Fourth installment of Darkness Lifting

Chapter Two – Settling In
Elena woke the next morning to the sound of voices. She recognized that of Isaac and his mother, Loraine.
“Should I wake her up?”
“Let her sleep. The poor girl hasn’t had a soft bed in years. She can enjoy it a little longer.”
“Mother?”
“M-hm?”
“Had you hear of Elena before?”
“Yes. My aunt employed her a few years back, before she knew who she was.”
“What happened then?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. It didn’t go well, did it?”
“Aunt Clara was scared. She didn’t know who she was, or what she was.”
“How did… what did she do with Elena?”
“She went and got my cousin, Stephan. He talked to Elena.”
“Talked?”
“Isaac, they were scared. They didn’t realize that Elena was just a girl.”
“What did he do to her?”
“He told her to leave his mother alone. Aunt Clara said that she nodded, picked up her few belongings, and left without a word. When she was out of sight, they sent a group of men to make sure she stayed away from the village.”
Elena laid her head back down. She remembered the day they spoke of well. She was twelve years old and had finally found a peaceful place to stay. She had a good job spinning wool for Mistress Clara’s weaving business. Then one day, when she thought she was alone, she had done the spinning while she was sitting on a blanket… and the spinning wheel was across the room. Mistress Clara had come in, seen the spinning wheel, and gasped. Elena, startled, had stopped spinning, lifted a piece of furniture, and looked at the source of the sound. Seeing her employer, she had put down the chair and stood. But it was too late. She was found out. Mistress Clara had left, locking the door behind her. Elena could have escaped, but she was still hopeful. She gathered her things and sat, waiting.
After a couple hours went by, a large man had come it. Elena recognized him as Mistress Clara’s son. “What are you?” he asked, “Is it true that you lifted a chair without moving a muscle? Is it true that you were threatening my mother?”
She saw the knife he was holding at his side, but wasn’t too worried. She could stop any attacks. “I am a girl,” she answered, “And I would never threaten your mother, though I did lift that chair.”
“Mother said you were spinning while sitting yards away from the wheel.”
“That is correct.”
“How could you do such a thing?”
“I don’t know. I just can.”
“Are you related to old Sara?”
“She’s my grandmother. I never met her, though.”
“Look, girl, I want you to leave. Leave now, and never come back.”
She had turned to grab her things. “Yes, sir.”
“Don’t steal anything.”
“I am not stealing. I bought these things with the wages I earned.”
Stephan had strode closer, raising his knife a little higher. “You had better not take anything that isn’t yours.”
“Can I have that knife?”
“No!”
Elena looked the man right in the eyes. “If you are kicking me out, you could at least provide me with the tools to survive.”
“If my mother told the truth, you won’t need a knife.”
“I don’t like to steal, but I really need that.” She had stared at the knife, prying it from his hands. It flew to her, and she packed it away while Stephan gaped.
“You are a witch!”
“I don’t like it when people call me that.”
“Go.” His voice wavered. “Go now.”
“I’m going.” She had left. That night, she wandered the forest, looking for shelter. The patrol had found her and taken her in. She had escaped the next day, but she never forgot how Mistress Clara and her son had treated her. She didn’t trust Loraine. She was nice, but her aunt had been, too, before throwing Elena out. This safe house wouldn’t last long.