The Goddess' Blessing           by: Angie "Kitn" Hughes

 

Spring equinox had finally arrived, tonight was the night. The moon was nicely full, too, an added bonus.

Tracy turned off the monitor on his computer and walked over to his personal altar. All the components for the spell he was researching were gathered and waiting. He looked around his room to be sure everything was in place, his bed neatly made, his clothes clean and put away, his floor clean as he could manage... All of the windows and doors were closed, and salt sprinkled around them. He quickly stripped, and started the sage incense burning. With a softly whispered prayer to the Goddess, he began drawing a careful pentagram of sea salt on the floor around his little altar.

The symbol drawn, he mixed lavender oil and his own seed, fresh from the source, in a copper bowl, then set it aside. He carefully placed his wax effigies, one of himself and another of a girl, upon the altar facing each other. He lit a wick in the top of the wax image of himself, then looked up.

"Oh goddess of nature, beauty and love, please bless this ritual with your presence, and help me to create the change I desire!"

So saying, he lit the candle image of the girl with the burning image of himself.

"Let one life begin as the same ends, let my physical form become one with my soul's desired form!"

He put out the candle of himself with his fingertips.

"Let my old life end and the new begin!"

Just then, a small white kitten with a pink patch in the shape of a star on its chest nuzzled Tracy's leg, unnoticed by him. As it crossed the circle of the pentagram, Tracy felt suddenly weak and dizzy.

Blackness engulfed his sight, and time stood still.

---------------

Tracy awoke on the floor, the remains of the previous night's activity scattered nearby. Tracy stood and shut off the alarm that had been buzzing, then gasped in shock. The spell had worked, as he had hoped and trusted it would, but it was still a shock to find this new body, this *wonderful* new female body!

'Omigods...How am I going to explain this to Mom and Dad?' she thought, grabbing a robe to go take a bath. Tracy's mother passed by in the hall on the way, with nary a second glance.

"Tracy, honey, you better hurry. You slept in this morning, and school starts in half an hour."

"Alright, Mom, thanks!" Her voice was different, higher now. She bit back an excited giggle, it had really worked! And her mom didn't even notice!

"Oh, Tracy, I went to the store last night, they're under the bathroom sink next to your bath herbs."

Tracey wondered at this, but shrugged and went to the bathroom. She loved getting up early to take long, hot cleansing herbal baths, so sleeping in wasn't a problem anyway, but she did want to get in a short bath at least, to make sure this new body was cleansed of all unhealthy influences. Especially sweat, she felt really sticky.

She turned on the bath, grabbing some lavender, her favorite herb, and bath salts for the bath, and knocked over a small package. Picking it up, she looked curiously at it, what was it doing in here with her bath stuff?

On closer inspection, she realized what it was. A box of tampons. Then what her mother had said sank in: her mother thought she had always been a girl! This was even better, if everyone was like this, she wouldn't have to explain anything!

Putting the box back, she hopped into the bath, relishing the feel of hot scented water against her skin. She carefully scrubbed every inch of her skin, getting rid of the sweat of last night's exertions. She couldn't stop a need to pay special attention to her more intimate parts, making sure they were real! On inspection, a thin trickle of red told her the box in the cupboard would be necessary already.

"Man, my first day as a girl, and I'm already having my period." She was reminded once again of the difference in her voice, and decided it was well worth it. The blood showed her that the transformation was absolute: she had all the right parts, and could even get pregnant!

Climbing out of the tub, she drained it, and opened the box. The tampons were small, thin tubes with fabric in the middle, she had never used one before, so she read the box carefully and tried to follow the instructions.

"Damn thing!" She growled, trying to get it in right. The thing just didn't seem to want to go anywhere comfortable inside. "Ow..." After more struggling and cursing, she finally figured out exactly where it went, and tried to forget about it, going back to her bedroom.

