Hecate skeptically monitors Mr. Ravenfeather's interactions with the pupils for the rest of the day. Her expectations of tomfoolery are dashed as he maintains the utmost professionalism. At the evening meal she finds herself picking at a poorly arranged salad as she silently fumes for reasons unbeknownst even to herself. Dimity Drill nudges her after Mr. Ravenfeather vacates his seat, and vanishes from sight.
"He certainly is easy on the eyes," she grins.
Hecate offers a grotesquely contorted face in response, "Dimity he is practically a child."
"You are saying that you don't for a second appreciate such an aesthetically pleasing new colleague?"
"My concern is his ability to mold our pupils into capable witches. It wouldn't matter to me if he were a gargoyle."
Hecate vacates her seat, and leaves the dining room. As she makes her way down the hall to offer an appropriate greeting to her new colleague she finds none other than Mildred Hubble parked in the middle of the hallway.
"Mildred Hubble!"
"Shh!" Mildred responds as she is planted on the ground with her back to Miss Hardbroom.
Hecate waits a beat as she calculates the punishment for her disruptive pupil. She hears a cup adhere to the floor. Mildred rises, and turns to face her biggest critic.
"I apologize for the inconvenience. I did not intend to cause an obstruction, but this bird flew into the pillar, and injured itself. I was only trying to capture it before it panicked."
Hecate inwardly groans, "Carry on." Mildred scurries outside to release the bird after a quick spell to repair its wing.
Hecate finally arrives at her destination. As she enters the classroom she finds her newest colleague perched in his chair behind his desk. In the silence he reads as he eats an apple. She clears her throat, and he makes eye contact.
"I hope I'm not interrupting Mister Ravenfeather."
"Certainly not. I am just catching up on some reading. How can I be of assistance?"
"I simply wanted to welcome you to Cackles. I hope that you will find your time here… enriching."
He flashes his bright smile, "I appreciate the sentiments. You can call me Sebastian if you see fit."
"I do not," she answers dryly as she transfers from the room.
That evening as literal storm clouds roll in Hecate finds a deep aching at the base of her skull. As time passes the dull aching grows into a searing pain that moves diffusely across her entire head. She tosses, and turns in bed begging sleep to give her some sense of relief. Sleep eventually consumes her, but relief doesn't come.
She opens her eyes to find sun streaming in all around her through dust covered windows. The bright light pains her eyes. Her body aches, and her head feels cloudy. She blinks trying to make sense of her surroundings. In an instant it becomes evident that she has found herself in a gravely serious situation. In her attempt to lean forward she learns that she is shackled to the frame of an old wrought iron bed. The thick black paint peels as she pulls against the restraints that secure her arm.
As light fills the grimy, dank old potting shed she tries to calm her mind to plot a way out. Her magic fails her as the old wooden door creaks open. A familiar face appear before her. He offers her a devilish smile.
"Good morning darling!"
"Release me!"
"You have no recourse here. Even if I release your restraints you will find that you are still bound to me."
"I am bound to no one!" She spits.
He chuckles, "Nothing a little obedience spell couldn't remedy."
"The beauty of a snake is that even the mouse knows it is a snake. You are the embodiment of evil. You cannot fool me. I will not allow such darkness here."
He presses his face against hers. His stubble grazes her cheek. She can feel his breath against her ear, "Such a shame, I had hoped you a formidable opponent. Unfortunately for you, it seems that I am several steps ahead of you. What is done cannot be undone. I do look forward to watching you try, though. It might just kill you."
She gasps for air as she begs for consciousness to find her. Her body is rigid as her eyes flutter open. Much to her relief she finds herself in the safety of her room. Her heart thuds as it tries to catch up to a sense of security. Outside her window lightning strikes a tree branch.
Without any warning Ada appears at her bedside. The lamp suddenly illuminates the room, and Hecate finds herself utterly confused. She loosens her grip on the blankets that she has been clutching to her chest.
"Are you okay?"
"Physically, I am fine."
"I was suffering from a bout of insomnia when I saw the lightning strike. You seem rattled."
"Lightning does not strike the same place twice."
Ada can see that all color has drained from Hecate's cheeks. Sweat beads rest on her forehead.
"Another nightmare?"
Hecate falls silent. Ada takes a seat next to her on the edge of the bed.
"Dreams can't hurt you," Ada reminds her.
"I find myself more concerned about what reality base my dreams are rooted in."