The Enchantments: Book 3 - The Key of Sorcen

Chapter 40: Together

The day started bright and sunny in the townhouse of Dr. Millar as Simeneon came down the stairs. For what seemed ages she was finally able to feel clean and refreshed wearing something other then the khakis and dirt drenched shirts she was used to. Her long blond hair now clean and brushed shone in the morning sun as she made her way into the kitchen. She pulled her robe in closer to her chest as she found the area filled with many people she had never met before.

"Good morning sunshine!" The doctor said brightly. He placed down his cup and gave Simeneon a hug. "Feeling better?"

"It's been a long time since I've slept like that, thanks for asking." She said brightly.

Simeneon caught sight of the others in the room staring at her with vacant and sunken eyes.

"Have you been able to find any of their relatives?' She asked motioning to the others in the room.

The doctor looked over at the others as well and sighed.

"I've sent out telegrams to many of their relatives but with the magic that they were under in the realm keeping them young, believe it or not some of these people are over a thousand years old. You try explaining to the relatives that their great, great, great, great grandfather is still alive. I'm afraid they're going to be ostracized by many and there's nothing I can do about it."

Simeneon felt the pain of the doctor and wished there was something she could do about it, but the longer she thought about it, she kept coming up with the same conclusion. They were on their own, again.

She brightened up as Sarah came running through the door to the kitchen and hugged her hard.

"Simeon?" (She had trouble pronouncing her name.) "You look very pretty!" She said excitedly.

Simeneon couldn't help but smile and she decided to play along.

"I'm nothing compared to you!" She said. "If I could be half as pretty as you, I'd be very lucky!"

Sarah began parading around the kitchen in her new bright pink sundress showing everyone that would listen how it was her first dress ever and how pretty she was in it.

Simeneon felt the little girl's bubbly attitude infectious and at least for a few minutes felt the joy she was feeling. She remembered the days when she was little and her parents had bought her, her first dress. She had showed off for her parents like Sarah was now. That was oh so long ago, almost a lifetime in many ways.

Sarah was beginning to revolve in front of another woman who had been held prisoner for a very long time and Simeneon could tell the effect of the happy child was starting to reach her as well.

Simeneon didn't see the doctor as he joined her again, she could tell he was smiling as well.

"What's gonna happen to them now?" Simeneon asked as she watched Sarah begin hugging everyone that would let her. Soon the entire kitchen was laughing and carrying on with the small bundle of joy.

"Marianne and Sarah will be staying with me for a while until she's at least rid her self of the emotional scars she's carrying." He said dejectedly. "I fear they'll be here a long time."

"Sarah seems better." She said.

"Kids are resilient, they bounce back quicker." He smiled. "Look at you!"

"To tell you the truth doc, I really don't feel like I'm bouncing back like I used to." She sighed.

"You'll be fine and so will they." He placed his arm around her shoulder and gave it a little tug.