I woke up, turned over, and started screaming. There was blood between my legs. The bed and my boxers were stained red. I hopped out of bed to get away from the mess until I realized that the blood was coming from me.
I saw Mom peek in, and when she reappeared, she was carrying her raincoat.
She moved quickly and efficiently, barking orders to me like a drill sergeant. “Here, drop the shorts and put this on immediately. We’ve got to move.”
No face washing, no toothbrushing. She grabbed my hand and, before I could even ask what was happening, led me out the back door. It was still night, but as crazy as it sounds, I could see where we were going.
We went across our backyard, skirting my pitch-back baseball net and ignoring the soccer net and the pile of balls littering the ground. At the end of the yard, Mom pushed through some weeds and opened a gate that I never knew existed.
“Hey, where’d that gate come from. Was it always here?”
“Shh. No noise. This all has to be stealth.”
Thoughts were exploding in my head. ‘Was my mom a spy? Had I been tranquilized and slashed? Were we headed to the hospital? How come no ambulances or cops? Wasn’t I the victim here?’
Mom led me down an alley full of litter, garbage cans, and prowling cats. They were everywhere. I could sense their presence and occasionally see one swish out of sight. I was getting disoriented. I’d never seen the back gate, and I never knew there was an alley in the back of our yard. I always thought that it was a forest. And where did all these houses come from that put their trash cans out here?
I looked down and saw paper, trash, tin cans, and broken glass. Freaking out, I realized that I’d been walking on this with bare feet for a few minutes now. But I had no cuts, and felt no pain.
As we ran along, I realized all this was new. I didn’t recognize these houses or where we were. And it had only been a few minutes since I’d been dragged out of the house.
I sensed my Mom’s urgency and kept moving.
When we reached the end of the alley, a small yellow rental truck was idling right in front of us at the curb. A woman was standing there, and she and Mom exchanged words in a foreign language. They both helped me up into the back of the truck, and Mom got in next to me. The other woman pulled down the big door, and I heard it latch.
A minute later, we were on the move. Mom collected all the blankets that were used to wrap furniture and made us a seat. Then she wrapped me in a blanket. My nose was suddenly overwhelmed with the stale smell or unwashed blankets, and my own sweat and blood. Blood! As I sat on the blankets, Mom handed me a wet washcloth and a towel to clean myself up.
As I scrubbed myself clean, I started to scream again. That’s when I noticed that my genitals were gone! There was nothing between my legs! Seriously gone! All that was left was blood. Any fourteen-year-old boy will tell you how important those bits are, but discovering that they’d been cut off was too much.
“Mom, we need to go to the hospital. I’m bleeding to death. Someone cut everything off. Mom, do you hear me? I’m dying!”
Mom held me tightly. “Shh. It’s okay. You’re okay, and there’s nothing wrong. I’ll fill you in after we switch vehicles. But right now, I’m going to recite some words in Latin, and I need you to repeat them to me.
Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est
I did what I was told, and I kept repeating those words. “Mom, what am I saying?”
She nodded. “Everything is fine, and I need to relax.”
“But Mom, how can I relax when I’m bleeding and my junk is gone? Seriously, shouldn’t we be going to the hospital? Where’s the ambulance and the police?”
Mom hugged me. “Just keep repeating those words while I fill you in on what’s happening. Okay?”
I nodded as I kept saying those words. The weirdest thing was that I was getting pretty calm even though I was bleeding to death. ‘At least,’ I thought. ‘I’ll be calm a corpse.’
Mom looked at me and kissed my cheek. Then she rubbed the top of my head causing my hair to fall in my face. ‘Long hair! I never had long hair!’
“You’re not dying. For fourteen years, there’s been a mask over the real you. We’ve kept you hidden since you were born for fear that you’d be hunted out and killed.”
I was starting to lose it and began repeating my new mantra. “Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est.”
Mom watched me and held my hand. I looked down and realized that it wasn’t my hand. It was thin and delicate. My wrist and arm were bare of hair, and well, female.
She smiled and parted my raincoat to reveal more of my body.
Under my T-shirt, I had boobs pushing out through the material. I felt more of the long hair and realized that I was looking at a girl’s body. I was trying to calm down. Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est. Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est.
Mom kept talking as I continued to freak out. “The best way to hide a baby girl is to wrap her in a cloaking spell as a baby boy. And it worked very well until you started your puberty with your first menstrual cycle. Oh, yeah. By the way. Welcome to womanhood.”
Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est. Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est. Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est. ‘Fuck. You gotta be kidding,’ I thought! Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est.
“You see, the cloaking worked until you came into your powers. Right now, you’re shining like a beacon in the night all over Albany County.”
“Mom? What am I?”
She smiled. “You’re my daughter. You are very special. Because I’m a witch and so are you.”
Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est. Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est. Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est. Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est.
Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est.
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Chapter Two
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She smiled. “You’re my daughter and I’m a witch.”
She smiled. “You’re my daughter, and I’m a witch.”
Have you woken from a dream that borders on a nightmare? incredibly vivid, full of color, and filled with out-of-control emotions that harshly twist your reality. And you’re not sure you're awake. But now, you can slowly smile and take a deep breath, knowing you were dreaming.
But not me. I’m still dreaming, bouncing around inside the container of this box truck as it turns, accelerates, and brakes. I'm fighting back the urge to puke and steadying myself by chanting Latin.
I’ve become a girl, not a fourteen-year-old guy. I’m a naked girl wrapped in blankets, shivering, and dripping blood between my legs. I feel gross and confused.
