One Wish, One Choice Read online

  Abby Hope Patrick

  One Wish, One Choice

  First published by 10XB Publishing 2020

  Copyright © 2020 by Abby Hope Patrick

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Abby Hope Patrick asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  First edition

  This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

  Find out more at reedsy.com

  To everyone who asked how the book was going and

  supported me through the writing process

  Contents

  I. THE WISH

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  II. THE CHOICE

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Epilogue

  Book Two - 2021

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  I

  The Wish

  Chapter One

  “Bloody hell, it’s cold,” Anja muttered to the deserted street around her, shoving her numb hands into her pockets.

  The early morning breeze bit her exposed skin. She wondered about the odds of losing a few fingers to the weather before she was able to make it back. Halfway through calculating she stopped, deciding that it was best not to know. She’d gone out early to clear her head, not fill it with more worry. With her thoughts calmed, she let herself enjoy the silence around her.

  Her home town gave the impression of being abandoned. Houses and shops were packed together, too many residents, too little space.

  Anja rounded a corner. As her gaze shifted to the buildings around her, she realised she’d taken a wrong turn. She swore under her breath. This was not a good part of Kettleton to be wandering alone, especially with a thick fog slowly creeping its way through the streets.

  She began to turn back when she heard a muffled thud coming from a street to her left. This time, like so many others, curiosity got the better of her and she headed off towards the source of the sound. The blanket of fog around her made every step she took slower and more cautious. Her inability to see was increasing her worry. Anja was moving forward blindly.

  A strangled cry broke the silence. Then she heard a gruff shout from the same spot.

  This is not going to end well.

  She wasn’t completely certain where the noise had come from, but she tried to find the source by moving off of the road and taking a route that ran alongside the river. She began running faster as she approached the railings that guarded the river. A sense of urgency consumed her.

  The cold, damp air whipped her face. She was running alongside the river’s edge when, through the haze, she was able to distinguish movement. Anja could make out the silhouettes of three men.

  She halted, her heart hammering in her chest, as she took in the scene in front of her. A man was hunched over the railings with two men standing either side of him. The two men were violently pushing the first over the rails and into the icy water below.

  She had a split second to decide what to do. A part of her was screaming, “Run!” The other shouting, “Fight!”

  Even though she knew it was stupid and reckless she rushed forward. Just as she was about to run into the men her rational thoughts kicked in. What the hell do you think you’re doing? You don’t know how to fight!

  But it was too late to listen. And way too late to start thinking rationally.

  She crashed into one of the attackers, knocking him to the ground. Her shoes kicked up gravel as they skidded, trying to find grip.

  The second attacker spun around, releasing the man’s wrist. It only took a glance at the man being attacked to see that he was older than she’d first realised, with skin covered in wrinkles.

  The thug who was still standing, lunged towards her with his arm outstretched, in his fingers he was clutching a jagged knife. The blade burned her skin as it scraped a deep cut along her shoulder. Warm blood began gushing from the wound. He took a step forward. This time Anja managed to dodge the second swing but her foot slid out from under her and she fell.

  The other attacker was on his feet again and had returned to the old man while his comrade dealt with Anja.

  I will not scream. If I’m going down then I’m going to do it with whatever dignity I have left.

  The thug stood over her, his cheek was bleeding and there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. The bloody knife shook in his hand.

  His grip tightened on the blade and he moved to plunge it into Anja’s stomach. “Fuck… you!” she panted. She kicked him hard in the knee cap and he buckled over.

  Anja knew she had to get the knife away from him.

  She only had seconds.

  Without thinking, she reached up and with her right hand grasped the knife, trying to get a grip on the handle but she missed. The blade tore through her skin.

  She placed another kick a bit higher than the last one causing the thug to cry out. This gave her a chance to rip the knife from him and spin it around in her unwounded hand.

  He recovered quickly but Anja was quicker. She plunged the jagged knife into his leg. She felt the muscle tear and the blade find bone. He let out a blood-curdling scream as he stared down at the knife protruding from his thigh. He collapsed backwards, onto the gravel, his whole body shaking in pain.

  Her breath caught in her throat.

  She looked away from the nightmarish sight and back towards the second thug who had the old man on the ground, pinning his arms down. He leant forward and spat in the old man’s face.

  The thug’s calloused hand found the fallen knife beside him.

  Anja scrambled on the ground. The rock she picked up was sharp, a heavy weight to hold.

  The old man was struggling against the attacker, but it was clear who would win this fight.

