Young Writers Society

Disclaimer- This is a like a year old so forgive some spelling and grammar stuff. I just felt like posting it.

It was spring - the time when the flower shop is always crowded. My dad sold herbal teas and flowers to the people in our village, and I’d stay during the spring with him, before my mom took me back for rest of the year. I always wanted to help out in the shop, but my hands killed the flowers: they were too warm.

When I was seven, I got my powers - this is how it happened. I had spent every year all year round with my dad, but this year it was what my mom called “the awakening.” She told my dad she was coming to pick me up. I was sitting in the corner behind pots of large roses, careful not to touch them.

I don’t want to leave. I knew my dad was looking for me, I could hear his loud footsteps wandering through the greenhouse. I was crying, so I covered my mouth to muffle the sobs. I don’t want to leave. I kept trying to will myself to stop, but my dad was practically giving me away to a strange woman I’d never met, who’d never taken enough time to visit me. Why would I want to go!?

My dad pushed away the flowers.

“Hey, it’s okay Candis - you’re not going anywhere.” He brushed the tears from my cheek. “Tonight, when your mom’s convertible gets here, we’ll be long gone, okay?”

“Alright.” I wiped my nose on his pant leg and hugged onto it. I won’t need to leave - it’ll be okay … I’ll be okay.

My dad and I packed our bags - I had trouble picking what to bring, since I didn’t know if I’d be back … I’ll probably be back - I hope. I grabbed a glass vial that contained a rose; to remember home, this was what I needed. I’m only leaving for a few weeks.

Dad knocked on my door. “Hey Candis - can I come in?”

“Yeah.” I opened the door to see my dad with a giant sack of clothes, but mostly gardening tools. What if we weren’t coming back?

“Candis, we need to go - she’s almost here!” My father pulled the window curtains back as I saw her convertible getting closer by the second, the flaming red car speeding down the street.

“Okay,” I whispered, as I felt my eyes begin to water. I could hear the engine of her convertible getting closer. I felt like I was drowning in this awful feeling, I was almost too scared to move - almost. We had to leave - there was too much at stake. I clung to my dad’s hand as we ran out the back door of the house, past the greenhouse, and into the woods.

I felt tears roll down my cheeks like a river as I hear my mother’s unfamiliar voice screaming, “GET BACK HERE YOU GODDAMN LITTLE SCAMP, IT’S THE GODDAMN AWAKENING! IF YOU DON’T GET YOUR ASSOVER HERE THIS INSTANT, I SWEAR TO CHRIST THAT I’LL -!”

She stopped for a moment and smiled to herself, as if a brilliant idea hit her. She started speaking in a scarily calm tone.

“Hmm … I know what I’ll do. I’ll make your dad pay for your crimes against me.” She giggled just a little bit to herself. I stopped dead in my tracks - she couldn’t, she wouldn’t … no - no she would. My father kept running, but I let go of his hand. It’s okay - it’ll all be okay. I wasn’t so sure.

My dad stopped and looked at me, maybe as scared as I was. He gestured for me to keep running.

“It’s okay dad … M-Mom?” The word felt awkward in my mouth. “I’ll go with you - just leave my dad alone.” I pulled out the rose to look at it one more time. I looked back at my dad, but I felt my finger slip. The delicate flower started to crumble as the soft green stem turned to ash.

No no no no no I’ll never have this again - not this rose, not this family, not this life…

My mom’s voice burst through my thoughts.

“Candis - it’ll all be great, absolutely fantastic.” Her voice was laced with excitement. “Everything is coming into fruition.” She squeezed my hand and it felt like I was on fire - this uncertainty built up, and I felt like I was gonna puke … but it felt powerful. I felt powerful like something had been forced to the surface. She grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the convertible.

“Eva stop! Bring her back - right now!” my dad yelled.

“Well, I was in a good mood, but I think it’s time to go.” My mother pushed me into the convertible as I tried to cling to the side of the car, but she just shoved me in. She got in the car, no seat belt, and drove like a maniac away from everything I cared about.

“It’s okay Candis - you’ll be safer with me, and you’ll come back in the spring.”

I ignored her. What about this was okay?