When I fell asleep, I was a ninth-grader at George Peoples High School, playing fall soccer, and was set to be the junior varsity second baseman. I rooted for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league team, and had a signed hat from the last game we attended. Last night, I skipped my shower and hadn’t brushed my teeth because I was winning at Slime Ball Stompers volume 5.
Did I mention that we snuck out the back door in the middle of the night? No Mission Impossible music, nothing cool. Instead, I followed my mom through a dark alley I’d never seen before. I ran barefoot through trash and broken glass as cats appeared everywhere.
“Mom.”
I watched her turn and look at me. I wondered what I looked like. I knew I had long brown hair because it kept falling in my face, and I kept pushing it behind my ears.
“What’s going on? Please tell me.” I didn’t want to cry. Seriously, I was ready to cry. I was mad at myself, but when I folded my arms across my chest, these boobs were in my way. This really wasn’t a dream; it was a nightmare.
Mom leaned over and hugged me. That’s all it took, and I started crying, maybe even sobbing into her shoulder. “What’s happening? How come I’ve been a guy for fourteen years, and now I’m a girl? Fourteen years of Little League, CYO soccer, and intramural basketball. Mom, I had a crush on Erica Davies!” I kept sobbing.
After a while, I stopped sobbing and got the hiccups. Then I started giggling. ‘Jeez, I really am a girl!’ I panicked and stuck my hand between my legs to find more blood oozing out! “If I were a girl, how’d I have erections? And I masturbated! I mean, all my thoughts were guy thoughts!”
Mom looked me in the eyes and then kissed me. “I know how crazy this must seem. Our Coven cast a very strong spell on you when you were born. The whole coven gathered together. It’s as strong a spell as we could produce.”
She squeezed me tightly as we bounced along. “You know, I live under a cloaking spell too. No one has any idea that a witch lives in this community. However, when you woke up today, you were emitting a huge amount of power, like a spotlight aimed at the sky. You set off all sorts of alarms, and that’s why we’re running for our lives. But we’re safe right now.”
“How come we’re safe in this truck?”
“About eighteen months ago, we bought this box truck at an auction and started preparing for you. We knew you were a ticking time bomb, but we never knew when you’d go off.”
I looked inside the truck, and it looked like every worn-out moving truck that has ever existed. “How’s this truck special?”
“It’s metal, and metal blocks your power from broadcasting. It’s also been fully lined with commercial-grade lead. We had to replace the engine and add some of that stuff so we wouldn’t have to worry about it breaking down during our trip.”
“Where are we going?”
Mom leaned in and whispered, “Chicago.”
“Why’d you whisper it?”
She grinned. “Just for fun.”
I laughed nervously. Oh yeah, by the way, I’d lost my old voice and was trying to get used to the new lilt and pitch every time I spoke. “Mom, can I put on some clothes? I’m cold and feeling terrible. My stomach aches, my back hurts, and I have a headache.”
Mom smiled. “Of course. Sit tight. We have a bag for you. Just try to relax. I have a water bottle and a couple of Motrin that should help you feel better.”
“Motrin?” Then it hit me why I was having cramps and a headache. Yeah. Not only was I a girl, but I was having my first period. I sighed. This was brain overload. I love action flicks. I kinda like sci-fi. But I’ve never been a fan of horror. And now I’m the star of some crazy horror nightmare.
But it got worse. Mom handed me a cup of water and two pills. After I swallowed, she refilled the cup and handed me a toothbrush, just like camping with the Boy Scouts. I winced. Scratch that. No more camping with the Boy Scouts. She gave me a warm washcloth, and I used a little facial wash and did my best to clean up.
With some encouragement, my mother showed me how to wash between my legs. It was totally humiliating, having your mother describe everything down there. Gross. Yeah, boobs, long hair, and a vagina. Somebody please wake me up!
Then, Mom pointed to a corner, where there was a porta-potty like you’d see in a camper. Peeing was a whole new experience. I sat down and splattered everywhere. I had to wash myself all over again.
I stood up and leaned against a metal wall. Mom opened her backpack. She held up a pair of underwear. As I pulled them over my smooth legs, I remembered Erica letting me touch her panties a few times when we were making out. These felt like hers. My hands trembled. Mom showed me how to put a pad in there to catch any more blood that was oozing out. Did I say gross? Well, double gross.
“You’re doing great. And now let's get you some clothes.”
New clothes began with a bra and plenty of guidance on how to get my boobs settled in their cups and comfortable. “Mom, can we just skip the bra?”
She smiled. “No. You have too much to ignore. Remember we are going stealth and you can’t be bouncing around and showing off.”
By the way, I had to touch my own boobs, and well, we can talk about that another time. Then I grabbed a clean T-shirt, a sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans. Okay, time for a discovery. My whole body’s different, and I had to work hard to get everything on and straightened out. All my clothes were thin, soft, and tight. Everything sucked, seriously sucked.
After putting on little socks and a pair of pink and white sneakers, I looked at my mom and started crying again. She swept me up into her arms, and I sobbed. “This is so fucked up.”
She shushed me, and we sat down together. Mom wrapped her arms around me and started rocking me. It felt good, and I was able to stop crying. “Jeez. This is so fuckin’ terrible.”
She patted my hair and hummed as she rocked me. I was fourteen, and my mom was rocking me! Mom whispered in my ear, “Honey, it’s only just beginning. It’s going to get stranger.”
I turned and looked at her. “What?”
“Well. You need to adjust to being female and learn how to control your powers before we head to Chicago.”
“But what if I can’t?”
Mom sighed and kissed me. “You’ll stay inside the van until you do.”
Did I mention how fucked up this was getting?
