Rachael stood outside Emily’s home; a canal house built with red brick. The front was skinny, being only wide enough for a white door and a window with a foot of spacing between the two. However, the building’s width was three times longer, and the structure stood two stories with an attic. There was a deceptive amount of space. Similar houses were built adjoined alongside this one.
Rachael stepped up the short stair to be on the stoop in front of the door. She raised her hand with her fingers curled in a loose fist so as to knock softly. After knuckles rapped, she waited for a few minutes, hands held behind her back, looking nowhere in particular. But then, after remembering why she had come here, she looked over her shoulder to check for the stalking Aswang. It was nowhere in sight but was around. Its presence could be felt as a cold chill that ran down the spine. Skin tingled and hairs stood on end.
The few people walking on the sidewalk turned up the collars on their coats, blew hot breath into their hands, and wrapped their arms around themselves to try and warm up. They simply thought it was the weather since, even though the sun floated high overhead and beamed on the city, it was not that uncommon to feel a chill in early Fall.
The frame gave a loud pop as the old door was opened. Rachael’s attention was brought back by the sound. There stood a man with pale skin, glasses, and fluffy hair, who was dressed in slacks and a flannel shirt. She looked at him with confusion.
He said, “Excuse me,” stepped passed her, and left down the street.
Rachael could not help following him with her gaze.
“Rachael?” A woman called in a fair voice.
Rachael turned back again to see, “Emily!” exclaimed joyously.
Emily Adams was tall which emphasized the power in her appearance. Her beautiful emerald eyes held the wisdom of things beyond sight. A river of straight, black hair, tucked back by a bandana, flowed down to her hips like water in the night. She dressed in a white tank top and tight, black jeans. Phenomenal jewels decorated her. Plenty of gem-encrusted rings fit most of her fingers and a few of her toes. Gauges and other rings styled her ears. A black ring pierced the center of her lower lip.
The two embraced, Rachael a head shorter.
“It’s good to see you back in town,” Emily happily exclaimed. “Though, I had a feeling you were. How have things been?”
“Marshall Island was beautiful,” Rachael answered right away. “None of the spooky cursed human creatures. Just lots of natural spirits. How about you?”
“Simple,” Emily had nothing to brag about. “Without you, I have very few exciting jobs. Mostly readings. But we’ll talk more inside. Come in.”
Emily stepped into the house and Rachael followed, but not before taking her shoes off in the foyer. The two then walk down the hallway passed the stairs on the left and the doorway to the living room on the right to reach two doors at the end of the hall. One led to the dining room. The other had hanging beads and smoke spilling from within which concealed what was inside. The beads rattled as they were pushed aside, the smoke swirled around them as they entered, and the smell of sage was thick in the back room.
In the very center of the room was a table covered by purple drapery, with a crystal ball placed on top, and two chairs sitting across from each other. The walls were lined with shelves that held an assortment of oddities. There were various types of bones from various types of animals, numerous jars of herbs, roots, fungus, minerals, feathers, several dolls, and some knives, daggers, and other sharp objects. One shelf consisted entirely of books that ranged from normal, to luxurious, to those bound in strange materials. And dozens of candles, most of which were lit, were placed on any available surface, dripping their wax. So much strangeness along with low lighting hid the fact that this was, in fact, the kitchen.
Rachael took the seat closest.
Emily picked the crystal ball off the table and placed it on the shelf knowing full well that it was more or less a simple prop and would not be needed. Then she began to look over the other contents as she pondered and asked, “What have you done since you got back?”
“Well …” Rachael hesitated in saying, knowing she would get another scolding, “the first stop I made was to the old playhouse.”
“Another ritual?” Emily assumed, looking over her shoulder with a disappointed yet sympathetic expression.
“Don’t give me that look,” Rachael playfully argued. “My brother already gave me the same stare, but at least he just thinks I’m crazy.”
“And I know you’re crazy,” Emily reprimanded just as playfully. “You really like to play with fire.”
“Coming from the Witch who casts dangerous spells,” Rachael disputed.
“You know as well as I do that Spell Craft is a lot safer than Ritual Craft,” Emily quickly compared. “I don’t have to rely on the entities I interact with being good by random chance. I get to know beforehand and can be prepared. Unlike you who doesn’t get that luxury most of the time. If you’re not careful, you could lose your life or your soul like …” gloom filled in the end of her unfinished sentence.
