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thecoochiefairy · 3 years ago

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𝖓𝖊𝖜 𝖘𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖒

CHAPTER THREE.

𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃.

"IT'S HOT AS FUCKING BALLS."

Delirious and obviously irritated was her tone of voice. Taking the crisp twenty dollar bill between her fingers, she handed the change back to the person in front of her. She smiled without her teeth, feeling sweat along her edges that she had perfected sometime that morning.

"Pheme, aren't you the one that volunteered to be in charge of the food?" Sin laughed more to herself.

She had a wave of heat run down her physique like fingernails filing against her skin, yet she had prepared what an all black look would endure. Sybil had ordered them to be in charge of keeping the money in check with the array of food they cooked. There was traditional cookout music, people dancing, laughing and smiles radiating off each expression. Chattering mouths as they sunk their teeth into their refreshing ice cream cones, the sense of their tongue burning from the food coming right off the grill. Sin felt at ease. Maybe that feeling she'd gotten earlier wasn't something to worry about.

New Salem’s annual magic show was something the city of Thibodaux always looked forward to. Usually their coven was a quiet part of town left alone, but in preparation of exposure for being a little too quiet in their sleepy town ; sleepy in Thibodaux's eyes anyway, they decided to have this gathering once a year.

"Ugh!” Pheme exclaims frustratedly.

She stepped from under the tent to grab herself a drink when a child screamed wildly and flew past her. They knock into her in the process, her freshly opened soda faltering over and spilling its red contents onto the ground, sizzling against the gravel.

"Fuckin’ little pieces of shit!" Pheme gripes, making sure nothing spilled on the light purple dress. The tip of her fingers smoothing out the soft material as Sin teases, "I thought you loved kids."

"I love the coven's children. Not these little nightmares where their only abilities consist of eating, sleeping, shitting and stressing out their parents." She grumbles.

Sin hands customers a hot plate and receives the money as she smiles sweetly. She sits beside Pheme who is now back in her lawn chair with another successfully opened soda. The liquid tingles the tip of her tongue and it flows down her throat, a sugary flavor aiding her dry mouth. The coven's children were being raised in a way that they were very intelligent and polite as well, so when they stepped into the outside world and saw how other kids acted, it was completely absurd.

"I don't see the problem with the coven’s children being able to get out of their bubble and have human interaction." Pheme resurfaces her conversation. Their eyes wander over to a group of people that had gotten coordinated into a type of line dance.

"Sybil says if we bring the children out they'll end up exposing their abilities in excitement of seeing others than their classmates. But I also think she just doesn't want to hassle the Protectors with another task, although I personally think this would be good for the kids."

"Yeah, then again it's good that they're very compliant. I want a daughter like that."

Sin tips her head over and furrows her eyebrows, "You want kids?"

"I literally say I want kids- like all the time." Pheme rolls her eyes, "Obviously shit that comes out my mouth must be a bore."

"Of course not, sweet face. But considering ‘fuck them kids’ is my motto—although I truly love kids, those conversations I kinda zone out on. Don't be mad?”

"Anyways, I want a daughter. A son is okay too, but considering my first thought would be to toss him in the nearest garbage can when I found out the gender," which causes Sin to lightly laugh at Pheme’s seriousness as she continues, “I just think Mother Nature should consider giving me what I want."

"I think Mother Nature should just leave my uterus alone, period. She drop a baby in here, I'm sending it right back where it came from." Sin declares.

"Hell, where you were born?”

"To hell. Also? Fuck you, stop telling people I'm the spawn of a fallen angel. I'm not,” she smacks her teeth.

Pheme blows her a kiss, standing as someone walks towards her with money already out to give. She hands them a plate, icy coins slide across her palm as she drops them into the bucket.

"Speaking of kids, when do you plan on having a lil’ baby girl? I’d for sure be the hot auntie!"

She sees as her friends face suddenly grows uncomfortable, "Uh, not sure. Whenever both me and Nadia feel stable enough and ready…I guess?”

Sin frowns at that, “You’re making a weird face which steers me from asking my next question.”

Pheme shakes her head, “No, no. I’m fine. What is it? Is it as presumptuous as everything else you say?"

"Mmm, probably. Can I still ask?”

Pheme blinks, letting out a low chuckle as she replies, “Go ahead. You’ll explode otherwise,” leaning her head in her hands, awaiting for her friends question.

“How's that gonna work when time comes and you and Nadia decide you want a child?"

The question didn’t surprise her entirely, but it did make her head tilt upwards. It was a question that she and Nadia had discussed many times when they first got together. Since it had only been two years they knew they had time to figure that out, but considering their situation it was—technicalities that needed to be answered.

Pheme sighs as she places her eyes on her thighs, beginning to count every blemish on the complexion of her leg.

She then said, “When me and Nadia got together we went to Sybil to be shown as partners. She forbade us from being able to have children. I wanted to hide Nadia because of the backlash I received when I did end up telling someone I was in love with a woman, but I knew I was gonna have to face them either way. So.” she looks at Sin’s face who looks crushed, pressing her lips into a thin line.

"Pheme. I'm so sorry that Sybil did that to you, I had no idea. Honestly if I would've known you know I would have talked to her about this—"

"Nothing you could have said that I haven't already. Sybil just has a way of running things, I can't be upset about that."

"What?” Sin’s brows crease, “No. It's not even about how she runs things, it's the fact that because Nadia is your girlfriend and not some raggedy ass man. It’s horrible."

"You know how them old heads be. It’s nothing new or can make me upset, babe."

"Fine then, it pisses me off. I love my grandma but her ways are what's gonna get her in trouble. She has to come to terms that she's in a different time and I don't know why she doesn't understand that."

“She can kiss all parts of my ass. No offense to your granny.”

"Well, you know you have someone that loves you no matter what, besides your sweetie of a girlfriend, Nadia. Y'all got room for one more?" Sin leans over on the lawn chair, puckering her lips out towards her.

