Glenrothes

His phone vibrated once more – another incoming call he would ignore.

He pinched the flesh between his brows as it continued to ring. He contemplated just up and leaving his family behind, to get away from her – Maddie.

His phone stopped, the screen going back once more. He had already tried blocking her, but a new number started to call him instead… She even convinced their mutual friends to hound him.

He recalled that night when he decided enough was enough.

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“Babe?” Her voice was sultry, too sugary for him to find it sweet. She grasped onto his arm, nearly ripping it from his socket.

He refused to respond to that pet name, instead continued to walk following the two humans that followed and practically idolised Maddie.

Although growing up with her, he could only tolerate her for so long. Like a river, he kept on flowing, going through the motions of the small town of Glenrothes. It dull and disinteresting, he only enjoyed it when it snowed.

With a pout, Maddie leaned more onto his arm, with manicured nails pressing in and cleavage evident in the purposely low-cut top. She gently flipped her perfect big brown curls, making them fall over her shoulders. There was no denying she was beautiful; she flaunted it well.

She approached him a couple of years ago with an agreement, no strings attached. Leo went with the flow, and she always instigated it. Although recently, she began to change her tactics. He had seen all her tricks before, and she tried to push his limits many times. He realised she was trying to play ‘hard to get’. Yet, he felt no feelings towards her.

Superficial was a way to describe her.

Maddie tried again, using his name this time, “Leo?”

“Yeah?” he replied curtly, his gruff Scottish accent showing through.

She huffed while trying to keep up with his strides, “Could you slow down? I want to walk with you!”

With a quiet sigh, he did as asked. If he didn’t, she would whine to his brother, Derick, and he would not hear the end of it. What Maddie wanted, Maddie got. His brother could not say no to her and continuously denied his head-over-heels love for her. She tried often pitted the brothers against each other. Her own little playthings.

With a small town like Glenrothes, he was stuck until he could escape. He loved his hometown. Yet the people he shared it with…

The four stopped outside her abode. Derick was already waiting outside the front of the empty house.

“Yo,” Leo greeted, while Maddie waved.

“Has he been good to you, Mads?” Derick asked standing at the other side of her. She beamed a smile and nodded.

The five of them made their own small coven, it was a monthly gathering. This night was no different.

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Unlocking the door, Maddie invited them in and immediately set the brothers to work, pushing the furniture away to make room for their circle. Maddie set a circle using salt. The two followers, while human, were one of the few who were in on the magic and knew of witches. They stood by, giggling with excitement.

Thanks, Maddie.

“I think I have cracked our spell,” she stated grabbing the usual candles she also procured a bowl of water, an athame and a bag knotted at the top.

“Great, are we trying tonight?” Derick asked, immediately helping with the items, placing them in the middle. Leo took interest in the bag, he convinced himself it was moving.

“What spell?” Leo asked, confused.

She turned away to grab a book and placed it down on the floor, pages open. She often obscured her writing to a code only she could read.

“Oh, just something to help our non-magic friends!” she replied.

Leo knew not to fully trust Maddie’s workings. He was targeted by a few ‘pranks’, as she called them. Love spells, enchanting charms. None of which Derick believed. He knew she was planning something; she had become secretive again, ‘studying’ and hiding away.

Sceptically, Leo sat and closed the circle using the rest of the salt. He hoped she was not cursing anyone this time.

Clasping hands, they waited for Maddie to bless the circle, but Maddie simply began the spell without a chant.

Although he stayed quiet, Leo was startled. The others did not seem fazed.

Her eyes glazed over, and her deep mustard magic lit over her skin. Words were whispered, tumbling from her mouth, ones the others did not understand nor catch. Derick gulped, watching. Neither of them had seen this before.

Maddie swiftly stopped, dropping the two hands she held and picked up the athame.

“Er, Mads? You want to tell us what the plan is-”

“Shut up.” Derick’s words were swiftly cut off by her.

She swiftly carved a jagged line through her palm, making Derick shout. The other girls gasped in horror.

“Are you mad?” He grasped her now bleeding hand, halting her movements.

Her eyebrows furrowed, and she calmly replied, “No. I’m making us stronger.”

She tugged her wrist from his grasp and let the crimson drops fall into the bowl of water, turning it red.

Bewildered, Derick repeated, “Stronger?”

Giving a pointed look, she flipped the athame over, pointing the hilt to him, “Do you trust me?”

Leo glanced between the athame and his brother. Derick took the athame and faltered with his next actions. Whilst the two were distracted, Leo placed a hand over the coded book and whispered, “Revelora.”

The words transformed into readable English. He got a look at the title before it was kicked away by an angry Maddie.

Outraged, Leo shouted, “Magic transfer! You are stealing another person’s power?”

“Borrowing-”

“Bullshit.” Leo cut her off, picking up and opening the small bag. There two little bleary eyes blinked up at him, it was a small cat.

“For god’s sake, Maddie. Blood magic? Don’t tell me you are sacrificing this poor thing?!” Leo fumed, taking the cat out of the bag and inspecting it.

She was deeply disturbed to think this was okay.

She quickly turned to Derick, “Rick, we have talked about this! I finally have the answer! See! It’s simple: we can make more witches! Then we can-” She tried to justify her dark perceptions.

Shaking his head, Leo swiped the salt, breaking the circle and headed for the door with the kitten in hand.

“Leo, wait!” Maddie pleaded.

“I am done. Animal sacrifice is a step too far, Maddie.”

“I can revive it!”

“Fuck off.”

With that, he slammed the door. Vowing never to join them again.

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Sighing once more, Leo opted to turn off his phone instead. He and his brother never talked about that night. Instead, their once good relationship was now strained.

He would never admit it, but cats were a soft spot for him, a favourite animal. He used his small amount of savings to try and save the little ginger cat. It was thin, young. It made him angrier at Maddie. The vet, with a heavy heart, said the best thing for the little guy was to be at peace.

He never told his Ma or Da, or anyone for that matter. If they did, he would surely cry at the unfairness of the young life lost by a vile beauty.

He sighed once more, and ruffling the back of his head, turned off the lights and settled into bed. He hoped for good news. Many things had happened since that incident, and Leo did well in avoiding Maddie.

Never once noticing the large black bird sitting near his window.

As the lights turned off, the bird took the flight back to its master.