Icecream in December

Imbolc: Rise of the Embers

The picture on this chapter is of the witch holidays I will be using in each chapter to signify a type of timeline. I will put up the nearest holiday to the chapter's time and that way we can kinda see where they are in the year without all the stupid "i checked my calander it was feburary....etc etc."

-End of authors note-

'My birthdays tommorow. I should be allowed to skip church. I want to go see the new movie, please.' I had to repeat and repeat this until I felt the courage to go actually say it. Anxiety grabbed at me like a cat would a mouse except it wasnt a cat. It was a crippling mental illness. My body shook with the breath I just let go. I didnt notice my mother standing in the doorway watching me closely. I jump softly with fright as our eyes catch each other.

"Pray my girl. Pray if you fear something. I see it in your eyes. You hold back no truth now, as it is equal to lying. Do not sin my girl, and tell me what troubles you." The soft smile and warm sweater made her seem safe to speak to, but our past has shown truer colors. Alas, I had no choice, sin was not an option.

"I wanted to ask you and father if I could go see the new movie, Boil and Toil, tommorow instead of church service....since it's my birthday." I watched her face go pale as I spoke and her hand twitch as I finished. She was not pleased with my request.

"First sunday of the new year and you want to go watch what?? That witchcraft movie! Are you straying from the lord?! Unspeakable! You will go to church like a godfearing woman should! No matter the occasion we go to church! We love the lord! Now, go to the basement! I wish to alleviate you of your sins! Im sure your father will as well!" She was close to tears and partly yelling. I had only seen her this type of mad as a child and I vowed to not do it again. Yet, here I was. Walking down to the basement, like I used to as a small child. Like my siblings do every other day, for they were born into the world where sins were blessed upon and celebrated. They couldnt be as complacent as I. I shut my eyes as I leaned on the padded leather chair. I prayed over and over under my breath as I removed my skirt. My body went tense as I heard my mother's shoes click down the stairs alongside my father. I dared not to look as I knew they had the dreaded thing. The switch. It was from a young orange tree we had when I was just a baby. It was probably as long as my dad's arm and held thorns half the size of my pinky all over. It was the weapon against sin they would tell me. It was for my soul's saftey and pleasure they would repeat to me after each hit. When they reached the bottom they looked at me and sighed in unison.

"We dont want to do this to you, child." Mother clicked her way closer and sounded almost remorseful as she brushed the switch across my bottom lightly lining up the shot. I knew niether of them were sorry for this. For as I looked at my father, I could see him smiling at my mother. I closed my eyes once more. My body tense and anxious. Why did they take so long to get started?! My hands started hurting again and I blew on them softly. They always did this when I got angry. Mother said it was God's way of showing me to be kind at all times. Thwat! I screamed bloody murder as the first strike tore my skin and I could feel the blood going down my thighs. I pushed my mind to a happy place as they battered my bottom for hours.

I awoke to my bed. My wounds taken care of with bandages and my body showered. I must've passed out at some point. I would be scolded for that later. Probably after church today. I turned 18 today, I remember as I get dressed. That did not mean safety from home though. I had no means of escaping. No money, no job, no one to take me in.

"Oh honey, can you bring little Anne into the car so we can go to church? Thank you." my father said as if nothing had happened. I nodded and picked Anne up from her play area and placed her in the carseat. I sat next to her and watched the trees go by as we drove to the dreaded building. When we arrived my parents saw the banner out front for the documentary being shown at the movie theater down the street. Witch hunt, is what it was called. Surely about the witch hunters in the world. A lot of the ones in my town went to my church and had a knack for spotting hidden witches in our community. There had been three killed this month. With the government funding the genocide of witches, a bounty of a thousand per head, witch hunting was a popular profession. Especially in my small city, anything to get you out of town for a while.

One of the witch hunters stopped me and looked me in the eyes for a solid minute as I tried to walk inside. "Godspeed, Alkurt, do I have a witch's hex on my soul?" I ask fearfully. He shakes his head and checks my hands. Witches nowadays had a symbol on their hands. This was how they were usually identified but the eyes were more pronounced. They had a silver aura to them if you stared hard enough. It was downright hellish and scary to see. I saw one once when I was eight. They chopped her head off right there and her husband's head off too.

"You can go now Miss..?"

"Miss Minthe. My father and mother must be worried I must go now Alkurt. Thank you." He nods and I make my way quickly to my family. My mother smiles as she sees me.

"Thank the heavens you're not one of the damned." She pats my hand as I sit next to her and my father looks at me steeleyed.

"You shouldnt ask to leave church for a movie ever. The lord needs us to be faithful to him in service, but there is a showing of Witch Hunt at seven thirty that you may attend since it is your birthday. You must walk straight home afterwards." He says coldly and hands me the money to go.

I nod and listen to Pastor Raymond as the service starts. Maybe today wouldnt be so bad after all.

It was six oclock when we finished our church duties and I practically ran to the movies. Alkurt was there buying tickets also. He stared at me in disbelief. "You here to see Witch Hunt?" His eyes stared into mine as I nodded. "May I join you Miss Minthe?" His body language changed more shy and gentle as I nodded once more. I smiled softly seeing him so flustered was a nice change of pace.

We seated in the theater and watched the movie. It was terrifying. It showed many, many executions and beheadings, but also the tell tale signs of a witch in hiding. We left and Alkurt took me through the woods to get to my home. "Let me know if you see any witches ok? I have to go back to my car." He smiled and made his way back.

"All alone for once in your life. Why is it so hard to get you alone? " I jumped startled to all heck as I see a guy probably in his twenties walk out the woods.

"My family just wants to protect me from witches." I say quietly as I evaluate this new stranger.

"You need to live with us before the new moon comes and awakens you. Come little one. We must hurry." He beckoned me to the woods but I shake my head.

"She needs to get home" said a familiar voice. "Her family will not understand and will find her. Its too dangerous. Leave her be." I turn around and see him. My brother! My older brother, Kalrin, in all his glory! He's been gone for so long! I rush to him for a hug but I stop in my tracks as his eyes catch mine. The silver glow. I look at his hands and sure enough, the symbols are there. I back away.

"Is this why you left? The demons got you?" His face looks pained as I ask. He steps forward and hugs me. My mind races. Alkurt! He has my spare change in hand walking towards us. No. He must go! "Leave Kalrin! Leave! He'll kill you!" Kalrin looks behind him and sees Alkurt rushing towards us and Kalrin runs. Alkurt chases after him but its only a few feet before Kalrin just disappears into thin air. Alkurt looks at me on his way back and I know that I'm getting more punishment when I get home. He drags me there by my arm as I beg him not to tell my parents.

The look on their faces as he tells them what happened is worse than yesterday. They look at me with absolute horror as I walk in the house. My father points to the basement as I enter and I hang my head in shame as I head down there.