Chapter Three
A little sidebar story while I'm working on the Wildcat Fall novel.
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Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est
Chapter Three
It took about three hours to learn how to control myself, and it was simple. I calmed myself enough to take deep breaths and exhale slowly. I had to feel myself relax, like when you’re up to bat and the pitcher seems twice as big, standing high on the mound, getting ready to throw directly at you. The Zone. You can’t hit the ball unless you’re in the zone. And once I found the zone, my power stopped pouring out. Mom made me focus repeatedly until I could repeat it. I felt proud to be in control of anything.
“I knew you could do it. Now you need to stay centered. You’re a smart girl.”
Girl! Jeez! Just remind me again that my fourteen years of life were fake. I’ve never been me, just some hiding spell. Damn, I really liked my boy self! “Mom, who are we hiding from?”
She frowned. “A long list. We’ll start with the bottom feeders - They call themselves Witch Hunters, ordinary humans whose families hunted us for generations. They believe we pose a danger to all humanity. They’re part of a crazed, misogynistic group that makes it their mission to burn us all alive. In their minds, we threaten them.”
“Do we?”
“Do we what?”
“You know, threaten them?”
Mom got this strange look in her eyes. “Yes, we do. And we hurt them very badly before we kill them. We are not kind.”
I stopped. This was serious stuff. “Are all witches women?”
Mom suddenly looked and shook her head. I could see her mind working. “No. Witches are not women. We are very different.”
“If witches are different, how come you got pregnant and I’m having my period?”
Mom laughed. “We embrace ourselves. Our power is a vital strength. And by getting pregnant, I have you.”
“Are there guy Witches?”
“There are Warlocks. However, that information remains between you and me. You are pure, a blending of Warlock and Witch.”
“Is that a big deal?”
“Let’s postpone that discussion for now. The metal that surrounds us keeps our conversations private.”
“So, you’re telling me secret stuff?”
“Yes. You need to understand that a Witch child is a rare phenomenon. You're special.”
“How come more Witch kids aren’t born?”
“Well, Warlocks are aloof and have little to do with Witches and covens. They do make sure there’s enough Witches.”
“Am I going to meet my father?”
My mom started laughing. She squeezed me tightly. “Don’t make wishes like that. A Warlock would just as soon eat you as hug you.”
“Seriously?”
“Not really. They’re just very old school and full of self-importance.”
“How’d you hook up?”
Mom looked at me and smiled. “He desired me, and that was it. Warlocks have a powerful presence and get what they want. He wanted sex and a one-night stand. And I got you.”
I looked at my mom for the first time since all the veils had been lifted. She’d always been my mom, but now I saw just how beautiful she really was. My mom was truly a MILF.
“Don’t say that.”
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
“You just called me a MILF. Mothers I’d like to –!”
“But I just thought it!”
Mom kissed me and whispered, “Same thing, sweetie.”
“You said you were shielded, too. You look different now, right?”
Mom twirled around. “Uh-huh. My shell made me look like the usual PTA mom. We didn’t want anyone looking twice at me, either.”
I grinned. “So, do I look like you?”
Mom smiled and waved her hand until a full-length mirror appeared in front of me. I took one look and started laughing. I looked like my mom, well, a lot younger, and I thought, maybe better.
Mom was smiling. “Don’t get too carried away. But you do have it.”
Staring at the mirror, I touched my hair and casually fluffed it up. Stupid as it sounds, I looked incredibly cute. “Uh, I would have never dated myself. This new me is too pretty. I wouldn’t date the guy I was.” I laughed and turned to my mom. “Hey, do I have a name?”
“Your family name is Pollyanna. You are named after my grandmother. We can call you Polly.”
“You mean like Polly the parrot?” I made a face. “How about Anna?”
Mom smiled. “Hello, Anna. Welcome to the world.”
I’d been so busy staring at myself, I didn’t notice that we’d stopped moving.
Mom smiled. “We’ve stopped for gas. Let’s test out your newfound control and use the bathroom in the restaurant. I’m sure that you’re ready to get something to eat. Are you hungry?”
I nodded. “Breakfast sounds good.” I looked at a watch on my wrist. I didn’t remember putting it on. “Lunch sounds even better.”
“Sure. Let’s see how you do. Remember, it’s all about control. Oh, and you’re going to need one of these. Put it in your pocket.”
Mom handed me another sanitary pad. Suddenly, I remembered that this wasn’t all fun and games.
The other woman opened the big gate at the back of the truck. I hopped down and turned to give my mom a hand. In the daylight, my mom looked like a movie star, with long, curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and a face that could stop traffic.
The other woman laughed. “Vivian, you’re too full of yourself. You need to mask all that beauty. C’mon, babes.”
Mom looked at the other woman and made a face. “Judith, it’s been so long. I was just tired of being drab.”
Judith shook her head. “Stealth, baby, stealth.” Then she took Mom in her arms and gave her a pretty intense kiss. Before they covered themselves in stealth mode, it was incredibly hot to see two gorgeous women kissing. I cleared my throat. “Uh, I’m standing here.”
Judith looked over at me. “Oh, honey. Forget all those society standards. We’re part of a different community and do what we want. Don’t you want to kiss the two of us?”
I was flummoxed. “Uh, yeah. But isn’t that my boy brain thinking?”
Judith moved over and kissed me softly on the lips. “No, honey. You really aren’t part of this society. We are different.” She laughed. “Ask your mom how old she is.”
I turned to look and saw Mom blush.
She smiled and gave me a motherly hug. “Remember how I told you that you’re named after my grandmother?”
I nodded.
