Chapter Thirteen
She shifted under the warm duvet rubbing her cheek on the soft pillow. The clothes she wore from Friday night were constricting her movements in the bed and it stopped her from getting comfortable. Showing a sliver of light green iris, her eyes opened. After a few disorientating moments of unfocused blinking, Georgina frowned.
Coming around she sat bolt upright in bed, her hands instantly going to her uncovered chest. Her blouse was singed and open revealing her bloodstained top. Pushing the covers of her and running to the bathroom, she looked into the mirror over the sink. Georgina ran a hand over her chest as she remembered. The pain was unbelievable when the orb struck her. There was dried blood on her top proving that the attack was real. But no scar.
Looking back at the reflection she saw the familiar older scar that she's been living with since she was a child. Heading back into the bedroom, she quickly began shoving her clothes back into her backpack. Taking off her ruin blouse she pulled on a thick wide necked knit jumper. It was so old and big, that it hung off her shoulders.
She paused when she heard a step creak. Pushing her sea salted wavy hair away from her flushed face, Georgina listened to whoever was coming up the stairs. The second floor was designed as an open planned room. The top of the stairs simply began barely two feet from where she was standing.
Quietly letting go of her bag, she turned. A head of grey hair appeared over the banister. As soon as she saw Gregory's face Georgina's eyes flamed.
"I thought I heard you up," Gregory said walking the rest of the way. But he paused when he saw her black eyes. Slowly raising his hands, he looked straight at her.
"What are you doing here?" Georgina snapped, standing slightly defensive with her hands ready.
"Look," he began sincerely. "I'm sorry about attacking you. I didn't know that you were…different from them. I am truly sorry."
She continued to stare at him. Both were watching the other to see who would break the silence first.
"Where's Eleanor? Is she okay?" she asked, refusing to move.
"Like you, she's been in bed for a couple of days. I think being out in the cold and all the drama on Friday night took its toll on her. But she will be fine."
Georgina was going to argue that it was his fault, when something he said struck through her mind.
"Couple of days? What day is it?"
"It's Sunday morning. You've been asleep for two days."
"That's impossible," she whispered, lowering her hands. "I can't sleep. Not before they…"
"When I healed you," Gregory started, reluctant to talk about the fight again. "I put a block in your mind. We weren't sure it was going to work, but when you didn't wake up yesterday, we figured it was a success."
Georgina felt her eyes return to normal as she let the news sink in. Dropping onto the messy bed, she tried to grasp what it meant.
"A block? That's it?" Georgina asked astounded.
Gregory softly replied, "Yes. The text I read was correct in that aspect. A block is all you need. But in your case, with your family's history, it might have changed the fundamentals of the power you wield. I can't be sure, as there are no books written on your family that I can find. I think all it took was another family's power."
Georgina looked away from Gregory and snorted softly to herself. Her eyes were still wide and unbelieving. He could see the struggle in her eyes and water rimmed her eyes.
"All this time," she whispered to herself.
Gregory felt for her in that moment. When he first bought her here, he had every intention of leaving this mess he got himself into, behind. He didn't know if he wanted to get involved. But when he was lying in bed that night, with his wife's still form snuggled next to him, her face kept playing in his mind. The look she gave him when she appeared in front of Eleanor, protecting her from the energy ball.
Such fierce loyalty he hadn't seen since he was younger. When he and his four friends were as thick as thieves and just as protective. He knew in that moment, such evil he had heard about concerning the Pendle line, can't be within that girl. And the way Eleanor behaved around her only cemented his decision. He couldn't walk away. He wouldn't. So he stayed and watched over her as she slept. Reading anything he could get his hands on. Trying to find anything that would help her.
Sensing Gregory's eyes on her, she closed down and stood up.
"I guess I owe you a thank you," she said, in a dead voice. She tossed a look at Gregory before she started putting the rest of her belongs into her bag. Closing her sketchbook with a snap.
"No. You don't," he replied, frowning as he watched her haphazardly putting her art stuff into her backpack. "What are you doing?"
"Leaving."
"Leaving? Now?" Gregory frowned. He tried to keep the shock out of his voice, but judging by the look Georgina gave him he didn't succeed.
She didn't reply. Grabbing her backpack, she went to walk past Gregory. He sidestepped in front of the staircase. Cutting her off.
"Does Eleanor know your skipping town?" he asked.
"She knew I was only staying till I got the dream thing sorted out. And since you you've accomplished that, I don't need to be here anymore," Georgina stated. Her hand gripping her bag tightly.
When she tried to walk past him, he stood in front of her again. Sighing angrily, she looked at Gregory with a severe expression.
"What about your ascension?"
The hard looked stalled a bit as Georgina stared at Gregory.
"How-," she started. But the realization showed on her face. "What did she tell you?"
"That when you ascend, these people whoever are talking to you through your dreams will be able to find you," he explained.
"Did she tell you why they want me?"
Gregory shifted slightly, "No. She didn't want to tell me too much that night. I think she thought I wouldn't want to hear it. I didn't exactly respond very well to the information of your ancestry-"
"Well there's an understatement for you."