'I hope my clothes changed, too... I should have planned ahead better than this...' She thought, reaching her room. Seeing the mess, she scuffed the salt symbols into the carpet for later vaccuming, noticing but dismissing the small kitten pawprints in the pentagram, and replaced the altar and candles back into their little corner of the room. Strangely, the male candle was burned down to a puddle of wax, while the girl candle she had left burning still looked as if it had yet to even be lit.

The mess cleaned up, she checked her dresser. Thanking the Goddess for making the transition as easy as possible, she pulled on a pair of pink panties and a matching bra, glad for the simple style of both, as well as the front clasp of the bra.. Then she found some jeans and a Tommy t-shirt, and slipped her pentagram pendant under the shirt.

Slipping on her tennis shoes, she went to the kitchen for a quick breakfast, brushed her long brown hair and left for school.

On the walk to the high school, Tracy saw a few of her friends, and waved to them.

"Hey, guys, what's up?" She greeted them, and was shocked when they ignored her. One, Victor, even laughed when he realized she had been greeting them.

"Hey, guys, get a load of the lesbo tryin' to make nice! Hey, Tracy, sack any chicks lately?"

Tracy stared in open-mouthed shock at the angry tirade.

"What are you talking about? Vic, we've been friends since fifth grade, why are you being such an asshole?"

"If I remember right, it was you bein' a bitch last year, carpetmuncher. Sarah was into me, till you butted in."

Tracy backed away, and hurried on toward the high school, wondering what other nasty surprises were waiting. 'I guess it makes sense, I'm not really into guys... But damn, he was pissed!' She kept her mouth shut the rest of the way, ignoring anyone else she recognized.

As she sat at her desk in her first class, she thought back to the meeting with Victor. 'I don't remember him knowing any Sarah last year... But he might just have not told me. But I wouldn't steal my friend's girlfriend...'

"MISS Campbell... Are you present today, or should I just write you off as absent? Now if you will pay attention, please explain to the class why Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was an uplifting story, even as a tragedy?"

"Yes, Mrs. Dalton, I'm sorry." Tracy wanted to die, but settled for paying attention.

Lunch came around, and on the way to the cafeteria, Tracy heard her name from the side.

"Tracy! Hey, what's wrong, why are you so air-headed today?" Three girls were looking worriedly at her, and Tracy had no idea who they were.

"Oh... Hi, guys... Sorry, lot of stuff is going on lately... Sorry. So, what's up?"

"Same old same old. Sarah's party was great, too bad you didn't show." Sarah must be the one nodding and looking upset... Tracy made a mental note to apologize later.

"So... Whatcha girls doing after school? I don't have anything to do today, and I'm gonna die of boredom." Tracy tried to find something to say, still reeling over new friends and the loss of her old ones.

"You mean after cheerleading tryouts?" That didn't sound good... "Well, I don't have anything planned, do you, Tara?" That must be the brunette...

"No, I was just going to finish up my homework and write some more... I just started the hot scene where the main characters finally hook up. But I'm still kinda blocked on it."

"Well, why don't we do something then?" Tracy was getting the hang of this, socializing with these girls wasn't much different from the guys, except the cheerleading bit... She hoped she wasn't part of the squad, she didn't know the first thing about it.

"Like what? There's nothing to do in this little hole of a town." Tara looked disgusted.

"I don't know, just something. I'm tired of being stuck at home."

"Well, it's not much but we could go to the mall again. I still haven't decided on a homecoming dress yet!" The girl Tracy had yet to place a name to chimed in.

The rest of the school day passed swiftly, and to Tracy's dismay, she found her name on the tryout list, but after a half-hearted attempt at a few cheers, she was relieved to be sure she was not future cheerleader material. Tara, however, displayed an amazing proficiency at cheering, and Tracey found herself enjoying watching her new friend perform.

"Hey, Tara, that was pretty good! I must have looked like a total klutz."

"Thanks! But what happened to you? You were a lot better than that when we practiced together last weekend." Tara remarked.

"Well, like I said, I've had a lot on my mind lately."

"Well, let's hurry back to the locker room and clean up, then we can go look at dresses. I bet you're really excited to be nominated for homecoming, huh? I know I was shocked to see my name on the list!"

