Raven Cross

A girl learns she has magic.

Raven Cross stood high on the cliff, gazing out at the ocean. The storm that was coming in had woken her up, and since she could not sleep, she came here to one of her favorite places in the world. Her Father was a Sailor out there somewhere, months behind in coming back home. So, she worried and searched for the ship. Would it be today?

A flash of light far out to sea grabbed her attention between the lightning. One second it was there, and then it was gone. Could she have only imagined it? She stared so hard her eyes hurt, but she did not stop. Many have said she has her Father's stubborn streak and the iron will of her Grandmother. Closing her eyes, she pictured in her mind the ship her Father Captained, being tossed about by the wind and waves. She could see him standing on the deck at the wheel, legs spread to take the rolling of the ship. His beard was dripping water onto his rain gear, and he blinked his eyes every time the Lightning flashed.

The wind and rain reached the shore, finally forcing her back inside the sprawling house her Grandfather had built many, many years ago. Resembling a castle he had once seen in Europe. Ravenswood Manor had become the talk of the town since her Grandparents' time. Thought to be haunted and had strange things going on there. Only a few close friends ever visited, and that did not bother Raven in the least bit.

Closing the door behind her, she entered the foyer, glancing up the sweeping steps to see if anyone waited for her. She had hoped her Mother had not been disturbed by the storm. Surprisingly, for being out in the rain, Raven was not wet. Her hair and clothes were completely dry, which made her wonder what was going on. As she turned to go into the Library, a sound from the Kitchen piqued her curiosity.

Her boots echoed across the Golden Oak floor; the sound seemed too loud tonight to Raven. Pausing at the closed Kitchen door, she reached for the handle to find it already turning. The door swung inward to reveal candles lit and the smell of sweet bread and Tea filled the air. There sat her Grandmother sipping a cup of Tea, not at all looking like she was over eighty years old. Her hair is still as dark as a Raven with no sign of Grey or White showing.

Startled, Raven paused before entering. She had not expected anyone to be up, especially her Grandmother. Sarah Cross.