The Moonlight Circle by Cheryl Anderson (free reads TXT) 📕

THE MOONLIGHT CIRCLE

PREFACE


My name is Alliona Storm. I am from this time, although some may say it seems as though I am from a time long ago. When I was young my mother told me about The Burning Times. Which is what most people refer to as the time of the witch trials? I was scared to ask, but I had to.” Do they still burn witches at the stake, Momma?” I asked her.


"No sweetie” she replied” you have nothing to worry about anymore.” Then she laughed almost like a giggle.


I was confused; having been born a witch, then her telling me about The Burning Times scared me, enough that I learned to practice in secret. To this day I find it hard to celebrate certain holidays, much less perform many rituals. I feel as if the whole world is watching and waiting for a witch to screw up and bring the Burning Times upon us again.


I promised myself that won’t be me.


CHAPTER 1  Alexa


Today was my first day of school. The rest of the student’s had been in school for the last 3 months already. Like most new students I do my best to not be noticed.

I won’t be here long either. I choose to move around fairly often as to not allow my activities in one place to become associated with me.

As I was headed to my first class I noticed a kid with wire frame glasses, a long nose, and a friendly smile walking toward me. It immediately occurred to me he was headed my way. I pivoted trying to find another route to my homeroom class when I felt a hand brush my shoulder. “Hey my name is Anthony Hawkins, you must be Alexa Boudrogh, the new student am I right.” he said rather sure of himself.

"Yeah” I replied hoping my quick response would make him move along. Of course, just one look at him told me other wise.

"Sweet I must be getting better at my job then” he laughed. “Oh yeah I’m the welcoming committee. Sorry there isn’t more to it, but with being such a small school no one else volunteered. “He said with another shy smile. I stood there for a second before turning to walk to my classroom
"Hold up a sec I'm suppose to give you a tour of the school” he said.

For the first time I looked up into his eyes so I could will him away. Then I noticed how crystal blue they were; almost like staring into a moon reflected pool. His eyes appeared soulful as though they emitted kindness. I realized at that moment I wasn’t going to get rid of this tall lanky boy who almost resembles most story book nerds.

"OK thanks” I reply as he gently grabbed my arm and began leading me down the hallway. He points out each of the classrooms with enthusiasm. As we turn the corner he points out the gym and tells me that it is the cafeteria as well. “The tables just fold into the walls. The school is to cheap to build a gym for the high school but most of us don’t mind.” he paused.” that is until the jocks decide they need to play basketball and the ball lands in your food.” he laughed a little.” Just don’t sit under the hoops and you should be fine.” Then we turn again, and continue down the hallway.


"So who’s your homeroom teacher? Maybe we’ll get lucky and have the same one” he said suddenly excited at the thought.

"I have Mr. Barns. “I replied. A frown came over his face. “Oh well, I have Mrs. Duncan. That’s OK though let me see your schedule for a sec.” He responded. “Alright we have fifth period together though so we can head straight to lunch right after if you want?"

I thought for a second and replied “Sure that would be cool.”

“Well here's your class see you in science.” he replied and hurried back down the hallway as though he were already late.

I took a deep breath, sighed and walked into the classroom. It was loud until the bell rang and the teacher walked in. “OK class we have a new student. Her name is Alexa Boudrogh.” And in a more hushed voice he said “You can take a seat next to Alliona,” then said "Alliona Storm raise your hand so Alexa knows who you are.” I turned as saw a fairly pretty girl with almost fire engine red hair and a bright friendly smile already waving me over to the seat next to her.

I walked over and set my bag next to the desk and turned to sit. When I heard her say” Welcome to Sagebrush High, so as you know already I'm Alliona and I'm almost positive you've meet Tony, He's been my best friend since third grade. That’s when we moved to town. He’s just the sweetest don’t ya think?” she just kept rambling on as if she truly thought I was paying attention.

I couldn't help but think if everyone in this town was this nice I was probably going to choke on my own vomit. It’s going to be really hard to feed in this town.


