Chapter Two – Into Darkness We Travel
Zelda guided Constance over to the chaise lounge as her abdominal spasms began to ease and reluctantly relaxed.
"How are you feeling?" asked Zelda, genuinely concerned
"Simply fantastic." Constance replied sarcastically
Zelda licked her dry lips and sat down in her chair behind the desk, "Do you believe that you should be here, and was Amelia correct to be concerned about you?"
Constance shifted and continued to glare at Zelda, she sighed, "Amelia has always felt the need to help a lost cause."
This admission piqued the interest of the young counsellor, "Do you see yourself as a lost cause?" interrupted Zelda
Constance impatiently closed her eyes, "Please…can you restrain yourself for just a moment." She complained, Constance detested being interrupted and even though the truth potion aided in her revelation to the counsellor, she was deeply disappointed in herself.
Zelda gestured for Constance to continue.
"No, I am not a lost cause! Amelia…tends to overreact and blow things way out of proportion, no doubt when she arranged this little meeting that she added a dramatic flair to her ramblings."
Zelda opened a notebook and glanced over the notes of a concerned headmistress regarding a member of her staff, "Okay, let's briefly forget about Amelia for the moment although I am sure that she is only looking after your best interests and the fact that she is your employer would suggest that she cares deeply for you like any strong professional relationship…I doubt that Amelia would want to lose you due to stress, burn-out and worse…a nervous breakdown."
The words from the younger woman had struck a nerve, Zelda was indeed right however Constance would never admit to that unless directed asked. It had been too long since someone took the time to notice and mother her although Constance would immediately push them away.
After all, Amelia was only looking after her secretly adopted daughter.
"It would seem that Amelia has taken you under her wing," observed Zelda, as she finished looking over her notes, "Can we move on and talk about your parents?"
Prior to any session, Zelda would have been granted access to her patients personal records from the archive, in order to get a sense of their background and be able to delve further into their past however the archive in the guild did not have any record of Miss Constance Hardbroom although some people who worked there did recognise the name and her profound reputation, still there was no strap of evidence to suggest that her records even existed.
"I am sure that reminiscing about my parents or upbringing has nothing to do with my current predicament." Snapped Constance as she attempted to resist the effects of the truth potion with no success
Zelda ignored her complaint, "Well, despite your opinion…it is mine which Amelia and the guild do care about and in order to fully understand you, I would like to start with the most obvious…at the beginning and that normally begins with your childhood and parents."
Constance folded her arms defensively across her chest and turned her attention towards the small window, the room grew awkwardly silent.
"Please, Constance…trust me!" she offered reassuringly, "What were your parents like when you were younger? No doubt, they are very proud of you."
She closed her eyes, secretly grateful that the counsellor was not gifted with the power of telepathy as her throat tightened involuntarily and she forced herself to breathe slowly. She would not have an emotional breakdown at the first hurdle.
"I have no idea how my parents feel…they are deceased and have been for a number of decades." She finally replied, her voice devoid of emotions
"Oh! I…apologies, I had no…no idea…" stuttered Zelda, scolding herself for making an obvious novice mistake
"I remember the sky…I looked up at saw the stars, tried to count them all," Constance paused and smiled at the memory, "An impossible task, I know that now…but I tried and felt tired, my mother smiled and gently brushed my hair away from my face."
Lawrence and Cynthia Hardbroom welcomed home their new born, miracle baby. They had all but given up the hope of ever having a child of their own and were beginning to seriously consider adopting a child if it mean filling the void that only a child could do, to complete their family but divine intervention and nine months later Constance Abigail Hardbroom arrived safely into the world.
Their family was now complete, each of them showering her with love and affection.
"And who do we have here?" asked Cynthia, "Are you a princess?"
Constance folded her arms crossly and stomped her foot, "No!" then gracefully twirled around, her features softened from the scowl and pranced around her mother, "I'm a ballerina." She announced
Cynthia and Lawrence glanced at each other and grinned wildly, ecstatic that their daughter had find a hobby, something other than reading. It was still hard to believe that not only did they have a child but said child was five years old and already making a name for herself, growing into her own personality. Constance bounded over to her father and sat on his lap, forcing him to put down the heavy book.
"I want to be a ballerina…can I be a ballerina when I grow up?"
"You can do whatever you want, the world is your oyster, sweetheart," he replied and kissed her forehead
"But, daddy…I don't like oysters…"
"Did you get the tickets?" demanded Constance with excitement that she could barely contain herself although judging from her mother's features, she was unable to tell if she was serious or just joking.
"The question should be…did you pass you class test?" replied Cynthia, as she hung her cloak in the cupboard
Constance gasped as if she was offended, "Of course, I passed the test…I studied all weekend now…did you get the tickets?"
Cynthia paused, "Hmm! I should probably speak to your father about this…"
"Dad!" shouted Constance
"Yes, my angels…" he muttered sarcastically as he entered the hallway and greeted his wife, "Who is terrorising who here?"
Constance pointed adamantly at her mother, "I pass that test with flying colours…did you get the tickets? Please…you said that…"
Cynthia leaned against her husband, "Should we? After all, her birthday isn't until next week…"
Lawrence nodded, "Well, it's not just any birthday…our little girl is growing up…you only turn thirteen once…"
Cynthia tutted, "You spoil her…you do know that!" she smiled and reached into her handbag, "As promised, three tickets for Swan Lake…."
Constance snatched the tickets from her mother's hand, convinced that they were an illusion until she had them in her own possession, "Oh, thank you….thank you, thank you."
The entire night at the theatre had been a magical night to remember as Constance sat in awe of the ballet production, completely hypnotized by the performers and did not want the night to end.
