Chapter 52
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Chapter 52: Outcast
Cecilia knew that she was tired and falling asleep. It didn't motivate her to move some place a little more comfortable. The attic of the Tri-Var mansion was warm enough, but it still wasn't her comfortable bed and well decorated room.
No one else knew that she was up there, but she'd have it no other way.
Her sorority sisters had been more and more aloof towards her. They were polite at least, but there wasn't the same kind of camraderie there with her. If there wasn't outright awkward silence, someone would find an excuse to leave the other's presence.
It was clear to Cecilia who was being avoided; more so when she walked into the dining room and saw the other girls there, talking and laughing with eachother.
Apparently they had forgotten to tell her about the planning meeting for the upcoming party. Or that there was an upcoming party at all.
She wasn't an idiot, she knew what that was about. For whatever reason, she had been nudged out of the in-crowd. On a level it bothered her a lot. She wasn't used to being an outcast.
What did really hurt was Jasmine leaving her alone. She hadn't spoken to her sister since that morning of the accident, despite Jasmine trying to call. At first she was just mad.
Now, she just needed a break from everything. Maybe she just needed to back off from being so dependent on others and be by herself. So that's what she did. She spent the rest of the day moping around the house, trying to find anywhere to be to avoid hearing the other girls' chatting and laughing. She finally reached the big closet which led to the attic door.
She thought she had enough of attics and 'third floors'. And yet she found herself climbing up that ladder anyway.
The attic didn't seem as spooky as it was when she was here with Willow. That seemed so long ago.
It smelled musty up here and everything she touched seemed to explode in a cloud of dust. But she found herself a seat and slouched into it, ignoring the cobwebs. At least there was finally silence.
In a weird way, she found herself missing Brittany Upsnott right now. The night when Brittany possessed her, Cecilia was unwillingly subjected to all of Brittany's emotions... all of her anger it seemed. A lot of it stemmed from a certain kind of pain that Cecilia understood.
It was the hurt of being left out. Just like Brittany, Cecilia's insecurities made her unable to cope well with being rejected.
It must have been horrible wandering these hallways all these years alone, with no one to talk to and holding on to that untempered rage. Cecilia understood now why Brittany was so sad.
She went back to her room to retrieve her books and her laptop so she could work on her assignments. She struggled to stay focused though and at a point she just succumbed to sleep.
She realized at a point what a bad idea that was when she woke up shivering and sore. It was dark up there, and there was no way to tell if it was the middle of the night or early morning.
"Oh you poor soul. Not such a comfortable place to lay one's head, I would imagine."
The voice sent a sharp shive down her spine, spreading chill right through her fingers.
Cecilia let out a small shriek as she saw the apparition sitting in the armchair in front of her. It was dressed differently, but Cecilia could still recognize it...
... The ghost from Malcolm's mansion.
"This is my old sorority house you know. So many of us used to hide up here, for reasons not unlike your own. My, do I miss it. It's not one of my usual haunts these days."
"So you are the young lady that is courting my grandson."
Cecilia was stunned.
Cecilia: No! I mean... yes. I mean, I'm not sure.
"I'm sorry if I might have frightened you when you came for a visit the other day, but you have to understand, no living being has been able to see or hear me in quite some time."
Cecilia: No... no, that's okay. I wasn't scared...Who are you again??!
"Who am I? Oh dear, what has become of our legacy. Half this campus is named for me, but it seems that's been conveniently forgotten these days."
The ghost rose from the chair and drifted towards Cecilia, holding out it's hand.
"I was a Landgraab. Marion Landgraab. Would you care to join me for tea?"
Willow could feel darkness pulling her in. She tried to smile, to respond to her nephew who was now calling out her name, but nothing came out. She just felt so heavy. So sleepy...
... it was all she needed... Just to rest. For a small while... The dark felt so comfortable...
"Wiwwo...?!"
"Willow."
She just wanted to close her eyes for a little bit longer. Why was everyone trying to wake her up? Why did she need to wake up... wait... why was she thinking this way? She can't sleep forever...
Willow fought against sleep and woke up with a start. She looked around in a mild state of panic. Recognition of her surroundings stepped in bit by bit until she finally began to remember where she was.
Gabriel: You know the lecture is dull when you're knocked out even before you get there.
