Hecate locks eyes with Mildred. Still feeling weak she knows that there is nothing she can do to remedy this matter. Much to her dismay she will have to rely on the worst witch.

"Mildred I need a favor."

"Name it."

"Transport yourself to storage. I need to retrieve something for me."

"What am I looking for?"

"Pandora's box."

Mildred's eyes widen, "Certainly you don't plan to open it."

"I do not believe that it is truly Pandora's box."

"How do I find a box in a stack of boxes Miss Hardbroom?"

"Your critical thinking skills will offer assistance."

Mildred reluctantly transports herself to the dark, dusty storage area in the belly of the academy. As she arrives she hopes that Miss Hardbroom has not sent her on a wild goose chase simply to shake her presence. The piles of discarded treasures, and antiques is utterly overwhelming.

"Grant me cunning as sly as a fox so that I may find Hecate's Pandora's box."

A box materializes into the palm of her hand. She quickly transports herself back to her room. She sighs in relief when she finds that Hecate remains in her bed awaiting her return. Hecate tilts her head.

"Quite expedient Mildred Hubble."

Mildred holds out the metal container that is covered with dust, and grime. She places on Hecate's lap.

"As you can see it is locked. You wouldn't happen to have a key on your person, would you?"

"There are other ways to open a box."

"Miss Hardbroom may I suggest that this box was never meant to be opened? Some of the things that are locked away are never meant to see the light of day again."

"We are only as sick as our secrets."

"What if you find something utterly awful about yourself inside this box? What if it pushes you towards darkness, or separates you from your magic?"

"I am not easily swayed."

"I'm fear that your protection spell will not hold if you have no magic left."

"Who cast a protection spell on me?"

"Miss Cackles."

"Remove it."

"I doubt that I have the power to do so," Mildred insists.

"Then dig a little deeper Miss Hubble."

Mildred nods in understanding. Without a word she leaves Miss Hardbroom's side. She begins diligently brewing, and stirring in her cauldron. Her mind begins to wander as she stirs.

"Miss Hardbroom what is in the potting shed?"

Hecate's head snaps upward in Mildred's direction.

"It is covered in ivy so thick that you can't even see the hinges of the door. It is where I found the digitalis that I retrieved for the potions lab. I felt quite unsettled when I was there."

"It is very important that you tell me what you saw when you were there. No detail is too big, or too small."

"It was just a rickety old shed. It was covered in ivy, and the digitalis completely surrounded the outside. When I was getting ready to return Mister Ravenfeather warned me that I must never endeavor to collect digitalis there again."

"It is of the utmost importance that we open this box Mildred."

"Have I done something wrong, Miss Hardbroom?"

"I assure you that you have no blame in any of this."

Mildred pours the potion into a jar, and offers it to Miss Hardbroom. Hecate takes the slimy purple concoction from Mildred.

"Remove the tangled webs which have dried as hard as concrete. Un-harden this heart so it may produce a key as precise as a dart. Break the vow of secret so this box may open now," Mildred chants.

Hecate ingests the potion, and silently anticipates nothing will happen. As her hand rests on the lid of the box the hinges begin to squeak.

"You might want to stand back. I haven't any indication what is in this box."

Mildred takes on large step backwards. The lid is successfully opened.

"I should tell the girls that you are awake, and see what progress Miss Cackles has made. I will be right outside the door."

Hecate nods in agreement. Mildred slips outside the door. Ethel yawns as she sits outside the door.

"Any progress?" She queries.

"She has awakened, but we still have no clear answer as to what has happened to her."

"It is a sad state of affairs when we must work together because of some horrendous turn of events. It pains me to ask, but how shall I be of assistance? Enid's shift will commence any moment."

"Please find out what progress Miss Cackles has made."