POV Narrator:
Tuesday 1 September 2020, Colinas de Doras
The hills of Doras practically became the new home for the girls, since they couldn't risk going to land, since Holbrooke was in a continuous pursuit of the girls, already causing chaos in the Cavendish residence that ended up being noticed that a fire was happening very late when the whole structure had collapsed due to the flames. In the meantime the girls were preparing their hiding place in Doras, calling more people to join them, after Akko's family, Amanda and Hannah's family, the Du Nord family, their friends from Luna Nova, Mirage and Annabel, together with their families, so that they wouldn't be in any danger, and also the red, green and blue teams from the time they were still studying in Luna Nova, They were already building many houses to be able to shelter many witches and with enough in the village it was enough for the community that they already made to be able to build faster and also to work together to defeat the such one of the boss, even being a very complicated task to all of there in believing that story, they could see that it was a very serious subject.
And these days could not fail to happen the back to school for some of the girls, who was starting to study at a distance due to what has been happening in the pandemic, the infections and waves have been increasingly common, the cases were already by the millions, the deaths were already high, the danger of disease was imminent, even if they are in an isolated place, still take some security measures to avoid the worst.
POV Hellene:
I wake up after working a lot, de village is already getting busier, it is very good to meet more people, we still need to get Mari's family and also rescue more people, my cousins that despite being very stubborn dey need to be with us or de worst could happen.
I look at my girlfriend giving 'er a nice kiss on the cheek and she looks all sweet, giving me back de good morning kiss, then we get up and yawn a little.
"It's today" Leclerc said.
"Classes start again today, it's going to be a bit of a pebble in de shoe for us, but soon we'll graduate, arriving at a new school now, I can't wait for what's to come, for me not so new because I've studied before, but it'll be new with you around 'ere with me" I say smiling at 'er.
I go to de bathroom doing my personal hygiene, also receiving some caresses from Marianne, who is coming with me, giving me a lot of love, then we take off our clothes getting into the shower, today is a special day, as de first day of school I want to be dressed at least, I am sure I will please something.
"Our love, your back" Mari said, running 'er hand over my back.
"What is it?" I say as I got goosebumps a few times she played.
"I love them, those muscles in your back all defined, they're the most beautiful thing in the world, nhac" She bites me den which I end up giving a softening and even end up moaning.
"Hmmm, Marianne" I get a bit out of control, she takes me by de waist making me turn around, puts me against de wall and even gives a nice smile.
"Do you think this is just going to be a normal bath?" Oh I've been expecting dis, it's a shame she's doing dis just when I'm missing an arm, but I'll give in.
A long shower later, they change and go to the kitchen for breakfast, kind of reunited with theirfamilies and already looking forward to what is going to be the first day of school...
Today will 'ave so much, not only de first day of school, but we will also rescue Mari's family who 'ave already been warned, I can't wait to see dem again, it will be interesting, I just hope dat today we don't 'ave de boss showing up, I've already learned dat Diana's house was destroyed by de news, I will cry if it happens to ours, it will be a disaster, I don't want dat.
"And it's today by de way, today you're back to school, luckily it's distance and 'ere there's still internet" My mum said and I nod my head in agreement.
"I'm really looking forward to it, it's goin to be great" I say excitedly.
"And since we're going to study, Hellene and I can't be on the same computer or even close to each other because the microphone radios can cause a microphonic effect in the house" said my girlfriend.
"During de lessons you stay in de cottage we made for your family, since you need to be more alone and 'ave some peace" said my mother and she is right.
"What are you going to do today?" I ask dem, already curious.
"Well besides getting Marianne's family we will also go to Australia to get Lucy Watson and Merrill, so dat dey don't run any risk and try somehow to find Maryl's presence, she hasn't been talking to us since she was released, I don't know why it's very strange, she must still be very resentful with 'er mother's death, but we will do our best to get 'er out of danger, we can't let de boss 'ave any chance to find any of our allies and dat person runs a risk of 'er life" said my mother and I hope dey succeed.
"Good luck with all dis mum, we are almost dere in de rescue missionD I say happily.
"I am still quite perplexed, how could dis headmistress 'ave been responsible for all dis? From Elisabeth to you, Holbrook is a real threat" said my grandmother.
"She was always above suspicion after all" My elder sister said and I shook my head in denial.
