*I do not condone the use of illicit substances, Ladies and Gents!*
May 26th.
It felt like an eternity before she got her hair into the perfect high ponytail without it drooping whatsoever.
It was Saturday evening to be precise and some of her mates were going out to party.
To be precise, Chad had gotten an in for them in a very exclusive uptown club.
Cherith especially didn't mind seeing as she really wanted to put the past few days out of her mind.
"Cherry, you ready??"
She heard Leslie's shout from where the brown haired girl was getting ready in the bathroom and screamed back at her.
"Almost!"
It definitely had been a crazy few days.
Especially with Leslie finding out about her powers…
She hadn't known how to react to that, seeing as Leslie had been one of the people she hadn't planned on telling.
Not that she didn't trust her, but more she hadn't wanted the girl involved in the craziness that was her life.
Look where it had led her though…
It had definitely been a bit awkward when they got back to the hotel, especially seeing as they both shared a room.
She hadn't really explained to the girl either, as Cherith was nervous and had no idea how to breach the subject.
And yet, it seemed Leslie wasn't pushing her either.
The 18 year old had carried on her day after getting over the whole almost dying incident and it was surprising and sort of weird and Cherith didn't know how to deal with it.
But right now though, she was planning on dealing with it by partying, drinking, having fun and maybe even making some crazy seniors trip decision like say, loosing the long awaited v-card.
Hey! The night was still young… anything could definitely happen, and she wasn't feeling against it either.
The door to the bathroom opened and Leslie walked out all shiny and glittery in a short skimpy spaghetti gown that hugged her body appreciatively.
She grinned as she walked out and playfully whistled.
"Gee, Cherry… who are you going to impress?"
She wiggled her brows and Cherith snorted as she watched the older girl through the mirror and focused back on herself.
"Myself, obviously. And maybe, just maybe I intend to do something crazy while at it."
She playfully smirked and Leslie whooped as the redhead stood up, admiring herself.
She wore a cute shimmering scarlet red strappy playsuit that stopped just a bit past her butt and completed it with a pair of black heeled boots she'd brought from home and a couple of thin gold bangles and rings.
"Okay, we should get going. Chad called me a couple of minutes ago. They're ready too."
Leslie said as she held her phone, looking at the screen and Cherith nods as she grabs her gold shimmering purse and walked out the door with Leslie.
Party time!!!
The Jade Dragon was a very large building from what Cherith spotted as she got out of the taxi and looked at the building admiringly.
"That place looks absolutely smashing! Do you think we'll meet any celebrities in there?"
Leslie whispered excitedly as Chad's taxi packed behind as well and Cherith shrugged, though she herself was excited.
"I dunno. Maybe?... It is a VIP club after all. How are we even getting in again?! Cause if everyone's forgotten, we're all under 21! And even though I'm partially emancipated, I'm not looking forward to getting dragged because of you people."
Chad who had been walking over to them heard and chuckled.
"It's okay, Cherith. My cousin's got this. Promise."
He then turned to the others arriving, waving them over before we started moving forward.
All together, they were exactly 8 people excited to have fun though some were still apprehensive about it.
"I'm sure it'll be fine Cherry!"
Leslie playfully hit Cherith's shoulder and then she whispered.
"Besides… I'm sure your… magic could take care of it, right?"
Cherith blinked, startled.
She'd almost forgotten Leslie knew about it again.
"Uh…"
"Come on, you guys!"
Chad shouted over the crowd out in the street and instead of going to the large double doors where 2 huge security men stood, he led them through the side.
Cherith though kept thinking about what Leslie had said again.
Of all the people who'd found out about her powers, she didn't know why, but Leslie knowing left her uncomfortable and super confused. And she had no idea why!
Even for Stefan and Damon, she was irritated and angry… still is.
But, for Leslie… she just didn't feel all that good…
Was it because she was worried?
She knew Leslie wouldn't tell anyone… but there was still… something… that held her back and made her apprehensive.
But what it was… and why… she had no idea.
"Okay, hold on."
Chad said and then knocked on the back door, waiting patiently, even as the rest of the group chattered excitedly or nervously.
Just then, the door opened and out came a tall, brown haired and blue eyed guy in black shirt and pants.
"Hey cuz… this your people?"
He gestured around with his chin and Chad grinned, nodding.
"Yeah man. We still good?"
His cousin gave him a wry grin, shaking his head before sighing and moving aside.
"Yeah, yeah. But if you get caught in there, I don't know you."
Chad snickered as the rest sighed in relief.
"Thanks man! Alright, lets head in!"
Cherith looked around the club.
