Witch {Book One} [UNEDITED]

X: Occide, et Angelis; Caelum et Infernum

I woke up in the pristine, bland, annoying white hospital room I was shoved in every other week because my game of Put Bandit in Every Dangerous Situation Ever Until she Dies then Watch as she is Revived Magically always, always, always got me killed. My throat was stitched up and had gauze taped over it. I sat up and looked around. I was alone. Again. There was a note on the table next to my bed that I snatched up as soon as I saw it. My name was printed on the front. My real name. I frowned and ripped the envelope open. 

Adelaide,
I would like to apologize to you. My name is Atticus Brown. I'm 22 years old and I was the oldest member of the Union. Until every single fucking member died today. Except for me. Normally if some bitch showed up and shanked every member of my cult, I would hate them and want to rip their intestines out and use them to make strings on a fucking piano. 
But not you. 
Because I fucking hated Cal more than I hate you right now. 
Right now, Insomnia is the third most badass and deadliest cult in all of New Orleans. I think we both know who makes the top two. This might be asking a lot (since I just told you that I would want to tear your guts out and I called you a bitch and since you're in the hospital because your fucking throat was torn open. How you survived, I have no fucking clue, but that was so badass) but I want to join Insomnia. I know you're the leader and when I asked the others, they said to ask you. And you were asleep--or dead. No clue if you're even alive right now. But if you are . . . So. Fucking. Badass--I couldn't exactly ask you. So I'm writing you this shitty note. 
Call me. Text me. Add me to your special Insomnia group chat or whatever. Just contact me to let me know. 
-A.B.

He wrote his phone number beneath his initials. 

I set the note from Atticus down and grabbed my phone, which was also on the little table. I made Atticus a contact and added him to the Honorary Insomnia Group Chat. 

I'm breaking out of the hospital, guys. Need backup and alibis. Whoever ain't coming to help me bust outta here, meet at the Bitchy Witchy. I pressed sent and waited a minute before adding, New members, wear something comfortable and bring some money. You're getting tattooed today. 

Two more minutes passed before I ripped my IV out and yanked the gauze off of my throat. I waited for a reply from my cult. 

Alice, Lucy, Sammy and I are coming for you, October Mae had said. 

I'll take the others to the BW. They getting initiated? Flynn said. 

Yep. I'll be at the Bitchy as soon as I can. I shoved my phone into the pocket on my hospital gown and waited for Alice, Lucy, Sammy, and O.M. 

They arrived several minutes later with some clothes for me. I got dressed quickly before following them out the window and into Sammy's car. She sped as fast as she could to the Bitchy Witchy. 

The rest of Insomnia was already there, at our booth in the back, sipping a variety of liquid poison. Jemma somehow managed to get us free drinks. Whether it was because she worked there or because she killed someone to do it, I didn't know and I didn't care. Free drinks was all that mattered. 

"What are we getting tattoos of?" Callie asked, sipping her margarita. 

"Occide, et angelis; caelum et infernum," I said simply, thanking the waitress who came by with my drink. "It's our motto." I pulled my shirt up to show the fancy calligraphy spelling out the Latin words along my ribs. Once the others had a good look at my tattoo, I pulled my shirt back down, hoping that they didn't see the scars littering my pale skin like mistakes engraved into my body. I crossed my arms protectively over my body, never been one to show off my body. 

We spent the rest of our time at the Bitchy Witchy drinking our liquid poison in silence. Once we finished, we got up and left to go to the tattoo parlor where the rest of us got inked with the official marking of Insomnia. 

Enough artists were in that Atticus, Callie, Helena, and Jemma could all go back and get tattooed at once. I stayed with Simon and October Mae, watching the others as they endured the pain of the needle. 

"Where're you getting yours?" I asked October Mae, taking her hand and lacing my long, bony fingers with hers. 

"Around my leg," she said, tracing a line across her upper thigh. "I think it'll look cool there." I nodded and looked back at the others. Jemma had a blank expression, as well as Callie. Atticus was grimacing and Callie was obviously in massive amounts of pain.

"Do you already have any tattoos?" I asked, leaning my head on her shoulder. 

"I do. On my back. It's private, though . . ." She replied, her voice soft. I closed my eyes, not wanting to push it. If she had a secret, so be it. I had a fair share of secrets that I wouldn't tell anyone. Hell, I had secrets I wouldn't even let myself know I had. 

It was at that exact time that I realized that I was afraid of myself. 

I didn't say another word until we left the tattoo parlor. 

>>>

I had been nineteen when I made Insomnia up. I thought that it would be fun to be in a gang; to get out of the Slum City and into Eldorado. I asked Alice to join. She said yes. Members went in and out of the gang but we never made the top ten deadliest gangs in New Orleans. Until we decided to become a cult, that is. 

Then we flew into the top five. 

Then into the top three.

Insomnia became hated by all. 

I didn't even recall half the times I was murdered because of my place in the cult. My body was a reminder, however, with the thousands of scars I was gifted.