeah, I officially love this magic, fireproof cat.
I take a few seconds to catch my breath. Just when I thought I wasn't making any progress, so many things happened all at once. It's always like this, lately. Just when I start to think I'm out of clues, something crazy happens to remind me I'm not out of the woods yet. I caress Spark, trying to calm myself down. My magic cat just killed something that probably was magic as well, didn't he? I stare at the black spot in the corner of the bathroom. What the heck was that thing? If Spark attacked it, I'm pretty inclined to think it was something we needed to get rid of, but still, what the hell?
"We are so in trouble..." I whisper.
I put the cat down, and grab the little sponge from the drawer to try and clean the blackness left by the burn on the wall. I don't know why, but after this and the magic circle, I've decided I'd better not tell Kelsi or Ben. At least, not for now... I'm done with everyone doubting me and watching my every move. I need to do things by myself for now. Werewolves or humans, they are not me. They don't get this, and they consider me crazy at best, dangerous at worst.
Once the stain is pretty much gone, I grab the towel to wrap myself in it. My scars are becoming more scarce... I still have some long, dark patches, but it's far from the charcoal and blood from weeks ago. I look like a tiger now, or a leopard, the black patches stand out on my brown skin. They are not painful either, even if I rub the towel on them. I'm even more annoyed at my new bruises from Ben's training. At least now I'm actually good enough so I can get back at him for that...
At my feet, Spark meows and rubs himself against my leg. I glance around, but aside from the slight burnt smell, there is no trace of what happened here. I take a deep breath and leave the bathroom. Kelsi jumps as I come out, almost dropping her phone.
"You okay?" I ask.
