messy hair & moonlight

the brunette witch drank from her bottle water, stopped drinking when she noticed someone near by “what?” she questioned “are the witches supposed to help these poor unfortunate souls that came back from the dead? they could just have stayed dead in the first place, then none of this would happen”

— @benoitwitch​

“Do you honestly think that?” Andrew asked, tilting his head as he looked at her. “I think we owe it to at least try to do something to help.” 

It started with flashes of light, Josie couldn’t make anything out at first, then two silhouettes started to appear. The Gemini shook her head. She knew well enough by now something, someone, was messing with her mind. The two people came into view in her head, it was Lizzie and… herself but she was dark again. Josie felt frozen with fear. Why would someone be giving her this memory? Then the flight flashed again and she realized it wasn’t a memory… this was different. They looked slightly older, they weren’t in the school gym. They were in the woods, holding hands, chanting those familiar words. Josie could no longer shake the vision, whatever was doing this had complete control over her mind. She was forced to watch as they went through with the merge, both of them dropping to the ground, but Josie knew only one would get up. After a moment that’s what happened, the fake Josie stood up with a small smirk on her face and the vision ended. Josie had tears streaming down her face, her breathing too heavy. “It wasn’t real.” She whispered.

Andrew heard noise out in the hall and opened his door, seeing the young Gemini witch in tears. “Josie? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” He asked, giving her a comforting hug in an attempt to soothe her. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost... which is entirely possible around here.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’d like to say it gets easier, but…” he gave a sad, small smile. “From what I hear though, this school is like a family.”

“That’s what I’m discovering.” Andrew nodded. “I didn’t realize how much I needed that until I got here.” 

“That would be awesome actually.” Josie shook her head. “Not really. I’ve been digging through old books trying to find anything, but I suspect my dad has some hidden.”

“You think he has books hidden?” Andrew asked with a raised eyebrow. “Well then I guess we’re going on a treasure hunt. I’m sure between the two of us we can find them.” 

🌒️ ― “It’s a dangerous title.” The warning came out quiet, like she didn’t really want to say it. She knew they were more alike than she previously gave credit. The moment he chose to join the school, the schools business became the covens’ business. That was a risk Hope took. She did it because he wanted to be here. Now it was her turn. “Might as well,” she agreed. Her way of replying the alone comment. “That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?” For a home. Safe to say the conversation had helped her calm down, and the itch to feed had subsided. 

kitty took a deep breath and nodded hesitantly. she didn’t trust easily. not anymore, at least. “i guess at least one night wouldn’t hurt,” she said softly. 

“There you go.” Andrew gave a small smile and gestured for her to follow him. “Come on, its this way. If anything for tonight you can have a warm place to sleep and some hot food. And then you can decide in the morning what you want to do then.” 

🌒️ ― “I am Hope,” she said. “I am my mother’s daughter, my father’s daughter. She was lost, abandoned, left to fend for herself and became comfortable in it. He kept everyone at arm’s length and punished the ones who pushed.” She looked Andrew straight in the face. The emotion in her eyes subtle, masked behind her stoned expression. “I don’t want to make those same.. choices.” She paused. “Are we friends?” It was a weird question, but one she wasn’t unfamiliar with using. It was hard to tell for her. Always had been. She never made friends, she ended up with them. Truth was, his opinion seemed to matter, so she thought she’d ask. 

“help. i don’t know. i’ve been told i’m pretty past help,” she said sarcastically, though it wasn’t with her usual tone. she winced again. if she was going to go with him, she’d have to get over that aversion to magical words. she had no idea how, though. her eyes burned. she wasn’t alone. “i’ve been alone for a long time.” 

“Just because that’s how it’s been doesn’t mean that it has to stay that way.” Andrew replied. “Give it a chance. You owe yourself at least that.” 

Josie nodded. “Messy is an understatement.” She gave a small smile. “I’m trying to find out more. From what I have gathered the merge is a curse. I plan on ending it.”

“Well, if you need some help, I’m happy to lend a hand.” Andrew replied. He knew a great deal about magic and was always eager to learn more. “Do you have any leads so far?” 

kitty blinked with wide green eyes. “a…a whole school?” she whispered. she’d never thought there would be that many. she always felt more like an endangered species than something that was considered normal to anyone. 

