“So, what now?” Fear started to kick in as she realized that she had really messed up. She had been looking for a new treat but this man did not belong to her. Tears fell from her lashes as she turned to see how the man fared. She realized then that she didn’t even know his name. Why did she even bother with him? She stared blankly at the spot where the man should have been but he was gone. No clue where he was but he was no longer sitting next to her.
“You join me, in this eternal damnation. Our souls locked forever in this book until someone finally get’s the spell right. It takes courage to admit what you truly love but what is even more courageous is to be willing to sacrifice yourself for those who are trapped. I’ve been here too long girl and so many have joined me. I do not think I will ever be set free. And now, yet another soul joins me.” Jackie considered this when a thought struck her,
“What about my grandmother? She is still alive and well.”
“That woman is not your true blood grandmother. She was just the keeper of the books until the next victim claimed it. She could not access the book as it is for our family’s eyes only. Such is how Grimoires go. Your grandmother as well as your mother are both locked up in this book as well.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Jackie whimpered, “I’m super confused. Who will get the book next? I have no children.”
“It will be passed on to another keeper or your closest relative. I highly doubt any will pass the test. None have thus far.”
“Then I will pray that someone will.” Jackie declared.
“I doubt your prayers will be heard. They remain locked up with us.” Dolman frowned.
“Well, I will keep praying. Even if it means I never stop. It all seems so unfair, so cruel to be treated this way. All I craved was not to be lonely.” Jackie looked around her home in despair. Her heart shattered when it dawned on her that she actually had a lot to live for. Now she would be trapped forever, a waif floating in a book that may never be opened again. She walked forlornly toward the book that stood wide open, like a portal to another dimension, which was basically what it was now that she thought about it.
“Well, now you will never be alone. So, I guess you did get what you wanted, just not the way you wanted it.” Dolman laughed dryly, “Come child, it’s time.” Dolman motioned for Jackie to enter the book. Jackie took small tentative steps towards the foreboding object and shrieked when Dolman pushed her in. As Dolman flew in behind her the book slammed closed while screams of agony and despair echoed throughout the house. The only one who heard their cries was a lonely black cat sitting on the couch with his ears back and hissing.
●
Mildred had not seen Jackie for a few weeks now and was growing worried. She knew she should have gone to check up on the shy girl days ago but kept on talking herself out of it. Fully determined this time she took some fresh baked pumpkin fudge all wrapped up pretty and then marched out of her cafe on down to Jackie’s home. She was grateful that Jackie had had her over a few times so that she knew exactly where Jackie lived. Her eyes grew more concerned when she spotted the tiny house. It looked as if it had been deserted.
She walked up to the door and rang the bell several times but no one answered. She then knocked thinking that maybe the door bell didn’t sound throughout the house. The door opened slowly with a dreadful creaking that made Mildred cringe. She peeked her head inside, “Hello? Jackie? Are you home dear? I’ve come to check up on you. Haven’t seen you in quite a while.” She waited a few minutes but there was still no reply. She considered walking away but was just too worried about Jackie to let it go. So she walked into the house to try and find her or at least a clue as to where Jackie may have gone off to.
Mildred looked around the unkempt living room. It looked as if it hadn’t been touched for a long time. She knew that Jackie was a very clean person. There was a brownish liquid that appeared to have dried up on the coffee table and what looked like the dusty imprint of where a large book had sat. She continued to look about the house but found it all to be just as unkempt if but a tad less messy. She went upstairs to Jackie’s bedroom, not quite sure what to expect but just had to check regardless. When she opened the bedroom door something lashed out at her face causing her to fall back against the wall. The loud hiss and sharp claws almost had her running out the door to never return again. She managed to get her whits about her and realized that it was Jackie’s cat Velvet.
“Oh you poor dear. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” She called out to him and he came to her willingly. He rubbed up against her legs and started to purr. “You look so lonely little guy.” She picked him up and carried him into the bedroom with her. He didn’t seem to mind. Everything seemed to be normal despite some dust and cobwebs. Mildred was not sure what to make of it all. She turned to leave the room when she spotted her backpack next to Jackie’s bedroom door. She reached down to pick it up, “I might as well take this back.” Noticing that there was still something inside she sat it on the bed and opened it. The large spell-book that she had seen Jackie with that last day she saw her was sitting in her backpack.
“Well, this just gets stranger and stranger. Where on earth did Jackie disappear to? It’s like she’s just up and vanished.” She muttered to herself. She started to reach in and grab the book but Velvet hissed and sputtered at her actions, his claws extended and digging into her shoulder. “Ouch! You naughty cat! What’s got into you?” She grabbed him and sat him on the bed. He jumped off and ran out of the room. Midred shook her head as she watched him run off, “Cats, they are such odd creatures.” She turned to look in her bag again. The book was dark and ominous but seemed to call out to her. She fought back her desire to look into it and zipped up her backpack instead.
