The Gathering

        “I can’t believe I’m here! This place must be beautiful in the spring!” Alyssa exclaimed as she rushed towards the gazebo with Dana following closely behind with soft footsteps in the snow.

        “I’m sure it is. Could you remind why we’re out here in the cold at this hour?” Dana asked begrudgingly.

        “I told you so we can use our powers with less chance of getting caught.” Alyssa explained placing candles on the wooden railing. 

        “So, the witches at the cauldron feel was intended,” Dana stated dryly.

        Abrupt laughter startled them both. “Now all we need is to dance naked underneath the moon!”

        Dana’s eyes widened as she spotted someone walking towards them. Selina! she thought. No, it can’t be. Alyssa would have said something, whoever it was waved walking onto the gazebo. “I’m Ginny, nice to finally meet you.”

        “I’m Alyssa. This is my friend Dana.”

        Dana smiled tightly slightly lifting her hand. It wasn't Selina just a look alike.  

        “I can’t believe we finally made it here. I can hardly wait to use our powers together!” Ginny exclaimed walking around the lit candles.

        “Where exactly did you say you were from?” Dana asked, eyes never leaving her sight.

        “Oh, I’m from Danton Clearing.” she buoyantly answered.

        “Danton Clearing, you must be Ginny.” A raspy voice called out walking towards them.

        Dana was laughing inwardly at the gothic clothing and died black hair this young, short girl was wearing. If you can’t get noticed by height, she thought, why not make it Halloween ever day!

        “I’m Ana.” she smiled at Alyssa from under her hooded cloak. “Alyssa, your hair is awesome!”

        “Thank you. Now all we are waiting on is Clare and Keisha. This is an awesome place they’ve chosen despite the snow.  Who are you?”

        Dana gently pulled her gaze away from her pierced lip up to her eyes. “I’m Alyssa’s friend, Dana.”

        “Are you a witch?”

        “No.”

        “But she’s safe.”  Alyssa insisted. “By the way what happened with you and Marcus?”

        Dana walked to the steps and rolled her eyes as Ana went on and on about her new boyfriend.  The trees were quite a sight in the winter always so still and quiet even with the noise all around her. The hairs on her arms began to stand up when her feet touched the bottom step. The trees are uncomfortable. Something is not right here, she thought. “Alyssa,”

        “Could you be anymore rude?” Ana asked crossing her arms.

        “I’m sorry it’s just-,”

        “Girls, it’s so good to finally meet you all!” A voice called out sweetly.

        Everyone turned to see two girls walking with locked arms towards them.

        They were opposite in every way in looks. One was noticeably short, tan complexion, with curly dark hair, the other very tall and pale with thin straight blond hair. The only similarity found by Dana was the fact they were dressed in colors which resembled the sky and darkness.

         “I’m Keisha. It’s so nice to finally meet you!” The shortest one said. “It looks like you’ve brought along a snack, I mean a friend.”

        “Yes, it would seem so. I’m Jolene. Now that we are all here, we should begin. While we’ve spoken about having powers now is the time to put them on display.”

        “Let’s play our favorite game!” Keisha exclaimed twirling her skirt. “Shall I tell you how to play?”

        Ana scoffed, “We didn’t come here to play games. We came here for support because we didn’t believe in covens.”

         “What do you believe in?” Jolene asked. “Trolls, Goblins and unicorns?”

        Ana glared back in response and huffed.

         “Do you believe in vampires?” Keisha asked with a giggle as she floated with ease. “You should if you don’t.”

        Jolene giggled as the color was drained from Ana’s cheeks. “Now, I’m sure you all know the rules of hide and seek. You all run, hide, and pray that you will not be found.”

        “Oh, and please do not stay here. It takes away from all the fun of the game.” Keisha added with a slight pout. “However, the result will be the same either way.  Well, let the games begin.”

        With they were instantly gone.

        “What just happened here? What just happened?” Ana’s voice trembled in fear.

        Ginny went beside her. “Everything will be alright. Please stay calm.”  

        Dana slowly inched back to Alyssa’s side. “Alyssa, you have to-,” her words trailed off as she saw the petrified expression on her face. “Alyssa, snap out of it. This isn’t the first time you’ve been around vampires. We need your powers to get out of this alive.”

        “Dana, the last time I almost died. I couldn’t fight back. How can we win against two?”

