Hey, guys! Thank you so much for the comments and your patience. As I said before, I am determined to finish this story! I know this chapter is short, but I had no way to artistically weave the next even with this chapter. I hope to get more chapters out soon. Oh, and my Wattpad user is 1WhiteWitch for those who are wondering. ;)
Danny was on the verge of leaving a groove on the cobblestone beneath his feet. Sam had been gone for a little under an hour, but every minute stretched on into the night. The whistling wind did nothing to ease his anxiety. All he could really do was let his thoughts wander and sort themselves out in this, what he assumes, very short moment of quiet.
Jazz, Tucker and Valerie were seated on the back porch with the 3 older witches, nervously waiting and speaking of what they had just seen. He could imagine they were feeling just as out of place as him with all this. This all was so daunting and unfamiliar to them.
These untouched murky waters frustrated Danny to all hell! It went against his instincts to not help people, whether it was just innocent strangers or people he cared about, so just sitting and doing nothing made the blood in his brain boil. But this wasn't just frustration he was feeling, but also fear. It was an unexpected sense of fear; it held a tight grip on his heart.
It heightened when Sam's violet eyes flashed in his skull.
Watching Sam just sink into the ground before he could do anything made his heart shoot up through his throat. Not knowing where she was and if she was okay had only left him in a worrisome heap.
His persistent pacing was brought to a halt by the elderly hand on his shoulder. Looking up for the first time, he saw Ida standing by his side.
"You're going to wear out your shoes if you keep this up," she chortled. She guided him to sit down by the lotus pond.
Danny let out a deep exhale and looked over to Agatha and Maria. "How can you guys be so calm? What if Sam gets lost? What if that…whatever bad thing happened before happens again? What would we be able to do? Sam didn't give me the details, but she did say it was really bad!"
Ida huffed. "The incident that happened before was because Sam and those coven sisters of hers were being reckless and didn't take the necessary precautions, not to mention they were inexperienced and fearful. Transdimensional travel cannot be properly performed with fear in your heart. Like most witchcraft, it must be handled with perfect love and perfect trust."
Danny's expression told Grandma Manson that nothing of what she was saying was clicking.
Oh well, at least he was trying.
"All you need to do for now is to have faith in her. I know it's not going to be easy, but it's not impossible," Ida chirped.
"What makes you so sure?" Danny asked, tiredly running his hands from his face to his hair.
Ida smiled, her light blue eyes sparkling. "Because my beloved Ulrich was in the same position as you when he was your age."
Danny froze, almost startled.
Ida actually laughed a bit. "In fact, you have it easier. He didn't believe in any of this. Bless his heart when he found out."
Danny couldn't help, but crack a smile.
Ida held his hand in hers and gave it a motherly pat. "Come have some tea, now, dear. You must be thirsty."
Danny nodded, but just as they were about to head back, a deep rumbling came from the soil below.
The spot where Sam had vanished roiled. In a flash, the grass broke open to reveal a filthy pale arm flailing out followed by another hand digging out from the soil.
"Sam!" Danny shrieked, sprinting over to the ground to help dig her out. Upon hearing him, the others came running from the porch.
Ignoring the dirt under his nails, Danny dug quickly. Tucker joined in to help. Within a second, Sam had clawed her way out of the ground, like a corpse rising from the grave.
Sam, naked and completely covered in dirt, began coughing and hacking up any swallowed soil. Paying no mind to the heat rushing his ears, Danny took his jacket and draped it over her, gently rubbing her back as she caught her breath.
"Sam, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" Thankfully, he didn't see any new wounds or blood on her.
"I'll go get her some water," Tucker proclaimed and rushed to the kitchen.
In the midst of the gasping and coughing, Sam managed to croak out a couple words. "…rift…basement…deal…"
"It's okay, Button, you can tell us everything after we get you cleaned up," Ida whispered gently, wiping the dirt from Sam's cheek.
Agatha sighed and looked to Maria. "We'll prepare another bath. Jasmine, Valerie, would you please assist?"
"Of course," Valerie stated. She and Jazz went with Agatha into the house to get things ready.
Ida patted Danny's shoulder. "Let's get her up on the porch."
Danny gently cradled her in his arms and brought her up to the porch, setting her down on one of the cushioned lounge chairs. Her breathing was heavy and she looked absolutely drained.
Wiping the dirt off her cheek, Danny couldn't stop the smile on his face. "Thank god, you're alright, Sam! You were gone for quite a while. You gave us a real scare."