It was large, the colors were more a muted bright color. Like dark crimson red that still shined and you could still see your fellow humans but it wasn't harsh against the eyes.
There were a couple of elevated floors where poles were set in and Cherith saw some girls laughing and dancing around one in fun.
The bar was filled with any and everything seemingly enough and at a high ground, a famous DJ played away as people danced to his music and the general atmosphere was absolutely amazing!
There were some who walked past her with strange things on their trays though.
Shaped like pills and it definitely made Cherith super curious.
"Oh my God! Is that… is that Zac Efron?!"
Leslie screeched excitedly and Cherith turned, following her line of sight and oh!
It really was him!
And… he was dancing on one of the stripper poles…
You know what they say about freaks.
With a sly smile Cherith turned to Leslie who rolled her eyes.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but… no! We do not seduce celebrities!"
Cherith snorted.
"Speak for yourself! Now… I need to know what those are."
Cherith pointed at the pills, excusing herself from her friend and walking over to one of the girls holding trays with three different colors of the pills.
"Sorry, excuse me but… what are those?"
She pointed at then and the girl grinned.
"They're called getaway pills. A specialty here at the Jade Dragon. It's good for… letting loose… if you know what I mean."
She winked and Cherith raised an eyebrow.
"Are they legal?"
"Sure! Just that they're more… exclusive to our clubs alone. Wanna try? They're expensive though."
She winked playfully and Cherith hummed, picking up the one that looked purple. It was a bit difficult to identify what with the crimson light of the club.
"Woah, that's the harshest one. The green one's the lightest. Kicks in about an hour or so, the red one kicks in in 30 minutes, but this one! It's the queen. SHE'S the queen. Kicks under 5 minutes, leaves you in another world. It's like, Alice in wonderland land meeting Harry Potter and Sex in the city."
"Oh…"
Now Cherith was interested.
Alcohol wasn't doing it for her anymore. Oh she could still get drunk, but it took a while… this though, and while she'd never condone drugs… she had a lot on her mind and definitely was looking for a way to let loose.
"I see that look."
The girl smirked which Cherith returned with a wink as she placed the purple pill on her outstretched tongue and swallowed it.
"Well.. don't say I didn't warn you. It's 500 dollars too."
Cherith blinked in slight surprise. For a single pill??
"It better make me orgasmic or I'll be asking for your manager."
Cherith playfully warned as she went through her purse and paid the surprised girl and then with a wink, Cherith walked off.
She wasn't sure it would work anyways… her powers would probably adapt to it soon enough.
But… before it did though… better to have some lasting fun while at it.
She walked towards the bar, asking for a glass of whiskey.
The barman gave her a look.
"Should I be asking for an ID? Just had to throw two high school seniors out of here some minute ago."
Of course they'd catch some of them faster.
Living in small town Mystic Falls, they probably thought this place would be loose, like the Grill.
With a sly grin, she placed her fingers, dragging it across the guys chin and red mist which thankfully blended with the light of the room filtered into the man's skin, making him pause.
"I'm sure you know today's my 21st birthday. Why don't you show me some love?"
She grinned as he seemingly snapped out of it, a flirty grin appearing on his face as he moved to make her a drink instead.
"Well then birthday girl! Let's make you some delicacies!!"
Cherith downed her first drink, then her second… third… and then as she moved to grab the fourth one, everywhere suddenly seemed woozy which caught her off guard.
"Wow… what's this?"
She mumbled to herself, staring at her now blurring hands.
"Drink getting to you already?"
The barman asked with a grin and an uncontrollable giggle escaped her lips.
"That purple pill sure does work."
His eyes widened as he let out a laugh, amused as he shook his head.
"They never learn!"
"Hmmm…"
Cherith frowned, trying to grab the glass and having some trouble with it. Her fingers finally grazed the cup and it almost tipped over, but she grabbed it, spilling a bit over her hand, she bent her head down over the glass, and forcing the drink down her throat, slamming the cup down on the counter.
"Well! Time to have some fun!"
She stumbled to her feet, and as she looked around, it was like looking through a 360 degrees camera with how everything seemed cartoonish to her.
The beat of the music boomed in her head and she watched as people danced all around her, and without so much of a thought, she moved towards the dance floor.
It was all a blur.
But to her, the blues were amazing. They were spectacular.
She moved through the crowd of bodies and danced like there was no tomorrow. She danced with anyone she saw, dances ranging from loosely shaking your hair, to the more seductive body grinding.
It was beautiful.
It was ecstatic.
It was… euphoria.
"Cherry! I've been looking for you!"