“Yep, a whole school. It’s meant to help people like you and me, and it has. Since I started there a few months ago I already have better control over my magic.” Andrew replied. “You’re not alone.” He had a feeling she was someone who had felt alone for a long time.

she waved her hand at him. “those words. nevermind,” she said, running a hand through her red locks. she tried to take a deep breath and shook her head. she nodded at his name and took his offered hand. “i mean….i’m fine in car. i’m used to it by now. i don’t have a lot of money for anywhere else,” she admitted. “no i haven’t heard of it. a school?” 

“Just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean that you should have to.” Andrew replied. “Yeah, a boarding school, for people like us. Why don’t you come check it out with me?” 

kitty practically flinched at the words witch and magic. “okay i…i get it but let’s not use those words, yeah?” she requested. there was no way out of him knowing. she shook her head. “no i’m never safe,” she muttered. she let out a soft sight. “kitty.” 

“Not use what words?” Andrew asked in confusion. Did she have some eversion to calling it all what it was? “Never safe?” His confusion only grew. “I’m Andrew.” He extinguished the flame and offered her his hand. “How about we get you somewhere warm? It’s a chilly night. And I know a particularly safe place not too far from here. Have you heard of the Salvatore School?” 

kitty spun around, shaking slightly that the stranger was there. that she’d been seen. again. she’d need to leave the city at this rate. “what do you mean, i’m fine,” she said, her eyes shifting. the flame caught her attention and her eyes went wide. kitty’s eyes flicked up to look at the stranger’s face before swallowing. her mouth was dry as she extended her hand towards the flame. “i….”

“You’re a witch. Clearly not one in control of her magic but a witch nonetheless.” Andrew replied. “I am too. This city is crawling with them. You’re safe, it’s okay.” He watched as she seemed enthralled by the flame that danced between his fingers. “What’s your name?” 

kitty knew enough self defense to protect herself enough from humans to at least run away. though she didn’t always think about it. especially with the things on her mind lately. as such, she had her back to the road and definitely didn’t see anyone approaching the car. she heard the tap on the glass and jumped, the fragments of control she had going out the window when the lights on the street burst. she scrambled out of the car with wide eyes. “no nono,’ she muttered. not this again. years she’d gone without incidents and now she’d had two in less than a month. 

Andrew held up his hands to show he meant no harm. “I’m not here to hurt you. It’s okay. I was just making sure that you’re alright. So she was a witch. ” He extended a hand and used his magic to let a little flame appear in his hand. “I’m like you.” 

kitty felt exhausted. ever since the incident with the vampire, she’d been working over time strictly to keep her mind off of the whole thing. cause if she didn’t think about it, then it didn’t happen. or at least the exhaustion might keep the nightmares away. hopefully. she hiked her bag up on her shoulder more as she finally made it to her car. aka, home. it wasn’t the fanciest but it was decent enough that she wasn’t suffering sleeping in the backseat. she started the car before climbing in the backseat to settle down for the evening with a soft sigh. she really was tired, and she wasn’t sure it was just physically anymore. more things to lock away in her box of mental instabilities. ( @benoitwitch​ )

Andrew had noticed the girl in her car. He had spotted it in various places around town and he had come to one conclusion. She had to be living in it. For a young woman at night, especially in a town like this, it wasn’t safe. After a moment of thought he approached the car, tapping lightly on the glass to get her attention. 

💀 ― David was leaning against a doorway, phone hanging limply in his hand. His attention clearly pulled away from it due to the incidental eavesdropping. Looking over at the regent’s son, he gave an innocent shrug. “Most of it, yeah.” He doesn’t let Andrew reply without first adding, “Heavy.” 

🌒️ ― Her heartrate quickened as the prospect frightened her. “And give them a front row seat?” she said with an airy and helpless laugh. He sounded so confident, so sure, but it only made her feel more vulnerable. All she saw were people as kind as him fading away behind her darkness. “What if they see how different I am and they just, give up?  How can I handle that?”