Prelude 5

Maureen

My lungs are burning, and my legs are seconds away from giving up on me, but I can't stop now. Confused and hungry, I keep tearing through the forest, a wet tree limb smacking me right in the face. Running fast as my tired legs can carry me, the only light provided solely by my necklace.

"Θα σηκωθούμε ξανά! (We will rise again!)" My mother's voice echoes throughout the entire forest.

I can't just leave her there by herself defenseless! I have to go back and help her. 'Maureen, don't stop, run!' The voice yells as the glow from the necklace shines brighter with each step - almost blinding me. With a heavy heart, I continue running in the same direction my mother showed me three times before, thankfully always ensuring that I would come to remember the way on my own.

While trudging along, I’ve become so focused on my route that I never saw the huge log smack dab in the middle of the stream until it was too late. "Dammit," I shriek, as my legs come crashing into the rocky ice-cold water. Torn between fighting the urge to cry, but decide that there's just no time for that. I can't give up now because I'm only about a half more mile away from the tunnel. Pulling myself upright onto my wobbling legs, I stumble slightly at first, but it feels like some unknown force is urging me on, pushing me to continue. After taking a quick breath, I continue to hobble my way forward without looking behind me even once.

Another twenty minutes into my trek, three flashes of light illuminate the dark, freezing night air. Funny thing - I’ve only just realized that my necklace isn't glowing anymore. Directly in front of me, a haggard old lady is standing by the tunnel entrance, signaling me again with a single flash of light.

Her emerald-steel eyes, reflecting sorrow, the moment she makes inspection of my current state. Her steely emerald eyes reflect the sorrow that I’m feeling almost to the marrow of my bones. To be sure, I am an absolute sight with twigs sticking out all over in my body and dirt littering my usually well-coiffed raven mane. Added to this, my jeans are ripped and caked with mud. And my favorite hoodie, covering my pale skin is a bit damp too, which only serves to make me shiver from head to toe.

"The Phoenix lives," I mumble while trying to catch my breath.

"Ah. Maureen, I presume," she quirks a brow at me and I nod. Not out of rudeness but because it’s all I have the energy for right now. "Let's go, child, we don't have much time," she whispers. Eyes full of concern along with pity.

I'm so exhausted from the running, ducking and tumbling over fallen trees and broken branches, that I cautiously begin to follow the crone. Besides, I’m not reading or sensing any danger coming from the woman, even though her face is partially concealed by a scarf, leaving only her eyes visible. Still, I can tell she's nothing more than an average she-wolf. My confidence is growing by the minute right now; probably because I know that if it came down to it I could probably take her down in a blink of her tired eyes. If she tries anything, that is... I’m definitely smirking at the thought of fighting. The closest I've ever gotten to being in full-scale physical combat was a few months back while helping my mom prevent a young woman from being sexually assaulted.

At the mouth of the tunnel, there's a small wooden boat with about twenty, or more people huddled together waiting. The old woman whispers something to a tall, somewhat lanky middle-aged man, who seems to be in control of the boat. He cocks his head to the side as he looks me over as an all too brief glimmer of what seems to be hope suddenly appears in the character lines around his eyes. Weird.

"It's a bit cramped, but it'll do," she says pointing at the same man she had just whispered to. "Jim here will get you to the mainland in the south. Follow your instincts young one. Only then, will you find Sara." She explains, quite cryptically.

"Th-th-thank you," I responded weakly, through chattering teeth. She nods in reply. After boarding and getting on the boat, I wedged myself into the furthest corner I could find; covering my head to conceal my face and shielding myself from anyone who might care to harm or even talk to me.

I'm so hungry and sore. My over sensitive breasts aren't helping either as the physical pain feeding and amplifying my growing paranoia increases. Exhaustion finally sets in, and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. However, I'm trying to fight the sleep that's trying to overcome me. Across the tunnel, a mother with her son stirs memories of my own mother.

A feeling of dread creeps up my spine, sending my brain into overdrive. I push those thoughts aside and rededicate myself to the job at hand. I have to get to the south, it's the only way for me to survive. We're barely a mile from land, when thunder strikes, illuminating the gloomy night sky. Come to think of it, the sea looks a bit too calm at first. Another ten minutes in, and the tide rocks the small craft violently, encouraging some to begin looking around at each other in sheer panic.

