by Holly Hood
I turned to Hutch unsure if hanging out with Kidd was his idea of fun. He grinned.
“It’s your birthday. Whatever you want to do tonight I am at your mercy.” He smiled, throwing an arm around me.
Karsen raised a devious eyebrow. “Did you hear that, Hope? He said he is at your mercy, oh the possibilities.”
Hutch returned the expression. “I’ve been at her mercy once before, and I rather enjoyed it, if I could only get so lucky again.”
“We should crash the white-tie party down by Henry Park,” Kidd said.
Karsen fell back in step with us; she brushed sand from her dress. “Yeah, it’s some big shindig. I guess the town is trying to raise money for some new church coming to Cherry. I guess they think they can save us all from evil by adding some fancy church.”
Kidd laughed. “Let the bible thumping begin. They will do anything to get rid of Henry Park and Evil kings. I say we check it out.” He looked at all of us. “It could be fun.”
Hutch agreed. “I’m always in for a good time. And besides, we’re all dressed up and nowhere to go.”
Karsen clapped her hands excited. Everyone was looking at me now. White tie meant every stuck up “do gooder” in Cherry would be there. Including the mayor, I weighed the odds of our adventure turning bad and shook my head.
“I’m in,” I said.
The idea of crashing some swanky get together against everything I was didn’t sound so bad. We had a lot more on our side, and after the night I had it sounded like an okay time.
WHITE-TIE AFFAIRS
We all stared at the giant billboard staked in the sand of the fundraiser.
“Light and faith community center,” I said, reading the words out loud. I looked at Karsen and Kidd and then at Hutch. We all were confused by it.
“Like they don’t have enough churches already,” Kidd said. He threw his arm around Karsen, and they headed through the crowd. Karsen’s pale pink dress hardly fit in with all the white swimming around her. And Kidd’s black dress pants and dark-green dress shirt made him stick out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, neither of them cared. They started dancing to the jazz fluttering around the fundraiser.
Kidd raised Karsen’s hand and planted a kiss across her knuckles. He touched her face, and they twirled and swirled through the crowd. Immediate eyes fell on them as they danced around oblivious to the onlookers.
Hutch touched the small of my back and leaned down, whispering into my ear. “Do you want to dance?”
I shook my head, my eyes landing on the mayor-Tucker’s father-making his way through the crowd in a white suit tailored made and crisp against the moonlight. My stomach did a flip.
Hutch pulled me close concerned, everything alright?” I kept my eyes glued to Mayor Sinclair.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” I was realizing how bad of an idea this was. We should have never decided on coming to such an event. The idea of running into Tucker’s father and Tucker made me sick to my stomach.
I gripped Hutch’s arm tighter and pulled us through the crowd until we stood nestled between a group of stuffy socialites and a large stone water fountain.
I caught sight of Karsen and Kidd swirling through the crowd, bumping into people as they glided from one end to another. The looks on everyone’s face proved just how unhappy they were with their antics.
“I didn’t know this was your kind of thing,” he said nodding his head at the elegant lighting and white decorations lining every nearby table. Fancy floating candles sparkled on the table tops.
“We were passing by.” I pushed the hair from my eyes allowing him to stare me down. “And no the church scene isn’t my kind of thing.”
Hutch cleared his throat. Tucker turned his attention to Hutch. He extended a hand. However, Hutch didn’t accept. Tucker returned to his original stiff pose after swallowing down the rejection and the staring contest between the two of them continued.
“I don’t see any signs that say we aren’t welcome.” Hutch’s eyes flicked from one end of the shin dig to another. He held tight to my arm. “Usually churches welcome everybody. What’s the big deal with this event anyways? I never knew a church to have a grand opening.”
Tucker’s lips pursed, he seemed to be gathering his wits and weighing whether he should speak again. He finally did. “We welcome everybody.”
Hutch nodded. “That’s what I thought. So we shall be on our way.” He started to make a move to get us away from Tucker, but the crowd was a lot thicker than the last time we hurried through.