"But I'm here, aren't I. Despite knowing who your family are and the laws I have broken even speaking to you, I'm here," insisted Gregory.
She wanted to believe him. She really did. Even though he attacked her, she knew he was a good man. She could see it in his eyes.
"I want to help-," he pleaded.
"How?" she demanded, throwing her arms up. "How are either of you going to help me? All you have is your scary bedtime stories and tales about the Pendle witches. But you don't know the first real thing about my family. They are stronger than any of you. I have seen what they are capable of. I have felt it."
She fixed him with a powerful stare. One that showed more horror and knowledge of evil that any 17 year-old should have to bear.
"Maybe the Elders or the other family's might know-," empathized Gregory softly.
Georgina smiled slightly manically, "You think they would help me?"
He couldn't answer.
The smile dropped for her face and as level him a dark look. "I am a Pendle witch. I have been running from the curse of my family my entire life. I see the look in witches face when they find out my name. It was the same look you gave me when you found out the truth."
He looked pained and lowered his gaze.
"Like I was this disgusting abomination."
Georgina watched Gregory. He was struggling to talk. But nothing he said would make a bit of difference.
"And I can't say I blame any of you," she whispered. "We are abominations. The atrocities my ancestors committed are too severe to ever forgive. And that taint is my families curse. Not the madness."
Gregory stood rooted in the spot, unable to move and unable to talk. She watched him. For once in a very long time, he felt powerless.
When he never said anything else, she slowly walked past him and walked down stairs. As she reached the kitchen, she heard him follow behind.
"Not that I'm condoning you running away like this-" he said reluctantly.
Georgina stopped and turned her head to him.
"Just…be careful," he said, crossing his arms. "If not for yourself, then do it for Eleanor. I know it would kill her if something happened to you."
Her eyes soften slightly.
"And," he quickly added. "Keep in contact. If there is anything I, or we, can do…"
His words drifted off. They were empty words, but the were said none-the-less. It was more than Georgina had ever received from another witch. Turning back she just reached the front door and opened it when she paused. Though she turned her head slightly, she didn't look at him.
"Thank you," she said simply, keeping her eyes down. "It was worth getting hit in the chest with a energy ball to have my dreams back."
Without another word, and before he could reply, she left. Closing the door behind her.
Caleb waited as Sarah walked around the car. She smiled happily and clutched his waiting open hand. The sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. Though it was cold it was a beautiful day. They rushed across the ocean side road and laughed as they made their way to the harbor. It was too early for everyone. They were still in bed.
Too wrapped up in his happiness with Sarah, Caleb failed to notice a rushing figure quickly pass by. A girl, also too distracted to notice anyone else, whose hands clutched her backpack as she hurried towards the dirty, soft-top mustang.
"You know," Sarah smiled up to Caleb. "The entire time I've been in Ipswich, I have never been to the harbor."
"It's a little out of the way," admitted Caleb as he helped her down the steep dock steps. "When summer comes, we will have to take the boat out though. I love being on the sea. We could get everyone together. Get some drinks, some food, do some swimming. I can't wait. It'll be great."
Putting her arm around him, she said softly in to his chest, "It sounds great."
Walking down the private jetty they reached the door as Gregory was coming out. Gregory's surprise was echoed on Caleb's face.
"Mr. Simms," Caleb greeted, slightly confused.
"Caleb," he replied and nodded softly down at Sarah. "I was just trying to find some more of your grandmothers papers."
Caleb nodded in understanding, "If it's not misplaced books and papers, it's her handwriting. It's like cracking a cipher."
"Exactly," Gregory smiled.
"How is she? My mother told me that she wasn't feeling well?"
"No," Gregory tensed a little. "She's been told to stay in bed for the next few days."
"If she's bad I don't mind visiting-," Caleb said concerned.
"I'm sure she will be fine in a few days," Gregory smiled effortlessly. "Beside's, Daphne and I have decided to stay in town for a few more weeks. With us, your mother and Mary Garwin hovering around her, she will get better quicker just to get rid of us all."
Caleb laughed and shook his hand. "I'll see you later, Mr. Simms."
"You too," he smiled and walked away.
Sarah led the way through the open door and curiously peeked into each room. Caleb closed the door and took of his coat. Coming up behind him, she wrapped her arms around him. He turned and face her, bringing his head down and tenderly kissing her lips. While they were kissing, she started to gently pushed him towards the stairs.
He smiled and pulled away from her lips, "Did you want a drink or anything?"
"There is only one thing I want," she said coyly, running a hand over his chest as she past him and made her way up the stairs.
Caleb smiled and raised an eyebrow, his eyes following her as she disappeared. On his way up, he saw a small piece of paper stood up against one of the stairs. Hiding it from sight. When he picked it up he noticed it was one of those passport photos. The top edge was ripped. It showed two people, a young girl and older woman. They both smiled cheekily at the camera. The girl looked familiar but he couldn't place where from.
"Are you coming, Caleb?"
He put the picture absently in his back pocket and continued on up.