Chapter Text
Michael put the lighter in his drawer. Finally, he thought. He has just completed a candle spell for good grades. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a tea light with some herbs on top and a circle just big enough for him to fit into. But still, spells were tiring. Just as he was about to lie down, he heard his father call. “*****, it’s time for dinner!” Ah, his glorious deadname. He would have to do something about that soon. Now was not the time, though. “Coming!” He shouted as he rushed downstairs. His stepmother, Brittany, just sighed. “Young Lady, how many times do I have to tell you to stop running in the house?” Michael looked at her, unimpressed. “Sorry.” He wasn’t sorry, but it was better to lie. “Thank you, now come and eat.” She said. His father, or William, chimed in. “Not before we say grace, you haven’t been doing that recently, *****.” William looked at mike with a disappointed expression. “Right, sorry.” With that, Michael sat at the table.
As his family held hands, his father started praying. Michael never really prayed with them, just pretended to. His father said amen, and mike said it along with his family so he wouldn’t get in trouble. As he began to chow down-it was Mac n’ cheese tonight, his favorite-the test of the family began to converse. It was mostly small talk about things like “how was your day?” or “is Sherryl bugging you again, dear?” Then, Elizabeth brought something up. “Mommy, Rachel says she doesn’t believe in god.” The table ceased its chatter. Elizabeth continued, “how could somebody do that, mommy?” Bridget sighed. “Well, sweetie, some people think that the lord doesn’t exist and that he’s made up.” Evan and Elizabeth looked shocked. The smallest of the 3 boys at the table chimed in, “But doesn’t that mean Rachel is going to..H-E-double hockey sticks?” It was Williams turn to explain. “Well, Rachel had a long life ahead of her, sweetie. All we can do is pray that she realizes that the lord is real.” Elizabeth had more questions. “I’d there a difference between devil worshippers and people who don’t believe in god?” She asked. “Yes there is, darling. Devil worshippers are worse than atheists-those are people who don’t believe in god.” Michael was starting to get uncomfortable. He was what his family and the church would consider a devil worshipper. He didn’t actually work with or worship any spirits other than his ancestors, and that was very light. However, he was what one might call a witch. Therefore, he was the evil people his family was talking about.
His father and stepmother saw this moment as the perfect opportunity to “teach”-well, they weren’t giving any new information to Michael, they just thought they were-the kids about witchcraft. “You know, some devil worshippers are called witches. They are very bad people, they use energy from the devil to do things.” William said. Brittany continued, “I heard that some witches are curing Christians from Becky! Can you believe it!?” These idiots, Michael thought, that’s gonna require an at least decent totem, not just spite, that’s a jinx. “*****”, his father began, grabbing Mikes attention, “I want you to come to Wednesdays service tomorrow.” “What, why?”, Michael asked. He was starting to get nervous. Had he been found out? “Me and your mother”-stepmother, Michael thought-“ feel you’ve been straying from the lord. We’d like you to speak to the pastor.” Brittany nodded her head and smiled, “We think it’d be great for you, *****. Besides we also…” William started where his wife left off, “We are signing you up for youth group.” Michael chocked on his food, “What!?” Brittany sighed and mumbled “we knew you’d react like this…” “*****, this is why you’re going. Your siblings would be thrilled to go, as they should, but your complaining about being closer to god.” William said. Bridget put her hand on Michaels shoulder and smiled. “Plus I’m sure you’ll meet wonderful kids. That girl Mary goes to group, isn’t she nice?” Mike hot up and grumbled “I’m full” then he stormed off to his room. Great, he thought, I have to go get others beliefs forced on me while I hide mine. He stayed in his room the rest of the night.
