Benny at White Light

By J E Bonneau

The Institute of White Light Energy Theory or White Light is a magical boarding high school drawing it's student body from across the multiverse. In this multidimensional web of worlds The Family can trace their family tree back to when the sentient force of creation incarnated itself in the form of the first two people (who they call the Mother and Father) so that it might interact with the world it created. White Light is theirs but they will allow less powerful people access as long as they are interesting or at least unobtrusive. Benny is easily one, but never the other. When she insists on being very vocal with her opinions of right and wrong will she be expelled, killed. Or can her relentlessly entertaining personality and friends in the Family mean she will be humored or possibly listened to?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J E Bonneau
• Release date: Oct 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465852229

J E Bonneau

I'm loud and silly. I wear my heart on my sleeve and my spleen on my raincoat. I look like everyone else you know. (If we're going to have a successful revolution, we have to look like them.)I've been writing since I was nine. I finished my first book at seventeen and discovered fanfic in 11/2013, a discovery that gave my writing the incomparable boon of immediate fan feedback.

Book preview

Chapter One

Benny's head rocked back as her mother's backhanded slap connected. She tasted red. She smiled at her mother, blood trickling down her chin. Mom, how many times do you think you can hit me and still have me care if you hit me or not? Pain does not hurt me anymore. Too familiar I expect. It's the shame you're pushing on me that hurts. I didn't do anything wrong.

Her mother's mouth actually dropped with shock. She went purple and roared, Nothing wrong? You nasty little slut! You disgusting little witch demon! You Dirty! Sinful! Pervert! You brought shame upon this house and this family. How's Florene supposed to go back to that school, where everyone knows what her big sister is? How is she supposed to live through the next few years not knowing if you infected her? Mrs. Beauchamp screamed at her daughter.

It's not contagious Mom. Benny said. I'm not even gay. It was a little adolescent experimentation. It’s perfectly normal.

Her mother went to hit her again. Benny spit a mouthful of blood at her feet, and then smiled a big crimson streaked smile. Her mother put her hand down and shouted, Perfectly normal? Maybe on the seventh level of Hell, maybe even your Satanist friends would say it was normal. Why couldn't it have been one of them instead of Pastor Boone's daughter? I have to go back to that church you know

Oh Mom, I'm sure your little church friends will see you as just as much of a victim as poor Cindy Boone, the cunt-teasing bitch. Imagine saying I ensorcelled her for one kiss, when her tongue has been up half the snatch on the field hockey team? It's only half because we're only two months into the season, and she wants to give satisfactory service.

This time her mother did slap her again. For profanity, not because she thought Benny was lying. I will not have you using that sort of language in my house. Not on top of everything else.

We're not in the house, Ma. Benny pointed around them, than up to the house. We're in the driveway; you just couldn't wait to start having this little talk. I'd guess that you've been standing here waiting since you got the call I was suspended. Benny was shocked to see her mother blush at that. Beating your daughter in the driveway, for everyone in the neighborhood to see is no big deal. But waiting in the driveway twenty minutes for the privilege is embarrassing?

That is not important. Her mother said, quite seriously. You say Cindy Boone is the gay.

My words sounded much less archaic. And I don’t honestly know if she’s gay. I do know that she has a fetish about being used like a whore, and she has serviced at least a dozen girls I know of. But if I’m not mistaken, being used by people you aren’t sexually attracted to is part of the thrill for some of these types. Even under the circumstances, Benny found this a little amusing. She liked making her mother uncomfortable and showing that she was nothing like the daughter she wanted. Even if it was just knowing things her mother thought no 'good girl' would know. Benny herself truly believed in the old adage ‘knowledge is power’.

By now, Mrs. Beauchamp's 360-degree emotional reverse was in the final turn. So my daughter is victimized by this perverted predator. Has her reputation ruined and misses valuable education, and there's nothing I can do, just because this monster's father is a minister? Children do not share the sanctity of their parents. You're proof of that.