"What??? I mean, yeah, I can't wait..."

"Try not to say anything in front of Casey, though. she wasn't nominated, so she must be disappointed."

'She can have my nomination...' "Casey?"

"Duh, you ARE air-headed lately! You know, short red hair, lives next door to you, suggested the mall at lunch?"

"Oh, yeah, Casey."

The two reached the showers, at which Tracy blushed and forged ahead, knowing she couldn't show any hesitation. Changing beforehand hadn't been bad, but the showers looked to be an exercise in courage for Tracy. She stripped and followed Tara, managing not to stare.

As they were changing back into their regular clothes, Tara pointed out Tracy's sweats from tryouts.

"Tracy... You forgot to change your tampon! You better change it before you put your jeans back on."

"Oh shit! I didn't bring any with me, either!"

"There's a machine on the wall over there. Are you sure you're alright, Tracy? I've never seen you this absent-minded before!"

Tracy blushed and dug out a few coins for the machine, putting in the fresh tampon with a bit more skill than that morning.

After that embarrassing scene, they dressed again, and walked back towards Tracy's house. Tara turned a few blocks ahead to go home, and Tracy watched her go, noting which house she entered.

Returning home herself, Tracy was greeted by her mom and went to her room to clear her mind a bit and listen to music. At least her taste in music seemed to be the same, none of her CD collection was missing or changed. She popped in her Alanis CD and hit track eight, 'Head Over Feet,' and lay down on her bed, trying to sort out the day's events. Tracy had never imagined how minutely the details of her life would change when preparing the spell, she only had known that being male was NOT right. Now, things were starting to feel right, even though new surprises were massing to leap at he every few seconds. She resolved herself mentally to enjoy every second of this new lease on life as the Goddess-given treasure it was.

A short while later, the telephone by Tracy's bed rang. She muted the music and answered.

"Hello?"

"Tracy, it's Sarah. Just wanted to check with you, can you make it to the mall with us?"

"Sure, but it'll have to wait till 5:30 when my dad gets home, if I'm going to borrow his car."

"No problem. Your dad's nice about that! Mine doesn't trust me to drive, he says I don't have enough experience driving. Like I'm supposed to practice without a car to practice in!"

"Oh, he'll get over it eventually I'm sure. Or maybe he's planning to get you one of your own for your birthday or something!"

"I hope so, it sucks having to bum rides off of everyone else, when I worked hard to make sure to pass the driver's license test!"

"I know the feeling. I hate waiting till Dad gets home every night, it's so boring hanging around home for two hours after school!"

"So, what dress were you thinking of for homecoming? I saw a few last time we checked the mall, but you didn't point out any you liked."

"Well, I... didn't see any I liked at all. I'm hoping they have something new this time."

"Go with something green, it matches your eyes, and you're one of the few people I know who can wear green well, so you might as well flaunt it!"

"Sure, I'll look."

"So I hear Vic caught you again before school. Is he still trying to spread that crap about you being lesbian? I can't believe the nerve of guys like him, just because you told me he was the one that started the rumor last year. It was his own fault, but just because you let me know he's a jerk, he calls you a dyke."

"Well, what can you do? I just ignored him anyway, it's not like he knows anything." Tracy lied.

"Yeah... Still, it pisses me off..."

"So, where were you and Casey during cheerleading tryouts? I didn't see you there, and you were the one who reminded me about them at lunch!"

"Well, you know Casey's parents won't let her, and I just didn't want to spend all my after-school time next year on it. It just lost its appeal to me, since some of the other girls believed that gay rumor. I'm surprised you tried out, really."

"Call me thick-skinned, what they think won't hurt me. I know who I am."

"Lucky you, I thought I was going to die when they all stared at me this year."

"I'm sorry... And it's partly my fault..."

"Oh shut up. It's ALL Victor's fault. So get over it and be happy when we go to the mall, kay?"

"Alright. Have you already called the others?"

