Wendy sat on the couch opposite her.
"Why would you come here?"
"You were the one who called. What were those words?" She tapped her temple. "Oh yes… 'I need you.'"
"Okay fine, I'm sorry, but why would you come to my shop looking like this?" she said, pointing at her with her palms open.
"You mean sexier than you?" she smirked.
Wendy shook her head and looked at her mum with tired eyes.
---
School was over. Maya bid her newfound friend goodbye. Her mum stood in front of the car, waiting for her.
"Seems like someone had a great first day," her mum said as her eyes followed Jack.
Maya smiled and got in the car.
"How was school?" Wendy asked as she warmed the car up.
"I had math and other subjects," Maya responded as she put on her seatbelt.
Her mum smiled. "I'll take it you met him in math class… what's his name?"
"Jack."
"When we get home, we'll talk more about this. I have a surprise for you as well."
"Really? A surprise?" Maya asked to confirm in a giddy tone.
"Yeah," Wendy replied and muttered under her breath, "it was almost a surprise to me."
They arrived and parked in the driveway. Maya got out and saw Sofia from school going into the house next door.
"No way, Sofia?" Maya uttered in surprise.
Sofia turned to see Maya. "Hey Maya, you live next door? How come I've never seen you?" she asked, surprised.
"Really bad at making friends?" Maya said in a dry tone.
Sofia chuckled. "I doubt that. How about I come over later and we do our math homework together?"
"Sure, see you later then," Maya replied.
Wendy stepped out of the car and asked Maya who she was talking to.
"A friend from school. She'll be coming over later for homework," Maya responded.
"You should be proud of yourself," her mum smiled.
She unlocked the door and opened it.
"Surprise!" Wendy's mum yelled.
Maya's eyes lit up with joy. "Granny!" she yelled and ran to hug her.
"I've missed you," Maya said.
"I've missed you too," Grandma Olivia replied.
"Okay, okay… enough of the mushiness. Go change while I make dinner," Wendy said.
Maya looked at her granny and mum, then smirked at her granny. She whispered, "Someone's jelly."
"I heard that, young lady," Wendy said as she opened the fridge.
"Why are you jelly, Wendy?" Grandma Olivia asked.
"I am not. I'm just glad you tried to look like a grandmother for once," she said while chopping vegetables.
"It's not my fault I don't age. It started when I was twenty. Now I have to shape shift into sagged skin," Olivia waved her hands as she spoke.
"She's starting to remember, Mum. I think she's having dreams," Wendy said with serious eyes.
"Did she tell you she's having dreams?" Olivia asked.
"You know how she is, she keeps to herself. I heard her screaming the other night in her sleep. By the time I got to her room, she acted like she was reading and told me I was hearing voices." Wendy's concern deepened.
"And what if you are?"
"Hearing voices? Mum… she's started talking like them. Is there something you're not telling me?" Wendy asked.
Her mum sat on a chair and said, "We have to tell her."
"Tell me what?" Maya asked, standing behind them.
---
"Tick-tock, tick-tock. The time is getting near. We shall reunite as a family, but you need to play your part perfectly," a man with a husky voice says. He is in a black hood, seated on a chair coated with animal skin. Two people in front of him, on their knees with their heads bowed, respond in unison, "Yes, Conri."
"Tonight, we hunt," Conri said.
They both lifted their heads and their eyes glowed in different colors, as they roared like lions but they were superior wolves.
---
"What are you guys keeping from me?" Maya asked again.
Grandma Olivia turned to Wendy.
"Mum?" Maya turned to her mum, waiting for an answer.
"Your friend Sofia canceled," Wendy said.
"What? Why?" Maya asked, feeling let down.
"She said her brother helped with her homework and it's quite late," Wendy replied.
"Oh… okay. I'll be in my room," Maya said and ran upstairs.
Olivia put her hand on her face and shook her head. She whispered, "Why would you even say something like that?"
"I was under pressure, and Maya is smart," Wendy defended.
"I'll order pizza," Wendy added.
"And I'll go give that girl diarrhea so she can still be friends with Maya," Olivia murmured.
"What?" Wendy exclaimed.
"Nothing," Olivia smiled as she exited the kitchen.
Ding dong.
"I'm coming," Wendy screamed. "Well, that was fast," she said to herself.
She opened the door and saw a woman, maybe in her 30s, with long wavy black hair, wearing a light brown V-neck long-sleeve and black pants. Her skin was a mix of American and African.
"I'm your next-door neighbor. Our daughters are in the same class?" Sofia's mum said.
"Ooh… I see. I think I've seen you around," Wendy exclaimed and smiled sheepishly.
"Sofia was meant to do homework with your daughter, but she suddenly came down with a serious headache. Her brother helped her with the homework," Sofia's mum explained.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sure she'll be fine by morning," Wendy said.