Leslie's voice cut through the daze and Cherith grinned.
"Leslie! Oh my God! It's been like… centuries!"
The redhead hugged her confused friend.
She then stepped back, staring at her and patting her head.
"You look good. How've you been old friend?"
Leslie gave her a look, watching the younger girl who had a light smile on her face.
"Are you high?"
Cherith grinned.
"Oh definitely! And I can't believe it too! I thought it wouldn't work you know? But it works like a drug! Fitting… as it is a drug!"
She snorted, moving to grab a drink from a tray and downing it.
"You know… it was a good idea coming here! I owe you one!"
Leslie shook her head with a grin.
"I'd have been worried, but you don't seem that out of it. Come on! Let's get me some drinks."
Cherith nodded, throwing the cup behind her, without care if it hit someone.
"Come along Leslie. Drinks on me. The barman… he thinks it's my 21st birthday!"
She cackled as she dragged her friend to the bar, an amused giggle escaping Leslie.
They sat down, well, Cherith bent over her stool for a second before sitting and Leslie looked at the barman who grinned at Cherith.
"What's in those pills?! She's rarely ever like this!"
The barman grinned.
"Oh, you don't want to know. Plausible deniability and all that."
Leslie blinked for a second, before shaking her head and downing her drink… and Cherith's.
"Hey now! That's… that wash mine."
Leslie giggled.
"Wash? What are you washing?"
Cherith laughed.
"Oh can it! You know what I meant you bitch! Oh!"
Cherith's attention was then caught by something behind Leslie, and Leslie turned to see a guy… or rather yet, the back of a guy.
He had on a banded shirt that was tucked to just below his elbows, the color was seemingly close to that of the club's crimson but more darker. He had on slightly fitted black dress pants that were tucked into his black leather boots. His dark hair was all they could see, but one could tell he was definitely good-looking though faced away from them.
"He looks amazing!"
Cherith pointedly stared at him, placing a hand beneath her chin and Leslie turned to her amused.
"You haven't even seen his face!"
"I don't need to. Look at that ass. I could grab it all day!"
"Cherry!"
Leslie blushed red, seeing as she hadn't even whispered it, more like shouted over the music.
Thank goodness he hadn't heard.
"Why thank you stranger."
Leslie jumped slightly at the deep voice that came behind her and she turned, her jaw dropping as she found herself staring into a face obviously sculpted by the Greek gods of old.
And he was familiar.
Very familiar.
His smile almost seeming like a sun in a dark place.
"Hey now! I know you!"
Cherith blurted out, pointing at the handsome creature in front of them.
Leslie didn't want to sound corny.
But his smile and perfectly aligned white teeth and just about everything about him… he was like… a vision.
"I know you too. If it isn't the tiny girl who walked into me back at the hotel."
Cherith scowled.
"I am definitely not tiny."
He chuckled, and it sent chills down Leslie's spine.
"My apologies then, my lady. But I do have to thank you for complimenting my ass. I am honored."
He gave a bow and Leslie could see Cherith struggling to keep from smiling.
She should definitely excuse them both right now.
This looked like history in the making.
Cherith blinked slightly as Leslie slinked away before turning back to the beautiful human in front of her.
"What's your name?"
She blurted out, but she couldn't be blamed.
Seeing as the pill still seemed to be doing wonders for her system… and he really was beautiful.
Cherith didn't know why everything about him seemed so familiar to her. And she'd only met him once, by accident. His first 3 buttons were undone and his hair was slicked but still a bit unruly.
She had the urge to run her hand through it.
Down girl!
"Atum. Atum Lightwood. May I know your name then?"
And his accent! Ugh!
It's quite possible she had a thing for accents… but compared to the accents that people like Elijah or even Klaus had… his was of the British kind, with the undertone of something else too… almost Greek-like…
"Cherith Gilbert. Call me Cherith… or even Cherry."
As soon as she said that, she paused, startled at herself.
Cherry…
She'd just met him!
The stranger, or rather yet Atum… and wasn't that a strange name? Smiled.
"Cherry… suits you…"
"You have a beautiful voice."
She blurted out and suddenly, Cherith wasn't sure she was a fan of the pill anymore, seeing as it was making her say things she wouldn't ordinarily.
Atum grinned and wow…
"Oh wow… is she flirting with me?"
He turned jokingly towards the amused barman and Cherith ticked her tongue.
"What if I am?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm even more impressed. Let me buy you a drink."
"Trying to get me drunk?"
Cherith replied back and she didn't know why… but she enjoyed their little game of words…
It felt… refreshing.
"Buy me a drink and we'll be even."
