Then I opened my eyes and the evidence was staring right at me.

Two bumps on my chest.

The nightmare continues.

However, it was continuing in a very strange place. Looking around I was a bit disoriented at first. The room I was in had white walls and bright lights. I blinked a few times; then ran my tongue over my dry lips. I was on a cot, the soft surface the only thing that was comforting me at the moment. Sitting up, I saw once again the offending foreign bodies on my chest. I tried not to think about the skimpy little shirt I was wearing nor the denim skirt. Like I said, new me was a slut. A slut whose wardrobe was severely lacking. All part of whatever fucked up punishment this was. Why didn’t that bitch just kill me, why’d she to do this to me. Sure I didn’t want to die but the alternative…

What the hell am I thinking? Life was more important than death even if it meant living a fucked up one now.
I took a better look around the room. Besides the overwhelming whiteness, I noticed the tacky Feel Good posters on the walls, the bookshelf in the corner, the filing cabinets and the desk. There was a rather large window, the blinds up, allowing a great deal of light to pour into the room. The nurse’s office, I’d been here once or twice. I sprained my ankle last year during practice and the coach sent me here. Then there was the year before when I nearly broke my finger during gym class. Of course, back then the nurse hadn’t been so hot.

The door on the far side of the room started to open.

Speaking of hot nurse…

Nurse Williams was an eleven on the scale. She had perfect everything---hair, boobs, body and face----the whole packet. It helped a lot that she always seemed to flaunt it without trying. The pants she wore were tight but not too much and her tops always seemed to show off just enough cleavage to tease. Today was no different, though the white doctor’s coat seemed to throw things off a bit. It didn’t shatter the illusion but it didn’t help. It was just a shame that there wasn’t some kind of school dress code for the nurse because I could only imagine how good she would look in one of those cute white outfits.

“Good afternoon Miss Curtis” she said with a smile, slipping into the chair nearby.

The way she said “miss” made me want to kiss her. There was no content in voice like most of the other adults around me. Even when my father talked to me, it was in a tone that said he loved me but was repulsed too. It was a bit unsettling and to tell you the truth, it was starting to make me want to jump in front of a bus.

“What am I doing here?”
I tried to remember what happened but things were a bit of a blur. The last thing I could remember was going into the girl’s bathroom in tears. If I ever saw that fucking bastard Jason again I was going to run his ass over with my new car---well new old car.

“What’s the last thing you remember?”

There was no way I was going to tell her what that son of a bitch tried to do to me so I simply shrugged. “I was on my way out of the bathroom,” I said, hoping it was enough.

She nodded. She had a pad of paper with her and wrote something down. “One of your fellow students found you passed out in the hallway. Do you remember that?”

Now that she mentioned it, some things were starting to come back to me. I was getting vague recollections. Something about Tracy Locke in the bathroom then leaving, feeling really dizzy then passing out. Sadly that’s all I had. It’s all I could remember anyway. I told the nurse---Melissa---that. She asked us to call her by her first name, said it was easier. It helped that she wasn’t that much older than us. I guess the school didn’t mind either because no one in authority complained about it.

Melissa stared a long time at me. Her gaze was starting to make me feel extremely uncomfortable. There was something else too, something tingling. It was in my head, starting to make me feel dizzy. As I watched her stare, I couldn’t help but think there was something about her, something different.

WITCH.

The thought just popped into my head. I’m not sure where it came from.

WITCH.

There it was again. I tried to shake it off the tingling wouldn’t go away. I rubbed my temples, hoping she didn’t notice. If she did, she didn’t say. However what she did, say nearly knocked me off the cot:

“What about the other problem?”

“What other problem?” I asked, feeling a bit hot.

“The spontaneous gender change, Michael.”

Holy shit, how in the hell did she know that?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” I managed to stammer out.

