Midnight Curse (The Witchlings #1)

The Witchlings

Amanda Turner

Copyright 2010 by Amanda Turner

Smashwords Edition

Midnight curse

Run Roxy Run. The thought pounded through her head. She could smell the sweat of her pursuers and instinctively knew, that they were not only matching her every stride, but they were gaining, and fast. They would not rest, they would not tire or give up. She sensed their urgency and determination. She knew that she could either lay down and give up, or dig down deeper than she had ever before, and carry on her race for survival.

Roxy didn’t know exactly who or what were chasing her. However, she did know there were more than one, probably more like five or six. Why were they chasing her? A gnawing feeling burned deep within her, that she had something they wanted, not a possession, it was more like she knew something that they needed to know, but she hadn’t a clue what that could be.

Roxy awoke with sweat pouring off her, and with her heart pounding frantically in her chest. That dream had again disturbed her sleep. It had been that way every night since she had returned to live in Holbrook, although she had no recollection of living there before. All she knew was that when she last lived in Holbrook it was the last time she had seen her mother. Her mother, the woman that had suddenly walked out on her daughter and husband, without so much as a backward glance. Maybe moving back had disturbed some deep rooted emotion that Roxy had kept buried for such a long time. There was enough going on in her life at the moment and she certainly didn’t need some ghost from the past wreaking havoc in her sleep. Besides, it was day one of a new school and that in itself was more drama than she cared for right now.

Chapter 1

Here I go again.

Roxanne had given up anticipating what her new schools would be like. There had been so many that she had lost track. Another school, another town, just another day in the unsettling life of Roxanne Taylor.

Roxy rounded the corner and the tall, Gothic like, grey building stretched out before her. It instantly filled her with dread. It's bleak outline did nothing to stand out from the dull skies that hovered over head. This school felt different though, and she hadn’t even set foot on the grounds yet. As she approached the wrought iron gates her tummy did a little flip, she felt the need to hold on and steady herself, before she fell over. Sick rose in her throat as she stood taking in all it's grim glory.

Pull yourself together Rox, she shouted it out loud, trying to instil some kind of enthusiasm.

The many new schools she had been to had given her the knowledge of how to re-invent herself - something she had done time and time again. Her father had promised her no more moves though. This time she would have to be herself if she had any chance at making this move a happy one. She reached into her back pack and pulled out her silver compact and lipstick, and with a flash of shocking red painted neatly on her lips, she felt ready to enter the lions den. Pushing her way through the groups of students loitering around the entrance, she noticed the stares, the gossiping about her, the new girl. All of them trying to guess her past, where had she come from? What was her story? Their eyes burned tiny holes through her makeshift force field. She shook out her wavy black hair, in an attempt to rid herself of those first day nerves, and holding her head up high, she entered the large, intimidating foyer. Roxy stood there taking in all the lack lustre décor, turning around with her head up in the air gawking at the multitude of steps. Grey steps, leading to numerous grey corridors, with lots of grey little doors.

Leading to grey bloody classrooms no doubt, she mumbled to herself.

Never had she seen such a monotone place, Ever, and she was an expert on schools.

The large glass doors of the main reception met her gaze, and putting on her best swagger, she head straight for it.

Clutching her new time table, she returned to the corridor. She looked for the sign that would lead her to 11C (the only bit of help offered by the snotty receptionist was Follow the signs young lady In a glib tone). Her first class and it had to be maths, she hated maths, always had and probably always would. When something holds no interest, you are guaranteed to suck at it, and she really sucked at maths. Roxy peered through the grey door that led to 11C. The heat of her breath steamed the glass panel and she was tempted to make a run for it.

Why, on your first day, do they take so long to sort you out, that by the time you reach your class, everyone else is seated ready to watch you make your grand entrance?

She sighed and thought that she should probably stop talking to herself. If anyone heard her, she would be starting her new life in a psychiatric hospital, not just a new school. As she pushed the heavy door open it creaked eerily, not a good sign. Inside became her first meeting with Mr Smith. He was a nasty looking man, with grey hair in the style of a traditional comb over. He was far too thin for his never ending height, and wore a scowl that seemed to be permanently imprinted on his forehead.

And who may I ask are you? he bellowed, dousing her in his potent coffee and cigarette breath.

The entire class span round to gawk at her. Colour flooded her cheeks, and quickly she tried to rectify it, although she would never know how successful she was.