He challenged her back, waving to the barman who nodded and Cherith huffed.
"Well, I'm never one to turn away free drinks… but then again you're making me pay for yours so…"
She picked up her drink as he did his and he smiled.
"Cheers then?"
"Cheers."
Cherith downed hers immediately, welcoming it's harsh taste against her throat and humming with approval as she moved with the song.
She turned to Atum.
"Dance with me."
He bit his lip, trying to hold in his laughter.
"You don't even know if I'm a bad dancer."
Cherith grinned a wide grin, grabbing his hand and dragging him towards the dance floor, and shouting over the music.
"Well you won't know without trying."
Atum laughed.
"Well lucky for the both of us then! I'm quite the dancer!"
He grabbed her hand, twirling her and making her let out a surprised squeak as she finds herself closer to him.
As she looked him in the eyes, a curious look appeared on his face as it seemed like they were the only ones on the dance floor at the moment.
"What do you see?"
A cheeky grin appeared on her face.
"A perfect paradise!!"
He let out a laugh as they moved to the music, their bodies in seeming harmony.
"You're a bad liar!"
Cherith didn't deny it for the rest of the evening.
She had no idea how long she spent with this handsome stranger… and yet unlike others whom she'd immediately grow wary of, or even be uninterested in… she felt herself unwillingly curious about him.
Even as they danced and twirled around each other, the loud beat of the song and the almost sensual atmosphere of the club mixed with the drinks and pill she'd had seemed to cloud her very mind.
She knew she was the one who kissed him first… and she found that she didn't regret it… not one bit.
He held her close after a momentary pause, their lips closing in on the others' hungrily, like they'd never been kissed before.
It was amazing!
It was spectacular… it was… perfect?
And Cherith made her decision then and there, even though everything was becoming more hazy and blurry.
She'd definitely had too much to drink, that much was true!
She stopped kissing him, staring up at him.
"Come with me!"
She began dragging him from the dance floor, stumbling a bit and he helped her.
"Where exactly are we going?"
He shouted curiously over the music and Cherith giggled slightly.
"Where else would I drag a boy to??"
"To make bad decisions?"
He smirked and she grinned, an excited and fluttering feeling in her chest as they walked out the club and she stumbled again.
"Well, if it's a bad decision, then it's a bad decision I'd take every day of my life."
She replies rather fiercely.
She'd told Leslie she was going to do something as crazy as loose her v-card today. Who better than with a stranger who seemingly made her want to go crazy??
A strange smile appears on his face as he looks at her and she slurs out a bit.
"W-what??... Why are you looking at me like that?... Help me hail a taxi won't you?"
She flails a hand, almost stumbling into the trafficked road but he held her, a chuckle on his lips as he brought her closer to himself.
"You're a beautiful lady, Cherith Gilbert. You're lucky I'm a good one."
She frowns adorably, her mind still a haze of colors and blurs as he grabs her chin softly, making her look him straight in the eyes.
"Don't do what you're not sure you're ready for."
"What…"
Maybe it was the trick of the light… but then his eyes seemed to glow a bright gold for a second.
"Sleep."
Was all he said, and as Cherith slumps into his awaiting arms, she thought it super strange how the traffic lights must have been super bright to have made his eye color change.
How odd.
May 27th
The following morning came and Cherith groaned slightly as she turned over in her bed.
The room was a bit dark but rays of sun kept filtering into the room whenever the morning breeze blew the curtains.
"Ugh… where am I?"
She said to no one in particular, before slowly opening her eyes, wincing a bit at the slightly bright but not too bright room.
Blinking a bit, she yawned as she slowly sat up on her bed, looking down to see she was still in her outfit from the previous night, although her shoes were off.
"How did I get here…"
She idly pondered as she scratched at her hair, trying to remember exactly what happened the previous night.
Um… let's see, there was a lot of drinking… pills… more drinking… dancing… met a guy, had fun… more drinking—wait…
She met a guy.
Cherith paused in thought.
She met a guy…
But he hadn't just been any guy though, had he?
First of all, he'd been the guy she ran into here at the hotel but… it had still been more than that, in a way.
She'd talked with him, laughed with him, danced… she'd even kissed him…
She had a feeling that she could have done more with him and yet… yet she couldn't really remember the previous night as much as she'd hoped.
Instead… instead he was like an echo in her mind…
A beautiful echo… and she didn't like how she felt about that.
Before she could think of anything else though, the front door opened and in came Leslie who looked well and ready for the day, a tray of breakfast in her hand and Cherith's stomach grumbled.
"Well, well… look who finally awoke."