Rachael knew who Emily was talking about, what she was going to say, and assured, “That’s why I waited until I came back from Marshall Island.”
“So, you met with their local shamans?” Emily presumed, seeming to forget what she had been lingering on.
“I did,” Rachael confirmed confidently. “I still feel I need more lessons from other masters of magic, but I’m certain in my ability to handle whatever I end up summoning.”
“At least I can start to rest easier now,” Emily expressed her relief. “Your Witch’s path always worried me. I don’t want to lose another friend to the darkness …” thinking again about what she had been thinking before.
“What about you?” Rachael changed the subject once more. “You’ve read the books and searched the internet, but have you ever considered getting training from a master?”
“That would require me to leave the city and, unlike you who left the moment she turned eighteen, I’m happy here,” Emily assured. She finally finished collecting the items and returned to the table. Then said, looking Rachael directly in the eyes as emphasis, “I’m happy with my skills and my abilities. It’s not like magic really matters anymore in the modern era.”
“I don’t hate the city—” Rachael began to clarify.
“I know the real reason why you don’t like staying around for long,” Emily quickly retracted her accusation. “You’re pretty much a conduit for all ghosts and alike in the area now. By the way?”
“Yes,” Rachael answered. “The Aswang attached to me again. I was hoping you would provide me with a cleansing.”
“Of course, I can,” Emily already knew that was one of the reasons for this visit. “Though, I don’t know why you feel the need to do this anymore. The cleansing is only ever temporary. She always reattaches herself every time you return.”
“I wish she wouldn’t,” Rachael complained.
“It’s not by her choice, you realize that?” Emily enlightened. “That game we played as kids ended up being some weird ritual that bound her to the five of us.”
“Thanks to Andy’s dumb story,” Rachael interjected her blame. “I showed him one ghost from my Mythical Monsters Guidebook, and he curses us all. And he doesn’t even have to live with the consequences because he has so little belief left that he’s unaffected by the supernatural.”
“Lucky? Maybe?” Emily considered otherwise. “Surprisingly, the Aswang’s not that big of a deal for any of us. Honestly, she’s rather nice for being what she is. And it was thanks to her, or at least that event, that our magic was unlocked.”
“Wow,” Rachael was speaking sarcastically, “sounds like you two are close friends now.”
“I am her friend,” Emily specifically stated. “I’ve been her friend for many years now. I told you all this before.”
“I thought you were joking,” Rachael became suddenly worried. “Wait? You didn’t give her your name, did you?”
Emily gave a look as if being asked something unnecessary. “She’s been attached to us for seven years. She knows our names. Anyway, you should try to get to know her. It’s about time you put all your disdain aside.”
“Sounds like you two have become very close,” Rachael said in a jealous sort of manner.
“I’ve been taking my time getting to know her ever since she attached to us,” Emily admitted. “Unlike you who runs away at the very sight, only coming back to the city a few days out of the year, never even giving her a chance.”
“Well, I …” Rachael came up with an excuse, “I have attachment issues.”
“Maybe you should let her stay attached this time?” Emily suggested. “You have your brother and your friends, but you don’t have that special someone who’s by your side no matter where you go.”
“And you think a spirit could fill that role?” Rachael shook her head and smiled as if hearing a not-so-funny joke.
“I’m pretty sure you’ll never find that person because you don’t want to,” Emily said bluntly. “The Aswang could just go with you, so you have someone. It’ll be a little less lonely that way.”
“I’m fine being alone,” Rachael stressed.
“She’s helped me a few times,” Emily continued her persuasion. “Just try asking her for something.”
Rachael paused to seriously consider the idea but preferred, “Can we just do the cleansing?”
Emily sighed but did not argue any further as she began to arrange the already set-out items. The bayberry candle was placed in the center of the table and the wick lit. Papyrus, an ancient type of paper, was given to Rachael along with an antique well pen. Two uncut, cloudy quartz crystals were also set in front of her. The last item was a small bundle of cedar kept by Emily.
Rachael looked at the items and assessed right away, “A Mid Moon Ritual.”
“It’s more effective when cleansing spirits for a short time,” Emily explained.
