Prologue

Ireland, a long time ago

There she was a maiden told to have hair as red as fire & softer than silk. A personality, so sweet and caring that all who meet in her, path only follow her. A maiden with eyes that change more often than the seasons. Yet there she was, about to be burned at the stake. For something that she couldn’t help; her beauty.

Countless villagers stand and watch as they prepare the site. Many yell out in anger that they are wasting time. “C’mon kill ‘er!”, they chanted. As the sun continued to set, it sparkled in her eyes; she showed no sign of fear. Almost as if she knew it was going to happen, as if she had always known.

Her brother stood there in the back of the mob; watching. Then a man he never met before stopped next to him and asked, “What she do?” He hesitated for a moment then said, “Many have accused her of being a witch. They say her beauty is not that of any mortal woman. That she made a deal with Satan himself. That she ensnared everyone in exchange to beauty divine.” he paused, “They also say that she practices witchcraft and that she may not even be human.”

“So the rumors are true.” the man said.

“You’ve heard of them?” he asked.

“Yes,” he replied, “They tell a tale of a woman so lovely, so beautiful, that if you aren’t careful she’ll ensnare you; that you’ll die a terrible death. They also say that she ensnares everyone that she meets and steals their soul.”

“What else do they say?” he asked.

“They say that she only plays that of a human, she’s really a demon.” He replied.

“Hmm,” he sighed “do you believe in this”

“Not for a second.” The man said, “You see, I’m her brother, they call her names and treat her badly. This has been going on since we were children; mother also hated her for her beauty. She looks nothing like our parents, though sadly they are both gone now.”

“So how do we stop them from killing her,” the man asked?

“We don’t, she doesn’t want it to be stopped.”

“OK” the man said. They turned their attention back to what was happening. They lit the fire and everyone watched with earnest. Shouting, cheering, and chanting. A few moments after the fire was lit, it roared to life. The hungry flames licked at her body. Climbing higher and higher every second. The force from the flames blew her long red hair around until it finally consumed that too. The air was laden with ash and smoke. All you could smell was that of burning flesh and wood. Then the fire started to smolder as if someone had thrown water on it. Then before anyone could say a word they tore her down, and buried her.

There was no bringing her back. That’s what everyone wanted; except that of her bother and the stranger from afar.

CHAPTER 1

“Good morning class,” the teacher said. Turning around to write on the board, “this is pd. 1 English, if it doesn’t say that on your schedule you’re in the wrong place.” Marie pulled out her schedule just to make sure she had the right room, and sure enough she did. Marie was your average sophomore student; her grades weren’t so great most of the time; unless it was something she enjoyed. English, unlike most students, was her favorite subject.

“Now listen close, I know its still the first week of school; but I’m assigning you a writing project. It will be due before you go on Christmas break.” The teacher said. “You are to write a poem, it can be about anything, it’s to be 8 lines or greater. Anything less is an automatic F. Now here is where it gets tricky. After you write your poem, you are to write a story around it, it has to bring meaning to the poem; shed some light. Now the poem is due 2 weeks from today. If you finish you may finish early.”

Marie sighed as she wrote this down in her agenda. Her father would have a field day with this, well if she decided to tell him that is. She lifted her head as the teacher started talking again. “I would like you to turn to page 15 in your book, please.” English seemed to lag on and on; but finally the bell rang, and she was gone. As Marie walked down the hall she was met by her friend Isabelle. Well Isa for short. Marie and Isa were best friends, “Hey girlie, what’s new?” Marie asked.

“Not much how was English?” Isa asked.

“Eh, not only do we have HW, we have a crazy writing assignment to do,” Marie said. “We have to write a poem, and then we have to write a story around it.”

“Really wow” she said, “when’s it due?”

“Before we go on Christmas break,” Marie said.

“Wow, well a story shouldn’t be a problem for ya.” She said

“No, but poems, I can’t write poems to well.” Marie said.

“You’ll think of something,” she said.