"It's going to be okay," I offered calmly. To a person, the passengers turn to me with skeptical air about the entire situation and frankly - I don't blame them.

Just as I'm about to shift into a more comfortable position, I tumble backward. The force of the waves is getting more violent and I'm quite aware that if I don't intervene now, in all likelihood we’ll die here. Rising to my feet, I stretch my arms towards the sea and shake my fist at the sky. At first, I struggled a bit in my efforts to control the waves.

'Mighty Ancestors hear my plea… I beg of you… Don't give up on me!' I appeal silently to the heavens as the tide is slipping further out of my control. ‘Aww… C’mon…’ I grunt in frustration. Once again I close my eyes, turn my palms upward and begin transforming into the element, surprising everyone. Intense pain is tearing through my body. My insides are burning up, and my hands are shaking. I've never controlled an element of such magnitude before, so it's a lot to handle.

"See if you can maintain it a little longer, lass!" Jim shouts over the booming thunder.

"EVERYONE HOLD ON!" I bellow, getting ready to muster all my remaining energy into controlling the angry tidal wave that’s coming at us.

I groan out loud as I give every single thing I’ve got, slicing through the wave like a knife, my transformation going back to human form. But, we're not safe just yet. With a few more pulls, the tide slowly dies down. I fall to my knees, trying to catch my breath when I notice a warm liquid trickling down my nose. When I begin touching my face, the warm sticky substance seems familiar - it’s my blood.

A clean, soft handkerchief comes into my blurry vision, and I see it's the same passenger from before, the mother who is accompanying her son. "Here you go," her soft voice soothes as she politely offers the kerchief.

With shivering hands, I take it and immediately hold it against my nose. I thank her and she smiles lightly. Sure hope we reach the shore soon, don't think I can do that again. Not tonight, anyway.

"Here you go lass, eat, drink, and try to rest yourself." Jim gives me a sandwich with a bottle of water, "We're still half a day's journey ahead." He strides over to the others offering bottled water. The smell of the sandwich makes my stomach growl in appreciation, and I scarf it down in two bites; then wash it down with the water. It tasted rather good. After being fed, hydrated and with the tides much calmer, I can finally allow myself to drift off.

*****

I'm shaken awake, now fully aware that last night was not a dream after all, but is, in fact, my reality. "Hey there, you’ve got to wake-up darling, we're twenty minutes from landing," the mother informs me gently.

"Thanks, ma'am," I reply kindly. I stand up to stretch the kinks out of my body and begin looking ahead --- the town somewhat visible from our present position.

Though the Sun is shining, the overall atmosphere is still gloomy and sedate. Just like the woman said moments before, it takes only twenty minutes for Jim to reach port. Shutting off the engine, everyone starts trudging their way off, some of them toward waiting loved ones. Pulling my hoodie closer to my body, I make my way off the boat as well.

Desperately in need of a shower, I scan the area and see a public restroom across the way. After jogging towards it, I make a quick check to make sure it's clear before locking the entrance, preventing anyone else from entering behind me. I make short work of stripping out my dirty clothes, bundling them up and discreetly discarding them in the trash bin near the door. I stir around the contents of my bag, fetch up my toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, and body wash. After brushing my teeth, they feel clean when I swipe my tongue across them. Next, I rinse then fill the sink in front of me, wet my washcloth under the running faucet, add a small squeeze of the apple-scented body wash, and begin bathing myself with the limited resources in play.

Thankfully, I’m feeling rather refreshed after my ten-minute wash-up. I unlock the door, stepping out into the sunlight, combing my fingers through my dampened hair, and dearly appreciating the cool breeze. Rolling up my shirt sleeves, I cautiously make my way over the nearby diner.

Pulling the door open, the rusty bell chimes, announcing a new patron’s presence. Walking into the diner, I make a beeline straight for the cashier, "Hi, I'm looking for Sara?" I question the slightly plump woman at the register.

"You're Maureen right! Don't look so frightened dear, Jim notified me while you were in the restroom." She chuckles at my caught in the headlights, deerlike expression. "Now, go find yourself a seat and sit, a server will be with you in a minute. I'll inform your aunt that you’ve made it," she says.

