Under My Hex

Chapter One

I usually could make a decent rhythmic tune...but today my inspiration was tediously lacking. A thick mist had crept in from the ocean the night before, leaving the city in a hazy gaze and every note was out of tune. My fingers plucked at the strings on the guitar, begging the instrument to make a flow that came naturally. A banging erupted from outside and I jumped slightly. Startled, I turn to the banging coming from the apartment door.

"Brynn, open the door already." A loud but perky voice called. A voice that belonged to one of my closest friends since...forever. Natasha.

"You have a key." I shout from my seat, reluctantly getting up to greet her.

I hear her sigh dramatically before she twists the handle and lets herself in. Her blonde locks bounced perfectly on her shoulders, bringing out her turquoise eyes and tanned skin. She opened her arms, embracing me in a comforting hug. She hadn't changed much from high school, she pursued her dream in fashion modelling, staying with her boyfriend and buying her own house with him.

"Brynn, I haven't you seen you all week! You haven't called or messaged!" She folds her arms, faking a cross expression and taping her foot in a quick paced rhythm.

"Sorry Nat, I've been busy trying to find inspiration...somewhere." I sigh, slumping back down into the chair, not noticing I was still holding the guitar. The tuning pegs poked into my waist, making me jump up in surprise and slight pain.

"Bree, be careful." She scolds me, just as a mother would do. Natasha looks around the apartment and folds her hands over her stomach. "Now...the reason I came over," she pauses hesitantly. "I'm pregnant."

Instantly, a huge smile rushes to my face as I jump up and squeal. "Congratulations Nat! How many weeks?" I asked, jumping up and down in my excitement.

"Just three weeks. You remind me of when I told Joel, he couldn't contain his excitement." She clicked her tongue and laughed, smiling at me jumping around the apartment in surprise.

By the time I had stopped jumping, my dark brown hair was a mess and falling out of its bun. Nat walked over to me, putting my hair back into its place and pushing it away from my face, I doubt she'd have any trouble being a mother. She's already a natural at it.

"You're going to be a great mum, Nat, little guy or gal is lucky, huh?" I giggle but a longing pain in my heart stops me.

"Brynn...has your mother still not talked to you..?" She carefully asked, opening her arms with a look that said, 'do you need a hug?'.

"No...she has. It was inheritance." I choke on my words, cupping my mouth with my hands to stop a pained cry.

"Oh Brynn.." Natasha started but stopped herself and instead let a hug speak for her.

I gratefully accepted the embrace and cried. My mother was distant and hard working and had disowned me after I told her I did not want to work with the family business, but instead with music. I had tried so hard to contact her again, letters, messages, I tried everything. But she refused to respond.

"The inheritance...I got the most money...more than my brother who my mother favourited.." I sobbed, pulling away from Natasha who seemed heartbroken at the thought of me being in this much pain.

"Maybe your mother missed you just as much.." She tried to comfort me, putting an arm around my shoulder. When I didn't respond she sighed and patted my hand. "I'll go make us some coffee." She started towards the kitchen and I pulled out another note.

'Dear Brynn,

Brynn I am so sorry I deserted you and missed all your special life events. I truly am. But please understand in my state I thought my reason was logical. You're dangerous Brynn, very dangerous. Look up your family in the witch trials and look for Jane NorthBridge. That, I hope will explain. I love you Brynn and I miss you..and now it's too late for me to make up for it.

Sincerely, Your loving mother.'

Quizzically, I looked at the yellowing paper. It was written some time ago...my mother truly had missed me. But who is Jane Northbridge? 'We share the last name...but wouldn't that change over the years..?'