An afternoon dream

Once upon a time there was a girl. She was special. She was so filled with magic that the other town members threw her out. But one day she returned.

See, this was no ordinary town. Its rulers were magical. Its wise women were witches and there were many bewitching spells, and many more well-wishing ones. Even the soil was heavy with magic. Mystic air swirled through the lungs.

In this town there was a school. It was renowned for its teaching of magic and many great 'specials' rose and were educated within those walls. At one time she was, too. But soon the outcast would return. Those who knew of her knew she would be back and prepared for that day earnestly.

Years and years went by and the outcast returned, now a beautiful young woman. She enrolled in the school. The specials,knowing they could do nothing unless they had evidence against her, cautiously allowed her to come and go as she pleased.

As she walked up the farm hill towards the renowned magical school, many seen and unseen eyes watched. But she had a secret, unseen companion who watched carefully over her. A strong presence that allowed nothing to harm her. As she reached the top of the hill, she greeted old childhood friends with a kiss on the cheek.

There was the lovely Jane perched near the fence, with sparkling, braided hair. She had a hideous monster with her and they eyed her suspiciously as she greeted.
Then there was Sandra. Lithe, lady-like, and most deadly. Outwardly she was sweet as a dove, but her lips were incredibly deadly. Her long dress, typical of specials, glistened in the humid wind.
Tanya most gracefully welcomed her and offered her friendship, but she was not fooled by her winning emrald eyes.
Many others glared at her with irksome faces, and backed away. They were a wonderfully mystical bunch, yet traitors nontheless.

That very night they put a devious plan to action. The students conjured un spells to force her to leave - to drive her screaming from her bed. But failed. This was the first of many attempts, but each one came to nothing. Every morning, to their chagrin, she would rise healthly and smiling, ready to learn the secrets of the magic school.

But one night her fellow students desire to drive her out was too strong to overcome. They set fire to her room, lighting the walls from the outside. Feeling invincible had weakened her and the fire's fumes quickly overwhelmed her. But though she struggled and panicked, she could find no way out. In a smoke-covered heap, she passed out crying for help.

Her unseen friend found her and quietly whisked her away to safety. The unseen one alighted in an enchanted wood near the school, away from prying eyes. Or so it thought.

The enchanted wood was well known by students, who used it for their extensive practical exercises. They immediately felt an unknown presence in the wood and her 'closest' friends assembled a group to finish her off.

As they arrived, the whistling wind halted and everything became deathly still as they listened for a sign of life - her life. Shallow and failing they could hear her heartbeat, but it echoed faintly in every direction and they could not place it. The forest was heavily shrouded. With what, they could not tell. But it peturbed them that another being hid her presence in their wood. It annoyed them and taunted them.

Everything began to glimmer faintly with silver, from the tree tops with their feathery leaves, attached to their harsh, strong bases. What was happening? They didn't know what they were up against!

* this is a dream, some names have been changed.