Willow: I don't know what you're talking about. Where am I?
Gabriel: Dreamland it looked like.
Willow: Gabe...
Gabriel: We're in the Student Union. You were kinda just napping here when I came along. It's only ten in the morning.
Gabriel: Don't tell me you're starting to sleepwalk now.
Willow: No, I didn't sleepwalk. I guess I'm just a little disoriented.
Gabriel: It's okay. I've had my share of waking up in stranger places. Usually after a night at the Warehouse...
Willow: I wasn't drinking.
Gabriel: I didn't say you were. Just sharing an anecdote.
Gabriel: But seriously. Are you okay?
She sighed in reply, a little embarassed now.
Willow: Yes I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night.
She stood up quickly, but suddenly the room began to spin and her vision began to blur considerably.
Willow: I just needed... a nap...
Willow didn't realize she had begun to sway. She had begun to fall over when Gabriel reached out to steady her.
She struggled slightly before things came back into focus.
Gabriel: Hey, take it easy.
Gabriel: You don't get to spend a night in the hospital and pretend that everything's peachy.
Willow: That was a few nights ago. It was just overexhaustion and I only spent a few hours there.
Gabriel: Right. Overexhaustion.
Gabriel: You're just killing yourself with stress, lack of sleep, crap nutrition, and you know, all that channeling of phenomenal cosmic powers. No big deal.
Willow: I'm okay. It's under control and you don't have to worry about me.
Gabriel: You can convince yourself that everything's fine, Willow, but you're not going to tell me that I can't care.
Willow: I'm doing just that. I don't need you to tell me what's bad for me.
Gabriel: No you don't. You're a big girl, you should be able to figure that out for yourself. And I'd be more convinced of that if you didn't manage to get yourself hospitalized.
Gabriel frowned, knowing Willow wasn't listening to him. He could have left it at that, but he had to continue whether she wanted to hear it or not.
Gabriel: Look, I don't know if you know any of this already or if you'll even find it important. The Landgraab Mansion that the secret society uses used to be owned by SSU until about two decades ago. Malcolm Landgraab bought it back outright. Shortly after Brittany Upsnott died in it. You know, the ghost that we were looking for that night?
The night their dorm was set on fire killing three students. The night Willow found the Mirror.
Gabriel: Landgraab also holds title to a block of properties that students can rent out. One of those is an old cottage in the woods that probably should have been demolished a long time ago. It's in the general vicinity of the dive you're staying in now.
Willow: You're saying that Malcolm Landgraab owns my house.
Gabriel: I would have hoped that you'd know who your landlord was?
Willow: Maybe it was just an informal arrangement.
Gabriel: How informal? Of all the places you could have lived in, why there? What would someone like him get out of you?
Willow: I don't know and I don't really care. I told you it's nothing for you to worry about and I'd really appreciate it if you could stop poking around in my life. I really don't need this right now.
Didn't he know how dangerous this was?
Gabriel: I'm sorry, I really am. I thought maybe that this guy was manipulating you somehow. All this craziness seemed to start up at the Secret Society mansion and I didn't like the information I found.
Willow: Just drop it, Gabriel. I'm not being manipulated and I'm safer than I've ever been. You're the last person I need coming to my rescue. It's not your problem, or your business.
Samantha: Actually, at this point, it's probably everybody's business.
Willow stared at Samantha Cordial, her eyes narrowing. Every instinct in her fired off, telling her to either fight or run.
Willow: Why are you here?
Samantha: I'm hoping to finally be able to talk to you.
Gabriel: Yeah, I called her. Sorry.
Willow: I can't believe this. I can't ever get a break, can I?
She turned sharply and walked away in a rush before anyone could say another word.
It's not like she even used magic in two days. She saw poor Sage lying still in that crib and she desperately wanted to help him. All it took was a touch and something happened. It was as if everything that was keeping Willow together suddenly reversed course, flowing right out of her and into Sage, finally waking him.
It wasn't something that she exactly wanted to happen. She woke up in a hospital bed a few hours later. She still wasn't sure what happened to her or Sage.
Samantha: You look like you're recovering well.
Samantha: Believe me, I've been close to where you were... taking too much for our bodies to handle.
Willow: How would you know what happened to me?
Samantha: It wasn't hard to find out that your nephew was in the hospital. And soon after you arrived, he suddenly got better and you paid the price.