“Well, that’s who we’re going to stay with in Chicago. She’s about a hundred and ninety years old.”
Shocked, I fumbled. “Oh, wow. Do witches live forever?”
“We can last a very long time. Our magic controls the aging process.”
A big Cadillac SUV pulled up next to our old moving van, and two women hopped out. Judith had arranged to swap vehicles. Now that I could control my powers, I’d ride up front. They popped the trunk and we transferred all our stuff to the back of the big vehicle.
I watched our yellow moving truck drive away. I kept repeating Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est.
I opened the back door of the SUV. Sitting on the seat was a beautiful, long-haired silver cat. It was looking at me.
As I stared, a sweet voice entered my mind. ‘Order me a protein to go, please.’ It seemed like the voice was smiling. ‘No, better make that two.’ As I looked, I realized that the cat was talking to me.
I turned and looked around. “Mom, whose cat is this?”
“Yours, honey. And I think she’s hungry.”
“Mom, the cat is talking inside my head. Now it wants me to ask if they have any grilled chicken breast to go, please.’
“She’s your Particular. She’s been waiting to meet you for fourteen years.”
I shook my head. I’d never heard of a Particular. Mom saw the confusion on my face.“Particulars are ancient spirits, thousands of years old. She’s been excited about meeting you. Oh, but be nice. She’s a Demon.”
‘Thank you, Anna. While you’re in the restaurant, I’m going to stretch my paws.’ I watched her transform into a wisp of smoke, then glide through the seats, the doors, and out into the sunshine.
This was getting weirder and weirder.
Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est.
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Witch part 4
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Chapter Four
A Cat? I’m talking to a Demon cat who wants me to get her takeout. I looked in the direction where she disappeared. ’How about fresh fish, Demon?’
‘Sure. Thanks, Anna. Broiled with butter and a bit of parsley, please. But I’m happy with any flesh - chicken, beef, pork, or fish. Anna, don’t get confused. I’m not a Demon cat, and yes, I can read your mind. My feline is just a mask for the human world. Everyone agreed that a cute, fluffy cat goes well with a pretty young lady. It’s like your mom says, stealth. Most humans would drop dead of a heart attack if they saw my real form.’
I thought about that and wondered when I was going to see my Demon’s real image.
‘Sure, Anna. After a few weeks of tutoring, you’ll be ready to see my true form. But now, it’s time for you to name me. You need to give me a cat name.’
I winced when my own Demon called me a pretty young lady. Damn, I really liked being a Doug. I missed that guy already. Back then, my life was simple. All I had to think about were sports, friends, video games, and a special girlfriend. I paused for a minute, wondering what happened to the people who sat next to me in class. And did the other kids on my soccer team forget me instantly? It seems just so strange.
I pushed those thoughts away and borrowed Mom’s phone. Doug’s phone had disappeared when Doug did. I Googled ‘best girl cat names’, read through the list, and looked over to the Demon cat. ’How about if I call you Polly?’
I heard the Demon chuckle in my head. ’No, never. Your grandmother would see that as an insult since that’s her name. She’s the last witch I’d want to upset.’
I thought about her long silver fur and the black points on her ears. ‘How about Luna? You know, like a bright shining moon?’
‘Thank you, Anna. That’s beautiful. And don’t forget my fish.’
‘Luna, do you hunt for yourself?’
‘Of course, every night.’
“What do you eat?’
‘Anything with a pulse, but no humans unless they plan to do you harm.’
‘Do you eat humans?’
‘I simply consume them and they’re gone.’
‘To Hell?’
‘We have a special place for killers.’
I had to keep reminding myself that this was real.
As Mom, Judith, and I crossed the parking lot, I felt anxious. If I couldn’t stay calm, I knew I’d start releasing power into the air. “Mom, I’m really worried. What if something were to happen and I lose my cool?”
And why not get upset? My voice, my walk, gestures—everything had changed. Seriously, I touched my own girl parts while getting dressed. These were things that Doug used to dream about.
Mom squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. Just do your best. Judith and I are here for you. We’ll put a lid on your power long enough to regain control. Your real training begins when we get to Chicago, and you’ll start school.”
“Witch School? I thought I’d have tutors. Are there enough witches to fill a school?”
Mom grinned. “Honey, you’re going to public school. I think you’ll make a perfect junior varsity cheerleader and date a quarterback.”
I stumbled. “Public school? As a girl? No, that’s not right! I can’t handle it. I have trouble with girls my own age. I get all choked up over that kind of stuff.”
Mom smiled. “Looking like you do, you’ll get whatever you want. You won’t have to impress anyone. Just tell everyone that you’re transferring.”
“What state?”
“Keep your lies familiar and easy to support. There’s no one looking for you. Just remember to be a little hazy about the details.”
I was freaking out. “Why can’t I be homeschooled?”
Mom hugged me again as we entered the restaurant. Judith went to get us a table while Mom and I went into the restroom. I stumbled backwards as the door was marked Ladies! It’s easy to forget that I’m not a fourteen-year-old guy. When I went to bed last night, I was a guy. For all those years, I’d been a guy. Until I came face-to-face with a full-length mirror right inside the bathroom door and took a deep breath. Me? That was me?
Mom hugged me.
All I could do was stare. I had wavy, light brown hair. Big eyes, full lips, pale skin, and all the things that make a girl attractive. I’m Mom’s height and well, kinda curvy.
Mom took my arm and led me to a stall. “I’m going to help you with your pad.” She reached into her pocketbook, pulled out sanitary wipes, and cleaned everything down. “You haven’t practiced squatting over a public toilet. Your days of standing up to pee are over.”
