Daughter of Ipswich

Falling Down the Rabbit Hole

Illusion

"Celeste, what are you doing here?" Evelyn asked, as she looked over at Caleb and me from her seat in her lounge chair, where she smoked a cigarette and drank her sweet liquor.

"She's staying the night," Caleb answered, holding a bag of clothing for me, while I held another bag, which contained my dress for the Fall Fest, plus bathroom things. "Pogue was in an accident and she doesn't need to be alone, since her folks are out. You know with that real estate thing."

Evelyn looked at me curiously, before she stood up and scuttled over to me, giving me a loving hug. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you need too," she whispered, kissing my cheek.

"Thanks, Evelyn," I smiled, while Caleb, handed me my bag of clothes, and whispered in my ear," Go make yourself comfortable in my room. I need to talk to my mom."

I nodded, while I gave Evelyn a nod of appreciation, before I scuttled up the stairs to Caleb's bedroom.

Of course, I hadn't been in Caleb's room for some time, since we refrained going into one another's rooms as we got older. You know like a code of privacy (we used this code a lot with Reid, since he had a tendency of just sneak into people's bedrooms, since he always thought he was allowed to do whatever he wanted). Thus I promised myself I wouldn't snoop around his room, and would simply make myself comfortable, after I was finished setting up my stuff.

So I did. I placed my bathroom bag upon his bathroom counter, and placed my luggage of clothing upon a table next to his bed.

I then gave a weary look around, making I was the only one in this room, and that no one was coming towards this bedroom. And with much haste, I stripped myself of my dirty clothing, and quickly pulled on my fresh garments (aka appropriate pajamas).

But the sudden sound of voices shouting, forced me to step outside of Caleb's bedroom, down the stairs. There I crept onto the landing, looking around the bend, where I stealthily listened to the argument I overheard.

"Caleb, you are going to ruin your life, just like your father did! You need to get others to help you!" Evelyn then stopped to take a quick breath," You can not face this man alone! At least have Celeste fight with you! Her powers could help!"

"I'm not putting Celeste in that situation, mother," Caleb growled back, slamming his fists against something solid.

"Then call up the other fathers and have your father give you his powers!"

I held my breath in shock. No one, and I mean no one, ever spoke of giving another their powers. It was like an unforgivable sin of sorts.

"I will not do that!" Caleb shouted back, making me flinch slightly.

"Caleb…" Evelyn paused and I saw her sigh in defeat and sit down upon her seat. "I don't want to loose you like I did with your father. Please understand I just want you to be safe, when you go and try to reason with this boy and try to stop him from hurting Celeste."

I looked back at Caleb, why hadn't he told me before that he was going to fight Chase. I bet he didn't want me to worry, but it was too late now I was already worrying

Caleb silently looked down at his feet, obviously not willing to say more.

At this point I decided to make myself known, as I loudly stepped down the stairs like a child would, making sure they knew I was coming down.

I smiled as I looked up at them, only to see Evelyn giving me a weary smile, and Caleb walked pass me and up the stairs.

I gave him a concerned look, but he just ignored me, as he walked away, leaving me with his mother.

I looked over at her and questioned, quietly," What's his problem?"

She sighed and patted the spot upon the couch next to her. "Sit down, hun."

I obediently nodded, and took my seat next to her, while I waited to hear what she had to say to me.

She then took a sip from her brandy, and looked over at William's picture that sat upon the table.

I didn't dare to look at it, I didn't want to remind myself of the possible response that this magic could have upon Caleb, my brother, and the other boys.

"He likes you," she murmured, making me tilt my head to the side as I looked up at her," he really does care for you, a lot."

I starred at her for a second, unsure as to what I would say to her.

She then giggled," You know, I met William when I was eighteen. He was a real charmer. But very protective."

She then looked over at me, and cooed," Caleb has the same look his father wore when anyone would talk about me to him. Caleb wears that same look, when he and I were talking about you."

I smiled and cooed," And why were you talking about me?"

"You know very well why," she sighed, before whispering," I must admit I am very reluctant to believe this. Maybe you could…I don't know do a trick or something like that for me."

I lightly laughed, and took her hand," I wouldn't mind doing a trick for you."

I then thought to myself for a moment as for what I should do, and then it came to me.

I held my hand over her beautifully manicured fingernails, and let my magic change her nail color to a vibrant green. Her favorite color.

As I pulled back my hand for her to see her nails, she gasped loudly, before gasping, like a little girl," Is that real?"

I shook my head, and shook her hand slightly, and instantly her nail color faded away back to what they were before. "No. It's just an illusion."

She smiled back up at me, and nudged my shoulder with her shoulder," You, my girl, are a talented creature."

I shrugged my shoulders in agreement. "But your son is more honorable in his actions than I am."

Evelyn reached up and brushed back my bangs, while cooing," I doubt you will believe me, but most of those…honorable actions you see my son doing. They're for you. And for you alone."

I rolled my eyes, truly finding that hard to believe, since Caleb was a good man all on his own, and didn't need me to help encourage him to do so.

"William was the same way to me," she mused again, looking over at her husband's picture, once again.

Suddenly I overheard the echo of footsteps, making me and Evelyn look up at the stairs to show Caleb, who looked much more at ease with himself.

"Celeste," Caleb spoke up, as he looked over at me," you should probably go lay down. After all the doctor said you need to rest, just to be safe that you didn't hurt yourself too badly, during the accident."

"What accident?" Evelyn gawked at me, taking my hand, as she looked over at me.

Caleb answered, still standing up the landing," She was with Pogue during the accident."

I silently stood up, knowing Caleb was right. Anyways, I might be able to take advantage of his concern for me, and see if I can ask him about what happened while I was in the hospital. And when was he going to fight Chase and how.

"Oh my god," Evelyn gasped again looking up at me," Do you want anything Celeste? Do you need anything? Are you in pain? I have some pain killers-"

"I fine, Evelyn," I interrupted her with a reassuring smile. "Trust me, I'm fine. But if I need anything, I know all I need to come and find you or just boss called around."

I lightly giggled at my comment, and glanced back over at Caleb, who was looking back down at the ground, obviously just wanting me to get up stairs and away from his mother.

I sighed in defeat and gave Evelyn a hug and kiss, before wishing her a good night's rest. Then, rather reluctantly, I made my way back up stairs, with Caleb following behind me like a protective Labrador.

It only made me miss that smiling Cheshire Cat even more than usually. Because in these dark times, all I wanted was to see him smile. Then I knew everything was going to be okay.