Page 1 of The Bones of the Cursed

1

- ALANIS -

BEFORE

Laughter follows me as I head outside for the lunch break. Taunting yells draw closer as I settle against the giant oak tree just outside the red schoolhouse. I close my eyes briefly, breathing in the smell of freshly bloomed flowers and the scent of damp soil. I pull out my journal, doodling on the pages, trying to escape to my own little world, but the bullies won’t let me. The journal is ripped from my hands, a familiar blond holding it between her fingers like it is infected with a disease.

“What’s the freak drawing today?” she teases.

Quickly standing, I face her and the entourage that follows. “Please give me back my journal.”

My voice is soft, barely above a whisper. These girls are mean and I try not to show I’m scared, but their rumors do frighten me. They could get me killed, not to mention everyone I love.

This world is made of five realms, the one I call home being the Caselian Realm. It is run by a government that has made sure powerful magic does not overpower those in charge. The Fae and Witches are banned from ever entering, their powers deemed too great and a detriment to humans. The governmentallows the occasional Elf, mostly for their talent in healing remedies. For the past year the government has become stricter, new laws passing every week that limits the freedom of its people.

My father is friends with some who live closer to the capital, and they say it’s much worse there. The people in power have begun to use force to gain control over its citizens, and if you don’t comply you will be executed. They’ve even assigned sentries to every region to make sure people are not rebelling. Little do they know that rebels are everywhere, hiding and biding their time.

“Oh look, more witch symbols. Maybe we should turn this in to the sentries, what do you think, girls?”

Claire’s threat creates a pounding in my head, my heartbeat racing so fast that a humming sound echoes in my ears. “Give it back.” I attempt to be stronger, but they merely laugh. Anger boils my blood, a tingling sensation growing within, building inside my chest until it feels heavy and suffocating. Claire flips through the pages, ripping one down the center.

“Oops.” She shrugs with a smirk glued to her face.

I don’t even know what is on the page, but it’s the tipping point for me. I lunge towards her, grabbing the journal as I push her backwards. My anger and exhaustion of constantly being picked on is no longer able to be controlled.

Claire falls backward, landing with a thud. Her wrist snaps at an odd angle as she tries to catch herself, and her screams pierce the air and her posse gasps, but all I can see is the singed edge of her sleeve as if it was burned. The shirt is singed and frayed right where I pushed her. Clasping the journal to my chest, I race back towards the schoolhouse. Opening the bright white door, I head down the hall, hoping to find my best friend Elizabeth somewhere close by.

When she isn’t inside the tiny classroom reading, I headout the back. The sound of the trickling stream that borders the schoolyard greets me. The gentle breeze tickling my skin, calming my racing heart. Elizabeth stands with her back to me, talking with another classmate at the edge of the water. I walk down the slight slope, my shoes sinking into the mud on the bank of the stream. The girl talking with Elizabeth tenses when she hears my shoes squelch into the damp ground and quickly leaves, avoiding eye contact with me.

Liz turns towards me, her face taut and eyes expressionless. The look reminds me of my mother. She has never been super affectionate with me; I always thought it was because I wasn’t truly hers. My father found me when I was just a baby and insisted on giving me a good home. I don’t believe my mother truly wanted another child, but took me in because it was what my father wanted. Since I turned eighteen my mother started to grow more distant, her stares no longer emotionless but almost scared.

Now in my twentieth year she can hardly stand the sight of me. My parents started me in school later than others due to my ‘unstable emotions’ as my mother called them. Being the oldest one in my class definitely doesn’t help anything, but luckily I’m in my final year.

“Liz, you’ll never believe what just happened.” I plan to vent to my best friend, but she cuts me off.

“Oh, I heard all about what just happened. You broke Claire’s wrist, Alanis. What were you thinking?”

Her scolding voice grates on my already frayed nerves. “She was tormenting me again. Threatening me,” I gasp, trying to defend myself.

“There’s whispers that you burned her…” She glances around to see if there is anyone nearby. “With magic.”

I gulp, my eyes widening. “I don’t. I didn’t—” I’m stumbling over my words, my panic seizing me in a chokehold.

“Alanis, I can’t do this. There’s too many rumors.” Tears build in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but we can’t be friends anymore. It’s too dangerous.”

I watch as my best friend walks away from me. The only friend I’ve ever had besides my brother, Elion.

I don’t stay for the remainder of the school day. Instead I head home, finding Elion working in the cornfield with my father.

“What’s up, pumpkin?” my father asks, concern evident on his face as to why I’m home early.

“Wasn’t feeling well. I’m going to head inside and see if Mom needs help.”

I walk the short distance from the field to the house. The white brick is tinged a light brown from dirt and dust. I step onto the front porch, the board on the top step squeaking beneath my foot, alerting my mother to my presence. Her brown hair whips across her face until the breeze dies down, her gaze cool and assessing.

“Do you need any help?” I ask.

She purses her lips but hands me the watering can she had been holding. “Finish with the flowers out here.”

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