This gave Tucker enough time to grab me by the elbow. I pulled away, angry. “Keep your hands off of me.”
Hutch stepped in front of me backing Tucker away. Tucker smirked. “Let me rephrase myself. We welcome everybody besides anyone involved in witchcraft.”
The crowd caught on to Tucker’s words, and it seemed all eyes were on us now. My cheeks heated.
Hutch leaned down to get more on Tucker’s level. “What is it? You're trying to say?”
Tucker rolled his eyes. “Witches. I’m saying you’re all a bunch of witches. And Cherry no longer is going to stand for it. So you can turn around and get the hell out of here.”
“Or what,” Hutch said, his fist clenched.
“Or suffer the consequences,” Mayor Sinclair said stepping in. He put a protective arm around his son and stared at Hutch.
Karsen and Kidd butted through the crowd coming to a stand beside us. Karsen’s cheeks were bright pink from the dancing. I was clear they too knew what was going on.
“You guys sound like a bunch of crazies. There is no such thing as witches.” Karsen giggled nervously, only I knew just how nervous she was. To everyone else it was just a bad case of the giggles. “And who sets up churches to rid their town of witches?”
Kidd let out an uncomfortable laugh. “Ape shit crazies that’s who.”
Karsen grabbed my arm. “Well, we want nothing to do with this. Hope’s grandmother is a major asset in this community. I will be sure to inform her of what is going on here.”
We all started through the crowd, it parted rather smoothly after the word swirled through that we were witches.
Tucker’s voice cut through the night. “Deny it all you want. There were reports of a strange ceremony last summer at the beach. One that should have killed you, few people survive having a knife plunged through their chest. Explain that one, Hope.”
Karsen’s nail dug into my skin. She too was shocked. This was the first time she was hearing of this.
I shook my head and kept walking.
Apparent
Nobody said a word since we started across the beach into Henry Park.
Kidd pounded on Slade’s door and after a few seconds, the door opened. There he stood, shirtless and looked half asleep. He took a step down and looked everyone over before he spoke a word.
“What the hell are all of you doing here,” Slade asked. I was sure it wasn’t the welcome Kidd was looking for.
“Do you have any idea what’s going on down the beach,” Kidd asked. Karsen stepped closer.
“Or what the hell Tucker meant when he said he witnessed my best friend being stabbed through the chest last summer. And why I don’t know anything about this.” Karsen shot me a disturbed look.
Slade’s eyes drifted to me. Hutch stood behind me pretending to not be a part of our conversation.
I opened my mouth unsure of what was about to come out. “I don’t know how he knows.”
Slade ran a hand through his hair. “But he knows.”
Kidd sighed. “They all know. Or more or less suspect, they built an entire church to rid Cherry of witches. What do you have to say about that?”
Everyone looked at Kidd.
Slade dropped down the steps of the rv and his feet hit the ground with a thud. “What are you so upset about? It’s not something we haven’t heard before.” He shrugged it off.
Kidd was furious. “They never built churches before. There was never ac
tual proof, there going around saying they saw what happened that night.”
“Will someone explain what the hell is going on?” Karsen snapped.
I was unsure of what to say again. I looked at Slade for help. He looked away.
“You’re not going to say anything?” I asked him. “I’m just left holding the bag?”
Karsen groaned. “Someone speak!”
“It’s not my secret to spill,” Slade said taking a seat on the steps.
I chewed at my lip. “We will discuss it later.”
“We will discuss it now, or I will go tell your dad.” Karsen threatened.
My blood boiled. I stared her down. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Karsen crossed her arms. “Try me.”
I sighed, giving Slade an evil glare before I explained. “Last summer I was wrapped up in a big mess. It involves Tucker and his dad. And we all thought the best way to deal with them was to take them head on.”
Karsen kept her eyes glued to me.
