THE POWER OF IMAGINATION

By Janette Davis

I looked at the outlines of the shapes I could see in my eye. A circle that was right in the middle of my eyes must be a rock. Maybe it was a ball. The outline that looked like a dog must be Witch, my seeing eye dog.

"Did you get a word I was saying" a voice called, interrupting my thoughts. It took a moment for my mind to clear. Then I realized that my only friend Rion was speaking to me. He must have been rambling away during the time I had not been paying any attention what so ever.

"Uh, Cows dance the hula at midnight to scare farmers?" I quickly said.

"That's not exactly what I was thinking, Silena . . . " Rion said

"Werewolves haunt the town?" I guessed

Rion cringed. I guess he must not like werewolves.

"I asked ‘How do I look?'" he said unhappily

He likes people paying attention to him 100% of the time. Poor guy; I only pay attention to him 1% of the time. Not that he's boring like Mr. Boar our teacher but it's that my mind wanders so easily . . . I wonder how come he likes me. Well that isn't important.

"Earth to Silena, I'm talking to and asked a question." He said grumpily.

I decided to pay attention. He was starting to get mad at me.

"I can't answer questions like that!" I snapped. "I'm blind in one eye and can only see shapes out of the other. After the fire inside my house got some of the sparks in my four years ago, I've been that way since. After four years you should have realized that. I'm lucky to be alive. Then they found out the fire was an arson fire. Everyone thought I started it because of the guy who came to stay with my mom and me. He was mean to us so they thought I started it to kill him. It killed him and my mom. I got Witch to help me get around."

I patted the sheltie's head. He nuzzled me with his nose.

"My father left when I was a baby. They couldn't contact any family. So I was declared an orphan and put into an orphanage where they don't even feed you. Well they do feed you but a barely anything. I have to scape up money to feed Witch. No one wants me because they think I'm dangerous. Well, your family wants me but your dad's the king. The people say they will revolt if he adopts me. Anyway he isn't sure he would like another kid in the family. After all he has 30 kids in his family. So, think next time, prince."

I calmed down. I was surprised to see him laughing. I expected him to be mad and hurt. He hates being reminded that he has royal blood.

"I was kidding." Rion told me

I hope he was right.

"I really asked, ‘Why do you name your dog Witch?'" Rion told me. He rubbed Witch's ears. He knows he not suppose to play with Witch. If people mess with Witch, it could keep him from focusing on his work. I decided to let Rion get away with this one time.

"You never tire of that story, do you ." He's heard it 526 times. I'm keeping count.

"It's interesting"

Witch began wagging his tail real hard. That dog. As long as I'm talking about him, Witch's happy.

I began speaking. "I call him that because he's just like a witch. Along time ago they'd execute witches so witches would hide in people's houses. It was hard to do because people looking for them and would search as hard as they could. If you got caught they would kill you. Some people still do it today. If the witches used magic they leave a trace of some sort If the witch survived they would give some special ability like, flying. I feel like Witch is like that. A pain to take care of but worth it. A big bundle full of Joy. They kill Werewolves these days. Witches have become highly respected over the past few years. I named him when witches were still in trouble." Rion was silent. I think I said something to upset him. He doesn't talk when he's upset. Okay this was not going right. The time I yelled at him he laughed his head off. The time I was being friendly he got upset. I do not think this is a good life. My thoughts were interrupted by someone. Someone with a cold harsh voice. Only one person has that voice.Her name is Matron.

"Silena, come back to the orphanage this instant. You've already lost dinner for today because you snuck off. Shoo, prince and go home to your father. He'll put some common sense into you. Come along, Selina, and bring your flea bag."

I did not care that I was missing dinner. They fed you so little there was no difference in having dinner or not.

"Watch your tongue. His name is Witch."I said hothly

"Witch, Flea bag". Makes no difference.

I remember the one time I saved a Witch. BB(Before Blindness) I rescued a old Witch. He gave me a tip instead of a power. The tip was "Use your imagination." I never have figured out what it means. I tried to figure it out as I went back to the Living Death with Matron.

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The wind howled outside my window as I got into bed. I could tell it was the full moon. The way I could tell were the war yells outside. People were hunting werewolves. Werewolves were on the mind again. I just went to sleep.

People were setting up stakes to burn the werewolves they found. Rion and I were bound. Rion was caught as a werewolf, me as witch. The people had bound Witch as well accusing him of powering up my spells. All three of us were bound to Anti-magic stakes. They were just about to set fire to the stakes.

I woke up sweating and clutching Witch. Witch was not very happy about that. He was squirming like crazy.

"Children we are going to have a treat today. A werewolf was caught and caged last night we are going to go view the execution. Be on your best behavior. This means you too Silena. No setting the convict free."

Every execution I've been to I've set the convict free. Still I wasn't going to let the matron boss me around. I trudged up to the execution stadium. It was a sunny day, I believe, because I could feel sunbeams on my face. I stopped in front of the convicts cage. They never moved it. I've been to many executions BB so I knew were the cage was. Matron and the kids had taken their seats, I think. Well, they were nowhere near by. I took out a key I had taken many years ago, thrust it into the lock, and turned it. The door didn't open.

" They put on a new lock so your old key won't work" a familiar voice said. A way too familiar voice.

"RION, WHAT'S GOING ON!"

"I'm a werewolf sort of."

"Why didn't you tell me"

"I didn't tell because I thought you wouldn't like me."

"Right now I don't like you because you didn't tell me?"

"Some king if he kills his own kids"

"He's done everything in his power, the townsfolk won't let him change the law."

Right that instant I saw something bad about the king. He lets the townsfolk rule him.

Something landed on my back.

"Hey kid, get out of I'll throw another tomato at you."

I decided to be rude right back.

"Name's Selina. Who cares about a tomato. Why I don't think you could get rid of me!"

The guy started thinking and muttering to himself.

Rion was talking again, "I'm not completely a werewolf . I'm half werewolf. I turn into a wolf on the full moon but I don't kill people. Most werewolves are half like me."

I suddenly pushed out.

"Get out of here now. Kid" I ran and hid under the stadium with Witch. According to the crowds talking above they were bringing Rion out to tie to a Anti-Magic stake. Think , think. There must be something I can do. Suddenly I remembered a statement. Use your imagination. Sure, what could I lose. First I imagined the tomato guy growing a long 5 yard beard. Gasps came from the crowd. Overactive people. Then I changed the pole from the gray I thought it was to hot pink. This was fun. Then I burned up the pole. For some reason I had trouble imagining it but the pole burned up in my mind. Then I rusted away Rion's chains which I think were on him. Mummers came from the crowd

"The pole changed colors and burned right up."

"If a witch in this town saved the kid he must be good, not bad!"

Shouts arouse. "Keep the kid alive.!

I was stunned. Me, a witch ! Impossible! It was all just luck that someone else did the same thing.

"Well " a voice said. It was the voice of the witch I saved years ago. " Look like we found are spell caster. Oh, you're the girl I ran into years ago. Looks like you've had some trouble. Just a minute." All of the sudden I could see. I stared out. " I'm the court magician. Used what taught you well. Your guide dog also is magical. He can make spells more powerful. According to a ancient story you are the most powerful Witch in the world. I'll have to teach you in the palace so you'll have to come live there. Don't bother with your life story. I read your mind so I know. I'll talk to Matron about you. Bring Witch too. The king won't mind. He welcomes anyone who are friends of his children. You should have a easily life for a long time" The dream was true! Oh well. Life was going to get better. Food for me and Witch. Everything I ever really needed. Maybe I'll have a good life. "If your wondering what happened, you cast some spells. Lets go home now."

The End

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Janette E. Davis