Accepting Fate - (Slums to Riches, Book one)

Chapter 15

While her body rested, her mind remained active. Thirteen years of her life played out behind her closed eyelids, yet the first five years—the years her mother stole from her—remained a black void.

Key moments of her life—the moments that shaped her into the woman she became—slowed enough for her to relive them.

The first time she opened her eyes after her mother's spell took effect, she thought the woman in front of her glowed. The sun reflected off Mrs. Samuels' red hair, but the glow appeared to come from within her. Her teachers and the older kids said she seemed more advanced than a three-year-old since she could read, write, and count. She could count further than Cathy, but she didn't want her to feel inadequate, so she pretended not to know more than her.

For five years, she went to school, helped around the house, baked cookies with Mrs. Samuels, and slept in the room with Cathy because they woke each other when they had nightmares. Her last year with Mrs. Samuels, she tutored some of the younger kids who struggled to grasp simple math problems, or couldn't read the words in a book she read her first week after arriving.

She once more saw Andrew climbing onto the roof of the Harlows, but it sped by to the day Robert registered her for high-school. She could not run out of that office quick enough when Principal Donald had to give her a used uniform and a bag of stationary. Robert refused to pay for anything she would not need after she completed her schooling. At eight years old, she started grade eight with Jamie so she could help her. They said she had a learning disability, but Angelique discovered her brain absorbed information differently than others. Angelique broke everything down to the core and explained it one piece at a time, so not to overwhelm her.

Other embarrassing moments played out as well: sitting in the park, sobbing against Ty's shoulder after a bad day at school; Andrew putting her on her ass many times at the dojo before she discovered her strengths and weaknesses; and throwing up every morning at The Grill as though she had become pregnant without ever having sex. She vowed to never become a statistic like many teenagers.

Robert and Patricia dominated her memories of the last three years before she ran off with Ben and Jamie.

Patricia hovered at the bedroom door, cackling her cartoon witch laugh. "Soon, little witch. Soon you and you mother's power will belong to me." They truly believed her mother hid her powers inside Angelique. The notion that they thought she could not match her mother's strength irked her, even though she denied it herself.

Then there was Bob. The foul stench of rotting food and onions clung to his skin. His sour breath filled her lungs as she lay on her bed, frozen in place. Spittle dripped onto her cheek as he groped her chest. But he never did more. Patricia had warned him not to defile her body, believing she would offer herself to save her family.

His threat echoed through her mind as though he once more stood over her, sneering at Jenny.

"Once you leave, nothing can stop me from doing what I want with those brats. They will be my playthings and he won't have anyone to run to."

She screamed and tried to scratch the smug sneer from his face, even as the image faded away. Green grass and honeysuckle bushes replaced all the heartache and sneering faces. Her wolf guardian laid down beside her, snuggling closer to protect her from the soft breeze rustling the grass blades around them. His thick fur carried the scent of the fresh mountain air, with a hint of hay and spice mixed in. The soft hairs tickled her neck as she lay her head on his back and dried her tears on his fur.

For the first time since she passed out, her mind rested, and she slept peacefully.

Some time passed before the images returned. In her dream state, she could understand the strange language Patricia and Thomas used. Each grunt held meaning, each wave of his hand another. Patricia feared she would regain her powers before they achieved their task of possessing her. Thomas dismissed her fears each time, though he should have taken note.