Obscure Occurrences |C. BAREBONE|

☛ Forty-Four☚

• August, 1927 •

Nearby to the address of Irma Dugard, but not too close, Credence, Genevieve and Nagini found shelter. It was a small apartment that Genevieve had snuck them all into and enchanted. Nobody would know they were there until the witch desired so.

Only an hour ago did the Circus Arcanus burst into flames and panic. Yet, the three had already found a place to stay. At first, they didn't know what to do. Freedom tasted foreign and strange but nonetheless euphoric. It caused Genevieve to erupt with laughter as she fell back into the bed in the bedroom. It was soft and felt much like the one she slept in growing up.

Just like angel feathers she thought while burying her head into the crisp, white sheets. She wanted to remain curled up there forever with Credence and Nagini. The witch wanted a normal life. But it wasn't about what she wanted, it was about what Credence needed. No longer could he just live off her embrace and ask no questions about who he was. Credence needed the warmth of family, he needed something other than water, sweeter but not as thick as blood (no matter how much Genevieve wanted to believe so).

"You can always join me" Genevieve spoke with closed eyes. She knew Credence was waiting at the door.

"I-I don't think-",

"We need to get some rest, Credence. Plus, I don't want to look half dead when I meet your mother" Genevieve smiled before peering up at the Obscurial. At her words, the boy was silently beaming under his mask of fragility. He was excited for his mother to meet Genevieve too.

In the pregnant air of serenity with Nagini sound asleep; Credence crawled into the sheets beside Genevieve. From there, she could bury herself into into his hunched warmth.

It felt like they could finally breathe. Their chests expanded with clean air and their bodies drank in the fresh aroma of liberty. The things that only existed under sleep were now open doors and opportunities. Finally, Credence and Genevieve were together and could control themselves however they saw fit. Nothing would pull them from the magic or hinder their ambitions. They wanted a home in the wizard world, somewhere to belong amongst the wonder. It was all at arms reach. Everything they needed was at a flicker of a wand.

"We're going to do it..." Credence whispered in the dark, his fingers twirling strands of her hair as they laid idly by.

"Yes, we are".

"And we're going to be free" he continued.

"And together",

"Forever?".

"I wouldn't expect anything less".

☛✹☚

Credence and Nagini woke early the next morning with sleep filled eyes and stretched backs. Finally, the two could have the small freedom of waking when the wanted. However, Genevieve didn't get that pleasure. Like what had happened in the Circus Arcanus, blood was bitten from her arm and forced the girl's eyes open. It was the thing that reminded her forever of her torment; and of course, it wasn't the only scar.

But, Genevieve wouldn't let it hinder her mood. She stepped out once she was greeted by dawn and acquired some fruit at a nearby market so the three could eat that morning. She wanted to make sure that their first morning from the circus would be a good one. Nothing was meant to go wrong and Genevieve wouldn't let it. The dark witch would defy nature to make the Obscurial smile. He would be greeted with rays of sunlight and a fresh day resistant to pain. A smile would be there to meet him in the kitchen and Nagini would offer wondrous topics of conversation. Whatever the maledictus spoke of always had Genevieve in a curious mood. After all, Nagini came from a place Genevieve only dreamed of existing. She didn't notice it was an object of reality until she met her best friend.

While Genevieve cut the apple into one-bite slices, Nagini greeted her with a short lived smile before she took a piece between her lips.

"Good morning" the maledictus greeted, her voice sweet until her eyes trailed down to the new plaster on Genevieve's arm.

"Good morning to you too-" Genevieve replied, "- is Credence awake?".

"Yes, he's in the bedroom... Today's a big day for him; he's nervous" Nagini whispered in a voice low and soothing as she proceeded to chew the fruit.

"I wouldn't be surprise. He feels as bad as I look" the witch chuckled.

"You don't look bad, we've all seen bad days".

More like bad months Genevieve thought while she quietly continued preparing the small breakfast. She wanted to make sure they were both fully taken care of. The witch was trying to be strong... For their sakes. And she couldn't show that unless she provided her best. Then again, Genevieve had always surpassed her best for Credence.