"Of course. Nothing aspirin and rest can't fix. I think she's more down because she really wanted to hang out with Maya. I'm Mrs. Christine, by the way," she said.
"I'm Wendy. Nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you too, Wendy. Have a good night."
"You too," replied Wendy.
She shut the door only to find Olivia behind her, smiling. "You're welcome," she said.
Wendy stared at her. "How could you?"
"I'll ease it off so she can sleep. It'll be gone by morning," Olivia said as she walked into the living room.
Wendy sighed. "The pizza's here. Get the door, Wendy!" Olivia yelled from inside.
---
Midnight. It rained heavily. Maya was sound asleep. Her mum and grandma were in a secret room inside Wendy's room, hidden behind the closet. It looked ancient and was bigger than Wendy's actual room.
Grandma Olivia brought out a box of cards and changed back to her true form—a hot lady in her 20s, but actually a thousand years old.
"Will this work?" Wendy asked as her mum placed the box on the floor.
"There's only one way to find out," Olivia replied and stretched out her hand. Wendy handed her a see-through bag with a strand of hair in it.
"With this, we'll be able to see what she sees," Olivia said. She closed her eyes and started chanting in Latin. The room vibrated. Her eyes opened, now glowing green. Her head lifted upward like it was being pulled.
Startled, Wendy looked closer and touched her mum's hand. Her head also lifted, her eyes unchanged.
"Is this Maya's dream?" Wendy asked.
"Yes."
"I don't think this is a dream," Wendy pointed to a house, eyes filled with fear.
Maya stood on the balcony, and her mum saw a shadow moving in the house.
"Maya! Run!" Wendy shouted.
They were jolted back to the secret room.
"Ahhhhhhh! Help!" A loud scream echoed. They stared at each other, eyes wide.
"Maya!" they said in unison.
They ran to her room and found her screaming in her sleep. Olivia lay next to her and began chanting in Latin. Wendy joined them on the bed and held Maya close.
Maya opened her eyes to see them.
They stayed silent… and eventually fell asleep together.
---
A guy in a black T-shirt showing off a bit of chest, with fluffy blonde hair falling into his face, sunglasses on, sat at a casino table. He was playing with four men—two had bodyguards.
"What's it gonna be, pretty boy?" one of the men asked.
He pushed all his money forward. "All or nothing."
---
Wendy and Olivia woke up. Maya wasn't there. They rushed downstairs and relaxed when they saw her.
"You packed your own lunch?" Olivia asked.
"I think the correct question is, did you cook?" Wendy said, surprised the kitchen wasn't burned.
"I'm not a baby, Mum. See you after school," Maya said, hanging her bag.
"You're walking to school?" Olivia asked.
"No, I'm going with Sofia. Her brother Steve is driving us."
"Oh," Wendy said.
"Yeah, glad she's feeling better. Weird though—you didn't mention her having a headache."
"It must have slipped your mum's mind, sweetie," Grandma Olivia jumped in.
Wendy nodded.
"Love you both, bye!" Maya said, shutting the door.
Wendy turned to Olivia. "Does she even remember last night?"
"I made sure she didn't."
"Thanks, M—"
"No. No more boxing her memories. Last night was the last time."
---
Steve drove Sofia and Maya to school.
"Maya, do you know how to drive?" Sofia asked.
"No."
"I could teach you," Sofia turned to Steve, "once someone gives me his car this weekend."
Steve hit the brakes as they arrived.
"Hell no!"
"But Dad said..."
"Yeah, but it's my car. I'm using it this weekend and the next."
They stepped out.
"I hate you," Sofia said.
"I love you too, baby sis," Steve replied, laughing as he drove off.
"He's so annoying," Sofia said.
Maya found their dynamic funny and cool. She silently wished she had a sibling, but affirmed her friendship with Sofia.
"I'm in art club. See you later?"
"Sure."
"Miss Maya?" the principal called.
---
"Wendy, we have to tell her. Her father is trying to reach her. You know how dangerous it is," Olivia said.
"Once her powers start manifesting, we'll tell her. She turns 16 in two months, and it's a full moon. We need to be prepared," Wendy responds.
Olivia pours coffee into a teacup and sips.
"I don't think it'll be any different from yours."
Wendy rests her hands on the kitchen slab, head bent.
"Mum..."
"Yes, Wendy?"
"Maya is a Zeta," she says, eyes trembling.
---
IN THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Maya walks in. The principal gestures to a seat.
"How are you today, Maya?"
"Very well, ma'am."
"Tuesdays and Fridays are for clubs. Here's a list to choose from. Also, here's your locker number and code."
"Thank you," Maya replied and accepted the papers.
As she turns to leave, the principal calls out.
"Maya?"
Maya turns back, confused.
"If you see anything discomforting, weird, or unusual... come to me first."
Maya nodded slowly.
"Sure."
She stepped out, but the principal kept staring after her.