The Changelings Chap1 The Meeting

Chapter 1 – The Meeting1

Bethany perched herself on the cold seat. The winter wind snapped at her bare cheeks making them red and cold as her solitary tear fell down. This was the only place she could be alone. She had heard her mum and dad argue for the last time. Her dad had left and with it Bethany’s happiness had gone too. She longed for the days where her family was perfect, untouched and intact.2

Every now and again she would let out a whimpering sigh to remind herself she was still there – even though she felt invisible at the moment. She shivered and pulled her thin coat closer to her and hung her head low. The gardens were a perfect place to hide; countless trees and statues looming over and about. Bethany was afraid as the shadows appeared to creep closer to her and the wind whistled and seemed to whisper her name.3

She peered up with glassy eyes and peered around for somewhere to stay. As she was scouring the many hills she spotted something. A small sleek girl wearing a night gown that fluttered eerily in the wind. Bethany glanced over again rubbing her eyes in disbelief but the girl had gone. She leaned back on the bench not believing and breathing heavily. Then suddenly a hard crept round the side of Bethany’s face and grabbed her, covering her mouth. Bethany, without thinking let out a muffled scream, whilst she was being pulled into the bushes.4

The hand freed up and Bethany scrambled, scratching at the floor and grabbed at branches. She sat up and stared at the perpetrator. It was the girl. She was sat with her legs neatly tucked beneath her and her hands rested in her lap, smiling ever so slightly.5

“Sorry our initial get-together couldn’t have been more agreeable” said the girl and she let out a beaming smile and a giggle. “My name is Oria.” She flew out a frail arm and took Bethany’s hand and shook it gently.6

“Oh my God,” whispered Bethany.7

“I’m sorry if I startled you. I didn’t want you screaming.”8

There was a long pause as the girls both stared at each others eyes. The girl looked like she had storm clouds brewing up in her large eyes. It was like they were moving and swirling.9

“What’s your name?” said Oria politely.10

“Bethany,” she answered breathlessly. “Are you not cold?”11

Oria looked down at her pale body and smiled placing one hand on her chest.12

“I have a warm heart. No one can be cold with a warm heart.”13

“You must be a little cold. Look, you have no shoes on!” squealed Bethany.14

“Shoes?” Oria looked down, confused and then looked at Bethany with shifty eyes. “I must have lost them somewhere.”15

“We must go find them, they can’t be…”16

“Shh!” Oria jumped up and grabbed Bethany, pulling her over. “Someone is coming, get in!” whispered Oria but her voice was very assertive. She was beckoning Bethany into a hollow tree trunk not far away. Bethany followed the small girl and sat next to her tight in the tree, hoping that she would be safe.17

Then a twig snapped not far away from where they were. Bethany was trembling but Oria seemed very calm. She peered around with her extraordinary eyes.18

“Who is it?” whispered Bethany almost silently.19

“OI!” A face appeared at the opening of the hollow trunk. It was a police man and Bethany knew he had been sent to find her.20

“Are you Bethany?” he said loudly.21

She nodded and turned around to see Oria’s reaction – but she had gone.22

“Oria?”23

“Get out of the trunk now.”24

Bethany clambered out and stood next to the police man. He peered down on her and then pointed to the tree where they had been hiding.25

“You dropped something.”26

Bethany looked and there was a silver necklace. She knelt down and picked it up. It was the outline of a pixie or a fairy surrounded by a continuous line of precious blue gems. She had one last look around for Oria and then slipped it in her pocket.27