Rachael knew that, and she also knew, “And a lot less painful to the spirit. You really have a soft spot for the Aswang.”
“She’s a good listener,” Emily justified. “What can I say?”
Rachael looked at the piece of paper curiously. She was supposed to write down that which needed to be released, always putting ‘evil spirit.’ However, “You wouldn’t happen to know the Aswang’s name?”
“I’m not giving you her name so you can permanently banish her,” Emily stated.
“Wouldn’t that be good for all of us?” Rachael brought into consideration.
“She trusted me enough to give me her name,” Emily defended. “I’m not breaking that. And she’s not evil, just sad. Probably why putting ‘evil spirit’ never worked that well.”
Rachael got the idea and wrote ‘sad spirit’ this time.
Emily took offense to what was written and spoke up, “If you really want her gone, why don’t you do it yourself?”
“I would if I could,” Rachael blatantly admitted.
“You’ve cast demons back to their realities where they came from,” Emily recounted. “Far more than anything I’m capable of. And far more than what the Aswang qualifies as.”
“Because the Aswang is bound to all five of us,” Rachael explained. “We would all need to be cleansed. But apparently, I’m the only one who wants that. And the only way one of us could banish her by ourselves would be with the use of her name, which you won’t give me.”
Emily passive-aggressively said nothing in response and began to burn the cedar with the open flame of the candle which was the beginning step of the ritual.
“I’m sorry if I offended you,” Rachael sincerely meant. “I’ve just seen the worst side of the spirit world and I don’t trust even the kindest of human spirits. I’m surprised you do since you’ve seen the same.”
“I’ve seen the worst sides of a person, not a spirit,” Emily corrected. Then she brought up the topic that was being avoided, “Are you going to see Marcy tomorrow?”
“I am,” Rachael answered. “Do you want to come with me? I think you should.”
“No,” Emily answered without a second thought, she even had a warning, “And you shouldn’t go either. She’s a lost cause.”
“I don’t think that,” Rachael calmly protested. “But I don’t blame you for thinking that.”
“You’re wondering how I can trust a spirit more than I can a former friend, right?” Emily sadly assumed.
“I’m not,” Rachael did sympathize with Emily. “You lost something precious because of her while the Aswang has done nothing wrong to you. I understand why you can’t forgive her and why you’ve started to trust the spirit. You’re in a similar situation as me. Hopefully, because of this parallel, you can understand my side of things.”
“I guess I do.”
“You know,” Rachael seemed to begin scheming, her tone softening and becoming cautious, “if we had a Trinity, we could possibly get back what was taken.”
Emily immediately looked offended by the implication. “There is no Trinity because that would require three Witches who trust each other, a sisterhood. There’s only two of us now. And I will never forgive Marcy. I can’t. Not even if what she did could be reversed by working together. But the reason you’re bringing this up isn’t for my sake. I know you have something you want that only the power of a Trinity can provide. You’re acting like you want to help me when you only want to help yourself. Let’s change the subject before you make me hate you, too.”
“I guess I should be apologizing this time,” Rachael practically confessed.
Emily waited.
“I’m sorry,” Rachael gave. “You’re right. I’m just being selfish. I shouldn’t be pressuring you. Worse actually, I’m trying to take advantage of your loss. Maybe I should go for now?”
Emily did not seem to make a move to stop Rachael.
Rachael understood and began to get up from the chair.
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Emily finally spoke which stopped Rachael in place. “Just the worst time. Let’s move on. We’ve got to finish the ritual.”
“Thank you,” Rachael humbly expressed.
Emily quietly began to reburn the cedar that had gone out when they had gotten lost in the conversation. Rachael understood that was her cue to take hold of the two crystals in each hand and stare intently at the candle flame. Emily then started tracing over Rachael’s form. Periodically, Emily would relight the cedar when the bundle stopped smoking. Together they chanted words of power that could be felt charging the air with energy …
“To the family, to the friend, to the foster, to the forefather.
“I bid you farewell, farewell, go back to where you dwell, whether that be Heaven or Hell.
“To the stranger, to the squandered, to the sorrowful, to somebody.
“I have heard you lie, listened to you cry, gave empathy a try, but I must say goodbye.
“To the deviant, to the degenerate, to the deranged, to the demon.
