Seduced By The Night (incomplete)

a story about a young woman coming into terms with her secluded life as a sorceress...

       Young Lily Grant didn't appear to mind one bit at the fact that she was yet again sitting alone in the busy courtyard. No, it wasn't actually a courtyard but an ordinary school cafeteria busy with loud voices and plastic trays slamming down on the surface of the long, wooden tables. But she was the only one who refused to lessen its simple charm by calling it merely a cafeteria for she knew of its potential to be so much more than that. She had too much respect for it to be called a 'cafeteria' by her often silenced lips. To her, a cafeteria was a dull, unimaginative place often enough reeking of stale bologna sandwiches. burnt chicken grease and melted plastic people often migrated to in order to put a small portion of a meal into their stomachs. Too many people crammed in a too little space was not a good idea at all. High demands would quickly take over the sensible mind and disaster will ultimately strike. She prayed she would be long gone before any of that took place. This place, her privately titled courtyard, was leagues above any other cafeteria in the county. It was so much more than just a feeding ground to her. Magical accurances too place in her courtyard. Life sprang forth all around her, bringing all kinds of people together for all to admire.

          And yet, Lily remained the only person occupying the table in the farthest corner. No one came near her but that didn't mean they had to stop staring at her. She was used to being singled out as well as often ignored. She liked to be left alone to surrender herself over to to the dark thoughts swirling around in her head. But what she hated the most was being stared at by all the other children in the school. Lunchtime was the perfect time to set her up to be laughed at, teased and taunted because none of the regular moniters were around to witness any of the child's play. She had no protection during lunch hours. The 7th and the 8th graders that ruled the premised during scholl hours and never let a day go by without letting the younger grades know it. As ling as they obeyed the rules of the trade, they were never hurt. Unfortunately, some suffered anyway in spite of this rule. Lily was a 9 year old girl with no friends and that meant an easy target. She had been locked inside the janitor's storage room so many times already she'd been given her very own key in order to let herself out at the end of the day and they'd forgotten about the scrawny little girl who never cried no matter what they did to her. And oh how they tried to get her to scream but she was so much stronger than they in mind and body. She simply took her punishment for whatever it was and went about her business never once making eye contact with any of them. (She didn't want to give them anymore of a reason to hate her since she knew she had freaky eyes.)

          But they would always come back for more no matter how much of a distance she gave them. They rarely said a word to her right before the two or three of them would grab hold of her unresisting arms. She never cried out for help. Never once cried out for anyone to come to her rescue because she knew that would only make it worse. She did fight them with everything she had though; excluding the one thing that would set them right in their ways but ultimately would destroy her entire being in the end. If anyone were to discover her darkest secret she would die. Literally. They would tie her to a pole and burn her alive. So when she fought her captors she used her intellignence (and common sense) only, using her self-manicured nails to claw at the innocent faces and kicking her feet in every direction in hopes of getting them to back off. Did they? Not really. They just hurt her a little more. She hated to hurt them but it was often she had no other choice. They were the ones causing her a great deal of pain almost every day. And to make matters worse, her dreams were frequently haunted by disembodied voices calling her ugly, hurtful names that left her crying in her sleep. She usually woke with her pillow damp with her tears and her heart heavy with the knowledge of knowing she would forever lead a lonely existence. (If she actually lived to see adulthood.) She really hated being so lonely all the time; feeling like she was invisible. (She often wished this were true so she could never have to come out of her room. She could spend the rest of her life completely alone and untouched.)

          She looked up from her untouched bright orange lunch tray and found every curious eye on her as usual. They wouldn't get enough of the quiet girl always sitting alone at a table meant for a maximum of fourteen. Lily was miserable now as the hushed whispers seemed to explode inside her sensitive ears. She heard every word, every insult tossed into the air for her fragile heart to cling to. She really hated the way they stared at her and whispered about her behind her back. (Not always behind her back. Sometime they got bold enough to walk by her table and talk about her right in her face. And then they laughed. That was the worst.) She was grateful for the long, wispy bangs that fell over her face to hide the tears threatening in her eyes. It hurt how they all formed nasty little opinions about her and none of them were anywhere near the truth.

