Please don't be a witch. Please don't be a witch, I silently prayed, my hands clutched tight in my lap.
Maria caught the expression on my face and laughed.
"Oh my God—are you seriously thinking I'm a witch or something?" she teased.
"No, no! Nothing like that," I blurted out, too quickly.
She leaned in, raising a brow. "But… are you asking if I am one?"
I stared at her, unsure if I wanted the truth. "…Are you?"
She fixed me with a serious expression and said, "Yes."
My stomach dropped.
Then she burst out laughing. "Relax! I'm kidding."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, but I was done playing.
"Maria, enough with the jokes," I said, voice sharp with tension. "How did you even know what I was thinking? Who are you?"
She smiled gently. "A psychic."
I blinked. "A who?"
"A psychic, Serena. Not a witch. There's a difference."
"I… have no idea what that means," I admitted, honestly lost.
Maria leaned back against her wall, folding her arms. "Alright, listen closely. You know how human eyes can only perceive a limited range of light—just visible colors? But animals, for example, can sense vibrations, ultraviolet, magnetic fields… stuff we can't even imagine?"
"Yeah," I nodded slowly.
"Well, just because humans can't see certain things doesn't mean they don't exist. They do. Most people are just blind to the deeper layers of the world. But psychics—we tap into that invisible spectrum. We perceive what's hidden."
I felt a chill ripple down my spine.
"Every person is born with some degree of psychic sensitivity," she continued. "But over time, school stress, societal rules, ambition, fear—they drown it out. People stop listening to that sixth sense, and it fades. But some of us… keep it alive."
"So psychics can… see ghosts?" I asked, almost whispering.
"Some do. Others hear voices. Some just feel things—emotions, energy shifts, glimpses of the future. There are many kinds. I'm more the intuitive kind."
"What kind are you?" I asked, curiosity now overtaking fear.
Maria gave a crooked smile. "I can sense things—whether something's about to go wrong or right. I feel the presence of spirits. Sometimes, I can hear them. Not always. I'm still learning. I'm young, and there's still a long road to grow my abilities."
I sat in silence, taking it in. She was serious. This wasn't fantasy—this was real.
"What about the portal?" I asked. "You didn't just sense that. You went in. You brought me back."
She nodded slowly. "I can feel emotions—living or dead. You were close to me, both in heart and… in spirit. That made it easier to reach you. As for crossing timelines—yeah, that was a first. I took a risk. I've learned some things from Grandma Netli, but even she warned me not to try that yet."
"She's a psychic too?"
Maria's eyes lit up. "One of the greatest of her time. She's helped so many lost souls find peace. She's even crossed the borders of time and space. She's my biggest inspiration."
I reached out and held Maria's hand, my voice trembling. "You… crossed the portal for me?"
She looked at me with the same calm strength she'd shown all along. "Not just for you. For the world. If the Curse Book falls into the wrong hands, we're talking collapse—of balance, of life as we know it."
I pulled her into a hug. "Thank you. I can't thank you enough. You risked your life."
"Chill," she said with a soft smile. "My instincts told me you'd be the one who could change this. My gift only confirms it."
I nodded, still processing the weight of everything.
"But what about Grandma Netli?" I asked suddenly. "What was she going to say before you stopped her?"
Maria looked away for a moment, then spoke softly.
"She wanted to warn you. To warn all of us. This journey we've stepped into—it's not a game. It's not some fantasy quest. There will be blood, Serena. Fear. Loss. This isn't just about saving a book—it's about surviving the storm it's about to unleash."
"What do you mean?" I whispered. "Is it really that dangerous?"
Maria held my gaze, eyes dark and steady. "We're not just dealing with the dead. There are living people who are darker than the demons. Those who have tasted power and will do anything to keep it."
I looked away, heart pounding. "Then I won't involve you all. I'll handle this alone."
"No," she said instantly. "That's suicide. You can't. We need each other. Maybe—just maybe—together we can unlock a way to destroy the Curse Book. But alone? You'll be lost."
I nodded, reluctantly accepting her truth. She pulled me into one last hug.
After a little more quiet talk and laughter, I stepped downstairs. I hugged Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, gave a high-five to little Oshwin, and turned to Grandma Netli.
I leaned in and whispered, "No matter what happens, I won't let anything happen to Maria."
Grandma Netli smiled, her eyes glinting with something ancient and fierce. "I have faith in you, child. You will bring peace and light to this planet once again."
Maria walked me to the gate.
"So… we meet tomorrow?"
"Yes," I replied, still deep in thought.
"Okay, take care. And enjoy your date," she added with a smirk.
"Huh? What date?" I blinked.
She just laughed, shaking her head like she knew too much—as always.