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Forced to Move Worlds
Forced to Move Worlds
Forced to Move Worlds
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Forced to Move Worlds

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Discovering her powers was the worst moment of Brittany's life.

 

If she used her magic again, she would be 'removed'. Circumstances made it impossible not to utilise her healing light. She woke up in a different world, told she couldn't go back. She was too far gone, demon magic irreversible.

 

Nigel did his best to help her come to terms, having gone through the same experience thirty years prior. Not willing to walk eight-hundred-thousand-miles through hell and risk apocalypse to get back home, she went with him to the Demon College of Yore.

 

She came to blows, a clash of words with the centaur, Feyneyrey. Danger struck a match to kindle their friendship. The two young women, under Nigel's guidance, journeyed on a quest to destroy a corrupted deity.

 

This book contains scenes of violence and strong language.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateSep 6, 2020
ISBN9781393841708
Forced to Move Worlds
Author

Rainbow Maccabre

Rainbow Maccabre is a computer geek. Her favourite games are Bloodborne and the Dark Souls franchise. In these games, she dies over and over, learning the boss's manoeuvres and taking more risks. When that boss is finally dead at her feet, the euphoria that rushes through Rainbow Maccabre lets her know, if just for that moment, she can achieve anything. The grittier side draws her in the most. She lines her stories with a sinister edge. Apologies in advance for any mental scars she might inflict. Writing, for her, is a way to explore the darkness and confront her humanity.   Currently 32 years old, she came out as trans half her lifetime ago, in a place called Warsop, Mansfield. Being part of a controversial demographic has left her with an interest in controversial topics which are sometimes hidden. These topics are brought to light in her thought provoking stories. One such story, ‘Razorlips’, won a 75 word competition and Rainbow Maccabre was so proud, she had it adapted to a personalised comic strip, tattooed on her arm.

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    Forced to Move Worlds - Rainbow Maccabre

    FORCED TO MOVE WORLDS

    By

    RAINBOW MACCABRE

    Copyright © 2019 Rainbow Maccabre

    All rights reserved

    ISBN: 9781687620422

    Forced to Move Worlds was formerly known as A Separation of Worlds. The content has been altered significantly, forcing a change of name.

    CHAPTER 1: MIRACLE

    The bus swerved, Brittany’s shoulder bumping into her friend, Kelly, spilling fizzy pop onto her knees. Sorry, said Brittany.

    It’s not your fault, said Kelly. It’s the bus driver, showing off again. I wish the teachers were here.

    Kenny’s ginger curls blocked the view from the front window, him and the driver telling jokes and laughing. Brittany said, Someone should tell him to slow down. We’ll end up in an accident, at this rate. Outside, a waist high fence divided the road from a cliff of yellow stone. Shudder. I don’t like this road.

    Dania turned ‘round, a teal hijab to frame her smirk. Are you kidding? I thought you were a thrill seeker. You dragged me on all the scary rides.

    That’s because Kelly’s too fraidy cat.

    Kelly crossed her arms and pouted.

    Anyway, said Brittany, this is different to a fair ride. For starters- The swerve almost took her out of her seat. For starters, there’s no one breaking the law on a fair ride. He’s gotta be going at least fifty.

    Lance turned his ice blue eyes in her direction. If you’ve got a problem, he said, why don’t you go down there and tell him?

    Yeah, said another lad, show him who’s boss, Brittany. He chanted her name, and all the lads joined in.

    She moved to her feet, pulled back down by Kelly. Don’t bother. They’re just winding you up.

    I don’t care, said Brittany. I’m gonna say something.

    On her feet again, when the driver shouted, Who’s Brittany?

    I am, she yelled, and if you don’t slow down, I’m gonna tell the teachers.

    The driver laughed. You wouldn’t, really?

    Lance said, It’s not a joke, mate. She got Clive banned for smoking in the toilet.

    Actually, she said, "he was smoking ‘weed’ in the toilet. Call me a grass; I don’t care, but you better slow down.

