The Transfiguratus Diem

8. Compensation

I am still in need of a beta if anyone is interested and willing. This is still the first draft!

Three days after her dramatic exit from her job, Carly finally emerged from her bedroom and made her way to the kitchen for breakfast, much to the surprise of her mother who almost dropped her mug in shock. Quickly Waylon raised a hand to silence his wife, knowing that drawing attention to the young woman would only encourage her to return to the pit from whence she came.

"Your mom is debating pancakes or waffles." Waylon said, his eyes pleading with Carly to answer him.

"I am?" Lori mouthed, her brows tight together. Walon waved his hand at her before pointing to Carly as Lori lowered her mug to the counter, the cooling tea forgotten.

"Then maybe the two of you can do some shopping? I know you have wanted to try that store on the corner opposite Carol's." Carly remained silent as she reached for an apple from the bowl, only to have it snatched from her hand by her mother.

"Look at me Charlise." Lori demanded, her fists on her hips. Carly slowly looked up at her mother to reveal the remnants of her makeup still on her face. Lori sighed and pursed her lips. "We're going to Hartnell's. Get dressed."

Carly and Waylon stared wide eyed at each other as Lori returned the apple to the fruit bowl and turned on her heel to head up the stairs. "Wear something blue." She called back, her words triggering Carly to rise out of her seat and rush after her mother.

It had been years since the duo had gone to their favourite place, life getting in the way of them doing anything more than passing in the hall of the little farmhouse. But Hartnell's was more than just a place of relaxation, it was the place they laughed and cried in as people polished them to perfection.

The car journey was silent as the two women advanced into the city. Carly did as she was told and wore a blue flowing dress that sat just above her knee, the fabric sheer, but not enough to reveal her underwear she had thrown on in a hurry. Her unwashed hair sat in a new bun rather than the one it had spent three days in, and her face was quickly scrubbed. Her teeth were freshly brushed but still she felt the lingering plague that had built up over the three days of her hibernation.

Lori pulled up outside the gates and opened her window to shout into the box. "We don't have a reservation, but it's an emergency. ID number 33974 Lori Grimes."

After a second, a voice came through the speaker. "Yes Mrs Grimes, we have been expecting you, your husband called ahead. He also said he is taking care of everything at home."

"Did he mention a pit?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good."

The gates opened to reveal the mansion turned spa resort the two women loved so much. The owner, Hartnell Feyer, prided himself on his ability to know exactly what a woman needed to soothe her soul. He turned his home into the spa that so many in the neighbouring cities had voted as the best place to be.

As the two pulled up, the man stood outside the doors to his home with pursed lips, his eyes flitting between his watch and the oncoming car. Once Lori pulled the car to a standstill, the man clicked his fingers, silently ordering a valet to open the door and take the keys.

"You are late. Our last conversation mentioned a wedding." He kissed Lori on both cheeks before turning to Carly. "Yet another broken hearted by that playboy Reed." He opened his arms wide to pull Carly into an embrace, using the contact as a way to feel the condition of her hair and her body. He pulled her back to assess her eyes before humming. "Well, that is going to be a problem."