I started to tear up. Doug’s life was over. Everything was upsetting, and I couldn’t stop weeping. I sat down, then wiped my eyes. After relieving myself, I stood with my jeans and underwear down to my knees, while Mom showed me how to seat a new pad properly. It was gross!
I pulled myself together. Washed my hands carefully and checked my face. I looked exhausted. Then Mom waved her hand, and suddenly my hair was brushed and my face had makeup! I was looking at this girl with a shocked look on her face.
Mom whispered, “Do you like it?”
I must have nodded.
Then she twirled her finger, and my hair was magically pulled back into a long braid. She left those twisty parts loose in the front, framing my face. I kept turning and staring. Weird.
“How are you making out, Anna?”
I gulped and nodded.
Judith smiled when we arrived at the table. “Anna, you look very nice. Maybe too pretty.” She looked at Mom. “What do you think?”
Mom shrugged. “Let her enjoy her glory. She’s going to earn it.”
My head swiveled. “Earn it?”
“Uh-huh. Once we sharpen your skills, you'll be able to contribute. You’ll see.”
I looked at the wall clock. It was six-thirty. “Mom, what time will we get to Grandma's house?"
Judith smiled. “Nine-thirty tonight. Plenty of time. Tomorrow you’ll get your first tutoring lessons, and we’ll enroll you to start school on Monday.”
Mom looked me over. “We’re shopping on Saturday!”
This was way past getting creepy. I wondered if I would be able to eat or if I’d gag. I‘d named my new self. I gave my Demon cat a cool name, and needed to bring her broiled fish. Mom used magic to do my hair and face. I was going to Chicago, enroll in high school as a girl, and get tutored in magic.
Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est
Chapter Five
The restaurant was nice, with thick carpet, soft lighting, and large menus. It reminded me of every upscale chain. I wondered why it was here in the middle of a refueling center until I realized we were near Chicago. I leaned over and whispered, “Mom, I’m hungry. What do girls eat?”
I thought Mom was going to laugh so hard she would fall over. "You really don’t need to ask me how to behave. Anything that makes sense is okay. I’m guessing that you want a double cheeseburger, fries, and onion rings, right?”
I nodded sheepishly. “Uh-huh. But I need to stay in character. Do girls eat like that?”
Mom was grinning as she shook her head. “Your true self is a little smaller now, but you haven’t eaten today either. Order what you want. Don’t worry about being clocked. You are very female, not just skin deep. Your concern should be that you don’t want anyone to discover that you’re a witch.”
I kept looking at the menu and realized my brain was tired. It had been a long day. I checked the time on my wristwatch. I was wearing a girl’s Apple Watch, and my nails were shaped and covered with light pink satin nail polish. I wondered how all this magic worked. I was seriously a completely different person, except my brain could still remember everything Doug had done in his past life.
I leaned over to my mom and whispered, “This is confusing. I still have all of Doug’s memories.”
Mom smiled. “And you always will. You might have been hidden away in his body, but you still have the same brain. I know it’s very hard to understand, but it just had to be that way. We’ve kept you safe from danger for fourteen years. But you are a conscious person now. We could have never introduced any of those ideas before this. You are not the first child we have hidden.”
“What’s going on back in New York? Are they searching for us because I released power?”
“Yes. But the Coven is waiting and will handle the Witch Hunters so they won’t be a problem anymore.”
“What occurs?”
“Their Particulars will wipe them out entirely.”
“They kill them?”
Mom nodded. Before I could ask another question, a server came over and placed a basket of rolls on the table. Then, she smiled and took our order. I tried to pace myself, knowing that I could eat all the bread but didn’t want to carb out.
I listened to Judith and Mom make small talk until my Particular spoke in my head. ‘Hey, Anna. Do you need anything?’
I shrugged inwardly. ‘I’m good. Did you feed?’
‘I did. There are a lot less rodents prowling the dumpsters out there now.’
‘Rats?’
‘Rats, possums, skunks, and raccoons.’
‘What do you do with the bones and fur?’
‘There’s just a little ash when I finish. I absorb their life source. Now, I’m curled up and sleeping in the backseat.
I wondered what made a demon happy. “Mom, do you have a Particular?”
Suddenly, I flashed on two more cats sleeping on the carpet in the back of the SUV. One was a tabby, and the other had short black hair. I realized three demons were riding with us.
By the time we stopped the SUV and pulled into an open garage, I was ready to meet my grandmother. All I knew was that my Particular was intimidated by her. Seriously, who scares a demon?
I grabbed my Go Bag and followed Mom through a door into a very large living room. I looked around and saw a young woman approaching me with her arms outstretched.
“Anna, it’s good to finally meet my granddaughter. I’ve been waiting for years to see you revealed.”
My grandmother looked like she would be carded to buy liquor. I was trying to recall her age when my mom spoke in my head. ‘160’
I guess I stared until she burst out laughing.
“Oh, Anna. Your mom is right. I have lived on this Earth for 160 years and loved every moment of it. We all face choices, and I’ve really enjoyed being an ingenue. Even when women lacked power, everyone would stop to please a young femme fatale, especially one whose morals were often called into question. Many men and women tried to please me in every way possible, without me needing to use my true powers.”
I think my mouth was probably open because all three women were laughing at my dazed look.
“You see, dear. At my age, you possess all the power and wisdom you need, so why not enjoy your life instead of resigning to your age and fate?”
She took my hand and led me into the kitchen, where she sat me down on a stool. I was still struggling to find my words. This was the home of a very old witch. “My dear Anna, you and I will start our lessons tomorrow, and soon enough, we are going to hide you safely in public school.”