“I was only hanging out with Tucker, so I could see Slade that night, but things went bad, I was drugged by Tucker and his dad. Long story short they left me on the beach for dead. And Slade saved me.”
“By plunging a knife in your chest,” Karsen asked.
The door to the rv came open and Audrey pushed Slade out of the way to get down the stairs. He stood up letting her through.
“Slade had a pesky problem by the name of Ezra, his dead witch of a girlfriend; he used Hope in a ritual to rid himself of Ezra, so he could be free to be with whom he wanted.” Audrey explained.
“I didn’t use Hope.” Slade spoke. “It wasn’t like that.”
Audrey laughed, bored with the whole conversation, but she filled Karsen in on the rest of it. “You see in order to rid himself of Ezra, he needed to sacrifice someone. Hope was sacrificed.”
Karsen raised an eyebrow confused. “But she’s still here.”
Kidd came to stand next to me. “Isn’t it obvious? She’s still here because Slade loves her. When is everyone going to quit pretending this isn’t the issue? Slade loves Hope and Hope loves Slade. But, Slade is too much of an idiot to deal with it.”
I looked at Slade.
Audrey stood up angry. “Slade’s biggest mistake was making the decision to turn her into one of us.”
Karsen gasped understanding it all. “You’re a witch.”
I nodded, tears escaping my eyes. “All because I was stupid enough to believe what him and I had was true.”
Karsen hugged me. “Maybe it is.”
“It’s not.” I broke away from her. “And I’m not mad anymore. If you want to pick Audrey over me, fine.” I looked at Slade. He didn’t speak. He didn’t even look at me.
I turned to Hutch. “I’m ready to go home.”
Audrey caught me by the arm. “Nobody is going anywhere.”
I pulled away. “It’s very clear I don’t need to be here. You wanted him. You can have him.”
Audrey shook her head. “Do you think I am going to sit back and let those people destroy us?”
I shrugged. I didn’t know what she would do.
“We are going to finish what we started.” She took me by the wrist. “You and I."
Slade shook his head. “Leave her out of this. She doesn’t know the first thing about fighting off a whole town.”
“It didn’t stop you from using her the first time,” Audrey said to Slade.
“Nobody is using me for anything,” I spoke up. I was a human being I was allowed to voice my opinion when it came to my own life.
“Audrey, I didn’t use her. Leave her alone and I will take care of the mess myself. It’s my mess to take care of.” Slade bit his lip.
Audrey was silent for a few seconds. “Fine. But under my rules, you finish the spell I created.”
Everyone looked at Audrey stunned. But not me, I knew just what she was talking about, the café. The day they all came in when I was singing. She did something just like I expected.
“This will take care of both our problems.” Audrey nodded. She gave Slade a long stare before he shook his head.
Hutch stepped forward. “I know other ways to take care of this church. Hope doesn’t have to be a part of it.”
Audrey laughed. “Oh, nature boy, great as that sounds, what we have in mind is going to be so much better. It seems you’re just going to have to find a new girl to admire and wish was yours.”
Hutch flexed his jaw in anger but didn’t say anything else.
“If only Hope wasn’t stupid enough to hold onto hope all summer that she ever had a chance with Slade.” Audrey laughed.
Karsen was stopped before she lunged at Audrey. Kidd wasn’t about to let Karsen stand up to Audrey.
“So it’s settled. Slade, Hope and I will head on over to the church to take care of this little problem.”
I swallowed. I wasn’t sure there any getting out of it.
“Let me freshen up,” Audrey told us taking off into the rv.
Slade and Kidd were off in the distance, talking to each other while I chewed my nail trying to think of something to do. Karsen paced back and forth.
“You never told me anything about this. I don’t know what to do.” She kept her eyes on the rv pacing.
Hutch stood beside me silent.
“Do you have any ideas?” I asked him. He was my last hope.
“I promised I’d help you.” He leaned in and pretended to kiss the top of my head but whispered into my ear. “I’ll figure something out, I promise.”
