Chapter 5|The clique
1173 Words
In a dark cave where light is scarce and the stench of decay is unbearable, five hooded figures stood in a circle. In their midst is a massive bubbling cauldron.
“It’s happening, it’s happening!” One of them screamed in a high-pitched voice, sending the bats flying in all directions. “Our wait is almost over! Heeeeeheeeeheeee!”
The others cheered, raising their arms in the air, exposing greenish and withered skin. They’ve spent three hundred years waiting for this time. Three centuries of hiding in the dark, lurking, and enjoying what little power they have at their disposal.
Their kind used to be the strongest among all three. The witches used to dominate the magicless–the vamps and the werewolves were below them.
“Silence!” The leader screeched. “The awakening of the talisman is just the beginning of our plan. It’s too early to rejoice, sisters. There is so much to do…but first, our special girl needs to choose which part of her she considers most dominant. She needs to think that her precious witch blood is more powerful than her other two bloods. It is the only way…dominance is what keeps us witches on top of the food chain!”
“But… Dolores…”
The witch named Dolores raised her hand once again. “I don’t take no for an answer. Do I need to remind you what’s at stake here?”
“No, no,” the other witch, who raised her concern, shook her head. “Of course, you know what’s best for the coven.”
Dolores grinned, her yellow teeth glistening against the fire. “I thought so.”
“What do we need to do now, Dolores?” Another hooded figure asked.
“Watch our girl closely. Alarick hasn’t shown her what she’s capable of. If she realizes the strength she has…she’ll be tempted to try more. Greed always has a special place in any witch's heart.” Dolores enunciated each word as if it were a prophecy.
**
Jason stirred from his sleep and saw her from across the room–watching him intensely. His head felt like it was ripping in two, and his throat was parched.
He tried to sit down, but his arms and legs betrayed him, flailing him back to bed.
“Oh, sh*t.”
“Careful,” she rushed to his side. So near, Jason could smell her vanilla scent.
“You smell delectable,” Jason mumbled.
She distanced herself, realizing the proximity and his blunt words. “Excuse me, what?”
Realizing how messed up he sounded, Jason awkwardly chuckled and scratched his head. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”
“I am glad you noticed that,” she replied sharply.
After touching his head, Jason realized something gooey was stuck in his hair. He examined his hand and saw caked blood. His eyes darted from his bloodied hand to the young woman standing in front of him.
Seeing his reaction, she knew the look he was giving her. That was the look of innocence and the look of hope that she’d fill him up with what he missed. Not sure how much she could share, she decided to give him the gist of everything when pressed. She saw the blood and the open wound, too. She knows he needs stitches.
Without Alarick, she’s not suppose to dive into details.
“What happened to me?”
“You don’t remember?”
“No…” Jason squinted his eyes, raking his head hard. “The last thing I remember…I was with the other kids…we were goofing around the school grounds...did someone hit me with a baseball bat?”
“Nothing of that kind,” she replied. Unconvinced about what she’s hearing from him. “Let me see, I’ll call the school nurse. She’ll check your head and get you sorted.”
Before Jason could utter another word, she was out the door. After a few minutes, she’s back with a middle-aged nurse.
She had her nurse's tray with her, filled with medical essentials. “Okay, young man. Sit up and let me check on that head.”
Jason did as told, and the nurse began with her medical assessment. She inspected Jason’s head several times before standing straight and looking at the young people with her in the school infirmary.
“Do I look like a joke to you, two?” She hissed.
“What are you saying?” Jason asked with curiosity. “I have blood in my head from God knows where!”
The nurse smirked, “No, you don’t. You have blood on your hair but no injuries. I don’t know whose blood you got there, but your head is fine.”
“What?” It was more of a whisper coming from the young woman. “Impossible…I saw the blood.”
The nurse placed her hand on her broad hips. “Look, Jean. I know you are one of the top students here, but it’s one thing to make up stories and be the headmaster’s pet.”
“Headmaster's pet?” She sputtered in disbelief. “But…I saw it!”
**
“Jean, that’s her name,” Jason thought. “Why does she look so familiar to me? I feel like I’ve seen her before.”
He watched as the nurse scolded her for supporting his claim about his head injury. Jason knew what he saw, and she saw it too. Now he’s not so sure how his wound healed fast and why it disappeared without a trace.
The young woman looked so fierce, yet he could still see the gentle side in her despite the tough demeanor she exuded.
“Jean, I’ll let this slide for now for Alarick’s sake,” the nurse said sternly. “I do not want this to happen again, okay?”
Her shoulders slumped, “Okay."
As soon as the nurse left and the room was silent again, Jean turned to Jason and smiled. Her smile looked like it could light up the whole world–warm and fuzzy, and Jason’s instinct was to touch her face and kiss her.
“Hi,” Jason croaked. “My name is Jason.”
She smiled and reached for his hand, “Charlotte Jean, but let’s stick with Jean. You’re from the nearby school, right? Do you want to continue the tour?”
His heart did a little happy dance. “Sure, are you volunteering to be my tour guide?”
“Come on, before I change my mind,” she playfully replied. “I’d love to know my cousin’s friend, too. Evan never stops talking about you.”
Jason jumped out of bed and followed his beautiful red-haired tour guide.
- Writer
