MAGICAL REALISM

24 Hours to Change My Life

LADYBUG — Competition winner for Lime Castle fiction writing challenge…

Here I lie on my deathbed, glancing at the ladybug ring. It’s positioned on my pinky. But when I first received it the band fitted perfectly on the middle finger of my right hand.

I’ve lived a happy life. The ladybug made that possible. Waiting to see my relatives, I look back to the fateful day when Great Aunt Martha gave me the ring.

“Mum, I don’t really know her.”

“Beth, she’s an old lady, would it hurt you to spend five minutes in her company? She asked to see the younger members of our family.”

“Really? Yesterday, Dad called her an old witch.”

“Nonsense. Remember, she may be old but has never forgotten your birthday.”

“You’re right. And she sends me really useful things.”

Great Aunt Martha called me over to her bedside and took my hand in hers.

“Beth. Life is full of challenges. Sometimes, we need help to tackle them. I want you to have this.”

She placed a ring in my hand and I swear as I slipped it on my finger the centre changed from gold to a very realistic, red-spotted ladybug.

Martha continued, “Wear the ladybug at all times; the ring is magic.”

“I don’t believe in that. But thanks, Auntie. It’s kind of you.” I was 13.

“You’ll never get through life without a little enchantment. The ring will help when you most need it.”

“Does it grant wishes?” I laughed.

“No. But it understands when to work its magic.”

A few days later, Martha finally passed. She was 93. And apparently enjoyed a good life.

Although I rarely thought about the ring, I wore it all the time, even when I was 14 and it didn’t really suit my image anymore — I preferred goth style snake rings.

Then, one dark Wednesday afternoon I walked out of school, newly baked muffins from cookery class in my bag, and turned down a side road.

A dirty white van was parked on the curb; I was squeezing between the wall and the side of the vehicle when the door slid open and a masked man pulled me inside, before jumping into the front seat and driving away. I saw two girls of a similar age crouched in the corner. Eyes wide. Scared. Tied up, mouths taped shut, and I knew if I didn’t act quickly that would be my fate.

My breathing quickened and instinctively I looked at the ladybug ring with tears smarting my eyes. It began to shine like a star. For a moment my body felt weightless, as if suspended, whereupon I woke up in bed — home, safe.

Thank goodness. Just a dreadful dream. However, when I went downstairs, Mum said, “don’t forget eggs and flour for your cookery lesson.”

“Mum, It’s Thursday today.”

“No, Beth — don’t be silly, it’s Wednesday.”

Mum was right.

Later, as I left school at dusk, I marvelled how the ring must have saved me — or had it all just been a nightmare?

I turned the corner to go down the side road when I saw the exact same van. Déjà vu. I paused. Just for a moment. Slightly bewildered.

I should have turned and gone home another way, but decided I was being silly, so continued on track. The door opened, and a masked man appeared, threw me into the back and drove away.

The same two girls stared back at me.

As the ladybug ring began to project a gold sheen, I realised its magic was to give me an extra 24 hours — to change my life!

I jumped out of bed and ran down to the kitchen, where Mum was gathering together flour and eggs for my cookery lesson.

Yes, Wednesday — again.

I skipped out of the door. Happy I wouldn’t be kidnapped a third time. I could go home a different route. I smiled to myself and quietly thanked my Aunt. But sitting through registration, I thought about those poor girls. Their scared eyes. Hands tied…

If I didn’t try to sort this out, what would their fate be?

I had no choice.

“Could I speak to an officer please?” I stood at the front desk of the local station, having left school at break.

A female constable led me through to a small room. I was savvy enough to know the truth wouldn’t be enough. If I started jabbering on about an enchanted ladybug they would think I was crazy.

“I saw this van. White. Suspicious. It parked up a side road and I swear I heard screaming coming from inside the vehicle.”

At first, they were cautious, so invited Mum to the station. She explained I was not in the habit of creating a scene.

That evening, the police took me out in a vehicle, and we spotted the van. The officers radioed two more cars, who swiftly blocked the road before the driver even had a chance to move.

The men were arrested and the girls taken to hospital.

A triumph. For a few days I was a heroine.

The police explained there was a sex-trafficking gang in the area. If it hadn’t been for Aunt Martha, my life would probably not have been worth living. It didn’t bear thinking about.

Now my days are numbered, it’s time to pass on the ring.

As the younger members of my family visit, I put my trust in the charm to tell me which will need it most.

After chatting with two of my great nieces, the tiny bug remains in my hand.

“Hello, Grandma. How are you today?”

“Jordan, lovely to see you,” the ladybug immediately gleams with a golden hue.

I explain all about the power of the ring, and Jordan replies, “Are you sure you want me to have it? After all, I am a boy.”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Jordan nonchalantly purses his lips, before giving me a cheeky smile, “I’ll tell you a secret Grandma, I think it will suit me very well.”

Inspired by the fact that an Aunt of mine gave me a ladybug ring when I was a child — Written for the Lime Castle Ladybug Challenge.

'24 Hours to Change My Life'- Original Fiction by May More

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