Trying to Fly

By S. F. Peterson

Areabella turns fifteen soon, and her parents tell her bad news the night before her coming birthday. They tell her, she has a curse, and it has been put on her by her aunt, who is an evil sorceress. This scares her, and she tells her friend. They want to figure this out together. What will the curse bring, and will Areabella be okay?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. F. Peterson
• Release date: Dec 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223054870

Book preview

I give a warm thanks to every person listed below.

EDITORS AND GUIDES:

Matt Myers

Aaron Burkholder

Brooke Vitale

Mark Gottlieb

David Bamford

Fiona Kenshole

Jennifer Rees

Sam

Angi

Ting

Aunt Mia

COVER ART:

Dave O’Connell at Band of Artists

Chapter One

A Long Time Coming or What?!

AREABELLA LIVED IN a mansion on a hill, in the most outdated town in the world—it had to be the only place where swords were used instead of wands because the use of magic was actually illegal. There were no pumpkins that walked, no tree trolls that grew bark instead of skin, no gnomes that cried sugar tears instead of salty ones, and no sap pies that changed flavor with every bite (because only fairies knew how to make those). Before Areabella was born, there were talking trees nearby, but they had long uprooted themselves and walked out of this mundane place. Now there were only boring sandwiches and school subjects like home economics, where she learned how to make the dull bread for the boring sandwiches. The thought of it created a frown line that stretched across her forehead.

Areabella, the familiar voice of the maid said while knocking at her door.

Coming! Areabella replied. She wore a beige sundress that flowed down past her knees. On the way to the door, she raised her feet up on her toes to avoid plates with crusty pieces of old food as she walked past her disheveled bed. The rug of her floor could barely be seen as it was strewn with a layer of dirty clothes. When the maid entered, Areabella didn’t even give her a wave of a hand or a nod before she headed down the stairs where she heard talking.

Edgar, are you sure about this?

Edna, it has to be now. If not now, then when? We have waited too long as it is.

When what? Areabella leisurely strode into the parlor and they both looked at her with faces of worry, but she had gotten used to this. Ever since they began planning her fifteenth birthday, they would stare at her like she was about to hatch a pair of twin dragon eggs from her mouth. Is this about my birthday again? I am just inviting a few friends, it’s not a big deal.

Her father nodded. Yes, my dear, but it is not quite all about that. My sister—there is something your mom and I need to tell you.

Is she coming to my party?

Absolutely not! Her mother’s voice was irritated. We are only discussing her because we have to.

Edgar shifted his body in his seat. My sister, the words came out of him again with more disdain than before, is a no-good—

Areabella interrupted his predictable sentence. Yes, my aunt is a no-good, evil sorceress. I got it.

Some things take time to say, dear.