"Please don't bring that up, Nadia is very much a fan of opening up our relationship." Pheme sighs.

"Well count me in." Sin grins.

Pheme raises her eyebrows and asks, “You wanna marry me, don't you?"

"How is this a conclusion we've just gotten to? I’m simply just admiring a beauty, a gem in the back of the jewelry store." Sin jokingly adores her.

"Did you just say I'm in the back of a jewelry store?"

"Ain't that where all the expensive shit is? Why would they present that in the front for people to steal?"

"Because if they steal at least it'll be a dime like me, hello?"

"True. Apologies, gorgeous."

"Girl." Pheme laughs, brushing her off. Everyone is now relaxed in their lawn chairs, standing around or seated on the grass waiting for the show to begin. The open field leads up to rustic wood. The material looked old but the actual scenery was very posh and modern. No curtains were requested by Sybil, lights hanging from across the backdrop.

“Welcome to the annual New Salem Spectacular!" A voice gets everyone's attention, Sin and Pheme looking at the stage and seeing a bright smile. A handsome man, one of the taller members of the kin coven appearing.

"Cenzo is such a man to look at." Pheme admits.

Sin nods her head in agreement, watching as he stands, caramel skin in the stage lights seemed to highlight his matching light brown hair.

"That's what they came up with as an introduction? These people are lame, man." Sin shakes her head.

"You wanna go up there instead?"

"Please shut the fuck up and look forward." Sin calmly snaps without looking at her. Pheme smirks, keeping her eyes against Cenzo on stage as he speaks.

“We thank you all for coming out on a hot day like this. Today we have some tricks up our sleeve, and it isn't just sweat." Cenzo animatedly places his hand into the long sleeve atop of his arm. Reaching in until his fingers make their way back brushing over his wrist, a spec of a color follows, the audience making a questionable noise before an array of colors glide into the atmosphere wisping their four wings. Sounds of fascination follow as the insects cast into the quiet blue of the sky.

"He's a little corny but I guess it's for the kids and stuff." Pheme tries to take up for him.

"Right, for the kids."

"Still along the topic of kids, do you plan to pop out any demon seeds?"

"Didn't we just have this conversation? ‘Fuck them kids?’ Besides, the only way I would have kids is if I were having enough sex."

"Woah,” Pheme sits up with wide eyes, “Hold the phone and stop the press. You’ telling me to my face you not busting shit open for Cloud? I know he's a little frustrating, but not that frustrating." Pheme scoffs.

Yet it was true. Sin could count on her hand the amount of sex she’d had with Cloud—it was nothing to complain about—but it slowed down once she feared that it became a focal point of their interactions.

"I just want someone that's gonna be in love and not just infatuated with me.”

"I love when you get all poetic on me." Pheme purrs.

Sin rolls her eyes as she continues, "I'm serious, Phem. I just want Cloud to grow up a little. All that little friendly shit has to stop, and then I’ll fully give myself to him.”

“Friendly shit, huh?”

She was usually good at feeling his presence, arms coming around her neck from behind as she sits. His cologne tightens around her neck like jewelry, wafting within her nose as the tickle of his locs brush along her check. She then feels his lips along her neck, her hands touching his arms that come around her as she mutters, “You’re listening too hard.”

“I got big ears, what can I say?”

She rolls her eyes, leaning herself back as she meets her face with his, “Where have you been? You said you were gonna find me after class, it’s been over.”

“Wanted to make you some cotton candy before Cenzo’s corny ass fucked up the machine. He’s supposed to be in charge of it while the Flame Coven performs.”

He then pulls one arm behind her, bringing it back as bubblegum pink fluff comes into her sight. Her heart swells, her nose scrunching as she tries to hide her smile. She takes a piece as she puts it within her mouth, leaning back as she pulls him down from above her to press their lips together, muffling, “Thank you.”

Pheme them intervenes, “Yuckkk! Booo!”

Cloud chuckles, “Don’t even do all that, Phem’! You and Nadia are way nastier. This is cute. We’re cute.”

Continuing their conversation comes to an immediate halt as Pheme feels a presence she doesn't necessarily take a liking to. She begins, “Yeah, yeah—“ stopping mid sentence as a pearly white dress flows over the grass and makes its way over to the tent. Sin places her hand over her eyes as she scrunches her eyebrows.

Even she could admit that Electra was a gorgeous woman to look at. Flawless olive skin with a light amount of freckles laid on her snub nose being that she was the only biracial of the coven. Her eyes were spruce blue that complimented her hair that was— yes, born from the scalp— platinum, gray. She was something to look at until she opened her mouth.

It was her arrogance that got in the way of her being a simply confident woman, able to judge anyone but herself without a second thought. But she knew not to mess with Sin or Pheme.

"That's a really cute outfit, Sin." Electra compliments. Pheme raises her eyebrows surprisingly at the fact that Electra wasn't adding anything else. Sin was just as shocked.

“Thank you Electra, that's sweet of you to say."

"I mean I wouldn't really wear it, but—"

Sin cuts her off immediately, "You not liking the outfit versus not being able to pull off the outfit are two different things. It's hot as hell outside Electra, please get the fuck away from me before I stab you with a fork,” it almost comes out like a sigh, as if it was too much energy to even fight with this girl.

Electra giggles, "I'm just kidding, damn bitch."

Sin raises both eyebrows, opening her mouth as Pheme interrupts, “Is there something you needed, Electra?" trying to get her away from them as quickly as possible before Sin blows a fuse.

"Nope, I just wanted to tell you guys we had some extra guests coming to the festival today, maybe the coven will make some good money. I told Cloud earlier,” she places her hands behind her back, eyes coming up to Cloud’s as she grins at him.

“Hm. Of course you did,” Sin muttered, tightening Cloud’s arms around her.

"Guests? Do you have some friends that you invited?" Pheme asks.