Cherith ignored her, immediately stumbling to her feet and falling on her face as she fell over her shoes.
"Oof!"
"Ha!"
Leslie snickered as she out the tray down on Cherith's bed and helped her friend up.
"Are you okay down there? Do I need to call the ambulance?"
Cherith sat back on her bed, throwing Leslie a look as she grabbed a muffin.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. As you can see, my pretty face is still perfect."
Leslie threw her an exasperated look.
"Seriously though, where were you last night? I got worried there."
Cherith gave her a look.
"Wait, I didn't come home with you last night??"
Leslie snorted.
"Please! You were all up on that handsome stranger."
"His name is Atum."
Cherith blurted out before she tilted her head a bit startled while Leslie chuckled.
"Wow… he must have been something for you to still remember his name. What happened between the both of you?... Did you perhaps…"
She wiggled her brows but Cherith ignored her.
"If you didn't come home with me, how did I get myself here?! Because believe me, I'm not sure I remember much from the previous night."
She munched on her breakfast as Leslie shrugged.
"Maybe you weren't as drunk on expensive thrills as you thought?... You did sleep for quite a while though."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's past 2pm."
"What?!"
Cherith choked out.
"I can't believe you let me sleep so much Leslie! We're leaving tomorrow!"
Cherith pouted as she and her friend walked through the streets of New York that late afternoon, past 3pm.
"You looked so tired Cherry! Besides, you had to sleep off that purple pill. Maybe next time you'll think about taking it before you actually do."
Cherith huffed.
Next time she'll probably still take it… or slip it into Elena's drink just to see what her sister would be capable of in such a mood.
At least Cherith could still remember some of the things she did… Elena would probably be a wreck after a few minutes.
Dang it!
She should have gotten an extra one just for her sister!
An amused look grew across her face which Leslie noticed as she shook her head.
"You and your dark mind… I fear for the rest of us in the future."
Cherith huffed before stopping at a small ice cream mobile bus, a curious look on her face.
"Want to get some?"
Leslie asked and the red haired girl nodded, leaving Leslie to place both their orders.
As Cherith stood by the side of bus, she looked around the street.
She was returning back to Mystic Falls again.
While she hadn't been a big fan of the city life, the loudness and rudeness of some who lived in it, she wouldn't deny that she would certainly miss the wildness of it. Even with all the dramas that came with it, not to forget almost dying as well.
As her eyes brushed last the street, she paused by an alleyway when she that bunny again.
The same bunny from previously. Pure white, munching on a carrot, eyes on her.
She felt the hairs on her neck tingle as she maintained contact with said bunny…
It was utterly creepy, and for a moment, she wanted to turn away from it, but then the bunny turned and hopped further into the alleyway.
Now Cherith had done a bunch of stupid things in her life. She also knew her life was definitely not of the normal kind. But what was she to do when a bunny hopped into an alleyway??
The fact that her senses tingled uncontrollably, she knew that something was off… and yet… yet, she couldn't stop the feeling of wanting to go into that alleyway.
Perhaps it was because she was getting tired of the misfortunes that seemed to settle in her life, but the fact that she straightened up, walked across the street ignoring Leslie's calls still put her on edge… she had no idea if it was a good or bad decision she was making.
She stood in front of the alleyway. It looked… normal. A bit shaded but she could see the dumpsters, empty cardboard boxes or bottles and papers littered around it. But there was no one there.
Turning around, she looked back at the alleyway, and then took a step into it.
Perhaps it was a bad idea, because as soon as she took her first step into the alleyway… everything seemed to… change…
One minute, she was in the alleyway, and the next, the atmosphere seemed to darken out the light of the sun, black mist seemed to pour out from nowhere and the very air seemed almost difficult to breathe in.
Cherith turned, preparing to leave but as she moved to step out, her leg seemed to pass through an almost cold and watery screen and she stepped back in slight shock.
"What the…"
She slowly moved her hand to pass through it, bit it still felt like a watery mirror… and yet, people passed by the alleyway without noticing anything out of the ordinary.
"They see nothing."
A voice resonated behind Cherith and she immediately turned on her heels as she heard the click clack of heels coming towards her from the dark mist.
"Humans… curious things they are, and yet, they can be very dumb."
The voice spoke in amusement and a figure came closer, a figure of a woman… Cherith had seem her before.
Her hair was black and curly all the way past her waist. She was super pale, almost like a corpse, and her eyes were an eerie green, with purple seeping into it as well. She had on a black almost gothic gown with black boots, a smile on her face.
The face she'd seen the day of John's burial.
The face she'd thought was her imagination.
