Skeletons Of Gold

An End and A Beginning

   I huffed loudly as I stomped into the tiny two bedroom hut my grandmother and I called home.

"How was your day sweetheart," Nana, my grandmother, called.

"Awful," I called back. Nana walked into the living room, her gray hair in a neat bun. She was wearing a dull yellow dress with little white flowers.

"That's too bad sweetheart. Would you like to talk about it?

"No," I groaned flopping on the couch and putting my feet on the coffee table.

"I just hate this place. I have no friends, and everyone in this town thinks I'm a freak."

"They just don't know you yet," she said placing a hand on my leg.

"And why would they bother with the weird black girl who wears sunglasses all day." In the past we tried using colored contacts to hide the permanent gold color of my eyes but the color would shine through them. Sunglasses were the only thing that were full proof.

"Gwen, now don't start-" she began.

"I'm not. 'The glasses are for your protection' I know." Nana sighed.

"I know things have been hard and that I've asked a lot of you. But please remember everything I do is because I love you and want you safe. This world is dangerous for people like you."

This isn't the first time I've heard this. Ever since that day thirty years ago magical creatures revealed themselves the world was turned upside. Magical creatures were the top of the food chain and humans were second class. Then twenty years ago something unexpected happen, humans born with the ability to control magic, not simply exist with it. That's when the government started The Test. They used it to find people like that, magic users they called them, and haul them off to Gallowards School For Magic Studies, before they become the wealth right hands of politicians. Most people dream of being accepted into the school, a quick way for you and your family to get rich. But Nana, she feared the very thought. She saw it as being trapped in a cage, a gilded cage, but a cage nonetheless.

"Nana, do you ever think that perhaps it isn't as bad as you think it is. We could get a nice house, you could retire. We wouldn't have to hide or worry about which bill to pay." I argued, I knew it was useless but I had to try.

Nana gave me a dark look," I would rather live in a cardboard box then let those monsters use you."

"Then me let me help around here. I can magic up a little food here and there, a few dollars every now and then to help us out till the next paycheck."

"I will most certainly not use your gifts for personal gain. We will get through the old fashioned way. Now," she said standing," go finish your homework. Dinner will be ready in an hour."

"Yes ma'am," I mumbled grudgingly grabbing my backpack and heading towards my room.

"And Guinevere," she called over her shoulder.

"Yes Nana?"

"I love you," she said sweetly. I felt my heart warm like it always did when she said this.

"I love you too," I said in return and heading towards my room.

****************************

I was at school, history class to be exact, furiously taking notes. My hood was up and my sunglasses on. I was sitting in the back like I always did, fading into the background. I was so focused on what I was doing that I jumped when the PA system came on.

"Could all students report to the gymnasium for testing, I repeat, could all students report to the gymnasium for testing. Thank you." Everyone started to stand and head towards the door. No, it couldn't be. They always gave us warning before doing the test always. I hopped out of my seat and practically ran to the teachers desk. The blonde woman was distracted and jumped at the my sudden appearance.