Wicked Little Thing

by Nora Weston © 2007

 

“What comes around goes around. Everyone gets what is coming to them; yeah, right,” mumbled Ashley scurrying toward the restroom while trying to yank a huge wad of pink bubblegum from her long, dark locks.

“Get out of my way, freak!” yelled Billy Masterson. Shoving Ashley out of his way, he attracted an audience. “I can't believe things like you attend our high school.” A stare of hatred smashed into his prey, yet it was deceitful.

 

“So true when you say thing, Billy. No one knows what Ashley Phillips is,” spouted Melissa Sue Harrison, head cheerleader. Melissa, and her clingy gang of worshipers, laughed in unison like a wild bunch of crazed hyenas.

 

Pressed up against metal lockers, Ashley adjusted her sunglasses. “Shut up. What have I ever done to either of you?”

 

“You were born. That's what, beast,” said Billy. Inches from her pale face, he couldn't stop his forbidden desire. She's beautiful. Raven hair…soft skin, but she's an outsider, a black sheep. If I can't have her, no one will. Hence, he played his cruel game. “Run, now; run to the bathroom and cry just like you always do.”

 

“One day, Billy,” warned Ashley.

 

“What? Are you threatening me?” Smiling, his need to feed grew. Just one taste of her…she's driving me crazy. No, they'd kill me; stop thinking about her . “I'm really scared, ya know?” Looking into the crowd, Billy widened his eyes pretending to shutter in her presence. “Don't curse me or make a voodoo doll of me, zombie girl.”

 

The hyenas snickered throwing remnants of their lunches at her saying, “Loser—go home. Get out of here!”

 

Melissa, who was queen of the wild dogs, spit onto Ashley's face. “There ya go, sweetie. Clean up your freaking attitude. You're so lame.”

 

The hyenas roared and the entire mob of students let loose as Billy sighed hating what he'd incited. What have I done? Stand up for her. No, I'd lose everything.

 

And Ashley ran to the bathroom just like she always did. I can't take this today. Taking off her glasses, she looked into the dirty mirror smudging away a small section. “Yeah, I do look like a stiff.” Warm tears, filled with years of frustration from home and kids at school, flowed.

 

Sniffling, Ashley grabbed a paper towel and dried her face. Holding her stomach, she felt the weight of her mother's burdens. “Thanks, Kevin, filthy creep. Why did mom have to marry a no-good punk like you? We're always broke and now you're nowhere to be found. You should stay away, forever. Billy and Melissa…I'm done with your rubbish as well. You all need to vanish. I've wished it a thousand times.” Paying no attention to the pain, or subsequent hair loss, Ashley pulled the wad of sticky bubblegum from her hair.

 

Putting on her glasses, she kicked the bathroom door. “I'm out of here.” Within fifteen minutes, she'd driven north into Nashotah, WI. “Nope, none of these day-tripper shops will do. B-o-r-i-n-g.”

 

Ashley drove haphazardly totally enraged. Suddenly, she noticed the sun had set; cornfields surrounded her and she was lost. Not far, Ashley saw a light. “Maybe someone there can help.”

 

Parking quickly, Ashley read, “Keepsakes.” Cautiously, she approached the shop.

 

Wind chimes blew in the breeze releasing melodic tones of magic. Wooden chests, full of wicker dolls and odd looking, black candles, cluttered the front porch. “Weird place,” she whispered while opening the rickety, screen door.

 

“Oh, this place is more than weird,” said a hunched over, old hag. “Come on, dear, go inside. I've just what you need.” She patted Ashley on her back.

 

“Whoa, are you trying to scare me to death, woman? You came from nowhere.” A warm smile smothered the old woman's face, although something other than warmth was in her eyes. Rambling to herself, she gave Ashley a shove.

 

Together, Ashley and the tiny, old woman entered the shop. It was lit up entirely by blue candles, which let off a most tantalizing smell. Copper barrels and green jars held various treasures in them, but it was a glass display case that stole Ashley's attention.

 

“Awesome.” A small, gold amulet in the shape of two serpents twisting around each other, held her spellbound.

 

“You're a wise shopper, indeed.” The old woman retrieved the amulet and placed it in Ashley's hand.

 

A rush of adrenaline scorched Ashley from the inside out; she became dizzy. The flesh of her palm started to melt. “Burning…hot!” No matter, Ashley could not let go of the ancient amulet. “What have you done to me?” she asked in desperation. “Help me!” Dashing outside, with only the solemn cornfields to hear her, Ashley screamed.

 

The hag followed Ashley greeting her with an archaic lust. “Hush, child. The pain will stop, momentarily. We've made a magnificent trade.” The old woman caressed Ashley's stunning face. “All of your nasty wishes came to me. I looked into your soul and discovered your dark fantasies. Therefore, in six minutes—at midnight, Billy is going to die in a ghastly car accident and Melissa will choke to death. Your disgusting stepfather will fall down the steps at a seedy hotel and break his neck. See, your problems are solved and all it cost you was…your youth.”

 

Frozen by fear, Ashley could only utter, “But I didn't mean it. Please, wait!”

 

“Yes, you did. My amulet retrieves wicked, little souls and stores them for me. This spell craves dark energy and you're full of it. You're positively hell bound.” Seizing the amulet, the hag placed it on her chest. She began to look younger as Ashley aged.

 

“Oh, heavens,” said Ashley, “I don't want to die.”

 

“No one is dying tonight,” said Billy grabbing the amulet. Smashing it with a rock caused the witch to disintegrate. “Gross,” said Billy smiling at the newly refreshed Ashley.

 

“For sure. Wicked, little thing that witch,” said Ashley giddy with delight that her spell on Billy had worked just right.

 

 

 

End

 

 

 

Bio: Nora Weston has been published in various venues including, Dark Moon Rising, Insolent Rudder, Shadowkeep, Decompositions, The Harrow, The Seeker Magazine, The Burning Word, The Kudzu Monthly, Dream Forge, Soul Engravings, Lost in the Dark, The Sidewalk's End, The Hackers Source, Poe Little Thing, Dark Walls, Escaping Elsewhere, and The Dream People. She took first place in Lotus Blooms Journal's January 2004 poetry contest. In November 2006, Sputnik 57 published a short story called “Seven Seconds.” Nora has work featured in a number of anthologies. In January 2007, HoboEye featured some of her poetry. The Ethereal Gazette magazine has accepted a short story for their November 2007 issue.