"So… this, is the Scarlet Witch? This is the being capable of spontaneous creation?"
She looked Cherith up and down, an unimpressed look on her face.
"Can't say I'm impressed."
"Can't say I'm impressed by you either. Who are you anyways?"
Cherith spoke up, a wary look on her face as she stared at this… person, who gave her the creeps.
The stranger gave her a smile bordering on a sneer.
"Oh? I thought you would have heard of me perhaps… but better I introduce myself formally, hm?"
She raised her hands, and Cherith saw that the tips of her fingers were a darkened color… almost like rot, and yet there was no rot to it.
And then the atmosphere picked up as purple glowing mist swirled around the stranger, a smug smile on her face.
"My name, is Agatha Harkness, dear. Lovely to finally meet you."
Harkness??
This was an Harkness??
A feeling of fear and dread like none before filled Cherith.
She remembered Sheila Bennett warning her of the Harkness family.
She remembered her mother's hatred of them. Even Bonnie's cousin telling her of them.
There was no step back for her to take, and it must have shown on her face because Agatha's smug grin widened.
"Scared? You should be."
Cherith scoffed.
"You're not the only one with light shows Harkness."
Cherith lit her hands and they glowed crimson gold, the color Agatha looked at with greed shining in her eyes.
"You are not worthy of him. You are what, a 16 years old child—"
Cherith scoffed, still wary.
"Oh? You don't look that much older than I am. What are you, 18? 19?"
Agatha sneered.
"24. I've always wondered what I'd do to you when I meet you for the first time. The mythical 'one'. You don't deserve the title of Scarlet Witch!"
"I didn't ask for it!"
Cherith screamed back at her in anger and Agatha stilled, a smile growing on her lips.
"Great then… I'll take it from your undeserving hands."
The chill Cherith felt in that moment was gone in a second as purple light flew at her from Agatha and she hastily threw up a shield which sizzled from Agatha's attack.
Agatha gritted her teeth in slight irritation as she took a deep breath in from her nose, and dark mist enveloped the alleyway, leaving absolute darkness around.
Maybe because Cherith had never fought someone this capable before, but her fear grew as a cackle echoed around her.
"I thought you didn't want to be the Scarlet Witch. Give me that power and I'll let you go."
Cherith gritted her teeth as she focused on maintaining the shield.
She didn't know why it was difficult than usual, but it felt like that very shadow itself was drawing the energy from her shield.
But that was impossible!... right?
"I'm not foolish enough to believe you'd let me live bitch. No thank you."
"Then you asked for it, cretin."
SMASH!
Cherith let out a pained cry as something powerful hit her shield and she fell to the ground, hitting her forehead against it and the shield vanishing.
She felt something wrap around her legs and drag her further into the alley, ignoring her cries of pain before yanking her up.
She glanced at it and saw it was purple veins of magic that suspended her upside down in the air.
Agatha walked over to her with a smile, standing in front of her.
"Such a beautiful face. Too bad I'll have to tear it apart to get what I want."
She dragged her blackened fingers across Cherith's cheek and the red haired winced as she felt her cheek tear open and something warm trickle out.
"Why are you doing this?"
Cherith asked, ignoring the pain she was feeling and Agatha smiled.
"My fellow cult members have no idea you have been born. Oh the feel it, but they just don't know. Your mother really protected you in that aspect, the bitch."
She sneered.
"But me… I'm an Harkness. My family has access to magics of absolute darkness. And then add to it that as one of the leading members of the brotherhood, I have a clear access to the Darkhold…"
Cherith's eyes widened.
"Ah, so you know of it... of us. It should tell you just how far above I am of you."
Cherith sneered.
"Well lucky for me I'm not so unprotected."
Her hands lit up again and she created dozens of knives, immediately sending them at Agatha who let out a shriek as 2 hit her before she could destroy them all.
Cherith fell to the ground with a painful thud, quickly dragging herself to her feet, wasting no time to fire a blast at Agatha who was rammed against a wall and a sound of bone breaking was heard.
The redhead wasted no time stumbling off in the absolute darkness.
She had no idea where she was going, but she had to get away from Agatha Harkness.
Her head was pounding and she could feel the wound on her cheek, she brought a hand to it, willing it to heal.
"You can run, Cherith Gilbert… but you can't run forever… this darkness… it is my domain!"
Cherith stopped, breathing in and out as she felt unsure of where to go after continuously stumbling in absolute darkness.
"Ah, there you are."
Cherith immediately threw up a shield as purple blasts almost hit her and she stumbled.
"Give it up, you can't escape from me. This is your very own nightmare, girl."
