AB
4 min read
Once there were three witch sisters. They had been in brought up their entire lives being told that they would become the greatest witches in the kingdom, provding potions and herbal treatments as doctors or giving psychic readings to help guide the citizens of the realm.
One spring day Millie, the youngest sister, decided this would be a boring career path.
“That doesn’t make sense,” the oldest sister told Millie as she revealed her feelings. “We’ve been training our entire life to become witches.”
“You’ve been training,” Millie replied, “I’ve only been doing it for six years.”
“What else would you even do,” the middle sister said, “we know nothing else.”
“I don’t know,” Millie said with a pause. “But I’m going to decide it for myself.” She embarked on her mission to decide her own future, whatever it may be.
Before long she came upon an frail old woman begging in the streets. “Spare any change, dearie,” the woman asked.
“I’m sorry,” Millie told her. “I’m on my own, I don’t even have any bread crumbs to give. I promise not to forget you though, I’ll come back and help however I can in the future.”
“That’s nice of you,” the old lady said. “I expect great things with an attitude like that.” She didn’t really expect the girl to follow through with her promise, but did mean the second part.
Millie continued her journey, eventually coming to a massive castle in a wealthy nation. “Baseball Team Signups Today - Apply Inside,” a sign outside the gate read. Millie had played softball before, how different could this be? She went inside.
The coach was a half-giant, standing nearly fifteen feet tall and emanating an intimidating aura. “Hello there little one,” she bellowed, “you here to sign up for the team as well?”
Millie nodded.
“Please line up over there,” she said and pointed at a large crowd. Millie walked over and got behind the crowd.
“I’m Bella,” a girl greeted as she approached.
“I’m Millie, can I hang out with you?”
“Of course,” Bella replied. “I think we’ve got a good chance if we stick together.”
The tryouts went well and the two held their own, Millie and Bella were the only two girls on the team.
Common hobby discovered, the duo became the best of friends. They went through school together, playing baseball alongside each other and growing up. They eventually graduated and earned full-ride scholarships for their prowess. Of course, they went to college together.
Millie and Bella each got jobs on the side of their studies and playing. Instead of keeping the earnings for themselves, they returned to the old woman and used it to help support her in her age.
“I knew you’d do great things,” the woman said with tears in her eyes. “Thank you, dearies.”
“No, thank you,” Millie replied with a big hug, “for believing.”
The baseball team won every game that year, earning their way to the College World Series. The coach praised them every step of the way, “You’re amazing team! That trophy is as good as ours, keep up the good work.” They did keep up the good work, working all the way to the final match against the Buxserry Bees.
But the team was losing steam and hope was drawing thin. One more strike and the other team would take home the trophy. Bella was already on third base shouting support, Millie just had to get her to home plate and tie the game. Trying for a home-run to win would be too risky.
Their family and friends cheered from the stands. “You can do this,” the eldest shouted. “We know you can,” the other sister added. The old woman remained quiet and watched.
Millie stepped up to the plate, the stadium’s roar surrounding her and filled her with energy. The team’s primary color, blue, was everywhere around her. She raised the bat.
The ball flew from the pitcher, she swung and missed. “Strike one,” the catcher called.
“It’s just one,” the coach reassured, “you’ve still got more chances.”
The ball came again and Millie swung a fraction of a second too late. “Strike two,” the catcher called.
The stadium was quiet. The coach watched with a glimmer of hopeful anticipation and the old woman prayed in silence. The cup depended on this, victory or defeat rested on the balance of this swing. Millie took her stance.
The pitcher drew back and sprung forward, launching the ball. All at once it was as if time had slowed down, Millie could feel the perfect time to hit the ball.
Millie strained her muscles in a powerful swing. Her arms pulled forward to meet the incoming baseball and the bat squirmed free from her hand, flapping into the night.
Originally posted on /r/WritingPrompts SEUS thread