From a very young age, it wasn’t uncommon for me to witness strange things.
“Hey! Teacher!”
“What is it, Meg?”
“Why is that person all dark?”
There was a man shrouded in a dark, black mist. He was strangely transparent, like he was going to disappear at any minute.
Hearing me say this, my teacher patted me on the head.
“So you can see him?”
She said this with a sad tone.
That younger version of me soon learned that those wreathed in such mist were those who had passed.
The black mist also came to those soon to die—most of the time with only a month left to live. My teacher called the mist Death, like the grim reaper.
“I thought Death wore a suit?”
“Why would it wear a suit? What kind of shows have you been watching…?”
“It was actually a movie.”
“That isn’t the point!”
At the time, I was consuming movies like a kid in a candy store, which gave me a false idea of what Death would look like.
The black mist didn’t always appear, but at the same time, there were also people who were covered in a particularly thick mist.
Whether it be old age, late-stage cancer, or a grave wound that couldn’t be patched up, a thick haze appeared around those who could not escape their fate.
Ten years have passed since I first saw the mist. Even now, I occasionally see Death.
“Dr. Hendyyy! I’ve got this week’s order of coolants and medicine-enhancing herbs for you.”
“Oh, thank you, Meg. You can place the box right there.”
“You got it, Boss.”
I was making a medicinal herb delivery to Dr. Hendy and the other doctors in town. Providing herbal brews and other witch services was a part of my apprenticeship.
As I unloaded a couple of marked boxes from my cart, I heard a young voice exclaim, “Ah!” from behind me.
“It’s the friendly neighborhood witch!”
“Ah! It’s the friendly neighborhood Anna! Hello there.”
“Let’s go play!”
“Sorry, but I’m on the clock.”
“Aw, not even for a few minutes? Don’t act like some dumb grown-up.”
“Ha-ha-ha. Call me what you will, but I’ll have you know, I’m one busy witch, little Anna.”
“You’re ugly.”
“Who’re you callin’ ugly, twerp?! You want a knuckle sandwich?!”
“Whoops! I made her angry!”
I was teasingly chasing a giggling Anna around the doctor’s office waiting room when we both heard a hearty chuckle come from the corner of the room. The feminine voice had a gentle tone, one that was warm and calmed whoever heard it.
“When did you two become such close friends?”
It was Grandma Flaire, an old woman who lived just outside town. She’d been sitting in one of the chairs in the waiting room. Her house, where she lived alone, had the most beautiful garden. She was a nice woman; I’d never seen her angry before. When I was younger, she’d taught me how to grow flowers, but this was the first time I’d seen her in a long time.
“Flaire! You look so old. It’s been a while. It’s a shame we had to meet again in a stuffy old doctor’s office.”
“Is it really that stuffy in here…?”
Dr. Hendy sounded sad from behind the reception desk.
“You sure have grown, Meg. It’s good to see you doing well. And Carbuncle, too.”
With a “Squeak,” Carbuncle emerged from one of the boxes.
When did he get in there?
“You little trickster. Did you tag along again? You’re supposed to be watching the manor with White-Owl.”
“Squeak…”
“Oh, please forgive him. I know how fond he is of you.”
“He’s such a little ball of energy. I wonder who he gets that from?”
“He’s just like you.”
“Stay outta this, kid.”
As we shared this exchange, my eyes wandered to the paper bag Grandma Flaire was carrying. It bore a prescription for a medicine with a familiar name.
“Hey, I made that magical medicine.”
“That’s right. I take it with the medicine for my joint pain. It really helps; you’re the only reason I can walk at all nowadays.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You’re going to be eighty this year, right? Please take care of yourself.”
“Heh-heh, hearing that from a youngin’ like you gives me all the energy I need.”
“Are you going home after this?”
“No, I am going to take a walk through some woods outside of town. There is a sacred tree out there, and a big one at that.”
I stood and helped Grandma Flaire to her feet from her chair.
“I’ll be on my way, Dr. Hendy. Thank you for everything. I’ll be seeing you, too, little Anna.”
“Have a nice day.”
“Bye-bye, Granny.”
“Thank you for your help, too, Meg. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“You sure? Be careful. You know what—do you mind if I come and visit soon? I want you to teach me more about your flower garden.”
“Of course. Feel free to visit whenever you please.”
With an “I’ll see you then,” I waved to Grandma Flaire from the doctor’s office door.
That was when, just for a flash, I saw it. A familiar black mist clinging to Grandma Flaire.
Goose bumps spread across my entire body, and I audibly gulped. The sight made me feel nauseous, and my body began to tremble. Even though it was cold that day, I could feel sweat dripping down my forehead.
“What’s wrong, Meg?”
Anna could tell something was bothering me. Seeing the concerned look on her face brought me out of my shock, and then I noticed Dr. Hendy walking toward me.
“Are you all right, Meg? You seem pale. If you’re not feeling well, you…”
“No, I’m fine. I never get sick.”
“Are you sure? It’s cold season right now, so be careful.”
“Thanks. By the way, is Grandma Flaire ill with something serious?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”