A feeling of anger grew in Cherith's chest at that. She usually fought to keep the chaos magic in her… why not give this bitch a taste of it?
"I don't have nightmares like this, you dumb bitch."
She dropped the shield, immediately gathering chaos magic and she began to brighten up, which stopped Agatha short as she stared in genuine fascination as Cherith brightened more and more, and then she threw all that she had at Agatha who… much to Cherith's shock, stopped it and… absorbed it all into herself.
"H-how…"
Agatha cackled as she cleared a bit of the dark mist from both of them and she breathed in and out.
"That felt amazing… if this is what my lord's power feels like… I want more…"
Cherith, feeling a bit tired could do nothing as Agatha's purple mist grew around them, tightening around her throat and lifting her up and she felt her air supply begin to dry up.
"You don't seem to understand. You are powerful yes… but you have absolutely no idea how to wield said power except for the paltry tricks you've picked up on your own. It's a wonder how you haven't died all this while. Nevertheless!"
Agatha smiled, looking like she'd finally won.
"The Cadwallader line will die by my hands today… and I'll take what is deserving of me!"
Purple ensconced Cherith and suddenly, she felt something being pulled out of her.
She looked down and watched as red mist was drawn out of her and into a smiling Agatha.
"N-no…"
She whispered out as she struggled, even as she felt lightheaded from still being strangled.
"No!"
Agatha cackled.
"Give it up! There's nothing you can do now!"
And it was true.
Cherith felt absolutely useless in that moment.
She felt stuck… even with all the powers she'd had.
Her mother had been right in the end… all that power meant nothing of she didn't hone it.
She'd never felt so powerless… even as tears fell down her eyes.
BOOM!!
"AAHHHHH!!!"
The sound of Agatha's horrific scream sounded as Cherith fell to the ground, nothing holding her anymore.
She struggled to open her eyes just in time to see the darkness being chased off by a golden bright and warm light.
So much like the sun and yet it wasn't.
A few feet from her was Agatha, smoke rising from her and sizzling could be heard like meat that had been fried.
The witch whimpered as she lay on the ground, struggling to move back as she stared in fear at something behind Cherith, but Cherith couldn't move.
"W-who are you…"
Agatha whispered out and the sound of
Agatha whispered out and the sound of feet was all Cherith heard, and then a bright golden light filled the area again and Cherith closed her eyes at how bright it was.
She heard Agatha shriek out in pain again and this time, the smell of skin burning made her sick to her very stomach and her eyes tear up.
She opened her eyes in time to see the horrified look on Agatha's face as she looked at the stranger and then Cherith and with a wave, she vanished.
And just like that, she was back in that alleyway again, dumpsters and boxes littering the area.
The stranger who saved her stood in front of her but she found herself staring at his shoes… and it had to be a 'he'.
He didn't say anything, and Cherith forced herself to look up, ignoring the pain and weakness she felt, but his head was clouded by golden light.
Who or what… was this stranger?
Cherith didn't know why, but the warmth comforted her, and she slowly and shakily raised a hand, as if wanting to grab the stranger's hands that were outstretched to hers.
"Cherry!!"
Leslie's voice cut through though they sounded so further away.
The golden light coming from the stranger encompassed her as well and she suddenly felt different… healed.
And as she began to lose consciousness, the stranger seemed to vanish, and Leslie's voice was suddenly closer.
Now, she could sleep.
Cherith awoke with a gasp, her heartbeat picking up as she looked around, only to sigh in relief as she found herself back in her hotel room though the skies were darkened out.
She looked down at herself only to find none of the injuries she had gotten from… from Agatha Harkness.
The tingly feeling of fear ran down her spine as she looked around, anxiety clouding her very mind and her breathing becoming harder.
She was not safe.
No! She didn't feel safe!
Stumbling out of her bed, she rushed to the windows, yanking it and staring into the darkened skies as she tried to stable her breathing though it didn't seem to work.
An Harkness had found her!
In New York of all places!
A powerful Harkness at that! One that had… that had made her feel a type of way she'd never felt before. Truly and utterly weak.
She was the Scarlet Witch, but she had feared for her life then and there.
Truly, her mother had been right! She had no idea what to do with the chaos in her body.
Embrace it how?!
And now, she was in danger! Who else was out there watching her??
The door to the room slammed open and Cherith jumped startled, her hand lit just in time to see Leslie staring at her in worry and no small amount of fear.
"I-it's just me, Cherry…"
She whispered out as she slowly closed the door.
Cherith swallowed as she dropped her hand and slid to the ground, eyes closed and trying to calm her fears.
