They'd decided to leave magic for tomorrow. Ethel didn't mind. Despite her disturbing dreams last night, she was exhausted. She took a hot shower, feeling accomplished and proud as the water soothed her aches. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. She dried off and slipped into her pyjamas, sliding into bed. She fell asleep quicker than she thought she would, and for that she was grateful. She didn't want to lay awake, letting the doubt that had stayed at the edges of her mind take over. Her dreams turned dark quick.
"Hello, Ethel." Said Macon. Ethel panicked, trying to wake herself up, but she couldn't.
"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. I promise." Macon said smoothly.
"You did before." Ethel pointed out.
"I had to be sure, that's all."
"Sure about what?"
"That you're Ethel. That they haven't gotten to you yet, tainted you."
"Tainted me?"
"They're poison, Ethel. You have to believe me."
"But my brother-"
"Is a monster. Look, see for yourself." Macon encouraged. He held a laptop in front of her, then pressed play. The footage was grainy, and it showed a girl with wild black hair, floating above Ireland, sending shadows into the streets. Even with the blurry footage, Ethel recognised Valkyrie. A figure clad in black floated up to her, sending their own shadows, creating their own chaos. Ethel gasped, staring as they brought buildings to rubble.
"That's Nathanial. That's your brother." Macon cooed. Ethel shook her head.
"No- no, Nate is good, he's kind but-"
"He has a rage, doesn't he? He always has. This is his outlet, Ethel. I'm worried about you. What if he gets mad at you? What if Valkyrie does? You'd be safer here. I just want to look after you, protect you." Macon promised. He closed the video and uploaded another one. Ethel was walking down the aisle, Nathanial on her arm. She was wearing a wedding dress, but the man at the alter wasn't Dexter. It was a different man. He was tall and thin, with short brown hair and golden eyes that Ethel could make out.
"Who is that?" Ethel whispered.
"That's your husband. His name is Erskine. He loves you so much, Ethel. He misses you. He asked me to do this for you, for him. You can finally be together again."
"But I'm engaged to Dexter..."
"By force. You don't remember but I do. He drove Erskine into hiding. Threatened him. He took you away. Said that he would kill your husband, the love of your life, if you didn't stay with him. I'm not strong enough to go there and get you, Ethel. You have to come to us. I can protect you. They'll never hurt you again. Who do you think took your memories away? You knew something they didn't want you to know. They did this to you. I can help you, Ethel." Macon promised. Ethel thought back to the past few days. The unanswered questions, the hushed voices as they spoke about her, the eagerness to train her in such a short space of time. She was a weapon to them. Nothing more. Ethel nodded.
"Where are you?" She asked.
Ethel awoke with a start, sitting upright, sweat pouring off her. She packed what few belongings she had into a black hold-all. She gazed at the arnis sitting in the corner. The smooth, polished wood beckoned here and she grabbed it on her way out. The sanctuary was eerie, quiet. Cleavers walked to and fro, but they didn't stop her. She got lost a few times but eventually came to the grand doors that lead out. She hailed a taxi, reciting the address Macon gave her. They drove for an hour and a half before pulling up outside a mansion. It was big and vast, looming in the cover of night. Ethel thanked the driver and paid him, then walked to the front doors.
She held her breath as she knocked.
The door was flung open and the tall, thin man grabbed her into a hug.
"You're here, you're okay. I was worried about you Ethel." He said. Ethel took a moment before tentatively returning the hug. Erskine pulled away, taking her hand. He stared at her for a moment.
"I don't remember you." Ethel said quietly.
"That's okay. We have plenty of time to get to know each other again." He replied softly, touching her cheek softly.
Dexter was in a fitful sleep, tossing and turning, when Macon arrived in his dreams.
His arms were tied behind him. He was sitting down, on the floor. He arms were firmly tied to a pillar in the dining room they'd had breakfast in. He shifted, straining against the ropes.
"It was almost too easy." Macon said, sitting on a chair in front of his son.
"She bought it. I must say I wasn't sure when Erskine suggested it, but she bought it. Ate it up."
"What did you do?" Dexter asked, his heart hammering in his chest.
"Turned the tables." Macon grinned. He pulled his laptop over, typing something in. He swivelled it round to Dexter could see. Ethel and Erskine were sitting on a plush sofa in a grand room with dim lighting. Ethel was crying, her head on Erskine's chest while he lazily stroked her back. He kissed the top of her head softly. Dexter scanned the screen for a date and time. It was CCTV. It was live. Dexter lurched forward, his shoulders screaming in protest.
"What did you do!?" He yelled.
"Taking her memories away was an added bonus. It made things so much easier. Amazing how much stuff gets recorded these days, isn't it? Her older brother and her so called friend destroying cities. Her wedding to Erskine. It was almost too easy, took the fun away." Macon mused.
"I think they'll be happy together, don't you?" Macon continued, laughing. Dexter leaned his head back against the pillar, his breathing heavy.
"Stop, please. Stop all of this. I'm sorry for leaving you. Okay? I'm sorry. Please bring her back. I'll come with you. I'll stay with you. No tricks, no plans, I'll stay with you." Dexter pleaded, his eyes watering.
"Uh uh uh, it isn't that simple son. I made a deal with Erskine, I must honour that. Ethel is gone now. She's no longer a part of your life. See, I don't want you back anymore. That's not what this is about anymore."
"Then what is it about?"
"Revenge." Macon said simply.