Willow: You're keeping track of me, aren't you. Like just about everyone else.
Samantha: I try. You should be one of the most predictable subjects we've ever had to monitor, but you've managed to stay quite elusive.
Willow: There's a good reason for that.
Samantha: I know.
Samantha bent down by the pond, almost in reverence. It seemed like so long ago since Willow was here. It was the night when that younger witch was killed. The Coven was trying to protect her from him. And she let him die and tried to forget about him ever since.
It was as if Samantha read her thoughts.
Samantha: His name was Nigel.
Willow: The witch who died here...?
Samantha: Murdered. But you knew that, didn't you?
Samantha: A more seasoned witch maybe wouldn't have been so careless and thrown both himself and you in danger. But it's not like the Circle has a great pool of resources to choose from anymore.
Willow: He was one of you? Part of the Circle?
Willow: His death wasn't your fault, Willow. Though I don't get the impression that you feel very badly about it.
Willow: That isn't true.
But Samantha was right. Willow felt more guilty about not feeling guilty enough.
Samantha: Bad things tend to happen to people around you. Do you think you can tell me why that is?
Willow: It isn't my fault. I'm not sure at all why this is happening. And I am sorry about Miss Cordial... about your sister.
Samantha: Are you now?
Samantha: You could have simply given me Wesley that night. You could have come to me or Wanda to tell us what you know. Instead, three young people were killed and we were tasked with the unfortunate job of covering up how and why they died. And when we tried to approach you, one of ours was brutally murdered. And still, you didn't come to us when you had every opportunity to.
Samantha: I would say that you were complicit in all of this if I really believed it.
Willow: I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure what was going on and I didn't want you to take Wesley away. It wasn't his fault.
Samantha: Maybe. Maybe not. Wesley chose, of his own free will, to enter a spell pact that turned him into a dangerous weapon. In a way, he is still responsible for my sister's murder. Though I concede that dying to break the oath may not have been in his best interest.
Willow: That oath is broken now. He won't hurt anyone else and I'm not going to let you take him.
Samantha: You seem pretty sure of that.
Samantha: It's not about Wesley anymore. It's not about my sister. It's about why she died, Willow. I believe there is more at stake here than I had originally thought. And it all comes back to you and why the Coven is so interested in you.
Willow: I don't understand what makes me so special. I still don't know why Miss Cordial had to die. I never wanted those kids at the dorm to die and I certainly didn't want Nigel to die, even if I thought he was a danger to me. The last thing I want is for anyone else to be hurt.
Samantha: Especially those close to you? Like Gabriel, or Jasmine? Rowan or Sage?
Willow: You leave them all out of it.
Samantha: They're all already involved, whether you like it or not. But it's my job to keep them just as safe as I'd like to keep you. Let us help you.
Willow: Why do I need your help? The Coven offered me safety and protection. Maybe more, but I don't know why. Why should I trust any of you?
Samantha: Willow, do you know what the difference is between the Coven and the Circle? It's not just about aligning yourself to light magic or dark. It's not being on the good or evil side.
Samantha took a few steps towards a willow tree, still winter bare. She summoned her wand.
Samantha: When the cold comes every winter, this tree will destroy much of itself just so it can survive.
Samantha: The Coven practices magic that harnesses destructive energy and elements of decay. But as you know, Willow, nothing is ever truly destroyed. The state is transformed, energy dispersed. Decay exists so life can begin again for other things.
Willow gasped as warmth suddenly rose from the earth into the air, magical energy tingling all around her. It was nothing like anything Willow ever felt before.
It was beautiful.
Samantha: The same energy that can destroy also triggers life, and that life influences other life.
Samantha stepped back. Willow watched amazed as the tree began to bloom before their eyes.
Samantha: The Circle uses that life energy for our magic. All sims have potential for it. We take it for granted at times, but it's very powerful.
Samantha: I know that you are important to the Coven, but if my sister's notes about you were accurate, your magic manifested in you from a desire to survive and to protect someone that you loved, not from a desire for power, and not from hate or destruction. No matter where you end up, you'll realise that your strongest spells will draw from that life energy. You ask me how you can trust any of us and the answer is that you can't. But you can trust yourself and the magic where your true power will always lie.