"No... I need to go, I'll get a hold of Tara and Casey. Talk to you later!"

"Laters!"

The mall was a small town affair, hardly a mall at all. It consisted of several specialized stores in one long strip, leaving customers to travel outdoors between shops. The girls chattered about nothing and everything as they visited a pre-selected route... A bath supplies store, a beauty salon and supply outlet, three different clothing stores and, of course, a candy shop. Tracy bought a few herbs and bath salts at the first, some shampoo the others coerced her into at the last second, and then scanned the clothing stores. She had little experience shopping for girls' clothes, and didn't say much, but Tara, Sarah and Casey didn't seem to notice.

"Tracy! There it is, the perfect dress for you! You've got to try it on!"

The gown Sarah so enthusiastically pointed out did look good, Tracy admitted to herself. It was a velvet green color, with silky black trim and a deep v-neck decollatage. The skirt was long, and flared outward, with a subtle black design in the velvet green cloth.

"Ooh, you're right, Sarah! I think I'll ask Mom to buy me it for homecoming."

"You have to try it first, silly! Besides, I want to see how you look in it!" Sarah almost dragged Tracy to the counter, and asked about the particular dress in Tracy's size, then herded her to the change room while Tara and Casey looked at other gowns in the store. After a short time, the saleswoman returned with another dress the same style and color, in Tracy's size, showing that peculiar ability good salespeople show for judging exact size at a glance.

Moments later, Tracy reappeared from the changing room door, spinning a small circle for her friends' benefit.

"Wow, Tracy, that's perfect on you! How do I look?" Tara gushed, spinning her own little circle in a tight red number.

"Great, Tara! Who are you planning on springing that on? Whoever he is, he'll probably pass out!" Tracy giggled.

Tara blushed almost as red as the dress, mumbling something vague about nosy friends, and returned to the change room. Tracy followed suit, returning the gown reluctantly to the saleslady for now. Tara bought hers on the spot.

"How about you, Casey? Find anything to wear to homecoming?"

"Oh, I don't know. Nothing really caught my eye." Tracy looked at Casey, sensing some reluctance, and decided to pay her neighbor more visits soon.

"Suit yourself, but it's not that long until Friday..." Tracy offered. Casey didn't answer.

The four finally reached the end of the strip mall, a small candy shop. It seemed the perfect place to just hang out and talk, which the girls did at great length. Tracy noticed again that Casey seemed reticent, and tried to get the girl to come out of her shell a little.

"So, Casey, do you have a date planned for Friday?"

"No, not really. All the guys that asked me were lamers. I don't know, I never was much for dances anyway."

"Aw, come on... Are you even planning on going?" Tracy managed a pouty look without consciously trying, and Casey smiled a little.

"Well, I guess... It's just... I dunno. I'll go." Casey smiled wider, and changed tack. "So who are you going with, Tracy?"

All eyes centered on Tracy, and she had absolutely no idea how to answer.

"Ummm, well, no one's really asked me." Sarah and Tara looked on with what could be considered shock, while Casey seemed thoughtful.

"How about we go together then? After all, surely there'll be a few... cute guys there without dates, right?"

"Is that a good idea?" Sarah asked, "With all of those rumors going around about Tracy being gay?" Tara nodded.

"Well, maybe that's why no one's asked me. But I said it before, I'm not about to let some jerk spreading rumors bother me. I know who I am, and no stupid rumor can change that. If people buy into that kinda rumor without bothering to get the truth from me, I don't want to know them, and I don't care what they think."

Sarah and Tara looked dubious at this, but shrugged and decided to support their friend's courage. Casey simply stared a moment, then smiled.

"Alright then, it's a date!"

A moment later, something made Tracy look to the right, away from the shop. Spotting a small mass of white, she walked over to check it. A small kitten, white except for a pink starburst pattern on its chest, looked up with wide eyes.

"Hello there, cutie! Where's your owner?" The cat looked up soulfully, and Tracy noticed it had no collar.

