Audrey wandered through the corn field, the golden brown stalks rattling in the cool fall air as she came around a corner that led to yet another dead end. She let out an annoyed huff but smiled nonetheless. It was Halloween and the whole town was buzzing. The All Hallows night festival was Audrey’s favourite time of the year. She could hear excited screams and giggles coming from the haunted house at the baseball field, she could hear the music playing and voices rising from the hayrides, everyone was in high spirits. Audrey came around another corner when something hooked her around the waist and dragged her into the tall stalks. She let out a startled squeak as something warm brushed her neck, the arm around her waist squeezing her gently to a body behind her. The smell of pine and soap filled her nose and she smiled to herself as soft lips kissed the groove of her shoulder.
“You’re going to get us in trouble James.” She whispered. The boy behind her removed his arm from around her and lightly placed a hand on either hip, trailing kisses from her shoulder up to her jaw where he paused, speaking softly to her.
“Then I guess we slip away to the other fields where we can’t be bothered.” As he spoke his mouth brushed against her skin, sending chills up her spine and causing her heart to pound with excitement. She let out a giggle as he walked backwards, pulling her with him. She spun around, grabbing him by the hand and took off. The two of them ran through the field, deeper into the stalks, the sounds of the festivities fading away until the only sounds were the night and their breathing. Audrey spun to face James. He had a wolfish smile on his face as he tipped his head to the side. A trait Audrey found quite endearing. His eyes, unfortunately, still couldn’t see. The witch had cast quite the spell on him that lasted even after the death of the caster. But Audrey wasn’t going to give up. Her and James had been waiting all year for Halloween to come. She had studied book after book of spells and magic, hoping to find something that could help her release James from the curse and finally after nearly a year she found something. And ironically it needed to be cast on the night of Halloween, when the bridge between the living and the dead was at its weakest. By the end of tonight, James would have his eyes back. She was confident in that. Audrey draped her arms over James’ shoulders and pulled him in, their lips meeting in the dark. At first he kissed her softly as if she might break but then he became hungry, craving her like a drug. He pulled her close, the curves of her body fitting against him perfectly. It was amazing, the power and emotion he sent through her. It pulsed through her body and to her very core. His touch seared her skin, his fingers leaving a trail of heat up her arms and to her back. Bliss, pure bliss. The last year with James had made her happier than she ever expected to be after Brandon’s accident. The boy in front of her had managed to ease her pain and help her through everything. He was patient, and kind, he was always there when she needed someone and never once did he push her to do something she didn’t want to do. There was an unmistakable connection between them that formed long before they even met, almost as if they were supposed to be together. The will of their creator. Audrey felt James pull away, pressing his forehead to hers. They stood there in silence for a moment, listening to the night around them. Finally James broke the silence.
“Audrey?” She let her arms slide off his shoulders and gently squeezed his biceps reassuringly, willing him to continue, letting him know that whatever he wanted to say would be heard. He took a deep, shuddering breath and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.
“I love you.” He whispered almost too quietly. Heat rose to Audrey’s cheeks as her stomach did flips. The words echoed in her mind. I love you. I love you… She smiled, a nervous laugh escaping her lips as she hugged him tightly.
“I love you, too.” She whispered. They both leaned in for another kiss when Audrey’s back pocket started whistling loudly. She let out a soft sigh.
“Looks like it’s time.” Without another word she took his hand and they walked out of the field and to the woods. The trees looked eerie in the night. Their tall trunks reaching up to the starry sky, the branches swaying in the cool night wind. The musty smell of the forest brought back the memories of that night and Audrey shuddered involuntarily. James placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, not saying anything. Most of the time he didn’t have to. Audrey could feel it. His support, his love, everything. Even the fear and apprehension. But out of all the things he felt, doubt wasn’t one of them. He had full faith in Audrey and that gave the girl hope.
