Page 8 of Wicked Witch

“And what about Roy? You gave him time off, so he won’t even be here to help me,” Halee whines, and I’m about to snap.

“Enough! I am so sick and tired of being casted out or left behind. If there is a curse which we know there is, then I am going to try everything to get rid of it. Now here is the number to the motel where I am staying. If you need me it better be because Ms. Whiskers is dying or the bar is on fire.”

I hand her the paper I printed of the place I’m going to have to stay at and then scratch my kitten’s head. I wish I could take her with me, but the owner, Adri, said absolutely no pets.

“Ms. Whiskers will be fine… Your bar on the other hand…”

“Halee, cut the shit. You can’t come with me, so drop the attitude and do your damn job.”

I watch as my words hit her and internally I’m cringing. I never used to be so damn mean. Especially to my friends. But that’s what happens when your heart gets broken again and again.

“Yeah, um, okay. I’m gonna…” Halee walks quickly out the door and I groan as her sniffles and soft cries echo through the empty halls.

“Merooooowww.” I glance at my cat and sigh.

“I know okay. You don’t need to give me that look.” She glares at me for a few more seconds, her orange and white striped tail flicking up and down on the bed.

She was completely black, but a potion went awry, which wasn’t my fault. She jumped up onto the counter and dumped it all over herself. So now she is an adorable spotted mess.

Black on her face still with a white stripe down her nose and splotches of orange throughout in patches, and then of course her tail. Have I mentioned she’s adorable?

“I won’t be gone long, okay?” I coo to her and give her a few belly rubs. She’s such an oddball and also likes to play fetch at times.

Finishing packing, I pull up my witchy GPS and try to find this place. It’s going to be a few days of driving and once I reach the motel, finding my ancestors' land is going to be a real challenge it seems.

The only things I can find about it are urban legends and missing ghost hunters, who went exploring where they shouldn’t have.

But one thing remains true with anything I read. I am going to need some good hiking boots. I’m kinda excited to go to Spells Hollow. I love anything sinister and occult. This will be fun and if I end up breaking the curse it’ll be even better.

DidI say I was excited for this trip? After driving all day, I need to stop and stretch. Even bringing my large SUV, I am sore and bloated from the gas station snacks. I should have just flown to upstate NY and then rented a car or something.

I find a rest area that looks decent and take the exit. There are lots of semi-trucks around, parked for the night and the visitor’s center seems to have good lighting surrounding it.

Closing my eyes, I mumble a quick spell, checking if anyone here has ill intent, then when nothing stands out, I park my vehicle and shut the engine off. It’s startling how quiet everything is now that the music isn’t playing or the tires aren’t moving.

I can hear the distant sound of the people still driving on the highway, but other than that it’s peaceful. Yawning, I open my door and let the night air chill me. Reaching behind my seat, I grab my keys from my bag, then unbuckle and climb out.

The crickets chirp all around me, and I breathe in the pine scent. The air feels almost damp and I hope it’s just the morning dew, and I’m not about to encounter a storm. I hate driving in the rain.

Idiots hover between lanes and sometimes it’s hard to even see.

I shut my car door and lock it, then walk toward the building. There is a man hovering by the vending machines, but he seems innocent enough. Leaving him to do his business, I start up the steps to the top and enter the ladies room.

Fluorescent lights greet me, and I groan. Rushing to the stall at the end I relieve myself, then wash my hands and use a spell to conjure a toothbrush with paste in the bristles.

I am sick of tasting coffee.

When done, I return to my car and open the back door. Even though Halee was upset with me, she did have the foresight to suggest I drop my backseats and lay an air mattress there so I could nap.

It’s a smart idea and it may even come in handy in Spells Hollow. From what I saw the town I’m headed to is a good drive from themotel. I don’t know what I’m going to encounter when I arrive, but hopefully it’ll be a quick trip.

Climbing in, I make myself comfortable, then lock up the car once more and get a few Z’s.

Early morning light pulls me from a weird dream of people being hung and running away from a massive fire.

Staying under the blanket, I mumble a spell to change my clothes with something I packed.

Wish I could shower, but it's okay for right now.

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