Alleria's Witches

The only sound that could be heard was the birds chirping in the distance. The sun couldn’t even break through the canopy of the trees. It made the Dead Forest even creepier than normal. Here you didn’t have to fear snakes and spiders, there were much deadlier things here. Things that would give anyone nightmares.

This was what was witnessed by someone hiding in the shadows. Watching their prey wandering around the Dead Forest. Waiting for that moment to strike. Waiting for that moment when that person was vulnerable. Waiting for the right moment to catch their prey by surprise.

Walking through the forest was a golden-haired boy. His blue eyes scanned the area around him. He had no idea how he came to be here. The last thing he remembered was sitting in class, and he knew he was awake enough to take notes. He knew he had an exam to study for, but Haden couldn’t recall how anything would lead him to the Dead Forest.

Then he heard a low rattling. What could it be? Suddenly, he couldn’t remember learning about any creature that rattled. Something wasn’t right, he could feel it in his gut. Everything in him was telling him to run.

You could hear the wildlife in the background. The birds were chirping and flying around the forest. The bees were flying around the native flora of the area, and they were heading back and forth to their hive. The hiss of a snake could be heard as well as the screaming of what could be assumed to be a rat. Life was going on in the forest as it should.

Everything in the forest was working for its survival. The bees were gathering what they needed to make their honey, and the birds were collecting seeds to eat. The snake was taking on the role of being a natural pest control. Everything was working together in the way it was intended.

Wait, snakes weren't in the Dead Forest. If there were any snakes in the Dead Forest, they were food for something else. They couldn't survive the extreme environments that the Forest chose. One day, the Forest may be covered in snow and ice, and the next day everything is dry as a bone and hot. The Forest had a mind of its own, and no human could survive the changing conditions.

Birds also weren't indigenous to the area. Nor were bees. Something didn't add up. This was not the Dead Forest, this was some cheap imitation. At least, he hoped this was some cheap imitation and he wasn't really lost. He just knew he had to get out.

So, he turned on his heels to run when he heard giggling. It sounded like it was coming from behind a dead rosebush. When he walked around he saw a golden-haired girl. Her green eyes were shining like she was up to no good. He recognized her as his sister, Angel.

“What are you doing here, Angel?” he asked, aggravated.

He looked at his sister closely. She was dressed in a black dress that came just above her knees. She had on a necklace that came down to her collarbone, and in the center laid an ankh. Her freckles that are normally scattered across her cheeks were barely visible due to the foundation she was wearing. She had her hands behind her back as she swayed from side to side like a kid trying to hide something or keep a secret.

“I could ask you the same question, Haden, you aren’t supposed to be here,” she answered.

Right then he saw a rattlesnake slithering full speed at his sister. He raised his hands and his eyes started to glow a brilliant yellow, and he raised his hands and made the snake explode. Blood went all over the place. That was when he knew something was very wrong with this situation. Was it possible he was still in class?

“I thought you were studying with Cameron, Angel,” Haden said, pointedly.

“No, I decided to skip the study session. I thought I would get some fresh air. I thought no one would be in the Forest. Is this where you come to hide from all of your fangirls?” Angel retorted, and for no reason.

“No all the girls are probably hanging all over Cameron,” Haden snapped back.

He crossed his arms and glared at his sister. He wasn't good at talking to girls on the best of days, but to insinuate he was hiding from girls was insulting. His comeback wasn't really any better. Cameron was the popular good-looking guy, and Haden was not. He knew his comment would strike a nerve with his sister.

"Alright you two that is enough,” another voice called.

Haden turned and saw the forest scene evaporate around him. He had been caught in a spell. But whose? Why? And who was this person?

“Professor Hoskins, how was that for an Illusion spell?” Angel asked.

’Very well done, my dear, but I think you might owe your brother an apology.”

Angel turned sheepishly towards Haden. She had that look on her face that meant she was truly sorry.

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean what I said,” she started.

“I didn’t either. Next time you could give me a warning.” He said.

“Well, part of the exam was it being a surprise,” she said, shyly.

“Angel, you passed. Haden, nice Protection charm,” Hoskins said.

“Thank you, sir,” Haden said.

“The two of you may leave class.”

Haden and Angel bowed toward their professor as a show of respect. They exited the classroom Haden went to the right and Angel went to the left. Angel had to get to her Magical Creatures class, but she wanted to meet Cameron before they both had to be in class. As Angel was running through the corridor she ran right into her best friend, Lainey. Lainey looked a little surprised to see Angel in such a hurry.

Lainey reached out her hands to steady her friend. It was unlike Angel to get in a hurry like this. Running in the corridors was reckless.

“Angel, slow down. You know they will get you for running in the corridors,” Lainey said.

“I know I just wanted to meet Cameron after he got out of class. I wanted to ask him something about Ancient Magic,” Angel said.

Lainey stopped and thought for a moment. Her boyfriend, Stephen, and Angel's boyfriend, Cameron has the same class. Which one?

“Stephen and Cameron are coming out of Ancestral History now,” Lainey said.

“I forgot they had a class together,” Angel said.

Lainey nodded. Angel looked at her red-headed friend and noticed Lainey looked a little worried. Her blue eyes seemed to be clouded with concern, and Angel couldn’t pinpoint what would be worrying her. Angel also noticed that Lainey had lost some weight, and that was saying something because Lainey was always petite. Maybe Lainey had a premonition.

“Ladies, it’s not like the two of you to not be in class,” Cameron said, walking up.

“Hey, you, I had a couple of questions I needed to ask you,” Angel said.

Cameron smiled and he kissed her on the top of her head.

“Come on, it’s too early for PDA,” Stephen laughed.

As Angel and Cameron looked at him they caught him kissing Lainey. Classic Stephen.

“Hey, too early for PDA, bro,” Cameron said.

“Sorry,” Stephen apologized.

Angel laughed. Cameron and Angel have always been said to be the most attractive people in school, so it was only natural that they would end up together. Cameron is gorgeous with his brown wavy hair and brown eyes, and Angel understood the girls’ attraction to him. But Angel liked him for his intelligence and strength. She liked that he was sweet and sensitive too.

Lainey and Stephen get the sweetest couple award. Stephen’s dark hair and smoldering eyes made him a bit of a mystery. He was smart, sweet, and a nice guy. He had always impressed Angel because he was the only guy at the school that didn’t want her. She didn’t have to vie for his attention.

Angel loved her friends and she loved Cameron. She was also very glad she didn’t have to go to the same lengths other girls did to get a guy’s attention. She had her man, and while sometimes things between them could be so intense; there was nowhere else she would rather be. Right here, right now she was the happiest a person could be at any given moment. What she didn’t know was that something was about to turn her little world upside down.