Her voice hypnotized me. It felt so worldly, yet young and energetic. “I sense you don’t feel comfortable being a junior varsity cheerleader and charming all the jocks who want to get into your panties. What would you like to do?”
I swallowed hard to clear my voice while I found the nerve to speak. “I just want to play sports. Will this school have a soccer team?”
My grandmother, Pollyanna, smiled. “Of course. I'm sure they do. I know Doug loved playing soccer. You realize Doug had more strength than my granddaughter, so you're going to have to compensate with your brains and your agility. Are you going to want a boyfriend or hang around the girls in the locker room?”
I thought carefully before answering. “Doug’s brain was hardwired for girls. Is that a bad thing?”
My grandmother smiled. “For now, sweetie-pie, it would be best if you played innocent. A girl your age can’t have too many girlfriends and guy friends, but it’s better if there isn’t a lot of kissing.”
Then she turned to everyone and asked, “Now, how about a cocktail and some nibbles?”
Chapter Six
I learned a great deal that night, listening to the three women sitting around and getting drunk together. I never knew that all the witches in North America were distantly related and that their collective memories only went back about four hundred years. Apparently, someone slept with a king in England. Before that, nobody in England seemed to have magical powers.
However, when the royals’ mistresses began having children with exceptional talents, even the government grew concerned. Their solution was to deport them all to the Americas. Along with these young people, a crowd of haters was also put on board the ship just to control their population. The haters and the witches had to fight to survive the harsh conditions in the new world, and everyone became responsible citizens of the New York Colony.
I learned that covens worldwide have a longer history. Although they spoke different languages, the witches could all communicate telepathically.
My grandmother joked that Witches and Warlocks seem to appear out of nowhere, like mushrooms popping up in the forest after heavy rain. I learned that thousands of years’ worth of magic are woven into the world’s history, and the result was Witches. Unfortunately, the people of the world were superstitious of powers, and both Witches and Warlocks were worshiped or murdered.
My Grandmother, Polly, said that Witches survive more easily in society than Warlocks. Everyone loves an attractive female, but extremely handsome men make crowds nervous, and men feel threatened, especially when these superior men were screwing everyone they could.
Mom had to wake me up to go to bed. I was so tired that I slept in my clothes. I woke up feeling better, but then I looked in the bathroom mirror in the daylight. Anna was still there even after eight hours of rest. She wasn’t simply a bad dream.
Behind the locked bathroom door, I stripped and stared at myself. Doug’s mind enjoyed touching Anna’s body. The whole experience felt unreal. After getting too heated inside, I stepped into the shower, used body wash, hot water, and ten fingers to explore until I was out of breath and energy. Still wet, I collapsed under the covers and slept soundly until hours later, Mom gently shook me awake.
I smiled sheepishly, looking up at her face. Of course, Mom knew what I’d been doing, but she greeted me with a loving kiss on the lips.
“Good morning, honey. A hearty breakfast, new clothes, and a brush will get you up and ready for your day. How are you doing?
I shook my head. “I’m stiff and feeling achy.”
Mom gave me a hug. “Your conscious mind and physical body are still adjusting to the lifting of the charm. But now, let’s get you dressed. Polly is taking you shopping this afternoon. And if you just do what you’re told and don’t be a smart ass, everything should be fine. Understand that Pollyanna can snap her fingers and turn you into a gerbil if she doesn’t think you’re behaving. Oh, and moisturize,” she pointed to a bottle.
My jaw dropped. “But she wouldn’t, right? Right? Mom?” I was trying to get dressed, but the process wasn’t as simple as dressing Doug. The boy's clothes are baggy, and Doug liked looking as if he'd just slept in them. But Anna's clothes were body-hugging. After pulling and pushing, this outfit seemed determined to show off my hips, boobs, and butt. I felt like I was plastered up on a billboard for the world to see. I wasn’t stealthy.
I whispered, “Mom, everyone’s going to be looking at me. I’m going to stick out, not hide!”
Mom chuckled and twirled her fingers, giving me a neatly brushed high ponytail and long bangs. I raised my hand to signal her to stop. “Stop. And no makeup, please.”
“Why, baby?” She said as she did my makeup.
“It’s that girly thing. I feel like I have a sign around my neck that says Look At Me.”
Mom smiled. “It’s just a touch of mascara and lip stain. I’ve barely given you a scent. Baby, that’s the way girls blend in. And maybe give you a few accessories as well. I heard you tell Polly you wanted to play soccer.”
I sighed, feeling earrings and bracelets brush against my skin. “Uh-huh. I know how to fit in on the playing field. And maybe I can make some friends, too. I’m comfortable talking sports.”
Mom nodded. “Good thinking. But don’t try to hide your beauty. Be a soccer fashionista, not a wanna-be boy.”
I looked in the mirror and frowned. Looking back at me was a stunning girl, almost like a princess. Her hair, skin, face, and body were flawless. I smiled, showing pearl white teeth in a perfect smile. All I could think was that I was flawless and maybe a little too perfect. I was a doll, an AI creation. I needed some flaws—perhaps a broken nose or a black eye.
Yeah, a black eye. People wouldn’t look at me; they’d just see a bruised and swollen eye, maybe blackened, dark blue, or purple, with an eye that was blood-red.
Suddenly, a voice drilled through my head. ’No! My granddaughter will not be making her debut with a black eye. That’s a terrible idea!’
Uh-oh. I forgot that Polly was listening to everything I thought. I blanched for a moment when I realized she knew I’d been fooling around and stimulating myself earlier. No secrets! I briefly wondered if I could eavesdrop on my family, just as they had on me.