“I’ll just borrow it. I’m sure Jackie won’t mind. That girl must have gone off on some trip or something. I mean, it’s not like she has to tell me what she’s doing all the time. Still, I am so worried about her. Should I call the police?” Jackie paused, “Listen to me just rambling off to myself. I am a bit nutty.” She laughed as she picked up the backpack and plopped it on her shoulders. Mildred then left Jackie’s room and headed back downstairs. When she entered the living room her hairs stood on end making her shiver. The air felt ominous and cold. Jackie wanted nothing more but to get out of the place. As she reached the front door she could have sworn she heard a woman’s voice moan, “Beware! Danger! Evil!” The cat jumped up into her arms and buried his head in her bosom.
“Good heavens!” Mildred declared, “I don’t blame you Velvet! Let’s get the blazes out of here!” She slammed the door behind her and ran off. She would only feel safe once she made it to her home and by golly the book and cat were going with her!
The End
AUTHOR BIO
I am a bibliophile book dragon who lives with her tech wizard husband and two youngest minions. I am a mother of three, however, and have one amazing grandson. We all reside in the beautiful Redding, California.
I am first and foremost a reader and an eclectic one at that. I own books in many various genres and will continue to hunt for more! I became a published author in 2017. My debut novella “Trials of the Heart” released in September of 2017. Since then, I have taken on many various projects. Writing is no longer just a hobby but is now a career.
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THE FOUNTAIN
Lorah Jaiyn
DEDICATION
To anyone who knows domestic violence.
Act One: Once upon a time:
Cassidy Miller had parents who could serve as p
roof positive that some people should not be allowed to have children. Her father, Tom, was a cruel, abusive man, a continuation of his rebellious and troubled youth. His wife, Cassidy’s mother, Sylvia, was an egotistical, high maintenance trophy wife who thrived in the attention she received for being a victim of domestic violence. She never bothered to explain that Tom had never been abusive to her, but he liked to knock around their daughter whenever he felt like being a control freak.
Because of the abuse, Cassidy stayed somewhat of an enigma at school. Since her abusive father was well known in the town, people treated her different. Everyone liked her and thought of her as a sweet, polite girl, but no one knew how to deal with her. She remained as standoffish as possible to avoid embarrassing conversations, but it wasn’t in her nature to avoid people altogether. She just remained quiet while most people whispered behind her back.
When she was thirteen years old, Cassidy met Gwen LaFontaine at one of her mother’s social events. Gwen was the local fortune teller who hired herself out for palm interpretations and tarot card readings.
Sylvia had pushed Cassidy forward. “Go on, let her read your palms.”
Red-faced, Cassidy held her hands out. Gwen’s hands were warm and soft. After a brief squeeze, Gwen withdrew her hands and stood up. She pointed at Sylvia. “You should be ashamed.”
Sylvia’s hand flew to her throat. “Excuse me?”
“She is a child, yet you treat her as an adult, expect her to be an adult. You have stolen her childhood.”
Gwen had been ordered off the property with a demand for a refund. Before she left, the witch squeezed a piece of paper into Cassidy’s hand.
It had an address written on it.
Her address, as Cassidy discovered a week later after school when curiosity got the better of her.
Gwen lived on the outskirts of town in a rundown, overgrown, cabin of a house. She herself stood right at about five-foot-tall, skinny as a bird, with wild black curly hair, frizzed just right to make her look like Broom Hilda. Her features were sharp and pointed, her eyes a piercing green. Cassidy’s blonde hair, blue eyed look was a complete contrast to the fortune teller.
“I’m a witch.”
Those were the first three words Gwen said when she answered the door to Cassidy’s timid knock.
“A witch?”
“Yes, sweetheart. A witch. I know I market myself as a fortune teller to pay the bills, but in reality, I’m just a witch.”
Gwen held the door open in invitation. Cassidy hesitated before she followed the witch through the house, which, by contrast with the exterior, was clean and tidy.
Cassidy stopped to admire a painting of sunflowers and crows. “Your house is beautiful.”
“You didn’t expect that, did you?”
“Well, the outside is...umm…”
“I know. And it’s okay. As I always tell people, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
Cassidy nodded. “That makes sense. But why am I here?”
Gwen motioned to a chair. “Sit. Relax. Why are you here?”
She held out the paper. “Because you gave me your address.”
“Do you always go to addresses given to you by strangers?”
Cassidy hung her head. “No.”
“Then why now?”
“I just felt like I needed to.”
Gwen took Cassidy’s hand. “For the same reason I felt inclined to summon you here. When I held your hands, I saw your turmoil. I saw the abuse and the hatred in your life. But I knew that was not the place to discuss it with you.”
Cassidy let out a nervous giggle. “Summoned me? That sounds really witchy.”
Gwen cackled. “Sometimes I can’t help myself.”
“So, what now?”
Gwen released her hand and sat back in her chair. “I want to train you.”
“Train me?”