"Are you a stray? You look too clean and healthy, are you lost?" She somehow sensed this wasn't the case, and picked the cat up, feeling a strange connection to it. When she returned to the place her friends sat, eating snacks, they instantly circled her.

"Wow, what a cute kitten, can I hold her?"

"Is she a stray?"

"I've never seen a cat that looked like that before!"

The three all wanted a chance to hold and pet the kitten, falling quickly in love with the small animal. Logically, Tracy knew she should be worried the cat might have rabies, or fleas or something, but it just seemed impossible, somehow, that this kitten could be less than perfect.

"I'm going to keep her. She's so cute, and I don't think she has a home." Tracy stated, and the other girls looked crestfallen, each had wanted the kitten themselves!

"So, can I keep her, Daddy?" Tracy gave her best impression of cuteness, and it seemed to work.

"If you can take care of it, then you can keep it, I guess. I just better not find any messes in the house."

"Thanks, Daddy!" She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. This was so right, she had never been able to let out her feelings like this as a boy... Her dad would have freaked if the old Tracy had called him "Daddy" like that, much less kissed him on the cheek. She felt much closer to her family than ever before. Speaking of which...

Tracy took the stairs two at a time and found her mom in the kitchen.

"Oh, hi, Tracy! Did you want to help me with dinner tonight?"

"Sure, Mom, I'd love to!" She smiled and took over cutting some vegetables. "Mom, I saw this great dress for homecoming at the mall today, would you come look at it with me tomorrow? I want your opinion, especially since I can't afford it myself."

"Sure, honey! I was starting to wonder if you were even going this year!"

Tracy added the carrots and cucumber slices to the salad, and took it out to set the table.

"Thanks, Mom, I was too. No one even asked me until today."

"Well, at your age, boys are amazingly blind. Especially if it took one this long to ask you!"

"Yeah, you could say that, Mom... But I'm glad, really. I wanted someone I felt comfortable going with anyway."

"Good for you, honey!"

After supper, Tracy went to her room. The kitten had waited obediently for her, looking up with eyes Tracy could swear were more intelligent than any animal's should be.

"So, what should I call you, huh?" As if in answer, a word appeared in her head before she had a chance to think about it.

"Baidh, huh? Kinda unique, I like it! Come here, Baidh!"

The little cat hopped obediently onto her bed.

"Why do I feel so strangely connected to you? Are you a familiar, come to seek me out? Cats are a little cliche, you know."

The cat looked back as if to say, "Yes, and with good reason."

"Why do I feel like you know exactly what I'm saying, and are answering me?"

'Because I do know, and I am answering you.' Wow...

'You don't have to speak aloud, I can hear your thoughts, as you can hear mine.' Tracy shut her mouth, and decided not to be surprised. After all, only twenty-four hours ago, she had had a male body.

'Okay... So did you seek me out just because my spell worked?' The cat shook its head.

'No, the spell worked because I seeked you out. The anguish in your soul called to me, and I wanted to help you fix it. So, I gave you the power to do so. But it won't be an easy road, either. After all, such gifts are NEVER given without a price, and often more of a price than even I know.' Baidh lectured.

'I know, but anything is worth this. I could die happy right now.'

'That is a distinct possibility, Tracy. You are in a lot of danger, you are a new witch and don't know your own abilities yet. Without guidance, you could do yourself and others great harm. And there are others who will want to take your power from you.'

'What, you mean demons and such, like in that TV show "Charmed?"'

'No, as long as you don't try to summon nasty things, they won't bother you. It's other humans in search of power you have to watch for. You made waves in the balance of power. And sadly, few humans who realize their own power are content with what they are given. You aren't any more powerful than most witches, but you don't have the experience to protect yourself, so you are an easy target.'

'Well, then, I'll have to learn, won't I? But for now, I'm exhausted. Is it safe for me to go to sleep, at least?'

'I will watch over you while you sleep. Be prepared to start learning tomorrow.'

"Goodnight, Baidh!" Tracy laughed, happy to at least have one friend who knew her secret life.