Thanks Mom. Benny smiled, her split lip opening again unnoticed. There's no hope of getting my name cleared. I'm openly bi-curious with an acknowledged antagonism toward the school and the church. I’ve been known to experiment with witchcraft. I tell people what I think of them. At the church school, every one of those is enough to cause problems by itself. Cindy is a good little sheep, minister's daughter. Let it go, I'll go to a different school. It doesn't matter. I don't care, I really don't.

You may not. Her mother replied, exasperated. But I don't think this family can weather another scandal. Not after what happened to Florene.

Benny rolled her eyes, Look, Puss is not responsible for her actions, the shrink said so himself. She got a little mad and killed her teacher's cat. It was a warning. Everyone knows it. She admits it. And that teacher is much more compassionate for it.

Chapter Two

Later, when school had actually let out for the day, Benny went down to make a phone call. Her mother was down the road pouring out her poison disappointment to her best friend Mrs. Kegel over a cup of tea, as white and weak as her ethnicity, and a surprising number of too sweet lemon snaps.

Benny knew she was safe for at least another hour before she need worry about her restriction to her room actually being enforced. Knowing this, she felt safe as she picked up the wall phone in the kitchen and placed a call, sitting on a black stool her mother used to reach the higher shelves. She dialed a number she'd known for six weeks, but had been very careful never to let anyone see her dial, a number that connected her with Cindy Boone's bedroom.

She'd last dialed the number that very morning. At two am, in the night quiet kitchen, she had had white-hot phone sex with Cindy. Telephone enhanced masturbation was the primary feature of their relationship to supplement the infrequent liaisons they had been able to sneak under the noses of four overprotective parents.

Hello, Cindy answered the phone.

Good afternoon, Cindy. That was an amusing prank you pulled today. Going to your father's office to claim I used my satanic powers to ensnare you as my lesbian love slave. Using demonic mind control, as well as threats that I would sic my evil minions on you. As you might suppose, my mother and I had quite a laugh over that little prank.

Hope she didn't hurt you too bad. Cindy said sounding bored.

No you don't. You don't care. Benny said.

Of course I don't care. Cindy replied, now sounding exasperated as well. Why would I care?

Benny put on her best quavery breathless voice, Oh Benny that was incredible. I love you so much. Oh my Goddess, my love for you surpasses every emotion I've ever felt for anyone. Your touch electrifies my love for you and makes me burn with passion. Benny took a breath and continued in her normal voice, You once sent me a note with, 'I love you' 153 times in it. You lying little bitch beast. How could you be such a backstabbing cunt?

That's it princess. How much would you have fucked me if I'd said, 'I am consumed with a mix of contempt and lust when I see you walking through the hall in your little uniform. Now lift your skirt and let my fingers find the way'? Not very much, I expect. I said what I had to to get what I wanted.

Benny was shocked, But you said you loved me just this morning.

She could hear the smile in Cindy's voice, Yes. By then I knew that I was gonna throw you to my dad to get him off my case. However, I wanted one last cum out of you. You give the best phone I've ever had. Could you honestly expect me to give that up without trying for one last good release?

Why did you give me up to him at all then, if I'm so good? Benny was just curious now, nothing could turn her mind back to the affection she once felt. She was already planning her revenge. You could have just as easily offered up one of your others.

None of the others is a satanic witch. Cindy said as if pointing out the obvious.

Nor am I. Said Benny, And look at Mary Grace, she has been expelled from two schools for assaulting girls who rebuffed her advances No one would have questioned if you'd thrown her to the wolves, just claiming she threatened you into it.

Mary Grace is also dumb as a stump and completely loyal to me. She does not have your inconvenient independence. I know what she's going to do. How would I know I could trust you if I didn't turn on you first?