James stood in silence as Audrey set up her circle. He could hear her shuffling around, pulling all the items she needed out from under a tree root. She had stashed them here days ago, hoping not to draw the attention of anyone as she did so. He heard the swift flick of a lighter and after a few moments could smell the wax of a candle burning. Then he heard the branches above start to sway harder as a sharp gust of wind cut through his jacket. He shivered against the cold and couldn’t help but laugh to himself when he heard Audrey swear under her breath as she relit the candles. He could feel her confidence as she swiftly put everything together. She had practiced almost every day since she found the spell. Learning as much as she could about what was needed and what needed to be done. Finally she spoke, her soft voice floating up from the ground.
“Alright James go ahead and lay down for me.” He heard the rustle of her clothes and knew she held out a hand to show him where he needed to go. He laid down in the soft pine needles and relaxed. There was a few moments of silence where Audrey relaxed, controlling her breathing and centering herself before starting the ritual. James closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift. She had become a witch. After letting go of all the fear she harbored from that word. She did it for him. Embraced a culture and practice simply to help him. However, unlike the cold, dark magic of the Baba Yaga, Audrey's was warm and soft. It flowed off of her like honey, slowly seeping into every pore. She had a natural ability for this kind of thing, and the title of witch suited her. Even though she never really said it, he knew she liked it, too. James lay there patiently for who knows how long before Audrey's chanting finally stopped. A hush fell over the forest, not a single creature made a noise.
“Open your eyes James.” The young girl called to him. James did as he was told and slowly opened his eyes.
Audrey held her breath after finishing her incantation. This was it, the moment of truth. Though she felt no fear and she had felt confident in her spell she still felt uneasy. This was the first spell she ever cast, and from all the studying she did she was repeatedly told the same thing. A spell is a manifestation of all your desires. You are willing the magic to do it’s part and run it’s course. If it was will the spell needed then it’s what she would give it. She had put her entire heart and soul into this spell, willing it to lift the curse from James’ eyes. To give him the gift of sight back. She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath.
“Open your eyes James.” She tried to keep the tremors out of her voice but the anxiety was driving her insane. When she opened her eyes James was staring up at the canopy. His eyes were a beautiful emerald color. They took her breath away. His eyes aren’t cloudy anymore does that mean it worked? James did nothing except stare upwards, his expression completely neutral then slowly his eyebrows scrunched as if he couldn’t figure something out.
“Did...did it work?” She asked nervously. James seemed even more confused.
“I don’t get it.” He looked in her direction but not directly at her and Her heart dropped.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s changed. Is this a prank? Are we just in a really dark area? What happened?” Audrey felt a knot form in her throat and her chin began to tremble. She turned her face up to the sky, hoping the tears wouldn’t fall. She Failed.
Stars shone in the velvet sky overhead, millions of tiny diamonds sparkling with an ethereal glow as pale moonlight filtered down between the branches of the large trees. Opaque shadows danced on the trunks and the forest floor as a chilly fall wind rolled through. It was beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking, but the most beautiful thing in the world was the young girl sitting next to James. Her Hair was like a dark fire, floating down to the middle of her back, her eyes glittered with the tears that she tried so hard to keep back. What an ass I am. Making her think she failed. James sat up and brushed Audrey's cheek. He willed her to stop looking away from him and when she finally turned her eyes back to him she stared. He looked directly into her beautiful face and after a couple moments realization slowly spread across her face. James could help but smile as shock, then joy and irritation flashed in her eyes. Audrey smacked his arm and scowled.
“You idiot! I can’t believe you’d pull a sick prank like that! I worked my ass off and here I thought it was all for nothing.” She crossed her arms and refused to look at him once again.
Audrey looked away from James but she couldn't stop her heart from pounding erratically. It worked. It had actually worked. She lifted the curse and gave him his sight back. He could see her now. I wonder what he thinks of me. Shyly, she stole a glance back at James and realized with a start that he was staring at her. Heat rose to her cheeks and she bit her lip. Ouch. Suddenly her body tensed and a vision flashed through her mind. Bright, blinding colors streaking by in an instant. She saw sunshine and huge fluffy clouds in the sky. She saw James, then her mother, then the town in winter, then clear as day she saw Brandon. Sitting up in his bed and staring out the window. But the view outside wasn’t his side yard, it was the next town over. He wasn’t in his room, he was at the hospital. His head turned and he looked directly at her and smiled. Then, there was nothing. Audrey put a hand to her head, glad she was still sitting.