She sat in the back-seat of the car, as they drove through the rain of the bitter night, her head leaning against the seatbelt as her tired eyes looked out in the murky darkness of the night, the street lights blurred together and Constance finally fell asleep. Cynthia smiled at her daughter and pushed a strand of hair out from her face then admired her peaceful sleeping form, "Sweet dreams."
She turned to her husband, "Did you enjoy the show?"
He nodded, "Anything for my girls," he beamed proudly, "Although, Constance seemed to be captured by the entire show…maybe the next theatre show, we could make a night out of it…get dinner in town, I'm sure Constance would love to go see Sleeping Beauty."
"Aww! Aren't you sweet," whispered Cynthia, careful not to wake her daughter, "You're growing soft in you older years."
Lawrence pretended to be offended and was about to retort when a massive force struck the car, metal screeched and glass exploded and showered those in the vehicle.
Everything happened instantly, Lawrence was slumped over the buckled steering wheel, blood trickled down face, and Cynthia cried hysterically as she wrestled with her seat belt which refused to release her, she screamed more at the sight of blood that covered her hands. Constance remained secure in the back-seat, unconscious and oblivious to what had happened, her features paler than usual.
"Constance, Connie…it's okay, everything will be alright!" cried Cynthia, "Oh god! Oh God! Please…please, Connie…be okay…"
There was a stunned silence which filled the office, Zelda carefully observed Constance recount such an emotional and traumatising experience from her past and yet Constance remained distant, able to retain control of her posture and emotions.
"I…it was me…I killed them." Constance suddenly announced
Zelda shook her head adamantly, "Of course, it is not your fault! Your parent's death was a tragic accident."
"If I had not insisted that they take me to that damned ballet…they would not have been in the car and they would still be alive."
"You cannot possibly know that," trying to make Constance see sense, "You are not to blame for the accident, I can't imagine the burden that you have endured for all these years."
Constance chose to remain silent, remembering what little memories she had of her parents and the happiness she once had, it seemed like a lifetime ago.
"Why did I live? I should have died with them…not be spared this torment." She confessed
Zelda smiled warmly, "Don't you see? Constance, what you are experiencing and feeling is completely normal….it is a recognised condition often associated with post-traumatic stress…what you are describing is most commonly known as survivor's syndrome," she explained, "You are haunted by the guilt, that you should have taken along with your parents and not survived the accident…you are not alone! Hasn't anyone ever told you this?"
Constance shook her head, "No-one told me because I never told them."
Zelda made them both a much needed cup of tea and offered a cup and saucer to Constance, "Just tea, I promise."
"Tell me Constance, what happened after the accident…where did you go?"
Constance inspected the freshly made cup of tea and tentatively sipped it, "After the funeral, arrangements had been made although I do not remember much, everything was a blur….I felt numb…disconnected."
Constance stood by the fresh graveside of her parents headstones, everyone who attended had long since left and the clouds grew darker which seemed to perfectly mimic her mood. She knelled down and placed a two flowers, one for each of her parents and rested her head against the cool marble stone.
"Constance, it's time to go." Called a voice from behind her
Her parents left her and now it was her turn to leave her parents. She kissed the marble headstone and slowly stood, her legs trembled and reluctantly she made her way over to her aunt and uncle from her father's side of the family.
Oscar and Evangeline Hardbroom were a hard-working, childless couple who now found themselves entrusted with the responsibility of their teenage niece. Since the accident, Constance had reverted into her shell and would very often stay in her room which was a contrast to her old room, once filled with bright colours, drawings and ballet associated pictures from magazines and books, now lacked personality, colour and any trace of individuality.
Since, the death of her parents, Constance had suddenly grown up as her aunt and uncle worked long hours which left her alone in the creaky, old house. She had explored the house and compared it to that of the house she had once lived in.
"Constance," called Evangeline, "Can I speak with you?"
She nodded and closed the impressive sized book, her aunt sat on the bed beside Constance, "I know that me and your uncle have been busy with work, I'm sorry that we haven't been around more," she placed a hand onto her niece's shoulder, "I want you to know that…if you ever want to talk then…we'll be there to listen…"
"Thank you, aunt Evangeline…" whispered Constance
"Is there anything I can do for you?" she offered, secretly wanting her quiet niece to take the chance and talk to her
"There is something…my teacher thought I would like the opportunity."
Evangeline took the information leaflet from Constance, "College?"
Constance nodded eagerly, "It might be expensive...and you and Uncle Oscar might want to talk about it…"
Evangeline smiled sadly at her niece, "We'll speak about it and make inquiries…I'll leave you to your reading then…"
"What was life like with your aunt and uncle?" Zelda mentally prepared herself
"They both worked hard and supported my wish to go to college…as they were career driven, I spent many hours alone in solitude, with my thoughts but I suppose suddenly having a child thrust into their care was alien to them but overall, life was uneventful."
"How did your aunt and uncle feel about your leaving to go to college?"
"They were happy, I suppose…at least, with me living on the opposite side of the country while attending college, they had their old lives back. They still played the part of my legal guardians until I was legally of age." Constance explained rather coolly
Zelda glanced briefly at her scribbled notes, "Amelia did express a few concerns." Said Zelda which she received a heavy eye roll
"I sincerely hope that after this session that you will set the record straight with Amelia. The last thing I need is for her to show concern when there is absolutely no need for it."
The younger witch cocked her head, "You really do dislike the thought of others trying to help you. It can actually be seen as a sign of strength when someone finally admits that they need help, there is no shame…and shouldn't been seen as a sign of weakness."
Constance snorted, "I used to think that too but that was quickly whittled out of me."
"You mean, when you were at college…a teacher?"
"It was a small sacrifice…in order to become the witch you seen in front of you."
Zelda pinched the bridge of her nose and exhaled slowly, "Perhaps, you could tell me what exactly happened at witch training college?"