Because, Benny said, I would rather cut out my own tongue than tell any of those fascist freaks anything. Now I find myself in the position to turn over letters in which you wax poetic about not only your love for me but also how much you like being used by the girl's football team like a cheap tart. Moreover, a documented and surprisingly detailed and dated list answering my question 'how long have you been doing this?' I have to assume that your father would like to see those.

The ones from the tackle box you keep such things in, hidden inside the vent in your bedroom ceiling? Cindy asked with false innocence and Benny's heart sank. The tackle box your dear accommodating mother turned over to my father this morning even before you knew they were 'onto you'? The same tackle box that I stole from my father's office, and am looking at right now as I speak to you? Are those letters the ones you speak of?

Benny just hung up the phone. The conversation was getting her nowhere, but she had methods of her own. They claimed she was a satanic witch, but there were spirits older and darker than Satan.

Chapter Three

Benny spent the afternoon and evening preparing for the most ambitious spell work she had attempted to date. Not that she had any worries about success, she had a considerable amount of theory under her belt and had done smaller works hundreds of times. This was just a grander scale. As she worked to prepare herself and her room, she was struck thinking about her magic friends. In this age of science, magic was the last refuge for those who had nowhere else to turn. Yet it worked surprisingly well for the mocked and reviled final tool of the desperate.

Her initial preparations complete, she went down to her father’s study to give him the opportunity to vent his displeasure on her body as her mother had, but with less talking and more hitting than his wife. He left her there, beaten and bleeding, and when she had the strength she made her way to her bedroom. Where she lay on her bed for about an hour, using what she knew of magic to heal what she could and block out what she couldn't, she had work to do. When she felt up to it, she took a sugar dispenser with a funnel lid from under her bed. She had filled it with sacred salt dedicated to Hecate, a witch's goddess, by the light of the full moon.

Benny began to draw a protective circle with the salt on her bedroom floor around her. As she drew she chanted, By Earth and Fire, Water and Air; I conjure powers to cleanse this ring. The circle forms, let all beware, through here shall pass no living thing. Inside all space and time suspend; from here shall nothing outward flee, nor inward come, the circle ends when task is done and I am free. As the circle was cast she could see a shimmering dome out of the corner of her eye and feel a faint humming deep in her bones.

First things first, she had to get even with poor little Miss Cindy Boone. Lord of Shadow, Baal darling, come to me and hear my plea. I ask you lord from humblest need, to take up my task this day. A smoggy brown shadow began to coagulate outside the circle. Fingers of smoke reach around, probing for a hole in her defenses. Dark spirit I entreat you to seek out a female of my acquaintance, Cindy Leah Boone. Visit upon her the righteous anger of a sorcerer wronged. Her condition when you are done is immaterial to me. So I ask that you take your payment from her flesh. When your task is done return to your lair in peace, seeking no other prey in this world. The smoke gave off an aura of assent. Then it flowed out her partially open window.

Now for Mums and Daddums, She whispered to herself. She began to focus her energy and build a cone of power over her; breathing rhythmically in through her nose out through her mouth. Rhythmic meditative breathing, focus, and a building chant. Io Pan, El Pan, Pan. Io Pangenitor, El Panphage. {Pan, God of Light; Pan, God of Water. Pan. Light, all creator, Water, all devourer.}

When she had a pillar of twisting golden light roping up through the ceiling and into the sky, she cast out aiming at her parents, sleeping down the hall. Since you deny me the approval all children seek, you shall have my pain tenfold. Let no child of yours ever make a single movement of which you approve. May every memory of us drive you to your knees, weak with disgust and regret. May you take our every success as a personal affront. Until our very names turn to poison in your mouth. Even then, may you never be free.

The light poured up and over, into her parents, until the energy of the circle itself was absorbed and the salt blew out in the backlash. Dust on her floor.

This spell, powered by her, wiped her out on its execution. Suddenly all the blocked pain was back, feeling older and less sharp, strong enough to add another dimension of difficulty to her weakened state. She lay on her floor trying to wrap her mind around a strategy for getting up for a few moments before struggling to her hands and knees and crawling slowly to her bed. With a mighty effort, she got herself up and onto her bed, her sanctuary. She fell into sleep like a dive into a pool of oblivion.

