Chapter 1: Upsetting the Balance
Darkness was just setting in when I heard the low snap of a branch. I turned quickly behind me, but nothing was there. I quickened my steps hoping to see another person anywhere in the distance. But I was alone.
Where was I? My body was moving on its own and I was sprinting down a street I did not recognize, through a gate and down a path. Straight to a house with a dark green door and large White pillars. The house was huge, way bigger than our current house. It had a nice big porch with outdoor chairs and flowers hanging from baskets. The dim dome lights on the roof of the porch gave a golden glow as the sun set behind the house. I reached for the door but before I could turn the nob, a cold hand touched me from behind. I screamed but no one could hear me. The scream was in my head.
I shot up out of bed. My chest heaving up and down as I my body startled awake. It was just a dream. A very real, emotionally charged, dream.
I tried to steady my breathing by looking around the room. I could hear the rain drops against my window. It was a gloomy day, and I could just feel that the day was going to get worse. I rolled over to look at my phone, ugh. 7:30 am. Why was I awake this early? Why did I feel this way?
I rolled the opposite way and forced myself to get out of bed. Walking over to the window I pull the curtain to the side and see that it is heavily raining. Storming actually the tree branches dancing in the wind.
I pull my robe around my body, find my slippers under the pile of clothes at my floor and walk toward the bathroom. The house is eerily quiet. My parents are always early risers. As is my sister. But it is as if no one is home with me. I shudder thinking about the dream I just had and the thought of being alone in a storm.
One thing about me is I hate storms. I always have ever since I was little. I used to hide under my bed.
When I came out of the bathroom I headed to the kitchen. I stopped in my tracks when I heard the small voices of my parents as I hit the stairs.
Yes, eavesdropping is wrong, but I had a very bad feeling today was not an ordinary day, when I get these feelings, they usually end up being correct.
“We must tell her before we get there. She will be upset and it will just make it all worse.”
That was my twin sister, Arabella. While we may be twins, we could not be more different, and we really are not that close either. She was so weird and to be honest, my mother wholeheartedly liked her more than me. How do I know?
Well, she did everything with her, they took these little adventures without me all the time. She always focused more on her. More attention, more help, more detail-oriented schedules for her.
Me, I was left to take care of myself. I learned how to do my work on my own. I was ranked higher in our high school than she was, and I was proud of that. Because I reached that moment on my own. I also had more friends than her. She never wanted to go out, go to parties or even just go shopping at the mall. She stayed in her room more often than anything else. Except for when she was with our mother.
“I think we should wait. I do not want to deal with her temper tantrums today. We have a lot to do. Let’s just start getting everything packed up.” My mother ended the conversation.
Then I heard footsteps, they were all dispersing from the room.
What did she mean by packed up? Where were we going?
I slipped down the stairs, and my father ran smack into me.
“Ariella.” He stumbled backwards. “I was just coming to get you. Let’s talk in the kitchen.”
I follow them as the uneasy feeling continues to expand in my chest; my breathing becomes more labored. Something is wrong and my body knows it.
“Honey. I do not know how to say this easily so I will just say it up front.” My mom looked to me and then my father. “We are moving and we are moving today.”
“What?” I look between the two of them. “What do you mean? Who moves suddenly without any word or notion?”
“There is a lot we need to discuss. You and I..” My mother drags off. “Honey go ahead and help Arabella. We are going to have a warm tea and discuss some things.”
She just shewed him right off and he went right along with it. I wouldn’t say that I am super close to my father either. But, of the three other people in this house he is the one that I am the closest to, he was one of my favorite people that was for sure. May be that was because we were always the ones left behind when my mother and sister were together.
“Out with it already.” I sat at the table waiting for her to tell me what was happening.
While that may have been a bit harsh, I did have a life here. I had friends here and I was comfortable here.
“Have you ever wondered where your sister and I go when we have our ‘Adventures’?” She took a sip of her tea.
“I mean yeah, in the beginning but I grew out of wondering why you never took me.” I rolled my eyes.
This was really not a subject that I wanted to discuss with her. The subject made me very angry to be honest. It brought out a lot of hate filled memories that I try to suppress.
“You may have a hard time believing what I am about to say…” She looked everywhere but at me. “But believe me when I tell you that this is the truth and I would never lie about this.”
“Okay?” I waited for her to just say it already.
“Your sister and I… We are Witches.” She watched me closely, stilling herself and not moving a muscle. Waiting for the outburst she knew was coming.
“You are kidding me, right? That is not real! Tell me the truth mom.”
She simply stood from the table. The next thing I knew, she snapped her fingers and she was floating above a hazy purple mist, I gasped. My mind was playing tricks on me; I was still in bed dreaming. This was not real. I pinched my arm, ouch. That hurt. I am not asleep. No. What? She shifted back.
My head was getting woozy and I was trying to process it all. My sister walked in next.
“Mom, I need..” She stopped talking when she saw the look on my face.
“You.” I pointed to her. “Why did you not tell me!?” I stood from the table and approached her. “Why would you keep this secret from me?”
“Because mom and dad told me not to tell anyone. And anyone includes you Ariella.” She snapped back at me.
“Girls. Please.” My father came into the kitchen. “Let’s talk like the adults that we are, both of you sit down.”
“And you are too! How could all of you keep this from me?” I huffed as I sat back down distancing myself from all three of them on the other side of the table.
“Ariella.” He continued. “It was not safe to tell you until we knew for sure your sister could control it. It is hard when you are young. It takes practice and she has finally been able to prove that she can do this. Your mother has spent a lot of time with her practicing and teaching her how to handle her powers.”
“And you? What are you? Am I the only normal one in this family?” I huffed crossing my arms.
“I have no powers. I met your mother when she was young. I know what she went through. I watched your sister go through the same thing.” He walked towards me and took the next chair beside me. “We are moving to a town in Tennessee. Where this is normal, where people with powers and abilities can live without fear.”
“Tennessee. Like the mountains. Are you serious? Snow? I would prefer not. Let’s stay here in Alabama where it is warm and I, a human do not have to worry about it.” I spat out in anger.
I knew that this was for the safety of my mother and sister. But I still did not care. We lived here in this same house for 17 years. Nothing has ever happened to any of us because it is safe here. This was not fair to me. And how safe was I going to be in a town filled with monsters? Did anyone think about me?
“Ariella. It is decided and it is happening. The moving truck will be here within the hour. We have boxes for your things. The house has been sold. We are moving out today. So, I advise you take the boxes up to your room and start packing.” My mother pushed herself from the table and into the living room. No doubt packing the things inside that room to be moved to the truck.
I huffed the whole way up the stairs. I slammed my door and sank to the floor. There has to be a way out of this. There has to be an alternative for me. I was not moving to a monster town in Tennessee...