"I don't know about you Diana, but for me Holbrooke has always been a suspect, ever since I met 'er and saw de way she acted with Akko, dat woman never smelled good to me, I even tried to warn dem dat she could be de one of de boss" I tell dem dat dey go on eating.
I'm almost done 'ere with de donuts, I love dese chocolate ones, I'll be a little bit full with dem, but I love dem anyway, today will be a wonderful day, I can't wait to see my classmates again, after so long, just imagining it makes me all excited, ahhhhh.
I finish eating and get up very politely, den Mari gets up and holds me by de waist giving me a kiss.
"Good class my love, I'll see you at de call" She said all cute and den giving my nose a boop.
"Good class to you too sweetie" I say being very affectionate and going to my room, I'm already practically ready for today's class, I can't wait.
I go up de stairs and arrive at de bedroom, I sit in de gamer chair of my PC and I'm getting ready, I missed using my computer for a while, I used it yesterday playing with Mari, now I'm going to use it to study, I'm turning it on and I'm going to de link dat de teacher sent from de class call, which is about to start, but I see dat dere are already people dere, I enter and wave to everyone.
"Hellene!" Wow, there are so many familiar faces.
"Hey guys! I'm back!" I say all excited and happy.
"Woah, look how cool, I love your prosthesis, it looks just like Yang's" Ilia said and I even smile.
"Ah now it's de rest of my arm, I 'ave a lot to tell of all dese years in Luna Nova, it's a lot of gossip, you will also soon meet someone I met dere who comes to study 'ere with us" I say until Mari appears in the call.
"Hey, I'm Marianne Leclerc, new student" said my girlfriend and I'm so happy to see her there among all the people.
"Oh it's her, how cute, welcome Marianne, Hellene already told us about being her girlfriend" Ilia said and I see my girlfriend all smiling and me getting all silly.
"Oh good, yes I am Hellene's girlfriend, I hope she said only good things about me, hahahaha" How cute, I get all gay with her presence.
POV Diana:
Well now that I finished eating it's time tae convince my cousins, I really hope they can come with me, since my mother is going tae pick up Mari's parents, I take the chance and get the Fluit An Neart, time tae get my hands dirty, after all there's a lot of work ahead, I look atAkko and hold her hand, give her a kiss and go outside.
"Now Hellene has gone to 'er class, good luck you two, I hope you can convince Maril and Merrill, dey could be possible targets for de boss" Mom said.
"I will take the necessary care mother, now that she has destroyed our house I already know that she will be much more dangerous than we expected" I tell her already very attentive.
I start playing the sound, since I know exactly where Merrill lives fae she talks tae my mum from time tae time, I hope it's still in a good time there, I'm quickly moved tae Adelaide, it's night time, it's a little colder than in Doras, it even makes sense since they're in winter around here, kinda weird being in September and getting cold like that, I already go ringing the bell and Lucy already appears at the window.
"Oh you can come in" Watson said.
She released the entrance of the house, still quite confused with all this time zone thing I go entering the house, I see that Merrill was sitting watching television, already Ms. Watson comes down the stairs and comes with open arms to receive me, until my cousin also notices my presence and also comes running in a hug.
It's the first time my cousin hugs me in my whole life, I've never felt something like this, it's different it's strange, it's nae a snake shaped constriction, it's a hug like any other, it's a good feeling really.
"Diana! I was so looking forward to your presence" said my cousin.
"Thank ye I think" I say half-heartedly.
"Make yourselves at home, we didn't expect you to come here, and how did you come? You didn't bring a bag or anything, you just came here suddenly, this is too strange" said Lucy.
"We came with the magic, we were teleported here, but the important thing now is that we have tae settle a very important matter with ye regarding the life of both of ye and also of Maril, before things can get worse" I tell them in a more serious tone.
"What? Daryl is still alive?" Watson said in shock.
"That one is already gone, the problem is who was running it that long" Akko said.
"This person was responsible fae tearing Hellene's arm off, leaving my mother Laura a paraplegic, apart from being Daryl's real killer, she dinnae die in the molten iron, she was executed by Miranda Holbrook, that's right you heard, Miranda Holbrook is the boss" I say tae my aunt who is getting an expression of extreme shock and I would be too.
"What? Miranda Holbrook? Are you saying she's the boss Laura was always talking about? She's the one who caused all this? For the nine witches, it all makes sense, that's why I used to do some services for her in exchange for money to stop the advances of some witch revolution, now it's clearer, it was all her who was behind it" My aunt said.