        Dana sighed and turned a way to calm the anger burning her chest. “Can you honestly tell me the best option to you is to go down without a fight? You really want these girls to die because you didn’t think you could win? I have fought vampires before and am prepared. Win or lose I know I’ll do my best. So, suck it up and call on that light.”

        “I can’t do that! I don’t even know how I did it the first time and I was left completely drained. I just can’t.”

        “Ginny! What’s the matter with you?” Ana asked hysterically shaking Ginny’s shoulders.

        Dana walked over quickly. “Ginny? Her eyes are practically all white!”

        Suddenly her brown eyes appeared again. “It’s alright. I was using my powers. They are pretty far, cocky and confident in killing us all within the hour.”

        “I can put up a barrier with gems however it will not last with repeated attacks. Alyssa, I need you to call on water and shield us while I lay them down.” Dana instructed.

        “You must be a gypsy. That’s wonderful! Then I know that you truly have power, Alyssa. Honestly, I didn’t think anyone here truly would. Please do your best.” Ginny said smiling encouraging.

        Dana watched Alyssa take a deep breath before closing her eyes. No matter how many times she’s seen this done it still captured her heart. Alyssa’s powers were incredible with snow.

        Within moments the snow from the ground rolled from all sides towards them. With great concentration Alyssa built a dome of ice protection. Dana wasted no time in strengthening the barrier with her gems. She whispered to each of them before laying them down. She could hear them singing together when the final one was laid down. The song was gentle and soft but strong.

        “This is incredible.” Ginny stated in awe.

        “I don’t believe what I’m seeing,” Ana said shaking her head.

        “Ana, do you have any powers that could be useful?” Dana asked standing beside her. 

    “I think sometimes I can change the weather. Like if I wish it to stop snowing or raining. Sometimes I know when something bad is going to happen.”

        “Either you have good insight or a gift premonition however that does not make you a witch. Insight is something people have when they are innocent and selfless. Something that is simply human.”  Ginny informed her. “Witches are not as simple as that and as you can see being one can be quite dangerous. I promise you we’ll get out of this alive.”

        “So, what is the plan? We wait here until morning?” Dana asked.

        “I have someone coming soon. We will be rescued. We have great hope of all coming out alive now than we had before. Excuse me,” Ginny’s said eyes turning white again. “Here they come.”

        Dana smiled as they crashed into the barrier full speed.

        Alyssa and Ana gasped simultaneously.

        “Focus, Alyssa!” Dana exclaimed. “One mistake could change everything.” 

          “Wow! There are some real witches among you. All the better when we kill you.” Keisha screamed through the ice.

        “You are not even going to get close enough,” Dana replied with a smirk.

        Jolene attacked one side while Keisha stayed right in front of Dana. “You know what I hate the most? Girls like you that have no manners.” 

        “I guess that makes you, what, my mother? I don’t think so.” Dana quipped.

        “Please Dana, don’t do that don’t antagonize her right now, please.” Alyssa begged.

        Keisha abruptly disappeared.

        “Alyssa, you worry way too much,” Dana smiled patting her shoulder. “As you can see there’s nothing-”

        Before she could finish her sentence, Keisha hit the dome with great force. Startling Alyssa and causing a crack.

        They all stared, watching the crack grow bigger.

        “Alyssa! Do something!” Dana screamed.

        “I- I,” Alyssa stuttered.

        “Get a hold of yourself!”

        “I can’t. It’s falling apart!” Alyssa screamed.

        “If it must, it must but try to protect us none the less.” Ginny said gently as she kept an eye to Jolene who now stood in wait.

        Alyssa took a deep breath. Ginny was right. The least she could do was try to fight back using what she could. 

        The ice gave way into sharp chards Alyssa stopped instantly aiming them at Keisha who skillfully dodged all of them.

        “That was your big mistake!” Keisha laughed glaring at Dana. “It will be a pleasure to watch you scream.”

        She lunged forward only to suddenly drop to the ground holding onto the piece of ice Alyssa pelted through her back right into her heart.

        “NO!!!!!!” Jolene exclaimed rushing over to hold her lifeless body.

          Alyssa shook from the horrible realization of what she had done. What’s become of me?

        Ginny walked over to laying a hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright. You did what you had to.”

        Dana spun around as something caught her eye. “Ana! Come back Ana! You’re still safe here.”

