God has heaven.
The Devil has hell.
And in the middle, walking the earth is Witches.
Magical beings, they strive to protect their coven and guard over their sisters, they hide their powers so they may be able to blend quietly within society; but th...
"So if I'm an empath, Ally is a manipulator and you can alter surroundings - what can she do?"
I recognise Lola Love, voice squealing above me as I lay dead still, desperately trying to pretend I'm still a sleep, with the hope I can hear what's going on and make sense of where I am and what they want from me.
"Well it ain't Olympic runner that's for sure" that snarky tone mutters, instantly I recognise that harsh voice belonging to the police officer that had grabbed me.
Anger flares up in me but I daren't move, I can't give myself away, so I scream in my head "bitch" which triggers of hysterical laughter from Lola and panic from me - did I just say that out loud?
"What's so funny?"
"It would seem someone is awake and she didn't take kindly to your comment" Lola sniggers as the room falls silent, I can feel their steely gazes upon me.
I pry one eye open just slightly but can barely make anything out through the tiny slit. Lola Love places her hand on my shoulder "please don't worry kid, we won't hurt you".
Her voice is warm like butter, with its kind soothing tone pulling me in ever so slightly but even so, what reason do I have to trust these people, I've been let down by people promising false hope and kindness only to be deceived and betrayed.
Lola strokes my shoulder ever so gently as if she wishes to sooth my pain away "we aren't like them, you will see, in time you will trust us, we will earn your trust but to start with you need to open your eyes kid".
It's as if she slipped into my brain like a maggot through my ear and is able to see every emotion and thought without me uttering a word - I'm unsure if I like this, there's part of myself I want to keep hidden from the world because even I'm unable to make sense of it.
She moves away to give me space, I slide myself up on the couch I've been sleeping on, cautiously opening my eyes that are shrouded by my long flowing hair that drapes like a protective mask. I keep my head low.
"I would imagine you are hungry, you've slept for quite a while" Lola chimes.
"Yeah no thanks to her" I snap nodding towards the police officer hovering beside Lola .
"Well you shouldn't have bloody run, I was trying to help you then you...." Her rant is cut short by Lola elbowing her in the ribs and giving her a glare "I'm sorry .... For knocking you out" she mutters through gritted teeth " I was just trying to get you out of there before someone realised what you was or you lost control....."
What the hell is she talking about? Who or what do they think I'am?
"Enough chatting, this can all wait for tomorrow" a voice bellows, the smell of warm soup and fresh bread that makes my mouth water and my tummy rumble wafts closer to me until it's placed beneath me into my shaking hands, the warmth of the bowl creeps up my arms and relaxes my tired body. Then a hand leans into move my hair from my face, I instantly flinch unprepared for human touch, it's been so long and feels so alien plus I'm terrified of their reaction when they see my face.
"Now you can't eat with all that hair in the way" the unknown voice whispers, then she leans in again and moves my hair to the side tucking it behind my ear, she then takes a hair pin from her pocket and steadies it in place.
I can now see this stranger's face clearly for the first time, she's an older lady with a cheery smiley face just like my grandmother had, with kind eyes that twinkle and white hair that is curly, it looks like scoops of vanilla ice cream - I await her reaction, for that smile to slip and to be replaced with disgust, horror or worst of all, pity. But she just carries on smiling, then nods at the soup "eat up, it'll go cold".
I lift my face slightly higher awaiting a reaction from maybe the others but there isn't.
I was born with a bright red birth mark that thinly creeps up my left side of my face, right up to my eye, it looks like a scar that's never healed. As long as I can remember I have hated my face and the negative attention it brought, children taunted me, adults rudely remarked. So I became accustomed to using my hair as a shield, always wearing my hood up whilst beeping my head low. The only person who ever looked upon my face fondly was my grandmother, she was the one who named me Phoenix, she would say my soul was so strong it was bursting out of me. My birth mark was to remind me and the world, of the fire and strength I possessed. She would often say strange things like that to me with a knowing smile I never quite understood.
"My name is Miss Toulouse, that is Lola who you've already met and Ally and this is my home. This is a safe place for women who are in need of a warm bed and hot meal, you will see lots of people come and go, our door is always open to all, there is no judgement here, no hate of any kind only love, this a home for unwanted girls who for what ever reason are down on their luck or been cruelly treated by life. We give them a safe place to start again, wipe the slate clean so to speak".
They all await with baited breath now for me to say my name, I'm nervous to reveal to much of myself but I know I must show willing "I'm Phoenix".
She then hands me a bag, inside there is a toothbrush and paste, soap, flannel, towel and clean pajamas. I clutch it to my chest, it's been so long since someone has given me anything.
"Now Lola has requested you share a room together, if that's ok?" I nod and catch Lola from the corner of my bouncing up and down like an over excited puppy.
Miss Toulouse leans and squeezes my hand "I know you've had quite the journey to get here but your home now Phoenix".
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