          And yet she knew why she was always the center of attention and not in the good way. She knew there was something about her that set her apart from all the rest. Instead of being born within the variety of honey browns and golden blondes the natives of Seaside Haven possessed, her hair was a pale auburn red that often turned a deep cinnamon color whenever she was caught in the pale light of the full moon. And only when she reached full maturity as an adult would that cinnamon turn into a much richer, more permanent shade of golden red that would eternally mock every burning flame. Almost everyone had curly or thickly wavy hair while hers often hang straight as a pin with all its rich silkiness. The only time it had any life to it at all was late at night when she was standing alone on the dangerous cliffs a block from her house and the caressing touch of the wind brought it to life. It was only in those moments was she truly happy. Only when she was alone where she could calm the raging sea with one of her angelic smiles and wouldn't be judged for being so different was when she truly felt safe. Never once did she make the mistake of thinking she was safe at school. She knew better than that. She was never safe in or around the school.

          She had always thought it pretty cool the fact that her hair was so much more rebellious compared to everyone else's but then she started to get into seriosu trouble at school because of the way she looked. She was forced to wear a baseball cap whenever she went out in public and even that trick rarely worked in her favor. Often enough when they cornered her for yet another violent attack on her person, they stole her cap just to give them even more of a reason to beat her senseless. She usually dragged her heavily bruised body home to her foster home without the added protection of her cap and suffered through having stones thrown at her from all angles. By the time she got home she was so bloody the original color of the t-shirt worn that day was undetectable. Those afternoons were the worst for her because that meant she was usually in too much pain to make it down to the cliffs. And whenever she didn't make it to the cliffs she felt even more alone in her world.

          A little heartbroken, she returned her cloudy gaze to the table and began to move her plastic spoon in slow circles, lazily stirring the lumpy mashed potatoes on her plate. She was in no mood to eat anymore. Not when so many eyes were carefully watching her every more, waiting for something else to add to their blender of insults.  She had no idea why she even bothered to eat inside when the weather had been so promising that morning. She knew in her heart she felt more in her element whenever she was outside. Outside where the wind would whisper to her and ease all the pain from that day's events. Even as she thought of seeking shelter away from all the pying eyes something tickled in the back of her mind causing her to look up suddenly. And that's when she saw him, staring back at her like all the others had done so many times before. But there was something different about this time. She could feel it. 

          Her moist lips parted in sweet invitation and she stared boldly into the swirling eyes of a boy about her age if not a few months older than she. He was dressed in black from head to toe. Even the hair that fell across his stunningly beautiful face, keeping it neatly hidden from her, was a true black in color. He looked so darkl and mysterious standing in the shadow like that. He was watching her like all the others had and yet no one seemed to pay him any mind. Was she the only one who saw him? She felt another tickle at the back of her mind and he smiled at her. I know of the power within you, little one.

          Whoa. It was as if he'd spoken right out loud but after a closer look at his mouth she realized his lips hadn't moved once. She frowned and wondered how it was possible he spoke without speaking. Was she imagining that as well? Was she crazy? We are linked you and I. Telepathically, we are one. Telepathically? Like, in her head? No way. She shook head in denial never once taking her eyes off him. If he was an illusion she wanted to rememeber every detail about him so when it came time to dream she had something decent to dream about for once. No. I can't be linked with anyone, she thought sadly. They musn't know about the real me.

          I already know about the real you. Think what you want. I already know the truth about your bloodline. Our paths will cross again. I'll make sure of it. Not if she could help it. She didn't want him to feel sorry for her. She'd tried being friends with other children her age. They laughed right in her face, called her names and ran away threatening to beat her black and blue. No, she did not want that to happen again she decided and looked away. I will find you again, little one, and you will not be so afraid of me next time. I promise. She didn't have to look up again to know that he'd disappeared. She'd felt it the moment her deep loneliness had returned. Oddly enough, she hadn't realized he'd made it go away in that moment he'd talked to her inside her head. He had awaken something deep within her she hadn't known existed. So maybe she hadn't imagined it after all. What was going to happen now? She looked down at her tray and realized she wasn't going to eat that slop even if someone walked up to her and shoved her face in it. She moved to shove the tray aside only to have something plop down right in the middle of the plate. Mashed potatoes went flying everywhere but most of it ended up right in her face.

          Lily swiped the back of her hand across her face to clear the burning mess from her eyes and heard the entire room erupt into thunderous laughter. They were laughing at her. God, not again, she thought helplessly slowly rising from her seat to wipe discolored potato from her plain white t-shirt. (At least she didn't have to worry about blood this time.) You know I can make this all go away if you'd just admit I'm right. All you have to do is surrender yourself over to me and all this can be as if it never happened. Not going to happen. She didn't like that voice coming into her head without permission again. That annoyed her. I surrender to no one, she thought defiantly. Especially phantom little boys who think its okay to intrude in someone's thoughts.