"Something like that." Electra grins, Sin truly doesn't like the smile she has on her face. She speaks up, "Who are your friends, Electra?”

"Welllll, a couple of days ago I left New Salem to go get out and find something to do. So I traveled to Baton Rouge and stopped at a couple bars so men could of course buy me free drinks. One bar I stopped at had a couple of guys there and I told them about the show and—"

"Electra." Sin cuts off, which causes Electra's face to suddenly go from arrogant to a face Sin couldn't exactly read, maybe it was hesitance. Maybe it was a sudden need to not tell anyone what happened at that bar.

"Stop beating around what you actually came over to tell us. Is it more than that?"

Electra's lips pressed together in a thin line. She then awkwardly giggles, "Well I um— you see, I was having a good time. We began talking about what the festival consisted of and things might've gotten a little personal—"

Sin frowns. "What do you mean?"

For the first time in Sin's perception of Electra, she had never seen her as indecisive with her words.

Electra then tugs her teeth against her lip , "More details later. I didn’t come over here for y’all anyways, Cloud—my lovely partner for the day—mind coming to watch my kids while I go get some food with Demetrius?”

Pheme raises an eyebrow, “Cloud your henchmen or something? You came all the way over here to ask him that?”

“It’s cool, I got you.”

“You got her?” Both Pheme and Sin say at the same time, Sin turning herself fully to him as she asks, “You’re leaving? For real?”

Cloud shrugs, “I can’t leave or something? Am I your henchmen?”

Sin’s face drops. She thought about taking that cotton candy and shoving it up his ass, watching as Electra faintly giggles at his words. She then drops the dessert on the ground, twisting her platform into it as she says, “Bye Cloud.”

Cloud looks to the ground, going back up to her, “You’ deadass?”

Electra might’ve been annoying, but she wasn’t always the problem. She was just a woman that didn't know her boundaries when it came to a man who was taken—maybe Cloud didn't know his either.

"See you girls later?" Electra calls to them.

"Chile, bye Electra." Pheme laughs dismissively, pulling her hair behind her ear.

When Sin humorlessly laughs with her, that sends Cloud off with a smack to his teeth, shoving his hands within his pockets as he walks behind Electra.

They wait until they walk away and that's when Sin finally speaks. "They fuckin', right?"

"Nah. I don't think they are."

"Why wouldn't you think so? The math not mathin' in your head? She giggling at him, smiling and shit and Cloud just entertaining it.”

"I just think they're doing it for show, babe. Cloud enjoys the attention and you know Electra is— Electra. So they're both at fault. Besides, Electra is partnered with Demetrius in the Flame Coven."

"Well whatever Demetrius is doing obviously isn't working,” Sin snaps.

"Sin, stop talking out of your ass. You only talk shit because you don't like Electra, not because she's getting at Cloud," Pheme says and she can feel Sin rolling her eyes, "As for Cloud himself, I don't think I see him changing until he decides he wants to take your relationship more seriously."

"Shit pisses me off, cause no matter what—I still like his big eared-ass,” Sin grumbles.

Pheme disagrees, "Shit, if Nadia acted that way with me, I wouldn't want shit to do with her."

"It's fortunate I'm not like that, right?"

A deep yet feminine voice calls behind Pheme. Both girls turn their heads as they see a bright smile radiating at them, tawny butterfly locs in a half up-half down style with two pigtails and tendrils on the sides. Her neck was covered in infinite amounts of emerald jewelry, matching the waist beads on her hips, brown skin shining against the sun like gold.

Nadia was a beauty, standing in her bohemian skirt and a long sleeve top that Pheme couldn't take her eyes off. She couldn't get enough of her. She stands in front of them holding a couple of aluminum foil pans which were sure to be filled with more food.

"Sybil wanted me to come and give you guys more food just in case you needed it. Plus, Sin can't keep stealing my woman like this," she states as she places the pans on the table and leans over, Pheme jumping out of her chair and placing her lips on Nadia's.

Sin gushes, "How cute. Too bad Pheme's in love with me . Scared of a little competition?"

"Want me to burn your ass?" Nadia asks suggestively. Lifting her hands and Sin sees a swell of canary against the tip of her fingers, sinking back beneath her cuticles.

Sin says, "Well you are a cutie, maybe I'd like to endure a little heat."

"Then you woke up." Pheme concludes.

"Unfortunately I did. But anyways, as cute as y'all are to the point where it physically makes me sick, I need to go look for Iver."

"Want us to come find you when the Kin and Storm Coven performs? I know you really enjoy seeing them." Pheme suggests.

"I'd rather slice my tongue,” Sin smiles snarlingly.

Hopping off of the chair she grabs a hot plate and begins making her way back towards the cottages, hearing as Nadia yells, "Tell yo' fine daddy I said hey!"

Voices and music fade away as she gets deeper into the cottages. No one seemed to be here besides the children and Protectors who were watching them. Placing her key back into the door she opens it successfully without having to yank it, making her way past the living room as her palms feel the warmth of the plate radiating on her skin.

"Dad?" She calls.

Searching in the open door of his room she sees nothing but a made bed and perfectly polished furniture. She continues through the hallway before she hears some music coming from the closed door of the her bathroom, about to just leave the plate on the kitchen counter when she hears a noise of discomfort, a second later hearing, "Fuck, man."

Slowly, she turns back towards the door and lightly knocks although she knows the music is too loud. She places her hand on the knob and turns it as she warns, "I'm coming in so scream if you're naked!"

R&B music fills her ears as she opens the door to see her father still in his bed clothes. He’s bent over the sink and towel around his neck. From the mirror she can see that there's face wash on his pained expression with his eyes scrunched closed.

She greets questionably, "Hey, Dad?"

"Sin? What are you doing here? I thought you were—" he pauses, flinching as soap continues to sink into his eyes, "Can you please grab me a towel from the cabinet?"

"I was just coming to look for you, what are you doing?" Sin chuckles.