Nodding, I stride over to a corner booth and set down my backpack beside me while eyeing the menu. I'm famished.

I notice a perky blonde out of the corner of my eye. "Hiya, my name's Lisa, what can I get you today?" she asks, genuinely happy.

"Ummm... I'll have the chicken alfredo, fries and an extra-large mountain dew please," I reply, offering a small smile, not wanting to be rude.

"Coming right up sweetness, I'll get dad right on it." She chirps, practically skipping to the next booth, pen, and paper at the ready.

My body still feels a bit sore, but not painful, for which I'm thankful. I've got no idea who this Sara woman is, but everyone seems to trust her, including mom. She even called her a friend, and since my mother doesn't have any friends, I trust her right away. Not that she would automatically look after me, I'm still curious about this mysterious woman.

"Here ya go sweetie, you enjoy." The server places my order on the table, leaving without my gratitude or appreciation.

Digging into the food, I’m pretty much gobbling down it like a savage, but still savoring it as I go. I start to feel self-conscious, so to prevent myself from choking, I slow down by taking a long sip of soda.

The chiming of the diner door grabs everyone's attention including mine, as a woman with powerful aura steps inside. Her head quickly snaps in my direction, intense dark eyes scanning me from head to toe. She appears to relax while making her way over.

"My, word. You've certainly grown into a beautiful young woman. The last time I saw you, you were only two-years-old." She smiles, yet sadness swims in her eyes.

"Sara?" I ask just to be sure.

"Yes baby girl, you need to hurry and finish your meal. We need to get you checked out," she urges and I don't argue.

--------

"I'm fine really," I protest when Sara pulls up to the local hospital.

"We need to make sure both you and the baby are okay," she mutters.

Laughing at the revelation. "What?" I ask, looking at her like she's crazy. "I'm not pregnant," I confidently state. Folding my arms across my chest defensively.

"Humor me," she insists with a shrug as she leaves the driver’s side, with me closely behind.

This is ridiculous, I couldn't possibly be pregnant. We always used protection, always. I thought to myself.

"Ah, Miss Lightwood, what can I do for you today?" A woman about Dante's age asks.

"My niece here will be staying with me from now on, but she's pregnant. She had a rough journey and we want to make sure the baby is doing okay," Sara explains.

"I see, let's go," she ushers us inside a nearby room. "Now..."

"Maureen," I mumble.

"Maureen hop on the table and let's take a look at you two shall we," she says and I comply. "Now, this will be a bit cold."

Lifting my shirt, she squirts cold gel on my stomach, turning on the machine she starts doing her thing. It doesn't take long for the screen to show the tiny person growing inside me, complete with a vigorous heartbeat that filled the sonogram speakers.

"There you go, the baby is doing really good," she informs me, smiling.

"Get rid of it," I tell her angrily.

"Maureen!" Sara gasps in horror.

"I said get it out of me, I’d rather die than carry his child!" I snap.

"Guess I'll give you two a moment," the doctor murmured while scrambling out of the room.

Hopping off the table, I furiously rub the gel off my stomach, covering my sticky belly with my shirt. "Hey!" I'm stopped dead in my tracks. "The baby already has a heartbeat, do you really want to murder he or she before giving it a chance?... Think about that before you do anything," Sara snarls, walking out on me.

For millennia, witches are merely used as pawns, slaves and ever so often sex toys. We've always been used and abused constantly. Most of us are treated like property; where we are branded like animals instead of a person. There are no rights for a witch unless you are born in one of the three most powerful, noble families.

Having a witch within a pack has its perks as it declares an Alpha's power and dominance. Hence while we are of some use, we cannot be completely free.

The most superior and dominant in our world are Werewolves. Their rules are law, apart from edicts from the council. The Five Great Werewolf Families in the East are: The DeLucas, The Greysons, The Parkers, The Santos, and The Hunters.

And yet here I am, a witch, pregnant by a member of the most powerful of the five.

Nervously grabbing my bag, I pull it in front of me and leave the doctor’s office in a complete daze with my mind already made up.

I exit the room knowing that my decision will totally alter the life I’ve known.