The Night The Clock Hit 12:07 9 Episode 8

"Granny!? Is that really you?!" I rub my eyes intensely as if looking at a ghost. I haven't seen Granny in over 5 months. She's been really busy with many Newcomers joining the religion, as she is the person who determines the likelihood of the Newcomers commitment.

The religion has been getting a lot of attention as of lately, with media spreading and rumors roaming that Voodoo pract.i.tioners are still alive and well today. Even though the rumors are true, the religion still must be kept as a secret from the public's eye. I am not entirely sure why the religion must be kept a secret but it makes sense to. The government may want to do experiments on the magic users, they may be used as weapons in wars, or people are just afraid of the unknown and things they cannot comprehend.

Aunt Lola once told me that a few decades ago, Voodoo pract.i.tioners were hunted down just as witches were and that's the primary reason why pract.i.tioners may be kept a secret. It is scary that people will go out of the way to destroy someone else life over what they practice; over what they believe in. I will never understand but I do know that if something was to happen to my mother or Granny, I don't know how I'll live on to see another day.

"Yes dear, now come give your old granny some sugar." A smile crept upon her face as she was trying to conceal her happiness after seeing her special granddaughter after almost half a year. She opened up her large arms and motioned for me to embrace her.

I ran into her open arms and gave her a warm hug. Granny is so tiny and cute but you do not want to see how she gets when she becomes angry. To many, she's just the High Priestess and High Priestesses are always seen as arrogant people with the ability to get and do whatever they want but, to me, she's the warmest person I've ever met.

"Oh Granny, I missed you so much, I have so much to tell you! How long are you staying this time?" I ask as I tower over her small figure.

She brushes my long bangs to the side to fully look up at my eyes. She always hated my long bangs. "My dear grandchild, I've missed you too. But I am afraid to tell you that I won't be here for too long. There's many Newcomers that I have to oversee before they are able to join the religion. I know one of your aunts informed you of the increasing amount of Newcomers these days."

I frowned a bit but quickly changed back to my smile. Granny hates when I frown my face, she says it makes me look older and that I'll get just as many wrinkles as she has by the age of 30. I try to lighten to the mood.

" I hope you're taking care of yourself Gran, I don't think this house could function without you being here." I say with a joking tone.

"This house is founded by strong independent woman that I've raised with my own two hands, I know this house could get through any obstacle anyone throws at them." Her tone became a little harsh, as if something triggered her emotions. As if someone or something may have threatened her or her family. Her eyes seemed to have lit up red as if they were on fire. This tone, this atmosphere isn't one that I am used to so it startles me a little.

"Granny..."

Granny responds in her normal loving tone,"Yes sweetheart?"

We are still in our warm embrace

"Is everything okay? You seem like something is weighing heavy on your mind. You know you can tell me if not anyone else." A frown unconsciously appear on my face again. Granny isn't someone who confides in people; she never asks for help or handouts. She keeps everything to herself but she wonders where I get that same trait from.

"Yes, of course dear, don't worry yourself. This old lady can still fight like she's 25." Granny laughs and flex her arm muscles to show off but there's only her flab hanging down like bat wings.

"Gran, you're so funny! How can you keep up such a optimistic outlook?", I ask smiling ear to ear. Granny is just such an amazing person.