Growing Out of the Light

Chapter 1

For once, I'm glad I didn't listen to my mother. I sit on a rock bathing in the moonlight listening to the cheers of the humans below me. I'm high enough above the lake that they can't see me but still able to catch a glimpse of the enchanting life they live. I reposition myself so I can dangle my arms off the front of the rock. I watch as a teen boy, I assume he's close to the age of 18, sprint into the water. The look on his face is enthralling. He looks like there is no care in the world.

I sigh and turn over to my back to stare up at stars. As I reach my hand up to the stars, my fingers spark. From my fingers, I shoot up fireworks, earning myself a cheer from below. I sit up looking down at the humans who stare up in wonder at the sky. Before I make a rash decision to join them, I hear a sharp whistle. Groaning, I slide off the rock and begin the trek back to my house.

At the age of 17, I've never contacted another human being. My mother has kept me hidden in the Ashwood forest. Here, I live among the trees and master the art of witchcraft. Despite being half mortal, my mother warns me against contacting other humans. She says they will never understand our kind and that the heartbreak is not worth it. Despite the warning, I can't help myself from wondering what life is like outside the forest.

Flicking my hand towards the forest, I watch as the green hedge guarding the area spreads apart. I trudge along the path, being careful to avoid getting my dark brown boots dirty. Mother is already mad enough. If I came back trekking mud, she'd hang my neck. I quicken my pace allowing the piercing whistle to guide me home. In a record of time, I make it to the small village among the trees I call home.

I swing myself up into the trees climbing my way to our hut. I'd like to say if I could choose anywhere in the world, I would choose our small village in the Ashwood Forest. Despite the seclusion, it is completely and utterly beautiful. Lights hang around the trees illuminating the wooded pathways between the treehouses. The treehouses vary in size, but all are completely built out of natural materials. Although small, the closeness of the town is both suffocating yet comforting.

I sneak past my best friend's Lawson hut only to see it still illuminated at 1 am. His mother must be out. I knock on his door ignoring my mom's wishes to return home. I hear rustling in the hut and eventually Lawson answers the door with a glare.

"Finley. It's 1 am."

"Your light is on."

He flicks his finger and the lights turn off. I laugh and gently tug him into a hug.

"You okay?" He whispers into my hair.

I nod not being able to express my emotions into a tangible sentence.

I pull away but he refuses to let me out of his grip.

"Finley, did you go to the cliff again?"

I once again nod against his comforting chest. I feel him sigh. This time when I pull away, he lets me go. Before he can say anything else, I hold a hand up.

"I don't need another lecture from you. I'll get plenty of that from my mom. Just... I don't want to be stuck here forever. There is so much out there. How can you not want to explore it?"

Lawson flicks his fingers and the lights turn back on. He gestures for me to come in. I check my watch. I mean I'm already late so what's the harm in another 20 minutes.

Lawson's hut is small in size but doesn't lack taste by any means. A familiar smell of lavender and vanilla float through the air providing a comforting aroma in the room. I flop down onto the couch in the living room sinking into the olive cushions. Lawson disappears and comes back with a glass of water and an orange scone. I gladly accept both while slipping off my brown boots. I lean back and sip some water slowly while Lawson runs a frustrated hand through his curly blond locks. I avoid looking into his piercing green eyes. How unfair he was one of the lucky ones to get a normal eye color while I'm over here with the satanic blue eyes that scare everybody away. He pulls up his hood and draws the string so I can barely see his face. It's one of his nervous habits.

I set down the glass and reach a hand out to pull his hood down.

"You honestly can't expect me to not believe you haven't thought about it." I ask him.

He sighs heavily in annoyance.

"Of course,. Finley. I'd be crazy if I didn't. But you know tradition and how important it is to follow it. It would be suicide to leave the coven."

"Screw tradition. Screw the coven." I spit out.

"Staying here is suicide. At one-point Lawson, you have to leave home and adventure out. The world is too big to stay in one place."

"We can't keep having this fight. You know the rules." Lawson hides in his hood again. He hates confronting me and he hates repeating this fight. But I'm stubborn. I love this coven and they have taught me so much, but I don't want to hide forever.

Sighing, I take the now empty glass to the kitchen and clean it out. Lawson follows me in.

"Plus it's too dangerous right now. With Hunters coven on a witch rampage, I don't want to see you get hurt. I couldn't live without you Finn."

The Hunters coven has strayed from our path and is now killing young witches and warlocks for sport.

"I know, you're right Lawson. I just can't imagine a life only here. There is much more out there for us. But I couldn't do that to mom or you. Thank you. You're the best." I pull him into a hug and kiss him on the cheek. I ruffle his curls giving him a grin. He reluctantly smiles back at me.

"Alright. Bedtime for you. I'll see you bright and early for training?" He asks.

I groan looking at my watch. It's now 2 am. Our training is at 6 am.

"Yes. Unfortunately, I will be there. Good night."

He walks me out and watches me as I swing over two huts down. I sneak around back and slide through my window directly into my bed. Just as I land, my lights flicker on. My mother's blue eyes glare at me. I give her a small wave.

"Where were you Finley Grace Rasoul?" She crosses her arms.

I wince at the use of my full name.

"I was at Lawson's."

She raises an eyebrow at me. I can tell she doesn't believe me, but she doesn't push it.

"So you and Lawson?" She winks at me.

"Ew. No. I've been best friends with him for years Mom. Only friends."

She sighs dramatically.

"For now."

I scowl at her and throw a pillow at her as she turns off the lights. The pillow floats in mid air right in front of her face. She glares at me then swings it back at me. I catch it.

"Good night Finn."

"Night Mom."

As soon as she shuts the door, I roll out of bed. I slide off my brown boots, tunic pants, and black long sleeve. I quickly change into pajamas and let my hair out of its ponytail. It frames my face in messy waves and I run my hair through it to calm the frizz. With a flick of my hand, my alarm clock sets to 5:45 am and I tumble into bed falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.