She grabs a soft pink towel and puts it in his hand that's waving around in search. He places his face under the water until the burning in his sockets die down, then wiping his entire face to be greeted by Sin's. She notices the amount of hair oil seated on the bathroom counter.

Bringing her attention back to his face as he says, "Just washing my hair, I overslept and now I'm rushing to get ready."

"For the festival? It lasts for a while, I'm sure you won't miss anything. But also, you're not slick."

Iver raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"You only ever oil your locs if you have a special occasion." She points out.

Iver chuckles and he begins cleaning the counter of water spread as he says, "You and your nosey ass observations need to go somewhere else."

Grabbing the bottle of coconut hair oil she points to the toilet with her hand on her hip. Iver staring at her for a moment as he's about to protest, "Girl, I can do this shit on my own—"

"Dad. Don't get fought right now, sit down,” She threatens.

He rolls his eyes and then proceeds to sit on the toilet defeatedly. She then begins sectioning his hair, rubbing into his dry scalp and Iver seems to become very quiet.

"So wanna tell me why you're in my bathroom, or do you just love the scenery of a bedroom more creative than yours?"

"I came in here to find your hair oil, and also um— do you happen to have a picture of your mom anywhere? I was looking for one to place in a couple of frames.Usually I just order online, but I decided to travel and went outside of New Salem. Ended up buying some from this store with even more devices then I’d ever seen. It was large and blue, you should have seen it."

Sin tries to hold her laugh at how he's speaking, Iver can feel the struggling before he confronts, " ‘The hell is so funny?"

"Walmart? Is that what you're referring to?"

"Oh yeah. Well you know what I meant." He corrects himself and she actually laughs, the silence then igniting back between the two. Sin debates on whether she should answer his previous question or just ignore it all together.

"I brought you a hot plate,” she offers.

"It's okay, I've been saving my appetite for the ceremony later, it's gonna be all kinda shit on the table."

He can't see how her eyebrows have fallen above her eyes as she wants him to clarify, "Ceremony?"

"Mhm." He has his eyes closed as she raises the back of his locs, aligning the edges with oil.

“My commencement ceremony."

Sin then stops what she's doing and walks around to where he can see her. Fear exhilarates through her body from her head to her toes, suddenly her heart is pounding ferociously.

"Why are you just now telling me about this? Sybil is handing her leadership over to you and you thought the day it happens would be good to tell me?" She exclaims, arms crossed in front of her, nails scratching the skin of her anxieties.

"Why is this making you upset?"

"That means when you become older I will be next in line to lead this coven and I told you I didn't want that title. I'm not ready and Sybil doesn't understand that, but you do."

"Yes, but that'll be years before that happens, Sin. Your grandma has been here for a while, but her powers are seeming to fade. Eventually, she won't be able to protect this coven and she needs someone who can do that. If I'm being completely honest…you know I would have given this to your mom if she was here. Unlike Sybil, she wouldn't have run this place with a dictatorship, she would have wanted people to know they were family and they were protected. Maybe I can do that once it's handed off to me. Not as perfect as she would have, but just as good."

Her worried state falters off of her face, yet it doesn’t leave the back of her mind. The possibility of having to lead and all responsibility falling on her—it terrified her confidence. But considering today wasn’t about her, Sin realizes that she’s being a little more dramatic than needed. She was grateful that a man like her father was now stepping up, maybe he would run it in a way where he had everything in control, yet his people were still happy. She could remember how he would talk about changing a lot of Sybil's rules. The dynamic of each group within the coven and how their abilities correlated with one another, and how to make each relationship stronger. He wanted better, he intended just to do that.

Sin goes into her room and leans over, opening the bottom drawer of her dresser before pulling out a smooth velvet box. She unlocks the piece in the front before pulling out a couple of Polaroids. Shutting the box and placing it back in the drawer, she makes her way over to Iver with her hands out in front of her.

"These are all the pictures you took of mom." She states.

Iver looks at Sin with a face she couldn't read, maybe shocked? Maybe nostalgia? She wasn't able to tell. He takes the photos from her hands and stares at them, that same smile that Sin carries between her lips attached to these photos.

He can feel something in his throat tightening, yet he pushes it back down as he can hear his daughter's voice in his ears, "Mom would have been an amazing leader. So will you. You will make this a stronger coven and a family like no other, with or without her. I'm really happy for you,” a weak smile comes to her face, hoping it smoothed away her previous reaction.

He smiles and it's rare for him to do so. Holding the pictures tightly in his hand he says, "When I am of age, you'll be ready to take your place here. You'll lead better than me or Sybil, I know it.”

"Seeing the future, warlock?" She teases.

"Just a simple old man's manifestation."

"Hm, good thinking. Speaking of your age, how old are you anyways?"

"Old enough to be your father."

Her facial expression is practically expressionless. "Hilarious."

He kisses her forehead and sits back down until it was time for him to get dressed. Once he was finally ready, they made their way over to Sybil's cottage. It's very simple. Large living room, her bedroom right beside it.

Sybil comes out in her traditional cover up she always wore. Her locs are refreshed as Sin assumes she had one of the girls of the coven do them for her. She was just as beautiful, gray hair seeping into her original color and smile lines as well as wrinkles. Sin knew Iver was right, she was coming of age.

"That's what you've decided to wear today?" Sybil says instead of greeting her granddaughter.

Sin eyes her outfit by looking below herself, before coming back up, "Yeah?"

"Are you wearing a bra?"

Sin's eyes nearly could have rolled to the back of her head. She then walks up to Sybil and kisses her cheek greeting, "Hi, grandma."

"Hi, honey,” her voice is softer than Sin expected it to be.

She looks over at Iver and says, "You look nice, although somebody should have waxed your ears. How you gonna walk around with them pointy ass ears and they be dirty?"

Sybil then turns and goes for her bathroom as they both assume she's looking for q-tips. Iver follows after her, all while saying he doesn't need her to do it for him. Sin suddenly hears her father groaning, looking over to see Sybil cleaning out his ears. It was moments like these that made her happy to see them acting as a family. But of course, that never lasted for long.