Morning arrived, and Tracy turned off her alarm two minutes before it would have gone off, thankful for that small reminder that she was the same as ever, only with the correct body now. She went for the bathroom, followed by Baidh, and turned on the bath, filling it with very hot water. She was in the middle of adding her favorite herbs and bath salts, when Baidh displayed her approval.

'Lavender and sea salts... Herbs and sea salt are good, though people overestimate their significance. Still, they do help focus your mind and beliefs, so you should use them whenever you feel they are appropriate.'

'Is that my first lesson, then, Baidh? Follow your instincts? I just use them because the salts and lavender make me feel more cleansed. And it smells nice, too. The guys used to tease me about it, smelling like a girl they said.'

'Well, you should have been proud. After all, girls are supposed to smell like girls, right?'

'Yeah. They just got over it and accepted it anyway, eventually.'

Tracy relaxed in her bath, relishing the feel of the hot water on her softer, more sensitive skin, as Baidh reinstructed her on the basics of witchcraft that she had read long ago when she first started believing in it. She cleared up a few small misconceptions, and laughed when Baidh asserted that the witches she saw on television were the worst examples of stupidity for misleading the unwary.

'Baidh... I don't mean to seem ungrateful, but this is all stuff I've been reading and have believed for a long time. I know that witchcraft is all mental ability, and that all the herbs, rituals and tools of the craft are just ways to focus your mind on what you want.'

'Perhaps, but you can't afford to harbor even the least of misconceptions. These are the basic principles of everything you need to know, if you don't believe them all completely, you will never be able to reach your potential. And other witches will quickly take your power, kill you, or worse.'

'Alright then, teach on.' Tracy listened attentively as she dried off, and went back to her room to dress for school. She had set the alarm even earlier than usual, so that she could spend a little more time examining the changes in her room and wardrobe. After all, it was her sacred space. And despite having had the body she wanted all of her life for more than a day now, she didn't even know her own measurements or taste in clothing!

Checking her drawers and closets, she found that she wore a 32B bra (modest, but she hadn't wanted to be spectacular anyway), and her clothes ranged from a size 6 to 8, depending on the type of clothes. She liked her selection, some girly dresses, 2 cheerleading outfits, plenty of jeans and t-shirts, and an impressive variety of shoes. She decided to keep things simple for the moment, and went with a tight pair of jeans and a t-shirt emblazoned with the word "Angel." She also was very careful to bring a few extra tampons in her backpack today, reminding herself to change them every few hours to avoid a repeat of the previous afternoon's embarrassment.

'What will you do while I'm at school, Baidh?'

'I'll be nearby. You can talk to me across any distance like this.'

Tracy went to the kitchen, kissed her parents good morning, and started in to breakfast. Minutes later, she was on her way to school again, this time with Casey in tow.

"You look particularly happy today, Tracy... I take it your mom is going to get you the dress?"

"Yeah, and I just feel more... myself today than in a very long time."

"Yeah... Me too..." Tracy completely missed the sparkle of joy in Casey's eyes as they walked.

"Hey, you two, you look all cheery today... Guess you really weren't all that upset about tryouts, huh, Tracy? I thought it was just an act. You seemed so happy about cheerleading last week."

"Well, it just wasn't as important as I thought. But I'm glad you made it, Tara!" Tracy changed the subject slightly.

"Yeah, I love the workout it gets me, and being the center of attention, I guess!"

The other three laughed at this, and they headed on to school. From a block away, Victor watched, rage clearly evident in his eyes, unnoticed by either his friends, or the target of his fury: Tracy.

School passed rather quickly for Tracy, and she was having the time of her life! Classes seemed almost pointless now, but she used the time to socialize, passing notes and chatting in class. Just before her last class, while retrieving her books from her locker, Tracy noticed a golden glimmer. Someone had slipped a ring into the vents in her locker!

Feeling flattered, Tracy immediately slipped the ring on, turning it to view the stone embedded in the top. It was a red stone with small black flecks swirled into it, polished to a very pretty sheen. Under the ring, she found a note.

