Isolation

Erin lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling of her room. She was thinking about everything she had learned in the last couple of weeks. She was learning so much from the coven grimoire! It was astonishing to think that a month ago she didn't even believe in magic and now she was living it! She was also learning about the women and the mythological creatures that were very real! These mythological women were fascinating and were so varied! The ladies in the coven were strong in body and spirit. Erin had a growing appreciation of them even more so after hearing all their stories. The coven had been so honest and forthcoming with her and she was beginning to feel apart of their family slowly and surely.

However, her task wasn't completed yet, Erin still had two more stories to go and she was hesitant to question those two for completely different reasons.

Erin found herself nervous to speak with Hattie because of how powerful the woman was. Hattie appeared to be the link that connected each and every one of their stories and gave them all the family and connection they were searching for (whether they realized it or not). Erin also found herself hesitant to ask about her story because after speaking with Heather, she was afraid and cautious about causing undue pain to the woman. She didn't want to be rude or hurtful unintentionally. That was certainly the last thing she wanted to do.

She also didn't want to ask about Elizabet's history for far different reasons. Erin didn't trust the demon, she had an evil side which she was sure of it. But, of course Erin would eventually ask her because she didn't want to let Hattie down! She was definitely going to have to force herself to speak with Elizabet...eventually! However, Erin realized that time was running out if she was going to do so before the ceremony.

Erin let out a sigh, she found herself thinking about her family when she was all alone and with nothing to do. The mind could be a dangerous thing if it wasn't occupied because it always wandered back to her family. Always! And, whenever she found herself thinking about Elizabet her mind wandered to her family that she no longer had. The didn't remember her. She had been completely wiped from their memories, everything including pictures. She couldn't even have a picture to remember her family. She had been taken out of them, her history and theirs had been rewritten.

She sat up on the old bed and opened the computer that she had been so kindly given by Hattie. She flipped it opened and scrolled through instagram looking for what her old friends were up to. As Erin scrolled through the pictures and the accompanying remarks she felt more removed than ever from her friends and family. The feeling was akin to isolation.

Erin didn't know when the tears began to stream down her face and she began to cry. Why did she do this, why was she torturing herself with what she would never have again? Why?

She slammed the laptop closed angry with herself and angry with the reason why she had long since been forgotten - Elizabet.

***

After Hattie had covered Matthew with the wool blanket she just watched. It was strange to think he was the legend to their map, the key to their door. There where a hundred and one cliche's she could think of to describe the importance of the young man.

Hattie observed him, he seemed so normal and nothing at all of what she would have expected him to be. He was average to say the least.

"Has she spoken to you yet?" Hattie asked, although she guessed Erin hadn't approached Elizabet yet. Hattie suspected that Elizabet would be the last one she would ask. She was beginning to wonder if she would get to it before the ceremony was to take place. It was only a week away.

Elizabet snorted, "of course not. Part of me thinks she won't get the courage to even ask me."

"Why don't you approach her?"

"Hah! Hahaha! Where would the fun be in that?" Elizabet responded not willing to provide such an easy out for the girl. If she really wanted to know who she was, she would have to ask. "You?"

"No, not yet, but I suspect she will soon."

"Well, we are the only two that are left."

Hattie spun around, "Really, she has spoken to all the others? Even Heather?"

"Yes, I saw the tail end of their conversation. Heather went off to be alone afterwards." Elizabet rolled her eyes and shook her head, "I don't understand why she doesn't enjoy life a little more. I mean she is so morose!"

Hattie let out an exasperated sigh, "I really think the two of you should have more of a conversation with each other. I think the two of you could learn a lot from each other."

"You're waiting until after she joins the coven." Elizabet asked, her eyes on the young man.

Hattie indicated towards the unconscious young man, "You mean him and telling her?"

Elizabet nodded, "Yes."

"Yes. I think we have blown her mind enough for now."