Aymee Parker B2 - The Cursed Mark

Chapter 52 : Hearth

It was next day's noon when Aymee woke up. Once she opened her eyes, she recognized Leslie first, then Lou Ellen.

"Leslie? Lou?" she mumbled.

Seeing her two stepsisters gave her hope. She was still stunned and felt like she'd been knocked out with a frying pan. Hopefully, this whole thing, this whole situation, was just a dream. It wasn't until she looked out the bungalow window and saw how high the sun was in the sky that Aymee realized she had slept for a long time.

The girls hugged her tight before Lou Ellen went to get Chiron. Leslie helped her up.

"You're feeling ok?"

"I... I'm a little dizzy, but I'll be fine."

"Aymee!"

Kosta bursted into the bungalow and jumped on her to hug her tightly. Aymee remained motionless for a moment, as much by surprise as because she still felt groggy. He had arrived so quickly, it was as if he'd been on standby near the bungalow all this time. Aymee could feel his heart pounding and his deep breathing. Poor guy must have been worried sick and—

Oh no, Aymee realized. I missed the fireworks.

"I'm sorry," she sighed. "For last night."

Kosta moved away just far enough to examine her. He didn't seem to care at all about their failed outing. He put his hand on her forehead and asked her to follow his finger with his eyes.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she reassured him. "It was just a sleeping spell."

"By Alabaster?"

Aymee turned around. Chiron was at the entrance to the bungalow and Lou Ellen came back to sit next to her stepsisters. Chiron couldn't get in because of his stature, but he eyed Aymee with concern. Aymee shook her head.

"No, it was Tannaha."

"Tannaha?" Leslie gulped. "But she— It's—"

It was so inconceivable, poor Leslie interrupted herself on and on again. Aymee understood perfectly. Tannaha was their big sister and she had always watched over everyone by remaining neutral whenever there was an argument. Aymee stared at her hands and did her best to remember what she had said before putting her to sleep.

"She said she had to keep an eye on them," she explained softly.

"Aymee, tell us everything from the beginning, please."

Chiron made himself as comfortable as he could and Aymee recounted everything that had happened the night before. Only the part about Amos and wizards she kept silent. As the paralysis spell passed, Aymee couldn't stop the flashes from returning. Terror crept into her, only, this time, her body reacted. She was shaking so hard she bit her tongue and Kosta had to spend a good half hour calming her down and reassuring her by telling her it was over.

After a mini breathing session, Aymee managed to finish the story. She looked at Lou Ellen and Leslie.

"Alabaster sent Amos to get the others. Are they..."

She didn't need to finish her sentence. Leslie shook her head.

"Only the three of us are left. The triplets, Daxter... They all disappeared last night, along with a few other campers."

Aymee's heart sank. Lou Ellen's legs were trembling. She was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She rubbed her hands before confessing what was tormenting her.

"He also tried to get me to come. Every once in a while, he would make remarks about the camp or about Luke. I thought he was joking, bad jokes."

Lou Ellen squeezed her hands tightly. It was obvious she was holding herself back from crying. Aymee could understand why. She felt terribly worthless and useless for having believed him in December. She had even made him a reconciliation bracelet!