The full moon is hanging high in the sky as Mildred stares out the window. She's finally managed to shower, and apply her pajamas. Several books lie open on her desk as her mind wanders to the fate of her cohort. Knuckles wrapping against her doorframe startle her. She zeroes in on the figure in the doorway. Her lamp offers enough illumination to reveal it is no one that is a grave threat.
"I just came up here to tell you that I am sorry."
"Ethel, I thought you were on your way to some sort of celebration."
"I spent over an hour getting ready, and as I stepped outside all I could hear was your warning. I've ignored your warnings dozens of times in the past, and it always lands me in a heap of trouble."
"You're kidding, right?!"
Her long blonde hair glistens in the moonlight. "No."
"You generally don't apologize. What is the real reason you came up here?"
"Felicity went without me, and now I'm worried about her."
"If you think such a suggestion will encourage me to abandon my post, and scamper off into the woods you're dead wrong."
"I wasn't suggesting that. I am truly worried about her."
"Consider telling an adult. Does your place at the academy mean more than your friend's safety, well-being, or life?"
Despite the late hour the light beneath Ada's office door continues to glow. Ethel's apprehension grows as her knuckles hover above the door.
"Miss Hallow you will find that you get further if you actually elicit sound from the door," Miss Hardbroom suggests from behind the pupil. Ethel spins around to find HB practically hovering behind her.
"Fear does not intermingle with courage in the way I had hoped."
"It is past your curfew, so if you must disrupt Miss Cackle I suggest that your reasoning must be sound."
"There was a party, and Mildred implored me not to go."
Hecate furrows her brow, "Since when do you listen to Mildred Hubble?"
"This was different. The look in her eyes when I told he what I was planning…"
Hecate interrupts, "Miss Hallow did you venture into the woods?"
"No."
"Then why are you loitering outside Miss Cackle's office?"
"Felicity went solo. She was meeting pupils from a couple of other academies. She was expected to return an hour ago. I fear something has happened to her."
Moments later Ada, and Hecate are deep in the woods in search of a wayward pupil. An expertly crafted potion quickly locates Felicity. Despite the moon hanging brightly in the sky the cool, crisp air has met the temperature of the ground and married it in a thick fog. Hecate squats next to Felicity who lies on the ground unconscious. A nasty gash to her temple is apparent. Without a word Ada produces a handkerchief, and places it into HB's hand. Hecate presses it against the wound as she squats next to the ground. The scent of cold, wet, decaying leaves beneath their feet contrasted with the warm iron smell of blood only pushes the barometer of the faculty's anxiety.
"Miss Foxglove I need you to join us," HB insists as a pair of her fingers tap against Felicity's shoulder. Her sense of dread continues to grow as the lass's chest rises, and falls. She remains unconscious. Alongside years of training in magic a deputy headmistress at a girl's boarding school in the middle of a heavily wooded area requires a healthy knowledge of first-aid. Some illness, ailments, and injuries cannot be remedied by magic. Hecate Hardbroom takes no pleasure in the task at hand, as her knuckles grate against the injured student's sternum in an attempt to rouse her. Finally Felicity begins to shift her position, and her eyes flutter open.
"Am I in trouble?" Is the first question that falls from her lips as her hand presses to her head.
"That is a matter that can be sorted later. Felicity can you tell me what happened?" HB queries as she takes note of the abrasions on Felicity's hands.
"I remember tripping over a tree branch, and the rest is… blank. It's odd, because I was headed back to the academy, and I remember thinking that the tree root hadn't been there before. I stepped over it, and it almost seemed to move. I should have listened to Ethel. There was no party to be found."
"We mustn't linger in the woods. If you can stand I will promptly transport you back to the academy."
Ada, and Hecate carefully assist Felicity to her feet. In a flash they are secured within the safety of Miss Cackle's office. Felicity searches the pair of them for answers.
"I want to accompany you to the nurse's office. Miss Hardbroom will telephone your parents."
"That isn't necessary. It was only an accident."
"It is an academy policy," Hecate postures.
"We don't know the extent of your injuries. You may require more extensive treatment than the nurse can offer you," Ada adds.
Felicity nods in agreement.
Hours later Felicity is safely secured in her bed as an unsettled feeling washes over the entire academy. Ada materializes outside the pupil's door only to find her colleague settled in a hard wooden antique chair at that very location.
"I have sorted arrangements out with her parents. Due to her insistence she will remain here until her parents come to retrieve her in the morning," Hecate reveals.
"Felicity does not have recollection of the events proceeding her fall?" Ada presumes.
"It would appear her memory bank between the time of her fall, and our arrival is blank."
"Any revelations from the nurse?"
"There were details that Felicity was not prepared to accept. Perhaps we should dismiss the girls for the term until we can locate who is responsible for such atrocities?" Hecate tosses out.
"It is something we must consider."
Hecate retrieves a folded piece of paper from her pocket. "I think you should have a look at this. There was a sketch that I didn't show you earlier. I fear my own desire to locate the party responsible who has jeopardized our pupils," she admits guilt as she unfolds the sketch.
Ada stares at a face Mildred Hubble has etched into the page. A pair of haunting blue eyes stares back at Ada. Ada rubs her temples, and places the sketch on the deputy headmistress's lap.
"I don't know where to find him."
Hecate scrutinizes the non-verbal communication her superior offers. "You know who he is?"
"I hoped his existence was merely a tale."