"Now she has revealed herself tae us and she will nae rest until she kills us or finds us, that's why I ask ye tae go with us tae Doras, we are hiding there, tae one day defeat her, since she will probably go after anyone who knows us and could use that as a weapon too, we are preventing ourselves from the worst" I say very clearly tae Lucy.
"Explain all this to me better" I nod my head in agreement.
After the explanation...
I feel goosebumps until now from this story, seriously it is still very horrible, I imagine until now the worst, the visions I had with the past, fae the nine witches, I even take a deep breath after telling everything and see the shocked face of both Merrill and especially Lucy, she really had no idea that it was an even bigger danger than she expected.
"This is very horrible, we have to get Maril too, she is stubborn, but we can't let things stay like this, she can't risk dying because of her stubbornness, even if she doesn't want to please take her to Doras with you, even if Maril isolates herself" Lucy said.
"And have ye been talking tae her?" I ask them both.
"Only me and she is still very resentful, but she has already forgiven me for what happened to my mother, she stopped blaming me, but inside I feel that she has a rebellion inside her about how my mother treated her, but it will be difficult to get her out of Las Vegas, she's been loving it there, but anyway I think it's good to take her to protection, I'll talk to her, meanwhile try to arrange things" said my cousin and we agreed with our heads.
From there we were already preparing boxes, disassembling some things from the house, it is quite small, Lucy lives in a simple little house, sae it might be good that everything fits in Doras, in the chalet where she will live, I hope that we can really convince Maril tae go with us, she can't stay here on earth risking her life.
After arranging their things, Diana started to play the sound of Fluit An Near and Maril still didn'tanswer, since due to the time zone she must still be sleeping and with that they came to Doras...
We arrived and who would have thought that I would be with other people from my Cavendish family's side around here, well now it's just going after my other cousin, at least this way things will be safe, I just have tae rest, because using the flute bringing things together gets very tiring.
"Whew, we're here, I've never been here before" Merrill said.
"How I miss this place, I have participated in many excursions here, I practically went guiding the students, and I met the Siflas, they were great witches, a pity that they are gone" Lucy said.
"Well, feel at home, ye can take advantage that here there is internet and very fast for everyone tae use" I tell them and walk tae the house that we built tae shelter them.
"Well it's a rather comfortable home, it will be interesting to have a bit of nature with us" Merrill said, and I hope they enjoy it very much.
"It's even more spacious than I thought you said it would be, we can easily fit the furniture in the house, well, we'll tidy up the house here and then we'll bring stubborn Maril, she can't stay out and stay there while the boss is practically sweeping up anyone who comes near" Lucy is right, I'll just take the time tae eat a little and rest, since it was a lot of work to make these changes, a lot of magic, a lot of things, at least the collection of wizarding stones only increases.
And we left them tidying up the house with the boxes we helped tae carry, I went tae the kitchen tae rest, eating some donuts and wow, today is another day full of work, nae only we have tae make the houses but also keep them hidden, it dinnae seem that behind us hides a small village with everyone and thanks tae the magic we can also deceive even better, Miranda will come here and destroy everything.
Meanwhile at the Leclerc's chalet...
POV Marianne:
It's a totally different level from Luna Nova, the way the teachers take our doubts away and talk to us without fear, there's no one who treats us like we're stupid for not knowing, I get answers and everything else, the study is much more advanced, not to mention that they seem to be very open to everything, I've never felt so good in a class like this.
"And now my class is over today, have a good day, enjoy yourselves, don't miss class, I know you will graduate" said Lilian.
"Dis is only de first class of de day, we 'ave been introduced to de teachers, now we will 'ave magical numerology" Hellene said and I nodded my head in agreement.
"It is very, but very really, very different, I feel in another world, gee, the teachers here are so nice, I feel like I'm part of the class, it's not like I'm listening to a teacher in front of me and I have to copy, I really feel like I'm watching a youtube video all explained that makes me want to see it again, a pity it ends so fast like this" I say scratching the back of my neck.
"Your girlfriend is really weird, she looks like you, another crazy person who likes to study" Hellene's friend said.
"Oh yeah, I remember Hellene always sat in the front, she practically chats with the teachers and helped guide the class, we miss you around here Hellene" Said another friend of hers as I see my girlfriend scratching the back of her head.