The next day, which happened to be Wednesday, Michael was dragged to service, meaning he had to look nice. Michael was a petty bitch, so he drew pentacles with rain water on his hands, feet, and forehead. They wouldn’t know, but it was the thought that counted. He honestly thought he needed protection from the bitches at church. They were more baneful than the witches they hated. He had nothing against the holy trinity or angels, he just chose not to connect with them. Not all Christians were bad, either. It was just the Christian’s in Hurricane that happened to be…intolerant. Sadly, he had to see them today. He put on the same outfit he wore everyday before hearing his stepmother yell “*****! Come down here we’re ready!” “Coming!”, he responded. He walked downstairs, seeing his family in their best clothes. The girls were in dresses and the boys were in casual suits. “*****, where’s your dress?” Elizabeth inquired. Michael shot her a disapproving look and said “Well, I’m dressed okay, aren’t I?” The family, except Evan, didn’t seem pleased. However, they knew Michael wouldn’t give up, so they didn’t push it.
They drove to church, talking about whatever. Michael didn’t participate. Once they arrived, the church goers seemed surprised to see Mike. However when they god over the initial shock, they smothered the family; the Aftons were very popular, after all. A middle aged woman and her teenage daughter approached Michael. “ Ms. Afton, it’s so good to see you! Where were you?” The older woman asked him. “Father and stepmother made me come.”, he answered. The daughter piped up, “hey mom, can I talk with ***** for a bit?” “Sure, pumpkin!” With that, the mom walked away. “So,”-the girl lowered her voice to a whisper-“ do you, like, not believe in the lord or something?” This made Michael very uncomfortable. Though, if he said he did, he wouldn’t be lying, so… “No, I believe in him.” The girl sighed in relief. “Thank goodness! You know, some kids think you’re a witch! You not going to church didn’t help either.” Michael visibly paled, to which she laughed, “Just kidding! Ha, you should’ve seen the look on your face! We all know you wouldn’t be a…that.” Michael could’ve fainted from relief. The feeling didn’t last long, however, as his father walked up to him. “Actually, you’ll be seeing a lot more of her. We signed her up for youth group.”, he said. A small group of kids looked over, surprised yet happy. Great, hurricane youth group kids, Michael thought. “Woah, *****, we can’t wait to have you!” He recalled knowing this kid, he bullied Mike in elementary school. “Thanks…” “Kids, service is starting!” The group collectively made their way inside the main hall. The service was mostly uneventful, at least Mike thought it was. There was one part of the pastors speech where people started crying, so there was that. After the service, people started talking again. Michael tried to escape, but the pastor had a different idea. “*****, it’s so good to see you again! If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a little talk with you.” Shit. “Um, okay.” The man pulled Mike aside to a corner.
“So, you’re parents told me they’re concerned for your faith as of late. I just wanted to tell you that there is no problem that can’t be fixed without the help of the lord. I know as a teenager”-here we go, Michael thought-“ things may feel like rebellious behavior and, dare I say, the devil is the answer. However, I assure you it’s not.” He knew him “starting from god” wasn’t the only reason that he was getting this talk. You see, Michael had recently had another one of what he called his “overloads”. They were ugly, to say the least. He remembered many people, even his own father once, calling him things like “possessed lunatic” when he had them. One elderly lady even suggested he get an exorcism. The pastor must of heard it from concerned parents, hence the talk. Still, he couldn’t say “actually sir I’m and animist who can’t control these so called ‘possessions’ because I am in genuine distress when they happen. Thanks though!” So, all he said was “Okay, sir.” The pastor smiled, “Ever the talkative one, *****.” Michael didn’t know what that meant, but adults said it all the time. The older of the two continued, “Your parents are waiting for you, you should go. Oh, and watch out for witches, there’s been some magick around recently, okay?” I am the witch, idiot, Mike thought. He just walked to his parents without saying anything, however.
“Did you have fun *****?” Elizabeth asked. “Not really.”, he responded. Michael watched as his family felt collective disappointment towards him. He didn’t pick up on it, though. As Michael and his family walked towards their car, Mike had a thought. I should do a reading on this whole new situation. He decided he would do it that night. Little did he know, his actions would have consequences.