B*tches with Stiches: Book One

34 Two Months Later...

I awoke that morning hearing the sound of the tree hitting the side window in my brothers room. I wasn't expecting the whole scene thing my parents usually pulled off I mean I was only turning 17 it wasn't like I was a full adult yet just old enough to maintain a job and school now. The number seemed foreign, like a John Hugh's movie or a bad sitcom where the girl wakes up and there's a petting zoo in the yard. Instead it was completely windy and still partially snowed on the road. I did notice the new phone on my dresser replacing the one that Esme practically smashed, "Galaxy S7, thanks Dad." I mumble trying to wipe my eyes of sleep. I also didn't notice the breakfast in bed ordeal mom usually did the fresh waffles, the scrambled egg whites and grape juice. Instead I found a plane ticket on the end of my bed I automatically sit up and read the contents, "One way, Ontario, Canada..." That was what had caught me and made the day seem better.

I practically exploded out of bed and it being Saturday I didn't plan on doing much of anything except seeing a movie with my new found friend, Josie. Yea, though she didn't seem to be Esme she was just as chill as her. Josie was 17, long brown hair with gentle curls, hazel eyes and a light skin tone. Turns out she had grown up in Detroit and moved here with her parents when she was ten and lived behind main Street so she was close to her work. I seemed to get along better with Josie than I thought I would she even offered to get me hired at the diner in a month so I had the chance to make some money. "Molly? Morning sweetheart, happy birthday! How you feeling a little older I take it?" Dad says I end up hugging him around his neck from behind. "Not one bit. I'm going to go see Josie I'll be back in a couple of hours we're going to the movies; later guys." Mom was obviously just finishing my favorite meal but I could tell she was worried something about her seemed aloof.

I walked all the way to Josie's house which wasn't nearly as nice as mine a small flat considering she was an only child and usually spent her time that way. Just as I was about to knock on the door I could hear talking through the window that sounded like her but more grown up tone, probably her mom. "Josephine? Are you home? It's Molly; the birthday chick." I tapped a bit on the window to possibly get her attention. I heard footsteps headed my way I huddled closer to the door for the warmth inside, Josie finally answered after a couple more knocks. "Hey, Molly... I was kinda busy talking with my mom on the phone you know? She was telling me to be careful and stuff you know the whole you're not an adult yet thing?" I nod Josie offers for me to come in while she went to get her jacket. I glanced around taking note of the Bible on a shelf, a few scattered pictures on the wall of herself and her mom and a final picture in a nice gold frame of, "Esme?" I whisper and without realizing it I had the picture in my hand. I held it closer to observe the photo closer, Josie and Esme were side by side in a school contest; science fair in elementary and that's when I about dropped the picture. "Alright are you ready to go? Molly?" That voice where did I hear that voice? It wasn't Josie, it wasn't Josie at all it sent chills down my spine the closer her feet moved to me, "Molly? I know you know who I am. I know you think you didn't dispose of me that easily now did you? I'll always be here, we will always be here. We are everywhere and thanks to you we will continue to be everywhere. I love you, Molly." I didn't dare turn around because I know who I would see it scared me so bad instead I ran out the door. I could hear Esme and Kari giggling about halfway down the road, laughter that would forever haunt me.

I finally made it home realizing I had run a couple miles and it was hot, exhausting I just fell to the floor. It was too quiet in the house and my breathing was interrupting my thoughts why was it so quiet? What the fuck was actually happening? What the hell have I done? There's no way those two could still be here... They weren't meant to be Earth bound spirits. Or were they? Just as I headed toward the kitchen for a glass of water cause heaven forbid I would dehydrate out of fear the lights were off and not a sound could be heard. I grabbed a glass of the counter, turned on the tap preparing for whatever was to come and that's when I hear a loud, "Surprise!" Come from around me. I swear I threw the glass at the fridge shattering it; my parents both stare at me wondering what the hell my problem was. Stanley and Cas burst into laughter possibly high off their ass before or on the way here, "Well fuck if this ain't a real party I don't know what is!" Cassius says by accident out loud my mom gives him the death stare. I rush to grab a broom and clean up the mess; my dad takes away the broom from me ushering me to go see my cake and gifts. "Mom, I told you I didn't want to make a big deal out of this." I add as she hands me a gift, "I didn't Moll's! My idea of a scene was to give you the plane ticket and we headed out tommorow evening just your dad, you and I. Now open your gift from me!" The excited mom oh what fun when she realizes she's losing her little girl.