Sam tried to laugh and smile back at him, but it was no use.
"You were right to fear the worst, Danny," she said, her voice raspy from the coughing.
Danny furrowed his brow. "Why? What happened? Did you find the rift?"
Sam bit her chapped lips and closed her eyes, exhaling deeply. "Y…yes."
Clasping her hand in his, Danny spoke calmly. "Sam," he insisted. "What did you see?"
Her violet eyes opened and leered up at him. "The mayor is more diabolical than I thought."
Danny's eyes flashed.
"Dammit!" Danny slammed his fist on the kitchen table, rattling the cups of tea and coffee. His eyes glowing a toxic green, matching the glow in his hands. "Vlad…that fucking crazed fruitloop. He's really done it this time."
Sam wasted no time telling them everything she had seen and heard. The four of them had been sitting in the kitchen while the 3 elderly witches took care of Sam upstairs. After cleaning her up, they gathered in her room, discussing what was to be done.
"I say we go in there and blast him!" Valerie roared. She always kept her suit on her, ready to fight.
Tucker peeked up from under the table in fear. Valerie being angry was nothing new, but Danny's fury is downright terrifying. Rare as it was, the ghost boy had quite the temper sometimes.
Jazz was calmly sip on her tea. "Settle down you two," she scolded. "Going in with guns blazing will do nothing, but give Vlad the chance to manipulate the situation."
Sitting back in his chair, Tucker chimed in. "Jazz is right; Vlad's a snake in a two-piece suit. He'll convince people you're the cause of the attacks."
Danny inhaled deeply, taming his anger, but his fist refused to stop shaking.
Valerie huffed and sat back, arms crossed. "Well, then what should we do?"
Stirring her tea, Jazz just sighed. "We'll just have to wait to see what they say. Like it or not, guys, this is out of our area of expertise."
Agatha snorted as she continued her knitting, sitting in Sam's reading nook with Maria. "I always knew that mayor was a rat, but never in my wildest dreams would I think he would be this foolish."
Sam sat on the bed with her grandmother. The two of them were overlooking the prophecy in the Grimoire.
The world be threatened with darkness and hate.
Five sisters in the beginning,
Only one can withhold this fate.
Take her rightful place, she must
Before it is too late.
She, the Queen,
Must join hands with her King.
United as one,
Only then, only this peace can bring.
Hearts to hearts to never be divided.
"There's gotta be something we're missing here," Sam mumbled as she messaged her forehead. She was absolutely exhausted, to no one's surprise. "What does it mean by King? And Queen?"
"Wise as we may be, I've noticed that we, witches, have never been good at clarifications," Ida huffed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Because time is of the essence, clearly we might have to reach out to other resources for help," Maria spoke up. "Perhaps someone who can see past the Grimoire's words."
"My dear sister, are you suggesting an oracle?" Ida gasped.
Maria nodded in enthusiasm. "Why not? It wouldn't be the first time we've sought one for help."
"They are few in numbers these days, Maria," Agatha dictated. "Finding one will take too lo-…"
"I know one," Sam stated.
All three of them looked at her in bewilderment.
"Say what?!" Tucker hollered.
He, Danny, Jazz, and Valerie watched as Sam hastily packed an overnight bag.
"It's the only thing I can think of. We don't have time to waste trying to figure out what the Grimoire means on our own," Sam spoke breathlessly. "I have to speak with my Coven sister, Barbra. She'll be able to divine a more accurate solution."
They watched as she anxiously flitted all over her bedroom to get everything together.
Danny's brows furrowed. He caught her arm as she tried to breeze past him. "You're going to New Orleans? Alone?"
Catching her breath, Sam smiled at him. "Don't stress, Danny," she chuckled. Her eyes twinkled fearlessly. "It is my home, after all."
As she gently brushed his hand off, she missed Danny sharing a look with his sister.
Sam hastily zip up her black bag. "If I hurry, I'll be able to catch the next flight."
Danny's large hand landed on top of hers. "I'm coming with you."
"Y-you don't have to. It's just a short visit, a-and getting to the airport is going to…-" she stuttered.
"You won't need to worry about that," Danny smirked.
"Danny," Sam huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "There's no way you'll be able to fly us all the way to New Orleans and back in time. The Hunter Moon is just a little over a week away!"
Scoffing, Danny wrapped arm around her shoulders and brought her close to his side. "Who said I would be the one doing the flying?"