  Anja’s feet struggled to find grip on the ground as she charged forward, her mind trying desperately to keep up with her body. Her arm burned as she swung it back, building momentum before slamming the rock into the back of his head. The impact shuddered up her arm as a loud crunch split the air. Warm blood sprayed across her skin and dripped sluggishly from the rock.

  Both the thugs were slowly backing away from Anja, whimpering and muttering about what they should do next.

  She took the opportunity to help the old man to his feet.

  “You need to run.” Her voice trembled.

  He just shook his head in reply, his eyes finding hers.

  She tried again, “You need to go now! I can
try to hold them off. Go find help.”

  Again, he shook his head.

  “Why won’t you run?” She shouted at him, desperate for him to listen.

  He shut his eyes tight. His face relaxed as he took a deep breath in. When his eyes opened Anja was so startled that she screamed. She immediately clasped her hand over her mouth to stifle the sound.

  The old man’s eyes were glowing.

  Actually glowing!

  She staggered away from him.

  “You’re a Sorcerer,” Anja breathed, her voice shaking.

  He whispered in a cracked voice, “Running is for cowards, child, and I am no coward.”

  The world turned to light. The air. The ground.

  The thugs took several steps backwards, visibly shaking and exchanging looks.

  The old man raised his hands, the light moved across his fingertips, snaking its way down from his eyes. The air blazed with power. Everything Anja saw was distorted by waves of light. They came from nowhere but seemed to be everywhere at the same time. The light raced towards the thugs and surrounded their bodies.

  The old man stood there, his hands moving slowly in front of him as he watched with his glowing eyes as the thugs stumbled backwards, trying to get away. One collided with the railing and toppled into the river below. The second turned and limped away, screaming in a croaked, pained voice. His hands clawing at the air in front of him, his leg dragging behind him.

  The old man now had his hands directed at Anja, the white light skipping towards her. It ran across her body, bringing warmth everywhere it touched. She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. Her heart slowed, maybe it had even given out. She was so confused that even that was a possibility. Her surroundings were blurring into the white light.

  All of a sudden the pain coursing through her shoulder faded. Her head snapped to the side staring at where the deep gash had been a moment before. It was completely gone, the only indication it had ever been there in the first place was the rip in her clothes.

  The world began to move, her surroundings fading in and out of focus.

  And then she fainted.

  * * *

  When Anja regained consciousness the white light had faded completely.

  The old man’s shadow cast her in shade from the rising sun. Her head throbbed. She squeezed her eyes shut, groaning from the pain in her head.

  “You’ll be fine, child. Don’t be dramatic.”

  “What happened?” She pushed herself up from the ground. Memories crashed back into her foggy thoughts.

  “My cuts, they’re gone!”

  Anja scrambled backwards, away from the Sorcerer standing in front of her.

  The old man chuckled as he stepped away to look down at the river below. Anja didn’t move to join him. She already knew that both thugs were gone, one taken by the water and the other by fear.

  She didn’t try to hide the tremor in her voice as she spoke, “What happened to my cuts?” Please, don’t let this be happening…

  The old man looked at her, a glint in his eyes. “If you have a brain in your head then I think you already know.” He leaned down against the railings with his back to the water. A mischievous grin appeared on his face, “Magic took them.”

  The sharp gravel dug into her hands as she shuffled next to him.

  Anja found herself staring.

  “You’re not allowed to use magic.”

  Something sad clouded his friendly eyes. “I will face the consequences another time.”

  “But the consequence is death.”

  “Thanks for the reminder, child.” That shut her up. “These powers were gifted to me. I will use them when and how I wish. They tell you we’re to be feared because humans are easier to control when they’re scared. But I am not afraid.” His eyes hardened.

  Anja just stared.

  After a long silence, the old man spoke, “Thank you for saving me.”

  “Well if I’d known you could do that,” she gestured to where the light had shone only minutes earlier, “then I would have just let you take care of them yourself.”

  “No matter how strong we are, the help of others is always needed. Those men found me after I had fallen and grazed my hand on this silly gravel. I was using my powers to heal myself. When they saw me all humanity left them. I didn’t have a chance to draw my power forward before they grabbed me. Without you, I would be dead.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace.

  Anja jumped back.

  “Sit still. I’m not going to hurt you.” His hand was shaking as he extended it out towards her. “Take it.” He pressed a small necklace into her blood-smeared palm. A single pearl hung from the thin, silver chain. “You saved my life. If you make a habit of rushing into dangerous situations, this might end up saving yours.”

