Jack and his parents had just migrated from a neighboring town. Their previous home was burned down because the townspeople thought Jack’s mother was a witch. They decided to buy a small piece of land. Enough to build a small long cabin. Away from their old town. It was a chance for a fresh start.

He had got to school by himself since he was eight. So when Jack’s mother, Jane, told him the directions for his new school, he was able to follow them perfectly. They had lived in their new house for two full days before things took a bit of a turn.

It was now his third day at school, so Jack had already memorized his walk. The tween slowly walked down his new normal path to school. As he did he noticed the more he walked the thicker the fog got. He was concerned but continued walking warily. Before he knew it he was completely surrounded by thick white fog. He whipped his head around trying find any hint of an opening. That’s when he saw a light flash of the brisk morning sun. He darted left towards it desperately trying to escape. As he neared the light he tripped and stumbled onto the ground.

He steadied himself onto all fours gently getting back on his feet. As he did he looked around, to his right was the fog he was came from. To his left an open field covered in what looked like scorched wood. It felt…familiar. He then shot at stare right in front of him. What he saw made his heart drop. In front of him was a misty stone path. One he knew too well. He knew he had to make it to the large house covered gently by the mist. That was where Madam Ethel lived. The tween grabbed onto the strap of his satchel nervously. He finally mustered up the courage and took his first step towards Maddame Ethel’s house.

He trailed slowly towards her house. She was never kind to anyone, so he was not expecting this to go well. However as he got to the edge of the stairs of her porch, the door shot open. “God, it took you long enough. I don’t just open portals for no reason, honey. I’m on a time crunch.” Snapped the old woman gesturing the boy to come in. He hesitantly walked up the stairs, being sure to not lose eye contact.

He walked into the old woman’s home immediately noticing the large black pot in the middle of the living area. “So are you-“ Jack began before being interrupted.

“Don’t question me child!” snarled Madam Ethel. “I will tell you everything you need to know, just shut up.” Madam Ethel grabbed Jack’s arm and started leading him towards the kitchen of her home. When he walked in, to his surprise, there were hundreds of different sized glass bottles and vials. “Sit!” said Ethel pulling out a chair from under the large eight person dining table. She pulled another chair out for herself and took a seat.

“Yes, I am the town witch. You have to understand what happened. They found one of my vials along the stone path. I can’t afford to die yet. I have to help the mayor stay alive. That’s why they chose your family because they can’t lose me. It did however make me realize I need someone to take over. I have to train someone and I want it to be you.” She proclaimed.

“Me?! I’m 13!” Jack responded

“Oh, great! I thought I may have been too late!” Ethel said sounding excited.

“I won’t be able to go see my family, will I?” He asked fidgeting with his satchel strap again.

“No, honey. I’m sorry, but I will take care of you.” She responded.

“Why would I help you? What’s in it for me?” he quizzed.

“Well, everything. The house, all money, food and of course all of my knowledge.” She cracked the first smile Jack had ever seen. After a long pause Jack finally spoke up.

“I’ll stay!” He said sounding excited.

“Really? Oh wonderful! Come I’ll help you get settled.” she said pointing at the boys satchel. He looked inside to see clothes instead of the books he had packed earlier that day. “How?” he asked.

“Magic.” Ethel giggled slightly.

As time progressed Ethel taught Jack to make tinctures and herbal pastes in the first 2 months. Then at 6 months he was brewing in the cauldron. Not only was he learning but she was too. She was finally learning to love and be loved.

“It’s been over two years, when can I do the moon ritual and become a warlock?” Jack asked.

“When it is time!” Ethel said snapping at the now 15 year old. “I’m sorry. I think you’re ready too. There’s a blue moon later this week. That’s the one we need.” She said lightening the expression of anger on her face.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asked now able to tell if something was bother her.

“There’s something I didn’t tell you about the ritual.” Ethel said staring down at the tincture she was pouring into a vial. “I’ll be transferring all of my power to you. Everything, including my power of life. Transferring my powers to you will kill me.” She said now looking at the boy. She watched as his expression change to sadness. “It will be okay. Just learn to manage your new found power and you will do great in this life.”

As the next four days came and went Jack did everything he could to make Ethel as happy as he could. He did all the housework, put together all the orders, made all the food, prepared her warm baths, and listened anytime she wanted to talk.

It wasn’t easy knowing his friend would be dying in less than two hours. But she made sure he knew it had to be done. He watched from the window as the sun set and Ethel got everything ready. As he watched the last beam from the sun disappear, he started to feel a rush of emotions. Jack felt excited, scared and sad all at the same time. He was excited to experience magic. He was also scared to be wielding such power. But Jack was sad because he was losing his only real friend. Jack allowed one tear to slide down his face as he heard “Jack…. it’s time”.

They walked together to the living room and sat on opposing sides of the couldron. Ethel began throwing a large array of different leaves, berries and liquids into the couldron. She closed her eyes and began mumbling something. It sounded like gibberish to Jack. Halfway through she put her hands over the couldron asking for his. He grabbed her hands and she finished her spell by looking up at him.

“Do you accept the powers I bestow upon you?” Ethel asked almost robotically. Like she was possessed.

“Yes.” He said firmly allowing another tear glide down his cheek.

“I’m going to miss you, Jack.” Ethel whispered as her body turned to ash.

Jack took a small hand broom and put her ashes into a beautiful vase. He put the vase on the mantle and cried “I going to miss you too”.