She sat on the living room sofa as she could hear the sound of Iver and Sybil speaking softly in her room. The door opened before they called her into the room and she hesitantly entered. The both of them stare at her before she looks back and forth between them and she speaks first, “If this is about my outfit y'all can honestly kiss my a—“

"No, Sin." Iver cuts off. She’s relieved, but the fact that they're both standing there silently makes her worried.

"You know that your fathers commencement ceremony is tonight. We’ve made everyone aware this is officially the night he is stepping up as leader of New Salem. I don't want you to feel that you aren't ready to have those same opportunities when he becomes of age."

She wants to say that even at that age she still won’t be ready, yet she stays quiet.

"Tonight we will be focusing on his abilities and what he's capable of, and then you will be performing yours as well."

"Woah. Wait. What?"

Sin looks over to Iver. Sybil keeps her out of suspense as she continues, "I've given you slack for not being aware of your abilities as well as not wanting to show them. You are the daughter of a powerful woman as well as man, and granddaughter. There is no reason that you continue to walk around acting as if you're just some little girl with unknown wonders of magic."

Sin can feel her throat becoming dry. "Grandma—"

"I'm not finished."

Okay, she could admit it. For as long as Sin knew one thing that she wasn't confident in, it was her abilities or what Sybil called her, "Gifts." Although she dearly loved him, her fear of ending up like Iver was something that kept her from showing off what she could do, to a point where she didn't even know every power she had. Or even what she could offer to protect New Salem.

She knew of some, but not of all. Regarding the ones she was aware of, Sybil used them to her advantage which was entirely exhausting. So she chose not to use them at all. She could be like Iver. She could be like Sybil. But she could also be like Bambi. She didn't know, nor did she actually want to find out. Hopefully she wouldn't have to be in a situation where she did.

"At the commencement ceremony we will test all of your abilities, and we'll see where that puts you. Once Iver moves up you will become a Protector and work with the others, see how you can bring together other groups. I have also decided to make Cloud the leader of the Protectors, I will make the announcement tonight."

"Grandma, I don't exactly think—"

"Thinking means you're indecisive, and to be clear so you can understand, I know what the hell I just said."

Silence. Nobody says anything because they know when Sybil says something that's final. Sin was getting damn tired of always having to accept that. She should have been able to have a say so because she was family, but with Sybil she knew that wasn't an excuse either. Iver could feel the tension in the room, seeing Sin’s expression change as Sybil continues to talk to her, she suddenly seems out of focus.

He places his hand on Sybil’s shoulder politely interrupting her as he says, "I understand that Sin has been hiding when it comes to her abilities, but I don't think today should be the day we put them to the test. I think that—"

"Dad."

Sin intervenes. She turns her ear towards the front door and becomes silent. Iver sees her brown irises swiftly go blank, now vacant and cream colored. She can hear her heart beating profusely, her ears aligning to an undertone of distinct chimes, voices raising in panic.

"Do you hear that?"

The silence is louder than anyone in the room. Iver frowns at the look on his child’s face—her eyes— he’d never seen this happen before. Her voice is the lightest it’s ever been, a sense of fear louder than the weight of the room.

"Someone's coming."

Sybil eyes quickly turn to the door, only hearing the house make a settling noise. As Iver is trying to figure out what’s going on they suddenly hear a scream. It goes silent again. Sin's heart is pounding, she’s surprised she can hear anything else. She doesn’t understand what’s happening to her, but she can only focus on the harsh stomping that flies past the peace of the cottage. People are now running.

The door to Sybil's cottage flies open that it slams against the wall and there's Cloud, the look on his face anything but scared. He's terrified.

Iver finally cuts the silence as he says, "What the hell is going on, Cloud?"

"Witch hunters."

Sin is still lost in her trance, her eyes still not returning back to their regular state. Cloud's face drops as he sees a tear come down her eye, her hand on her chest as she cries softly, she could hear everything. Feel everything. See everything.

Both men jump as a round of gunshots flash past their ears like lightning. It sounds familiar to Sybil’s ears. They don't understand why no one is moving until Iver looks at his mother and she whispers, "It's happening again."

Iver has no time to react before Cloud incites, "We have to go!"

He comes back to reality and takes off after him, shutting the door behind themselves. Ammo continues to fire off second after second so much that they've lost count. The screams of complete terror and chaos exudes from afar. Yet to Sin's ears it's right in front of her. Her knees drop to the floor, seeing bodies falling to the ground and blood spewing from their wounds. She feels as though she's about to pass out because she doesn't know how long this will last, echoes of cottage doors slamming and people begging for their life. Pleading for mercy, but it never being given to them. Sybil can see the blood of her sisters spurting out on the grass, women running as fast as they could just to save themselves. It was too late.

The gunshots finally stop. Silence once again takes over the atmosphere. The same moment that Sin's sight finally meets her, the only thing she's able to see is Sybil standing across from her. She still hadn’t moved.

Sin takes a minute as her heart still hadn’t stopped beating outside of her chest, looking around in confusion to Sybil’s curiosity as her grandmother suddenly began making her way out the door. Sin takes a deep breath before she walks out far enough to see outside. She can't see anything. The cottages are still put together, a pop of innocent colors and nothing else. She was standing in the middle of her home by herself. Her home.

Walking closer enough to see the field felt like a nightmare as Sin’s trembling body traveled into the grass. People who previously stood around now laid out on the ground. There were different shades of red all over the place. Splattered against the grass, against the stage, against their clothes. Wounds. Children holding their parents hands before they were both attacked. She could see the silver of the bullet wrapped under the skin of a woman's chest. The side of a man's leg, the soul of someone who was once enjoying the scenery.

