CARMELLA

CHAPTER 7.... TIES,TRIALS and MISERY

Morning sunlight poured gently into the cozy living room. Carmella’s mother sat comfortably on the couch, her laughter echoing warmly through the house as she spoke over video call with an old friend.

“I miss this,” she said, grinning.

“I miss you too!” Mrs. Amanda replied. “So… how’s Hart City treating you?”

“Oh, it’s going great,” Carmella’s mother said. “I’ve landed a new job. The kids are settling into school… it’s starting to feel like home.”

“We miss you back at the office,” Amanda said, rolling her eyes with a chuckle. “John was *furious* when you left!”

Her friend gasped and laughed. “Still the worst manager ever!”

“Always!” They both burst into laughter.

Amanda leaned closer to the screen. “And how are the kids? The twins still twinning?”

“They’re doing well. Getting used to school life here.” Her expression dimmed a little. “Carmella’s fine too… I just hope she doesn’t discover anything about our past in this city.”

Amanda’s tone softened. “Have you thought about finding someone to take away her powers?”

“I’m trying. Honestly… I forgot. We’ve just been so focused on settling in.”

“Well, don’t wait too long.”

Her eyes lingered on the screen for a moment. “You’re right…”

Amanda checked the time and gasped. “Oh shoot—John’s gonna breathe fire if I’m late. I gotta run!”

“Alright! Talk later.”

As the call ended, Carmella’s mother sat still for a moment, the smile fading from her face. She stared into space, her thoughts darkening.

“I really need to take away those powers,” she whispered to herself.

—

*Meanwhile… across the city.*

The morning was buzzing in Mrs. Emma’s home, filled with the aroma of something thick and rich boiling in the kitchen. Her mother, *Grannie Nile*,(a wicked old witch) shuffled in, wearing a headwrap and holding a wooden cane.

“Mornin’, Mama,” Emma greeted.

“Mornin’,” Grannie Nile replied in her firm American accent. She sniffed the air. “That better be brown soup.”

Emma grinned. “Your favorite.”

“It better taste better than the revenge we ‘bout to serve.”

Mrs. Emma stirred the pot confidently. “I got you, Mama.”

Grannie Nile raised an eyebrow. “This witch girl—she strong?”

“Stronger than most I’ve seen. She’s got a rare gift.”

“What’s her name?”

“Carmella.”

Grannie Nile paused, testing the name on her tongue. “Carmella, huh? She’s about to learn why they call me *Grannie Nile*.”

—

*At school…*

Carmella moved through the hallway in silence, students chatting around her as her thoughts tangled.

*Was Mrs. Emma right?* she wondered. *Do I really need someone by my side to make it into the Witchworld?*

She scoffed internally. *Pathetic. Maybe just one person—if necessary. But who?*

Her eyes scanned the classroom as she entered. Lisa sat alone, studying quietly. There was something strange, almost haunting, about the quiet girl that drew Carmella in.

*What death and misery align with her… that I’m drawn to her?* Carmella wondered.

Lisa looked up as Carmella approached.

“Hey,” Carmella said simply.

Lisa gave a slight nod. “Hey, new girl.” Her tone was flat, disinterested.

“My name is Carmella.”

Lisa glanced at her again. “Cool name.”

*Not what I expected,* Carmella thought, emotionless.

“I was thinking maybe… you could come by my house. We could make FlipToks together.”

Lisa’s head shot up. “Really? We’d do that?”

“Why not.”

Lisa’s eyes sparkled, the dullness melting away in seconds. “This is great! Text me your address—I’m coming ASAP!”

She grabbed her phone excitedly.

Carmella gave a half-smile.

But her thoughts were elsewhere.

*If I must trust one… I’ll choose wisely.*

—