Wow, It has been a hot minute. Well, Life update. I finished my GCSE English, and I got a 6! (Thats a high B!) Never in my life had I ever thought i'd become a B student, Yet here we are. Next week I start my next Course, A Creative writing course, witch hopefully means i can apply some new stuff to these bits of writing and improve all around!

Guest - (1): I absolutely love Mildred and Pippa, like its just so wholesome and easygoing, yet Hecates also so dramatic and augush like. Its funny to me.

Guest - (2): Never fear, more is here!

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: A much-needed conversation

Hecate retreated to her room, She could feel the walls of the past creeping in on her, ready to trap her in an already occupied box. The Home of many demons and ghosts she had thought herself long done with. But even the most far back memory, can be the most persistent. She'd viewed her time locked in Cackles, as a safe, homely prison. Sure, she was stuck… But it was home, she was safe, and she knew her way around it like the back of her hand. Her childhood home, however... Was a much different story.

She hadn't been here for years. Certainly not since her parents died. She could never say it felt like home, she could name every creaky board, every quirk in the window, and wherever a spot of paint had missed its target. Yet, her childhood here, she spent walking on eggshells. There was no right way to do things, only numerous wrongs that she had to negotiate around. Forbidden rooms and topics. It truly wasn't till she had watched the bright and colorful Mildred being a safe and, all things considered, happy child… that she realized what she'd missed out on. She wouldn't change anything now. She'd almost been like Mildred, with an air of carefree nature, a sod-the-rules attitude, and a dance-in-the-rain love... But that died along with Joy.

She was so lost in her thoughts, that she'd almost missed the timid knock on her door. After a moment, she walked over to it, opening it up swiftly. It really could only be one person… Pippa wouldn't wait outside for Hecate to answer, not to -their- room. But, Mildred for all her flaws, was nothing if not polite. Most of the time.

"Can we talk?" Three Dreaded words. It sent a cold shiver down Hecate's back, one she only hoped her cool disposition had covered. Silently, she stepped aside, allowing Mildred to walk in with a surprisingly powerful stride. Once she'd stopped in the middle of the room, and Hecate had closed the door with a soft Click, Mildred turned to face her.

Determination was the most prominent look on the young witch's face, but Hecate wouldn't ignore the way her eyes darted to anywhere but her… Was she guilty? Is this some brave admittance of something stupid she'd done? Or perhaps, Hecate was reading too far into it. Maybe, it was a conversation about the room, about those lost artifacts of the past Hecate had left for Mildred to examine. Maybe, she was nervous about broaching such a topic.

Hecate folded her arms, Unnecessarily defensive. "Go on, Mildred." She took small strides closer to her, Almost towering over her. She didn't try to make her voice sound commanding, it just came out naturally, but it did nothing to sway Mildred. Not anymore.

"I... I haven't been entirely truthful to you... About that last conversation with-" She cut off, wringing her hands together. Mildred looked down at her feet and shook her head lightly. "I'm sorry- I.."

This wasn't about that last conversation, it dawned on Hecate. This was about her reaction to the discussion. She let her defenses down, her arms now falling beside her. She stood there for a moment, awkwardly waiting for the answer to come as if it'd simply be written right in front of her face. That's when she saw it, The Window Nook. Layed out in delicate fabric and overly soft pillows. The Window itself looked out towards the sea.

'It has a lovely view of the sea' Mildred had said not long ago.

Hecate placed her hand on Mildred's arm, leading her over to the Nook. Mildred looked up at her, confused, perhaps a little bewildered. Thankfully, she caught on fairly quickly, sitting down next to Hecate, tilted slightly to face her.

Truthfully, Pippa and herself had questioned the conversation between Mildred and Juile... She was out cold, so hardly in possession to comment on the conversation that took place. But, once she awoke and was alive enough to ask about such things... She'd had a feeling Mildred wasn't being completely truthful, or at least, wasn't spilling the whole story.

Hecate just watched her, until Mildred sighed. "Miss H has her issues... But.. I'm sure she can rise to the task of mum.." She spoke in such a small voice... Any other time, Hecate may focus on that, but this time, her words had truly stuped her. Issues? Mum?

"Mildred-"

"That's what my mum said.." Mildred looked up at her now, fully and completely. "And I... I didn't know what you'd say, or how you'd respond...I thought-"

"I'd be mad?" Hecate supplied, suppressed when she received a shake of her head in return.

"Disappointed… Annoyed… More along that line." Mildred's nose scrunched up in contemplation.

Hecate wasn't any of those things... She was, however, absolutely terrified. Not once had she ever considered herself Mother material. Thinking of Mildred as if a daughter was one thing, she could say she'd had some form of maternal instinct towards many children over the years, but it'd only half be a lie. There had undoubtedly been moments. But, the thought of being someone's mother? Petrifying.

"How do you feel about it?" She shot back, redirecting the issue back onto Mildred, hoping she didn't notice.

"Bitter-sweet.." She admitted… After a quiet moment, she continued. "I love my Mum… But, I also love you." It was the first time she'd said it at a time of relaxation. She'd said it in battle, in panic, she'd said it while Hecate was recovering... But never just casually.

It was like a moment of clarification for the pair, and Hecate knew she should be grateful, she hated uncertainty. Yet, this realization left her with dread and sickness brewing in her stomach. She wasn't a mother... She was Mean, cruel, and nasty. That's what the students had said for years, she wasn't oblivious... And yet, Mildred looked at her like she was the very light in her life…

"I know people can have more than one mum.." Mildred continued, probably because Hecate still had yet to reply. "And with her blessing, I know it's not replacing her. I just.." She shook her head with a deep sigh. "I don't know how you feel."

That was a constant problem in Hecate's life. What did it mean to be a Mother?

Giving them a home. That, Hecate could do. The room she could call her own, food on the table every day, clothing, and warmth.

Give them a future... Helping Mildred finish school and go off to College, should be easy. She knew how to do that. She was a teacher after all.

Care for them... She did not doubt her soul, she'd die for Mildred. And wasn't that really the same thing?

"I am no longer just your teacher," Hecate Confirmed what they both knew. "And I'll admit, I may no longer simply be a caregiver." Hecate looked out the window. "I'd consider you…" She had to choose her next words very carefully. "Family." She settled on. "Whatever you view me as beyond that point, Is completely up to you."

She could see she'd given her something to think about by the way Mildred nodded. "Alright.." Mildred stood up, smiling brightly once more. "Thanks for talking to me, Hecate." The use of her name felt deliberate. As if making a statement: She wasn't there yet. "I'm going to go and explore now.."

"Enjoy yourself, Mildred." Hecate returned her smile, though nowhere near as beaming. Mildred was soon out the door, closing it behind her with a much louder click… Hecate let out a sigh of relief... Why did she feel that Mildred's burdens had just been transferred to herself?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Make sure to leave a Review!

Im not sure when the next chapter will be.. but there will be one. :D