“Yeah, hopefully before its due,” Marie said.

“Well, see ya at lunch.” She said, as they went their separate ways.

Marie and Isa had 3rd lunch, so not only do they get the best seats, but the cafeteria isn’t over crowded. The food wasn’t as good as first or second lunch; but at least you didn’t have to fight for a seat. But before Marie could go to lunch she had 3 more classes. Math, history and gym and, or study hall. Now, the only good thing about gym was that she had it with, Isa. well not that Isa was her only friend, they sat with one other; Paul. Paul was a good friend of theirs, they walk to school together part way, and home part way. It was fun when those two were around, it kept her mind off her home work.

Marie and Isa took their time changing out of their gym clothes, so they could go to lunch. They didn’t talk they just marched to the cafeteria. Marie was too hungry to talk, and all Isa could think about was her sandwich.

After getting her lunch she sad down at the table next to Isa. “MMM…. Today’s special, macaroni and cheese, with hot dog, peas and cherry coke.” Marie said, as she picked up her fork to take a bite.

“Looks good,” Isa said “how's it taste?”

“Kind of bland,” Marie said “but thank god for ketchup.”

“Ew, gross,” Isa said

“This for the girl who eats ham sandwiches plain.” Marie said.

“Yea,” she said, “You got me there.”

“Mmm,” Marie giggled as she took another bite.

“Oh, will you two be quiet and eat already,” Paul said. “At least you guys have a lunch today.”

“Would you like some of mine, Paul?” Marie asked.

“No, you eat” he said

“Are you sure because I don’t really want this hot dog,” Marie said. “And there are some extra ketchup and mustard packets here that I grabbed.”

“Well if you’re sure you don’t want it.” He said

“I’m sure” Marie said as she handed him the ketchup and mustard packets.

“Thank you” he said.

“Your welcome” she replied

“Your way to nice to him,” Isa said.

“You can never be too nice to someone,” Marie said, “unless they have something you want.”

“Are you telling me he has something you want?” Isa asked

“Please don’t talk about people like they aren’t here” Paul said, “but since you’re talking about me, please continue.”

“No, I was just making a statement. You can’t be too nice unless you have an ulterior motive.” Marie said.

“Ah, I see.” Isa said.

“Don’t read to much into it, it’ll just give you a headache,” Paul said

“And what is that suppose to mean?” Isa asked.

“Calm down, Hun” Marie said, “He just thinks your reading too much into trying to figure me out,”

“Oh ok,” Isa said “ha-ha I thought you were trying to insult me.”

“Hehe if he was going to do that he would have called you dumb.”

“True enough,” Isa said

And then that was the end of that. The bell rang and everyone began scurrying off to their classes.

"See you later guys," Marie said.

“Bye” both Isa and Paul said at the same time. Isa stood there for a minute before she headed off to math. “Hey, Paul,” Isa said trying to catch up to him. “Wait up a minute.”

“Hurry up, don’t you have to go the other way?” he asked.

“Yea, but I want to talk to you about something and I don’t want Marie to hear.” She said.

“What is it,” he asked.”

“Marie’s birthday is coming up. We should do something for her don’t you think.” She said.

“Yeah I guess, what did you have in mind.” He said, “I have to go, I’m going to be late. I’ll call you tonight and we’ll talk about it.”

“Ok,” she said, as she walked her separate way.

The rest of the day seemed to just fly by, for Marie. History was a breeze, the teacher Mr. Hayze, was a nut. He made everyone laugh homework and tests were always a breeze. On Tuesdays, all you had to do was current events, and that counted as extra credit. If you failed his class it was because you either didn’t go to class of you were to lazy to pick up a pen. Science class was fun also, if it was a nice day out, you got to go out side, for class.

The class room was filled with cages of reptiles and other numerous animals. Class was always fun and interactive; plus it was the last class of the day. All Marie had to do was go up the stairs at the end of the hall, and her locker was right there; not even 30 ft away. Her normal routine was to go to her locker and then meet Isa, out front of the school. Sometimes, Marie would get there first, other times Isa would, and sometimes they would get there at the same time.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Marie said, “this is what the 4th or 5th time I’ve run into you today?”