Chapter Four

She expected to awaken with a headache. It was the price you pay. She was surprised, but unconcerned by how bad it was. Her concern came from the fact that it felt like the bones of her head were shifting and rearranging.

She put on her robe determined not to let this little setback ruin what promised to be quite a crappy day. She did a quick little spell to help herself feel better. However, surprisingly it made it worse. She was hoping she hadn't burned herself out.

As she sat at the family table with her mother and sister trying to work her way through the bowl of oatmeal in front of her, Benny felt the pain in her head focus down to two stabbing points above her eyebrows.

She knew she was sweating from the pain; but discovered that was not all when the crimson drops began to fall off her cheeks like tears. Her hands shot up to feel two bony points poking out of her forehead. She squeaked in surprise then moaned from pain and fear.

Do you have a headache hon? Want an aspirin? Her mother asked, clueless.

Benny moaned in answer and her sister said. I think she's past aspirin.

Bob Beauchamp bellowed from the hallway, What's all the ruckus. I hear groaning. Jane did that little hell cat make you smack her again?

Benny's mom called out. Bob, Our Brunella had a headache and somehow she fell and hit her head! If she just would take this aspirin we could get this sorted out.

Take the aspirin! Bob commanded. You do whatever your mother tells you to. She knows best, and she's trying to help. He walked into the room. Benny didn't look up. She was rolling on the floor, holding her bleeding head and screaming. Take the damn aspirin. His voice was soft and dangerous with rage.

Florene could not let it go on. Father… Daddy, she can't hear you, she's hurting too bad. She doesn't have a headache; she's sprouting horns. Even with her hands up there, you can see they've broken through. There poking out of her head. She paused and continued. I don't know if it's God's punishment for associating with those witch kids. But her problem is not going to be solved by an aspirin.

Bob looked down at his younger daughter, paused judging her, then continuing to where his older daughter lay. He could not deny she had several inches of knobby black horn coming out of her forehead about an inch in front of each temple.

He lifted his daughter by the back of her robe. How dare you bring this filth into my house? You have felt God's punishment. Now you will feel my punishment.

Benny's face came up. The horns were about five inches long emerging from glossy black teardrops of bone at the base and curving up her head rather than straight out. They were probably all the way out, as she once again seemed coherent.

When her mouth opened, it was obvious her teeth were turning into fangs. Get your hands off me old man. You haven't spoken a civil word to me in two fuckin’ months. , since I said I didn't want to go to church anymore. She paused to get her breathing under control, and spit out some of the blood from her self-mangling gums. You said I could go to church or get out of your house. I went and kept my mouth shut. You won and still that ultimatum was the last thing you said to me- until yesterday when your fists and feet did most of the talking. Now you- you threaten me for something I can't control? I don't know what's happening to me but it seems likely it has something to do with the revival of magic. Another hurried breath and spit break. You know, 'Satan's minions come to earth to wreak vengeance on the holy in the end times.' Magic's back. I've got it. You suck. Fuck you. And I am out of here.

Chapter Five

She was a little shaky but under her own power when she went to her room to pack. Florene followed her. Benny stopped at the door and turned to face her sister. Remember, they tell you there are two types of people in the world; Christians and people who are going to hell. Even other Christians are going to hell. I see a pretty empty heaven, with just their brand of Christians walking around. Funny thing is, they're the chosen ones, the lucky ones. Yet the 'hellbound' don't persecute them. Don't tell them how to live. Abortion doctors don't kill fundamentalists. Just keep that in mind. She turned and entered her room. Puss put her back to the door ready to confront her father.

Bob, red with rage, came stomping down the hall to settle his issues with his daughter. Bob, please let her alone. She'll be gone in a few moments. Jane could be heard calling down the hall.