'From my heart, I send this to you

A ring to show my intentions are true

A stone set in red, the color of passion

A ring of gold, forever lasting'

An admirer

Tracy looked into the stone, wondering who might have sent her such a beautiful gift. The ring might be gold-plated, or low-quality, but somehow she didn't think so. Someone had gone to great lengths to give her this, and she would find out who tonight. Maybe it was Casey... She found herself humming happily as she walked to her last class of the day.

"Hey, Tracy, where'd you get that ring?" Casey asked on the way home from school.

"I... I'm not really sure, I found it in my locker with a note... Someone's trying to get my attention with a "Secret Admirer" act. It is kinda sweet, though" Tracey said, deciding maybe it wasn't from Casey after all.

"Well, whoever it is is trying pretty hard! That ring looks expensive."

"Don't worry, I already promised I'd go to the dance with you, Casey!" Tracy giggled conspiratorially.

Casey made big goo-goo eyes at Tracy. "Oh, thank you, that would have broken my fragile little heart!" That said, the two girls descended into a giggling fit.

"Mom, I'm home!" Tracy called out, stepping in the front door.

"Hi, honey! How was school?" Was the answer from the kitchen.

"Not bad. Same old, same old." Tracey walked into the kitchen, made herself a sandwich and watched her mom do dishes.

"Tracey, hon, are you ready to go to the mall? I wanted to see that dress you want so much!"

Tracy nodded, her mouth full of sandwich, and went to her room to put away her homework for now. As she stepped into her room, she suddenly felt dizzy and weak. A headache formed suddenly, driving all thought from her as she fell to her knees. Then the room went black.

Tracey woke seconds later, to the feeling of a sandpapery tongue licking her cheek. 'Wake up, Tracy, it's me, Baidh!'

'Wha... what happened?' Tracy thought, feeling the odd headache and weakness gone already.

'Your life energy dropped suddenly, almost dangerously low. Did anything happen to you?'

'No... I just got really weak and dizzy for a-'

"Tracy, are you ready?" Her mom called out from downstairs.

"Yeah, Mom, just a minute!" 'Baidh, we'll figure this out later, I have to go.'

'Be careful, Tracy. something isn't right about this.'

The mall was exactly as it had been the day before, somewhat busy with teenagers hanging out, gossiping and looking for just the right dress for prom, or snacking at the candy shop.

Tracy led her mom to the store where she had found the dress, then pointed it out to her. Tracy then dutifully tried on the dress again, spinning a little dance to show it off, and Mrs. Campbell smiled in response.

"That looks wonderful on you, Tracy!" Ignoring the high price tag, Mrs. Campbell bought her daughter the dress with a credit card, then carried the package as the mother-daughter pair went to visit the candy shop. Over sodas and cookies, Tracy learned about her mother in a way she had never been able to before. They talked about school, social life, Tracy's father, and the merits of living as a housewife. It seemed Tracy's mom loved her place, unlike many modern women, as a homemaker. It gave her free time to follow her own pursuits, including the mystery novels she loved reading and writing.

Then, Tracy's mother asked her about the ring. She seemed to have just noticed it, and was asking if Tracy had an admirer when the weakness struck again. It didn't seem as strong this time, but Tracy still reeled, as her vision went momentarily dim.

"Tracy, are you alright? You almost fainted!" Tracey looked up, gathering her wits.

"I'm... okay Mom, it was just a little dizziness."

"Well, we should get home anyway. I want to start dinner before your father gets home, want to help?"

"Sorry, Mom, but I have a lot of homework tonight."

"That's alright, homework comes first."

'Baidh?' Tracy walked into her room, closing the door behind her. The white kitten hopped into her lap. 'This is getting bad, it happened again.'

'I know. I think this is your first challenge... Someone is using your life energy to cast his or her own spells.'

Tracy thought about this, not having the slightest clue what to do.

'How can anyone do that? I haven't let anyone know about me, much less given them any of my power.'