Roxanne Taylor sir, it’s my first day, sorry I’m a bit late, there was a queue at reception, she half whimpered.

New girl hey? and why new girl do you think it’s acceptable to walk into my class chewing gum? he said, turning to face the class with a half-smile, as if looking for approval.

Ass-hole was what she wanted to reply but decided on a safer option.

Sorry sir I forget.

Quickly, she removed the gum into her hand, and began looking for somewhere to put it.

Mr Smith reached down, grabbed the bin, held it out to her, and without looking back at her shouted in a most obtuse manner.

SIT!

Roxy found the only spare seat in the class, right at the back. Sheepishly, she sank on to it quickly. The entire class was still staring at her and the sound of their sniggers began to hurt her ears. She fixed her eyes straight ahead. Maths really, really sucked now that she had a major dick for a teacher. Her eyes focused on the steaming coffee cup that sat on Mr. Smith’s desk, but she was still all to aware of the looks she was being given.

Great frigging start, she mumbled under her breath and sighed aloud, knowing fine well she couldn’t have a conflict with a teacher on her first day.

Thankfully the rest of the lesson passed without drawing any more attention to herself. When the bell screeched for lunch, she gathered her things, and keeping her head down made hastily for the exit. The lunch hall wasn’t any better decorated. The only colour in the room came from a giant wall tapestry bearing the school emblem (which resembled a bat rather than the eagle it was supposed to be). The hall was buzzing with wall to wall people and she was glad that she had prepared herself a packed lunch. Roxy was just about to turn around and head outside, when she heard one voice rise above all the rest.

Hey new girl, over here.

Roxy looked in the direction of where the voice came from, and saw a hand frantically waving, and gesturing for her to join it. She was half tempted to ignore the mystery hand and continue with her original plan. But as this hand was the first bit of positive interaction she had received all morning,, she decided to go and investigate the owner (hoping she was the only new girl there as she couldn’t stand any more embarrassment). Sitting at the table was a petite blonde girl, wearing thick rimmed 'geek' glasses and a smile that could melt the polar ice caps.

Hi, I’m Amber, you can sit with me if you like.

Thanks, that would be cool, Roxy replied as she slumped into the chair beside her, letting out a huge calming breath.

Is it always this manic in here? Roxy asked, hoping the answer was no.

Yeah, it's pretty mad isn’t it. I normally head outside as soon as I'm done eating. Anyway like I said my name is Amber, and you are?

Oh ,yeah, right, sorry, I'm Roxanne, Roxy Taylor.

Cool, so Roxy Taylor, where are you from? and what brings you to our neck of the woods?

Roxy was beginning to feel a bit like she was being interrogated by this point. The thought of people delving into her life filled her with dread but she knew it was an inevitable part of the making friends process. So, she took a deep breath, and began spilling her rehearsed story of past schools and friends, everything that was none emotional. The rest she kept locked inside, because if she opened the emotion side of her up, it would be too painful to control. Besides that, having a major breakdown in front of strangers was not the image she wanted people to see. Roxy began to feel the walls of the lunch hall closing in on her.

Look, I need to get out of here, too much noise, too many people, I cant hear myself think.

Roxy stood up eyeing the door to outside.

Hey wait, I’ll come with you. I don’t want you getting lost on your first day, Amber started frantically gathering her things.

Roxy was hoping for a bit of time to herself, but Amber seemed really nice and she didn’t want to risk alienating her. Schools didn’t tend to be as daunting when you had a friend. Once outside, Roxy began to feel a lot more at ease. The air was lighter, fresher and still surprisingly warm for mid October. The two girls took a leisurely stroll around the school grounds. Amber pointed out all the windows to various classrooms, and gave Roxy the gossip on all the teachers, the ones she should watch out for, and yes, she mentioned Mr Smith.

So what’s the deal with him? Roxy asked, still wearing the embarrassment he had caused her earlier.

I'm not sure really, he doesn’t like new people. New people might try to drag this school into the twenty-first century.

Roxy had noticed that the whole town seemed bleak. But, she had assumed, a school filled with young energetic people would be different.

So are there any kids that I should be aware of? The last thing she wanted was to fall into a bad crowd, or antagonise the wrong people.

"Most of them are like us, you know, straight forward, not trying to hide anything. But there are a few kids you need to watch out for. THE ELITES, as we like to call them. They are the beautiful group, the ones who have everything, but still want more. They are the best