Page 17 of The Bairwick Witches
It took the beautiful youth a moment to realize someone recognized him. He gave Sky a half-smile as he hurriedlyfinished his mouth full of candy before saying, “Hi,” then added, “Schuyler, right?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think you’d be back to our lovely town.”
“Ug, I mean… but these gummy wands are so good.” He offered his bag up, and Schuyler politely refused.
“About to get some candy for my uncle. He’s working with me today.”
“Oh, that’s who that was,” Issac mumbled, nodding to himself as he looked around, eating the phallic shaped gummy wands.
Schuyler found himself uncertain. Had Issac been watching him? What should he say next? Something funny? Ask how’s he coming along with the spell? Ask if Issac would sit on his face and wiggle right there in the midday sun?
Or say good-bye and move on since the young man appeared aloof. No, he shouldn’t press his luck. From his posture to the avoidant stare, everything radiating off the young man screamed defense and disinterest. The conversation was at a dead end. “Well… okay, good luck with your spell. I’m gonna grab some candy.”
Yep, walk away, walk away. Best thing to do.
“Oh?” Issac snapped out of his malaise, literally jumping up when Schuyler turned away. He rushed up next to him within a second. “So, you said something about a library last night? I’ve looked everywhere, and there’s no library around here, just a bookstore with a very bitchy lady working in it.”
“Aida,” Schuyler confirmed, “yeah, she’s generally a C-word to everyone. Her husband left her for her own brother, and it pissed her off. She challenged both of them to a duel, and then lost, spectacularly, which left her even more unpleasant.”
There were butterflies on brooms in Schuyler’s stomach, and he wanted to melt, instead he motioned for Issac to follow him. “Walk with me?” he asked, moving past Endora’s and up the street, leading Issac across the median and onto the other side before continuing.
Schuyler stopped at the end of the block. “Natural Witches wish to be left in peace. What do you see?” He motioned to the alley they rested in front of.
Issac looked curiously down the darkened alley way. “This a trick? It’s an alley. It’s giving ‘gross,’ like drug-den filthy. No one’s emptied the trash. Why’s there all that broken down furniture? Do people live there?” Issac backed up and looked down the street, not a speck of garbage littered any of Main.
Schuyler chuckled, “Don’t really want to walk down there, do you?”
“No, I’ve this weird feeling-”
“Like a need to look away?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a lie.” Schuyler walked into the alley with Issac close behind. He heard Issac gasp audibly when they passed through the illusion and stepped out onto Robard Street, the main strip of Bairwick proper. “This is Bairwick where your uncle grew up. Where I grew up.”
“Looks like every other town,” he stated plainly as he glanced around. “Where are the bitches on brooms? People in their robes, you know, the Harry-”
Schuyler threw his hand up, cutting him off. “Shut up with that mess. Bairwick is like any other town except we’re witches. You will see some of them walking around in their full regalia. I mean, the Prestegords on my street are always in their full Gandalf attire: big hats, flowy robes, and those damn oversizedstaffs. Ridiculous. But that is what Bairwick is—a safe haven. A place for us to live and be freeaswe are.”
Schuyler started walking as Issac kept pace.
“But you’re witches, you could easily take care of anyone fucking with you.”
“Because we can, doesn’t mean we should. Hatred can spread among the Tourists easily, as we’ve experienced before. A lot of them are itching to burn a witch, even if they don’t realize it; it’s in their DNA. Now if anyone comes here looking for trouble, we’re going to handle business, but until that time, we remain chill.”
They walked down a couple of streets which Schuyler made a point to have Issac take a note of until they were at the library. “Here,” Schuyler grabbed his wallet and removed his dog-eared library card, “take this. If they ask any questions, they can call me. Any of the amazing ladies in there can help get you what you need for your spell.” He held out his hand, the laminated card between his fingers. When Issac reached out, their fingers touched briefly. The butterflies on brooms in Schuyler’s raced around like shooting stars, making his stomach flip.
“It’s really nice of you to help me,” Issac tucked the library card in his pocket.
Schuyler expected him to leave after that, but Issac lingered, shuffling on his feet. “You’re welcome of course. Come by the shop any time.” Schuyler felt like he should go, but neither of them moved.
Do I say something? Do I not? This guy is hard to read. Is he waiting for me?
“Yeah, well, okay.” Issac said, seemingly reluctant to move, twisting in his spot—until he groaned and threw up his hands.“Fuck, okay, are you free to hang out tonight? Maybe you could help me some more with the spell.”
The butterflies were doing an array of swoopy aerial maneuvers. “I have dinner plans with a friend, but that’s early. So, I’m free later tonight.”
Issac handed Schuyler his phone. “Add yourself, and I’ll text you later. See ya.” Issac planted an unexpected kiss on Schuyler’s cheek and bounced away up the library steps. When he was out of sight, Schuyler touched the tender spot where he’d been kissed. A sweet gesture, which made his heart beat rapidly. He felt a little flushed, a little lightheaded.
