The Greyback Manor

Chapter one

Dedication: I would like to dedicate this story to my beloved Grandfathers Gerald Nelson and Anthony Cossa 

The sunlight shone through the trees, and I laughed while sitting with my two best friends.  

Alex had suggested we go on a picnic to celebrate the end of the year and I happily agreed. After months of nonstop classes, exams, reading, and working at my part time job, I was exhausted.  

“Okay, so what do you guys think about Professor Peach?" I asked.  

"Are you kidding? She talks in a monotone voice and fell asleep for a whole class one time,” Marina responded.  

Alex and I laughed while taking a bite of the banana bread. Marina had gone all out with the picnic food, making banana bread, a fruit salad, Jello, meat sandwiches, and cream sodas. It wasn't the healthiest meal, but it was amazing. I made a note to remind my parents about having more hangouts like this.  

"That's true. At least we know the 'witches' have our back,” Alex said. I laughed thinking about our friend Hannah and her two older sisters who claimed to be witches. Then for a second I wondered why that sounded familiar. Weren’t they actually witches with mortal names as a cover for being immortal? 

"Wait what?" I asked.  

My friends brushed it off, so I let it go and changed the topic to boys we thought were cute.  

"So is Daniel still calling you all the time?" Marina asked.  

"Oh yeah, he can't take a hint. He's asked me out a few times, but I'm with someone,” Alex responded.  

"And what about Josh?" I asked.  

"He's nice, but he ended things in an immature way, so I wish he would become invisible," Alex said.  

"Good thing I don't have to worry about that," Marina said.  

We all laughed, yet a feeling of dread began sinking into my stomach as the conversation went on. I heard about a female doctor from our school who was trying to escape her husband, an old soldier who was always spending time with the so-called witches. An older man who Alex was apparently seeing and another man I apparently had a crush on. All their brothers were unusual, making images flash in my head. I could see my old life in the 21st century, then the red book turned page after page until it landed at the end. It was a picture of the Victorian era.  

"Guys!" I exclaimed.  

They both looked at me with a confused expression before Marina smirked. She vanished, leaving a trail of red snake eyes behind and the world around me became covered in fire. Bars began shooting up from the ground, and I cowered in fear, coughing from the smoke. There was a hard feeling on my chest constricting my breath, every second I glanced up at the ceiling. My throat would tighten as I gasped for air 

There was a hard feeling on my chest constricting my breath, I glanced up at the ceiling. This was it I was going to die. Heavy footsteps filled my ears, and I turned my head to see a figure. My heart died when I realized who it was. It was Alex. Her wavy brown hair looked messy in contrast with her black clothes and eyes. I tried to speak, but no words came out of my mouth. The only sound was a cough that turned into choking sounds.  

"My my, Clara, isn't it wonderful?" the figure asked.