"What happened, Cherry?... One moment you were there and the next… just… gone…"
She heard Leslie's voice closer this time and Cherith sighed, running her hand through her unruly hair.
"It would seem… that, I'm being… hunted."
The words seemed strange in her mouth, but that was it, wasn't it?
She was being hunted… by Agatha Harkness… and a brother… and a being capable of watching her from another dimension just because she called out to him… it…
It scared her…
"W-what will you do now?"
Leslie asked with a wary look on her face and Cherith looked away, a frown on her face as reality seemed to crash down on her.
She would be graduating in a few weeks… and yet, while others would be moving on to college and living… normal… she would have to do college AND protect herself.
She couldn't do it all!
She was just one person! One… girl…
Her hands shook for a minute as her eyes became wet with unshed tears.
"I don't… I don't think I'll be able to go to college this year, Leslie."
She wrapped her arms around her legs, sitting in a curled position as Leslie watched her carefully, emotions running through her face a mile a minute.
"What do you mean?"
Cherith sighed, before looking up with a serious face.
"You're the only one privy to this, Leslie. Not Jenna, not Jeremy, not Elena. All my life, I've wanted to travel out and just, be who I wanted. When I got accepted to Oxford I felt like, finally… I was moving out of that… infested, town. I could finally move away from all that negativity. And yet, it would seem that I have some following me."
She looked down.
"If I decide to ignore all this and go to college, that'll be stupidity on my part."
"You can't mean—"
"It'll be foolish. Endangering the life of new friends I make. I could take a year off school. I SHOULD have taken a year off of school."
"Cherry—"
"I mean, I'm just 16! Why is all this happening to me?!"
She'd never sounded so defeated all her life and Leslie's burst out into sobs, covering her mouth with her hand.
"I-I'm so sorry, Cherry…"
Cherith smiled dryly.
"Don't be. It's not your fault."
Leslie scoffs slightly, her hands shaking.
"It feels like it is sometimes…"
Cherith shook her head.
"You couldn't have known about my powers. Couldn't have known about Agatha Harkness. What a raging bitch!"
She couldn't also have known about the golden man who'd save her life.
Without him, she would probably be dead now.
Without him… Cherith would have been done for, and the world would probably be on the brink of welcoming a dimensional entity that Cherith wasn't sure would be good for the earth.
"You're really going to skip a year of college?"
Leslie quietly asked after a while and Cherith shrugged.
It felt like a good idea.
"Hopefully, my problems would be gone by then. I need to learn. I need to… I need to embrace what's inside of me. I can't do that while shuffling between Oxford and Wales and trying to keep a student life as well as practicing to be who and what I'm supposed to be, Leslie. I have to be in Wales."
"But…"
"All this time, I've tried to ignore who I am… tried to downplay what I could be… when I could have been better from the start. I don't know how to embrace the chaos in me. I don't know IF I want to… but I think… I think it's time for me to learn… it's time for me to accept…"
She looked down at her lit hands, the crimson light glowing around them.
"Time for me to be THE Scarlet Witch…"
Her hair seemed to rustle and this time… for the first time in a long while, the crimson glow seemed to brighten up.
Hey guys!
Happy New Year!
This year has definitely been busy and honestly fast paced. It's March already!!!
I had some issues with my sister and then I got it back earlier this week and had to force myself to sit and write this chapter cause you guys definitely deserve an update!!!
And what an update this is!
A lot of revelations! From Agatha Harkness' arrival, to the golden man and then Cherith deciding to take a year off instead of heading to her dream school!
*Le Gasp*
Honestly I've always had that plan in my mind. Because life isn't straight forward and Cherith had always seen herself as a normal girl of sorts… going to school, having normal friends, partying and leaving Mystic Falls behind. She's tried to hide her chaotic energy side even when it's almost killed people around her, and even has!
I really needed her to see the kind of trouble she really is in… how the real world would treat her. She's only fought against vampires and low level witches before… she doesn't know just what Agatha and the brotherhood are capable of… or just who Chthon is.
She's 16 years old and it's understandable that she wants to turn away from her problems, but now those problems are smack dab in front of her!
For those curious about what Agatha Harkness looks like, she looks like a young Katie McGrath with long and curly black hair and of course, green eyes.
She could definitely pull it off. Or you could go for a young Helena Bonham Carter, but I feel Katie McGrath has the bone structure and very pale face with the hidden madness that still makes people drawn to her. I'm not saying Helena can't pull it off, but yeah, I chose Katie.
Anyways!
Thanks for reading, please comment so I know what you all think!!
I Purple You!!
