Uncharted Sorceress

Charted Territory

"Can you shut that up!?"

Beep, beep, beep. I fumbled for the device making the irritating sound. "Sh*t. Sorry!" I hushed as I located the phone and shut off my alarm. I laid there for a moment in the darkness listening to the others around me breathing and snoring peacefully, with the slight exception of the agitated toss from the person residing in the bunk below me. Two months. Today marks two months since my 18th birthday. Two months I've been in this sh*t hole. I know somewhere I should be greatful that I managed to land myself in a shelter most nights, with the only exception of sleeping in the train station twice since officially being taken off ward of the state. It wasn't always easy to find things to be greatful for though. I heaved a sigh as I grabbed my phone and toiletry bag from under my pillow and clambered from my bunk. I tip toed as quietly as I could from the shared space into the hall where I was momentarily blinded by the fluorescent lights in the hallway. Everything here resembled a ran down mental institution. The building itself basically ran off the one main hallway, with doors connecting here and there that lead into other dorms, offices or bathrooms. The walls were a faded, chipped white with the only decorations being the odd flyer for soup kitchens, rehab programs, community meetings etc and the floors where a yellowed scratched lino.

"You're up early Phoeb's, don't tell me you've messed your sheets. I think the washer is in need of repair again." Came a familiar, deep but friendly voice behind me. I jumped slightly and turned to see John, the manager standing there smiling at me.

"Sorry love. Didn't mean to frighten ya." John was a middle heavy set man, whose legs didn't quite match the top half. What hair he had left was as white as a cotton bud and his thick moustache that twitched when he spoke matched. His bright green eyes shone brightly even through his round glasses. He was easily one of the nicest people I'd ever met.

"Well, look who woke up this morning and chose humour. Suits you John." I retorted with a smile. "No, I'm just up to beat the morning shower rush. Got that job network meeting today. Wish me luck!"

"Well then, good luck indeed young lady. Listen we are pretty full on the lists for tonight as is and you know we always get line ups. Want me to pop your name down for a bed? Just in case of course?" He tacked on the end so as not to offend me. I half smiled in return. "That'd be great. Thanks John. I'll see you later. Keep that humour" I gave a slight wink as I trodded off to the bathroom.

I wished to stay under the water for longer but the crappy pressure made it pointless. I quickly pulled on my high wasited jeans and the only burgundy blouse I owned, at least it complimented my light complexion nicely. Time to attempt to deal with the upper part of my body. I turned to the mirror to look at the tangled mop that was my hair. Argh. As soon as I manage a steady income I'm putting better quality beauty products on my shopping list stat. Just look at this mess! My dark sandy thick hair that normally hung pin straight to my waist, was currently in tangled wet drooping loops and knots around my face and shoulders. Sighing I started pulling my brush through my tangles. A good 15 minutes later and it was as good as I was going to get. "Pony tail it is then" I muttered as I snatched up my black scrunchie from my bag, and fastened it to my head. I surveyed my face quickly before attempting that next task. My complexion wasn't too bad I guess, considering my funds left for a complete lack of skin care routine. At least my skin was kind enough to me to remain clear. My round light blue eyes lacked their usual crystal tone, gotta thank stress and depression for that one. Blackend marks had also worked their way underneath my eyes over the last few months making me appear older than my 18 years. Another point to stress. I still had my rosey complexion within my cheeks resting near my button nose, however my lips were slightly cracked probably due to inadequate diet and care. On a normal day I'd leave my run down head as is but today was not normal. Today I was determined to change my sh*tty life around and finally break out of this hell hole. I snatched up my sad little bag of very few products, slapped on some tinted BB creme and powder to set. Wishing for some blush to add some colour. I sighed. Hopefully my complexion is enough. Eyes. I dapped on the only colour of eye shadow I owned. A pale pink that brought out my eyes and added a thin layer of eye-liner and mascara. I took in my reflection. "It'll have to do. Phoebe Phillip's today is the day your life changes." I whispered to my own self. At that moment the bathroom door flung open. I smelt him before I actually saw him. A foul odour of rum, dirt, unwashed body parts and vomit. Delicious. I turned to stare at my new company. He looked as bad as he smelt. A head or so taller than I, mid to late 40s, greesy unwashed, tangled and flakey hair clung to his shoulders and face, his eyes brown slits, his unshaven long beard almost hiding the fact he was missing all his teeth, his clothing too dirty and torn to know the original colouring of stood before me. He let out a long loud whistle. "Well, hey there little darlin. What a fine sight dis mornin, just what I was a lookin for actually" he sneered at me exposing his grandpa gums. Vile. I quickly gathered up my few belongings and turned back towards him to see that he had stumbled a few paces forwards from the only exit, still not quite enough to escape by unscathed though. Another downfall with these shelteres, shared facilities. Being tossed around from family to family through the care system I've been in so many sh*tty situations. Especially those involving men, dirty grandpa here was of no exception. I squared my shoulders, placed a smirk on my face and started sauntering towards him. "That'a girl. Come to pops now. I'll make it smooth for you" He croaked at me. I bit my tongue to keep down my bile as I stalked towards him. "Aw, pops was it? Were you truly searching for me this morning? And here I was so sure the only thing you'd be so interested in hunting for would be a good..." I purred at him as I closed the distance between us "long, shower and perhaps washing machine" I smiled as I stood in front of him. "Hey, what was that?" I pointed opposite the exit towards the showers. He naturally turned his stunned stupid head towards the direction I had indicated. This was my chance. I shoved him as hard as I could muster. He was lighter than expected and extremely unstable on his feet. He flew forwards away from the door. I turned and bolted from the bathroom not stopping until I was completely outside the entire complex and down the street. I only stopped running when the shelter was barely visible in the distance. "Disgusting, vile, men!" I spat through my teeth. "I'm never returning to this God forsaken place! Today is a new God damn day!" It was a chilly morning and had been lightly spitting. In my hasty retreat I had stepped on some sort of flyer that had become stuck to the bottom of my sneaker. I bent and yanked it off intending to ditch it however the title caught my eye.

~MISSING SORCERESS ELLANORA ROSEWOOD~

LARGE REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ON HER WHEREABOUTS

PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE OR CRIME STOPPERS WITH ANY KNOWN INFORMATION ON 000 OR 1800 333 000

Attached was a black and white photo of the witch. It was a simple picture but I couldn't deny her beauty. Long, dark, thick, wavy hair that fell around her beautifully sculpted face. Her features were sharp and direct yet somehow soft and feminine at the same time. Her almond shaped eyes complimented her straight nose, with her plump love heart shaped lips ending the master piece that was her face. Stunning.

Police? Human police getting involved with a missing witch case? She must be of importance in the witch world somehow. I don't think I've ever seen a flyer for a missing, well any of the mutant kind. Definitely odd. Large reward offered also, maybe I'll hang onto this. Never know. Maybe my luck will turn around and I'll stumble myself into the big bad witch of the West herself. I smiled at my internal dialogue. I stuffed the flyer into my bag and grabbed out my phone. 7.40am. If I leave for my appointment now I'll probably still be a little early but there is no way I'm heading back to gummy bear and seeing as I don't have the cash to bus it the entire way, I may as well enjoy the walk. I put one foot in front of the other and started the long ass journey to my job seeking appointment.