    It’s not funny, Dania, she finished, to her giggling friend.

    The driver leaned, looking behind him at Brittany, one eye still on the road. Tell this Clive, when you see him, meet me after school. I wouldn’t mind trying some of this weed.

    Everyone but Brittany laughed, Kenny bent double at the front, revealing a road bend. She yelled, Watch out! Crack, through the fence.

    Metal strained as the bus slanted sideways. Brittany fell, classmates landing on top of her, squeezing breath from her lungs. She tried to scream; her eyes bulged, pressured like they might squeeze from her sockets.

    She clenched Kelly’s hand, but her fingers slipped away, the bus rolling. She’d be an ash stain at the bottom of this cliff.

    Her head collided with Dania’s piggish nose: crunch. Dania’s blood dribbled down Brittany’s cheek, warm like tears. It tasted like a penny; her stomach turned.

    Her bones tingled from her skull to her soles. A glow shone from her feet, then slowly, slowly ascended through her, filling her like a light bulb, shining through her fingers and from under her clothes. Please let this be a dream.

    A metal bar zoomed towards her head. She gasped.

    The bar bent around her forehead, painlessly like a cotton belt.

    The glow from her body shined upon Dania, whose nose stopped pouring blood and cracked itself straight. Brittany didn’t know how, but the glow seemed to be healing, protecting. It had to be. They were all too young to die.

    She willed her glow to spread to everyone on that bus. Everything went white. Then everything went black.

    Sirens disturbed her sleep. Her dream slipped from her mind. Metal screeched above her head, a fire fighter poking her head through, yelling, Is anyone still alive?

    Dania said, There’s five of us. I think there’s five.

    Hang tight. We’re fetching a ladder.

    Brittany lied in the aisle, Kelly, Dania, Lance and his friend looking down at her. She sat up, her eyes covered by Lance’s hand. He said, Trust me, you don’t wanna look down there.

    Why’s there only five of us? Her own tears soaked Lance’s hand. What happened?

    Lance’s friend said, You didn’t save them. That’s what happened.

    Kelly said, Shut up, Max.

    She took a peek, the front of the bus smushed in. Bone crumbled whiter than chalk, covered in skin, blood and hair. She span and retched.

    Max leaned to her ear and said, What’s a matter? Can’t handle it? She slapped his face away, whole body shivering.

    Lance said, That’s enough, Max.

    No. You all saw it. She used witchcraft, and she only saved her mates. She let all the others die. Me and you got lucky, pal.

    She hugged her knees, buried her sobs in her hands. I tried, she said. I tried to save them.

    Dania moved to the floor beside Brittany, pulling her close around the shoulder. It’s okay, Brittany. It wasn’t your fault.

    Lance asked, How long have you known you’re a witch?

    I’m not a witch! I don’t even know what happened.

    I won’t tell anyone, said Lance. None of us will, right, Max? If it wasn’t for her, you’d be dead. You owe her, mate.

    Max pulled her hands away from her face. Look me in the eye and tell me that’s the first time you’ve done anything freaky.

    She scrunched her nose at him. I’m not a freak. I didn’t even mean to do it.

    Lance patted Max’s shoulder. He means magic. Tell him it’s the first time you’ve done magic.

    But it is, she said. Do you think I’d waste time at school if I could perform magic. I’d be a fucking billionaire.

    Dania nodded. Innit. Hey Brit- No, never mind.

    Never mind what?

    Don’t matter, said Dania. I was gonna make a joke, but… not in front of dead bodies.

    A shiver ran through all five survivors. Max grabbed Brittany’s hand, light enough to tickle. Fine. I can’t stay mad at you, not when you’re looking like this.

    She said, Like what!

    Upset, and that, he said. I didn’t mean owt bad. I promise I won’t say owt. It looked like you knew what you were doing, with the magic, but I can’t exactly prove it, can I? What are we supposed to tell people?

    Kelly shrugged. Let’s tell them it was a miracle. It’s not as if we’re lying. Just don’t mention the light. Everyone nodded.