'It has to be some kind of link, this kind of thing isn't possible unless your enemy is drawing through something you're in contact with.'

"The ring!" Tracy jumped up, almost yelling out loud, as she removed the gold ring she had found in her locker.

"Tracy, are you alright? I heard a shout..." Her mother peeked in the door, to find Tracy holding a ring the way one might hold a live scorpion. "What's going on in here?"

"Oh, um... Mom, I just remembered I had this ring... A friend lent it to me, and I need to return it."

Tracy's mother looked unconvinced, but seemed to accept this.

"Well, make sure that you do, it looks very valuable, and whoever owns it will be glad to get it back, I'm sure."

"Yes, I just bet they will..."

The nxt morning, Tracy watched everybody surreptitiosly as she walked with her friends to school. Nothing seemed out of place, no one was giving her covert looks, or glowing black, or anything. Sarah, Tara and Casey were getting upset at her inattention, however.

"Tracy, what is your problem lately? One minute you're ignoring us, and the next you're acting like there's someone out to kill you! Are you on drugs or something?"

Tracy looked surprised for a moment, had she been that obvious?

"Sorry... It's just, somebody gave me a ring yesterday with a 'secret admirer' letter, and I'm trying to figure out who it is."

"Jeez, Tracy, is that all? The way you act, you'd think it had been a death threat, not a ring!" Tara frowned at her.

"Come on, Tara. She's probably just afraid it's Victor again. Maybe he wants to make up for the rumor thing, you know? They were pretty close before she dropped him. You never did say why you did that, Tracy, you two were a hot couple, and he didn't turn into an asshole until Sarah told him off, too," Casey pried.

"I dunno, I guess it just wasn't working out." Tracy stalled. She was stilled shocked to find out she and Vic had had a thing, and had no idea what might have happened. After all, a lot of this changed life was new to her.

Sarah looked down for a moment, then looked sadly at Tracy when no one else was looking. Almost as if she knew whatever it was that had happened, and was keeping some secret about it. Tracy decided to try and pry it from her later.

"Tracy, is it bothering you again?" Sarah asked at lunch. The other girls hadn't shown up yet, so the two were alone at their usual table.

"What do you mean?" Tracy had no idea what the other girl meant.

"You know, Victor. You got over the whole thing pretty fast, last year, and what Victor did to you... Well, it worries me the way you're acting today."

"I don't even know what you're talking about. I don't remember Vic doing anything to me."

"You can't hide it from me, Tracy, I kept the secret, but I won't let you just bottle it up. I mean, jeez, he tried to... force you!"

Tracy just gaped. Vic had done that? Victor, the guy that was always so self-conscious before? This change went really deep, and for once, Tracy worried that it might not all be good changes.

"Listen, Sarah, don't worry about it. I can handle Victor, he's not what's been bothering me. I can handle it, okay? I really am alright."

"Well, okay, but let me know if you ever need help. I still owe you for the warning about Victor, after all." Tracy smiled, and agreed, just as the other girls came to join them.

Tracy dropped her books in her locker, and grabbed some others. Another note caught her eye, and she held it like one might hold a live scorpion, before opening and reading it...:

'I see you enjoyed my little gift.

I enjoyed what it gave me from you.

Can you find me before I strike again?

Your admirer...'

Tracy crumpled the note and threw it in the trash. This was getting scary, somebody was stalking her, but she couldn't tell anybody because who would believe it? She had to find this person, and soon.

After school, Tracy went straight to her room.

'Baidh, are you in here?' The kitten crept out from under her bed.

'Yes, Tracy?'

'Is there any way I can use this ring to find out who's stalking me?' To an observer they looked like a girl just playing with her pet kitten, but Tracy closed the door and curtains anyway.

'Yes, but you'll have to put it back on. You'll be vulnerable to your attacker then, but if you're quick enough, you might find out who it is before they try to drain you again.'

'I have to try it, Baidh. Whoever it is sent me another note today, and I can't stand not being able to do anything about it.'

 

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