  “What is it?”

  “A necklace, I thought that was obvious.” He chuckled but didn’t say anything more. Now she was certain that he was crazy. But because she didn’t want to hurt the old man’s feelings, she placed the necklace around her neck, aware of a calming warmth radiating from the pearl. She muttered her thanks.

  “Speak up child, my ears may be big but they don’t do much.”

  “Thank you.” She pushed herself up from the ground and extended a hand out towards him. He waved her off, using the same hand to push himself up while carefully concealing the other in his pocket. He grimaced slightly as he did so.

  Dirt coated her jeans and she bent to brush it off. When she was done, she glanced up to see the old man hobbling away.

  Anja watched him disappear around a corner. As soon as she lost sight of him, she began to run.

  She kept repeating the same questions over and over again in her head, but never with any answers. The urge to talk to someone drove her forward. Her heavy breathing cut through the silence of the street. A dog walker stared at her as she raced by.

  I’d just wanted a quiet walk!

  When she finally approached the high walls of the rundown orphanage that she called home, she knew that sharing what had just happened wasn’t an option. She’d heard stories of people who supported Sorcerers and the punishments they received.

  And Anja hadn’t just aided a Sorcerer, she’d saved one.

  Chapter Two

  Anja twisted the door handle, practically throwing herself into the room. She crashed down onto her bed, found the edge of her covers and stretched them over herself in an attempt to shut out the swarm of thoughts surrounding her.

  Her breath caught in her chest. Her mind refused to let her forget what had just happened. If she thought about it she could still feel the way that the gravel had felt against her palms. She stared up at the cracked ceiling, breathing hard.

  I risked my life for a total stranger in exchange for an old necklace. I have officially lost my mind.

  She clutched the necklace in her palm, making a fist around it. How can this necklace possibly help me? She knew she should throw it away or at least hide it, but she couldn’t bring herself to do either.

  She glanced at the clock in her room. She had almost missed breakfast. Groaning, Anja dragged herself out of bed, leaving the comfort and security of the covers behind. She changed into one of her many black hoodies and paired it with some old jeans, shoving her tangled hair into a ponytail. As she left the room she tossed her clothes from earlier into a bag, then shoved it under the bed. She’d have to ask Mrs Dorsin how to get the blood out later–right after she figured out how to phrase the question without sounding like a murderer.

  * * *

  Anja held in a curse, sharply pulling away from the table she’d just scraped her hip against. As she weaved her way through the dining hall she took extra care to dodge the long, thin tables that were spaced out unevenly around the room. Everyone who lived in the orphanage had at one point or another been forced to clean gum from the bottom of them, but new gum would replace the old a few days later. Kids moved up and out of the orphanage but the gum
always remained.

  Anja made her way through the random mess of tables to the serving area. Today’s servers were a group of young teenage boys who had extra chores this week because they’d broken curfew. They weren’t taking their punishment very seriously, considering that they were enjoying a silent food fight behind the serving counter. Gloopy porridge was splattered all over the kitchen surfaces.

  As she walked past to collect her dollop of porridge she gave a pointed look towards the doorway where Mrs Dorsin was standing, glaring at them, her chubby arms tightly folded. Anja suppressed a laugh as the group of teenagers hurriedly began cleaning up the mess.

  She found an empty table in the far back corner. She just hoped that it would remain empty for the duration of her meal.

  Since getting the job in Okland she had been constantly bombarded with questions left and right about what she was planning to do once she moved. It was a question Anja didn’t know the whole answer to. She understood that she would be working for the Cyber Security Directorate, on an IT internship, but she wouldn’t know the details until she got there.

  For years she had studied for her exams while also finding the time to get lost in writing complex code. Despite living in a poor area, she had been encouraged by her teachers to pursue being a programmer. After years of work and lots of waiting she had been hired and everything had changed. The government employed gifted interns as a cheap way to make sure their secrets were protected and Anja’s coding skills dominated all the other candidates. The job required her to move to Okland, the capital of Ransmor. But to work for the government you had to be an adult, which meant when Anja had been hired, she couldn’t start the job straight away.

  The thought of leaving her brother, Rufus, behind was what had kept her awake since getting the job. No matter what happened she knew she needed to keep going and that started with wiping away the unwanted tears from her eyes and focusing on finishing her meal without falling apart.

  She scraped her leftover porridge into the bin and made her way back up to her room, preparing herself for the daunting task of getting the tangles out of her hair.