The Blight Code

The Willow Era

       We all were young and dumb once. I was too. I thought my family was perfect, idolized. I thought my parents knew everything. Damn, I was wrong.

       However, I had a great friend, Willow park. All my earliest memories are the days I would spend with her. Swimming lessons and hanging out at her fathers house. My little brain didn't notice my parents never invited Willow over. 

     Back then, it was all kids problems. Bruised knees, sand boxes, and pretending to be coven leaders. I never realized how wrong my parents were. I faltered under their gaze, wanted to do anything to please their high expectations. It never struck me that they would control every aspect for my life.

     It was the night of my birthday party. I had come home from swimming lessons giddy and excited. I put on my new dress and put my hair in a fresh ponytail. It was brown, like my fathers, and I stood out from Ed and Em. This made me proud as a kid, eventually used as a guilt trip.

      The party beginning was mediocre. Willow was late, and only years later did I realize that was why my parents were overjoyed. I had to play with Boscha and Skara. Both girls were... bossy. Boscha strutted around like she owned the place. Skara looked up to Boscha every word. Still are like that today, but they have their moments.

      Willow showed up at the party, and I was overjoyed. I barely left her side until my parents pulled me into a separate room. I couldn't be friends with Willow. She wasn't a suitable friend. I broke it off, and cried into my pillow at night for weeks afterward.

     My mother walked in on me crying one night. 

     "Sit up" I did as she asked, expecting words of comfort. Instead, she slapped me hard against the face. 

     "You are a Blight. Act like it." With that, my mom left the room. Ed and Em crept in, their young selves looking for a victim for their newest scheme. But even they know some moments need comforting.

     That was the beginning of my eyes opening to how crappy my parents really were.