What the hell was going on here? First, it was that psycho that did this to me then Locke and now her. Locke, of course. In the bathroom, I remember now. She was there, Tracy---Trevor’s “sister”. She wasn’t his sister though, she was Trevor. That little prick. Maybe they were all in on this together. First Locke talks that psycho bitch into turning him into a girl then “she” talks the psycho into doing the same to me. Now Melissa was here to finish the job. Maybe they were going to fuck with my mind, make me think I was always this way. Well there was no way I was going to let them fuck with me anymore.

My heart racing, I threw myself up off the cot. I took a swing at the nurse, trying to connect with her face. In an inhuman amount of speed she easily threw off my punch, blocking it like it was nothing. I took another swing but she deflected that as well. Realizing I couldn’t beat her in a straight up fight, I decided to make a break for the door. I got about two feet before my entire body froze. I tried to move but it was as if my body was literally frozen in place. The only thing I could move were eyes. I watched as Melissa slowly got out of her chair and walked around so she was facing me.

“I know you’re scared Michael” she said in a soothing voice “but I’m not going to harm. I want to help you in fact.”

I looked her in the eyes. There was something funky about them. They had this glow. It was radiating out from behind them, almost as if her entire body glowed on the inside except I could only see it through her eyes. She didn’t seem to know though because she didn’t act any different. Of course, maybe she did know and just didn’t care. Regardless it was clear that she was just like that bitch from the bar. The two of them had to be in on this together.

WITCH.

There it was again and now it all made sense.

“I’m using a simple paralysis spell,” she said, taking a step toward me. “I’m going to allow you to speak. I need you to calm down.”

She waved her hand and suddenly I knew my mouth could work.

“HELP!” I screamed as loud as I could. “HELP! THE NURSE IS A FUCKING FREAK!”

She sighed. “They can’t hear you, the room is cushioned. The only ones here now are you and me.”

She took another step closer to me, raising her hand. When she did, she frowned.

“Get the fuck away from me you freak!”

I wasn’t shouting anymore but I clearly wanted her to know that I was going to kick her ass as soon as she let me go.

“Interesting” she said, not even acknowledging my insult. She walked around me, her hair still raised. When she got to my front again, she was frowning still.

“Tell me, when did your gender change?”

“A few days ago.”

A few days, had it only been a few days? It felt like weeks, even months.

“You want to tell me about it?”

“No”

I said no but somehow I found myself spilling my guts to her. I’m not sure how it happened actually but as soon as I started, I couldn’t stop. It felt really good too, like a huge weight had been lifted from me. As I talked, I found myself crying. When I finally got to the end, I completely broke down. I ended up in Melissa’s arms, not even sure when she removed her freeze spell from me. As I cried on her shoulder, I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell kind of world did I really live in. Magic existed, witches existed? It was messed up and crazy and all I wanted to do was crawl into a whole and hide.

When I finally finished crying, Melissa stroked my hair.

Mom used to do that. It’d been so long since I cried like that and even longer since someone held me like that.

“Its ok, we’re going to figure all of this out.”

“How?”

She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “That should help. It will kill this compulsion of yours, this predisposition to dress and act a certain way. I can’t change people’s opinions of you but at least that’s a start.”

“For real?” I asked, not feeling any different.

She nodded. “The Compulsion was not a part of the original curse, just an added bonus.”

“What about the other part, the girl thing?”

She shook her head. “Way beyond me. I know some people who might be willing to help though if you’re willing?”

I nodded. Anything to get to the bottom of this and return to normal.

“I’ll make a few calls; then contact you as soon as I get things organized.”

I wanted to kiss her. “Thank you, you have no idea…”

I started to cry again and she held me again.

Whereas life in school was horrible, life at home was refreshing. Melanie’s Dad---the man who my father never was---was the kindest, sweetest man. It blew my mind how someone could change so drastically. Sure Mom was still dead and still had died in the same way but it was as if having a daughter somehow changed how my father reacted to it. I knew from my new memories he still fell to drink but unlike my former self, this new me actually helped him through the hard times. I got him to join a support group both for his drinking and for the loss of his spouse. It helped a lot. Ironically, it was Melanie who fell apart. It didn’t take long for her to fall into a bad crowd, finding her own brand of punishment by turning a good life around.

