The Promise Path

~ Chapter Six ~

Authors' Note: We hope you like our story! Feel free to voice your opinion, ask any questions and point out any mistakes we make.

Avery wakes up from her afternoon nap to a light knocking sound on her bedroom window, startling her awake from her usual nightmare. She looks over to the window and is surprised to see Lucy crouched on her windowsill, tears streaming down her cheeks. Avery gasps and rushes to the window, pulling it open. Lucy steps into Avery's room and immediately embraces her best friend, the tears starting to fall again. Avery strokes Lucy's back comfortingly and stays quiet. Lucy will talk when she wants to, and Avery can wait for that.

After a few minutes, Lucy lets go and wipes her cheeks free of tears. Avery directs her slowly over to her bed and they sit down on the edge of Avery's bed. Avery puts her arm around Lucy's shoulders, hugging Lucy to her side. Lucy suddenly exclaims,

"I hate my mother! She is such a bitch! We just got into a huge fight because my parents wanted me to stay away from you because, you know, they hate you. Then, when I didn't, my mum got so pissed. She wanted to keep me locked up in my room like a prisoner! So, I jumped out of my window and ran here. She locked me in my room, Avery! Actually locked me in there! She said she wouldn't even let me out for school or to go downstairs for dinner!"

"I'm so sorry Lucy, that must be horrible." Avery replies. She starts to think about what this situation would be like if Avery succeeded in her... task last week. She can't help but tell herself that in that situation, Lucy would have lost her only friend, and not have a place to go if something like this happened between her and her parents. Then again, Avery's rational side reminds her that Lucy wouldn't be in a situation like this with her parents if Avery wasn't around anymore.

"Please don't think this is your fault though. We never get along, something like this was inevitable with us, especially between me and my mother. She is worse than my father." Lucy pleads Avery, knowing her friend too well. Avery shakes herself out of her negative thoughts and smiles shakily at Lucy, trying to reassure her,

"Don't worry Lucy, I don't blame myself for this. I know how your parents are, and I know how different you are to them. I know you argue with your parents a lot, so I don't blame myself." No matter how many times Avery says the same thing in her head, she can't help the guilt building up inside of her. She knows it is at least partially her fault that Lucy got into an argument with her parents, and she can't help but feel guilt for that.

However, Avery also knows that she can't solve it. Lucy's parents won't listen to her, they hate Avery just because of her genetics, just like almost everyone else in the town of Maleficus Quadratum. Avery doesn't understand why there is such discrimination in the Witch and Warlock community; it baffles her to no end. She can't help but wonder why Fire Witches and Warlocks are seen as below the others, and half-breeds even lower than that.

Why do genetics matter, she wonders. Avery strongly believes that whatever power you have and whoever your parents are shouldn't dictate whether a person likes you or not. It should be based on personality, and the actions of the individual, not controlled by something they can't change and shouldn't have to change.

"Avery?" Lucy asks, slightly concerned for Avery, "Are you alright?" The sound of Lucy's voice shakes Avery out of her mini mental rant. She responds,

"Pardon?" Lucy sighs in slight annoyance before repeating her question,

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. Thank you. Why do you ask?" Avery replies, smiling at her friend to try and hide the building anger inside of her at the unfair treatment she and others like her receive.