Sin slowly scanned her sight over before she saw a man on the ground. Chunks of where his brain used to be inside of his head. She closed her eyes. The sounds of men, women and children softly crying as whoever was still alive stared, unable to know what to do. There was someone crying specifically louder than anyone else. She turns as she sees a familiar sweet face, a smile that was once there now gone.

"Oh my god. Pheme."

She goes over to her where Pheme is seated on the ground, her face nearly red as she continues to sob, "No. No. No."

Rocking back and forth the woman in her arms that was Nadia. Sin's eyes followed to the previously forest green shirt that was now soaking a dark color. She was unable to process where she had been shot. Pheme held her close to her chest and continued rocking, Sin leaning down and holding her hand that was so tight on Nadia's body she knew she had left a mark. Sweat covers Pheme’s face as tears glisten over the rest, choking in her own cries because she can't do anything else but so.

"I can't feel her. I can't feel her soul with mine. Why can't I feel her?" She panicked, voice trembling with each senseless question.

Sin kept thinking to herself, how did this happen?

She gets up to go find Sybil as she sees her standing over two Protectors aiding someone. Other’s help people off of the ground and begin to cover wounds with anything they can find. She can't see who's laying on the ground until she gets closer and sees the familiar locs, taking no second to wait when she bleats, "Dad!"

A pair of arms catch her in their hold as she feels the presence of Cloud. His strength is able to hold her back as she fights in his arms, hearing his voice telling her to calm down. She refuses as she fights, “Get the fuck off me, Cloud!”

The sorrow that's filled in the eyes of who's left of each coven watches her. She wants to calm down but she can’t. As angry as she is, the strength of Cloud isn’t having it. As she twists and turns, her eyes catch sight of familiar gray hair. When her logic finally comes to par, she realizes something.

"You fucking bitch!" She fumes, staring directly at Electra. She jumps at the sound of a raging Sin. Cloud holds her tighter, knowing if she gets out of his hold she's gonna kill this girl.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Electra says, her voice cracking.

"You fucking did this!“

Her voice begins to falter, now unable to see with all the tears in her eyes. Cloud fights with her until they both collapse to the ground. She feels the ground beneath her and blood in her palms, the feeling of exhaustion hitting her at that exact moment. She can’t help but grip onto the body that holds tightly to her in some type of comfort.

It was a frightening scene as Protectors spread everywhere. It hurt Sin more because these were innocent people that knew nothing of what would hit them today. Here they were now. Half of them, gone. When Sin looked at Sybil, there were no tears in her eyes and there was nothing on her face she could read. How could she be so sane when something like this happened?

"Take him inside, stay with him until I come back." Sybil says to the Protectors that were aiding Iver. It brings a small sense of relief to Sin.

Sybil then makes eye contact with her, voice authoritative as she only says, “Heal her.”

Sin frowns. Confusion and tears glaring across her eyes. Sybil brings her eyes over to Pheme and Nadia. Silence envelopes and confusion still fills in Sin’s chest, but she’s aware Sybil’s not repeating herself. She looks around at everyone else who's just as confused as her. Slowly standing from Cloud's arms and making her way over to Pheme who hasn't moved from the position she's in, Sin leans down as she asks, "Can I see her?"

Allowing Nadia to be placed in Sin's arms she continues to hold one of her hands, her breathing erratic as she continues to cry. Sin takes Nadia’s other hand and places it in both of her palms, closing her eyes. Pheme, Cloud and the others watch. She has her head kneeled towards the ground with her eyes closed, sniffling as tears spray her cheeks. They can feel the grass beneath them rumbling and the air whistling.

Silence cuts sharply as Nadia's body jumps and she screams. Blood spews from her mouth as she jerks against the ground and Sin grips her body, holding her as she comforts dizzily, "You're okay. You're here. It's just me and Pheme. You're here.”

Her erratic noises and breathing slows down, her eyes going from Sin to Pheme's before Nadia cries and hugs her to her chest, both women only focused on one another and thankful to be alive. Sin feels her head pounding and a rush of nausea in her stomach as her eyes are now low of weariness. She tries to stand but she nearly falls back down. Cloud catches her as she fully extends herself up trying to push him off. She mutters, "I'm f—fine.”

"Sybil, Sin cannot heal everyone from the coven as well as these people of Thibodaux if that's what you think she's about to do. She may be as powerful as you, but she can't do that on her own. You could kill her!" Cloud’s deep voice exclaims.

"So now you care about anything going on with her?" Sybil asks.

Cloud says nothing and she retorts, "How cute."

She turns her attention back towards everyone so she can make sure they hear, "The Protectors will take every person who is not a part of this coven alive and will wipe their memory. Whomever is left you will dispose of their body,” she pauses as she looks around.

“….As for the rest of this coven," she takes one more look at the bodies against the ground, "They were weak. Obviously they couldn't save themselves."

Sin’s eyes blurred from the continuous burn of tears that smoldered within her vision, fists shaking as she stared at Sybil, in doubt that such heinous words had fell from her lips. The loss of her people was hitting her chest in more painful ways than she could imagine—she wanted to collapse again, yet from her perspective, Sybil felt nothing. On the other hand, what did she expect from a cardholder that never showed their hands?

The silence along the people standing as everyone's stares at this woman, they come to the realization of her true colors. Never did they expect such aloofness from her. She locked eyes with Sin whom she couldn't tell was hurt, pissed, or both. It's not like she cared anyways. Protectors followed behind her and just like that, she was gone. Everything was gone.

#aesthetic #black #black fantasy #black love #black stories #reading #romance #writers on tumblr #black literature #black tumblr #salem witch trials #witches #witchcraft #wolves #new salem #my writing

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13-reasons-ideas · 5 years ago

Text

It was Just A Project Part 1

A/N this idea has been bouncing around in my head for a while and I've finally been able to finish the first part. I hope you guys like it!

My morning started off as it usually did now that the boys had moved out to the garage. I woke up early and had a wonderfully hot shower before Clay and Justin woke up. After I finished my shower and got ready, I went downstairs to have breakfast. Dad was in the kitchen making lunch for us, as was tradition on Fridays, “Morning Dad. Is there coffee left?”

