WITHIN

In Front Of Them.

Exie sat on the couch, listened to every sound she could hear. Held both her hands tightly together in her lap....She felt cold and hungry. She hadn't felt that way in a long time. Clark had always made sure her room was warm, she had a light snack...A cup of tea! Clark would sit with her sometimes, Bell was always with her. Bell would smile, ask her questions.

She'd hate the mansion at first, felt trapped (Would threaten "death" on them all!) But, one day....Bell told her, she was already dead. She had been awhile. Exie just stared at her (Bell had always had icy hands, Exie had just put it down her having poor circulation!)

"..My life was a hard one, Exie. I was born in a work-house. Mother died as soon as I pulled out from between her legs. I was only kept, because the Nuns thought I might be able to go to a nice family. They put me in a box with two other babies. One died..." Bell gave Exie a tiny grin. "I survived. I never received an education....I was trained to work, clean. Clark bought me for a penny. My life only improved here....In the care of Clark and Benton.." Bell gave Exie a cheeky grin.

"..But, before that. I was a nobody, I never learned to speak. I was in a group of twelve girls, we were told we were sinful. Our parents were whores and thieves. If we made it to our next birthday....God must have seen us as useful..." Exie suddenly reached a hand out to Bell. Bell knew all about being lost, harmed....In life of no say.

"But.....You wish us death, silly girl. We want you, Exie! I am attracted to your light, I think your the most livest person ever.." Exie felt awful, Bell had only ever been kind.

Exie looked around the room now.

"i'll get through this. i'll find you, bell.." Exie couldn't stop shaking. In the past...She'd always seen the hand that hit, heard the harsh words. But, this situation was creepy, in her head....Hard blows came from no where. She'd learned to fight back at those that laughed at her, but.....Ginger, Iris and Chrissy had faces that smiled as they hurt you.

Exie knew how to deal with the shit and wickedness of others.   But....Three young witches weren't just mean, angry....Lashing because of their own short comings, like others of Exie's past.   They had no real reason...To them, it was more than a game!

The young girl heard a chair scrape, then wood creak.....Exie kept staring at the chair.

"...Your alone. No one is with you. We can talk..." Briar crinkled her face as she shifted in the kitchen chair, then moved to the couch. The young human needed to be put at ease, she was an interesting young woman. She shouldn't have marks on her, she shouldn't be upset like this. When Exie could finally see Briar, she just started to cry. The cuts on her face and arms still hurt....She couldn't take another magical beating that cut right into her bones.

~|•|~

Ethan stood tall, he stared everyone in the eye. He held my hand tight....He narrowed his eyes as his sights set on faces that gave him lustful looks (My eyes popped out of my head a little, when I caught those) Otherwise, my attention was focused on the faces I did vaguely know. Some of the students, were relatives of girls Madeline and I had gone to school with, some were known through our family.

All eyes were on us, Madeline introduced me (Grinned)..."Yes, I can see some faces saying they already know my cousin..."      Said, I was kindly assisting her, Iris, Ginger and Chrissy.    I was happy to take a lower role, my magic wasn't strong. Her magic clearly was the more superior..."So, as you can see.   Trinity's happy to be more "behind" the scenes!   Helping out!.."        I slyly shot her a look.