Henbane Academy

3 October

Hephaestus Dorm; Number 1998

The words 'ridiculous', 'sick', 'leave' and 'one time too many', buried themselves within my mind, muddling my thoughts as much as they could. What was Nick talking about? Each full sentence merely lost its meaning as they flit in and out of my hearing.

'Elizabeth,' he turned with his anger coming into focus. 'Have you heard a word from mother?' No, not anger. His words were searing with something much more dangerous; fear. For a moment, his usual calm and cool demeanor slipped, letting me know about the desperate beast underneath. 'For the love of all that is good, I'm just relieved you're alright,' he embraced me, tucking his chin in the crook of my neck. An intimacy we haven't shared for many years.

'All that is—? Nick, what's wrong?' I pulled back, looking into his eyes for any indication of an illness. 'Has something happened to mother? Is it our time to leave?'

'No,' he chuckled with relief. 'No, we aren't. You've said so yourself, we aren't leaving until we're ready. And I know you aren't ready yet.'

'Then what's happened? You look as if you've seen a ghost. Or twenty for that matter.'

'I might as well have. They've found another one. A fourth year in Hephaestus. Hester Daniels,' he exhaled heavily, plopping into the armchair. 'Knowing it could've been you, it nearly killed me. What with the studies you're involving yourself in—'

'Nick, you're exaggerating. I'm fine. I've been with William and Sarah all morning.'

'No, I'm not exaggerating. You are alive by the Grim's choice. There is no 'safe' anymore. We're playing with chance being here at this school.'

'But we aren't leaving?'

'No we aren't.' He held me for as long as he could. 'Mother has told me that despite how unreasonable you are, you are correct. We should be able to leave... when we choose to.' There was a reluctance in his tone that I chose to ignore. 'And if you're to stay until this ends, or leave before, I'll be beside you.'

'The carriage doesn't leave unless we're both there, correct?'

He scoffed, averting his eyes. 'Mother might have asked me to bring you back, alive or dead. Preferably alive considering our situation.'

'Ah, mother. Always the supporting parent,' I smiled, although insincerely. 'What is it about sickness then? Has she fallen down the stairs at last? Scraped dignity onto her face perhaps?'

'Father's on his deathbed.'

'Father— what?'

'You know he's been unwell for the past year. Right after he... cut you off and sent us here.'

'Right. He— he has,' I swallowed down the uneasiness in my throat. 'Is it scarlet fever again?'

'There is nothing more for him to catch.' Silence hung thick in the air, leaving us both to our thoughts. Father, gone. What was that going to feel like? Would I still be greeted with the same air of hostility he's maintained? 'I'll be going this Saturday. Do you want to come?'

'I, I've got to proceed on the winter project, with Mr. Hawley. Important things to do,' I forced a smile. 'Send him my regards will you?' I pat my brother's shoulder. 'Tell him that he means the world.'

'You could tell him yourself sister—'

'Oh, I'm not sure he'll want to see the child who's brought such disgrace to the family name.'

'No, I don't suppose he will.'

'Well,' I stood, smoothing down invisible creases in my uniform. 'If there's nothing more, I'll be going. I'm late for Dr. Whicher's class.'