I drove down Cornwall Street, the hum of the engine and the blur of scenery faded into the background.

My mind wandered back to the events that had just unfolded, and I felt an overwhelming urge to share everything with the one person I confided in the most—Mom.

---

Her gentle voice echoed in my mind:

> "You have untapped potential, sweetie—just like a warm slice of apple pie."

Her words were laced with sadness and determination.

> "Serbian may have taken your father, but he can't extinguish the fire within you."

Her voice trembled slightly. I could see the pain in her swollen eyes as she fought back tears.

I sat beside her, taking her fragile hands in mine.

“Mom, I don’t want you to worry—about me, about Dad being held captive, or Serbian’s threats. I promise I’ll rescue him and end Serbian’s reign. I’ll prove to the Silverfox pack that I’m worthy of being their leader.”

I smoothed her gray hair, trying to offer comfort.

“I haven’t figured out how to stop Serbian yet,” I admitted. “But I will. I won’t let him get away with this.”

Mom’s eyes locked onto mine, filled with understanding.

“Lysterr—Serbian’s son—might be tracking Kent down,” she warned, wiping her face with a handkerchief. “My instincts rarely fail me, and I believe he’s the one who caught you both off guard.”

“I think so,” I said. I’d had the same thought ever since the night of the Moonhunt"

“I always knew that young lad was up to no good.”

There was silence for a while.

“Come with me,” Mom said, standing and leading me out of the living room. I followed, curious.

She opened a door to a dark room, frozen in time.

With a flick of her wrist, the lights buzzed to life.

A round table sat at the center, cluttered with cards and strange artifacts.

Two chairs faced each other, giving the room an air of ritual or prophecy.

The atmosphere was intriguing and unsettling—a world between reality and the unknown.

Mom sat in the chair on the left.

“As most witches do,” she began, “I was gifted with the ability to communicate with the paranormal... and with the multiverse.”

I looked at her, confused.

She saw the look and smiled gently.

“To make it easier to understand—I can teleport my ancestral body into another realm without moving my physical one. In that state, I can influence events happening in both spiritual and physical dimensions. That’s what makes me a Sesame witch.”

"What?" I was confused, trying to understand what she was saying.

“Come, have a seat,” she said, pointing to the empty chair.

I sat and fixed my gaze on her.

“See, honey... being a Sesame witch isn’t something everyone in our family inherits,” Mom said, her tone a little wistful. “My great-grandmother had it. But your grandma? Just a regular witch. A good one—but not chosen.”

“They called it the Immaculate Gift—the Sesame Spirit.”

“Sesame Spirit?” I echoed, lost. “What does that even mean?”

“It’s the heart of everything,” she explained. “The energy that connects the spirit world and this one. A bright, white light that guides the elements—water, fire, earth, air...”

“And humans?” I asked.

Mom smiled warmly. “Exactly. It’s in everything. Every living thing, every part of the universe.”

“You’ve got a piece of that Sesame heritage in you, Caroline,” she said, picking up a worn deck of cards.

She shuffled them with a soft, whispering sound, then spread them out.

“Think of these as a map. A way to understand yourself.”

I frowned. “How can cards help with that?”

“They’re a guide, sweetheart. To your core. To your power.”

She nodded toward the cards.

“Now, pick one.”

I hesitated, then reached out and drew one, eyes fixed on the table.

“This card, the Queen of the Night,” Mom said, holding it up, “she’s strong, committed, and deeply connected to the Sesame world. Now, close your eyes. Breathe. Feel the current—the energy that flows through everything.”

I did as she said.

And suddenly, it wasn’t just a daydream. It felt real.

Like I was gone. Floating, weightless, in a galaxy of stars.

“What do you see?” she asked softly.

“Stars,” I whispered. “And space. It’s cold... but there’s energy everywhere.”

“That’s it, honey,” Mom said, a little excited. “You’ve slipped into the Sesame dimension.”

“You’ll start to feel it now.”

“Wait...” I murmured, my eyes still closed. “There’s something... a light. It’s coming closer.”

“That’s the Sesame energy,” she said, her voice tightening. “It’s waking up your powers.”

“It’s... it’s inside me,” I gasped. “It’s everywhere!”

“Hold on, Caroline.”

Mom gripped my hands tightly.

“Feel it. Let it fill you.”

The room began to spin.

Everything blurred—and then...

I collapsed.

All my strength had already drained out of me.

---

"Caroline, love. Wake up."

I felt a gentle touch on my shoulders. I slowly opened my eyes to see my mom smiling down at me.

"Did it work?" I asked, feeling a little lightheaded as I stood up from the floor.

"You fell into a deep trance and were unconscious for a while," Mom explained.

"The session is over. Your full potential has been restored."

I was gladdened by the news, feeling a new kind of energy stirring inside me.

"I can finally face Serbian and his cohorts."

"Yes. But just because your powers have been harnessed doesn’t mean you should be reckless. Be careful with Serbian.

Mom was still visibly worried.

"I wouldn’t want to face him alone."

"Mom..." I held her shoulders gently. "I’m fine. I’ll save Dad and make sure you’re safe."

Mom nodded reluctantly, folding her arms.

I glanced at my wristwatch. It was already midday.

"I have to go—I’ve exceeded my break time from work."

I kissed Mom on the cheek and dashed out of the room.

---