        “You’re all crazy! This is madness I’m getting out of here!” She tossed back as she ran into the woods.

        Ginny instantly searched for her with her powers and found her running towards her car. “Please let her make it. Please let her make it!” she whispered urgently.

        Jolene shot up like a bullet filled with rage.

        “Oh, no,” Ginny cried. “She was so close! Jolene snatched her up.”

        “Ginny! She’s here.” Alyssa informed eyes unmoving from a sight all too familiar Ana bring held in midair head yanked to the side.  I was there. I know how terrified she is. There must be something I can do. What can I do?

        “An eye for an eye!” she yelled before ripping her teeth into Ana whose horrifying shrill filled the night.

        Alyssa was suddenly thrown back to the night of the ball. I was lucky enough to have made it out alive but Ana, tears streamed down her face.

        Jolene didn’t stop until she had drained Ana. Her lifeless body fell to the ground. “Who’s next?” she asked rushing forward towards them. 

        Dana heard the stones chime as from Jolene’s attack and smiled. “You can stay there until the sunrises if you like.”

        “Do you really think it would end there? Do you really think I cared so little about Keisha! No matter what I will kill all of you!” A loud howl cut though her words. “Ah! It looks like some animal is hungry. Maybe it wouldn’t mind Ana and an appetizer?”

        Dana could feel the trees move with force and very comforting feeling. “Philip,” she whispered filled with relief.

        As soon as she breathed his name a huge dark wolf with large bulging red eyes appeared behind Jolene. It stood two feet taller than that vampire bearing glistening white teeth.

        “What the heck is that?!” Alyssa asked terrified.

        “That’s our help.” Ginny said with a smile.

        The wolf immediately leapt for Jolene but only managed to scratch her arm.

        “Alyssa, help him!” Dana ordered.

        Alyssa quickly gathered her wits to make more ice.

        Jolene now had a harder time trying to avoid this beast as well as the ice chards. Her anger fueled her fight. She refused to run away.

        Alyssa’s anger grew every time she caught a glimpse of Ana’s corpse left rotting while Jolene did everything she could to avoid being killed. “Ana did not deserve to have her life taken away,” she screamed, unaware that her silent thoughts were vocalized. “A young innocent girl did not deserve to die!” Every inch of her felt a though it was on fire as she raised her hands towards Jolene.

        The wolf fled from the scorching heat of the light. Jolene froze in fear as the light devoured her. Good, good you get what you deserve. “Alyssa, you’ll set the woods on fire!” she heard Dana say but she didn’t care. The whole place could burn up and she’s would be satisfied. This feeding ground for vampires.

        “Alyssa!” Dana and Ginny screamed together as a few trees began to burn.

        “Philip!” Dana cried out.

        Philip ran towards Alyssa full speed and pounced on her.

        “Ah!” she cried out hitting the floor hard. “Help me, Dana!”

        Dana sighed as the flames died down. Before she could speak Ginny was already petting the wolf and speaking softly to Alyssa.

        “It’s alright. You’re safe. Come on, Philip.”

        “Philip?” Alyssa asked standing up. “Dana, what’s going on here?”

        “Philip is a werewolf.” Dana answered. “Ginny knows that too. Or is it Selina?”

        “Yes, Ginny is an alias. I don’t know about you guys, but I think it best that we move on. Don’t worry about Ana. That will all be taken care of. Are you alright to drive? Philip and I will take care of everything but if you don’t feel up to driving I could.”    

        “We’ll be fine. I drove.” Dana said while gathering her stones.

        “Alyssa, I promise we’ll talk later.”

        Alyssa nodded before turning to walk to the car beside Dana.  The ride was silent until they stopped at Alyssa’s house.  “All this time you’ve been hiding this from me.”

        “What are you talking about?”

        “I’m talking about all the secrets you hide from me. The minute I try trusting someone I get trampled on. You have no problem telling everyone what I am but couldn’t tell me about Philip? What is that, Dana? Why are you always hiding secrets from me?”

        “Me? Let’s not forget about you and your ex-neck biter. How long did you wait to tell me you had a thing going on with him?”

        “Not long at all Dana. I had to wrap my mind around the whole situation to begin with. I’m going to California tomorrow and I don’t want to see you when I get back.” Alyssa left her with those words and rushed upstairs to shower.  Please help me wash away this place tonight, she silently pled in a mist of steam and tears, I’m so sick of it.