I don't argue or make more of a scene than I already was at so I just unwrap the light blue box and see that it's a small necklace, "Your grandmother wanted you to have it last year but I didn't think you were old enough then to keep it. Happy birthday!" It was probably the most beautiful and smallest stone I had ever laid eyes on with a tiny blue stone in the middle tied to a small rope, "It's amazing, Mom... Thank you." I hug her.

I make my way toward Stanley who managed to stop by for the night and was gone tommorow morning, he wouldn't be able to afford the trip to Ontario. "Open mine I think you'll love it!" He nearly screams in excitement. I manage to rip off the birthday wrap he got special for me and at first I don't say anything because words couldn't explain what I felt for it, "Holy crap! Thank you, Stanley it's amazing!" It was a vintage vinyl records for The Who and although I didn't have a record player I still found it amazing because the record was rare only twelve left in existence. "Your welcome, brat. I'm sorry I can't be in Canada with you guys I have to work and Cas has a previous engagement. But I will be bringing my motorcycle this time. If you touched it I swear to God I'll hack of your hands... I mean it, Moll's." Mom slaps his forehead for that, "No threatening the birthday girl!" "Well I'm just saying I know how she is! I can't go with you guys cause I'm busy..." Dad gives him a stern glance the old male to make silent talk. Cas gives me his gift and considering he had a pretty good amount of cash this ought to be shitty cause Cas sucked at buying gifts, "Here you go, old lady. Enjoy!" He smiles, "Me, old? More like you're three years older than me." I add. "Yes for five months then I'm finally of legal age... BAM!" He yells. I reach into the bag and pull out two bags of candy; chocolate to be exact and then the bingo prize. "Wow, you put a lot of thought into it this time!" For the first time he had gotten someone a gift worth wanting it was an IPod touch so that I could download songs and videos onto it as I pleased.

It was time for cake and mom lit the candles all 17 of them. It made me feel older but not old in fact I felt rather grateful that I actually had living family that cared about me; a somewhat stoner friend that I couldn't help but possibly have feelings for. Boy that sounded disturbing even to me, "Blow out your candles, honey!" Mom yelled in excitement. When I finally did I had one wish and that was to never see those two ungrateful dead girls again even if it meant having to cast a protection around the house I would. Stanley and Cas being so stoned were definitely down for cake but not me instead I took off to the living room to look out the window, watching the wind die down. I thought about the new year and what else was to come I could already tell this year was gonna bring a bag omen, the dead have decided they no longer want to be dead.

"Molly you have another one!" Mom calls from across the kitchen. I hurry into the kitchen to see what she meant and look around wondering what she was talking about that's when mom hands me an envelope; a small white envelope with my name on it. Only my first and middle though, Stanley looks at me kind of worried and then at Cas who he nudges from stuffing his face with vanilla cake. "I'm gonna go open this in there, alright Mom?" She nods so does dad helping her clean up the boys messes. Stanley follows behind so does Cas I guess they assumed one of the other got it for me but seemed confused. I open the letter slowly.

Molly Marie Jansen,

You are hereby ordered by the Council of Witchcraft to be executed in three months. You do have two choices however in the meantime before we show up:
1)You shall kill yourself in our presence under the light of the full moon at midnight. It isn't the matter of how you do it as long as it before the Council and before your family.

2) You shall renounce your gifts under our presence and renounce all use of your Witchcraft ability. You may never again use magic for personal or others pleasures.

You have until June 17th to make your final decision and whatever you choose is your final say. You are being executed for the mark of the beast that you contain from use of dark gift, magic and necromancy which is highly illegal in our council and is a disgrace to witch kind.

Until we see you,
The Council of Witchcraft

I put down the letter and stare right at Stanley who seems confused, "What's wrong? Molly are you ok?" I can't speak but I have to force myself to, "Stanley... Stan... Winston... I... We... I have a problem..."

The End