Willow: But it's all screwed up. I can barely heal myself anymore. It's all I can do to even just see clearly some days.
Samantha: If your true magic is being suppressed, then it's something you need to worry about. And despite what you may think now, we can help you.
Willow: Can you really keep all of my friends safe?
Samantha: If we knew what it is that we're fighting, we can try.
Samantha looked across the park, knowing that they were being watched. The old woman stood there, her eyes digging into the younger witch's skull. She had been shadowing Willow for days, easily hidden from others and always vigilant.
The air shifted and chilled. Samantha knew if she stayed much longer, she'd be in danger.
Samantha: I'm afraid I'll have to go. But we're not finished here, Willow.
In some way Gabriel was curious about what Samantha and Willow were talking about. But he knew whatever it was was way beyond him and it was better just to leave it at that. He knew Willow wouldn't appreciate what he did, but he didn't feel like he had any other choice.
His thoughts were interrupted as someone called out his name.
Tashia: Hey! Glad I bumped into you!
Gabriel: Uh... hi, Tashia.
Tashia: Did you get a chance to talk to Cecilia today?
Gabriel: Cecilia? Actually, I hadn't seen her in a while. Don't you live with her?
Tashia giggled loudly in response.
Tashia: Of course silly. I was just wondering if she talked to you about the party yet!
Gabriel: Party? Nope, it's the first I heard.
And this would probably be the first time any sorority girl other than Cecilia had personally asked him to come to any kind of social event.
Tashia: Oh, okay! Well there's a party, right?
Gabriel: So you mentioned.
Tashia: We'd love it if you could make it. Honestly, I'm appalled Cecilia didn't ask you right away.
Gabriel: It's okay, I'm sure we'll get over it.
Tashia: Cool. So you'll make it right?
Gabriel: Is Jasmine going to be there?
Tashia: Who? Oh, right. Jasmine. Yeah I guess, whatever.
Tashia reached up unexpectedly and hugged him.
She skipped off, leaving Gabriel to eye the invitation a little supsiciously. Tashia had never bothered to invite him personally before.
She couldn't have seriously been flirting with him, could she?
He walked away, still looking down at the card. He had to have a chat with Cecilia.
East Simtopi
The day was bright and cool. All Sage wanted to do was go outside. Eventually Meadow bundled him up and brought him out, but she wouldn't let him out of her sight.
Neither did Rowan.
Rowan had come by every day since they left the hospital. There was nothing much for him and Meadow to talk about. She couldn't bring up the subject of what to do next. Rowan was uncharacteristically quiet for the most part.
In a way, Meadow was just happy to have him there. But there were obvious complications.
It was the first time Willow had seen them since the hospital.
Meadow: Come on, you little monkey. It's nap time.
Sage: Wiwwo?!
Meadow: Maybe some other time, sweetie.
She glanced at Willow quickly. Willow looked back at them, puzzled.
With an uncomfortable smile, she quickly excused herself and hurried into the apartment. It left Rowan defending the entranceway.
Willow: Hello? What's going on?
Rowan: You're supposed to be in class.
Willow: I'm not twelve, Rowan.
She felt herself kicking something as she moved forward. It was the stuffed toy. Didn't this used to be hers...?
Rowan: Mom found that somewhere. I don't know, she thought the kid might like it.
Willow: That's okay. I'd have given it to him myself. What's going on, Rowan? Why isn't Meadow talking to me?
Rowan: Willow...
Willow: Something really is going on? Did I do something wrong?
He didn't answer her right away. He shifted on the step uncomfortably.
Willow: Rowan!
Rowan: She doesn't know.
Willow: Doesn't know what?
Rowan: About anything that you do. Meadow doesn't know what it's all about, how you're able to do it and most importantly she doesn't know if it's safe.
Willow: Safe?
She was incredulous.
Willow: Safe?! I only saved Sage's life.
Rowan: I know. But it's how Sage got sick to begin with.
Willow: I had nothing to do with that.
Rowan: That's the whole thing. She doesn't know. She doesn't know if all this magic you've been doing has been affecting Sage, the same way you nearly knocked me and Linden out at that goddam vampire's graveyard.
Willow: How would she know any of that? How would she even make that kind of connection?
He looked away.
Willow sucked in a deep breath in realization.