    I wanna punch someone, said Max. I’m just, grrrrrr, you know. I can’t blame the driver. Tears shone under his eyes. I can’t blame someone who’s dead, man.

    Lance cuddled him. It’s alright, mate.

    Max’s back shook. No, it’s not. The five of them locked themselves into a group hug.

    #

    Wind blew through the ambulance door, goosepimpling her skin. The blood pressure strap deflated against her arm. The paramedic ripped the Velcro away and Brittany massaged her freed forearm. The paramedic said, You’re blood pressure’s a little high, but that’s to be expected. Hmmm. Not a scratch on you. He bopped the end of her nose. This looks more like a birth mark.

    It is, she said, covering her nose.

    Well in that case, he said, I don’t know what to say to you. If I didn’t see you climb out the wreckage myself, I wouldn’t believe you was in there. He scratched the back of his neck, and shook his head. I guess you’re free to go. He pointed out the door, to the group of people behind the police tape, a camera flash filling the night. Your parents should be waiting for you. Speak to an officer.

    Thanks, she said, sliding her jacket on. Through the door, a second paramedic clasped her hand, helping her step down from the ambulance. Officers stood near the police line, their high vis jackets reflecting headlights. She ran to an officer. My name’s Brittany Dove. Are my parents here?

    The officer pointed into the crowd. As soon as her dad’s afro and her mum’s blond spirals came into view, she ran to them, dipping underneath the police tape. Her parents towered over her, wrapping their arms around her shoulders. She trembled. Her parents clung tighter.

    Mum said, Oh my god. I can’t believe you’re alright.

    She couldn’t hold the tears back. They’re all dead, Mum.

    I know. Shhhh, shhh, it’s okay, darling. Let it out.

    Her dad’s deep voice said, We’re with you. We’ll help you get through this. Anything you want, just ask.

    I want to go home. Please, can we go home? She craned her neck. Behind her, a few house lengths up, police attached chains to the top of the wreckage.

    Dad said, Are they sure you’re not injured? That drop’s gotta be over two hundred feet.

    In hindsight, she couldn’t stick to Kelly’s story. She didn’t wanna go around telling people that twenty-seven dead teenagers equalled a miracle. I don’t want to talk about it. I just wanna go home.

    The three of them walked away from the crowd, cameras flashing in Brittany’s eyes. Her hand became a shield for her face. Police stood guard, creating a path through the reporters. An officer yelled, Come on, keep your distance. The poor lass’s distraught.

    A reporter asked, How did you survive the crash?

    Mum said, It’s a miracle. We’ll leave it at that.

    Brittany’s stomach sank, opening her car door, the backseat cold as a freezer. When Mum sat down, Brittany said, It wasn’t, you know.

    Dad frowned from his seat. What wasn’t, darling?

    It wasn’t a miracle. Miracles don’t kill people.

    Well put, said Dad, and Brittany smiled. It felt cringey, smiling at a time like this. He said, Have you got your phone? We can put ‘your’ music on today, after what you’ve been through. It’ll make you feel better?

    She shook her head. I don’t feel like feeling better.

    They drove home in silence.

    CHAPTER 2: SUMMONED

    Outside her window, the lamppost glared, the only light in her bedroom. She clicked like on Kenny’s final status:

    ‘I bit a dog and it tasted like bark.’

    184 likes and 497 comments delivered their respect. In his profile picture, he clamped his tongue between his lips, eyes bulged. She laughed. If she recalled correctly, that’s the only time he’d ever made her laugh. Six hours ago, he’d wrote the status, just before he got on the bus.

    She couldn’t think of a good enough comment. ‘RIP’ just didn’t sound right. They should’ve all been partying in heaven, not resting in peace.

    Ping went her phone, a message from Kelly: ‘You comin out?"

    18:45, still early. Brittany said, ‘Sure. Where r u?’

    ‘Me, those two lads and Dania can come and pick you up?’