          I can make it so you'll never again have to be afraid to use your powers. I can make it so you can use your powers all the time. A tempting thought. Now that was something she wanted to hear. She wouldn't have to hide that part of her anymore. "Hey, freak!" someone called out from across the room. She had a feeling it was planned out that way on purpose. Don't be a fool. Use you head, little one. She should have listened to him. She should have known better than to fall for that trick again. Nothing good ever happened whenever she did.(Why would they try to get her attention from across the room if it weren's a trick?) But impulsive curiosity had her looking up anyway. Unfortunately for her, it was in just enough time to watch a full juice box hurling right at her. She had no time at all to duck the flying object and it burts apart in the center of her forehead.

          She stumbled back a step in utter shock as th pineapple scented liquid matted her precious hair to the sides of her head. She blinked as some of the liquid dribbled down into her eyes but tht didn't bother her nearly as much as the sudden roar of laughter that exploded inside her head. It was a torture method all in itself knowing the embarassing moment would only add to their reasons to torture her. This episode reminded her further just how weak and spineless the mortal side of her really was. Thank goodness the enchanted side of her was not. She could feel the exciting tremor of power creeping along her skin causing her entire body to begin to hum with warmth. She felt the electric energy begin to crackle between her fingertips and knew from experience her bright glacier blue eyes would start to reflect that electrical surge the very same way causing an almost inhuman glow that could be seen clear across the room. She forgot all about keeping and maintaining a low profile; forgot she was supposed to keep her unnatural talents hidden deep within her until she was mature enough to control it on her own.

          But she no longer cared about what people would think if they ever found out she was a young sorceress with extraordinary powers. She was through with being constantly picked on. Tortured and tormented because of what they thought she was. It was nothing compared to the truth. If they'd known the power she kept hidden while they beat on her they surely wouldn't have held back all those times. They would have killed her on the spot. Now it was her turn to do the torturing. And boy was she going to enjoy every glorious minute of it. Iliana, don't. It's not your place. She barely heard the whispered command inside her head but she did have enough sense to know it wasn't the same one that had belonged to the boy. This was more along the lines of a concerned father scolding his young daughter. She had no father. She did not like to be scolded. By anyone.

          With a quick flick of her wrist all the open doors that were open to let in the light breeze were slammed shut with enough force behind them to have all the windows to shatter all at once. Lily found the sound of the tiny pieces sprinkling across the linoleum floor quite satifying to her ears. It was almost magical and it it were under different circumstances she would have shattered the glass a second time just to hear the magic all over again. But, of course, she had much more important things to do. She noticed the cafeteria was quiet now. Silent as death. She liked it so much she didn't mind the stares this time. She's given them a reason to stare. And just when she was starting to grow accustomed to the blissful silence the air was filled with terrified screams as kids of all ages shared the same panicked fear of knowing Lily was more than a little different. They understood now there was a part of her they would never fully understand or want to. She was even more scary than the school bullies that shoved them into lockers. She could make things happen, terrifying things, without touching anything. And that was scary. They scrambled about, making a beeline for the nearby exits only to discover all three exits were somehow blocked by an invisble barricade that allowed nothing to come in and nothing to go out.

          They weren't going anywhere until she was ready to let them go. Yes, it was a form of kidnapping but what did she care? She was going to dish out the worse kind of payback ever: she had no intention of letting any of them get away alive. Alright, Iliana. That is quite enough. No. It will never be enough, her mind growled in reply and concentrated on shoving the heavy wooden tables against the far wall. Half eaten lunches were sent flying to the floor all the while kids scrambled to get out of the way of the charging objects. Others simply stood frozen in terror, horrified at the sight of Lily Grant possessed. She stood in the center of the cafeteria (courtyard) with her wild aubun hair billowing wildly around her face as the winds increased to hurricane capacity and yet she appeared to be the only one unaffected by it. She appeared to be the only one comfortable with what was happening. Of course Lily was very comfortable with her powers. Otherwise, what would be the purpose of having them? She calmly walked towards all the children huddling in one corner sobbing hard and crying for their mommies.

          "You pathetic little creatures don't deserve to live another day," she spat at them and used her powers to pin them all up against the wall. "Crying for your mommies. Have you no shame?" Another flick of her wrist and they were lifted a few inches off the floor. She easily read the fear in their eyes; the sheer panic of knowing they were going to be punished for what was done to her throughout the years. They may have been schoolage but...they knew what they'd done had been wrong then and it was still wrong now. Not everyone had participated but their laughter and relentless teasing had added to the humiliation of being the social outcast no ont took the time to understand. How was she any different from the rest of them? So what if she didn't look like anyone else? Couldn't they have just accepted her for who she was? She wanted so desperately to be accepted by the other girls. Be able to sit at a table with them and enjoy a harmless conversation with them. But no. They often wanted nothing to do with her. It was about time she gave them a little taste of what they were missing out on.

