Blood Is Blood

Party?

        The party was near the border of the Werewolf territory, which made Cara a little nervous. Though she couldn’t help but admit that it also gave her a rush. She heard terrifying stories of how they would rip apart anyone they came across. Despite the horrendous tails, she had always wanted to meet a werewolf.

        “The party has arrived, ladies!” Cedric called as the three walked in to the party’s entrance. Everyone knew that Cedric was going to be there. He never misses a party, but it was a shock to see Beau and Cara. Cara liked to stay inside with a book; crowds made her feel uncomfortable. Beau told her they both should go though. People needed to see Beau more, possibly because he was the head of the Witch Community. Beau wanted Cara to go so she could meet male witches, she had just turned seventeen and she needed to find a match. Because of the Great War, sixteen years ago, population went down eighty seven percent. Basically more children had to be born in order for the community to become strong. Which meant everyone had to be married at the age of seventeen.

        The people in the crowd just stared in shock at Beau and seemed to be only curious about Cara. The staring made Cara really regret that she had come. She wanted to back away out the way she came and crawl back into her bed.

        “Let’s Party!” Beau yelled. Everyone seemed to relax automatically then. The party commenced.

        “My lovelies!” Cedric flirted with three of his usual’s. All the girls in the community loved Cedric. He was definitely a chick magnet. It was a shame that all the girls around his age were all taken. No doubt they all lied to their husbands so they could get to this party that people were not going to shut up about.

        Cara rolled her eyes at Cedric and gave Beau a smile when she noticed one of her friends. Her only friend, actually. Cara didn’t get out much and her friend was the only connection she had to the outside world. Tabby was nineteen and she had already given birth to two sons. She married as soon as she turned seventeen. Tabby didn’t love the man but love was unrealistic these days. Cara was afraid that she would live a loveless life. She loved the idea of love and undying love. She read all about it in her books and she wanted it desperately.

        “Oh my God, Cara! I had no idea you were coming. I’m so glad.” Tabby squealed with excitement. Tabby had a very bouncy personality.

        “Yeah, me neither. Beau said I had to go though.” Cara said.

        “So you can meet your match right?” Tabby said with hope in her voice.

         “Sadly.”

        “Yes! It’s about time you get hitched. Hurry and make with the baby making sister, because you aren’t getting any younger.” Tabby said pretty loud. Cara didn’t have to look around to know people were staring her way. No doubt everyone else felt the same. After Cedric not having anyone to marry and Beau losing his wife to childbirth, Cara was the only hope for her family’s lineage.

        “I’ll go get us something to drink.” Cara said quickly. She wanted to get out of there.

        “Ooh! Make mine non-alcoholic.” Cara turned around to see Tabby smiling. She started to rub her belly. Cara mustered a smile then turned back around rolling her eyes. Cara thought Tabby was a baby breeding machine. She didn’t want to become her. Sure Cara wanted kids but not with someone she couldn’t stand. She knew that Tabby’s husband hit her.

        She didn’t understand why at first, she knew now that it had to be that he didn’t love her. He was an angry man who yelled at his sons who were only three and two. A man that could actually hit a woman. Cara couldn’t stand the man and she felt such pity for Tabby. Cara reported the abuse to her brother. Beau couldn’t do anything though because that was how the laws were. Men were allowed to put their wives in their place by hitting them. Beau tried numerous times to revoke the heinous law but the council appealed it. Conveniently for Tabby’s husband, all the council members happen to be men.

        Cara got to the bar and was waiting on the drinks when she spotted Bryant. Bryant was her next door neighbor. He was 19 and had his eyes on Cara. Cara didn’t mind him. He was attractive, she just wasn’t into him because he was too into himself. She decide then that she was going home. On her way out the door, she stopped at the restroom. The thought of her marrying Bryant made her feel sick.

        Luckily, she didn’t get sick. She stared at herself in the mirror. She looked pale and sickly. She got sick from time to time with no explanation. Her magic was probably the weakest out of anyone in the community. She couldn’t even gather up one single spell. How was she going to have children? Who would even want to marry such a weak person? She wanted to be stronger. She just couldn’t think of even one reason to be strong. She decide that it would be better for her to go home and lay down. She took a deep breath then walked out of the restroom.

        “Running away?” Bryant’s voice called after her. Bryant was a tall blonde and had an ego that was bigger than his brain. Cara groaned inside herself, obviously irritated that she failed to avoid him.

        “I guess you could say that. This just really isn’t my scene, you know.”

        “Well, stick around and you may even be lucky enough to hang out with me for the entire party.” Bryant batted his eyelashes at Cara. ‘God kill me now’ she thought.

        “Oh, what a joy!” Cara said with heavy sarcastic enthusiasm while she batted her eyelashes.

        “So, I’m gonna get serious now.” Bryant took a step closer. Cara did not like how this was going so she took a quick step back and spun around on her heel. She was getting as far away from him as possible. Bryant grabbed her arm.

        “Wait! I wasn’t done talking with you. You know it’s really rude to leave in the middle of a conversation.”

        “Yeah and it’s really rude to flirt with a girl who is not interested!” Cara was getting frustrated.

        “What’s that supposed to mean?” Bryant asked confused.

        “Why me?!” Cara exclaimed. She decided to narrow it down for him in terms of stupid. “Me no like you! Leave me alone!” Cara stomped off out the back door, leaving Bryant with a bewildered look on his face.