Page 27 of Hunters and Prey

Witch Me Not

Yumoyori Wilson

In Your Dreams!

"Therefore, the witches gathered in a circle, blessing the remains of the powerful witch and combining their powers to change her fate. For she did not deserve death, but life. They wished in unison for the woman who sacrificed herself to be reincarnated and receive a better life than the turmoil and agony she experienced. She'd be born with great magic, far beyond anyone's imagination. Her five loyal men who mourned her death would leave their powers behind when their end came, and when the reincarnated witch awakened once again, those men would be ready to protect her."

"Mom. You have read this story over and over again for as long as I can remember. In fact, I have it memorized. Why do I need to listen to it after ever history lesson?" I questioned with a long exhale.

"Alice—"

"Mom, I don't believe in this whole magic witch stuff. Maybe when I was little and still had my 'sight' but that was then. I'm just your normal human, trying to get her high school diploma from her Mom because the school in town sucks balls."

"Alice." Mother repeated my name.

"Sorry for saying balls," I replied, knowing that was why she was upset. We had this conversation every week after my history lesson.

I thought when I opted out of normal school and got approval to be taught at home by my mom that life would be pretty sweet. Learn on my own clock and do whatever I wanted, like sleep and bake cakes just to eat them. Why couldn't I do home economics every day instead of all this boring stuff my mom was trying to teach me about?

Witches. C'mon. They ain't real.

Mother sighed, and I didn't blame her. We both knew this conversation would go down the same path that led to me excusing myself and playing video games until dinner.

"Alice, it's good for you to know." Mother closed the ancient book, the spine on the verge of collapsing. I secretly wished it would simply turn to dust. That would end my weekly struggle.

"You say that every week, Mother. Trust me, I'll remember the story if I truly need to. Are classes done now?" I questioned, blinking my eyes.

She tried to keep her stern look, but it fell as her eyes softened. "Class dismissed." I grinned and jumped out of my seat.

"Freedom!" I skipped over to stand next to my 5'8" mother, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek which was a breeze because I was an inch taller than her at 5'9". "Thanks, Mom."

"Don't play games all afternoon," she scolded.

"Now, Mother. Have faith in me," I complained. "I'm heading out to chill in the forest."

"Alright. Be careful," she warned, like always.

"I'll look both ways before entering the pathway," I sang, moving toward the stairs. "I'll be back before dinner."

"Alright. Six o'clock. I'll be cooking your favorite stew."

"Perfect! Bye, Mom. Love you."

"Love you too, Alice," Mother replied. I looked back to see her loving smile, one that made my heart swell. Even though we had our share of disagreements, I loved that woman. She was my only parent after all.

My dad was murdered when I was little. Sometimes I remembered what happened in my dreams, but when I tried recalling the details, I only came up with a blank. Mother said he was an amazing man, one filled with kindness and power. I remembered all the stories she told of Dad being an extravagant wizard with great powers.

When I was young, I believed it all, but once I started to attend school in town, the realization that magic wasn't real hit me like a truck.

That led to me being bullied. From the name-calling to the pushing and shoving I received for liking to wear black and purple dresses and anything close to the representation of witch magic.

Needless to say, I had enough at one point and became 'Beautiful Alice with a Heart of Coal'. Why? Because I went from trying to be kind to the world to being a bitch. When people pushed, I pushed right back. When they kicked or tried to play tricks on me, I didn't hesitate to do the same.

It stopped the physical bullying, but the name calling and pranks continued. It wasn't until strange things started to happen that the principal finally suggested I be homeschooled.

Strange things like broken windows and crazy wind storms that came out of nowhere. The last straw was when the girl's locker room caught on fire and ended up burning half of the school.

Ah. That was the perfect timing too.

---