    ‘Ok. C u soon’, she sent back.

    She left her room and walked downstairs, the open plan bannister allowing a full view of Dad on the sofa, watching footy. Socks slipping on the laminate floor, she walked over to him. Mum rushed through the kitchen door, bumping Brittany. She’d have fallen if Mum hadn’t grabbed her arms.

    Darling, sorry. I thought you’d gone out. You haven’t been down for your tea.

    Through the door, on the kitchen counter, spaghetti filled her plate, bits of hair covered in blood complete with meatball brains. She kept her mouth closed, trying to hide her retch but it was impossible.

    Dad said, I don’t care what you eat, but at least eat something before bedtime.

    We don’t want you making yourself poorly, said Mum. You should be out with your friends.

    Brittany said, That’s what I wanted to ask. They’re coming ‘round for me. Is it okay if I go?

    Mum pulled her own coat on, over the nurse uniform, white material contrasting her chocolate milk skin. Of course it’s okay. I’ll see you in the morning. I’m off to work. She kissed Brittany’s forehead.

    Dad said, Are you sure you don’t wanna take the night off? I’m sure Pete’ll understand.

    They’re already short staffed as it is, said Mum. I wanna be busy and not keep thinking about everything all the time. Some of those parents’ faces! She puffed, then kissed Dad on the lips. Bye, honey.

    Have fun, he said as Mom exited.

    Brittany sat next to Dad, the sofa sponge pulling her in. Ping, her phone went. Instead of telling her to go and play with her phone upstairs, Dad tilted his head and smiled, eyes never leaving the telly.

    Kelly again: ‘Maybe u can perform more miracles on us lol.’

    ‘Yeah lol.’ She hadn’t tried doing any more magic, yet. Something might’ve gone wrong. She didn’t even know where the magic came from in the first place. How could she trust it!

    Ping. ‘We’re here.’

    She leant over and kissed her dad on the cheek, sandy bristles against her lip gloss.

    What was that for, you big softy?

    I don’t know, she said. I felt like letting you know I love you.

    He smiled, smoky yellow teeth reflecting the telly. I love you too, sweetheart. It doesn’t sound right coming from me, does it? Lol.

    Tittering, she said, I liked hearing it. She walked to the door and slipped her black shoes on. And you’re not supposed to actually say, ‘lol’.

    Lol.

    Anyway, I’m going out. Back by eleven?

    On the dot, he said.

    Yes! She was sick of coming home an hour before her friends. Hopefully this wasn’t a one off. She slipped into her coat, fastened the three black buttons, and walked to the door, attacked by chilling wind the second she left the threshold. Her group of friends waited for her at the end of the street.

    Dania said, Are you alright?

    I’m as alright as I can be, said Brittany, after what happened. What have we got planned? Anything interesting?

    Not really, said Lance. We’re gonna chill out near the park, if no one’s there. I just thought it’d be good, you know. Being with other people who know what we’re going through.

    Five pairs of feet echoed through the town, house windows dim. So quiet, if Brittany’d spoken, everyone on the street would have heard her through the walls.

    They neared the edge of the last house. Sat on the other end of the dirt path, leading to a river, the rusty park glowed pure white, spotlights shining on all sides.

    Max rubbed his arms and grimaced. It’s like walking through a fucking ghost town.

    Innit, said Dania. It’s been on the news. Loads of people are camping out on the crash site. I feel a bit like going there myself, to be honest. Pay my respects.

    Max shook his head. That’s what funerals are for. I can’t think I can deal with seeing that wreck again.

    Same, said Brittany. I’ve just been on Facebook, liking everyone’s last statuses.

    Lance became a white smile within a dark shadow. I noticed. I’ve been doing the same. Thanks for accepting my friend request, by the way. Even if it took two years.

    Well, she said, it’s ‘cause you’re always winding me up when I’m annoyed at people.

    But it’s easy. And it’s funny as fuck, seeing you tell someone off. The looks on their faces, though.