Panic
I was sandwiched between Slade and Audrey. Not the place I wanted to be in. Even with the circumstances I couldn’t help but wonder about their relationship, I knew Audrey’s feelings toward Slade, she made them very clear all the time.
But the idea Slade enjoyed being around Audrey was hard to believe. Audrey was everything Slade seemed to hate. She was obnoxious, territorial and demanding—not to mention a psycho.
Audrey and Slade came to a stop in the sand. The dark lit beach coupled with the music, and candles placed an eerie presence on everything. Soft chatter and laughter flowed toward us as we watched the large crowd. It didn’t seem like the party was dying down anytime soon.
Slade kicked at the sand with the toe of his boot, “so what’s your idea?”
Audrey ignored his inquiry and kept taking it all in. I stared at the large sign introducing the church to the citizens of Cherry. A family posed with bright and smiling faces smiled upon everything below. And the saying in a shiny gold scrawl read: We take the bad out of everything and make it good again.
I wasn’t sure what it even meant, but I knew enough about churches to know that this wasn’t one of them. It was a ploy to gain compassion. It was a way to get the entire town on their side.
“I’m going to go get a feel of things. You hang back with Hope.” Audrey instructed not wasting any time. She hurried across the sand, fluffing her hair and smoothing down her white dress.
I glanced in Slade’s direction. We were alone for once. However, I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk. It was strange.
He let out an audible sigh watching Audrey. “Not the way I saw my night going down.”
I scoffed. “I’m sorry to have ruined your rendezvous with Audrey.” I crossed my arms looking at the water.
“Ouch, harsh words. Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?" He laughed, amused with my sarcasm.
“I believe I already did. It seems you’re the one that has the problem doing that.” I snapped.
“We communicated just fine last summer.” Slade turned, locking his eyes on me. I kept my eyes glued to the water.
“If sex is considered communication, sure, we communicated just fine.” I sighed. The whole back and forth wasn’t getting us anywhere. It was the perfect opportunity to get some answers.
“Sex was great,” he said.
I could feel his eyes. I looked up fighting the smirk trying so hard to escape my lips. It sen
t a shiver down my spine to look at him.
“Do you really like her?” I asked. My voice came out a whisper. I just wanted him to be honest with me for once. It wasn’t that I thought Slade was lying to me. It was more he was hiding a lot from me. And I didn’t understand why.
Slade looked toward the sands for any sign of Audrey. And then he looked back at me. “I would think it was fucking obvious.”
I raised an eyebrow in irritation. “You don’t have to be so—
“No, I don’t like her. I don’t want anything to do with her.” He grabbed me by the wrist. My eyes fell on his grip. My heart plunked about in my chest.
“Those weren’t the words I expected to hear.” I pursed my lips, closing my eyes trying to fight the overwhelming emotions ready to pour out of them. Slade touched my face.
“The last thing I wanted to do was lie to you all summer. But once again, another part of this coven comes along and screws everything up.” Slade released his hold on me and concentrated on the party. Audrey still was nowhere in sight.
“We made it through Ezra.” I shrugged; maybe there was a way to make it through Audrey too. I reached out and touched his shoulder. “Wouldn’t it be better to try?”
Slade pulled away, "If only everything was as simple as you seem to think it is in your world. If Audrey wants something gone, she will get her way. I’ve been playing nice all summer to keep you safe. Maybe one day you will thank me and stop being so resentful.”
I swallowed. “Don’t you see how amazing you are?”
Slade shot me a confused look. “Did you hear anything I just said?”
I ignored his comment. “Nobody wants to let you go because they see your worth; they see how amazing you are. The only problem, all the people who want you are evil.” I moved closer. “But I’m not. And you’re not either.”
“You don’t know the first thing about me. You know what I let you see. What I was willing to tell you.” Slade turned away from me as Audrey approached. He crossed his arms. “You’re better off finding a way out of this mess. Nature boy seems to be more your style.”