Protecting Earth and Turbulent Waters

Morgan

Derick was easy to notice. He stood waiting at the entrance to the station. Leo looked back at me with a reassuring smile and ushered me forward. As we got closer, a metallic taste and fur covered my tongue again. It seemed Derick indeed returned to his old ways.

"Derick," Leo greeted.

"Bro." Derick gave a slight nod.

"You both ready?"

Leo glanced at me and took my hand, "Ready."

Leo made small talk with his brother. While Leo did not like what his big brother was up to, it seemed he wanted to keep his relationship with him or at least get some information from him.

"How long have you been staying with her?"

Derick did not once look away from the road, "I'm not staying with Ma. I'm in Uncle Ronnie's house."

"Eh?"

"I still visit nearly daily, but it's easier with Ronnie. Ma tries, but it's awkward."

"...Awkward?"

"You won't remember... Ma wasn't the greatest at being there. As a mother. She still struggles, but she is trying."

He pulled off road onto worn tracks leading away from the main road and continued into a line of trees, which appeared out of nowhere. Looking back, the 'road' had not changed.

"A concealment."

I looked to our driver to meet his eyes in the mirror, "A little bumpy here. Nearly there," Derick announced.

When we emerged from the trees, I couldn't help but ask, "Where are we exactly?"

"Near Loch Ore."

Stone-walled cottages lines with slate roofs created a picturesque, cosy village. One house was slightly separated away from the others and somewhat smaller in size. Derick pulled up in front of it.

"Home, sweet home," Derick muttered.

I sighed slightly, looking at the tiny house. The metallic taste nearly tripled, making my lips smack at the taste. Leo looked over his shoulder at me as Derick got out.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. How are you?"

"I... I don't know." Leo looked off to the side, "We will talk later."

His eyes lingered at the door of the smaller cottage.

There stood his mother, Morgan.

She watched from the charming wooden door at the front of the house. Her long black hair was braided over her shoulder. Derick was the taller male version of his mother. As we reached the front door, she greeted us.

"Hello. Nice to finally meet you both." Her eyes shifted between us.

The awkwardness began to build within, "Hello," I politely answered.

"Please come in. I have put you both in the spare room." She held the door open, allowing us both in.

Entering the house, it was much larger on the inside, and I couldn't help but look around.

"Woah," I whispered.

The tiny cottage was magically altered to house larger rooms on the inside. Old wooden beams ran across all areas of the ceiling. Walls were lined with herbs, bones and talismans. The whole house was dressed for yule, Including a pine tree in the corner next to an open fire. A witch's cottage indeed.