I call her Melanie because she wasn’t me, not really anyway. As far as I was concerned, I was still Mike, at least partially anyway. The last few weeks had been sobering to say the least.

My new friends were helping.

I did intend to make friends. I wanted to be left alone but that didn’t seem to deter them from trying. First, it was the new girl, Kelly. It was funny; I thought she was a boy at first. I think she might have been actually but this being the town that it is; I’m not going to judge especially given my situation. What surprised me though was her nature---she was one of Them. Of course she didn’t know I knew but it was hard not to. She glowed inside just like Melissa did. It was strange actually. I never actually thought I could be friends with a Witch and yet I couldn’t stop being friends with her.

Then there was Maggie.

Back when I was Mike, I used to torment the poor girl. Maybe not as bad as I did Trevor but Maggie got a lot of it. I was a dick and I wish I could apologize for it but of course, she couldn’t remember. Maggie was a Norm and somehow whatever reality altering thing that Alexis did made her think I was a girl just like everyone else. I knew from Melanie’s memories that she and Maggie had never been friends. Melanie never even knew Maggie existed in fact. The only friends she ever really had were the guys she screwed around with. The only real friends I had turned out to be the very same ones. So Maggie and Kelly were like a breath of fresh air to me. I actually forgot what it was like to be around people and actually have them care about you.

Then there was Mr. Adonis aka Mark.

I’m not even going to go there. It was clear that Melanie hadn’t thought of him as anything more than a fuck buddy but he seemed to think a great deal of her---of me too apparently. Ever since waking up in that motel room with him, he hasn’t stopped texting. First, it was asking when we could get together again and then when I didn’t respond it was several inquiries about my health. It was strange but I think he genuinely cared about her, I mean me, I mean…oh hell.

It was the middle of November when things took an interesting turn.

I got a summons to report to Melissa’s office at the end of school. I was a little anxious because the last time I’d been in there she told me about the punishment curse. I was a little surprised when I showed up to find the principal, Ms. Craven, and an older woman already waiting with Melissa. When I stepped into the room, Ms. Craven shut the door. Turning to her, I noticed the glow hidden within her. I noticed that a few days ago actually but it was still a little unsettling. I wish I could find a way to turn it off. The old woman had the glow too, hers much stronger than Melissa and the principal but not as strong as the nasty look she was giving me.

That look sent chills up my spine.

“There’s no reason to be afraid Melanie,” said Melissa with a smile. “This is Mrs. Crawford; she’s the head of the Coven here in Ravencrest.”

Coven---that meant witches.

“She’s here to take a look at that curse of yours,” continued Melissa.

I figured as much. I tried to remain calm but it was hard too when the old woman kept staring at me like that. She had this cold blank look.

“You’re Kelly’s grandmother?” I asked but she didn’t say anything.

Melissa nodded her head though.

Great, I’d heard nothing but horrible things about this woman.

Mrs. Crawford took a step toward me then she slowly walked around me much as Melissa did before. After that, she continued to stare for a while longer. After what felt like an eternity, she let out a long sigh before turning toward Ms. Craven.

“You can call them and tell them we won’t need the Inquisitor.”

Ms. Craven seemed to sigh herself before quickly leaving the room.

Mrs. Crawford turned to address Melissa. “You’re right; I’ve never seen the like. You say that every Norm in the whole town believes him to be this girl?”

Melissa nodded. “Whoever cast it sure did a fantastic job. I was only able to remove the compulsion; the curse itself was too interwoven into the fabric of things for me to even try to tamper with it.”

“It’s not a Curse, it’s a Punishment.”

“Punishment?”

Mrs. Crawford looked as if she was about to swallow her tongue. “I could try to remove it but I think I’d do more harm than good. No we’re going to have to let this one run its course.”