Daddy please, Puss pleaded. She was not much of a peacemaker; but she did not want her newly horned and fanged, possibly magical, sister to tear her father in half.

Not now old man. I'm leaving. Just keep your shorts on and you won't have to worry about seeing me again. Benny yelled through the door. Puss stared her father down for a moment before moving ever so slightly to the left so he could reach past her to the doorknob. When Benny heard his hand on the handle she yelled, I don't want to hurt you old man. She yelled, But if you come through that door I swear to- I swear to me I will.

He thought better of it and left the house all together. Florene came in and sat on her sister’s bed. Benny stopped packing and turned to her sister. Pussy, She began.

Disgusted by the commonality of their names Bob and Jane Beauchamp vowed to spare their children this annoyance and gave them the most unusual and coincidentally most unpleasant names they could find, prompting Florene and Brunella Beauchamp to try out new nicknames almost daily. Finally, by default, having to settle for the one most liked by her sister; in a lack of anything they actually liked. Brunella came to be called Benny by everyone but her parents. Florene was not even that lucky. At twelve, it had seemed that she was cursed to forever be Flo, which she barely found preferable to the original. Her first period came then and her ever crass sister changed it to Pussy Flo. This lasted two days before being shortened to Pussy or Puss.

(Not knowing its origins the parents were sometimes known to call her Puss.)

Why you crying Puss?

I don't want you to go. And you know I can't take the fighting. And, I don't know what's happening to you. Puss was always 'the pretty one' and no one who saw her crying; with her blonde ringlets askew, perfect creamy skin flushed, cupid's bow mouth turned down, could fail to be moved.

I don't know either, not for sure. However, the gossip's pretty clear. You remember The Invasion, right?

When the Imperials invaded they shot us up with electromags, which shorted out our technology. It was Flintstones for a week, nothing worked. Then the Imperials landed and set up an energy shield system so our stuff would work again. Those electromag waves are still bouncing around outside the shields so the rest of the world is still Flintstones I guess. The aliens chose Keral because it is a seat of social and economic power, they consider political power to be a threat to them, and so Washington is outta luck. Oh yeah, and all those electromags ended up reversing the poles, supposedly big deal that in reality seems to me to be pretty ho hum.

Benny smiled, Actually Puss, it's a pretty big deal. It's pretty much common knowledge in the real, non-thumper world that the reason for magic's revival was the pole reversal. One way science works and magic is psychic and coincidental. Reverse it and magic becomes commonplace and vulgar, and science, specifically chemistry and most branches of physics are little more than memories. Somehow, Imperial, what they call super-science is imperfectly blocking magic and making science possible. But outside those shields is not Flintstones, it's Xanth. Outside the Imperial Shield gasoline combustion, gunpowder, batteries, even the old vinegar and baking soda trick doesn't work anymore. Even inside, a simple spell, any spell, can disable a creation of science. The Imperial Mothership could be disabled by a simple color change spell, if we could just get up there.

Benny, come on. How do you know? I'm not at all sure I believe magic is real at all. You sound like mom, but just deluded about different things.

Benny swept her fingertips past her horns, opened her mouth to display her new fangs and wiggle her tongue, forked now at the end and over ten inches long. Then she held up her hands. Her fingertips were glowing faintly in the dim light coming through the drawn curtains. If magic's not real, Pussy dear, then what's up with me?

Something freaky is going on, that's obvious. But magic? I don't know. Are you really leaving home?

It's not really much of a home for me. I think my life is out there waiting for me now. Her mouth sounded somewhat full and the tip of her tongue extended on the sibilants. It certainly isn't here, looking like this, in their planned unofficially 'church members only' neighborhood. I need to get out in the real world. I don't think the old man liked me threatening him. I'll be fine, and I'll be back to check on you.

Puss looked thoughtful and distressed, "I don't like this. It makes me feel all confused. I don't like you and Dad fighting. I'm not sure I like Dad all that much at all anymore. When he gets like this I just want