Beneath a Moonless Sky - Book One (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Four

*1 week later*

I woke to the smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen and my stomach flipped uncomfortably. I ran straight for the bathroom, vomiting whatever I ate last night for dinner. I threw up till I had nothing else to give. My mum had been calling me down for breakfast, but I couldn’t move. Sick of calling me she stomped into my room. Finding me face first in the toilet. Before I knew what was happening, I was shimmered to the witch doctor’s waiting room. While we waited in the waiting room the nurse handed me a mug with a sweet tea in it.

“It’s to help with the nausea, my sweet.” Her gentle voice soothes me, and I drank the tea feeling instantly better. With a sigh I sat back and sipped the tea, waiting for the doctor to see me. It was weird. I never got sick. Sniffles never bothered me, stomach flu neither. It couldn’t be anything I’d eaten because otherwise my parents would have been sick too.  

Ten minutes later and we were sitting in the doctor’s office, my mum stroking my back. The tea had helped with the nausea but only a little. After a while it had stopped working. I felt out of it. Something was definitely not right and was different with my body. I just hoped the doctor could figure it out so I can go back to feeling semi normal again.

Before sitting behind her desk, she shook mine and my mums’ hand before looking down at the paperwork we’d filled out in the waiting room.  

“Ladies, my name is Dr Grace.” Her smile is gentle and reassuring and I feel my body relax a little in her presence. “So dear. It says here that you woke up this morning and began vomiting. Tell me how long you’ve been feeling nauseous? Any other symptoms?”

I thought back to the previous week. I’d spent my days being tutored in my witch studies and my nights reading the books I was assigned. I’d been more tired than usual, but I just pegged that to the excessive studying and practice I was doing. Magic was harder than tv and movies led on. My heart was still breaking after being abandoned by my only friend and the man I love, so I was burying myself in my work to stop myself from grabbing my phone and texting a number that was no longer connected anyways.

“The nausea only started today. And I don’t think I’ve had any other symptoms.” I shrug as I tell Dr Grace. She gets up from her chair and walks over to me placing her hand on my forehead. Her cool skin was a relief on my warm forehead. Her eyes clouded over as I felt warmth crawl through my body and then back up to her hands. Her eyes returned to normal and she sat back behind her desk.

“When was your last period, Elaina?” I thought back. I was due this week, so there was no way I was late.

“Last month, why?”  

A small smile tugs at her lips as she turns around to grab a small plastic cup with a yellow lid. Handing it to me she leans on the edge of her desk.

“So, we can have you pee in this cup and do the scientific tests, but from what I could feel Honey, you’re pregnant.” I felt the nausea return full force and was glad there was a bin sitting next to the desk. My mother and Dr Grace wait patiently for me to finish. When I’m done, I place the bin next to me, within reach in case my stomach decides to empty itself again. Although I wasn’t sure how much more there was left. I’d pulled a muscle in my neck from dry retching after all the contents of my stomach were gone. I looked up at Dr Grace, her features blurred by tears.

“Pregnant?” She nodded her head. “A-are you sure?” I stutter, my hand resting over my stomach.

“We can do a normal pregnancy test if you would like, but I’ve never been wrong before.” She kneels in front of me and grasps my hands in hers. I feel a wave a coolness rush through my body and my throat stops aching. “It is still incredibly early. The spark I was able to sense in your womb is only a week or more old. Too small to see with an ultrasound.” Tears slide down my cheeks as I try to comprehend what she is saying to me. “I’ll give you a minute with your mother to discuss what you want to do next. Keep in mind I’ve never been wrong. I will return momentarily with some information on options.” She squeezes my hands and leaves the room and it’s just my mother and me. Silence. The air is thick with a slight crackle of magic and I know my mother is upset and I know why. Even though we live in the 21st century there are still witch covens that are incredibly old fashioned. Like robes have to be worn when I attend my classes. Men and women had to be chaperoned when alone together. No s*x before marriage or finding your Chosen. That kind of old-fashioned crap. My parents were important people in our coven, and I knew that this would be the biggest shame on them. I was unwed and pregnant and still in training. I chanced a look up at my mum and saw her knuckles white as she clung to the armrests of her chair. Her lips were sucked together as if she’d sucked on a sour lolly.

“Mum...” I croaked out, my voice suddenly betraying me. The crackling increased and my hair began to stand on end.

“You’re not keeping it.” Her words hit me like a slap.

“What?!” I stand up hastily and regret it when my head spins. Sitting down again suddenly I put my head between my knees and breath until the dizziness subsides. My mum pays me no mind though and barrels forward.

“You’re not keeping this baby, Elaina.” I hear her stand up and begin pacing as she continues her tirade. “Do you have any idea what this could do to me and your father?! He is weeks away from getting a promotion onto the council. Something he’s been working over 20 years to secure!” I cringe as she raises her voice, hoping Doctor Grace took her time getting those pamphlets. “I cannot believe you could be so irresponsible?! Not only will our reputation be ruined, no man is going to want to marry soiled goods!” All nausea and dizziness left me in that moment. Soiled goods?! I stood so quickly my mother took a step back, her eyes wide as saucers as she stared at me. The air around me crackled as my hands tingled with my magic.  