Willow: Because you told her. God, Rowan...
Rowan: Yeah I told her. I only brought it up once, but Meadow ran with it... I had to because no one knows what happened to Sage.
But it was what Rowan wasn't saying that hurt Willow the most. She finally said it for him.
Willow: And after all this, you still don't trust me.
Meadow watched as Rowan and Willow talked. After a few moments, Willow walked away. Meadow didn't know how to feel, but guilt formed a pit in her stomach nonetheless.
All she knew was that she had to keep Sage safe.
"Hi Meadow."
She froze and turned around slowly to look at Ben.
Ben: We should really talk now.
Meadow: I'll come get you when Rowan leaves. Is that okay?
Willow couldn't sleep that night. She couldn't get Rowan or Meadow out of her mind. All she saw was Rowan looking down at her, distrustfully, accusingly. She also couldn't help but think about Gabriel and everything he tried to tell her.
She had known what Gabriel was trying to say. She was never sure herself, but after talking to Malcolm Landgraab the other night, it now seemed clear that he and his Coven were trying to direct her to something.
She sat up. She argued with herself for a moment before finally giving up.
Quickly, she walked down to the cellar.
A small whispered spell lit all the candles in the room.
Her reflection showed up clearly in the dark Mirror. She hadn't looked into it since she returned to the house in the woods. Knowing a little more about it's magic and why she had it made her much more wary of it.
But now she just couldn't help herself.
Before she could even formulate a thought, the mist in the mirror glowed brightly and materialized into an image. Willow breathed deeply in surprise, seeing Meadow and a man that was clearly not Rowan. He was holding her intimately and she wasn't resisting.
Willow: I guess it just wasn't about me, was it, Meadow?
She muttered it bitterly, scowling at the image of Meadow. How could she? Rowan was the one who went to visit Sage and Meadow as soon as he heard. Rowan was the one who just about risked himself to find help for him. Rowan was Sage's father. What was Meadow doing with this person? Was this why she wanted to shut Rowan and his family out?
"Is that all you could think about? Your brother lovelorn while the mother of his child is unfaithful? "
The image was quickly replaced by Willow's reflection. But it wasn't quite her reflection. It looked like her, and it moved like her. It was clear in the glass, but it wasn't Willow.
Helene: Is all this insignificant drama this important to you?
Willow: No, it's not important. But Meadow...
Helene: I know, child. She doesn't trust you or your magic. Neither does your kin.
Willow: But he's my brother. And he knew about what I could do for years.
Helene: For years there has always been doubt. You know this, child.
Helene: There are very few people that you know and trust completely. And those few will not be so ready to return that faith when you will need it. Where have they been when you needed help? Where are they now?
Helene: Will they be at your side should you call? Will they shed their own blood for you?
Willow: I don't need anyone to shed their own blood for me. I know they would though.
Helene: Like they did when you were imprisoned by that traitorous witch. Think again, child. Are they truly loyal to you? Or will they try to intervene and bring others like that White Witch to keep you from your path.
Helene: If you no longer offer what they want from you, will they still care? Or will they forget and move on.
Helene: They know nothing about you, child. They know nothing of what you can bring to the world. You know very little of it yourself, how could anyone else understand.
Willow: They're my friends. They would help me if they understood and knew what was going on.
Helene: The White Witches are not your friend. They have always believed that magic should remain locked in the earth, never to be used by intelligent creatures. They would sooner suppress your power and return you to the path of mundane normalcy. You know this to be true, Willow. Your friends have sided with this. They will not help you.
Willow: Stop it!
She yelled at the glass and turned away from the mirror, covering her face.
Helene: Willow. There is so much at stake. Our kind is dying and with us, the world. You cannot turn away from your path now. You must be willing to help us; mind, body and soul. We are so close.
Willow: I don't know what you expect me to do. Can't you choose someone else?
Willow uncovered her face and looked up cautiously. For a moment, there was nothing there.
She was alone.
Cautiously, she walked back to the mirror, watching her reflection carefully.
Willow: If the world really is dying, tell me what you need me to do?
The glass flickered again and once again the reflection altered.
Helene: You must do what you were born to do, Willow Marlen. You will save all of witch-kind. You will save the world.
Helene: But first, you must return me to life.
Next « [ Chapter 53 ]
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