         "Hey. What the heck are you, freak?" one girl boldly screamed at her wanting nothing more than the satisfaction of tackling the scrawny little twig to the ground and beat her black and beat. Lily was a weak little girl with no self-esteem and nothing really exceptional going for her anyway. She would easily go down without a fight. All she needed was that perfect oppurtunity to strike... "No, you won't," Lily growled reading the girl's thoughts as if she's spoken them out loud. "You won't lay another finger on me ever again." The girl's dull brown eyes widened in horror when she realized Lily was no longer that helpless little girl she'd enjoyed making fun of. She was now a scary being with powers beyind her imagination. No one would mess with her after this. Iliana, control yourself. Now. There goes that annoying voice again. "I wll not control myself. I'm going to show them what happens when they push someone like me into a corner." Iliana. Don't be foolish. You have no idea what you're doing. Why did he insist on barging into her thoughts like that? "I know exactly what I"m doing. And get out of my head. You don't belong there." Iliana, don't do this. You're not ready to face the consequences if you do.

          "My name is not Iliana. Now get out of my head before you really piss me off," she snapped. Lily returned her attention to her classmates once more and found most had stopped crying to stare at her talking to herself. This angered her. "Back to staring at me again are we? I'll give you something to stare at." Iliana, no! Lily ignored the warning tone. She plucked that smart-mouthed little heathen away from the rest of the group and held her suspended in midair. It was a little amusing that she was one of the ones crying for her mother now. Iliana. Don't do anything stupid. I won't be able to save you all the time. "Good for you. I don't need to be saved anyway." You need me, Iliana. She needed a phantom man talking to her in her head? No, she didn't need that. "I don't need you. I don't need anyone. I can handle things just fine without you jumping into my head. Now go away. I'm busy." Don't hurt her. She's an innocent . "And I'm not? Was I chosen to be taunted for all these years? Was I handpicked by some god or something to be chased down in the hallways and shoved into a closet? Is it my destiny to be teased and taunted for the rest of my life?" she demanded angrily.

          What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, Iliana. Trust me. Ha. Trust. A word she didn't hear very often because well there wasn't anyone in this world she felt she could actually trust. "And why would I trust you?" she wanted to know. I'm the only one that can free you, Iliana. I can make you whole again. God, who was this man telling her what she was and what she wasn't? "I am whole, phantom, so what are you talking about?" You will never be whole until I make you whole. You have a part of you that'll always be missing. And until you find each other you will never be whole. "I don't need some phantom boy to complete me. I am whole," she snapped. Absently, Lily flung the girl across the room where her skull exploded against the far wall. It went so quiet she could hear the wind whistling outside. Iliana. What have you done? I won't be able to save you now. "I don't need to be saved by a voice in my head. I can save myself." I hope so because they will come after you now. "Let them come for me. I dare them to challenge me."

          The wind began to howl around her once more to match the rage brewing inside her. Her hair was no longer whipping around her face but in all directions high above her head. It almost looked as if her head was on fire. Iliana, don't hurt anymore children. They don't derserve this. Just let them go. "No. They're mine," she growled. Iliana, don't. Lily lifted her arms and every shard of glass lifted from the floor. Iliana, don't do this now. Be sensible and do the right thing. Let them go. "What part of they're mine don't you understand?" she demanded. "I will not let them go." Iliana, dont. "Watch me," she whispered menacingly and sent the broken glass flying at the children. None of them screamed. Didn't make a single sound. The only sound heard was Lily's evil witch-like cackle as each child shattered just like the windows had done. There was no blood. No gore to haunt her dreams for the rest of her life. But she began to scream anyway with the pain of their deaths. For God's sakes, Iliana. Open your eyes! Lily dropped to her knees not caring that the shards of glass was piercing the tender flesh of her knee caps. She just continued to scream and scream. She felt as if her heart was literally breaking. Iliana, open your eyes! "I can't," she sobbed. "Make the pain go away." Lily, wake up!

          Lily was torn out of the most horrifying nightmare of her life with a terrified scream tearing through her vocal chords leaving her throat tender and sore. She bolted upright in the middle of the bed gasping for breath so hard she began to choke. She exploded out of the bed not caring one bit that she was almost naked and dove into her private bathroom in enough time to wretch violently into the toilet. (Lucky for her the seat had already been up from the previous night's nightmare.) She threw up a second time and then a third before her body was raked with dry heaves.

 

 

Author's Note

this is just a dry run...