“I am not property for others to own and use. I am not goods, mother. I am a human being. A witch. A very independent and modern witch and this old thinking you have honestly makes me sick to even call you my mother.” She opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water, having never seen this side to me. I could hear the crackle of thunder from outside as I spoke. “Whatever decision I make mother will be mine, and mine alone. I’m not too sure what I want to do with this child, but when I’ve weighed up the options and considered my own feelings in this matter then, and only then, will I make my decision. But neither you, nor my coven get to decide what I do with my body!” The last part felt ripped out of me in an ear-splitting scream and it was at that moment that Dr Grace returned with a handful of pamphlets for me to read. I grabbed my purse and walked up to her standing in the door. She handed me the pamphlets and smiled sadly at me.

“Thank you for your time Dr Grace. I will read what you gave me and weigh all my options carefully. I will be in touch to let you know my decision and we can go from there.” With a nod and pat on my shoulder she watched me leave. Not caring about my mother being left behind I shimmered back home into my bedroom and pulled out my suitcase from underneath my bed.

Before I’d packed anything, my mother popped into my room, her features stormy.

“Joseph!” We both heard my father running up the stairs at the urgency in his wife’s tone. He stood I’m my doorway out of breath and stared between my mother and me. And then at the suitcase.

“What happened? Why are you packing Pumpkin?” My heart broke at my dad’s face, but I turned to my chest of drawers and started packing. I let my mother explain knowing that whatever she said to him would warrant me packing and leaving. I didn’t have anywhere to go but I’d make do. The car was mine; I’d worked a fast food job for a solid year during high school till I could afford it, with enough stored away for emergencies. I would sleep in my car if I had to. But after today I couldn’t even be around my mother anymore. She made me sick. I thought she would be supportive and loving and talk me through my options. Instead she treated me with hate and judgement. I couldn’t be around that anymore.

“Your little slut of a daughter has managed to get herself knocked up and she won’t listen to reason and get rid of it!” I didn’t even flinch at the venom in her voice, or the name she called me. She was nobody to me now. Her opinion meant nothing to me.

“Pumpkin” Dad grabbed my hands and stopped me from grabbing more clothes. “Are you really pregnant?” His voice was so soft compared my mother’s that I almost cracked. Almost.

“Yes dad. I am. And I’m not sure what I want to do with the baby. But I do know I won’t let that woman,” I spat, venom coating each word, “make decisions about my body for me. It is my decision to make should I make it. But I want to weigh up all my options, dad, before I make any hasty decisions I may regret later.” My dad was silent, his hands still holding mine. I could see the cogs working away in his mind. I knew he wanted to defend his wife, but at the same time I was his little Pumpkin. He was torn, so I would make it easy on him. I still loved my father, so far, he hadn’t done anything towards me to warrant otherwise.

“Dad. I love you, and whatever you’re fighting with yourself on, it’s ok. I can’t stay here anymore. I’m not sure where I’ll go but I’ll figure it out and I’ll be ok. And if you still want to be in my life then I will make it so, but I can’t stay here anymore. It no longer feels like home.” I squeeze his hands and drop them, continuing with my packing. With a nod my father left the room. My heart broke but I know it was for the best. My mum stormed out after him and I continued placing my memories and trinkets in another suitcase. I walked into my bathroom to start on the toiletry bag and when I came out there was my dad. Tape and boxes in hand.

“Pumpkin. I can’t say that I’m not disappointed, and as much as I hate what I’m about to say I have to for my marriage. I’m hoping you’ll forgive me for it because I love you more that life itself. You will always be my Pumpkin. But if you have to leave, I don’t want you leaving hating me.” I ran into his arms needing my daddy in that moment. I hugged him tighter than I ever have before needing his reassurance and love. He broke the hug and kissed my forehead. “I’m not proud of what you’ve done sweetheart and if you decide to keep it, I might not agree with that choice, but it is yours to make.” I nod and start taping up the boxes. With my dad’s help it only takes an hour and a bit to pack up my whole life. The books that cluttered my room would follow me to where I went magically. I didn’t need to pack those. When we’re done and loaded into my car my father pulled me into a back breaking hug.

“Please be safe Pumpkin. I’m sorry it had to be this way.” I kissed his cheek and wiped his tears.

“Don’t worry Dad, I’m a strong little warrior Princess, and my father’s daughter. I’ll always be your daughter.”

“Joseph!” We both cringed as my mother’s shrill voice cut through the moment. Without turning back, I hopped into the car and drove away from the only home I’d known. I had no friends; the only friend I’d ever had had banged me and left me knocked up, I had no family. I had nowhere to go. But I couldn’t cry. I felt numb. I drove aimlessly before pulling into a McDonald’s car park and stopping the car. I reached for my phone in my pocket, but it wasn’t there, instead there was a small piece of cardboard. My brows furrowed I pulled it out of my pocket and felt a new wave of energy hit me as I read the cursive script. Blue Moon Art Gallery and Photography. In the moonlight the card seemed to glow, but I just attributed it to the fact that my eyes were blurred with tears. I didn’t know what I was doing when I pulled out of the parking lot, I just let instinct guide my way. I felt a pull in the direction I drove as if someone was pulling me towards the right way to go. I drove ten minutes before I pulled to a stop in front of a shop front.