Mildred ventures back into her room. Hecate sits on the edge of her bed with the box on her lap. Her hands rest atop the closed lid.
"You aren't curious what is inside, after all of that?"
"I have already examined the contents."
"Oh. I won't pry."
"'The only thing in the box was a sock."
"Does that give you any clarity?"
"The spell you cast has given me all of the clarity that I need."
Miss Cackles appears between them. She casts a look of concern as she finds Hecate holding a long stowed box.
"How are you feeling?"
"Utterly foolish."
Miss Cackles turns to Mildred, "I think it best that you leave us."
"Yes, Miss Cackles."
Ada takes a seat next to Hecate.
"I do not know how to fix this," Ada admits.
"I am the only one who has any power to fix this, and I find myself feeling utterly powerless right now."
"Did you open the box?"
"It is utterly useless. I do not require your presence at this time."
"There are things that you must understand…" Ada begins.
"It is too late to make that appeal to me know. I have seen it all. I must speak to Mister Ravenfeather."
"That is ill advisable."
"It is the only way to determine if has turned to malevolence, Ada."
"I cannot protect you," Ada warns.
Ada reluctantly summons Mr. Ravenfeather to the room. Hecate banishes her from the room. Sebastian takes a seat near the bed. He silently waits for her to initiate the conversation, as Ada has instructed him.
"Achilles," she exhales.
"The wound will not heal if you continue to prod at it, Miss Hardbroom."
"Some wounds must be lanced."
He hangs his head, "I am talking about your wounds, not mine."
"Achilles was not chosen because of the pain you brought," she insists.
"You don't know what you're talking about. You are delirious."
She clenches her jaw, "It was chosen out of guilt. The guilt of the pain bestowed upon you simply by the choice to beget you."
"I don't understand."
"I fear that my youthful and ideological beliefs have subjected you to a lifetime of pain."
It is days before anyone is able to locate her. She remains trapped inside the potting shed, even after the malevolent wizard who has trapped her there has vanished. She sits on the bed with her knees pulled to her chest. Penetrating the protective spell around the shed with no magic has proved futile. Every potion, and chant she has conjured up has failed. She is ready to give up all hope.
Her typically well maintained hygiene is quite questionable. Her frock is tattered, and soiled with dirt, and presumably her own blood. Her dark hair flies wildly in all different directions. The polish on her fingers is worn, and a thick layer of dirt is crusted beneath the nail. Night has fallen, and she knows that soon she will drift to sleep, no matter how much she prays for insomnia.
A hint of light flickers outside the window. She reminds herself that it has been quite some time since she has eaten, and that her mind is likely playing tricks on her. A single candle is the only thing illuminating the room. As she reaches over to blow it out she hears a hand on the doorknob. Her stomach churns as she waits for her captor to appear before her.
The door flies open, and a welcome figure appears in the doorway waving a flashlight. She removes her hood as she enters the shed.
"Hecate?"
"Ada," she exhales.
Ada feels her heart breaking as Hecate vacates her seat on the bed. It is clear that she has been consumed by defeat, and hopelessness.
"I should have believed you."
"I want to go home," Hecate responds meekly.
Ada gently embraces the twenty something, as she leads her from her prison.
Hours later Ada finds Hecate sitting in front of the mirror that rests on her desk. Her wet hair clings to her back. The look of pain in her eyes is utterly heart wrenching. Her body is covered in contusions, and lacerations, especially her hands. Ada clears her throat, announcing her presence. Hecate does not turn in her direction. Without a word Ada lifts the brush, and gently begins de-tangling her young colleague's hair.
"That is not necessary," she insists.
"I can see that at least one of your fingers is dislocated," Ada responds as she secures the thick dark hair into a braid.
Hecate blinks away tears, "I am bound here. My mere presence puts everyone in danger. He will return. I am useless in my role here. I have no magic."