“Marie you say that every day,” Isa said.

“Yes, but I only say it to you,” Marie said

“True enough,” Isa said, “shall we go?”

“Yep, let’s go.” Marie said.

“So you figure out what you’re going to write that poem about yet?” Isa asked.

“Nope, not a clue,” she answered, “I’ve never been good at poetry.”

“Have you ever actually tried?” Isa asked.

“You remember that poetry packet we had to do in 8th grade?” Marie asked.

“Yeah, what about it?” Isa said.

“Let’s just say I got an F on it.” Marie said.

“That bad huh?” Isa asked

“Yeah, that bad.” Marie said.

They walked in silence for a while after that. They started nearing an intersection about 2 blocks from the school. They had to stop and wait to be able to cross the street. “hey, you guys wait up.” Paul shouted.

“It’s not like were going to go and walk out in front of a car or something,” Marie said, looking over at Isa. “I’m not her.”

“Yeah what can I say, cautious just doesn’t work for me.” Isa said

“Hehe,” Marie giggled, “it’s clear I don’t know about you ladies but I’m going.”

“Did she just call me a lady?” Paul asked

“Yes, I believe she did,” Isa said.

“Let’s get her,” Paul said

“Sorry bud your on your own their.” Isa said, “She only insulted you.”

“Marie I’m gonna get you,” he said chasing after her.

“Oh, you’re going to get me a present? That’s so sweet.” Marie said.

“I just realized something.” Isa said

“And what would that be?” Paul asked still chasing Marie around the parking lot.

“I just realized why it is that neither of you ever go out on dates.” Isa said.

“And why would that be?” Marie asked, as she stopped to take a breath.

“Because you act like a couple of little kids,” Isa said.

“She’s probably right.” Paul said.

“Yeah, but she acts the same way too.” Marie said.

“I think we better get going, were going to be late getting home.” Isa said.

“Yeah, she’s right,” Marie said in agreement, “see you tomorrow Paul”

“Bye, Ladies,” Paul said as he waved. Isa put her hand to her head in the shape of a phone signaling him to call her, later on, he nodded and then walked in the opposite direction. They walked on for another 20 minutes or so, but since they were running late they cut the conversation short.

“I have to get home,” Marie said, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“OK, see ya then,” Isa said.

Marie day dreamed most of the way home, taking special care to watch where she was going. They lived on the main street, so her front door was a double sided glass door that of course was locked from the inside, so she needed a key to get in. they mail boxes were at the bottom of the stairs. After getting the mail she would have to trek up 3 flights of stairs.

When they moved in four months earlier it was so hard to get used to. Marie unlocked the front door, walked to her room and put her bag on the bed, went to the dining room, put the mail on the table, and grabbed a little Debbie snack from the pantry. Pulled some hamburger out of the freezer, put in a large bowl in the sink and turned on the cold water. She then proceeded with her snack back to her room to do some of her home work. If she got a good start on her home work now, she could maybe relax later maybe even catch a nap. The nap part being highly unlikely; but it was a nice thought. She turned on the radio so that the radio played, and got started on her work.

She did her math and then science, they only took her 30 minutes at the most. She read and did the assignment for history. Mr. Hayze usually gave 10 minutes leeway at the beginning of class but, she didn’t like to wait till the last minute. When she got that done it was already 5pm; time to start dinner. Her mother usually came home first, she had a chiropractor appointment on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her father would follow shortly after.

she started dinner around 5ish, dinner would be ready at about 5:30. Her mother came home shortly after that, and then her dad. They followed the same routine every night, her parents change, eat, watch TV , argue and then go to bed.

Hope fully the night would go by fast and she could escape back to her room. But considering she wasn’t aloud to lock her bedroom door, she didn’t get much privacy. It was going to be a long night.