They Have Always Lived In The Castle

Chapter One

She is stomping out of the library when I first spot her, for Merricat, Tuesday is the most terrible day. Because Tuesdays are when she must come into town and see all of those who hate her. But  know her well, she will have used the book I lent her, on spells, the tells her that if one buries something evil or touched by cruelty that person may take its power and therefore cannot be harmed for one whole day.  

They live at the end of Blackwood Road, which runs in a great circle around the village. Their father, like all the Blackwoods before him was very rich. He built the gate to keep his family safe. But it could not protect him. The people here believe that six years ago Constance killed her Father and the rest of her family, the poison leaving their Uncle Julian crazy and wheelchair bound. They think she is wicked and should be sent away again.

Merricat believes they now live as two queens in a castle on top of the highest hill. But they don't understand.

"Good morning Merricat, black coffee is it? Come, sit." You smile at her, waving her in as she enters the little cafe in town, the bell chime alerting the few customers in their of her arrive, but they don't look thrilled. The waitress also a more kindly soul smiles as she fills up her cup. 

"How are you today?" You ask, your voice as prim and proper as her sisters, yet more jovial, less timid.

"Fine, thank you." Merricat replies with a relieved smile, you imagine what names she's been called already. Before you can continue with your conversation, you're greeted with the sound of two familiar male voices. 

"Hey, Y/N" The greet you cheerily, everyone round here thought the sun shone out of you. It was a wonder to them then, that you spent time caring for the deranged sister of the Blackwood estate.

"Gentlemen." You give a small smile, and then gentle gave young Mary a squeeze of the hand, it didn't make her feel much better.  "Where's the fire?" You ask motioning outside in reference to the noised you'd heard all morning, the alarm still ringing though your head. You though perhaps talking as if nothing, or no one rather, unusual was sitting next to you.

"Yeah, it's practice drills this morning, ladies." the younger of the two men sat down closet to Merricat, whists the waitress Stella, poured them their usual. 

"Long ago, Jim Donnell fell in love with Mary's sister, Constance. They were going to run away and elope in his brand new automobile, it was all rather magical and romantic, Merricat didn't think so though, no she told her father.... and her Father was powerful...so Jim Donnell lost his job, his love and his brand new automobile. 

"They tell me you're moving away..." Jim looks towards Merricat whilst he lights a cigarette. 

"No." Comes her short reply, she can't even look him in the eyes. 

"No?"

"She said no Jim, it must've just been gossip, you heard."

Jim looks at you square on, he offers you a drag of his cigarette which you decline gracefully, he's been trying to get to to marry him for a while now, but to no avail. 

"Did you ever hear anything like the gossip in this town?" He chuckles at you bringing his  cigarette back to his mouth and leaning a bit closer to the young girl.

"Leave her alone, Jim."

"I'm not bothering anybody, Y/N....I'm just asking Miss Mary Katherine Blackwood here...how it is that everybody in town is telling me her and her sister are going somewhere else to live."

"Back off you brute, you have all the class of a reversing dump truck." You sip your coffee glaring at him from above the rim. Merricat looking at you, her dark eyes wild, how was it you battled evil so well you could here her ask. But that was a secret you would keep to yourself. 

"It's a pity" Jim takes an exaggerated breath whist swirling the tea spoon around in his drink, the young Merricat staring at it, transfix, you knew what she was thinking "when the old families go."
"Though I guess" he taps his spoon dry and places it on the side dish "you could say... most of the Blackwoods are gone already." He says in a slightly dark whisper. Mary makes a move but you stop her, you wanted to finish your coffee.