Chapter Two: Face Off
Hecketty Broomhead relaxed back into the chair, allowing her eyes to soften as she observed her former student; she remained motionless on the bed with only the slightest movement of her chest giving any indication that she was still part of this world but only in a physical sense.
She sighed, breaking the rigid posture that her body had become accustomed, her shoulders sagged, a sign that she had admitted defeat, knowing that Constance would likely never regain consciousness. To never be part of the world which she had now abandoned and the ever logical mind of Hecketty had already come to terms and severed the emotional ties in a bid to protect her self but Amelia prolonged the suffering.
Constance or rather her shell of her former powerful self appeared frail, devoid of everything that made the young witch unique and all powerful now solely relied on an artificial lifeline in order to preserve her body.
The two older witches which had such a profound impact on her life, polar opposites, the dreaded past and the warm present. Now her uncertain future was hanging in a state of diminishing balance.
"Why are you here?" pushed Amelia, wanting answers to her suspicious questioning mind, knowing that not all was right
"My poor dear, Amelia...I have been visiting Constance since I found out about her current predicament. I simply arranged my visits to avoid you but it would seem..." she cleared her throat, "That today, I have unfortunately overstayed my welcome." She snipped
Amelia was not exactly convinced, "I find that hard to believe...considering the complicated past you and Constance have shared...I know what happened at collage...so you'll have to forgive my suspicions of your sudden 'caring' nature."
Hecketty stood from the chair, regaining her solider like stance before closing the space between herself and Amelia, "I have Constance' best interests at heart."
She snorted, "First of all...you need a heart to care and second, you will leave...now!"
Hecketty was slightly taken back by the smaller witch's tone, the anger clearly directed at her. She knew that Constance and Amelia were close, sharing a similar relationship to that of a mother and daughter bond which Hecketty secretly envied.
"Despite our differences, Amelia...and I'll admit there was a complex past between myself and Constance but that was in the past...I am here for Constance," she paused, attempting to appeal to Amelia's warm heart and emotions, she loathed to sink to such a level, too used to getting her own way for so long, "It maybe difficult for you to comprehend but I do actually care about my former student...that is why I am here."
Amelia felt her scowl soften, questioning her own motives and dislike towards the former tutor and inspector, "To be quite honest...I don't think Constance would appreciate you being here...both of you alone in the same room?" she hinted, knowing about the past
"Oh! Amelia, always one for the dramatics...that was the past and right now I am thinking about the future of Constance."
Amelia cocked an eyebrow intrigued, "Whatever are you talking about?"
Hecketty sighed loudly, clearly annoyed at Amelia's cluelessness, "You have allowed yourself to be deceived by the bumbling medical staff and your emotional bonds to Constance...cloud your judgement. You have blinded yourself...she is suffering because you allow her to live..."
Amelia felt her face burning with heat, the furious temper and her fists shaking angrily by her sides at the accusation made by Hecketty and what she was implying, "Now, see here...I haven't given up hope and I'll be damned if you try to undermine my authority."
"Trying to ease your guilt Amelia? Your incompetence had caused this..." waving her arm towards the hospital bed, "I blame you for this." She hissed
Amelia trembled, with guilt that she could have contributed and failed to prevent Constance from something far worse than death. Lingering somewhere between life and death and she prayed that one day she would open her eyes, to forgive her. Anger caused her body to shake at the same time, knowing that Constance was her own determined person and no amount of concern on Amelia's part would change her regimented routine but she was haunted by the continuing thoughts of what if's?
She would never forget that night.