CHAPTER 2  Alexa


Lunch appeared to go off with out much of a hitch. I had Anthony on one side. He told me to call him Tony as we sat down to the table. Alliona sat on the other side of me, just jabbing her jaw as I pick at my food. I have never been very fond of what is known as school lunches, the meat always resembles heavily seasoned dog food, and the vegetables always have a wax coating.

Alliona was telling us all about how her day has gone. Barely hesitating to ask us how ours was. Apparently the captain of the football team had been being very nice to her this last week, and today he asked if they could be study partners.

Tony cuts in “You can't possibly think Bobby Marks is actually interested in you. He's only using you so he can keep his grades up for football.”

She said “yea I know; but who knows there could be a spark, like the ones in movies. Where one person happens to catch the others eye and it's like wham, soul mates.” she looked away all dreamy like. I am always amazed at how humans can act sometime especially the young ones.

Tony rolls his eyes with sigh “only in your dreams. I’m so sure Stephanie Ann would be just thrilled with that idea.” I gathered from the conversation she must be Bobby's girlfriend.

Nonchalantly I ask if she was and am immediately informed that not only is she Bobby's girlfriend she ;s also the captain of the cheer-leading squad. I make a mental note to avoid both her and Bobby. They are too much in the limelight for my taste; although I’m sure they would taste really good.


Finally, the bell went off marking the end of the day. I tried rushing out the door hoping to avoid my new friends, but as I came around the corner they were waiting for me. Good lord you have got to be kidding me, what's up with them? I couldn't help but think, I'd need to find an excuse for them not to want to come over to my house. It seems as soon as someone finds out I have my own apartment it brings out all types of questions usually involving parties at my house and then somewhere in the conversation I get asked about my parents. I am so not in the mood for that today. I only enroll myself in school because it makes it easier to find willing food. I laugh at the thought, well not necessarily willing as easier to prey on. I smile and wave to them.


“So what part of town do you live in maybe we could walk home together.” Alliona says with a gleaming smile, the kind that makes her whole face light up.


I reply “Over on the south side but I drove, would either of you like a ride home.” With the look on their faces you would a thought I'd offered them my car. Then with both of them beaming as they look at each other.

In unison they say “Wow that would be great, where are you parked at.”

I point over at my mustang. It is a cherry red convertible with a little rust on the front fender and in a few other places. I had the windows tinted real dark a few towns back, or should I say a few schools back. I couldn't help but grin when I see the shock on both their faces. Tony almost had to pick up his jaw. “Sweet ride you got there.”

“Thanks she could go for a new paint job, but she gets me from point A to point B very nicely.” I say.

With excitement Tony tells me the auto shop teacher is looking for an older model car that they could restore. “I bet if you let us rebuild the engine and a little body work on her, I might be able to talk him into allowing us to throw on a fresh coat of paint. What do ya think.”

“Sounds like a winner to me just keep me updated.” I comment. Besides what harm could it be. I can always pick up a Junker for pretty cheap to get me around till my baby is up and running again.

Alliona squeals something that sounded like “Shotgun.” Tony dropping his head and crawled into the back seat. We head up north first to drop Alliona off. As we pull into her neighborhood it is what one would call quaint. Some of the houses have two stories, and a few have those little white picket fences. It was almost nauseating I thought. She told me which house is hers and as I pull into the drive way I swear I see someone staring out the front picture window. Her house is with huge two stories and a picket fence, and what appears to be a flower garden wrapping its way around toward the back side of the house.


Alliona looks almost embarrassed as she sees her mom waiting for her to get home. As she opens the door she says “thanks for the ride I'd invite you in but my mom doesn't look to happy, maybe next time.” She smiles and waves to Tony as she closes the car door and heads toward her story book house.

Tony doesn't hesitate to scramble over the seat, suddenly smiling. I can't help but think he looks like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“I hope she doesn't get grounded.” He says. “She knows better then to get into vehicles with people her parents haven't approved of yet.”

“Oh” I say “I hope I didn't get her in any trouble.”

“Na her moms fairly cool just don't be surprised if you have to go in with all your paper work next time.” He says calmly.

We make a left out of Alliona's neighborhood onto the main highway and headed south. I turn on the radio as to avoid anymore conversation. The radio