Finding Anamaria

Chapter 17 - What's The Plan?

School has been a prison bound. More school guards were added, every student had a curfew when to leave and come back to the castle. If not every student is back on time, they automatically get kicked out of the school. They are taking this whole "Satanic Witch" thing very seriously. There is exactly 1,000 students and only 500 students received their results from the Test. It's Saturday, students allowed to leave from 1:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Dante is still running analysis and data from the poison Maximus used on Anamaria. It's been 1 entire week, no luck yet.

Ashton is in the bathroom covering his black eye with foundation. Ever since Maximus has punched him, he hasn't spoke a word to him. Maximus is purely cruel. No one has noticed Ashton's black eye yet. Slowly healing, but not rapid as it should be. Maximus changes to clothes while Ashton is in the bathroom. He grabs his coat and slams the door shut. When Ashton hears the door slam, he rushes to Maximus's drawer. "Should I even open it? Or is it worth having 2 black eyes? How did he even know? No..I shouldn't. But it's big! People need to know exactly who he is! But then if I showed that, he would harm Anamaria.." while Ashton looks at the drawer indecisively, Gretel knocks on the door. He runs to the door to get it.

When Gretel sees Ashton's face, she hugged him without letting him go. He smiles hugging her back with compassion. She grins "Sorry, I needed that." Ashton nods "How is she?" Gretel sighs "Still out of her mind." "Great." he scoffs. "I think there is one place that only one person may help us to overcome this situation before things get worse. Do you want to come?" Ashton looks at Gretel happy "If it's to save my sister's life, then I would be more than joyful to accompany you." Gretel sighs happy "Great! We leave right now. We have to be back before 8 and it's a long trip." "How long?" "1 hour long." "Lovely he says sarcastically I'm going to get dressed. Wait here." Gretel waits patiently. Ashton takes 3 minutes to get ready and comes out. Gretel stands up with eager "Great! Lets go! We don't want to miss the bus." Both of them run out of the room and make their way out of the castle.

Gretel and Ashton arrive in Lock Haven 1 hour later. "You hungry?" Ashton asks curiously. "I can eat a snack for now." she responds while looking at her map. "Lets eat and then we will make our way. Both of them go to a Burger Stock and buy themselves burgers with fries and soda. They take a seat enjoying their lunch. So tell me who is this person we are going to see?" Gretel swallows a piece of her burger "Her name is Delicia. She is an Augury Witch. Similar to a shaman in practice and will help to direct those on a spiritual quest by interpreting the signs and symbols the traveler encounters. Not a fortune teller, but they can see the mind and body and what happens in the person's mind." "Is she far from here?" "15 mins maximum." They both finish eating and wait for a taxi. Ashton pays the taxi driver.

The taxi driver makes a stop to their destination 15 minutes later. Gretel thanks the taxi driver and the taxi driver drives away. They stop at an abandoned house covered with dust and broken windows. "Is this the right address?" Ashton asks unsure. "Yes come on." Ashton follows Gretel. Gretel clears her throat and knocks on the door. Silence grew. She knocked after 1 minute. Silence started growing even more. Soon as her hand touches the door, the door opens. A lady at her late 30's opened the door "May I help you?" Gretel fixes herself "Hello, we are looking for Delicia?" "I am Delicia. What do you need?" "Hi Delicia, I am Gretel and I believe I made an appointment with you." "That's right! My apologizes! Come in, come in." she allows them inside the house.

A cat greets them with a "meow" when they arrive. The house is clean on the inside than on the outside. 5 more cats surround them meowing and grinding their heads against Gretel's and Ashton's legs. Gretel chuckles seeing them. "Where do we go ma'am?" She closes the door "Follow me." Delicia walks infront of them as they follow. She goes past beads curtains and opens them to let them pass. They all stop at a library room.