“Morning pumpkin. Fresh off the filter. Your bagels are in the toaster oven.”

“Thank you. Don’t worry about lunch for me. I’m having lunch with Zach and Alex today, so I’ll just grab something at school.”

“Sure thing.”

As I sat down to enjoy my breakfast, Justin came stumbling in the kitchen to shower. He grunted at us before making his way upstairs. Clay came trudging in not long after and took a bite of my bagel. “Hey, I was eating that.” I complained. Clay simply shrugged at me. “Daaaadddd, Clay ate my bagel.”

“Clay, stop bothering your sister.” Dad chided, not looking up from his paper. I stuck my tongue out at him teasingly. He rolled his eyes and went to the cupboard for some cereal. Justin came downstairs a couple of minutes later and poured himself a cup of coffee, “morning guys. Shower’s yours Clay.” Clay scarfed down his cereal- the boy is going to make himself sick one of these days…- before running upstairs.

It was quiet while we ate for a moment until we heard a girlish scream and Clay shout “Rachel!”. Justin and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.

I looked at the microwave and my eyes widened in shock “oh shit. I totally forgot I’m meeting Scott this morning to study for our biology test. Justin, you want to ride with me or Clay?”

He gulped down the last of his coffee and jumped up, “sure, I’ll just grab my bag.” I nodded and went to the stairs.

“Clay, Justin is getting a ride with me today. We’re leaving now.” I called upstairs.

“Okay.” Clay called back. Justin met me at the car, and I sent Scott a quick text. Hey, running a little late today sorry. I’ll be there in 15. He responded with a thumbs up and Justin and I were off.

When we arrived at school the parking lot was mostly empty. I ran off to meet Scott and Justin went to go find Jess. I saw Scott hanging out with some guys from the baseball team, with his back turned to me. I put my finger up to my mouth and quietly walked up behind him. When I reached him, I jumped up on his back, “Guess who?”

Scott immediately put his hands around my thighs so he was hanging on to me, “is it a certain less annoying twin who’s running late?”

“Maybe. Though it depends who you ask which of us is less annoying.” I jumped down and adjusted my top, “you ready to get fucked by the bio test too?”

“But of course. Mrs. Jackson is the worst.”

“Oh please, you’ll get like 95% and still argue that your grade should be higher.” Zach teased.

“I’d love to agree with you, but this woman is the devil incarnate with tests. We teach ourselves this class because she reads off slides and then she tests us on stuff that’s not even in the slides or the book. I’m probably going to fail. And since I need this class to get into USC, I actually need to pass. You coming Scott?” He nodded and we bid his friends goodbye.

After studying with Scott until the bell, we walked to biology together and took our seats. I was right, the test was ridiculous. Scott finished first and waited for me outside the room. “Could have at least bought me a coffee first.” I joked as I left the God forsaken classroom. He laughed and shook his head.

“I would have requested a four-course steak dinner. I feel dirty. I opened the book and wanted to walk out. We didn’t learn half of that material.”

“At least you can shower before lunch. You have a free period. I have to go do history.”

“Could skip and go shower with me….” he teased.

“Yeah. I’d rather take that test again.”

I sighed as I walked into history. The class wasn’t full yet thankfully. I groaned as I lowered myself into my seat in the back, next to Monty.

“Rough morning?” he asked.

“You have no idea.” I grumbled. “We had a bio test today. I feel dirty.”

He chuckled. “That bad?”

“Two people walked out in five minutes.”

He whistled but before he could say anything more, Mr. Smith walked in. He was a younger teacher, so he was generally well liked by students.

“Good morning. We will be starting work on term projects today.” The class groaned in unison. “You will be split into pairs of my choosing.” The class groaned even louder and I put my head down on my desk.

“Fucking kill me now.” I grumbled. Monty must have heard me because he started having a coughing fit.

Mr. Smith began listing off pairs, some of which were met with groans and some with quiet ‘yes’es. “Rachel Jensen and… Montgomery De La Cruz.”

It could be worse. At least he’s not a total idiot. He’s nice enough to me. I turned my head to look at him and he smiled at me.

After all of us were paired up, he gave us a few minutes to make plans for starting the project. “Did you want to come to my place after school and we can get started?” I asked.

“Sure.”

We didn’t have time to iron out anything but we traded numbers and agreed that we would both pull our weights.

As he handed out topic sheets he explained the assignment, “we will be doing this paper a little differently than you may be used to. You will need to write a paper with proper formatting and supporting diagrams and graphs where applicable. We will go over citation in a later class. Most of you are graduating this year and will need to use proper citation come September, lest you risk expulsion from your chosen school. Think of this paper as a trial run of what you will be expected to do in university. It is something I wish my teachers in high school had done to prepare us a little better. We will discuss the paper in more detail over the next few classes, after everyone has a chance to choose a topic. I urge you to pick different topics as I don’t want to read thirty papers on the same idea. If you are unsure about what to choose, please see or email me after class.” With that, he began our discussion for the day.

When class was dismissed, I went to meet Alex and Zach for lunch.

“Rachel.” Justin called after me. He ran to catch up to me.

“Hey bro, what’s up?”

“I picked up a shift tonight. Can I get the keys?”

“What about Clay’s keys?”

“He has an appointment after school.”

“Fine. If I must.” I joked, as though it was a hassle, as I dug around my bag for the keys. I chucked my keys to him and he ran off.

Alex was waiting for me at the cafeteria. “Hey. How was your test?”

“Ugh. You don’t want to know.”

“This is why I switched to chemistry, no Mrs. Jackson.”

“Hmmmm.” I muttered as I grabbed my phone. I texted Monty as we walked to our table. Hey, is it okay if I get a ride home? Justin needed my car and Clay is busy after school. He replied quickly, sure thing. I parked by the gym.

