Abominations (American Horror AU 3)

Chapter 9

Later that day, Eleonora and Zoe set out for the heart of New Orleans in an attempt to get away from the turmoil LaLaurie was causing at the academy. Zoe still had Kyle on her mind, but she knew it was not the right time just yet to go to Misty's and visit him. They were walking, and for the first time, Eleonora wore a hat like the other girls and Fiona-it was black but had a silk ribbon around the top to make it stand out. Her long, flowing straight light blonde hair blew in the wind as she glanced over at the friend walking next to her, who was dressed in a black blouse with a matching skirt and boots with a stylish hat that flopped to the side.

"I wonder how Kyle is doing," Zoe wondered.

"I'm sure he is doing much better than he was last we saw him," Eleonora replied. "I wouldn't worry too much."

"I'm curious, Eleonora," the girl with light brown hair said, her honey brown eyes looking at her new friend as they stopped. "H-How did you feel while performing the spell?"

"To be honest," the blonde began. "I felt...uh...well...hesitant."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Eleonora said simply.

"But why?" Zoe asked. "Is it because he can't talk anymore?"

"No. It's because I have not resurrected anyone since I was twelve," the freckled blonde girl said with a sad sigh. "I honestly did not think it would work, but of course, I guess it did."

"I was the one who breathed life into him," Zoe added as they continued to walk.

"Then he killed the coroner," Eleonora recalled. "I didnot want that to happen. Nonetheless, it did. I feel awful..." She stopped again, sighing sadly.

"Eleonora," Zoe muttered, looking at her sympathetically. "Don't feel bad. We all had a hand in it. In fact, it was Kyle who killed him. Not us."

"Not directly," Eleonora said, looking into her honey brown eyes. "I still feel terrible."

Zoe felt really bad for her new friend, whose green eyes were filled with worry and guilt as she took her in a comforting embrace, letting her rest her head on her shoulder as she gave her back a gentle pat. The blonde, strangely, did not cry-but looked to the side to notice she was back at Earth Age, the occult shop Julie and Chase worked at. The girl with honey brown hair let her go and stared into her eyes, assuring she was feeling a bit better about the situation.

"Are you alright?" she asked, glancing to the side.

"I think so," Eleonora said with a timid, slow nod. "We're here."

They entered the store and looked around at the wide array of products they had sold on a daily basis-books nestled in the large bookshelf, different shapes and colors of candles on display next to incense in another part, jewelry hanging on a small rack in the middle of the store where tumbled gemstones were below in clear drawers for easy access, herbs in clear, small bags with labels hung on another display near a tapestry-styled curtain that was half open. Chase, who was restocking white jar devotional candles, heard the footsteps and looked back with a huge smile.

"I remember you!" he exclaimed happily, finishing his restocking as he ran over to Eleonora and smiled yet again. "I'm Chase."

"I think we've met, sir," the freckled blonde said, readjusting her hat.

"And who are you?" Chase asked, looking at Zoe's timeless, soft-toned beauty.

"I'm Zoe Benson," she said.

"It's nice to meet you, Zoe," he said with the excitement of a child. "I also want to say I'm sorry."

"Why?" Eleonora asked.