"Let's go to teacher Heather's class, she should be waiting for us" Said my girlfriend all silly, I love to know 'er past.
I am leaving the call, I see some noises of people walking and I am leaving the room, when I see them I notice that they are my parents, they come running to me, which I make a point of hugging them with all the love of the world, I missed them terribly, since that day that I visited them, I had never seen them again and now they are here with me.
"Father, Mother..." I say crying with emotion.
"Oh Marianne, when we heard about everything we couldn't help but come" said my father.
"I wouldn't feel right if I knew you were in danger, but now it's good to see that you're OK and with me, I really hope we make it and you can come home" I said to them
"Oh no doubt we will, how are things going? Were you studying?" said my mother and I nodded.
"The first class of the day is over, I just came to see what the noise was, but I'm already going back to the second class of the day" I said for them.
"Good class girl, study hard, it's good to see that our little girl is happy and well, by the way we also brought your computer, when the classes are over you can ride it to play that I know you like" Said my mother stroking my head and I went to the bedroom.
It's really good to see that everything is getting fine, not so much actually, but it's less worse than seeing the boss coming to us and being able to kill us, I quickly wipe my tears and go to the link of the next class, I even take a deep breath, glad that my parents are home, now one less tension.
And the classes go on, meanwhile the preparations for the changes in Doras still continue, in a fewhours Maril answers her sister and receives one of the most dry answers, but already expected, whatalready starts the journey to seek her and to take her out of danger from the worst that couldhappen...
POV Diana:
From the look on Merrill's face my cousin must have answered, she dinnae seem very excited, but I guess ye can't tell how hard-headed Maril is either, I guess I'll need tae act then, we'll have to bring her in anyway.
"And Maril just sent a big no, come with me Diana, let's bring her back, I know where Maril lives" My cousin said and I nodded in agreement.
"And aren't you mates going to take me too?" Lucy said and Merrill also nods fae her tae come.
"I want to see her not coming with me too" said my mother, walking towards us.
"Mum? You think you're going to convince 'er?" I feel just a confident nod from my mother.
And I started tae play the flute, already with the idea of where is the place that Maril is, what we were feeling the brightness, I just hope that this is enough tae get her out of there, when we finished playing the sound we stopped inside a hotel room, with some bottles thrown, panties, even some bank notes of dolars and in the bed there was Maril lying naked with the blanket over her body being scared with our presence.
"What are you doing here, I don't want to leave, I've already told you" said my cousin.
"Maril, do you want to die?" Merrill said, already being direct.
"What difference does it make? My life has no meaning" she said as she lit a cigarette and stared at us.
"Maril, your life is at risk if you stay here, do you have any idea what could happen if the boss finds you? She'll kill you or use you as a kidnapping weapon, you'll be tortured to the point that you'll wish you were dead, do you have any idea that this could cause only the worst?" her sister tries, but I know how stubborn Maril is, she even gives a little laugh.
"I'm not winning with betting, I'm actually in debt, I'm paying it off with you know what... Now my boss says I have to work with him and please the customers the best I can or I'm not coming out of this alive and you don't know the terror of a gun pointed in your face, you have no idea the torture it can do, do you really think
I'm scared of a witch? My boss owns this casino here, he owns not only this, he has contacts, I'm not scared of the thing you're talking about, I'm a commodity..." At the moment she says this I just see Mrs. Watson coming close tae her daughter and pulling the cigarette out of her mouth and then slapping her on the face.
"Mum?" Merril said in shock.
"Oh a slap, not unlike the one I get from my clients and my boss from time to time" Lucy looks right into her daughter's eyes.
"Maril, don't even think about saying that, you understand, you are not merchandise, this life will only sink you even deeper, you will only end up in prison or worse, you will leave dead, in the best case scenario you will become a street dweller for the rest of your life, sunk in cocaine and meth, is this what you want for your life?" Said Ms Watson who then gets a shove from her daughter.
"And what do you want with me?A life of lies? You keep living in this fairy tale, is there anything better for me? Surely there isn't so get out of here" she said tae us and I see my mother approaching Maril.
"Look at me, dat's what de boss did to me, she was just playing with me, she could kill me easily, but she wanted to torture me, she just destroyed de Cavendish home again, she's sweeping anyone related to us, how much is your debt? I'll pay and get you out of 'ere, get dressed, Diana take me home, I'll get de money," my mother said and I just nodded.
