Page 71 of Bad for Me

* * *

Ava

I got myself to Bright Hope church early, hoping to find some solace in the house of God. Today it just felt wrong, uncomfortable.

Rumors of my return made it back here before I did. The parents on the school’s committee wouldn’t take no for an answer when they offered me the job as cheer coach. I had won a handful of awards at a few large competitions, and I was known for being head cheerleader when I attended myself.

Alumni were always sought after for filling spots in the faculty, and it seemed I was first pick for the role.

At first, I was hesitant, but when Matt heard I had the chance of being employed at our old college, he jumped at the offer. Even beating me to it, getting hired on the spot for a position in the Liberal Arts department.

The church filled with people, and I sat alone with my hands in my lap, thinking.

Where would I be, right now, if I chose my path? Would my life look any different at all? Would I have chosen all the things that I have right now?

I thought back to my time as a student at Middlebury College, the drunken nights in houses and apartments that I have no memory of. The pep rally’s that left me so full of adrenaline and joy that I’d go to sleep smiling. I had my fair share of experiences with women…probably more than I’d ever had with a man.

The girl with the dark hair and dark skin that knew how to make my toes curl every time we were alone in my dorm…

Even after Matt proposed to me, I knew that there was something inside of me that was broken…missing. A space that he couldn’t fill or reach, deep inside of my heart.

I never knew why…until now.

Until Mary.

Mary's powder skin and dark hair instantly captured my thoughts. Her pouty lips giving her a doll-like appearance. Her innocent look didn’t take away from her bratty demeanor. A demeanor that I wanted to break, the broken part inside of me wanting to dominate…. correct.

She isn’t mine to correct.

But I wanted her to be…I wanted her on her knees, mouth opened to me, her tongue ready to obey me.

Goosebumps crawled along my body, but Pastor Dean hindered my wanting by stepping up to the podium, a large screen set up behind him, emblazoned with the Church’s logo and catch phrase, ‘A new, bright future for all.’

Pastor Dean was dashingly handsome, the kind of man whose perfect smile and thick hair could have gotten him an acting gig in California if not for his passion for the church.

“Ladies, gentleman…children…lambs, I want to talk about something very close to my heart, something that has plagued even my home in some of my darkest times.” A dramatic pause for reaction. “Witchcraft.”

Murmurs wafted through the crowd, questions rippling from the men and women of the town.

“With the popularity of this…blasphemy…making its way through the media right now, I caution you all…be mindful of the messages our children are receiving from the Elite.”

I look around me, holding back a nervous laugh, wondering if anyone else was thinking the same thing.

The media? The Elite? Is this guy really challenging the movies and tv we consume?

With the popularity of DVDs storming the shelves, I wasn’t exactly surprised at his message. Therewasan influx of occult and horror movies as of late—Screambeing one of my favorites. There was no better distraction than a bloody horror film.

I suddenly felt as if he was speaking directly to me.

“These films are full of Satanic rituals, murder, sadism. The list goes on.” Another dramatic pause. “But I can assure you, if you see any signs of Witchcraft in your home…movies likeThe CraftandThe Lost Boys…”

Everyone releases an audible sigh at his movie references.

“I am here to help.”

We all joined in prayer, and I wondered what he means byany signs of Witchcraft.

Like candles? Dreamcatchers? Incense?

---