‘No, Anna. I’ve suspended your powers until we begin our lessons and have a chance to talk about what’s proper for a young witch. You’ll regain control soon enough.’
I sighed. I’d lost everything - friends, soccer buddies, and even video games. In the past twenty-four hours, I’d ridden all day in the back of a box truck, eaten one meal at a restaurant, and slept in a new bed. And now I had a perfect face and body.
Now, my grandmother was taking me shopping. Mom had told me to behave, or this woman would turn me into a gerbil. I smiled. Maybe a gerbil’s life would be okay.
‘Stop it, Anna. Your pity-me attitude is boring. Lighten up, girl. Try to see the positive side of what's happening. You’re lovely, young, and about to discover enough powers to rock the world. You are very special.’
I shook my head and looked at my Grandmother. “Okay if I talk freely?”
“Yes, dear. I wasn’t planning on transmogrifying you today. “
“I don’t see the upside of what’s happening to me.”
“Oh, you'll see the upside very soon. But one thing you’ve already figured out is your body’s sexual response and pleasure, right? Did you enjoy fooling around in the shower?”
I turned crimson.
“See. You’ve already realized that Anna can enjoy pleasure. Next time, try taking a hot bath with bubbles and scented oils to truly relax. And practice just makes it better.
I was shaking my head. “Uh, should we be having this conversation, Grandma?”
“Sure, Anna. And you need to call me Polly. I don’t look like anyone’s grandma. Now, what else?”
“I’m scared that I can’t fool anyone into thinking I’m female. My Doug brain is going to screw this up, and won’t that all come back on you?”
“No, Anna. You’ll be just fine. When you register on Monday, the secretary will take you to your first class. She’s going to give a copy of your schedule to your teacher and one to you. Your teacher, Mrs. Donnavan, will pair you with another student who will serve as your guide throughout the day. Her name is Becky Davis, and she will be very helpful. She’ll be able to talk to you in your head and steer you through the hard parts.”
“Wait. Is Becky a witch?” I watch Polly nod. Are there a lot of witches in Chicago?
Polly smiled. “Enough to keep you safe and help you adjust. But you will have your Particular at your side at all times.”
“My cat is coming to school?”
“No, silly. Your Particular can stay invisible whenever it wants. And that’s a good name you gave your cat. I like Luna.”
“I don’t understand. Why did I have to be hidden? Did Becky have to be hidden just like me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Because Becky was born right here in Chicago, not in some backwater town in upstate New York. We were able to protect her from birth.
I heard a chuckle in my ear and realized that my Particular had a sense of humor.
“How old is my Particular?”
Polly smiled. “Particulars are thousands of years old. They’ve been around before the birth of humanity. Remember, there are as many good demons as bad.”
I shook my head. Before today, all of this was just fiction, pure fantasy—none of it was real. “Are there Vampires?”
Polly smiled. “Of course. You have to ask your mom.” She raised an eyebrow to emphasize her point.
Polly had a driver, and we were immediately taken through a dozen stores while Polly pointed out items and I tried them on. The worst part was the bra fitting. Seriously, I was almost naked and measured like a dog at the vet’s office. Luckily, this only had to be done once. After that, all the clothes fit perfectly and were very attractive. The best part was that there were many jeans and regular tops to try on. Luckily, Polly knew what girls wear. I only had to try on a few dresses for restaurants and similar places.
We went directly from shopping to a French restaurant for dinner. Mom and Judith were sitting and waiting for us. They had drinks and small snacks in front of them. I immediately grabbed Mom’s hand and headed toward the Ladies’ Room.
I had to use the bathroom. This time, I did the squat and ignored the possibility that some critter might jump on me and go inside. It was a gross thought but helped me leave some space between me and the seat. I wiped and then washed my hands thoroughly. “Mom, do you have a vampire boyfriend?”
Mom shook her head. “We are very good friends, very good.”
That was it. I turned around and went back into the stall to throw up everything that was in my stomach.
Dear Reader, I discovered this manuscript in a cave in Italy last year when we were spelunking near Pompei. The man who sold it to me swore it was true. After getting this translated into English, we found a lab that ran a carbon 14 age analysis and verified that everything in this story was true except for the words. The pizza in Naples is amazing with fresh dough, homemade sauce, and hand-squeezed mozzarella.
Chapter Seven
You can discover all kinds of truths when you’re puking your guts out. My witch body still managed to blow out my cookies like a pro. And all those background noises I’d been hearing in my head, the thousands of whispering voices, all stop when you’re gagging into a public toilet. And this was a fancy restaurant toilet bowl. It was clean. And when you are on your hands and knees, the floor doesn’t smell like urine, either.
I was puking because I found out that my saint-like mother was having sex with a vampire. And while I had never seen her go on a date in Doug’s fourteen years, she managed to keep her love affair a secret.
I’m feeling sick because I have preconceived notions. For example, when I think of the word ‘Witches,’ I imagine images similar to Disney’s Witches from Sleeping Beauty—cartoonish, round dresses, chubby faces, full cheeks, sweet personalities, flying around with the wind, big, kind smiles, and giggles everywhere. Mom and her friends are kind, caring people who mean no harm. Mom was a PTA parent who baked cupcakes.
Evil in Disney movies was often shown by the evil stepmother, who, although sometimes portrayed as a witch, was usually a lonely, crazy person who was always punished. An evil witch was the last image on that list. Maybe they really did stir the pot in Shakespeare, but some poor witches are often misunderstood and get a bad reputation. And all the evil witches are gone before the movie ends. None of my witches ever suffered from blind rages like Godzilla stomping through the village, stepping on people, and swinging his tail.