"150 thousand dollars, you won't be able to cover that, and if you pay, I even accept to stay in this little place, but I hope it's decent, because look what a wonderful casino I live in, it may be the worst job, but I have a five star bed, I have the best food and everything" She said.
There I went playing the sound and we went back tae Doras, where my mother was already preparing the suitcase, putting a lot of money, I had nae notion that it was all this, it's really shocking, she then closes everything and even takes the Colt 45 and puts the holster inside the armpit as usual.
Then we were teleported back with the sound of the flute and there was my cousin already dressed and she really looks finished, we were leaving the hotel room and we were soon surprised by the security guards.
"Take me to your boss so your lettle guns can't hurt me" said my mother intimidating them with her pistol.
She just fires a shot upwards that knocks the ceiling down and they answer the call and go with us down the corridor, I get really scared, shaking all over, already feeling what might come, until we reach the room where her boss was, apparently, he was snorting cocaine on a table, using a dollar bill, I was going into shock.
"Boss, these ones came threatening us saying they wanted to talk to you, they are witches" said the security guard.
"Oh it looks like Maril's family found her what a touching, you are not in the right place you know" Said her boss getting up from the table.
"Just take dis shit dere is 250 thousand in queens Elizabeth, I just came for dat, now I went, Maril's debt is paid and also de repairs on de ceiling dat I ended up shooting to intimidate your men, you can play de sound Diana" Said my mother throwing the suitcase tae the guy that gets even with the security guards pointing guns at us.
"Oh quick you would say, not bad for a paraplegic, I've never seen someone with so much courage to..." I was already playing the stereo and off we went.
What a horrible place it is, it is all luxurious, but at the same time it is tense, as if at any moment we were going tae die, soon we arrived with Maril and she was looking around and seeing that it was Doras, I think she is not going to like it here, but whatever.
"You paid me 100 thousand more to let me go, now we're in this bush in the middle of nowhere? That's serious, and now I owe you a debt" said Maril angrily.
"Consider dis a courtesy from your late aunt, I paid for dis with part of 'er inheritance money, I hope you really understand de importance of dis, now enjoy your new house, if you want to pay me back, pay it back by being a better person and change your life 'ere" said my mother and she even got quiet.
I have never seen Maril so intimidated like that, when my mother Laura is serious, she knows very well how tae be serious, she dinnae mess around, I hope my cousin can improve her life, poor thing in finding in that state is quite different.
Far from there in Luna Nova, Holbrook was already organising with troops at the school ofwitchcraft...
POV Miranda:
Great, wonderful, Minister Dorlin has delivered as promised, I'm already recruiting some witches and forces to watch this place, so I'll ensure another intimidation for what's been happening with the damned McLaren, nothing of their body to be found near the nest by the looks of it.
And one of the generals arrives in my office, she immediately salutes me and bows.
"Madam, I have come to inform you that the fifty troops have arrived as requested" said the general.
"Excellent, now just do your jobs and stay at your posts, I don't want to see any of these faces anywhere near Luna Nova, if they show up you capture them, kill them all but her, Laura McLaren has to be alive and she will witness the death of all the rest, I want you to keep everything out of reach do you hear me well?" I'm already being clear and the general just nods saluting.
"Madam you may rest assured that no such witch will come near, we will use all the magic at our disposal to show them that this is a restricted zone and we will not hesitate to kill whoever it takes to kill" That's what I like to hear.
"Excellent, now to your post, don't think about failing, because at the minimum failure I will not hesitate in punishing you and you will not be the only one, any mistake from one will weigh in the whole group, I am not here to play on duty, or you do the job right or you will have fifty new trees in Arcturus" I say to her that swallows the saliva, salutes and leaves my room.
The safety of Luna Nova is already guaranteed, soon I will pay a surprise visit to the McLaren and I just want to see Laura McLaren's face when she returns from Arcturus and see her family all dead, it will be a not very pleasant surprise, she will know not to mess with me.
POV Narrator:
And the classes start in the schools, even though they are at a distance, it was a way to have some stability again in the middle of this pandemic that has been infecting so many people. In Doras things are moving along despite everything, the protection of the witch families allied to the revolutionaries has been guaranteed, this time with the coming of Diana's cousins, one of whom was easily convinced and the other will find herself in a place she didn't want to be, but kind of forced to leave since she had no choice after everything that happened.
See you, student witches...