    Everyone else was laughing, and Brittany’s straight face lasted less than a second before she joined, louder than all.

    Ah, said Kelly, it’s good to know we can still do this. She could hardly get words out: We haven’t broken funny bones.

    A giggling fit took over the group, Dania snorting, Brittany’s ribs about to crack open. If someone saw them stumbling through those park gates like a troupe of clowns, they’d’ve thought them stoned.

    Sitting down underneath the slide, Brittany sighed and got her breath back, rubbing the last tear away. Kelly said, No word of a lie: that light you cast was ten times brighter than these four combined.

    Innit, said Dania. Maybe it’s your inner white girl wanting to come out. Anyway, have you tried doing anything, since?

    No. The only way I know how to activate it’s with your blood. That’s what I remember. I tasted your blood, and then it happened. Everyone but her stared at the floor. Hopefully, her being frank like that’d stop them asking more questions about it.

    Lance said, What if you can do other things? You should try floating one of these pebbles.

    No, I don’t want to. What if it’s dangerous and someone gets hurt! Or I could tear a hole in reality or something. I’m not joking, Dania.

    Sorry, said Dania. Tearing a hole in reality sounds a bit far-fetched.

    So does floating pebbles, said Brittany. And if my magic’s real, what else is real? I might attract monsters or something, to come and eat my powers. Shurrup, Dania!

    I dare you, said Lance. I’ll make you a deal, yeah? If you can move one of them pebbles with your mind, I’ll stop winding you up in school.

    It’s… not as if there’s anyone left to wind me up over.

    Kelly said, You know you’re gonna try it at some point. Would you rather try it alone, or with us to help if something goes wrong?

    I don’t know. She massaged her head. Fine, I’ll give it one try, and that’s it.

    Get in, said Max. Brittany, Brittany…

    Shurrup, Max. The whole town’ll hear you.

    I’m just excited. It’ll be awesome to see something cool, take all us minds of things.

    True, said Brittany. Okay, everyone be quiet. She focused on the shiny pebble in the middle, telling it to rise up.

    Dania said, Move your hands like you’re casting a spell, innit.

    Brittany flicked her wrist up and the pebble stayed still, yet the ones around it floated, flies suspended mid-flight. Mouth ajar, she rose to her feet.

    Wow, said Max, you actually did it.

    I only meant to do one.

    Kelly said, Stop panicking. See if you can make them fall back down again.

    She raised both hands and dropped them, hoping the stones would fall. Rrrip, a sound in front of her, a purple glow consuming the pebbles, spreading into a glimmering line. Shit. What have I done?

    A shriek of agony blasted from the thin line. Brittany’s friends jumped to their feet, all huddled. Lance said, Can you make it disappear?

    I don’t know, she said. What if I make things worse!

    Charcoal claws gripped through the purple, ripping it open, a monster trying to get in.

    Lace shouted, Run!

    Brittany sprinted towards the fence, a boom rocketing her off her feet, twisting her ankle. She and her friends cowered on the floor, a pair of red eyes staring at them from where the purple line use to be. The creature wore a crown of fangs, purple juice dripping down its slender frame. Gravelled breaths slid through the creatures jagged teeth. Liar, it said, glaring at Brittany. Her.

    No, she said. I haven’t told any lies. I didn’t mean to bring you here. I’m sorry.

    Liar! Froth congregated on its snarl. Herrr! It dipped to all fours, a rabid lion bounding at Brittany.

    Lance soccer kicked its stomach, throwing it onto its back. Spotlights shone upon it, highlighting the oozing gashes all over its convulsing, child-like frame. An inch of intestine poked through the hole in its side.

    Dania said, It looks hurt.

    Liar! It coughed a glob of purple onto its chest. Please liar her!

    Kelly’s buried her face sobbing. Please, someone put it out of its misery.

    Max strode forward and lifted one foot. The creature grabbed his other ankle, but crush, too late. His trainer indented the centre of the creature’s skull. Holy shit! He fell away from the creature and retched.

    The dew in Lance’s

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