“How long do you think that’ll be?” I asked, finding my voice finally.

“From what I’ve been able to ascertain” said Mrs. Crawford, still speaking to Melissa. “He has a few more months; this should run its course by March.”

“Will reality reset itself for her?”

“I don’t know,” said the old woman “I do know that the Caster has to remove it themselves.” She finally turned to me. “Tell me about this person.”

I quickly told her everything I could remember about the woman in the bar---Alexis. When I finished it looked as if the color had drained from the old woman. She didn’t say so but it was clear she knew who Alexis was. Her hand even trembled but only for a second. I don’t think she thought anyone saw but when I did, it didn’t make me feel any more secure. If this super witch was terrified then I knew I was in deep trouble.

“There’s nothing we can do about that,” said the old woman with a sigh. “It’s the other unsettling problem that we need to take care.”

“What other problem?”

Mrs. Crawford reached into her handbag and took out a smooth black stone. She ordered me to hold my hand out and when I did, she placed the stone in it. It was cold to touch and surprisingly heavy. The more I held it though the heavier it got. Then it started to burn. The heat got so intense that I nearly dropped it. The old woman watched with baited interest until she finally snatched the stone away from me. I half expected to see a nasty burn on my palm but there was nothing there. She stuck the stone back into her purse and took a quick in-take of breath.

“A Blessed”.

Melissa looked surprised. “Are you sure?”

“The stone never lies.”

A Blessed, what the hell was she talking about?

“Here in Ravencrest? But how and why?”

Mrs. Crawford turned on me. “You what’s your last name?”

“Curtis.”

She shook her head. “Your mother, what was her maiden name?”

I had to think about it before I answered. “Ummm….it was Cane.”

Mrs. Crawford cursed. “I should have known.”

What the hell was going on?

“I want you to call the rest of the Coven; we need to bind her immediately.”

“Won’t that have severe damage? I’ve read about binding them, it’s not easy. It’s dangerous in fact.”

“If what you say is true and she can see us for what we are, we have no choice. If the others find out about her, especially Wisteria, there’s no telling what might happen. We need to nip this in the bud and fast.”

“She can help us.”

Mrs. Crawford scoffed. “No Cane has ever given a damn about us…you know what they are…you know what they call them.”

“She’s not like them.”

Mrs. Crawford turned to me, glaring. “I know this one, she’s exactly like them.”

The old woman advanced on me.

I felt my heart jump into my throat. I’m not sure what was going on but I knew I was in trouble. I could only guess that this old bat meant me some harm.

KILL, KILL.

“I’ll take responsibility for her,” said Melissa quickly.

Mrs. Crawford snapped around, glaring at her now. “You’ll do no such thing.”

“She’s not a threat to us. She hasn’t done anything to harm us. She’s friends with your granddaughter even. She knows what we are but has told no one. I know what you think of the Canes, I know what the community as a whole thinks of them too but she’s not like them. Give her some time to prove it to you.”

Mrs. Crawford rubbed her temples then smiled. “Until March, by then it won’t matter regardless. When the Punishment is lifted, so too will the Blessed nature of her blood. She’s in your charge until then. If she steps out of line before then…”

She didn’t finish her sentence but I was pretty certain it wouldn’t have been good.

Mrs. Crawford then turned and swept out the door, not even looking back. I was more confused as ever as I watched her go.

I looked at Melissa. “What just happened?”

She sighed, slumping into her chair. “I think I just saved your life.”

“Ummm thanks I think.”

“Don’t thank me until March.”

I nodded. I was still confused as hell. What the hell was a Blessed and what did any of it have to do with me. I looked at Melissa, ready to ask but it was clear she was no longer in a talking mood. Not that I blamed her, that woman had drained me too. She was definitely a force to be reckoned with, it was no wonder Kelly hated her so much.

I found myself sitting in Melissa’s office with her for a while, neither one of us said a thing to one another for a long time.

“So what do we do now?”

She didn’t answer.