The Witches of the Rose

Chapter One

My bags plopped down on the light blue carpet. I took out a certain picture and put it on my bedside table. It was a picture of my mother and father. The photo had been taken eighteen years ago, about two years before I was born. My father always told me that it was from one of their dates, at a park. My dad, with a bright warm smile. His messy brown hair framed his tan face. His brown eyes twinkled with mischief, and a strong supportive arm was wrapped around my mother. She was the person I most looked like. We shared the same light blond, almost snowy white, hair. We shared the same pale skin, the same light blue eyes and reserved little smiles. We were both skin and bones, as Dad liked to say. Dad always said she was a woman of few words and even fewer actions, but she did so much with so little. I've constantly been told that I'm just like her. For better and for worse. I'm constantly told about her sulkiness and coldness. But what can you do? I couldn't change who my mother was.
I nodded towards the picture and exited the house. I was anxious to get to the library and learn about this town.
I walked past Aunty Wendy. Dad's sister. She was as severe and cold as he was fun and warm. I looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to respond to my presence.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Can I please... go to the library?" I asked, so quietly I could barely hear myself.
"What was that? Speak up. You're acting like your mother..."
"Um... Library, please?" I asked, somewhat louder.
"Library. Of course. I'll drive you there, then you can call me when you want me to pick you up," she agreed.
I smiled a little and jumped back into the old yellow car. We drove off to the library, spring in full effect all across town. Flowers were blooming everywhere, which couldn't be good for my allergies. It was pleasing to the eye though.
"Alright, there's the library, Alex. Have fun. Be home before eight. And don't get caught up with the wrong people," she warned.
When she said that last part, I thought she was referring to drug dealers and gangs. But looking back, I was hilariously wrong.
I entered the library, and was overwhelmed by the smell of new books. I smiled and slinked into the library. I grabbed a book about the history of this town. Cherry Peak.
"New here? You basically smell like a city slicker. What's your name, boy?" a strange girl asked. I held the book up to my face and briefly looked at her.
"I'm... Alex..." I replied. Her green eyes met mine. Two brown braids fell over her shoulders. Her skin was slightly tanned, and dotted with freckles.
"I'm Fern. And nobody calls this town Cherry Peak anymore. The locals just call it the Burning Point," she sighed. I stood up. She towered over me even when I stood up. She could beat me up, no worries. This thought made my heart drop and my palms became sweaty.
"Why?" I asked.
"Why? Oh, I'll tell you why. You ever hear of... witches?" she asked.
"Well, yes..."
"They burn witches at the stake here. And hang them. And drown them. Any terrible way you can think of dying, a witch has probably died that way. There's even a rumour that some boy ended up burning after trying to run away with his lover. Another boy, mind you. This town doesn't take too kindly to members of other religions. The only religion accepted here is Catholicism. If you're an atheist, you might have a chance of being left alone. This town is not at all a kind place for witches, boy. Or gay people. It's a terrible place to live, boy. You'd be better off just staying where you were. Or killing yourself. It's basically suicide being a witch in this town. Ah, gee, I'm basically encouraging you to commit suicide. But look, there's a secret witch society. The Witches of the Rose,"
"Oh?"
"Yeah. And you know I wouldn't just tell any outsider about this. You seem trustworthy. Kind of solitary. I like that. Do you want to join the Witches of the Rose?"
"Uh... no thanks..."
"That's okay. It's not for everyone. Just don't tell anyone what I told you. We have... ways to keep you quiet. Watch your back, buddy. This town's full of snakes in the grass. And that's not a threat. That's a warning. Watch your back, and be careful of who you trust. Bye, Alice,"
Before I had time to correct her or ask her more questions, she vanished. I blinked hard to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. I looked around to see if anyone else had witnessed the strange girl vanishing. But there was only one other person there. An old lady reading a book with her glasses. I guess I looked a little too long and she looked back up to me. I looked away and read a book about the town's history for the next few hours. When I came home, the night was only young, and the last remains of sunlight danced on the horizon. I fell into the arms of slumber. I had been staring at Mum's face again, wondering what she was like. It was a nightly routine. Now I had to remember what Dad was like.