“Who you texting Rach?” Zach asked as Alex and I sat down.

“Monty. We got paired up for a paper in history.”

“Ew. He’ll probably make you do the whole thing yourself.” Alex commented.

“I don’t think so. We made plans after school to work on it. And he’s not dumb enough to think I wouldn’t go straight to Mr. Smith and stick him with a zero.”

“You say that now….” Alex trailed off as I glared at him.

The subject was dropped after that and the rest of lunch went on as normal.

I met Monty at his Jeep after school and we drove in a slightly awkward silence for a time, the only discussion being the odd direction to my house. He broke the tension first, “You know this is probably going to be a nightmare right? Your brother hates me. Justin barely puts up with me at football practice.”

“It will be fine. My dad works at home so he will be home and keep the annoying duo in line.”

“Alright. You’re wrong but alright.”

I shook my head at him, smirking, “so, I feel like I know nothing about you. We’ve gone to school together since we were little.”

“What can I say? I’m a man of mystery.”

“You can tell me what your favourite ice cream flavour is?”

“Mint chip. Yours?”

“Chocolate chocolate chip. It’ll be a left here.” I directed. We went on like that, asking each other menial questions for the remainder of the drive.

“It’s the one in the middle here. You can park in the drive or on the street, up to you.”

He pulled up to the curb and sat for a minute, quiet again as he cut the engine. He sat for a minute before undoing his seatbelt. I got out of the car and waited for him. When he didn’t make a move to get out, I walked around to his door, “we don’t bite you know. Unless you’re into that.” I joked. If it works on Scott, maybe it’ll work on his best friend.

Monty laughed and joked back, “Depends who’s doing the biting. Being bitten by strangers doesn’t rank very high up on the list though.” With that, he got out of the car.

His nerves must have returned “You know I’m right. They don’t like me. And since Justin is basically your brother now, his opinion actually matters. How well do you think this is going to go?”

I rolled my eyes at him playfully as I unlocked the front door. “Monty chill. It’s a project for school. Besides, the boys live in the shed and they showered this morning. You probably won’t even see them.” I said as I took off my coat and hung it up. I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and dad cleared his throat.

“Hey pumpkin. How was sch- oh. Hello there. Rachel, I didn’t realize you were having a friend over.”

“Hey dad. School was fine. This is Monty, we got assigned to work on a history assignment together. Monty, this is my dad Matt.” I gestured between them briefly.

Monty waved politely, though it was rather awkward. “Hello Mr. Jensen.”

Dad merely nodded at him.

“Anyway, we have a lot of work to do so we’ll be upstairs. Come on Monty.”

“Not so fast Rachel. You know the rules. No boys in your room without permission.”

I stopped in my tracks abruptly, causing Monty to bump into me. He looked uncomfortable when I turned to look at my dad.

“Oh. The rules. Right. Okay, let me see if I have this straight… Clay and Justin get the garage converted into a bachelor pad minus a shower with no supervision at all. I don’t even get my own bathroom out of the deal. The boys can do whatever they want in there and they can have whoever they want over whenever they want -boys or girls at any time of the day- without discussing it. But I, a girl, can’t have a boy in my room to work on a homework assignment. How is that fair? Because… Why exactly? Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, it’s not like I would do anything with you in the house. That’s just… I don’t even have words to describe how uncomfortable that is. And even if we were going to do what I assume you think we would do, I’ve been on birth control since I was fourteen Dad.” Dad was at a loss for words at my outburst. I raised my brow at him.

“You make a good argument….” Dad muttered.

“I learned from the best. Speaking of the best, when is Mom getting home?”

“She should be home around six. We will discuss dinner when she gets home.” I nodded, accepting his answer and began walking back up the stairs. When Dad made no further objections, Monty followed behind me.

After a few hours of studying and back and forth to decide a topic, my mom got home. “hey, did you want to stay for dinner? I can see what Dad is cooking.” I asked Monty. He checked his phone quickly.

“Uh, yeah sure. If they don’t mind. I don’t want to intrude or anything.” He replied.

“It’ll be no big. Come on, let’s go see what’s on the menu.” I stood and offered my hand to him. We made our way downstairs together. Dinner smelled delicious. I hadn’t realized I was so hungry. “Hey Mom. Is it okay if Monty stays for dinner tonight?” I asked casually.

“Sure thing kiddo. We are making Cajun Chicken Pasta if that’s alright with you?” Dad responded, while he chopped the chicken into pieces. Monty nodded and made no objection.

Mom took a sip from her water and introduced herself to Monty, “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Lainie. It’s nice to meet you Monty.” Ever the professional, she made sure to shake his hand. Judging his grip, no doubt. She smiled to herself, obviously impressed. She then began asking Monty questions. Not third degree questions by any means, just questions. He answered all of them easily enough and they were able to make some conversation. I had somehow been roped to helping dad cook dinner in while Monty and my mom were becoming friends.

The back-door opening pulled us out of our peaceful quiet. Justin walked in with a box of pastries from Monet’s and placed it on the counter. “Hey Mom. Hey dad. Rachel, Monty.” He greeted us absently. He took an apple from the bowl on the island and began making his way out to the boys room.

“Dinner is in like 15 minutes bud.” Dad said passively. They were still wary of scolding Justin about food close to meals.

Suddenly, he realized just what he was witnessing because he stopped at the door and turned around. Justin scanned the room as though doing a headcount. He blinked a few times when his eyes landed on Monty. “Mom. What’s this here?”

“He is your sister’s dinner guest Justin.” Mom explained.

“Uh-huh. Hey Rachel? Can I talk to you?”

“Sure Justin.”

“Outside please?” I rolled my eyes at him but followed him anyway.

#It was just a project #13 reasons why #13 rw #monty de la cruz #montgomery de la cruz #monty de la Cruz fanfic #montgomery de la cruz x reader #monty x oc #clay jensen #justin foley jensen #clustin #scott reed

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