But when I think of ‘Vampires,’ I picture something entirely different. A corpse that has been dead for two weeks, with rotting flesh that smells like halitosis, stale blood, and evil. They are all killers, driven to murder and drink the blood of the innocent. They personify senseless, shameful behavior that selfishly fulfills their mindless urges. Vampires lack humanity and grace. They often wear centuries-old Victorian clothing and have no sense of style. Just look at their manicures!
And my wonderful, loving Mom is boning the undead? Seriously?
I returned to the sink and did my best to wash the bile out of my mouth and nose. While images of Frankenstein and Bela Lugosi appeared in my mind, like scenes from black-and-white horror movies spinning around, all I could picture was some beast humping my mom like a dog in heat…
“Stop it, Anna!” Mom’s voice cuts through the images. My racing thoughts come to a halt as my mom orders me back to reality. But her reality was different. She was having sex with the undead!
And the voices are back. The images keep crashing into my face. Uncut nails, dead skin, drool, and a boner you’d see on a German Shepherd—all pink and raw.
“Anna! Cut the shit!”
Suddenly, I realized that everything I was thinking or had thought was being broadcast. My powers were surging. I was losing control. Well, I actually lost control and the entire contents of my stomach. Turning to face her, I shouted, “Mom, does he drink your blood? Is that part of the turn-on to have sex with a cadaver? You’re not mad at me, you’re disgusted by your own behavior. Seriously, how can you have any self-respect?”
I felt the hard blow strike the side of my head, rattling my teeth. Well, no, not really. Maybe a metaphorical wack, but strong enough to stop my raving. I’m crying and sobbing until Mom wraps her arms around me.
Nothing is what it seems. Doug is a pretty teen, and we’re shopping for Capris, tight jeans, and cute tops from boutiques. I have new thongs and better-fitting bras that match. I even own sports bras and workout spandex for soccer practice. But who are we kidding? The new Doug is Anna, the Witch. I’ve lost a few inches, suddenly developed boobs and hips. My hips bump into everything, and my legs are shapely and beautiful. My best friend is Luna, a silver cat who’s not really a cat but a ten-thousand-year-old demon who prefers her chicken with parsley. This demon is my bodyguard, who swallows threats whole.
Things aren’t always what they seem, and I’m some kind of creature with powers. Don’t mess with me, or I’ll turn you into a gerbil.
After taking too many deep breaths, I close my eyes and search for my inner zone, trying not to picture my Mom fighting all the Zombies from the graveyard in some sort of group sexual frenzy. But then, I realize that I’m a monster, too. I’m my mother’s child.
I sit on a bench, trying to gather myself and understand how this is happening. I’ve gone from Doug, the innocent little troublemaker, to a semi-powerful, supernatural being who can turn people into house pets. Finally, when I finish crying, I stand up and let Mom fix my hair and makeup. Looking at my reflection, I seem fine.
We walk out to our table as if nothing happened. As I glance at Judith and Polly, I see a man sitting in my seat. I stop and stare at the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He stands and pulls out a chair for me to sit down.
Smiling, he looks at me. “Hello, Anna. I’m Derrick, the vampire who’s in love with your mom.” He grins, revealing his pearly white teeth with no trace of fangs.
I hear Mom’s voice. “I asked Derrick to join us instead of letting all of this craziness get out of control. Your perceptions have been shaped by what humans have invented about us over the centuries. Your wild cartoon-watching mind is causing you to spiral out. That’s why it’s important for you to meet the Vampire I love.”
I stare at the creature as he holds out my chair. Big and strong enough to play football, handsome enough to be a movie star, and with manners you’d expect from royalty. After shopping with Polly that afternoon, I could tell his clothes were all custom-made and expensive.
I hesitate to sit, envisioning that once I was off guard, he’d grab me by my hair and rip my head from my neck. As the blood from my body would fountain up everywhere. I pictured him burying his face into my arteries, inhaling my bodily fluid as the monster gulped it all down. I wondered if virgin blood tastes different?
Derrick turned and smiled. He leaned in and whispered, “I can’t answer that. Pretty much, all blood tastes good.”
I stare directly into his eyes. “Then you weren’t kidding. You really are a vampire and you’re my mom’s lover.”
Derrick smiled. “I am. We’ve been pretty serious for about five years, but we had to watch ourselves because we were waiting for your puberty. There were a lot of unknowns, and we didn’t want our love to interfere with your coming-out party.”
Holy shit. This guy was cool and calm. I noticed that he had tattoos peeking out of his cuffs. In an instant, I realized that Derrick was the real deal, his body covered in black swirls and markings that could have belonged to the pharaohs of Egypt. But instead of grabbing my wrist and opening up my vein, he took a sip of a chilled Chardonnay. It wasn’t even blood red. He dipped a toast point into bits of egg and caviar, and slowly chewed.
You eat food. You drink wine. And you’re out during the day. It’s all wrong!
He smiled. “Yes, Anna. I am very old and very powerful. I am not a cowering, weak body susceptible to garlic, crosses, and holy water. I don’t die if a wooden spear is plunged into my heart. I’m not allergic to silver.”
What could kill you?
I could die from a broken heart if your mom told me she didn’t love me.
I heard Polly and Judith sigh. I looked over and both of their faces were all moony-eyed, gazing at this thing. I felt like screaming, can’t you see it? He’s controlling your minds! He’s going to kill us all!
But instead, I just stared at my mom and wondered who the real monster was.