“An apprenticeship. A way for you to protect yourself. You are good, Cassidy. You are full of light and love. Your family is creating a darkness in you that does not belong. I want to show you how to prevent those shadows from infiltrating your soul.”
Cassidy walked home, each step slower than the previous. The opportunity Gwen had presented seemed crazy, impossible. Can you learn to become a witch? Isn’t that something you’re born into? Do I even believe in witches and magic?
Her heart sank when she walked in the house and found her father waiting on her. Tom had the “look” on his face that she knew all too well.
“Where have you been? You should have been home over an hour ago.”
She waited without speaking. Experience had taught her that nothing she said would make any difference.
He advanced on her. “I thought at your age that you’d not still be testing your limitations. I guess a reminder lesson is in order.
The first crack across her face knocked her to the floor. He kicked her as he screamed at her to get up.
I do believe in witchcraft. I have no other choice.
Act Two: She found love:
Cassidy met Max when their families both vacationed at the same resort at Disney World the summer before their senior year of high school. While Tom never participated in the actual vacation, Sylvia believed appearances were everything. She spent her time putting on airs with anyone who could stand to be around her, and Tom stayed in the hotel room the entire time.
Cassidy loved vacations because it meant she had free time to herself away from the house. Gwen had given her some lessons to practice on her own. The apprenticeship had proven to be a blessing, with Cassidy a quick study and Gwen an excellent teacher. Several times Cassidy had saved herself from a beating, although her budding abilities were not yet strong enough to be fully successful.
Max had stumbled upon her while she meditated in a wooded area, using the natural world to enhance her instincts.
“Hey there.” He called out from the edge of the clearing where she sat on a log. “Just wanted to let you know I was here so I didn’t scare you.”
So focused on a squirrel that sat on her lap, Cassidy hadn’t noticed his approach so he startled her anyhow. The squirrel leapt to the nearest tree and chattered at him as he walked up.
“Friend of yours?”
Cassidy stretched before giving him the once over. “Possibly. Who are you?”
“Name’s Max. My family is here for the whole Disney experience, but I can’t stand theme parks.”
“Cassidy. And same. When I have a chance to be on my own for a few days, I’m not wasting the time standing in line.”
“You come out here and practice squirrel whispering?”
She giggled. “You didn’t see the deer, raccoon, and possum that were all hanging around, too?”
He sat on the log next to her. “Oh, so you’re an animal whisperer.”
“Actually, I’m practicing to be a witch.” She watched him closely to see his reaction.
He looked thoughtful. “Hmm. Makes sense.”
“It does?”
“So many girls I know are trying to perfect the title of bitch, that it makes sense that the one girl I meet in the middle of the woods wants to be a witch.”
Besides his incredible enthusiasm for life, Max was also handsome and hard working. After their parents were killed in a car accident when they were younger, he and his brother, Randy, lived with their Aunt Rosa not far from where Cassidy’s family lived.
Over the course of the next few days, Max knew everything there was to know about Cassidy, and vice versa. They flirted, danced every chance they could, and fell deep in love.
On their last day at Disney, they took Randy to the Magic Kingdom. The ride for Small World became their place, sealed with a kiss. When the time came to head home, they promised to stay in touch.
Once they returned home, the Millers forbade Cassid
y from seeing Max.
Tom had been blunt. “This is not open for debate. You are not to see him again.”
“But why?” Tears streamed down her face. “What did he do to you?”
Sylvia intervened. “Don’t taunt your father, Cass. just listen to him.”
“No. I deserve an answer.”
Tom spit. “You have a boyfriend. No daughter of mine is going to be a jezebel.”
“A jeze-what? I broke up with Bruce months ago, you know that. I never want to see him again.”
“As far as I’m concerned, he’s the only one you’re allowed to see.” Tom slammed the door on his way out.
Sylvia turned on her daughter. “Why do you rile him up so?”
Cassidy screamed at her. “Me? How can you love something like that?”
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s not about the love. Sometimes it’s just about do what you have to do.”
Cassidy stormed to her room, slamming the door on her mother forever.
Instead of respecting his wishes, their relationship continued. Although difficult, Cassidy and Max continued to see each other whenever they could. The few stolen kisses between classes and precious minutes after school only deepened their feelings.
Bruce hung over them like a dark cloud. Cassidy had dated him for almost two years until the unwanted sexual pressure became too much to bear. When she broke up with him, her parents had been devastated. To them, Bruce was more important as a son than Cassidy was as a daughter. When their junior prom came around, Cassidy was given in to the pressure from her parents to attend with Bruce. That night, Bruce overpowered her wishes and forced her. She told her parents, and Tom beat her for lying. To them, Bruce was above the law.
Even so, months before the Disney trip, Cassidy went against her parents and told Bruce with crystal clarity that she never wanted to see him again. She suffered the wrath of her father and figured it would be shorter lived than the continued assault at the hands of Bruce.
Tricks or Treats: An Anthology for Charity Page 12
