Witch way

Preparation

Harper collapsed onto her bed in the cramped apartment at the heart of the city center. She was spent, her heart heavy with the fallout from yet another relationship gone wrong. This time it was with a musician — a dreamy, ambitious man with dreams of world travel. But that wasn’t the only reason she felt disillusioned. Reena was off, living her best life in Europe with her boyfriend, and Holly was on her own personal journey, reveling in the freedom after passing her exams and diving into a new adventure. Harper, meanwhile, was stuck in the grind.

She worked endless hours as a waitress in a city restaurant, clocking in 60-hour weeks, underpaid and unseen. She had been bypassed for a promotion again — for the girl with blonde hair, big t**s, and a smile that could sell ice to an Eskimo. Hard work didn’t matter in a world that valued image over effort. Harper’s frustration reached its peak, and it stung. She had been overlooked once too often. She couldn’t keep sacrificing her time and energy for people who couldn’t see her value.

Her mother had finally started saving for a deposit on a house, but they kept the apartment, simply because it was easier. At least Holly had her own room now, a small comfort. The apartment felt a little cozier now, but still, Harper’s dreams felt so much bigger than the cramped space and long shifts.

As for her, relationships were the last thing on her mind. No more love songs, no more heartache. No more excuses. Her heart had been trampled on by enough lies, and she was sick of it. No more letting her life revolve around someone else who didn’t deserve it. She was done.

Her phone buzzed on the table — DRINKS TONIGHT?

It was Liane, her ever-loyal best friend who had been there for every breakup, every tear. Liane was everything Harper wanted to be: confident, successful, and happy. A great job, a steady boyfriend, and a personality that was always positive. Harper felt a pang of jealousy, but it wasn’t the biting kind. It was a jealousy laced with admiration. Liane was living her life, and Harper was still figuring out where hers was headed.

NOT TONIGHT. TOMORROW? HALF SHIFT SO WOULD BE NICE?

COURSE SWEETIE ILL DEFINITELY SEE YOU TOMORROW MISSED YOU

MISSED YOU TOO

Harper smiled to herself, grateful for Liane’s unwavering support. Some friends moved away, starting their own lives, but Liane always stayed. And Harper realised, for once, she wasn’t envious. She was just thankful to have her.

She grabbed her coat, kissed her mother on the forehead as she sat hunched over her laptop. “Bookshop?” she asked, her tone soft.

Her mother barely looked up. “Yes, Liane wants drinks tomorrow, so book tonight and work and then drink tomorrow.”

“Need some money?” Her mother didn’t even pause her typing.

“No, you’ve lent me enough. I’ll only have one drink.”

“I’ll send you some. Just take it.”

“Mum, I can’t pay you back.”

“It’s okay, sweetie. Just think about all the trips you missed. It’s making up for that.”

Harper forced a smile. “By getting me drunk?”

“Well, you never know, you might meet a boy,” her mum chuckled.

“Ha, next boy I meet, I’m marrying him.” Harper wasn’t sure if she believed herself, but the words felt oddly satisfying.

Her mum smiled softly. “Okay, darling. Take your keys.”

The bookstore was quiet when she walked in, the scent of old paper filling her lungs. Mr. Smith, the kindly elderly man who ran the store, looked even older than he had last week, but he still greeted her warmly.

“Harps, how lovely to see you again. Long time no see. Romance novels today?”

“No, Mr. Smith. Not today. How’s Jack?” She gave him a small wave. Jack, the young assistant who always had a theory for everything, smiled awkwardly back.

“How are the sisters?”

“They’re good. Living their lives. Me? Just grinding away at work.”

“And the lad?”

“Same as usual. Ends the same way. A musician, not really compatible.” Harper’s voice tightened as she spoke, the frustration still raw.

“Okay, okay. Are you alright, dear?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Just need something to get me through.” She glanced at the shelves. The occult section always fascinated her, though she wasn’t sure why.

“I’ll be over here, if you need anything,” Jack called out with a grin.

“Thanks,” Harper murmured as she wandered to the back of the store. She hadn’t expected much, just something new to read. But there, in the back corner, she spotted an old book titled Old Souls. Intrigued, she flipped it open. The words seemed to pull her in as she read the first few pages. But before she could finish, a strange presence sent a chill down her spine.

An elderly woman stood beside her, her eyes glowing with an intensity Harper couldn’t explain. She was dressed in bright, flowery clothes, her braided hair hanging down. She carried a wicker basket, filled with odd trinkets and knitting needles, looking like she had stepped out of another era.

“You are special,” the woman whispered, her voice like soft wind through the trees.

Harper flinched, startled. “Sorry, what?”

“You are special,” the woman repeated, gripping Harper’s arm with surprising strength. “The blood of your ancestors runs through you, but I cannot tell you more.”

Harper’s confusion grew.she was utterly confused why the woman would choose such a strange sentence to use “I’m sorry, you must have the wrong person.”

“Harper Kemp.” The woman’s voice lowered, sharp and knowing. Harper froze.

“How do you know my name?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Harper Kemp, you’re going to meet a bear.” The woman’s grip tightened on her arm. “It will change your life. Don’t deny it. Allow it to be.”

The words hit Harper like a ton of bricks. What was happening? Was she losing her mind?

“A bear?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes, a bear. It will change everything. Don’t fight it,” the woman whispered. She pulled a book off the shelf and forced it into her hands, before turning abruptly and walking away, leaving Harper standing in the dim corner of the store.

Harper stared at her, still in shock, but the woman was gone. She blinked and looked around. Had that really happened? Had she imagined it? She made her way back to the counter, dazed.

“Mr. Smith, do you know that woman?” Harper asked, her voice slightly strained.

“What lady?” Mr. Smith didn’t look up as he sorted through a pile of new arrivals.

“The woman in the flower dress, with the basket?”

“Didn’t see anyone like that,” he muttered.

Harper’s heart sank. Surely, that had happened, right? She shook her head, trying to make sense of it, but nothing seemed to fit.

“Picked a book?” Jack asked, a teasing smile on his face.

“Uh, yeah. This one,” Harper mumbled. She wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.

“The Occult and Magical Sciences,” Jack read aloud, glancing at the book she held.

Harper shrugged. “I don’t know. It was recommended to me. Maybe it’ll help.”

“You sure about that?” Jack chuckled, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“Yeah, sure.” She didn’t know why, but something about that woman’s words made her want to believe. Something deep inside her stirred.

She left the shop in a daze, the world feeling oddly distant. She walked back to the apartment in a trance, unsure of what had just transpired.

When she opened the door, her mother was slouched on the couch, absorbed in her work.

“GAHHH!” Her mum jumped when Harper touched her shoulder.

“Mum, it’s late.”

“Oh, sorry sweetie. Did you find anything?”

“Yeah, something a little odd, but interesting. Can you look for something in the loft? I think Aunt and Nan kept some stuff about our family history. Something about bloodlines.”

Her mother paused, then rubbed her eyes. “I’ll have a look tomorrow. You heading to bed?”

“Yeah. Goodnight, love you.”

“Love you too.

Harper turned, a nagging feeling in her chest. The woman in the store… Was it all a coincidence? Or had she stumbled onto something far bigger than she ever could have imagined? The bear, the bloodline… It was just the beginning