“I tire of this row, now know no, I demand that you go, back to the place down below.”
The light from the candle burned brighter, making the smoke more like a white mist that deepened the mysticism surrounding them. Then the smoke turned black like soot as negative energy was absorbed before quickly dispersing. All that remained for Rachael to do was burn the piece of paper. Yet, she did not immediately do so.
Rachael looked at what she had written, and, after an unexpected change of heart, she asked, “Can I get a new one?”
“That stuff’s expensive,” Emily nagged with a smile because she was actually happy at the request.
When given a new piece, Rachael just wrote ‘Aswang.’ The cleansing would be weaker due to the lack of details, though, still strong enough to keep the spirit at bay until she left where she could not be followed. Burning the paper until nothing but ashes remained sealed the magic and brought the ritual to an end.
“There you go,” Emily declared. “You are cleansed. I’d say you got a month. So, by the next time you come back. You know the drill.”
“I do,” Rachael was as aware. “Okay, to change the subject and get away from this supernatural stuff for now, Andy smiled at me weirdly during lunch when I mentioned you. He didn’t say why, just asked me to ask you. So, what is it?”
Emily gave a small smile that cracked through her disposition. She held up the back of her hand to display her many rings. Among them was one unlike the rest, far less flamboyant, an engagement ring.
“Mark proposed!” Rachael said excitedly.
“He did, that idiot.” Emily gave an endearing look as she stared at the ring.
“I’m so excited for you two!”
A couple of hours passed as Rachael and Emily continued to converse about the simple things that did not matter much but would always be what was remembered. Following after, they shared the new experiences of their life. Then they got caught up speaking of the past, the good and the bad, about the things that had changed and the things that seemed would never change. The talk shifted lastly to the future to wonder where things were going seeing as, though still young adults, those in the group were already getting married, already owned a home, already found a career.
Eventually, Rachael made her leave to finish a few more errands that needed to be done before she could head out on her next trip.
Emily waited by the front door after the goodbyes and hugs. She was now alone and feeling at peace. Yet, the empty house, calm and quiet, did not stay that way for more than a minute. Television dialogue and background noise became uninvited company coming from the living area. She went to investigate.
The pale Aswang was sitting fetal in an accent armchair, watching the screen with an apathetic expression. Spanish blood in the body of an Asian woman made her appearance distinguished. Her eyes, irises red as blood, were strikingly beautiful in how they held respect. Yet, she was short in stature and appeared fragile. Her pitch-black hair draped over her face looking partly ghoulish and partly like an awkward introvert. Fittingly, she wore a long, white nightgown.
“Why do you look annoyed?” Emily asked.
Silence was the response.
“Ligaya?” Emily coaxed.
“… You called me a sad spirit,” Ligaya, the Aswang, complained.
“You know as well as I do that I didn’t mean anything bad when I said that,” Emily identified, “which means you’re pouting because of another reason.”
After another prolonged sulk, Ligaya admitted, “It’s the same reason as it’s always been. I dislike sitting in the shadows just because she can’t tolerate me.”
“I do wish she would come around,” Emily sided.
“It’s been seven years,” Ligaya gave support to the thought.
“Well,” Emily knew that was not a good reason, “she’s never around long enough to get to know you. Though, I guess it’s fair to say she hasn’t really tried in the past. But,” continuing to go back and forth, “I understand her reservations since she’s had to deal with most of the worst spirits out there.”
“Thanks for being so flip-floppy,” the sarcasm was obvious.
“Sorry,” Emily was apologetic. “She’s my friend so I want to give her the benefit of the doubt.”
“It’s fine,” Ligaya acted as if she understood but was clearly disappointed. “She was your first friend after all.”
“Don’t be like that,” Emily felt offended.
A regretful silence followed.
Emily sighed because she knew this drama was actually because, “You really do want her to be your friend, too.”
“Why would I want to be friends with that loner,” Ligaya projected. “While the rest of us have stayed here in the city, she’s gone off on her own. She missed Andy’s wedding. She’s definitely going to miss yours, too.”
That was a sign that things would turn into an unneeded argument if they kept going the way they were. Before that happened, the issue was dropped for something more casual. “What are we watching?” Emily asked as she took a seat on the couch.
“Just some reality tv.”