“Audrey? What’s wrong? What did you see?” James was at her side in an instant, concern clouding his emerald eyes. She looked up at him. He was so handsome and he had done right by her all this time. Making up for any mistake he ever made. How could she possibly tell him? How could she choose? She began to fumble around in her coat pocket and fished out her phone. She dialed Brandon’s mom and pressed the phone to her ear. Each ring seemed to last a lifetime until finally there was a click and a sweet little voice spoke.
“Maddie speaking.”
“Maddie, are you still at the hospital?”
“Well yes dear I am, Just getting ready to take the elevator down. Why? Did you forget something?” Audrey paused for a moment, trying to decide what to say.
“Uh, y-yes. I did. I left one of my favorite books there could you grab it for me?” There was a soft chuckle.
“Of course my dear. Give me just a few minutes to go back to Brandon’s room.” There was the sound of swishing clothes and a long pause.
“So what are you and James up to tonight? Out enjoying the fair?” Even though she was Brandon’s mother, Maddie never once stopped treating Audrey differently when her and James started to date. She was a kind woman with a huge heart of gold. Audrey smiled weakly, anxiety ripping through her like a knife.
“Yes, we are. We helped put the haunted house together in Brandon’s place and even though we didn’t go as well as he usually does I’m sure he would have absolutely loved it if he could see it. How about you? Are you doing ok?”
“Oh yes dear I’m doing quite alright. Tired after working so many shifts at the pub but you know how much I lo- oh my goodness!” Maddie suddenly cut off and there was a painful silence before The stout woman started shouting.
“Doctor! Nurse! Come quickly please! Oh my baby! My baby boy is awake! Audrey! Brandon! He’s- he’s awake! I have to go darling I’ll call you back in just a bit.” There was a click and then dial tone. Audrey sat in the dirt a bit longer, her heart pounding out of control. So it was true...He really did wake up. Audrey slowly looked to James and saw the surprise in his eyes. But like usual, he covered it quickly and placed a hand on her back reassuringly. But she could still feel the fear pouring off of him. He knew what this meant, too. She had to make a choice now. Stay with him, or go back to her first love.
“Do you want to go see him tomorrow?” James asked quietly. He was using his gentle voice. The same voice he used whenever she would wake in the night from the nightmares. He was too good for her. Taking care of her and helping even when there was a risk that he wouldn’t be hers anymore. She nodded and he helped her to her feet.
“Would you like me to go with you?” She nodded again.
“Let’s get you home. I think you need some rest.” Slowly they walked out of the woods. He stayed right beside her, holding her hand tightly, hoping it brought the weary girl comfort. When they finally made it to her house, they both walked upstairs, waving to her dad and mom who sat in the living room.
“Good night you two.”
“Goodnight.” They responded before shutting the door.
The alarm clock on the nightstand read four thirty in the morning but Audrey couldn’t sleep. Her mind was reeling with thoughts of what to do. This was going to be very difficult. She’d have to explain everything to Brandon later today and make a choice. Letting out an irritated sight she rolled onto her side and watched James as he slept. His ash colored hair grazed his cheek just under his eyes as he slept with such a peaceful expression. She laid there for a long time watching him as his chest slowly rose and fell with each breath. I’m so sorry. She thought bitterly to herself. But I’ve made my choice. I know it’ll be painful for the both of us but I hope you’ll understand. Audrey wiggled closer and curled up against James, laying her head on his chest. Without opening his eyes, he slipped his arm under her neck and hugged her to his body. She closed her eyes and finally drifted off. Tomorrow, everything will change. But She knew in her heart who she wanted to be with.
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